Mellow out with MLB Acoustic Allstars

Ease into autumn with a colorful twist of sounds courtesy of MLB Acoustic Allstars live Friday at The Sylvia Theater in York. Shortened from The Muthaload Band, MLB Allstars generally comprise the acoustic wing of this Charlotte-based bunch, but electric aspects are always possible.

Making their mark via varied influences and instrumentation, exact MLB specifics seem a bit tricky. They call it “funky, classic rock,” or more “rock jam” in an “electric outing,” then slant into “bluegrass/Americana” for an acoustic setting.

Credit changes in feel and format to the band’s instrumentation assortment as well as to the skills of the players. The band features: Rob MacWilliams, bass/vocals; Ian Lee, drums; Charlie Dobbins, guitar/vocals and Eric Hutchins, guitar/vocals. That’s the basic foundation but not the whole story. Additional instruments – and at times additional players – fill things out, to often include mandolin, fiddle, banjo, even upright bass.

MLB views their own style along the lines of Phish, Grateful Dead and The String Cheese Incident. Doesn’t quite explain why tunes such as “Blister in the Sun” (Violent Femmes); “Ziggy Stardust” (David Bowie); or even “18” (Alice Cooper) pop up on their song list, but definitely promises quirky possibilities.

Mix up and mellow out massive musical fusions with MLB Acoustic Allstars Friday at The Sylvia Theater, 27 N. Congress St., York. For more show details, call 684-5590 or go to sylviatheater.com. More on the music at hovimusic.com/mlb or reverbnation.com/themuthaloadband.

Elsewhere

Rootsy lineage and a specialized roster reigns with Whiskey All-Star Grass live Friday at McHale’s on Main in Rock Hill. Shortened to just WAG, this is the acoustic spinoff of area rock-jam band Mike Faulkenberry & The Whiskey Prophets, whittled down to an essential core of Faulkenberry, guitar/vocals, and Chase Killough, vocals/guitar/mandolin.

As WAG, find the duo of Faulkenberry and Killough focusing on favorite songs, then they conjure together material for “a very diverse set list,” explains Faulkenberry. “We include the favorite tunes played by the Whiskey Prophets but throw in some roots music such as bluegrass, folk, singer-songwriters’ tunes and also original songs by Chase.”

Along with the roundup of their significant sounds, WAG also looks for inspiration through crowd participation. “We entertain requests,” says Faulkenberry, adding, “and we welcome an interactive audience on some of our singalongs.”

Show some enthusiasm with WAG live Friday at McHale’s on Main, 122 E. Main St., Rock Hill. Call 329-8580 or visit mchalesirishpub.com. More on the music at facebook.com/whiskeyprophets.

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Mellow out with MLB Acoustic Allstars."