Before British heavy metal band Iron Maiden discovered global fame with 1982’s The Number of the Beast, a classic heavy metal album and one of the best in the genre, that featured the singing of Bruce Dickinson, Paul Di’Anno was the band’s lead singer, with his punk-influenced vocal flair. And it’s Di’Anno visiting Vino’s, performing a set of Iron Maiden classics drawing from the band’s 1980 self-titled debut and their 1981 sophomore release Killers. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.
Here’s a shot of Paul Di’Anno in action with the tune “Wrathchild” from Killers:
The groundbreaking Little Rock Christian metal group Living Sacrifice is back, having reformed in 2008 with original members Bruce Fitzhugh and Lance Garvin, and Rocky Gray and Arthur Green (members since 2000’s The Hammering Process). The group’s newest collection of thrashy and powerful Christian metal anthems, The Infinite Order, came out the last week of January, and the group has hit the road to support the new record. Titled The Abominable Snow Tour, the outfit will play Juanita’s on a bill that also includes Christian hardcore metal War of Ages, hardcore metal act Shai Hulud, hardcore metal quintet Lionheart and Christian hardcore metal band The Great Commission. The music starts at 9 p.m. with tickets $13 advance and $15 day of show for the all-ages concert.
Culpepper Mountain is a mountain summit in Van Buren County that rises to a height of 1,040 feet. Culpepper Mountain Band is a group of four friends from Clinton who create country rock influenced by Merle Haggard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Red Dirt country acts such as Cross Canadian Ragweed and country outlaws such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Known for a roof-raising live show, Culpepper Mountain Band is recording a live album at Sticky Fingerz with central Arkansas act Matt Stell & The Crashers kicking off the night at 9 p.m. with their collection of Americana, country and Southern rock tunes. Cover is $5.
Exene Cervenka moved to Los Angeles in August 1976 and in 1977 formed X, the punk rock band whose 1980 debut Los Angeles (produced by Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek) was declared album of the year by The Los Angeles Times and is No. 286 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. While X is still around, Cervenka is also a member of Los Angeles-based The Knitters (first formed in 1982 as a country/rockabilly side project of X) and tours as a solo act. And it’s as her folk rock (with a slice of punk attitude) solo act that Exene Cervenka visits White Water Tavern on a bill that includes the Dexter Romweber Duo, the punkish rockabilly brother/sister duo that includes former North Carolina rockabilly act Flat Duo Jets member Dexter Romweber (a chief influence of Jack White). Local act Magic Hassle (an American Princes side project of David Slade and Matt Quin) is also on the bill. Music is at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover.
To mark reggae master Bob Marley’s 65th birthday, Revolution Music Room is throwing a Bob Marley Birthday Bash with music from reggae act Fire & Brimstone and headliner Butterfly featuring Irie Soul with their combination of reggae and dancehall, and traces of R&B and funk. Special guests include Changus B and Dexter Peters of Little Rock reggae/R&B band First Impressions and Devon Evans, a percussionist on the Bob Marley & the Wailers posthumous collection Confrontation. The show starts at 8 p.m. with a $10 cover for the 21-and-up event.
It’s a week and a day before Valentine’s Day, and Jester’s Entertainment and the local Clear Channel radio stations are gearing up for the holiday by presenting Lovefest at the Clear Channel Metroplex. The 4 p.m. to midnight event is hosted by the Doctor of Love, Michael “Doc” Davis, and features headliners The Meanies with their ’80s hard rock/heavy metal covers and local heavy rock act Eden Crow kicking off the music. Besides the music, expect a celebrity auction (with high bidders winning dates with local celebrities), a lingerie contest ($1,000 prize for the sexiest lingerie), a lingerie show and vendors. Tickets are $10 for the 18-and-up event.
The Grammy-nominated Christian alternative rock act Red (their latest album Innocence & Instinct was nominated for Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards) visits the Statehouse Convention Center on their Nothing and Everything Tour. Known for their mainstream rock tunes “Breathe Into Me,” “Already Over” and “Death of Me,” Red will visit downtown Little Rock with Tulsa, Okla., Christian rock act Pillar, Fayetteville Christian punk act The Wedding and Ohio/Nashville, Tenn., Christian alternative rock act Me In Motion. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the music starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 day of show.
Here’s a slice of Living Sacrifice with their tune “Reborn Empowered”:
A quartet of bands are joining forces with the American Red Cross and Hope for Haiti (a local initiative started by Clinton School of Public Service student Ivan Noisette) to raise money for earthquake disaster relief in Haiti with Rock 4 Haiti at Revolution Music Room. The night starts with North Little Rock alternative rock act Third Degree kicking off the music at 8:30 p.m. followed by Little Rock’s Siversa with their energetic alternative rock. Following Siversa’s set, an American Red Cross representative will speak along with Noisette. Buckets will be passed around the audience, taking donations with 100 percent of donations going to Haiti relief efforts. Little Rock alternative rockers Kingsdown will resume the night of music followed by a set from modern rockers WishTribe. The cover for the all-ages event is free for 21 and over, and $5 for 20 and under with all cover charges going to relief efforts.
