DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260428

SECTION: CAROLINA COAST          PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: AFTER DARK 

SOURCE: John Harper 

                                            LENGTH:   79 lines

FAB FALL FABULOUS BANDS FILL LINEUPS ACROSS OUTER BANKS

THERE WAS A time not long ago when the Outer Banks closed after Labor Day. The only entertainment during the fall months was watching sea gulls dive-bomb the ocean.

But those days are gone.

The off-season Outer Banks music scene is jumping like minnows chased by bluefish.

The Port O'Call in Kill Devil Hills continues with live bands Thursday through Sunday. Confirmed for October is legendary songwriter/singer/super sideman Leon Russell on the 10th. The Grammy Award-winning performer plays the Port O'Call for the second time this year. Needless to say, Russell's first show in May sold out.

Also confirmed for Oct. 24 is Arc 21 recording artist Maia Sharp. The fresh-faced neo-folkie is on the road promoting her first album, ``Hardly Glamour.'' A track from the album, ``I Need This To Be Love,'' has been playing locally on WVOD-99.1 in Manteo.

Port O'Call owner Frank Gajar also is negotiating with the Chapel Hill-based surf/punk/rockabilly band Southern Culture on the Skids. The one-time regulars at the late, great Mex-Econo in Kill Devil Hills are crisscrossing the country promoting their second Geffen Records release ``Plastic Seat Sweat.''

``They've become huge,'' Gajar says.

The Pit in Kill Devil Hills carries on with an eclectic blend of bands on Fridays and Saturdays this fall. Among the bands slated to perform are the alternative outfits Spilling Dew, All Mighty Senators and Froglegs. And The Pit continues to pulsate with funkmeisters Babyfat, Coloring Lessons and Three Percent Fat.

At Kelly's tavern in Nags Head, the fall lineup includes the Richmond-based My Uncle's Old Army Buddys on Sept. 26 and 27. The five-man band plays faithful renditions of the classic rock 'n' roll of the '60s, '70s and '80s.

In October, Kelly's welcomes Get Big, The Patty Costas Band, One Step Beyond and Hotcakes.

``We'll have live entertainment at least four nights a week,'' says Kelly's owner Mike Kelly. ``There's still a lot of people down here.''

Jolly Roger is the place to catch acoustic entertainment in autumn. Jamie Jamison is in the house every Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, The Wilder Brothers perform at the Kill Devil Hills restaurant/bar.

Also offering acoustic players is Quagmire's in Kill Devil Hills. On Friday and Saturday nights in October, Quag's owner John Kershmier has Rich Bungard, Michael Des Roches and Susie and The Naturals.

``She's great,'' Kershmier says of the Richmond-based Susie. ``She does everything from Sting to Janis Joplin.''

Local favorite B.C. Powdur performs at Quagmire's every Sunday in October.

Goombay's in Kill Devil Hills continues its excellent Wednesday night music series through the fall. Among the performers slated to appear are the local classic rockers Skyco, rockers Fujiwara and the jump blues band Hook.

Looking for something a little more laid-back? Catch live jazz at Roadside Cafe in Duck and Millie's Diner in Nags Head. Joe Mapp and The Coordinates are the Roadside regulars on Friday nights. Millie's has the smooth sounds of the Laura Martier Trio on Sunday nights.

On Ocracoke Island, Howard's Pub is still hopping. Owner Buffy Warner says he has live entertainment Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Thanksgiving.

The October lineup at the pub includes Mr. Blue, Bob Smith Blues Band, Mighty Quinn, The Ocracoke Rockers, Mike Malloy and Molasses Creek.

``We're able to get a lot of good regional bands,'' Warner says. ``They say it makes for a good band getaway.''

Among the other venues offering live entertainment into the fall are The Fish Market, Carolinian, Cafe Agape and Mulligan's in Nags Head; The Sea Ranch, Peppercorn's, Hurricane Alley, Chili Peppers and Van's Pizza, all in Kill Devil Hills; and Barrier Island Inn in Duck. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

The Richmond-based My Uncle's Old Army Buddys plays classic rock at

Kelly's tavern on Sept. 26 and 27.

Leon Russell, legendary songwriter/singer/super sideman, returns to

the Port O'Call in Kill Devil Hills on Oct. 10.

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