Louisiana’s Honey Island Swamp Band at Pensacola’s 2010 DeLuna Fest.
See the HISB tonight (8/28) at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club!
Posted on 28 August 2011 by Valso
Louisiana’s Honey Island Swamp Band at Pensacola’s 2010 DeLuna Fest.
See the HISB tonight (8/28) at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club!
Posted on 27 August 2011 by Valso
Check out the original “New Orleans Gypsy Folk Circus Rock Music” band – Dirty Bourbon River Show – tonight (8/27) at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club.
Their 4th studio album – “The Old-Timey AfroPop Jibberish Junction” – is slated to be released worldwide on 11/11/11, and is currently available to pre-order.
Posted on 24 July 2011 by Valso
Honey Island Swamp Band rocked Hangout Fest and Deluna Fest – and they are at Callaghan’s tonight Sunday July 24.
Aaron Wilkinson (acoustic guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Chris Mulé (electric guitar, vocals) were marooned in San Francisco after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. After a chance encounter with fellow New Orleans evacuees Sam Price (bass, vocals) and Garland Paul (drums, vocals), Honey Island Swamp Band was formed. They moved to New Orleans in 2008. Their album Good To You – was released in 2010, and has quickly become a staple of most DJs on WWOZ.
Posted on 14 July 2011 by Valso
Molly Thomas at Callaghan’s with Ryan Balthrop & Corky Hughes
“Make Everything Bright” CD Release Party – July 10, 2011
Posted on 11 July 2011 by Valso
El Cantador at Callaghan’s + Old Lady Hayes Interviews Heath Underwood
Video by Dan Anderson.
Posted on 15 June 2011 by OldLadyHayes
At one point this column was going to say:
El Cantador’s new CD “Fools for Light” is fucking great.
The End.
Well, you see, I just can’t tell you that something is great and not tell you why or how I formed that opinion. I suppose the easiest way to get to this thing started is to start at the very begining. It’s a very good place to start, right Fraulein Maria?
Back in December, El Cantador kind of dropped off the grid. They were riding a crest of being played on the radio, featured for 92 Zew’s Second Tuesday series, winning best band in Mobile in the Lagniappe “Nappie” Awards and enjoying shows all long the Gulf Coast. Then they went through a very public line up change which left some fans siding with one member or the band.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. There was a vision these boys were chasing and they were going after it full speed. Even if it meant putting shows on the back burner to camp out in a beach house to have the freedom to record an album that they, and all of Mobile, could be proud of at the end of the day. No rush. No outside input. No boundaries. No rules. Which, in my opinion, is the best way to make a quality album. And with that, Fools For Light was born.
For those who remember the folky roots of El Cantador, you will be taken aback by this record but in an absolutely positive way. For three fellas, in a beach house, the fullness of the record will wash over you.
Yes. There are do dad’s used in it that make funky sounds.
Yes. They are loops and delays and effects.
Yes. There are legit handclaps.
And it makes for a great rock record. At then end of the day, the strength of the songwriting is what comes through the most.
Beyond the keys, the bass, the drums and the guitars – you have words that resonate with your soul. You can strip away everything and it will not effect the integrity of the songs.
The first time I got to hear ‘Fools For Light” start to finish was at frontman Heath Underwood’s house. It was right after 92 Zew’s Second Tuesday with Underhill Family Orchestra. UFO reminds me a lot of the first times I would go see El Cantador play. All the buzz and excitement. They are a baby band right now with all the potential in the world. El Cantador has moved from baby band to starting to take their first steps.”Fools For Light” can go head to head with any indie/alternative record that is out right now and win. And that is my professional and personal opinion.
Moving on to what has been called the “new” El Cantador.
I crashed an El Cantador practice. Mainly out of curiosity to see how they were planning on recreating this big sound for a live audience. They’ve recruited Lane Fisher to help fill out guitar parts. If you aren’t familiar with Lane, he is 2010 Winner of Serda’s Singer Songwriter competition. He also has his own solo project rolling when not playing drums with Underhill Family Orchestra.
Watching these guys rehearse was quite impressive. Even though Lane was new to the jam, he quickly fit in. There are things they do live that you don’t hear on the record and the chemistry among these four musicians is impressive.
Mobile is chock full of talent, but El Cantador seems to have the heavyweights in every respect. Since finishing the record, they’ve been picking up speed again. Lining up shows again and even heading to Savannah to record a music video with students from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
The album “Fools For Light” is available for purchase right now through their website www.elcantador.com. You can also pick up a copy of the record at their CD Release Party at Callaghan’s on June 18th. Plus you will get to see the new line up.The bar has been raised with this album. Mobile’s music scene has stepped up. Can’t wait to see who’s next.
