FLOODGATE To Reunite For New Orleans Benefit Concert

FLOODGATE, the New Orleans band featuring former EXHORDER and current ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY frontman Kyle Thomas, will reunite to perform at Nola Underground's first annual Raise The Dead festival, set to take place Saturday, January 13, 2007 at One Eyed Jack's (615 Toulouse Street) in New Orleans. Proceeds from the gig will go to the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, which is an organization that acts as an outreach program to New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. It also aims to revive New Orleans' unique musical culture by helping displaced musicians return to New Orleans, creating gigs and replacing flood damaged instruments. The NOHRF empowers the musicians to earn a living and heal the community with music.

"If this helps out just one person and gets a horn or a guitar in their hands again, then it's all worthwhile," commented Al Hodge, guitarist of THE MUDDPIGGS and member of the festival's organization team.

In addition to FLOODGATE — who will be making their first live appearance since 2002 — the festival will feature performances by SKAB and S.I.K. (who haven't played live since the early 1990s),along with Chalmette, Louisiana-based bands SNAKE OILER and THE MUDDPIGGS, who will both be making their first live appearances since being displaced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina. Also on the bill are CULPA, SLOW THE KNIFE, HAARP and New Orleans punk legends THE PALLBEARERS.

The schedule is as follows:

THE PALLBEARERS (1:30am)
CULPA (12:50am)
FLOODGATE (11:30pm)
HAARP (10:40pm)
SNAKE OILER (9:50pm)
SKAB (9pm)
SLOW THE KNIFE (8:10pm)
S.I.K. (7:30pm)
THE MUDDPIGGS (7pm)

Another feature of entertainment will be provided by the lovely ladies of the New Orleans burlesques organization Fleur De Tease. Also planned is a slideshow featuring just a piece of the rich history of the New Orleans underground scene.

"New Orleans and the surrounding areas like St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans East, Lake View and the 9th Ward are still in a state of recovery following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, but have faith it will rise again and so will its music," stated Hodge. "The media outside of the area may have lost interest in what happened, but the people in and around New Orleans or have been displaced haven't, because no matter where you lay your hat at night, there is no place like New Orleans because IT IS HOME."

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $13.

Check out a flyer for the show at this location.

For more information about the festival, visit www.nolaunderground.com.