Briefs

The Scumdogs of the Universe are coming to violate Mobile! On June 20 at the Soul Kitchen, the unsuspecting citizens of Mobile will have the rare chance to experience the macabre wonder known as GWAR. As they make their way across the countryside donning blood-soaked armor on the Sounds of the Underground tour, Oderus Urungus, Balsac, Flattus Maximus, Beefcake the Mighty and Jizmak Da Gusha have decided to infiltrate other towns along the way, and Mobile has made their hit list. The air will be filled with chaos and various bodily fluids as the crowd is pummeled with some of the most extreme metal in creation. When I spoke with Urungus (a.k.a. Dave Brockie) many moons ago, we talked about the fact that GWAR has remained so popular over the years.

“Probably the biggest thing that has kept GWAR going is that we’re not afraid to NOT take ourselves seriously,” explains Urungus. “We’re dead serious about having fun, making art and putting on the sickest show in the history of not just heavy metal, not just rock-and-roll but entertainment period!”

Urungus speaks true as the stage will writhe with various characters and props from the GWAR Universe. A word to the wise: wear clothing that you will not mind getting messed up. GWAR shows are quite messy, and most of the crowd will emerge from Soul Kitchen covered in theater blood. Joining GWAR will be tour mates and pioneers of “Nintendo Rock” HORSE the Band as well as Mobile’s newest underground sensation The Amazing Coincidence, which features Jeff Brewton and Artimus Prime of Fry Cook and Michael Clark of Nuees Ardentes and XBXRX. Tickets are on sale now at Soul Kitchen, the Soul Kitchen Web site and Mellow Mushroom.

Bienvenidos

I would like to take time to welcome Margarita’s Bar to the family of LoDa music venues. Since opening their doors, this venue has been pumping out the sound and packing the house featuring local bands such as The Grey and Hyde Project as well as touring bands such as the ever-popular, lingerie-clad sirens of the British Isle known as MT-TV.

Another unique perk of Margarita’s that sets them apart from other LoDa venues is their food. If you make it down there before 10 p.m., then you’ll be able to sample some of the most authentic Mexican food in Mobile (we’re talking handmade tortillas). July 29 will be an excellent chance to experience this new venue as Zardous Argo takes the stage for the first time since breaking up over a year ago. This alternative band quickly became a Mobile favorite and represented the Port City at Spring Fest 2005. So, what’s the reason for this reunion?

“We really just missed playing,” Zardous bassist Ben O’Mary explains. “All of us enjoy entertaining and wanted to get back to where we were.” I know their fans are ready as well as the air will be filled with favorites such as “Take Off Your Clothes” and “Commotion Come Ocean.” Hitting the stage with Zardous will be Hotlanta’s PsykNyne and Mobile’s The Amazing Coincidence. So, head on down to Margarita’s, have a bite to eat and rock the night away with these three amazing bands.

Purr-fect day at Blue Gill

It seems as if most of our area venues are chillin’ in the summer heat, and the Blue Gill is no exception. On July 29, they will welcome Nashville-based rockers HiP KiTTY to their beautiful waterfront amphitheater.

HiP KiTTY is no stranger to the area and has rocked out venues such as Live Bait in Orange Beach with a high intensity sound that is matched only by their stage presence. Sam Ash (The Musical Instrument Megastore) and Café Au Fait Jewelry were so impressed by their sound that they couldn’t help but sponsor this band. Jen Halverson’s seductive vocals are excellently complimented by Mike Goncalves’ thrashing guitar, Arrick Seal’s pounding drums and Gary Bennett’s emotional work on the keyboard.

HiP KiTTY’s latest CD “My Forgiveness” is a good representation of the band’s attitude towards music. Pulling from various inspirations, they pull off an extremely versatile sound.

“I’m Waiting” is drenched in pure, hard-hitting rock, but they turn it around with “Saving Grace,” which is a syncopated, heart-felt ballad. Currently, HiP KiTTY is on a fairly extensive Southeast tour, which is taking them from Orlando to Tuscaloosa. Don’t miss your chance to rock out at the Blue Gill and pick up a copy of their CD “My Forgiveness.”

By Invitation Only

The American Legion on the ESho is quickly gaining its street credibility as an impressive music venue. Many of its patrons have found sheer bliss in sitting at their Tiki Bar, watching the sunsets on Mobile and jamming to bands such as Bud Zepper Blues. Now on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., singer/songwriter Mark Bintliff is hosting an open guitar jam. All you have to do is bring your ax and start chopping out the jams. With the guitar talent with have in the Port City, this should be quite impressive. Lisa Mills has also taken a shine to the American Legion. She is currently selling her latest release “By Invitation Only” (produced by Joe DeLeon) at the Legion before it is released to the public. So, stop by, grab a copy of Mills’ latest release and enjoy the atmosphere.

Gotta Lovett

Tickets are on sale now at the Saenger and Ticketmaster for the one and only Lyle Lovett. On Aug. 29, Lovett will take the Saenger stage for a night of cowboy crooning straight out of Texas. Now, many of you are more familiar with his celebrity connections than his musical skill, but I can assure you this man has more musical talent in his little finger than most people do in their entire bodies. Even though some of his releases may borderline big band or blues, his heart is buried deep in country music, and it remains a staple no matter what genre he chooses.

This just in…

At press time, Soul Kitchen announced Philadelphia groovers G. Love and Special Sauce will be performing Tuesday, Aug. 29. Tickets are on sale now at www.soulkitchen.com.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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