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Some old friends drop by at Thunder's

By JUSTIN HOOKS
jhooks@sunherald.com

Thunder's Tavern (1340 Market St., Pascagoula) has been bringing in some of the heaviest of rock 'n' roll's heavy hitters for more than 30 years, and this weekend, the roadhouse will feature three national rock acts sure to put a glide in your stride and a dip in your hip.

Texas-based Drowning Pool, Memphis' Egypt Central, New York's Rev Theory and Another Black Day will perform for the final installment of the Thunder's CPR Spring Concert Series. All of these bands are at the top of their game these days and are enjoying packed houses across the country. This show could easily be held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, given the caliber of the bands. But any good South Mississippi rock fan knows the history we have with Egypt Central and Rev Theory.

Egypt Central's self-titled debut album was released in October of last year, and the breakout single, "You Make Me Sick," hit No. 21 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock charts. They've performed at rock's annual traveling circus, Ozzfest, CPR Fest X and nearly half a dozen times at Thunder's before. Vocalist John Falls says coming back to South Mississippi is closer to visiting old college drinking buddies than actually working.

"It's not that (South Mississippi) is almost a second home," Falls said in a recent interview. "It is a second home. We'll get hotel rooms for the night (when we play there) and we'll never go there. We've got as many friends there as we do at home in Memphis, and we see them often enough. It's almost, you know, it is home, so I'm excited to be able to get back to the Coast and see everyone. It's like playing for friends."

Rev Theory (formerly Revelation Theory) has played Thunder's twice, and were part of the last big rock show to play Biloxi before Hurricane Katrina. They returned a few months later, and then again in the summer of 2006 to play the Rock N Relief II Katrina benefit concert.

The band's follow up to 2005's "Truth Is Currency" is set to be released in June. The album, titled "Light It Up," is already enjoying a positive buzz and the disc's first single, "Hell Yeah," was rock radio's most added song the week of its debut in April.

"Life is good now that it's all in the right direction," guitarist Jules Jorgensen said in a recent interview. "I feel we paid our dues. Three years ago, we were struggling, man. We had quit our jobs and had nothing and made the sacrifice to do it and take the leap of faith. Now there's fruits that have come of it...because of the hard work we've done. It's awesome."

Dallas-based Drowning Pool has been a staple of the rock world since exploding onto the Ozzfest stage in 2001. The band formed in 1996 and had a stellar debut with their album "Sinner." The disc went platinum within six months and the breakout track "Bodies" has now become legendary in the rock world. The group, armed with ex-SOiL singer Ryan McCombs, released their third album, "Full Circle," in August of last year and have been enjoying the favor of the rock gods since. The band has never played Thunder's before, but guitarist C.J. Pierce says he'll feel right at home.

"I'm from New Orleans, so anywhere (along the Coast), I just feel so much more at home. We hang out afterwards, so come hang out with the band! When everybody's working hard, it's good to get out with your friends and enjoy a rock show. So come on out!" said Pierce.

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