Charismatic is one adjective to describe the stage presence of Richie Kirkpatrick, the frontman of Nashville, Tenn., rock ‘n’ roll outfit Ghostfinger. With his perfectly curled at the edges handlebar mustache, Kirkpatrick is the mad musical mastermind of the trio that tears through a number of musical genres — guitar-powered indie rock on “Let It Ride,” twang-fueled roots rock on “Anne Marie” and atmospheric, cosmic country on “Follow the Water” — in a given night. The trio visits Juanita’s with two local bands opening: the Americana punch of Drunken Angels, and the gritty, lo-fi garage rock tunes of Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth. The 18-and-up show kicks off at 10 p.m. with a $5 cover.
Music Hates You frontman Noah Ray likes to ensure his audiences have a good time, but he also likes to ensure his audiences are totally focused on the gritty, hardcore punk-flavored rock the band cranks out so don’t be surprised to see Ray break the fourth wall and wade (or dive) into the audience when Music Hates You plays Downtown Music. Also on the bill are Conway down-tempo metal act Crankbait, the grunge-flavored metal of Little Rock’s Iron Tongue and Little Rock death metal trio Jolene. The music starts at 8 p.m. with a $6 cover.
It’s been 10 years since energetic pop punk band New Found Glory first released their self-titled record, and the Coral Springs, Fla., five piece is hitting the road on the aptly titled The 10 Year Anniversary of the Self-Titled Record Tour, including a stop at The Village. The quintet plans to play their first album from start to finish during live shows, displaying their catchy choruses and slick guitar hooks. Joining the group on their celebration tour are emo rockers Saves the Day, synth-filled power pop act hellogoodbye and pop punk band Fireworks. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $18 advance and $21 at the door.
The odometer on Conway hardcore rock act Fire to Reason’s touring schedule reads 70,000 miles, and the quartet, who create rapid-fire, brutal slices of music such as “Miles and Miles,” is preparing to hit the road again, kicking off their Lead or Silver Tour at Sound Stage in Conway. The monthlong jaunt will take them to locales such as Nashville, Tenn.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Las Vegas (and that’s just in 10 days time) before arriving back in Arkansas on March 6. Formed in October 2005, the pummeling, energetic act, who have a melodic side, have played every state in the lower 48. Joining the band for the tour kickoff are Vilonia hardcore metal act The Curse Follows and Conway progressive metal act Still Reign. The music roars to live at 8 p.m. with a $6 cover.
And here’s a shot of Ghostfinger, working through their tune “Love My Head”:
While he’s performed with artists such as String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band, and occasionally plays with guitarist Gibb Droll and drummer Jeff Sipe, Keller Williams is better known as a one-man jamband. On stage, Williams utilizes an Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit to construct his backing music that includes touches of bluegrass, folk, alternative rock, electronica, jazz, funk, lounge and Afrobeat, allowing Williams to alternate between instruments in creating his off-the-wall music. Williams visits Revolution Music Room with tickets for the 18-and-up show $19 advance and $23 day of show. The music will start at 8:30 p.m., and there’s no opening act. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Cody Belew & the Mercers visit Cajun’s Wharf for a night of party anthems, blue-eyed soul and rock ‘n’ roll classics as the crooner works his way through a collection of recognizable hits with his crack backing band: Gregg McGowan and Matt Stone on guitars, Ivan Yarbrough on bass, Jason McHughes on drums, and Dave and Christy Williams on saxophones. The music starts at 9:30 p.m. with a $5 after 8:30 p.m.
Here’s a shot of Keller Williams lighting up the stage with his live thing on “Freaker by the Speaker”:
Following an early fall gig in Little Rock as an opener for Silversun Pickups, Atlanta indie rockers Manchester Orchestra return to Little Rock, this time as headliners, with a show at Juanita’s. Opening the show will be the “no-frills” rock ‘n’ roll charge of Nashville, Tenn., act Harrison Hudson and Little Rock’s own indie rock collective Bear Colony. The all-ages show kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with tickets $12 advance and $15 day of show. Fronted by Andy Hull, Manchester Orchestra’s newest album is Mean Everything To Nothing, an 11-track roar of melodic indie rock released in April 2009 and produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket) that recalls the pop rush of Nirvana and Weezer.
