Have you ever wanted to find that special entertainment venue where something is always happening?  Well, I think I have just the place for you.  Nate’s Sports Bar and Grill located off Hwy 49 in Gulfport is just that place.  Sporting the slogan, “There is always something going on at Nate’s!” this bar is not your average sports bar by any means. 

Just for starters, Service Industry Night is 7 nights a week.  What other bar on the Mississippi gulf coast offers this?  You can start this off by purchasing your first drink of the night and the second one is on the house no matter what your choice of liquid courage is.  This also includes $5 pitcher of beer and $5 hot wings all night long off the employee menu.  Cha….Ching baby, where else should someone go to party for service industry night but other that Nate’s Sports Bar and Grill?

Calling all karaoke singers!  Did you know that Nate’s has karaoke on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights?  If you feel like partying and singing like the next American Idol, check out Nate’s and their amazing sound system.  Just maybe you can be the next gulf coast super star or in my case, receive free drinks from the wonderful patrons to keep you away from the microphone. 

Maybe live entertainment with a band is your thing.  Well guess what?  Nate’s has this as well.  Every Saturday night, there is a live band taking the stage at 10pm.  “You may not know the name of the band playing that night, but I will guarantee you that you will have a good time!” says Nate.  Some of the acts they will be featuring in August are: Heist at Hand from Houston, TX with Stereohype on August 2^nd, Wes Loper Band on August 9^th, Harry Slick (One of my favorites!) on August 16^th, Easy Street on August 23^rd, and Trick Bag Live on August 30^th.  You just can’t go wrong with a line-up quite like this. 

Food is one of the greatest American pleasures we have and Nate has not let his patrons down in this pleasure by any means.  The grill is open all night serving some of the best local bar food around.  You can indulge yourself in such pleasures as a fried foot long hot dog loaded with all the fixins’, hot wings, crab claws, and the highly recommended Philly cheese steak.  The portions are more than enough for the blue collar worker or just to put back that hunger pain from partying the night away.  This high quality and reasonable prices is backed up by amazing customer service.  “Customer service is key in any service industry”; and after my night spent here, I can see that customer service is a number one priority.

If you are looking for a sports bar that is a step above the rest, be sure to check out Nate’s Sports Bar and Grill located at 11444 Hwy 49N in Gulfport, MS.  This bar is packed with quality entertainment, drink and food specials.  You never quite know what to expect when you visit Nate’s.  For more information, visit them on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/1teddybear2 .  (don’t ask me who teddybear2 is).  I highly recommend the philly with a combo platter. 

Marc Ramey

www.gulfcoastbands.com

Stereoside - So Long

Jessica DePineuil

Out of Ocala, Florida, Stereoside is a four-piece band of radiant musicians with a knack for crafting music that etches itself into the mind. Jeff Shields (lead singer), David Oliver (bassist), Chris York (drummer), and Ben Foster (guitarist/vocalist) contribute their own unique styles to Stereoside, together creating a sound that is both recognizable and individual. After signing with Bieler Bros. Records in March of 2006, Stereoside released their debut album with Jeff Shields, So Long.

Anyone who has witnessed Stereoside’s superior performances in their shows can look forward to the same emotion-rich music on So Long. As “Sinner” is played on radio stations around the country, listeners should expect to hear many more hits from this album in the near future: Yes, So Long is packed with such radio-ready songs.

“Too High” starts the album with fire and force. One can literally feel the driving intention and emotion of each of the band members. In this song, Stereoside’s capabilities of creating musical masterpieces are made obvious, and Jeff’s vocal talent sends the already-amazing instrumentals to soaring heights. “Too High” is a track that necessitates driving with cruise-control and steering with your knees, while strumming away on your air guitar of choice and banging your fists on the dashboard.

The second track is “So Long,” and if listeners didn’t get enough of a head-nodding anthem from “Too High”, they’ll be sure to have no regrets in buying this album by the end of track number two. “So Long” is bursting with the same reproachful emotion that the first track featured, and though it would seem difficult to follow “Too High” with a song just as praise-worthy, Stereoside makes it happen. This is the next song I anticipate hearing on the radio and watching growing numbers of fans sing along to. With the intensity of York’s drum lines and Foster’s guitar, “So Long” possesses that exceptional sound destined for jam-packed concert floors.

