BayFest

Over the years, the Launching Pad stage has become quite popular with the Bayfest crowd where up-and-coming local and regional acts take the stage in front of major crowds and showcase their talent. All genres are welcome and BayFest 2007 is no exception with everything from blues to rock (both alternative and mainstream) and Friday night delivering a double shot of powerful sound.

Lee Yankie and the Hellz Yeah! kick it off with a wallop of rhythm and rock. This band has made a name for themselves and earned quite a few fans with their unique take on everyone from Led Zeppelin to Prince. With a party like BayFest, this is a perfect warm-up for the crowd.

Birmingham rockers Beyond Me swing another haymaker with their brawny sound and intense stage presence. These youngsters have been warping young minds at the Work Play Theater in the Magic City and now they have BayFest in their sinister battle plans.

When gates open on Saturday, the Launching Pad will ease the crowd through the afternoon hours with Chronic Blues. This group of accomplished musicians plan on bringing their uncut Mobile blues with the sounds of their release “Port City Memory” and mastery of a traditional blues sound in songs like “Afterburn.”

Caddle follows with cowpunk sounds that are an excellent mix of traditional country, punk and Southern rock. They have opened for bands such as Aerosmith and Velvet Revolver and are one of the hardest working bands in the Southeast, building quite a reputation in Nashville music scene.

“It’s always great to play BayFest,” says Caddle’s Phillip Hyde. “We’ve played several times and Mobile has become a regular stop for us. Monsoon’s and 106.5 The Pirate (Charlie Ocean) have been great supporters and we look forward to any chance to see them in Mobile.”

As the sun sets, Nappie award-winning Peek will play to their local fans and surely attract a lot of attention from those unfamiliar with this group. Comprised of members of the Kevin Danzig Band, Tunnel Vision and Elastic-Waiste Band, Peek has opened for national acts such as the Low Millions and Wet Willie.

“We’re looking forward to playing this year,” says Peek guitarist/vocalist Tim Dennis. “We’ve been absent the last couple of years playing around. This year should be a lot of fun. I hope Mobile will come out and support the local scene. Peek has been at work on a new record and we’ll be performing some of the new material at Bayfest.”

After Peek, the Launching Pad will get the blues once again compliments of Catfish Flats. Their album “Down on the Flats” is a collection of old school, heartfelt blues that admirably represents Mobile’s blues scene. With this being their second year performing at the festival, Catfish Flats couldn’t be happier.

“With all the national acts on the bill, it is great to be included as one of the local Mobile acts performing original music,” says Catfish Flats guitarist George Eberlein.

Electric Experiment will follow with Mobile’s Hamelin rounding out the night. Hamelin is still rocking out with their debut “Paintings on the Wall.”

As BayFest draws to a close, the crowd will have the pleasure of witnessing the unmatched talent of Fat Man Squeeze. So, what are these good ol’ boys bringing to this musical buffet?

“Pure ‘Bluegrass Trash’,” exclaims guitarist/vocalist Andy McDonald. “Just smell the country goodness!” “Pickin’ and Grinnin’” takes a new attitude with their brand of bluegrass. Be prepared to hoot and holler with this trio of merry makers as they play cuts off their debut “Authentic Frontier Gibberish” and their latest release “Bluegrass Trash.”

Sunday afternoon will bring out Johnny Barbato and the Lucky Doggs with a sound that has made them a Flora-Bama regular. Be sure to pick up their CD “No Pain, No Gain.” As BayFest dwinds down, the Ryan Kinder Band will be providing the finale and promoting their self-titled debut and his EP appropriately named “The EP.” Since Ryan was unable to make it last year, he’s excited to get the chance to make up for lost time.

“I feel blessed to be playing this year’s BayFest,” says Kinder. “I was scheduled to play last year but couldn’t make it due to sickness. I was extremely upset and am glad I was given the opportunity to come back. It will be a great festival”

“The acoustic show is very intimate, and I can dip and dive into whatever corner I feel led to,” explains Kinder. “Yet with the band, it’s not as easy to run around musically with no one knowing where I’m going. I’m very excited about my acoustic show this year. I’ve got some new material I’m going to be playing, and I’m excited to see what people think.”

As one can see, the national touring acts are not the only must-see performers at this year’s BayFest, and this is a good thing. With its mix of rock, rhythm and blues, there is no way this stage will go unnoticed.

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

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