You know you're in for a good night when they sing some Frank Zappa during the soundcheck.

And so I settled in for the late show at Club Cafe on the South Side, a couple of cups of coffee keeping me going, to watch a pair of bands, Big With Seed and Wino Riot, put on some distinctive and tightly played performances.

My first impression of Wino Riot (besides some of the guys' apparent affinity for Zappa) was the instrumental configuration: a keyboard rack was set up smack in the middle of the stage, which struck me as kind of unusual. But after hearing keyboard player/lead singer Doug Fitzsimmons exercise his vocal power, I understood. His soul-drenched style served the band's repertoire well: funky, boogie-down sound that projected well within the friendly confines of Club Cafe.

The band cites Stevie Wonder as a prime influence - the lengendary early '70s stuff, like "Livin' for the City," which they cover - along with the numerous George Clinton aggregations collectively known as P-Funk. And Doug drew sounds from his Hammond, Roland and particularly his mini-Korg that you don't hear too often this side of P-Funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell - that bent-tone, outta-space synthesizer that propelled numerous R&B hits a couple of decades ago.

Situated on either side of Doug were Wino Riot's guitarists, Charles Kubacki and David Bruno Barton. The two work very well together, trading off licks and riffs to great effect, with the stereo image created by the amps on either side of the stage. David played a good bit of the show using just the clean tone through his Marshall. Of course, Charles' Fender amp held up his end of the bargain as well.

The rhythm section - bass player Nick Michaels, drummer Marc Martinka and percussionist Joe Bellinconish - drove the band through a set of mostly originals that displayed a knack for writing catchy, well-constructed tunes. Their set closer, "Monkey Spine," developed into a ferocious jam that left the crowd wanting more music.

Big With Seed came through with the set that followed, putting the talents of lead singer Adam Rossi to full use. What a set of lungs, and he says he came by his vocalizing naturally. He looks a bit like Nick Gravenites, has stage mannerisms slightly reminscent of Joe Cocker, and sings like ... well, at one point, I thought I heard some of Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant coming through. So I looked down on the stage floor to see if Adam - like the late, great Ronnie - preferred to perform barefoot. Sure enough, no shoes!

All things considered, Big With Seed's sound is somewhere in its own category. Tuck Majeran's ever-present blues harp sets a certain tone, and Derek Scalzott's fluid, driving bass sets another. Scott Delledonne's hard-eged Stratocaster serves to beef up the sound around Adam's voice. And drummer Jarrod Svenzeny displays a flexibility on percussion that adds yet another dimension.

(By the way, it's great to meet a fellow like Tuck, who's hanging out with the "younger generation" to make some music.)

Good news: You can catch both these bands on the same bill again on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the "Get Off Your Couch and Jam" show at the Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh (also featuring Doodis and CK9 & the Old E Allstars). More on that coming soon.

PHOTOS:

1) Adam Rossi sets the tone for Big With Seed.

2) Derek Scalzott is all over his bass.

3) Scott Delledonne and Tuck Majeran wail away on their respective instruments.

4) Doug Fitzsimmons at center stage with Wino Riot.

5) You probably can't see David Bruno Barton's T-shirt, but it's from Project/Object, the exceptional Frank Zappa tribute band featuring several of the late Mr. Zappa's former sidemen.

6) Nick Michaels and Charles Kulbacki help anchor the sound.

PS - If you've never heard of Nick Gravenites, he's best known as lead singer for the Electric Flag, guitarist Mike Bloomfield's semi-legendary, short-lived "American Music Band" of circa 1967-68.