Here’s a shot of Manchester Orchestra with their tune “I’ve Got Friends”:
Two Memphis bands — The Bulletproof Vests and Jump Back Jake — visit White Water Tavern to kick off a new week of music in Little Rock. A Memphis supergroup of sorts, including members from the Third Man, Jump Back Jack and Antique Curtains, The Bulletproof Vests crank out punchy, garage-flavored, power pop nuggets while Jump Back Jake, formed by Jake Rabinbach when he moved to Memphis from Brooklyn in 2006, is a smoky rock ‘n’ roll band inspired by classic soul and blues, and with a two-horn powered attack. Their debut record, Brooklyn Hustle/Memphis Muscle, was the first release from the recently launched Ardent Music record label.
Texas-born guitarist Chris Duarte cranks out scorching blues rock guitar with elements of jazz and funk in a vein similar to blues rock greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, two of the guitarist’s idols. Backed by the duo of Matt Stallard on bass and Chris Burroughs on drums, The Chris Duarte Group create molten slabs of blues rock on tunes such as “Blow Your Mind,” featuring Duarte’s soulful vocals, and the instrumental, funk-infused “Slapstak.” Duarte and crew will visit Juanita’s for a night of electrifying blues rock presented by the Arkansas River Blues Society. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. with the local blues of The Joe Pitts Band with tickets for the 18-and-up show $10 advance and $12 day of show.
Los Angeles hardcore metal act The Ghost Inside is visiting The Village on their Small Town Shakedown Tour along with Michigan hardcore metal act For the Fallen Dreams. Additional bands completing the roaring night of heavy music are national hardcore metal groups Suffokate and Your Demise, and Little Rock hardcore band This City Screams and Camden hardcore metal act Judging the Silence. The doors open at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start time to the music. Tickets are $10 advance and $13 at the door.
Here’s a live shot of Jump Back Jake with their smoky rock ‘n’ roll on the tune “Easy Answers”:
Cincinnati indie rock act All the Day Holiday released their debut album The Thing’s We’ve Grown To Love, a 12-track collection mixing pop melodies with rock rhythms, in 2009, and visit Juanita’s to showcase tunes from the album. Also on the bill are Arizona piano-powered pop rockers Kinch, Oklahoma City alternative rockers The City Lives and Little Rock indie rockers Plu, with the music starting at 6:30 p.m. Cover is $7 for the 18-and-up show.
Here’s a live shot of All the Day Holiday with their tune “Fingerprints”:
The last time The O.D. was held at Cornerstone Pub, eight talented, local hip hop artists took the stage to showcase real rap with their beats and rhymes. The O.D. Part 2 promises more of the same in the best local hip hop with artists 607, Cat Daddy, Rah HoWard, Mista Mayhemm, Carteaire Custom, Big Drew, Shea Marie and Mike Streezy. Hosted by Epiphany with DJ KP on the turntables, the event kicks off at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover for the 21-and-up show.
100.3 The Edge presents Los Angeles heavy rock Earshot at Juanita’s with opening act Parabelle, featuring Kevin Matisyn, the former lead singer of Evans Blue, kicking off the night at 9 p.m. with a $6 cover for the 18-and-up show. Formed in 1999, the five-piece Earshot is known for their extensive touring schedule, delivering their blend of hard rock and alternative metal.
Combining reggae and dance hall with punk rock and ska, the music of Sublime lit the charts and MTV on fire in the late ’90s with tunes such as “Santeria” and “What I Got,” catapulting the group to fame even after the death of lead singer Bradley Nowell in 1996. While Nowell is gone, Athens, Ga., five piece Wrong Way — A Tribute to Sublime carries on the legacy of the group, drawing from a set list of 40-odd Sublime songs and recreating the live energy of the ska punk band. Wrong Way visits Sticky Fingerz with an opening act to be announced. The music will start at 9:30 p.m. with a $7 cover for the 21-and-up show.
The Red Dirt country rockers Jason Boland & the Stragglers are still touring behind their 2008 release, Comal County Blue, an album that hit the top 40 of the country music album charts. Expect a boot-stomping good time with music blending country and rock when Boland and company visit Revolution Music Room. The opening act is to be announced, but expect the music to start at 9 p.m. with tickets $10 advance and $12 day of show for the 18-and-up concert.
Here’s a shot of Jason Boland & the Stragglers live in Kansas City with their tune “Drinkin’s Song”:
It’s hard to find a genuine soul band in today’s world, but luckily The Revelations feat. Tre Williams realize soul isn’t created; it’s lived, and hard times is something both Williams and co-singer Rell Gaddis have survived. Williams first appeared on singles by artists such as Petey Pablo and was signed to Nas’ Ill Will Records. But his 2007 debut, The Depths of My Soul, was never released. Gaddis was the first R&B male singer signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, but an album never materialized. A solo project by Williams grew into The Revelations, a band that reignites classic ’60s and ’70s soul sound with a modern touch, blending the gritty, Southern soul of Stax with the dazzling, urban flash of Motown, and tossing in R&B rhythms, and bluesy guitar and organ. The Revelations feat. Tre Williams visit Juanita’s, and tickets for the 10 p.m., 18-and-up show are $12 advance and $15 day of show.
