Colonel Bruce Hampton, “the Godfather of alternative Southern music,” and his band, The Code Talkers, will be bringing down the State Theatre and International Bistro tonight. This renowned national act is a treat for residents of Starkville and an opportunity to hear someone whose sound is “based on the purity of music,” as the Colonel describes.
Hampton’s music began before that of his most recent band. His former collaborations include Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit as well as the Fiji Mariners.
“I’ve actually been in about 15 different bands,” Hampton said. “I’ve kind of done it all.”
With so many years of music behind him, Bruce Hampton has participated in all eight of the HORDE Tours, which is the biggest tour in the history of the world to date, and played with many accomplished artists such as Phish, B.B. King, Widespread Panic, the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers.
“I’ve gotten to play with pretty much everyone that I’ve ever wanted to so far,” Hampton said.
Since 1999, The Colonel has been a part of The Code Talkers, which includes Sean “Oil Can” Peterson, Bobby Lee Rodgers and Tyler Greenwell. Although their music may be similar to that of his previous bands, it still has a distinct edge.
“We play bluegrass, rock, jazz–everything,” Hampton said. “We’re basically a banjo-driven rock band.”
With such a Southern sound, The Code Talkers are widely acclaimed here in the South but also receive a great deal of praise in the northern states as well. They have played internationally on several occasions in places such as Taiwan, Malaysia and Czechoslovakia. The Colonel hasn’t stopped touring for 40 years and continues year round, trying to stay with agreeable climates.
“We tour the South from October to March to stay warm, and we go up north when it’s not so cold up there,” Hampton said. “This summer we were on a Western tour. It just makes it easier to go along with the weather.”
Tonight, like the previous months, The Code Talkers plan to play music from their upcoming self-titled album, which Harmonized Records will release on Oct. 22 in stores and on their Web site, www.thecodetalkers.com.
“We’ve been working on this CD for about two years now,” Hampton said. “And God willing, there will be plenty more to come.”
Although The Code Talkers don’t have an opening act that tours with them, Chris Hutchinson from Bloodkin will open at 9:30 p.m. Following Chris Hutchinson, The Code Talkers will play until 1 a.m. Tickets are $10 and will be sold in advance, due to limited seating. The State Theatre and International Bistro is on Main Street. Fore more information, call 323-5056.