With a feature on local Mobile, AL music festival Coastline Chronicles, a stop motion film by Trey Lane/Timothy Dixon/Ryan Jetten, a freestyle performance by Venom, a short film by Andy Vo, a Squares cartoon, Bill Murray, and more!

During the day Island Thyme:
Gypsy Wildlife (roughly 1:30- 2:00)
Alex Joy (roughly 2:15-3:00)
Chase Knighton of L. F. Knighton (roughly 3:15- 3:50)
Gregg Fells (roughly 4:00- 4:30)
Lane Fisher (roughly 4:40-5:20)
Dave and Virginia of 20,000 Leagues (roughly 5:30-6:15)
Under the Tree (roughly 6:30-7:15)
Mandown (acoustic set) (roughly 7:30-8:10)
Adam Taylor (roughly 8:15-9:00)

Coastline Chronicles Saturday Night Lineup (at Alabama Music Box):

James Copeland Band (roughly 9:00- 9:30)

Genre: Shoegaze Country
Members: James Copeland, Skylar Gail

Mandown (roughly 10:10- 10:40)

Genre: Progressive rock written for mainstream rock ears.
Bio: ManDown started in 2004 with cousins Kevin McKeown (bassist) and Paul Lewis (guitarist). In 2005, Ben Ivey (drummer) and Locke Bowers (singer) joined the group, bringing their different thought patterns and unique tastes to round out the fresh sound that goes into the band’s writing process. Make an effort to come see this band. They’re talented and fun to watch like monkeys at the zoo.

Bay City Brass Band (roughly 11- 11:30)

Genre: Funk, New Orleans
Bio: THE BAY CITY BRASS BAND FOUNDED IN 1997 BY TUBA PLAYER MARCUS JOHNSON HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED BANDS IN ALABAMA ACCORDING TO THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALABAMA. THE ALABAMA STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS LIST THE BAY CITY BRASS BAND AS ALABAMA ARTISTS THE BAY CITY BRASS HAS BEEN RECONIZED FOR ITS UNIQUE MOBILE NEW ORLEANS SOUND IN ARTICLES FROM THE MIAMI HERALD, THE KANSAS CITY STAR, THE SACRAMENTO BEE, AMERCIAN EAGLE LATITUDE MAGAZINE, MARDIGRAS DIGEST MAGAZINE, THE FILM ORDER OF MYTHs, ETC.

The Suzies (roughly 11:50-12:20)

Genre: Pop / Indie Rock
Bio: This loosely knit group of outlaws first got together when singer Luke Buckley crashed a party he had no business attending. Typical. There he met Willis Garrett and the two struck up a friendship and The Suzies were born. Lead guitarist Jeremy Padot was found in a bar sandwiched between two women and Joe Hobbs in an art gallery. As the band got together they quickly earned a following of fans and as their reputation spread so did the rumors. They are currently living in Mobile, Alabama and playing shows around the southeast.

The Architects (roughly 12:40- 1:10)

Genre: A combination of traditional punk, maximum R&B, Midwestern alternative rock, blues-based metal and pop melodies, influenced by The Clash, The Who, Social Distortion, Soul Asylum, The Replacements, AC/DC, The Jam and The Kinks.
Members: Brandon Phillips-vocals/gtr; Zach Phillips-bass/vocals; Adam Phillips-drums; Keenan Nichols-lead guitar
Bio: On their fourth album, The Hard Way (Skeleton Crew) The Architects have hammered out another batch of songs steeped in bitter Kansas City tap water and fortified with stone cold badass. Still stubbornly free of gimmicks, costumes and celebreality bullshit, The Architects are all piss and vinegar and good tunes, delivered with guts and authenticity…just as it should be.
The lyrical core of The Hard Way is drawn from the deep pools of songsmiths like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Tom Petty, while the roaring, crashing sonic inspiration comes from the likes of The Clash, AC/DC, The Replacements and The Who- purveyors of glorious fist-pumping racket one and all, and classically anti-heroic in their dedication to rock and roll as a high principal, a sacramental catharsis and an express ticket to either glory or the grave. An ethos clearly shared and embraced by The Architects boys.