The spicy, Latin-flavored rock of Austin, Texas, outfit Vallejo is no stranger to Little Rock, and the quartet revisits central Arkansas with a show at Sticky Fingerz. The opening act is Badhand, kicking the music off at 9:30 p.m. with a $7 cover for the 21-and-up show. Vallejo — known for their fiery blend of hard rock guitars with Latin percussion, soulful vocals and a sweltering funk sound — released a 12-track collection of tunes titled Acousta, featuring unplugged variations of their tunes “Snake In The Grass,” “Forever (Is A Long Time),” “Into The New,” “Beautiful Life” and more, on Jan. 19.
The third album from central Arkansas minimalist alternative rock act Underclaire is Making Sky, a 12-track album of smart, muscular rock such as the start-stop rush of “Belladonna” and the bass-powered swing of “Las Muertas,” created by the quartet of Mike Mullins on guitar and vocals, Edison DeLeon on guitar, Rob Brackett on bass and Bryan Baker on drums. It’s guitar rock, incorporating minimal lyrics, and avoiding the traditional verse-chorus/verse-chorus song structure, and utilizing the soft/loud dynamic to lend the tunes sonic texture and weight. A month after an initial CD release party, the band will hold another CD release party for Making Sky at White Water Tavern with Hot Springs experimental indie rock act White Glove Test and Little Rock rock band The Dangerous Idiots, a band comprised of Techno-Squid Eats Parliament founding members Aaron Sarlo and Shayne Gray, and Trusty founding member Paul Bowling, also on the bill.
For one night only the world-famous Chippendales return to Little Rock, presenting a show at the Peabody Hotel Ballroom, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m. A 21-and-up show, tickets are $25 advance and $35 day of show for great seats, $35 advance and $45 day of show for excellent seats, and $45 advance and $55 day of show for limited, front-row seats. Everyone will have a seat though for the act that includes a selection of the world’s hunkiest men and the “world’s most recognized ladies’ entertainment crew.” Matt Joyce will open the show with his Elvis Presley tribute. It’s the perfect night for bachelorette parties or birthday parties for the ladies.
Since first picking up the guitar as a freshman in high school, Nick Flora has concentrated on making music that makes people happy, such as he does with Nick Flora & Film at Eleven on the handclapping indie pop of the title track from his latest album, Great Escape, or the slow, shuffling folk rock of “Summersong.” The Nashville, Tenn., artist is on tour with fellow Music City USA artist The Kicks, with their melodic, harmony-filled rock music influenced by such artists as Pete Yorn and Tom Petty. The two bands visit Revolution Music Room with a bill that includes Arkadelphia band The Running Back with their folk-flavored rock, Little Rock indie act Falcon Scott and experimental Little Rock hip-hop collective Futuro Boots. The 18-and-up show gets going at 8:30 p.m. with tickets $7 for over 21, and $9 for 20 and under.
Here’s a shot of The Revelations feat. Tre Williams with their tune “Heavy Metal Blues”:
Satisfaction/A Rolling Stones Experience. Mick and Keef.
Giving you the music a day early:
Who knows when The Rolling Stones might hit the road again, but until that day comes, Satisfaction/A Rolling Stones Experience is the next best option to hear the Stones’ music live. Cramming more than 40 years of rock ‘n’ roll into a night’s set, the band, dressed authentically as the Stones, pays tribute to the words and music of The Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards), drawing from a 50-tune catalogue of Stones’ music, including classic rock cornerstones such as “Paint It, Black,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Beast of Burden” and dozens more. Satisfaction’s international touring tribute has honored the Stones for the past six years with more than 1,000 shows, and the touring continues, including a stop at Revolution Music Room. There’s no opening act, and showtime is 9 p.m. with tickets $8 advance and $10 day of show for the all-ages event.
The California death metal act Winds of Plague is still touring strong behind their 2009 release The Great Stone War, including a stop at The Village. Showcasing their volatile, aggressive blending of two guitars and keyboards, Winds of Plague’s tour includes deathcore band Despised Icon, metalcore band For Today, heavy metal act Stray From the Path and hardcore five piece The World We Knew as part of the Never Say Die Tour. Also on the bill is Little Rock hardcore metal act DyingBreath. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. start time to the music. General admission tickets are $13 advance and $15 at the door.
Here’s a look at Satisfaction/A Rolling Stones Experience, playing a medley of Stones’ hits (after a 30 second intro):