“Sinner” demonstrates Shields’ true vocal talent and Stereoside’s ability to exemplify what perfected music should be. It’s no wonder that this track is already a radio hit; every instrument is tightly woven into “Sinner”, and one couldn’t possibly find a single replacing note or chord that would improve this track. These guys know how to write music that’s strung together flawlessly, and “Sinner” is full of remarkable instrumentals without being excessive or overcrowding the song itself.

Track number four is “Tattoo”. Stereoside’s southern-rock influences are confirmed in this track with squealing guitar solos and Shields’ penetrating vocals typical of the subgenre. The focus in this track is sound, as the lyrics aren’t “to die for.” All in all, “Tattoo” is a good quality addition to the album, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first three tracks.

“Wasted” is one of the songs on this album that more sensitively describes heartbreak. Stereoside’s softer instrumentals accentuate the message of this song, and Shields’ melodic vocals efficiently express love-related anguish. Though heartrending, “Wasted” is one of my favorites on So Long. This track is yet another display of Stereoside’s talent in changing things up a bit without losing their distinguishing sound.

The sixth track is titled “Ain’t So Bad,” and is one more song that will beat through listeners’ veins just as “Too High” and “So Long” do. Stereoside has an inherent ability to change rhythm and tone so impeccably and smoothly, and this precision is recognizable in “Ain’t So Bad.”

“Always Remember” is a song of encouragement for those in “battle,” whether as soldiers or as regular people going through difficulties in life. The lyrics are somewhat repetitive, but that repetitiveness and the drums’ imitation of battle marches add to the theme of this track: staying strong when you feel like giving up.

“My Life,” is a catchy, up-beat song marked by positivity, which is felt through every change in tempo and intensity. This track is one to add to the list of favorites for its unique qualities that are difficult to find in mainstream rock’s genre-specific sound.

Another track rich in love and heartbreak is “On and On.” This song is beautiful in every instrumental piece, especially Foster’s guitar. Shields’ voice is incredible in its softer tones as well, and ladies will undoubtedly fall in love with Shields and Stereoside as a whole through this sensitive, love-struck track.

“It’s Not My Day” brings So Long back to its hard rock roots. Shields’ vocal range is again brought forth in his ability to vocally climb to astonishing highs and drift back down to rich, melodious lows. Foster, Oliver, and York work beautifully together in bringing this track to a perfect instrumental harmony that’s hard to come by when each instrument is so distinct and clear. “It’s Not My Day” will surely be another radio hit from this album.

“Little Pill” adds to the album’s theme of love and drug-related heartbreak. While the lyrics could use a little help, they don’t detract from the beauty of this song. This track is definitely the slowest on So Long, and, as can’t be said enough, Shields’ voice is beauty at its greatest. Stereoside transitions well from hard rock anthems to slower, more heartfelt tunes, and their versatility in creating damn-good music is commendable.

The last track on the album is “On Our Way,” which features more of a blues/southern rock feel as a reminiscent tribute to the rock n’ roll heroes of the past. Just as in “Little Pill,” the lyrics aren’t great, but Stereoside still manages to pull off including them, through the band’s clean intensity in the instrumentals and Shields’ vocals.

So Long is an album to put on your must-buy list. Stereoside’s music features a familiar, yet still unique, sound not typical of today’s mainstream rock. Jeff Shields, Ben Foster, David Oliver, and Chris York form a band with true talent, and So Long is a must-hear album filled with songs to sing along to and get to know by heart.

http://www.myspace.com/stereoside

http://www.stereoside.com

Xerus - “…this impossible everything”

Jazz Babbage

From Minneapolis, Minnesota, Xerus is an extremely original band of three: Michael Townsend Letsinger (vocals/guitar/songwriter), Travis Washnieski (drums), and Scott Sachs (bass guitar). “…this impossible everything” on SkinCell Record Group is Xerus’ second album, preceded by “Wrath of Ra” which included number one hit on New Artist Radio, “Easy Pieces.”

Slipping “…this impossible everything” into my CD player, I was surprised at the intro, “Recoil.” The a cappella track starts quietly and calmly, with lyrics touching on the end of the world, politics, and relationships. Soon, the proposed meaning of this track gets jumbled and covered by screeching and deep vocal rambling: disharmony at its greatest. I listened on with a smile on my face, thinking this would be a comical band, purposefully comical, that is.