The Architects are just off a tour with My Chemical Romance and the Neon Trees. Brandon Phillips and his two younger brothers Zach (bass) and Adam (drums) – all formerly having paid dues as the core members of the cult punk-ska-soul group The Gadjits- as well as non-family member Keenan Nichols (guitar) reaffirmed their collective commitment to quality rock and roll and on their new CD The Hard Way.
Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Venom ft. members of The Port Wine Stain & Underhill Family Orchestra (roughly 1:30- 2:00)

Bio: Venom is a native of Mobile and has been writing music since age 13. “It was my therapy, the way I could talk to people to let them know how I feel and the way I am. Not much to really say about me but im just an ordinary person until I get a mic in my hand then I become a totally different person, I become a lyrical cannibal ready to go”

20,000 Leagues (roughly 2:20-until)

Members: Cpt. Nemo: La guitar; Lady Virginia: La multiple drums; Ke-nan: La guitar / lasor; beam; Christographer: La sounds/sonar; Will Boltik #3: the electric eel/guitar; Bernard Master20XD6 Hickman, cognapointer/tromboner; Jason Cash: Saxophone/cash machine; Alex Matkin: La found objects; Neilliam The Wise: La Didley bow/ le czech; Adam Moore More More: Trumpeteer; Tyler Hanks: Le French Horn; Johnnaaay: la marching snare; Busty Rusty: Picker of la banyo; kris Skoda: The MELLOTRON;
Cody K-nerr: All of the instruments
Hometown: Outter Space, Alabama
About: Delta Psychedelica

Arists Playing Thursday at Coastline Chronicles:

Too Far From Amsterdam (roughly 9:30-10:00)

Genre: Aggressive Regressive Rock
Members: Arie VandeWaa (Guitars, Vocals), Mark Parrish (Guitars, Vocals), Ben White (Bass), Cameron Alidor (Drums, Vocals)
Bio: Rising from the obscure and dilapidated Mobile, Alabama music scene, Too Far From Amsterdam is one of the most musically conscientious hard rock groups in existence. TFFA thrives on its emotionally broad live shows and on its core fundamental of well orchestrated music. Drawing from such influences as Coheed and Cambria, Brand New, Dredg, At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta, Rush, The Foo Fighters and almost any other influential progressive hard rock band from the last several decades that you can think of, TFFA uses their unique classical style to bring listeners something bold and new but also somewhat familiar. The primary goal of these boys has always been to protect the sanctity of the progressive style, trying to push the envelope but never to push it too far.
The band has found a sense of stability and urgency, recognizing its own potential and talent and desperate to share it with the waiting world, gigging regularly in the state of Alabama and pushing its way into the Southeastern music scene, one venue at a time.

Fargo (roughly 10:20- 10:50)

Genre: Rock
Members: Michael Clark, Devin Istre, Steve Marler
Bio: Three friends. Music makers.
Interests: Hospitals, Bicycles, Gas Plants.
Latest EP: Secret Cities

Edward Appleby (roughly 11:10- 11:40)

Genre: Cinematic / Minimalism / Folk / Musique Concrète
Bio:  I do not know who Edward Appleby is. I know as little about him as you do.
Latest Release: Edward Appleby (EP)

 The Cimarron Club (roughly midnight- until)

Genre: Honky Tonk/Janky-Talk
Members: Adam Taylor, Trey Lane, Zach DePolo, Jimmy lee
Bio: The livid side of the Port Wine Stain

Plus DJ Strange Rover

On Studio 10, Underhill Family Orchestra performs live and Cherish Lombard chats with Kris Skoda about Coastline Chronicles II coming up this weekend 5/12-14 at Alabama Music Box!

Coastline Chronicles 2: fox10tv.com

Ah. Twenty Ten is closing out. Twenty Eleven is on the horizon. Lots of great things happened this year musically in the port city. Let’s take a lil walk down memory lane, shall we?

One of the most important things of Twenty Ten happens to be the launch of the Mod Mobilian TV show right here on ModMobilian.com. Part late night television show, part decadence and debauchery, we’ve been really lucky to capture some of the best and brightest Mobile musicians. Heath Underwood, Underhill Family Orchestra, The Cimmaron Club, Lisa Mills, Adam Taylor, Lane Fisher, Venom and many MANY more have stopped by the show to show us their chops. Mod Mobilian is currently doing a recap of the best performances of the year. Check it out here http://modmobilian.com/2010/12/30/best-live-performances-of-2010-part-2/ and see some things you may have missed.

Moving on, Twenty Ten saw the debut of Coastline Chronicles.  I’ve always felt like the video that came from this weekend music festival at the Alabama Music Box inspired the start of Mod Mobilian TV. The brain child of Mod Mobilian contributor, Kris Skoda, Coastline Chronicles served up the best of the best of Mobile’s local music scene. I am totally looking forward to next years Coastline Chronicles. If you missed it, check out this video :

Coastline Chronicles Twenty Ten

One thing that will definitely become a staple on the Gulf Coast is The Hangout Beach Music and Arts festival. Hangout Fest seemed to understand that among amazing national acts, the bill should be peppered with not only the best of the best regionally, but locally as well. Something Bayfest never seems to really understand. Totally blowing Bayfest out of the water, Hangout Fest did a lot more than originally intended.  On the heels of the horrific oil spill disaster in the Gulf, Hangout Fest brought everyone together not only to enjoy fantastic music, but to celebrate how amazing the Alabama Coast is. It helped to spotlight what was happening but in a positive way, not a 24 hour news service way, where at any given point in the day you could watch streaming video of the oil flooding into the gulf. I was lucky enough to be in the media section for the majority of the festival with 92 Zew.  Some of my favourite pictures were taken by Mobile’s own Jeff Worley. Check out his work here :  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeffrey-M-Worley-Photography/251603913843?v=wall&sb=8

