Here Come the Mummies to perform at Show Me Center

An unusual yet entertaining evening of funk, rhythm and blues and party music is in store for concertgoers when Here Come The Mummies takes the stage at the Show Me Center on Saturday.

Yes, the name of the group is Here Come The Mummies, and group members really do dress as mummies during performances.

"This will be the funkiest party the Show Me Center has seen in some time," said Josh Hanlon, marketing director for the Show Me Center. "Here Come The Mummies is certainly a different kind of band, but anyone who really likes live music and having fun will love this show. We've got your evening covered."

With fully bandaged members with names like "Eddie Mummy," "Java" and "Mummy Cass," it's safe to say Here Come The Mummies is definitely different. But the group's talent for funk and the ability to rock the house are undisputed, and they have released nine albums dating to 2002. The group is currently touring in support of their latest album, "Cryptic," which was released in May.

"We've been making records for at least 50 years," said band member Java in an email to the Southeast Missourian. "Our first was onto a wax cylinder. I can't remember the exact title, but it was something like ‘Been Buried Too Long Blues.'"

Java said Here Come The Mummies incorporates a lot of funk into its sound, but that's not all it does.

"Funk is part of the sounds we love to make," he said. "but we also cover many genres from rock to ska. All our songs are intended to make people dance."

If the sound of Here Come The Mummies can be defined, the group's history remains murky. According to Java, the group supposedly was discovered in 1922 by an archaeologist who unearthed an ancient discotheque in Tunis, Tunisia. The living, breathing and funkified mummies had been under a powerful Pharaoh's curse that doomed them to wander the earth "in search of the ultimate riff" that may finally allow their spirits to rest once found.

"We were cursed by Pharaoh because we got a little close to his daughters," said Java, who also is the percussionist and a vocalist for the group.

After their discovery in the ancient ruins, Here Come The Mummies resurfaced in North America at the turn of the millennium. They opened for performers like P-Funk and Al Green, and also performed at the Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee and at Super Bowl Village in 2012. The group also appears whenever possible on the "Bob and Tom" syndicated radio show.

Opening for Here Come The Mummies will be the local funk and rhythm and blues band Shades of Soul.

"Here Come The Mummies typically doesn't have bands open up for them," said Darren Burgfeld, trombonist for Shades of Soul. "They're all phenomenal musicians and, like us, they're about having fun."

Burgfeld said the Show Me Center will seem more like a party rather than a concert during the performances of Here Come The Mummies and Shades of Soul.

"There's going to be a dance floor so that people can dance," he said. "We want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves."

Here Come The Mummies with Shades of Soul is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and doors will open an hour prior to show time. VIP tickets are $50, Party Pack tickets are $29 and general admission is $25.

VIP tickets include VIP seating, snacks, cocktail service with two complimentary beverages, a pair of glow-in-the-dark sunglasses, glow-in-the-dark necklace and VIP parking. Party Pack tickets include a pair of glo-in-the-dark sun glasses and glo-in-the-dark necklace.

Tickets may be purchased at the Show Me Center ticket office by calling 651-5000 or online at showmecenter.biz.

klewis@semissourian.com

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