fbpx
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Legal Notices
Lagniappe Mobile
  • News
    • Cover Story
    • Latest
    • Serial Stories
    • Bay Briefs
    • Community News
    • Open Documents
    • e-Edition
  • Baldwin
  • Commentary
    • Damn the Torpedoes
    • Hidden Agenda
    • Beltway Beat
    • The Real Deal
    • Weather Things
    • The Gadfly
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Cuisine
    • The Dish
    • Word of Mouth
    • Beer and Loathing
    • Cuisine Directory
  • Arts
    • Artifice
    • Art Gallery
    • The Reel World
    • Calendar
  • Music
    • Music Feature
    • Music Briefs
    • Music Listings
    • Submissions
  • Sports
    • The Score
    • The Starting Line-Up
    • From Behind The Mic
    • Upon Further Review
  • Style
    • Media Frenzy
    • Mobile Magnified
    • Horoscopes
    • Master Gardeners
    • Style Feature
  • Lagnia-POD

Select Page

Collective Soul ‘honored’ to rock MoonPie Over Mobile stage

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Dec 23, 2019 | Music Feature | 0 |

Band: Collective Soul
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 p.m.
Venue: MoonPie Over Mobile, Downtown Mobile, mobilenewyear.com
Tickets: Free

MoonPie Over Mobile has become a centerpiece of New Year’s Eve celebrations along the Alabama Gulf Coast. From a Roaring ’20s costume contest to the MoonPie drop at midnight, MoonPie Over Mobile provides a number of great activities to make New Year’s Eve a special experience for all in attendance. 

Before the MoonPie drops into 2020, alt-rock legends Collective Soul will set the mood with an electrifying performance. As a notable band from Georgia’s rich alt-rock scene in the ’90s, Collective Soul established a permanent following through songs such as “Shine” and “Gel.” 

Currently the band is touring in support of its latest album, “Blood,” with new albums set for release in the near future. Lagniappe’s Steve Centanni spoke with drummer Johnny Rabb about his time with the band as well as the bright future of Collective Soul.

 

Steve Centanni: You’ve been in the band for almost 10 years. How would you describe your experience with Collective Soul thus far?

Johnny Rabb: It’s a great experience. In fact, I was just talking to family about it. The time has flown by. 2012 was the Dosage Tour. We’ve done three records since, and another one is in the can and ready to go. Because we’re touring all the time, everything seems to bleed together in a sense. So, the time has really flown. They’re a fun group of guys, and they’re like a second family to me. We’re on the road quite a bit, so it’s been an amazing experience. We try to treat each show as an individual show. Regardless, as you know, the more you do, then the more time doesn’t stop. It’s been a blast.

 

Centanni: What was it about Collective Soul’s music that made you want to be a part of this project?

Rabb: When I was a drummer in Nashville and touring and playing everything from funk to country, I was a fan of the band but didn’t know them personally. I was supporting them as a musician and listening to them on radio stations in Nashville. Every time those guys would release a song, I would love it. I didn’t ever think that I would work with them. We met at the NAMM show in Anaheim, and me and Will [Turpin] kinda hit it off. The next day, I met E [Roland]. The next thing you know, I’m jamming at E’s house with them. Then we went on tour. Now it’s nine years later. I think that it’s exciting to be able to recreate the songs that were the hits of the past and be able to record them and create stuff with them. It’s exciting to be a part of the catalog. With each show, there’s no question that it’s cool. I do feel part of the band at this point. I don’t take it for granted ever. I was a fan of the band, and to be able to play with them has been a very cool fit. It’s been very fortunate for me.

 

Centanni: “Blood” is the latest release from you guys. What’s the story behind the title?

Rabb: Blood is significant in the sense of family, whether it’s being blood-related or family in the sense of how I feel like a brother to those guys. It’s all about family and where you came from. There’s also Dean [Roland] and E, who are blood-related brothers. Will has known those guys since birth. Whether it’s literally blood-related or blood brothers, it can mean so much. It’s been really cool touring that record and playing the songs live.

 

Centanni: One thing that I think is interesting about this album is that you have songs that have that classic, Collective Soul sound. Then there are others that definitely show the band’s growth. What was it like writing the songs for this one?

Rabb: We went to a studio in Hopatcong, New Jersey, on a beautiful lake. It’s a place called The Barber Shop Studios. It was an amazing place to record. We did it as a band. E had the songs finished on acoustic and vocally. Even though we all write, he comes with an acoustic and will be like, “Here’s one!” He had the idea and vision for this. He also had the idea to get everyone together and do the tracking over a 10- to 12-day period. A lot of documentation of us doing the songs happened, which will be coming out over the next year. 

As a band, we did it together live. Each day would focus on one to two songs, tops. We were able to really focus on what the song should really sound like and go through guitar parts and drum parts and bass and background vocals. It all stems from E’s writing. He’s the principal songwriter and always has been, but everyone giving opinions on how they played really molded that album into how it sounds. Of course, don’t forget the engineering skills of Shawn Grove on there. Sound choices are very important. That record was a band attempt, and it’s really cool.

 

Centanni: You mentioned that you had another album in the can. Tell me about that.

Rabb: Yeah! It’s almost like part two of “Blood.” I don’t know the exact release date, but it is finished. We were supposed to do a double album, and it was decided to not do it like that. So we’ll release another record next year as a part two. It won’t be called “Part Two.” I don’t remember what we’ve discussed as far as the title of it, but it’s coming out. We were also in the studio two weeks ago for a secret release coming up pretty soon. Music is coming out of E and all of us all the time. We run a really good path.

 

Centanni: How would you describe the follow-up to “Blood?”

Rabb: It’s got its own set of songs that are different from “Blood,” but it was done within the same time period. People will find some sentimental tunes, but they’ll also hear some rock and driving stuff. It’s been a while since I’ve heard it, so I’m excited to hear the release myself.

 

Centanni: What can you tell me about the secret release?

Rabb: I can tell you that we were constantly busy in the studio, which doesn’t shock me. With the chemistry of the band, we can knock some tunes out and it sounds great. It’s just a cool little thing coming up that people can get excited about. I can say that the band is constantly looking to release and create music. I’m just excited. The fans will be like, “Whoa! That’s cool!”

 

Centanni: What made you want to spend your New Year’s Eve performing on stage instead of doing your own thing?

Rabb: What we do is fun, and we’re lucky. E always says that we’re really blessed to do what we do. We’ve worked hard to be able to do it. New Year’s Eve represents a celebration of what we did that year and a celebration marking the new year. Somebody’s job might be in an office or doing farming. On the weekend or New Year’s Eve, it’s time for them to celebrate. We’re happy to be the entertainment for folks. It’s a choice people make. They want to see Collective Soul. So when we play on New Year’s Eve, we get to celebrate with each other and celebrate with the crowd. We love it. We love performing. That’s what we do. We do miss holidays sometimes with our families, but we know that it’s our job to create an environment for people to have a blast in and have fun and come rock with us. We’re honored to be able to do it, and we’re looking forward to Mobile.

This page is available to our subscribers. Join us right now to get the latest local news from local reporters for local readers.

The best deal is found by clicking here. Click here right now to find out more. Check it out.

Already a member of the Lagniappe family? Sign in by clicking here

Share:

Rate:

PreviousPortland firm picks up 400 Gulf Shores vacation properties          
NextStrays gain momentum

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

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.

Related Posts

Parks & Rec gives wide livestream platform to local musicians

Parks & Rec gives wide livestream platform to local musicians

May 13, 2020

Aaron Parker’s country roads take him home

Aaron Parker’s country roads take him home

October 21, 2015

What happens in Vegas

What happens in Vegas

February 15, 2017

Hangout Fest Dos and Don’ts

Hangout Fest Dos and Don’ts

May 14, 2014

Recommended Stories

Cittàgazze delivers shoegaze with modern attitude 

By Stephen Centanni

Living in the land of the free?

By Ashley Trice

Alabama’s recipe for corruption

By Rob Holbert

Café 219 back in business

By Andy MacDonald

Local cultural icon honored nationally

By Kevin Lee


  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contacts
  • Jobs
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Join the Sunday Brunch Newsletter

Search This Site

Browse the Archives

© Lagniappe Mobile 2022