Hear tribute bands honoring Ozzy, Pink Floyd

By Debby Jet Jennings

Some sort of profuse lunar influence is under way this weekend — never mind that 2010 was ushered in under a ‘blue moon' (a second full moon within the same month) — but now, we have a copious cosmic configuration of moons aplenty. Read on …

What do you get when you combine Black Illusion — an Ozzy Osbourne tribute — with Pink Floydian Slip — a Pink Floyd tribute — both live tonight at Amos Southend in Charlotte?

Why the opportunity to “Bark at The Dark Side of The Moon,” of course. Opening the evening, find Black Illusion channeling the sounds of the great and powerful Ozzy.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

This newly configured homage to our favorite “prince of darkness” features vocals by Shooter Osbourne aka Don Mullinex, who maintains he is a “mild-mannered guy” until morphing into Ozzy.

A reviewer vows Mullinex, former guitarist/vocalist for Ohio bands Wizzard and Rough Idle, is not only “untouchable as a frontman” but “his resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne is uncanny.” Based in Charlotte, the new tribute also includes a trio of musicians savvy fans might recognize: J. Wylde, guitars; P.J. Diablo, bass, and B. Aldridge, drums.

Close observation and not so subtle band references will most likely reveal these three to be the talented members of the popular area band Blanco Diablo.

That covers the Blizzard/Wizard/Iron Man angle of the show to segue right the progressive rock part of the evening, with Pink Floydian Slip paying tribute to what else but the inimitable Pink Floyd, the powerhouse of intensely complicated musical compositions and elaborate production.

As a tribute, PFS's plan is simple — to “recreate the sights and sounds” of the iconic band even to traveling with a “killer light show/video” setup plus a set-list of classic Floyd songs. Band members are all session musicians aiming to mesmerize audiences.

Anybody out there? All aboard the “Crazy Train,” then get “Comfortably Numb” with Black Illusion and Pink Floydian Slip, live tonight at Amos Southend, 1423 South Tryon St., Charlotte. Call the club at 704-377-6874, or check amossouthend.com for show info.

For details on the bands, visit myspace.com/blackillusionrox; myspace.com/roughidleband; and myspace.com/pinkfloydianslip.

More moon glow mischief around town includes classic/Southern rockers Fool Moon shining live tonight at The Money in Rock Hill. Fool Moon features Joe Mauldwin, vocals/bass; Dave Mauldwin, vocals/lead guitar; and newest addition Chris Munn, drums/vocals. See Fool Moon tonight at The Money, 111 S. Cherry Road in Rock Hill. Call the club at 803-329-2710 for scoop on the show.

“Giant steps are what you'll take” for a musical walk with rock/blues/country/folk band The Moons live this Saturday at the Sylvia Theater in York. Land smack in the middle of influences ranging from The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Band, even Edgar Allen Poe for a luna-rific experience.

Based in Rock Hill, the band includes brothers Wes (guitar/bass/vocals) and Zack (lead guitar/bass) Clark; Drew McGuffin, drums; and Tanner Caldwell, bass/lead guitar; with “wicked riffs, soulful voices, and true grit” as their specialty.

“Slip the surly bonds of earth,” and fly with The Moons live at the Sylvia Theater, 27 N. Congress St. in downtown York. Call 803-684-5590, or check sylviatheater.com for more info. Go to myspace.com/wesmoons and sonicbids.com/TheMoons2 for more on the band.

Good night to moon references for now.

Find other assorted flights of musical fantasy including Carolina Chocolate Drops live tonight at The McCelvey Center, York; Angel live this Saturday at McHale's on Main in Rock Hill; Leon Russell live Saturday at the Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa this Tuesday at The Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; The Diamond Center live this Wednesday at Snug Harbor in Charlotte; Left On Oakland with Brian Collett, David Warner at Tropical Escape Café, Rock Hill; and many more exciting excursions listed below.