Briefs

The Colour

Date: Thursday, April 5, 2007 with doors at 8 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $8 in advance and $10 the day of the show if available

The Los Angeles music scene is filled with hundreds if not thousands of bands trying to catch the attention of that one label representative who will catapult them onto the national scene. Many aspiring musicians journey to this twisted land of milk and honey hoping to have their chance to live in the limelight. While most are unsuccessful, The Colour was able to find a home on EMI’s Rethink label. Rethink coupled them with producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse and Tom Waits) to create their latest release “Between Earth and Sky.”

“Between Earth and Sky” presents The Colour as a band successfully creating their own niche in the indie/alternative rock scene. While their instrumental sound is an excellent example of modern alternative sound, a listener can definitely recognize musical qualities that can only classified as pure, traditional rock and roll. The vocal aspects of this band are quite the same. While maintaining a unique sound, one might be reminded of Jim Morrison or Bono back in the days when he was known as “Bono Vox.”

Band: Locust Fork and Lisa Mills (Musicians for Music Benefit Concert)

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 2 p.m.

Venue: American Legion Post 199, 700 South Mobile St. in Fairhope, 928-9132, www.americanlegion199.com

Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door, free for children under 14

In 2003, Deep Water Blues member Bert Baisden passed on unexpectedly and his widow was unable to cover the burial expenses. Members of the ESho music community, in particular Mike Leff (who built the Post’s outdoor stage) decided to help. Local musicians like Luther Wamble, George Eberlein, Luther Wilson and Adam Holt held a benefit concert for Baisden’s widow under the Leff’s guidance and around $2000 dollars was raised. This benefit was such a success Leff decided it should continue and the Musicians for Music Project was born. Its philanthropic mission is to provide scholarships for up-and-coming musicians as well as to provide funds for music programs at local schools and churches.

Unfortunately, Leff met an untimely death in 2004 and he was unable to see the project to complete fruition. His legacy lives on via this admirable musical showcase and this charity has also attracted many impressive musicians such as Kenny Acosta and the House Wreckers and The Leavin’ Brothers.

As the crowds grew, many began to liken the event to a Woodstock for 40-somethings with attendees traveling by foot, car, bicycle and boat to this beautiful setting on Mobile Bay. In just two years, the program has raised $7500 dollars, which was used to provide funds for almost a dozen high school band programs and music lessons for an autistic child.

This year’s concert will kick off on the beach stage with the very talented and beautiful Lisa Mills joined by some of her partners in crime. This organically soulful songstress has a habit of charming her audiences with her stellar voice and acoustic skills. Mills toured in Europe while fronting Janis Joplin’s former band Big Brother and the Holding Company. Returning to the American Legion will be Birmingham’s Locust Fork. Other activities include an “Artists by the Bay” art show and a display for Fairhope Handcrafted Guitars.

Zardous Argo, Keychain Pistol, Malamute, Dummo and Pawnshop Promises

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 9 p.m.

Venue: Cell Block, 216 Dauphin St., 431-0186, www.myspace.com/cellblockbar

Tickets: $5 at the door

The Mobtown Underground is planning an explosion as three local and two regional bands take the stage at Cell Block for night of furious, twisted music. Since it has been a couple of months since Zardous Argo has played Mobile, this local favorite is itching to get on a local stage to satisfy themselves as well as their legion of fans. Rumor has it that they will be performing some fresh music for the Cell Block crowd.

Mississippi’s Malamute earned some new fans when they rocked the now defunct Margarita’s a few months ago and will earn a few more at this show with their eclectic rock sounds.

Despite their heavy work schedules, Keychain Pistol has been making their way around the tri-state area and is looking forward to their debut at Cell Block. Also making their debut is underground newcomers Pawnshop Promises with their traditional, old school punk sound.

The highlight of the night will come in the form of Dummo. Florida has always boasted an extremely healthy metal scene, and Dummo has picked up the torch. This off-beat, progressive metal band got their start in 1999 with Matt Conlee and Justin Shaw at Nease High School in Jacksonville, Fla. Together they shaped a vehement sound accented by such traditional metal qualities such as vocal harmonies and intense guitars and drums.

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

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