One of my all time favourite events that rounds out the year is Serdas Singer/Songwriter competition. This year marked the second coming of the contest. Serdas focuses on local musicians all year long with their Wednesday night Singer/Songwriter nights. But for every Wednesday in November, those Wednesday nights become a competition. I have been lucky enough to be on of the judges for this event that showcases the best in Mobile’s music scene. This year, we were able to chronicle of a lot of it with the Mod Mobilian TV show. Check out some performances of the finalists and the winner, Lane Fisher by clicking the following link.  Mod Mobilian TV

And that wraps it up my friends. I am looking forward to a ridiculously exciting Twenty Eleven and many more good times checking in with the one website that tracks the Mobile Bay Arts and Culture scene, Mod Mobilian.

This week on M2B, super group ManDown mans up when M2B crashes the Coastline Chronicles.

Also, special appearances by folk legend Josh Bond and the melodic masterings of Morris Minor.

Join us as we trip down the rabbit hole in search of the truth behind ManDown, and explore the inner workings of their face-blasting jams.

click below to watch:

You won’t see it anywhere else!

Whew. Coastline Chronicles. Whoa.

Mod Vowel attended all three nights of Coastline Chronicles and before we go any further we must say congratulations to Kris Skoda, the owners and staff of the Alabama Music Box and all the local bands that participated in this event. Mod Vowel has insider information for all the major venues downtown and business suffered numbers wise because all of the good jams were down at the Music Box.

And a bit of congratulations to all the Mods that attended the three day event. There is no reason for something to stick around if it is not appreciated and Mod Vowel believes that you showed your support and love for Mobile’s fantastic local music scene quite well.

All in all the event seemed to go off without a hitch. Mod Vowel isn’t going to waste your time with the technical things. Mod Vowel promised decadence and debauchery. And so you shall have it, Mods.

Mod Vowel would like to know if anyone knows why Max Puss wasn’t there to cover this event? It seems right up his alley . . .

Not to throw anyone under the bus, but one of the contributors to Mod Mobilian, Old Lady Hayes, seemed to be in a bit of confusion Thursday night when the bartenders informed her they did not sell champagne. Mod Vowel has heard stories about Old Lady Hayes. She tends to take situations like that and spin them into her favor. Saturday night saw Old Lady Hayes bringing MULTIPLE bottles of champagne into the Alabama Music Box. Instead of keeping them all to herself, she shared. She even shared with Mod Vowel. So Kudos Old Lady Hayes.

Speaking of Old Lady Hayes, who had a great time with Sir William Masters as seen on stage with their banter and public make out session (She swears it was staged.) , where was the rest of the local media who are supposedly all about support of local artists and musicians ? 92 Zew says they are the Sound of Mobile but the only one from the locally owned radio station to show was Emily aka Old Lady Hayes. Mod Vowel was there all three nights and mingled. She is the only one that caught the vowels eyes.

Sir William Masters. What a piece of work. That guy is hard to describe to people who have never seen him live. He almost got a run for his money on Saturday night, when an unknown ginger hopped on stage before him and started slaying the crowd with jokes. Mod Vowel isn’t really sure how it happened, but they both ended up shedding multiple layers of clothing. It was a fearsome thing to behold.

One thing Mod Vowel wants to touch on is how professionally the bands reacted to a later start time, especially on Saturday. Let’s be honest, Mods. If a show says on the flyer that it starts at 10, it will more than likely start around 11:30. Sad thing is that all of you Mods just seem to accept it. Sometimes venues hold out and wait for more people to arrive. Sometimes they wait and you never show. Let us all adopt a new policy of getting to shows at their start time, not hours after. Due to the late start time, Mod Vowel didn’t leave the Alabama Music Box until 6 AM Saturday Night/Sunday Morning. Mod Vowel is just now writing about the events because Mod Vowel finally woke up from the exhausting but rocking weekend.

And, not to be too braggy, a big round of applause should go to M2B and Mod Mobilian. M2B no doubt got amazing footage of the bands and Mod Mobilian broadcast the entire event so if someone was out of town or wanted to know what was going on in our town, they could see and hear it with their own eyes. [Also, keep an eye out for an upcoming Mod Mobilian video story on the event.]

Mod Vowel feels like the Mobile music scene is a sleeping giant. When the time comes, the giant will wake up and the world will never be the same. It is a beautiful thing, my Mods.

The Alabama Music Box

Master of Ceremonies, William Masters

the Investments

Gregg Fells

Seduction Bomb

Sunshine Factory