A ‘Supergroup’? That’s a Tall Tale to Storyville

Storyville is a band that has been saddled with either the good fortune or the albatross--however one chooses to see it--of having been hyped as a “supergroup” made up of some of Texas’ finest. Storyville’s members have played with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, the Allman Brothers Band, John Cougar Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Johnny Winter, Carlene Carter, the Mavericks and Arc Angels.

But this learned blues-rock band--which plays at the Coach House on Sunday--doesn’t have the trademark sound of the so-called supergroups. There’s no bombast, none of the musical grandstanding that’s come to be associated with conglomerations of well-known vets coming together for a cash-in party.

“We don’t think of ourselves as a supergroup, God no,” said lead singer Malford Milligan in a recent phone interview. “We just make music, and some nights we’re better than others. I know there’s nothing super about what I’m doing. I’m just trying to share the music with the people, for the people. This supergroup thing never even comes into the playing, not by a long shot. I just feel confident that we’re a good band.”

Milligan--who is joined in Storyville by guitarists David Grissom and David Holt, bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton--is the only greenhorn member of this grizzled group. It is a testament to Milligan’s talents as a blues and soul singer that Storyville was essentially formed around him.

Signed to a solo deal, Milligan hired the rest of Storyville as backup musicians for his first album, but the easy chemistry and red-hot music from those sessions were the catalyst for the group’s formation. Milligan’s debut album became Storyville’s debut album when “The Bluest Eyes” was released on November Records in 1994.

The title cut dealt with Milligan’s early traumas growing up as a African American albino in rural Texas. Milligan, now 37, eased his troubles with his Buddhist faith and by singing along with the records of such early heroes as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke.

“Everybody I ever heard I ripped off or learned something new from,” Milligan said. “In my case it’s been women as well as men. In fact, one of the things I’ve been listening to a lot lately is Whitney Houston on the soundtrack for ‘The Preacher’s Wife.’ Before I walk onstage, I find new avenues in those songs. About half the album is gospel tunes, where she really shines. She’s a person who has just gotten better and better with time. Her voice, her timing, everything she does is really incredible.”

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But Milligan’s prime influence remains Otis Redding, whose sway is most apparent in Milligan’s work.

“A friend of mine bought me the Otis Redding box set for Christmas, and it’s been in my CD player ever since,” he said. “Whenever I’m home, that’s what I turn on. Otis, for me, is such a raw talent, and so humble as well at the same time. He was a gentle soul who it happens could also sing his ass off. He knew exactly what and who he was, and that’s the way I feel too. I’m from the country, from rural America, and I’m not very sophisticated. But I give the people everything that I can.”

Storyville was signed last year to Atlantic Records, a label with a rich history in blues and R&B;, and a label that Milligan said the group has a “great relationship” with.

Storyville’s sophomore effort, “A Piece of Your Soul,” was released last summer, displaying a maturity in songwriting and performance, compared to the more raw and straight-ahead roots-based “Bluest Eyes.” “A Piece of Your Soul” features 11 original songs, with songwriting contributions from everyone in the group.

“We all have a love for playing; that’s the bottom line,” Milligan said. “But everyone in this band is mature enough to know that when you’re making a record, you’ve got to serve the song. The song is the key. And you know, the more we play together and ride around in a van together, the better it feels.

“This is one of the strongest things I’ve ever been involved in. I feel confident when I work, when I get up on that stage, because everyone’s such a great player, and they’re also nice people. That’s a real plus too.”

“A Piece of Your Soul,” produced by David Z (Prince, Fine Young Cannibals, Big Head Todd & the Monsters), features a cohesive, warm and organic sound. The rhythm section drives hard, the guitars are clean and Milligan’s vocals are way out in the front.

Milligan sounds every bit as enthusiastic about Storyville as he did when “Bluest Eyes” came out three years ago.

“Man, I dig what I’m doing,” Milligan said. “I have a spiritual base to where I’m coming from. I’m a Buddhist, and I’ve been practicing for 11 years. I’ve had so many bad jobs in my life that I’m always excited about doing this. If someone told me 11 years ago that this is what I’d be doing, playing with a group of top players and working my butt off doing music, I’d have had to fall out and laugh in their face.”

* Storyville performs Sunday at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. The Kari Gaffney Band and Road Dogz open. 8 p.m. $10. (714) 496-8930.