Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Gratisphaction guaranteed

 

Phil Fox of local original pop/rock act Wicked Gift is more than a singer/songwriter and keyboardist. He’s part playwright, composer and theatrical producer who plans to bring his quirky musical fantasy romp, “Gratisphere II: A Sci-Fi Burlesque,” to Cool Daddy’s Bar & Grill this week. He says the show is the “theatrical equivalent of punk rock – same D-I-Y approach, same underground venues, same raw social satire, and same misappropriation of fetish themes.” All this equals “good times,” he says.

The show, which is a sequel to the 2010 original production “Gratisphere,” will be staged by Fox’s newly incorporated business, Wicked Gift Productions, LLC., starring the Gratisphere Players - all local talent. The 50-minute show is scheduled for four performances at Cool Daddy’s in Myrtle Beach; 9 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with approximately 75 seats available at each performance. An after-party featuring deejays Catpuncher & The Mayor will follow both 11 p.m. shows.

The show will feature most of the original cast, though Therese Russo is credited as the new choreographer, assisted by original choreographer Stefanie Crane. “Gratisphere II” picks up where “Gratisphere” left off, according to Fox. Most all of the action takes place far in the future on the Orbital Orb, a man-made planetoid circling a post-apocalyptic Earth, devoid of life. Here class warfare is taken to extremes with a profound split between the haves and the have-nots. “I take great pleasure in the fact that we were way out front of the wealth gap thing,” said Fox in reference to Gratisphere’s theme predating the Occupy Wall Street movement, which came into prominence late last year.

Though there’s no nudity, the adult themes and the bar setting necessitate audience members be at least 21. Tickets are $10 at the door with a $3 discount for those “dressed in burlesque” costuming, according to Fox. Cool Daddy’s is at 300 9th Avenue N. in Myrtle Beach. Call 340-0307 for more information.

Hard Rock’s Battle Heats Up

More than 200 bands from around the region vied for just nine local spots to compete in the 4th annual Hard Rock Calling Battle of the Bands. With round two of the popular worldwide contest already in the can, the next and final set of local hopefuls will take the stage 8 p.m. next Wednesday at Hard Rock Café in Myrtle Beach. Scheduled to compete in round three: Death of Paris, Shamroc-N-DJ QP, and Below the Bassline. The Round One winner was Stealing Anger, and the Round Two winner was not available at press time.

The three semifinalist winners from each round will then compete on the big stage at Celebrity Square (Broadway at the Beach) at the March 3 finals, with the final winner going on to rounds of video judging and online voting. Four grand prizewinners from around the globe receive an all-expense paid trip to perform at Hard Rock Calling, an annual music festival held each July in the U.K.

Ten Toes Gets Its Kicks

Local rock act Ten Toes Up has been long seeking support for the next vital step needed in its career. The hardworking act from Murrells Inlet is after its big break, and some significant acknowledgement of the talents contained within. To that end the band continues to make opportunity for itself. The latest effort was a trip to Nashville, Tenn. performing a showcase at the revered launching pad for many a hopeful new act, the showcase bar/venue named 12th & Porter.

Inspired in part by this trip to Music City, the band has decided to record its next album in Nashville and will utilize the fundraising Web site Kickstarter in hopes to raise enough money to finance the recording. The innovative Web site offers fans and investors the opportunity to make micro loans and mini grants of $1 or more to any of thousands of projects visitors deem worthy.

Googling “Kickstarter ten toes up” is the easiest, fastest way to the link. Just to see the menu list of “thank you” options from the band is worth the visit. For example: You can donate a buck and choose “No thanks, I just want to help the project,” or donate $10,000 and get a promise to go skydiving with the band. A $6,000 donation means Josh Gregory (the band’s percussionist) will have your name (or one of your choosing) tattooed somewhere on his body. $5,000 and you could be the subject of a custom-written song on the new project. Lesser donation amounts entitle you to digital downloads, album credits, swag, dinner with the band, etc.

The trick to Kickstarter is in its time limit requirement. In order to receive any of the funds, all of the funds must be pledged. Of the $20,000 budget total, around $2,700 had been raised as of press time, with the final cut off set for 12:01 p.m. March 17. It’s all or nothing. My $10 donation entitles me to “A personal thank you e-mail from the band: probably something heartfelt and poetic.” We’ll see.

Have a thought, comment or newsworthy item for Weekly Surge Music Notes? Send an e-mail to pgrimshaw@sc.rr.com.