Alabama alternative

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Aug 17, 2016 | Music Briefs | 0 |

Bands: Jaguarundi, Wild June, Pro Wrestlers
Date: Friday, Aug. 19, with doors at 9 p.m.
Venue: The Blind Mule, 57 N. Claiborne St.,www.theblindmule.net
Tickets: Call 251-694-6853 for more information

The Blind Mule is filling its attic this Friday with Alabama alternative rock. From the Azalea City to the Wiregrass, Blind Mule patrons will be entertained with fresh sounds from three bands with one thing in common: they pride themselves on their refusal to be labeled.

Mobile’s Jaguarundi has been building a listening audience with tracks from its debut EP “… Goes On the Offensive.” This release showcases a band with an extremely versatile sound. From punk to a fresh mixture of alt. rock and classic psychedelic, Jaguarundi has not placed genre restrictions on its music.

Wild June is one of the Azalea City’s newest rock outfits. Fronted by Sumher Brown’s honeyed vocals, this trio is giving locals a sample of fresh, homegrown rock with their debut “Mind in Distress.” With its ethereal guitar work, the album’s opener “Blood in My Punch” teases a shoegaze vibe. However, the raw, meager production places the track in its own world. The track does not set the tone for the entire album; the remainder delves into pop punk and indie pop.

Pro Wrestlers will be bringing rock sounds from the Wiregrass, with “Athletic Broadway” its first offering. This group is riddled with nostalgic elements borrowed from the ‘90s, but its overall sound changes from measure to measure. The album’s third track, “I’m a Mountain,” represents this aspect. The song begins as a ballad filled with emotional strumming before dropping into crunchy guitar and vehemence.

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.