Posted on 30 May 2011 by Valso
Interviewed by Kris Skoda on the Capps Back Porch, Fairhope, Alabama, May 26, 2011
In this episode, the “serious” interview, Grayson talks about moving back to Fairhope, the Mobile Music Scene, Bon Jovi, Callaghan’s, the end of the Stumpknockers, the beginning of The Lost Cause Minstrels, and what is his Lost Cause.
Posted on 21 January 2011 by Valso
For more see www.dixiedining.com:
Callaghan’s is without doubt one of my favorite hangouts in Mobile. I have lived in the area for almost 2 years now and it took me a while to find my way here. That is not unusual. In fact, I have met Mobile natives who don’t know where it is. Shame. Because once you find it, you certainly won’t forget it.
It doesn’t look gangbusters from the outside. It is, after all, a rather boxy, 1920′s era building (once a butcher shop). But there is a certain charm to be found in it’s somewhat plain Jane exterior. It may have something to do with the surrounding neighborhood, which consists of a cluster of historic homes and cottages dating back to the early and mid 20th century. Callaghan’s is the centerpiece of the community — and has been for many decades.
Here is an example of a neighborhood cottage across street from the pub.
Here’s another one. They are so cool — and really not that pricey either.
Daily specials at Callaghan’s — always worth a look. Creativity still lives here.
Outdoor patio seating is a good call at lunch — if the day’s weather permits.
Our dining table – filled with old Mobile memorabilia from days long past.
They make one of the best burgers in Mobile – and they have awards to prove it.
Funny — and true!
Irish Curse on wall at Callaghan’s. The walls are filled with eye candy like this.
Callaghan’s Chicken Philly — my go-to sandwich for lunch. It is served on delicious, fresh baked bread and filled to overflowing with chunks of chicken breast, onions, green peppers, and tons of good cheese. I typically order this with a side of housemade chips or Callaghan’s tart cucumber salad. They brew really good iced tea too. It’s always a good call (sweet or unsweet) if you’re working or if it’s not yet 5 pm. I must admit that this line of thought isn’t always in vogue at Callaghan’s. Mobile is a fun loving city and, for many, work can always wait until tomorrow.
John “JT” Thompson is a terrific host and you will feel like a regular upon your first visit. The atmosphere is so warm and cozy, they’ve got HD TVs all over the place, and you’d be surprised at all the first rate musical acts they are able to consistently book here. Robert Plant even stopped by for a pint or two after playing a recent show in Mobile with his Band of Joy. That should give you an idea about Callaghan’s worldwide reputation. ESQUIRE magazine ranked them one of the best bars in the USA. Doesn’t surprise me a bit. I just hope the rest of Mobile doesn’t find out about them. I feel like I’m on the right side of a well kept secret and, selfishly, I’d like to keep it that way. At least for another decade or two.
Posted on 25 August 2010 by modvowel
From time to time, Mod Vowel has fun. Strange, huh?
Sunday evening, while enjoying Morris Minor at Callaghans Irish Social Club, Mod Vowel felt that it had finally happened. Someone had figured out Mod Vowel’s identity and unhappy with the work, pepper sprayed the vowel.
The patrons were enjoying a fabulous show by Morris Minor, who keep sounding better and better every time Mod Vowel sees them. It was nearing the end of the show when someone thought a pepper spray container on another persons key ring was a flashlight and inadvertently pepper sprayed Mobiles oldest bar.
Some, claiming a terrorist attack, rushed for the door. Others, like Mod Vowel, won’t leave a beer behind and once the brew was secured, headed for the mass exodus into Oakleigh. With the entire building evacuated and tears of joy (ok really it was the pepper spray) running down folks faces, the story came to light about the accidental pepper spraying.
Some moments had passed, and Mod Vowel and company heard someone playing heart and soul on the piano set up that had been abandoned in the panic. Supposing that was the cue that all was clear we filed back in. Who was playing heart and soul? Old Lady Hayes, regular contributor to Mod Mobilian. Nice job, Old Lady. It was like the band that kept playing on the Titanic. Except, no one died.
This incident just goes to show that even if it is a Sunday night in Mobile there is always something going on. Great Music. Cold beer. A lil pepper spray. All in all, another memorable night at Callaghans.
Posted on 28 July 2010 by Valso
Sir Robert Plant was spotted at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club – a “little corner bar” in Oakleigh – recently.
As a well-known area raconteur stated…”Paul Giamatti at Bienville Books last week…Robert Plant (and Patti Griffin) at Callaghans last night. My little neighborhood is hella-hip.”
Photo courtesy of Callaghan’s.
