Unknown Legends Artists

Newby’s Rocks Out For Leboneur

I had the opportunity to make a rare mid-week trip to Memphis back in December for a truly great fundraiser show at Newby’s. Turns out Newby’s and a number of Memphis bands put together a fantastic fundraiser for the kids at Leboneur Hospital on December 21. I could not begin to tell you who all the sponsors and planners were but I do know this shindig was pulled together by a couple of the bands and by a really sweet lady named Linda Jo. I’m sure there were others so if I miss anyone, here’s to all of you that organized this wonderful event.

In addition to raising a goodly amount of money and gathering up a pile of toys for LeBoneur, the music was out of this world. I’ve mentioned this before in NF…Memphis music is making a comeback. I’m not knocking Arkansas music or anyone else for that matter. But there is cauldron a’bubblin’ in Memphis and the music stew it has in it is some next level nirvana.

We missed the first act of the evening, Jocefus and the George Jonestown Massacre. But we did catch the rest of the bands and got to hang a little while with each of them and chat about their music and such. I also got a chance to chat with John Falls, the lead singer for Egypt Central. What a cool dude. I’m looking forward to catching Egypt Central in the near future.

The first band we heard was a group from Shakerag, just outside Memphis, called Tru Cuntry Bassturds. This particular lineup had only been playing together for about three days. Their music had a sound comparable to Ugly Kid Joe and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Even Cake and the Presidents of the USA. Their lyrics were funny and they rocked out on the music. Daniel Hiner led the way on guitar, sharing vocals with bass man Carter McHann. Chris Hiner of Memphis Tattooland fame (Chris also helped pull this event together), served time on guitar as did Jason Gregor. Heath Finch rounded out the band on drums. I might mention here that Finch is also the drummer for the Jonesboro based band Starroy. Tru Cuntry Bassturds turned out some witty, ballsy rock for their set. My favorites were the Kid Rock-esque blues/rapper "The Rodeo Burger"; "John Travolta Song" to the tune of Steve Miller’s "The Joker"; a pretty cool tune about a long walk home called "The Station"; and a destined to be a fraternity anthem, "Wanna Get High".

Next up was the progressive death metal band Sacrum. Now, if you don’t dig this kind of music, then Sacrum is not your band. Fortunately…I dig this kind of music. Sacrum is a four piece deluge of heavy metal that reminded me of Marilyn Manson, and early years Metallica and Megadeth. Brad (dude would not give me his last name) was growling out the vocals like a heavy metal preacher. Jeff Williams pulled off some very masterful guitar work. John Ayers and Harvey Williams brought up the beat on bass and drum respectively. The band’s influences include King Diamond, Dream Theatre and Pantera (God Bless you boys!). Sacrum’s best songs, from my vantage, were "A Moment of Clarity" and "The Haunting".

The surprise of the night, again from my point of view, was the band One May Fall. Lead singer Jeremy Brown reminded me of a mixture of Axl Rose (Guns ‘n’ Roses) and Ian Astley (The Cult) with his stage presence and his movements. The guy was on top of his game. Bass player Vino Thomas brought back shades of Living Color’s Vernon Reid, dancing around the stage in dreadlocks. Robert Barger, guitar, and the "Mayor of Frayser", Richie Pierce, drums, rounded out the band. One May Fall’s set was good from start to finish. There was not a weak song in it. I really dug "Sanctify Me"; "Dry", which had a little of Hank Williams Jr’s "Country Boy Can Survive" threaded into it; and "Stray Away". One May Fall’s sound was original and fresh. Sadly, at the time of this writing I had gotten word that these guys had split up. Too bad. These guys were tight.

The main reason we made the trip to Memphis was up next. If you’ve read any my stuff in here before, then you know my son, Aaron Hulin, plays bass in a band called Patient Zero. The first time I heard PZ play, I thought their sound needed some tweeking. Apparently, they paid attention. This night, Patient Zero was over the top. Lead singer Al Ticer’s vocals were soulful and dead on. Shawn Morgan’s work on lead guitar was nothing short of phenomenal. Morgan and rhythm guitarist Mike Lovelace also provided some sweet backing vocals. The drummer this night was Zac Horvath. Horvath is something of a phenom, having won the Zippo Tour and Memphis Region Guitar Center Drum Offs. PZ also added a DJ for this show. DJ Sol Control, something of a celebrity himself after placing in the Memphis Guitar Center and National DMC Spin-Offs, added an element to the band’s music that set it apart from the rest. He set the tone on the first song of the evening with his spinning and scratching. Hulin’s bass work was not the only thing about his stage presence. As one of the ladies in the audience put…"He looks like a rock star". The best songs in PZ’s arsenal are "Suddenly" and "Take Me Away". If the crowd’s sing along response is any indication, "Take Me Away" is going to be the one. By the way, rumor had it that some record company exec’s were in the audience checking out Patient Zero that night. Good luck guys. Oh yeah, I don’t want to forget the work of Chris Jones, the band’s videographer. He’s keeping up with all their shows for future reference.

The next group was IGM, deciphered as Industrial Ghetto Metal. Of all the acts, this one was my least favorite. Nothing against their sound at all. While IGM’s sound carries influences from Corrosion of Conformity, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera and Triple 6 Mafia, their take on it just wasn’t grabbing me personally. However, IGM, was without doubt, the band of the night where the crowd was concerned. IGM has a rock/rap style and stage energy to spare. Another band that goes by first names only, IGM’s twin vocals of Jonathan and Grip are matched up well for their sound. Michelle puts in time on bass and Jay’s drum work was bad ass to say the least. The star of the show tonight was Heath, jamming shirtless on the guitar while he bounced all over the stage. The chicks were diggin’ this guy! The show turned into a dance party with ladies dancing all over the stage with and around the band while they performed. When I say dance, I mean make me sweat and dig in my pocket for dollar bills dance. When the set was over I felt like I needed a cigarette. IGM’s tunes that I found to my tastes were "Ride", "Idols", "Coming Over Me", "Open", and a tune that is getting airplay on Mephis’ 93X, "Typical". Keep your eyes and ears open for this band. They have the stage presence, the musical ability and fan appeal to make some major moves.

Nothing More was the last band of the evening. Yet another first names only band (seems to be a theme here), Nothing More rocked out. Their sound was reminiscent of Creed’s early sound. They also listed Alice in Chains, Kiss and Bon Jovi as influences on their music. Twinkie (another of the selfless folks who helped put this fundraiser together) did a number on lead vocals. He did an outstanding cover of Collective Soul’s "Shine" during the set. Filling out the band were Mikey on rhythm guitar, Tate on lead, Aaron on bass and Chris on drums. An interesting story about lead guitarist Mikey right here. It seems Mikey had a near death battle with Addison’s Disease. While he was battling back he wrote one of the band’s best tunes, if not the best, "Heaven". "Heaven" is a very haunting and emotionally strong tune. That was my impression of the song before I found out the story behind it. Pretty cool. Some of Nothing More’s other tunes I dug were "Live To Die", "The Cycle", "Save You" and "Into the Light". You can check out Nothing More at www.nothingmoremusic.com. Most of, if not all, the bands have websites on myspace.com. Check them out if you get a chance.

From the look and sound of things that night at Newby’s, the Leboneur benefit may very well become an annual event. It was a great night of live music for a great cause. Here’s to Newby’s, the bands and all the folks who gave up their time to put his event on and help out the kids.