One of the most popular features of OffBeat’s web site is the Message Board, where anyone with a computer can post absolutely anything–concert reviews, queries about particular performers, complaints, salutations, witticisms. Of course, since this is a web site and it exists in an electronic nether world ungoverned by any sort of laws or regulations (concerning libel, for instance) and because messages are usually signed with pseudonyms or handles, all information must be taken with a mammoth grain of salt.

Back in October, messages began appearing concerning a mutiny in the band All That and/or the departure of founder Davis Rogan, a.k.a. DJ Davis, from the band.

Davis, perhaps the last human on Earth who doesn’t own a computer, headed for a friend’s home and posted the following message on his associate’s computer: "First off: All That exists. I own the name. I will be playing at the Dragon’s Den on Halloween with Matt Perrine, Kevin O’Day and a fine cast of my dear friends and musical cohorts. Thanks to everyone for writing in your opinions–I’m touched and flattered that y’all care enough to write. Here is my story: I have had some personal and creative problems with some of the newer guys in the band. It was brought to my attention by faithful band members that there was a seditious element in the band that was planning to fire me (???!!!), so I fired these musicians. They laughed at me, ran off to the state office, registered the name ALL THAT BAND, and have apparently entered into a contract with a booking agency that I, hitherto, had a verbal agreement with.

"This group then hastily added a bass player and a guitar player, neither of whom seem anxious to identify themselves, and played last weekend in North Carolina. Let me make something perfectly clear: All That’s web site is run by Doug Miller, a member of this renegade band. The very thought that I have left All That, or that there could ever be a band All That without me, yours truly, Davis Rogan B.K.A. DJ Davis–this concept exists solely in cyberspace. I have retained a bad ass entertainment lawyer and plan to have my good name back from these clowns very soon.

"I started this band in late ’94, and had my first two shows using the name All That at Café Brasil on March 21 and 28, l995. Since those days there have been over sixty cats through this band and I have been the leader and constant member. Those of you who know the band’s history know this is not the first time I’m rebuilding this group. Again, I am pleased to discover this forum and I thank everyone for their concern, criticism and kind words. You’ll be pleased to know that all the New Orleans musicians I have spoken with share your shock and incredulity at the idea there could be an All That without me."

Davis concludes by suggesting that his ex-bandmates call themselves the Renegade Cybergroup, which sounds like a cool idea. Further complicating this issue is the fact that there’s a local band called Kid Merv and All That Jazz so maybe Davis should go for the Original DJ Davis and the Original Certified 100% Authentic All That. Or maybe The Artist Formerly Known As DJ Davis.

Almost simultaneously with the All That contention, Katrice Newbill and Jawna Williams, the guiding lights behind the reggae group known as the Irie Dawtas, arrived at our office with news of a similar name-lifting dispute. Some former Dawtas, it seems, were attempting to abscond with the name.

"The band started out all female," Katrice explained. "The name was originated by myself. I was the founder, got the girls together. Everyone seems to have a memory lapse on what actually happened. We toured. Bad management, bad decisions led us to split up. After we split up, there’s always been controversy over who owned the name but legally, Jawna and I own the name.

"We started off at Club Oasis, just playing around with the microphone. It took me a while to get into reggae because I always sang R&B and gospel. We were in an a cappella all-girl group called Fantasia. Reggae started getting to me because of the beats and most of all, the positive message. It’s spiritual. No other music had ever touched me spiritually besides gospel. I love what reggae stands for. Reggae stands for positivity. I don’t believe in promoting negativity. Irie means ‘feeling good and peaceful.’"

"We do music uplifting God," Jawna continued, "uplifting people, saying that we can make a change. That’s what our music is about."

Medicine of Choice

New Orleans songwriter Karl "Motown" Morrison recently had a very pleasant surprise when he received his quarterly royalty statement from BMI. Unbeknownst to him, his song "Mary Jane" was played 195 times during the CBS broadcast of the 41st annual Grammy Awards, utilized when the network cut to commercials.

"I had no idea they were going to play it," Karl confessed. "That’s how crazy this business is–you never know. I recorded ‘Mary Jane’ approximately two-and-a-half years ago at the Boiler Room with some guys from the Neville Brothers Band–Willie Green on drums and Nick Daniels on bass. Mark Bingham’s on guitar, Michael Ray is on trumpet, Clarence Johnson III is on saxophone and I play piano and sing."

Morrison, who has performed with artists ranging from Jean Knight to Red Tyler, is often in concert in Japan, from whence came his wife. Back in high school, the girls started calling him "Motown" because some of Morrison’s formative years were spent in Michigan. And as for the meaning of "Mary Jane," he says there’s no big mystery: "I’m talking about a girl and my favorite medicine of choice."

Among the New Orleans artists who may earn Grammy nominations this year are Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Jason Marsalis and harpist Rachel Van Voorhees, whose My Gentle Harp CD includes Celtic tunes by the blind composer Turlough O’Carolan written over 300 years ago. Talk about the latest hits…

Free Horn

Jazz vocalist Shirley Horn, nominated for a Grammy six times during her stellar career, will perform a free concert at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Building Recital Hall on Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation as part of its "Jazz Journey" series, the recital will also feature pianist Ellis Marsalis, who chairs the Department of Jazz Studies at the University of New Orleans. Ms. Horn’s latest CD is "I Remember Miles," a tribute to her mentor and protean horn man Miles Davis.

Sado-Musical

Drummer/bassist/guitarist Robert Butterfield and vocalist/keyboardist Sidney Cook are the key conspirators behind the Goth-rock band Strap On Halo, which has just released its first album. Produced by the band and former art gallery owner Clint Hilderbrand, the disc is full of dark surprises, such as covers of the Eagles’ "Hotel California" and Bauhaus’ "Bela Lugosi’s Dead," as well as a song with lyrics by Sid (as she is known) and her co-writer, Lord Byron, who died in 1824.

Hilderbrand directed the band’s first video, which was shot inside the New Orleans Museum of Art and capitalizes on Sid’s appropriately sullen beauty. During Strap On Halo’s concerts, when audience members fail to behave properly, Sid has been known to invite volunteers on stage for whippings and/or other forms of ritualistic behavior modification. Roll over, Marilyn Manson, and tell the Marquis de Sade the news!