Briefs

92 ZEW’s Free Concert Series

feat. Matt Costa

Date: Thursday, June 19, 7:30 p.m.

Venue: The Hangout (101 E. Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, Ala.) www.thehangoutal.com

Tickets: Free

Mobile natives have many fond memories of The Hangout in Gulf Shores, a beachfront phoenix that has once again risen from the ashes to become not only an impressive watering hole but also a beachside music venue.

The Hangout is catering across demographics by featuring acts ranging from country crooner Wes Loper to the Rasta sounds of Pensacola’s Vibe Irie. And The ZEW’s Free Concert Series will make its Hangout debut with a performance from indie-folk superstar Matt Costa.

Growing up in Huntington Beach, Cal., Costa’s original love was skateboarding. In 2003, Costa suffered a substantial injury, which limited his skating, so he picked up a guitar and began writing songs. Two years later, he was signed to Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, making records, while supporting Johnson, as well as Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket and The Vandals.

For Costa’s second release, No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont took the helm as producer. Songs on this album such as the punchy “Mr. Pitiful” have been earning him more attention through steady rotation on the radio as well as a plethora of television appearances.

Rockin’ for Life Benefit feat. Twelve Twenty, Phar Fletcher and Absence of Concern

Date: Friday, June 27, 7 p.m.

Venue: Saenger Theatre (6 S. Joachim St.) www.saengermobile.com

Tickets: $45/$35/$25 available through Ticketmaster and at the Saenger Box Office

The Rockin’ for Life Benefit is dedicated to helping local artist/writer/songwriter Alicia Carmichael. Carmichael is unable to cover her extensive medical expenses and has no insurance to cushion this financial punch. With other medical bills on the way, Carmichael’s friends and three excellent bands are uniting for one night in order to raise the needed funds.

Mobile’s own Phar Fletcher will be making an appearance at the Saenger with their soulful grooves and alternative rock anthems.

Absence of Concern is traveling all the way from Jackson, Miss., to be a part of this event. They are currently recording an album at 747 Studios in Memphis with Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, Sister Hazel).

Headlining the benefit will be Philadelphia’s Twelve Twenty who will also have a CD-signing at Satori Coffee House, June 27 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Thee Hibachi Stranglers, The Amber Alertz, The Limes, Turpentine Brothers

Date: Friday, June 27, 10 pm

Venue: Alabama Music Box (455 Dauphin St.)

Tickets: $6 at the door

Alabama Music Box has opened and aims to beone of Mobile’s few venues catering to the underground scene. This venue has plans to bring an army of regional and national bands that embody an eclectic, off-beat or underground attitude. The Music Box has already attracted the attention of scene superstars Thee Hibachi Stranglers.

The Hibachis have just finished a 7” single featuring the song “Azalea Trail Bait.” They are also recording their first LP with Mobile’s Albert Robinson, which will be out on the Florida’s Dying label after its completion.

The Amber Alertz will also be making an appearance. This band personifies corruption at its finest with Chad Booth (Cloning Mary, The Minions, Mangina) acting as mentor to his younger band mates.

Boston garage rockers Turpentine Brothers will be joining the mix along with Memphis underground darlings The Limes.

The Rundown

Roman Street has quickly become a shining star in the Mobile music scene. Their acoustic “Gypsy Jazz” sound has left listeners mesmerized at first listen, whether it be live or on the radio.

This has created quite a local cult following for this group. In its infancy, Roman Street consisted of brothers Josh and Noah Thompson, but Jason Sikes (bass), Daniel Brett (congas/percussion) and Nik White (djembe/shaker/clave) have joined the brothers.

With the high demand for this band’s music, many Roman Street fans will be pleased with their debut full-length “Tribute.”

This release lives up to its name with the band giving an impressive gypsy jazz injections on compositions by Jesse Cook, Ottmar Liebert, Tito Fuente and Tonic Strings (mentors of the Thompson brothers). However, they also have included some of their exotic concoctions. “Tribute” opens with “JazzeD,” which is a mellow Euro seduction. Songs such as “Love Smoke” and “Elizabeth” are gentle and soothing in nature with the album’s finale “Los Aguas” leaving the faint sound of flamenco dancers in the mind’s eye while fingers pick furiously. With the local demand for this band high, it is safe to say that fans will be snatching this one up quickly.

Hybrid in the OGD

The Callaghan’s regulars need to get out their dancing shoes, because Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade is coming to town on June 29 with their jazzy take on Americana. This Boston-based band is currently doing a coastal tour (East, Gulf and all points in between) in support of their latest album “Modern Vintage.” The title of this album could be considered a perfect description of their sound. They skillfully hybridize jazz, big band, ragtime, blues and folk and get the audience jumping with energetic numbers and an electric stage presence. Charleston Street will definitely be in rare form with this band on the scene.

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

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