As a music lover, there’s nothing quite like walking into a night of incredible live music. Recently, I found myself at The Nick in Birmingham, AL—one of those gritty, intimate dive bars that you wouldn't think would bring the heat when you initially look at the place. The energy in the room was electric, and I was lucky enough to catch four amazing acts—The Mummy Cats, Seven Year Witch, The Reveal, and Cinema Stereo—each of them bringing something exhilaratingly different to the table. You’re going to want to check these guys out.
Kicking off the night, The Reveal. An interesting fact of the evening came from Brother Dusty as he informed us that The Reveal had broken up a little bit back, so he was assisted by various artists to bring the sound of The Reveal to the stage. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the names of these artists, but I digress. The laid-back, blues-infused rock offered a perfect intro to the intensity of the incoming acts. It’s the kind of music you want to listen to while kicking back, letting the groove take over, and reflecting on life. The set was smooth and soulful, with slick upright bass and guitar licks plus vocals that felt like they were coming straight from the heart. It’s rock that feels personal—like they’re sharing a piece of themselves with you. The atmosphere at The Nick was intimate, and The Reveal made the most of it, playing songs that seemed to resonate with everyone in the crowd.
The Reveal
Now that everyone was feeling good, it was time for The Mummy Cats to shine. The moment they hit the stage, you could feel the place shake. These guys are pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll, with a sound that channels the chaos of 60s garage punk but with a modern twist. The guitars, led by Morgan and featuring Brother Dusty on bass, were fuzzed out to perfection. Lead singer James Cox was all over the stage with a contagious energy as DonLeon kept the beat going on drums. It felt like a flashback to those wild garage days, but they’ve got a fresh edge that makes it all their own. This was especially notable during their covers of “Suck My Kiss” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against the Machine as James bounced on stage without skipping a beat. Their performance at The Nick was the kind of show where you don’t even realize you’re dancing until you look around and realize the whole room’s moving. If you’re into bands like the two previous mentions, The Mummy Cats are the real deal—gritty, loud, and unapologetically fun.
The Mummy Cats
Coming in from Anderson, SC, Seven Year Witch, a band that absolutely blew me away with their vibrant and atmospheric sound. Aaron Langford (lead vocals) took the stage with intensity and commanded the attention of all in attendance. Engaging the crowd through quick wit, charm, and a few jokes along the way, you can guarantee you’re in for a treat here. Their music brings a vibe of 70’s hard rock with a modern twist. Interjecting references and witty remarks that were specific enough to keep things relatable for everyone in attendance. A key reference in this is their performed single “Blue Flower Red Thorns,” as it pays homage to the first Shrek movie. It’s the kind of sound that digs deep under your skin. The vocals were raw and soulful, and the guitars, powered by Porter Dowdy and Spencer Burden, were heavy and dripping with tension. There was a certain heaviness to their set, amplified, of course, by Seth Burden, that resonated with me even after their set was long and over.
Seven Year Witch
To wrap up the night, Cinema Stereo brought their classic, high-energy vibes to The Nick. As a band that prides itself on taking influence from bands before their time (shoutout to guitarist Sebastian Borysek for sporting a Jimmy Page-inspired style) and using that to create original songs, this was very evident through their set. This band has a way of transporting you back in time with their lush soundscapes and ethereal hard vibe. It was like a funky rock wave of sound washing over the room. The guitar work was intricate, and the vocal work of Ian Rayha (who, by the way, wears three hats in the band as the keyboard player, bassist, and lead vocals) was very melodic; you would have to be trying to NOT get lost in the energy presented on stage. There was a lightness to their performance that contrasted perfectly with the heavier bands earlier in the night, and it was the perfect way to end the evening.
Cinema Stereo
What I loved about this night, aside from the incredible music, was how each band brought something totally different to the stage. The Mummy Cats injected raw, unrelenting energy; Seven Year Witch gave us heavy, bluesy rock that kept us on the edge of our seats; The Reveal offered up smooth, reflective grooves; and Cinema Stereo left us ready to take on whatever the rest of the night had in store. All of them have such unique sounds, but they all share a deep passion for their craft, and you can feel that in every note they play. When you find yourself looking for some new music to get into, these guys should seriously be on your radar.
