Briefs

All of you faithful readers have once again braved (and are still braving) the holiday madness the Christmas season brings. After spending one day at Colonial Bel-Air Mall, I think it’s safe to say I will avoid that level of retail hell until way into the spring. For those of you out there who have OD-ed on Christmas cheer, the Port City offers you a way to musically detox throughout the holiday season, including two reunion shows that you definitely won’t want to miss.

Chifauco back

Once again, it’s time to travel to the past with a performance from one of Mobile’s most beloved bands. On Dec. 22, the eclectic rock-funk of Chifauco will once again saturate the Soul Kitchen audience, with special guest keyboardist extraordinaire, Chris Spies. Unfortunately, Ali Afalirad recently broke his wrist, so he will only be able to play a few songs. Have no fear! Chifauco has enlisted the help of local guitar legend Corky Hughes. Bassist Mike Smith also plans on charming the crowd while Chifauco’s Chris Freeman (Chifauco’s regular bassist) does his magic on the sax. Freeman, along with drummer Blair Shotts, continues to live every musician’s dream out in Los Angeles.

Shotts is still beating out rhythms with Fredalba. With new management in the wings, Fredalba plans on releasing a new album and going on tour. Shotts also does 20 sessions a week as a session drummer at the Musician’s Institute, with Mobile native Chris East acting as his engineer.

He played with Macy Gray, worked extensively with Ameenah Kaplan of “Stomp!” and was the music director for “Everyman for Himself.” Shotts even caught the ears of producers Brian Carlstrom (Alice in Chains, The Offspring) and Ben Grosse (30 Seconds to Mars, Depeche Mode, Disturbed). With all this going on, Shotts still has time to work with Chris Freeman in a band called Veiled and Rachel Sierra (Pharsyde).

“The shows in L.A. are great, and we have a lot of fun,” Shotts explains. “The show at the Soul Kitchen over Christmas is the best time we have all year. Chris and I miss Mobile immensely.”

Haere Marue-nion

Back in the day, there was an extremely popular watering hole called Southside. In the days of Southside, there was a local favorite that packed in the crowds and went to on to be quite a successful band. The band I speak of is none other than Haere Marue.

Haere Marue is using this holiday season as an excuse to give the people what they want. Some of you have enjoyed a portion of this band with drummer John Milham playing in various groups from Vibration Configuration to Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers. Singer Kurt Wielkens and percussionist James Ellis currently play in Glass Joe alongside Lagniappe managing editor Rob Holbert.

But here’s your chance to catch a local band that people still rave about. I’ve been hearing rumors of their reunion for quite some time now, and it’s nice to see this is coming to fruition. You can catch this big show Thursday, Dec. 28 at Monsoon’s.

The little pub that could

The shows at little ol’ Callaghan’s keep getting bigger and bigger. This Christmas, Callaghan’s is wrapping up quite a musical present for the Port City.

On Wednesday, Dec. 27, Will Kimbrough will rock the night away in the pub on Marine Street, and tickets are on sale now! If you are one of the lucky crowd who’s into XM Radio, you might have caught Mobile native Kimbrough on the Bob Edwards’ show talking about his days with Will and the Bushmen as well as his solo career.

If you’re a Kimbrough-phile, then you’ll want to catch him at the Callaghan’s show. I’m pretty sure that he will be wooing the crowd with songs off his latest release “Americanitis,” and I’m sure a few Bushmen faves as well.

It seems as if Kimbrough is traveling a familiar road with his take on America. Whereas most artists have been choosing to focus totally on the government, Kimbrough addresses various aspects of the United States. Kimbrough even recruited Miles Zuniga (Fastball) and singer/songwriter Gwil Owen to help him out in the construction of this dissertation.

So, what can a Kimbrough fan expect off of this one? From what I’ve read, he covers everything from white-collar crime to right wing conspiracy to songs inspired by visions of J.J. Cale. Catch these tunes at Callaghan’s before anyone else.

Cell Block in the spirit

The underground music scene can’t escape the Christmas spirit and the Cell Block Christmas soiree is a prime example. Cell Block is not just planning one night of festivities, but there will be two nights chocked-full of the Port City’s best bands. It will all begin on Friday, Dec. 22 with the Colonel Dixies taking the stage along with Hush Hush Revolution, One Cut Kill, Super Nice Bros. and Alex Frentz Royal Attire.

The madness will continue into Saturday, Dec. 23 with Blood Red Squid scheduled to play. In case you aren’t familiar with them, they used to go under the name of Scarecrow. If Scarecrow is anything like BRS, then I predict their electronica-infused sounds will quickly become a favorite with the scenesters.

Joining Blood Red Squid will be grungy garage punkers thee hibachi stranglers, the hip-hopping Microphone Messengers, Subject Matters, the rock madness of Western Lands and newcomers The Liars.

The Liars are comprised of Josh “Scurvy” Bond and Lydia Dorsey. These two have created an acoustic goth style of music that is sure to hypnotize the listener with soothing guitars and eclectically dual vocals. Along with the music, Cell Block will also be having drink specials, and I hear the cover ain’t gonna be that bad.

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

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