GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A smaller fish in a bigger bowl of a music scene, Lionvibes’ J-Ball Fischer says they’re starting to get their due on the Front Range.

One gig at a time.

“We’re starting to get recognized around town, which is pretty cool,” percussionist Fischer says of the band’s new Denver-area base of operations. “You’ve just got to play a lot of dinky little shows to get your name our there.”

Roughly a year since seven of Lionvibes’ nine core members packed up in Grand Junction to head east, the 2006 Battle of the Bands winners are back in town.

Vibes are headlining a show Saturday at the Mesa Theater and Club with a bill including local funk-jamband Drunken Muppets. DJ Rankin’ Rob opens things up spinning reggae and will also play tweeners.

It will be Vibes’ first show in Grand Valley in six months — the band has new music and a pair of new faces, including guitarist Matt Koch and bassist Ryan Gambrell.

The band’s third album, “Go Judge Yourself,” is slated for release next year, and they’re hustling in advance of the new effort: Lionvibes has seven shows scheduled this month alone.

“We’re recording at the Fox Theater (Boulder) next Friday with Kan’Nal and hope to produce an album from that,” Fisher said.

Fischer says to expect two sets of music Saturday night at the Mesa.

Reprinted from the Grand Junction Free Press - www.gjfreepress.com