Rigby Fawkes.
Giving you the music a day early:
If labels must be used, Little Rock quartet Rigby Fawkes‘ music could best be described as progressive alternative rock. But in reality, no two tunes sound alike, as the band takes its musical direction from influences such as Muse, Pink Floyd and Radiohead to create their mind-melding music constructed simply upon an unbridled, adventurous inventiveness. With members attending colleges across the state, the quartet reform for a year-end gig at Revolution Music Room for a release party for their new EP, a five-song collection including the rumbling, drum-powered rock of “Gloomy Rainbow.” Cover for the all-ages show starting at 9 p.m. has not been announced, but joining the band on the bill is Little Rock indie folk act Jimmy Lepine & The Chasers, and Little Rock acoustic rock singer/songwriter Chris Henry.
Even though reunion shows have occurred more often lately — an appearance at Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts in 2007 and the eighth annual Hornucopia in 2008 — it’s still a treat to catch The St. James Group, an Arkansas rock ‘n’ roll band known for incorporating country, bluegrass, and gospel into their sound, that first formed in 1968 while members were students at what is now known as the University of Central Arkansas. Regularly performing along the Interstate 55 corridor between Chicago and New Orleans, the group performed with such acts as Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Badfinger and Jimmy Buffett before calling it quits in 1978. Luckily, the band’s fusion of Southern-flavored rock ‘n’ roll and country music returns again with an appearance at the ninth annual Hornucopia at Juanita’s. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit Play It Again Arkansas — an initiative allowing Arkansans to donate their used musical instruments to schools across the state. Patrons are asked to donate $20 at the door with the music kicking off at 8 p.m. Also on the bill are Katmandu (a Little Rock band featuring Kat Hood, Paul Edmonson, Marty Lefler, Billy Hoover and Davis Hendricks), local rock act The GroanUps and Grumpy Old Men.
Here’s a holiday message from Rigby Fawkes encouraging you to attend: