X marks the spot

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Jan 13, 2016 | Music Briefs | 0 |

BAND: X_X, Obnox, Gary Wrong Group
DATE: Saturday, Jan. 16, at 9 p.m.
VENUE: The Merry Widow, 51 S. Conception St., www.themerrywidow.net
TICKETS: Tickets $10, available at The Merry Widow and its website

Photo | wikipedia.org | Rocket from the Tomb sand Electric Eels

Photo | wikipedia.org | Rocket from the Tomb sand Electric Eels

During the mid-’70s, when punk was still its infancy, the Cleveland “art punk” scene flourished, giving birth to many iconic bands. John D. Morton’s raunchy guitar helped fuel the band Electric Eels’ furious, minimalist form of rock ‘n’ roll, when the band pummeled its audience with underground hits such as “Agitated.”

As Morton and the Eels raged through Cleveland, Craig Bell brought his pounding bass to Cleveland along with his punk outfit Rocket from the Tombs. That band created an innovative sound that mixed ‘70s rock sounds and with a healthy dose of psychedelic, protopunk fuzz.

When X_X comes to The Merry Widow, the Azalea City will have a chance to experience a collaborative effort between Morton and Bell. Originally formed in 1978, X_X’s music from those early days shows the movement away from psychedelic rock influences and more toward the punk styles that highlighted the early ‘80s. Its local performance will bring the glory days of protopunk to LoDa.

Photo | wikipedia.org | Rocket from the Tomb sand Electric Eels

Photo | wikipedia.org | Rocket from the Tomb sand Electric Eels

X_X’s openers promise to keep the energetic vibes maxed. Drummer Lamont Thomas (This Moment in Black History, The Bassholes) is bringing his project Obnox. Also a Cleveland native, Thomas’ project will provide charismatic garage punk. Fronted by Chad Booth (Kajun SS, Wizzard Sleeve), Gary Wrong Group was the darling of last year’s annual punk gathering in Memphis, Gonerfest.

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.