ORANGE POP
A heart set on helping

By ROBERT KINSLER
Special to the Register

MULTIMEDIA Listen to Sam Morrison Band, The Fireants and Make Me Your Voice II

For much of rock's illustrious history, a wide range of artists has been anything but shy about using music as a framework to discuss social, political and religious topics.

Orange County-based acts are no exception. Several local artists have new releases that focus on issues outside the more commonplace tales of romance lost and found.

Various Artists, "Make Me Your Voice II" (EMI/Spring Hill Music Group, Inc.) — Orange County's Ken Tamplin is almost in a musical league of his own, and like La Habra native Rusty Anderson (lead guitarist for Paul McCartney on the former Beatle's current tour), is one of the region's best-kept secrets.

A talented singer, guitarist, recording engineer and songwriter, Tamplin has composed and produced numerous film scores and source music for major films such as "The Perfect Storm," "Charlie's Angels," "The Waterboy" and "Three Kings," as well as television series such as "The X-Files" and "Spin City." In addition, Tamplin has produced two Christian-themed modern music collections to raise money and focus on the plight of black Africans living in the southern part of Sudan, ruled by an Islamic-Arab government in the northern part of the African nation. Although the violence there has been condemned by the U.S. State Department, the United Nations and various humanitarian groups, as many as 2 million people have been killed over the past 20 years, with countless others dying from malnutrition and other hardships.

"Make Me Your Voice II" features several tracks by Tamplin and other contemporary artists offering songs of faith on a worthy follow-up to the February 2001-issued "Make Me Your Voice." Although the situation in Sudan might well lend itself to painful and joyless songs, the Tamplin-produced collection of new material is aimed more at providing straightforward songs of religious faith.

Habib Bardowell's "Praise" and Tamplin's spirited "Love and Faithfulness" are among the many strong and involving songs on the disc. For more information about how to purchase the CD, visit http://www.kentamplin.com/.

You might like if you enjoy: the first "Make Me Your Voice" collection

Sam Morrison Band, "Sam Morrison Band" (Convalian Productions) — Not everything on the Sam Morrison Band's self-titled debut relates to life's more serious issues. "Daylite's Burnin'" is about enduring a thankless day job, while "I Gotta Ride" celebrates the joys of having a Harley. However, "Peacekeepers" is one of the few post 9/11 rockers that talk about the commitment of the young men and women who serve in the U.S. military, even citing the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines by name in the song. The song ends with the message: "Remember New York City and the day the buildings fell / We've got the best, they won't rest while terror casts its spell."

Singer-guitarist Sam Morrison, drummer Bart Robley, guitarist-singer Steven Cenker and bassist Greg Kasparian are proud of their label as a Southern rock band, even if they hail from Fullerton. The band's remake of the Marshall Tucker Band staple "Can't You See" is a wonderful nod to the Sam Morrison Band's influences.

With an unapologetic style rooted in the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd and classic Allman Brothers Band, it isn't likely that the Sam Morrison Band will be getting airplay on KROQ any time soon. My guess is that the band couldn't care less.

For more information, visit http://www.sammorrisonband.com/.

You might like if you enjoy: Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd

The Fire Ants, "Human Windchime" (Fire Starter Productions) — Even when turning down the volume, the Fire Ants continue to be among the most original and adventuresome groups to emerge from the local rock scene.

Indeed, on the Fountain Valley trio's coming "Windchime" (set for release Dec. 3), the band continues to explore the depths of war, death, survival and other gloomy subjects. The twist this time, however, is that the normally loud band uses a variety of melodic and sonic layers to augment the powerful efforts from singer- lyricist-bassist Skie Bender, guitarist Kevin Jacobs and drummer Kelly Busby. Songs like "Mudslide," "Last Breath" and "Expiration Date" showcase the band's growing skills as musicians and performers yet display the Fire Ants' thriving artistic determination and intensity, which has defined their three previous full-length CD releases.

The Fire Ants will celebrate the official release of "Human Windchime" at Spaceland, 1717 Silverlake Blvd., Los Angeles, at 9 p.m. Dec. 3. For more information on the Fire Ants, visit the band's official Web site (http://www.thefireants.com/) or e-mail the band at fireants@gte.net.

You might like if you enjoy: the Fire Ants' earlier releases, Sonic Youth, Blonde Redhead