Briefs

Once again, Mobile will begin its four-month holiday season that kicks off with Thanksgiving and wraps up with Mardi Gras Day. Times like these make me proud to be a Mobilian.

No turkey at Dranksgiving

So, what would be the best way to kick off our holiday season? I would suggest Dranksgiving at Cell Block. Dranksgiving was founded by “The Reverend Vertigo” in all his wisdom as a means of late night escape after dealing with the tedious family routine that Thanksgiving brings to each of us. Even though the good reverend has departed from Cell Block, they still continue this tradition into 2006.

This year, Dranksgiving will be a cornucopia of madness with Mobile’s newest metal masters Glutton 4 Misery kicking off the night. Following G4M, the crowd will be assaulted (in a good way) by the “swamp metal” stylings of Pensacola’s Parabellum.

Headlining the Dranksgiving festivities will be NOLA’s Pitts vs. Preps. To those metalheads out there, Pitts vs. Preps is fronted by Kyle Thomas. Thomas has made a name for himself fronting bands such as Exhorder (rumored to be Phil Anselmo’s inspiration for Pantera), Floodgate and Alabama Thunderpussy. So, deal with the family, then head down to LoDa for Dranksgiving 2006.

Jam fans thankful

Galactic’s performances at Soul Kitchen are never a disappointment for the fans or the venue. Whenever these guys come to the Kitchen, there’s always a huge crowd, and the band loves it. They appreciate it so much that they plan on Soul Kitchen being one of only two shows they are playing the week of Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 25, Galactic will provide a night of funky rhythms at Soul Kitchen that is sure to get you on your feet. If you get a chance, then pick up Galactic drummer Stanton Moore’s latest CD “III” at the show. After playing their holiday shows, they plan on heading across the pond to Amsterdam for “Jam in the Dam.” That should be quite interesting. Get your tickets now through Soul Kitchen’s box office, their website (www.soulkitchenmobile.com) or at Mellow Mushroom.

Cheesey Night

You might as well plan on making arrangements to head back down to Soul Kitchen Nov. 26 for a truly unique and unforgettable experience. HUKA Productions is bringing EOTO to the Soul Kitchen stage. EOTO features Jason Hann and Michael Travis of String Cheese Incident. Hann and Travis have created a totally improvisational, electronica show that they are calling “a brand new 100 percent improvised live looping project.”

Since every performance is improv, each night brings a totally different experience. You will also want to wear the wackiest costume you can find. There will be a $100 cash prize for the best costume. If you are a String Cheese fan then I encourage you to attend this show, as they announced they will be calling it quits next summer, so take advantage of this. Tickets will be available at the door.

Different style

If Galactic is not your bag and you feel like getting out some festering frustrations left over from the holidays, then I suggest heading down to Margarita’s Bar Nov. 25.

Hattiesburg punk rockers Malamute (featuring former members of An End to October) will be taking the stage. Schooled in the traditions of bands ranging from Against Me! to Fugazi, these guys are making plans to energize the crowd with their musical vehemence. Joining Malamute will be Death Defying Die’rs and the debut of the Mobtown Underground’s newest rockers Keychain Pistol.

3 Doors downtown

I remember when 3 Doors Down played CPR Fest in Biloxi several years ago. When they took the stage, the audience experienced a local band that was on the edge of stardom. By the time the next CPR Fest rolled around, 3 Doors Down had broken into mainstream rock with a vengeance with their hit song “Kryptonite,” and they were considered to be a national headliner.

Even though they have been nominated for Grammys and have gone multi-platinum, 3 Doors Down still keeps the Gulf Coast in mind and lends a charitable hand whenever possible. On Dec. 2 at the Mobile Convention Center, 3DD will take the stage in order to raise money for Katrina victims through the Better Life Foundation, and they’re bringing some friends with them.

Joining the ‘Sippi boys will be BayFest favorite Hinder as well as Staind. You might have caught Staind the last time they came through when they packed out the Pensacola Civic Center on the Jagermeister Music Tour. I think it’s safe to say this show will be a guaranteed sell-out if it hasn’t already by the time you read this. So, get online or head down to the Mobile Civic Center box office and pick up your tickets now.

Call him Mellow Yellow

On Nov. 28, one of the most obscure-yet-influential musical artists in rock history will play The Temple. Many of you may remember Donovan for his hits “Mellow Yellow,” “Sunshine Superman,” and “Season of the Witch,” but his contributions to rock-and-roll are endless.

This British, flower powerhouse started his climb to superstar status in 1965 with his appearance on the BBC’s “Ready Steady Go!” While becoming a household name, Donovan became friends with music icons such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and The Beatles. It is even rumored that Donovan taught John Lennon and George Harrison how to finger pick a guitar. In fact, Donovan was one of the few musicians that The Beatles allowed to sit in with them.

Donovan found rejuvenation in 2004 courtesy of Rick Rubin (aka the father of Def Jam and American Recordings). Rubin was a long time fan and encouraged Donovan to release 2004’s “Beat Café” much to the happiness of his fans. If you want to experience true flower power and a musical legend, then pick up your tickets for this show through Ticketmaster.

Speaking of The Temple, don’t miss the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama’s Christmas show, “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” Friday, Dec. 8.

These guys, who met at the Alabama School for the Negro Blind in 1939, have been together for about 60 years, originally hitting it big in the gospel circuit. But they recently have gained more mainstream acclaim in the last few years after recording songs with Robert Randolph and his Family Band as well as Ben Harper.

They have been performing the Christmas show since 2003 and in the past they have had the likes of Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples and John Medeski turn up on stage with them at these shows.

Tickets are reserved and are available at www.templemobile.com. This is the only “Go Tell It on the Mountain” show anywhere remotely close to here. So if you miss it, you’ll have to head to California or Delaware.

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

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