The rest of the album featured the same whirlwind of disharmony. I will say that most of the tracks start out crisp and fresh in the instrumentals. The guitar, drum, and bass lines fit well together. The music isn’t terrific, but it is somewhat harmonious and almost pleasing to the ears. In just about every song a funky guitar riff sets a mood of amusement and enjoyment until Letsinger’s vocals come in and disturb the flow of the track. “Invisible Excuse,” “Sacra-Official,” and “Full Circle” are three tracks that I was pleased with in their early moments, but disappointed with as soon as the vocals were introduced. Neither the band as a whole nor its vocalist has a clear, defined sound, and this is demonstrated in the rough changes in tempo and Letsinger’s constant variations in tone of voice. The songs lack synchronization and present themselves as a bunch of notes and beats crammed into a track with off-key vocals.

Without regard to the previous tracks, my favorite track on “…this impossible everything” is the last one, “Another Friday.” This upbeat, fast-paced song got my attention, as it is about having an orgy with friends. Letsinger’s crazy vocals fit so much better in comical music, and I enjoyed this song for its absurdity.

M.T. Letsinger’s voice, and Xerus collectively, have potential to be admirable once they discover their sound. In an industry full of mainstream music that tends to blend identities, Xerus does “sound unlike most everything else you have heard.”

http://www.Xeruslives.com http://www.myspace.com/xerus

Thunder’s Tavern Welcomes Waitin’ On Jake

Jessica DePineuil

On Friday, August 7th, 2007, I made last-minute plans to catch Waitin’ On Jake at their first Thunder’s Tavern show. Days prior, I’d looked up the band’s Myspace page after Marc mentioned them coming to Pascagoula to play that weekend, and from the sound of the band’s music on their stand-alone player to the high energy easily displayed in their photos, I was eager to check them out.

I arrived at Thunder’s Tavern as Waitin’ on Jake were finishing their sound check. The first thing I noticed was the professionalism the band and crew demonstrated as they adjusted their sound with incredible diligence. What I didn’t expect from them was the volume intensity the sound check foretold. I was slightly hesitant about how loud they were, but being in a cheerful mood, I was forgiving and still anxious to see them start the show.

For a Friday night, the Tavern’s crowd was small, but the band assumed position on the stage with smiling faces, as if they were playing for hundreds. They introduced themselves and jumped right into their first set. I was taken aback at how clear and precise their covers were in both instrumentals and vocals. The guys of Waitin’ on Jake collectively bring forth a standout style of performance, and still every song they played was perfectly mastered. From modern rock chart-toppers such as Disturbed’s “Down with the Sickness” to Cameo’s “Word Up” hit from 1986, Waitin’ on Jake catered to every musical taste and gave us all songs to sing along to.

Front man Justin’s vocal power really made each song come alive, and with Ra’s strong drum performance, Dave’s vigorous guitar riffs, and Aubrey’s energetic bass lines, the band gave the crowd that night a reason to party. My previous apprehensiveness about the band’s volume had been drastically proven false. Waitin’ on Jake is one of the strongest, most energetic bands I’ve seen, and their intensity was very well complemented by powerful sound.

All in all, Waitin’ on Jake brought Thunder’s Tavern an exciting, electrifying experience. Thanks, guys, for putting on a true show for us, and please…

Play it LOUD!

From here, visit Waitin’ on Jake’s Myspace and the Waitin’ on Jake website . To view pictures from the show, click here.

I want to introduce you guys to a band out of Philadephia that I am really starting to get into.

The Pawnshop Roses have been playing their brand of Americana rock in the Philadelphia area’s top venues for the past few years. In December, they got some national attention when they won the YouTube Underground Contest for Best Live Video and appeared on Good Morning America. Following the YouTube win, the band signed to Earvolution Records and hit the studio.

Their first full length record “Let it Roll” is an Americana rock gem produced by Pete Donnelly of the Figgs (Amos Lee/G-Love/Graham Parker) with a couple song co-arrangements by noted alt-country artist Tom Gillam. Donnelly adds some vocal, guitar and bass backing on a few tracks while Jonn Savannah (Van Morrison, Joe Cocker, Squeeze) sits in for piano on a two tracks as well. The record is being distributed by Home Grown Distribution and is available on all electronic outlets including iTunes. The band has quickly jumped into Home Grown’s top seller list alongside established acts like Spearhead, Phish, Derek Trucks, Xavier Rudd and more.

Listen to some of their music:

Here We Go

The Life We Lead

Pawnshop Roses Myspace