You guys into any local bands? I love supporting local bands - they make some great music and buying their CDs helps them excel in their music career...plus you get to listen to their music whenever you want!

This is copied from some blog entries I posted on my Myspace, but here's some information on a bunch of local bands I got to hear at a local music festival down here called Bayfest. These were the bands I listened to last year in October:

Hamelin - Very cool alternative band! I instantly got into their music, and picked up both their first and new albums. But here's the best part - they came to the merch booth and AUTOGRAPHED both albums! These guys were really awesome and I'm glad that I got to listen to them. Oh, and the Pepsi beach ball getting up on the stage was the best!

Peek - I enjoyed listening to them! They have a nice range of styles, and I can tell they work really hard. I thought it was cool that I got a copy of what they've been working on for free with their album. I can't wait to check it out!

The Grey - These guys were awesome! A very hardcore band! I picked up their sampler so I'll be rockin' to it until their album comes out.

Color the Coast - Holy crap! Not only were they awesome, but I found out that they were people we knew! I ran into Kyle Coffey's mom, who recognized me as my mom's son. I also found out Matt Arensberg is in the band (someone I went to school with)! Small world, huh? Well, I am digging their music, and even picked up a shirt to wear to school!

Marshall Ruffin Band - A great 3-person band! They're from Georgia and said they had never been to Mobile before, so I guess Bayfest was a new experience for them. Regardless, they knew how to jam! The last song they played was the best, where the guitarist, drummer, and bassist took turns doing solos!

Chronic Blues - I missed out on seeing them two years ago, so I got to see them tonight. They were great, playing some covers like 'Wayward Son', 'La Grange', and 'Don't Stop Believing' along with some of their own tracks. They are a great band, and I picked up their EP, Five 4 Five, to listen to (yeah, it means Five Songs For Five Bucks). They were fun to listen to!

Delilah Why - Great first band to listen to! They had a lot of different styles to their music, and are from Nashville, TN. I picked up their album (along with a sticker decal for free), and got the CD autographed by the band after their performance!

Hard Labor - I came in about mid-way through their concert, but they were a cool band. They're from Pensacola, FL. I really liked "The Villian In Me".

The Ugli Stick - Ooooh maan!! The Ugli Stick was AMAZING!! They really know how to jam! They use a variety of styles combined in their music, such as funk, hip-hop, and pop, and it all works really well together! On top of that, the bassist had an unusual playstyle - he actually held his bass pointing DOWN! It was great, I loved listening to them, and I picked up their album to chill to.

Theresa Andersson - Now if I thought the night of amazement was over, ooh no! Theresa Andersson was phenominal! She literally was a one-woman show, recording bits that loop as she continues with another addition to the song. At times she had recorded herself four or more times, and it all comes together beautifully! How did she do it? By switching knobs on machines by her feet! No kidding, and it was SPECTACULAR! At the end of her performance, I got her album and had it autographed!

Lisa Zanghi - This is absolutely fitting that Lisa Zanghi and her band were the last performance I heard at Bayfest, as they were the FIRST I listened to back in 2006, the first time I ever went to Bayfest! I had the most fun listening to them again, especially when they played songs I was familiar with off of the album "Brighter Days". I got that album in 2006 and have been listening to it ever since. After the show, I got to talk to her, telling her about seeing them in 2006 and how I was a big fan. Also, I got their new album, "A Different Side of Me", and she autographed it! On top of that, they had t-shirts, and the proceeds went to the local animal shelter! I donated $5 (all I had on me unfortunately), but I guess anything helps, and it's even more special for me because I have a shirt from one of my favorite Bayfest artists!

Of these, I really enjoy Color the Coast, Hamelin, Ugli Stick, and Lisa Zanghi. I listen to their albums all the time in my car, and all of these bands are on my MP3 Player :D

So are you guys into any local bands? Let me know, I may check them out! *is looking for new music to dig* :)