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Friday’s Music

Published on: May 10, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Cornerstone Pub, Downtown Music, Epiphany, Joe Nichols, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Shooter's Sports Bar & Grill, The OD, Thick Syrup Records, White Water Tavern

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Joe Nichols.

Giving you the music a day early:

Here’s what country musician Joe Nichols says about his new work It’s All Good, his sixth studio album released in November: “Yes, this is about commercial success, but if you want to make something that lasts, it’s about art, too. I want to bring a traditional sound into 2011 and 2012, to keep it faithful and make sure we’re still connecting with today’s listener.” Nichols connects with listeners on No. 1 country hits such as “Gimmie That Girl” and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” It’s all those new and old tunes Nichols brings to Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill. The music starts at 10:30 p.m. with tickets $25 in advance and $30 day of for the 21-and-up show.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus got back to what they are good at with their last record, the August 2011 release Am I the Enemy. And by what they are good at we mean some raging post-hardcore music. Not that there isn’t room for a little emo or polished pop punk in their sound, because there is. The band, with some new members since their last visit, come to Downtown Music. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the music starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Opening the show is Magnolia-based, faith-inspired alternative rockers belair.

Speaking of a local artist who has been on the road touring (and I was yesterday with Audrey Dean Kelley), Little Rock hip-hop all-star Epiphany has been out and around the region, including playing a St. Patrick’s Day show in Oklahoma City. And he is off to Tulsa, Okla., next weekend, promoting his great, new hip-hop album Such Is Life. But a The OD show finds him back at Cornerstone Pub where he’ll be part of a night of real rap and some of the best hip-hop around. The music gets going at 9 p.m.

Little Rock’s own Thick Syrup Records is turning 6 and throwing a two-night party Friday and Saturday at White Water Tavern to celebrate. (A Thursday night show is also being held at Maxine’s in Hot Springs.) The music starts at White Water at 9 p.m. each night and will include appearances by The See, The Alpha Ray, Browningham, Androids of Ex-Lovers and more. All the shows are being filmed for an upcoming documentary.

Here’s Joe Nichols with his “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”:

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

Tuesday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: January 30, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Downtown Music, Dreamfast, The Ataris

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The Ataris.

Giving you the music a day early:

Remember that 2003 pop punk hit cover of Don Henley’s ode to entering middle age “The Boys of Summer”? Remember? Okay, YouTube it. Got it? That was The Ataris, an Indiana pop punk band that is coming to Downtown Music for an early week of energetic rock. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The opening acts include Fayetteville pop punk rockers Dreamfast and belair., with their pop punk/alternative sound based on punchy power chords punctuated by tight drum rolls. The Ataris’ newest album The Graveyard of the Atlantic will be released in the coming weeks on Paper + Plastick.

Here’s The Ataris with their cover of “The Boys of Summer”:

The Boys of Summer

Saturday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: December 2, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Free Micah, Glossary, Kingsdown, Rev Room, Slobberbone, Stickyz, The Drowning Men, Toy Hill at War Memorial Park, Toys For Tots 2011, Toys for Tots Party, Two Cow Garage, White Water Tavern, Yellowire

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The Drowning Men.

Giving you the music a day early:

California indie rock quintet The Drowning Men released their debut album The Beading of the Songbird last month. So what does it sound like? Big, important music like Arcade Fire but with a touch of punk-influenced folk rock and roots music. And yes, there’s a hint of Eastern European ethnic folk and sea shanties. After surviving a drunk driver crashing into their van and trailer in New York City a couple of weeks ago (the band was unharmed), The Drowning Men comes to Stickyz. The opening act is U.K. rock act Yellowire, kicking off the music at 9 p.m. with their . Cover is $7 for the 18-and-up show.

100.3 The Edge is sponsoring (so is Sync, too.) a Toys for Tots Party at Rev Room featuring Kingsdown, a Little Rock group known for their high-powered alternative rock. It’s the third annual Toys for Tots affair at Rev Room, and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. with Magnolia alternative rock act belair. followed by LIttle Rock rock ‘n’ roll group Free Micah. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is only $5 if guests bring a new, unwrapped toy to the show, or $8 if you don’t care if needy children get a present or not. People unable to attend the show may bring a toy by the Rev Room either Thursday or Friday before the show. It’s an all-ages show.

For more than 30 years, Toy Hill has helped gather toys for Toys for Tots, a charity program from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that donates new toys to children whose parents can’t afford Christmas presents. And so it does again this year as KSSN 96 and on-air personality and legend Bob Robbins return with Toys For Tots 2011 at Toy Hill at War Memorial Park through 5 p.m. Sunday. Bring new, unopened toys to the drop off at War Memorial Park and also take part in the festivities live music from three Arkansas country acts Saturday in Victoria Taylor, Ryan Couron and Luke Williams Band. You can also drop toys off at USA Drug stores and AT&T locations in central Arkansas, or Jester’s Tattoo in Cabot, Black Angus Steakhouse in Little Rock or the Clear Channel Studios.

The world needs more just straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll. It’s just a fact. And so Little Rock record label Last Chance Records is delivering two nights of it Friday and Saturday with Slobberbone, Two Cow Garage and Glossary at White Water Tavern. Tickets are $12.50 per a night or $20 for both nights. The music starts at 9 p.m. each night. Ohio outfit Two Cow Garage is rough-hewn rock ‘n’ roll with punk overtones; Slobberbone is white-knuckled, freewheeling, catchy alt country; and Glossary is known for their bleeding heart rock ‘n’ roll tunes torched by country and R&B. Saturday night, the three bands will team up for a “This Is American Music” style revue show with band members rotating on and off stage playing each other’s songs and covers, and delivering surprises.

Here’s The Drowning Men with their “More Than This”:

More Than This

Sunday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: October 29, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Blood and Water, Generationals, I Am Empire, Mates of State, Nine Lashes, Rev Room, The Alexia, Vino's

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Mates of State.

Giving you the music a day early:

Comprised of a husband-and-wife duo, Mates of State uses an electric piano, organ, synths and drums in creating their indie pop music. The Sept. 13 release Mountaintops is their newest work, and Mates of State is coming to the Rev Room. Formed in 1997, the indie pop duo’s music showcases their layered harmonies, bizarre rhythms and the melodic interplay of drums and electric piano. It’s an early show with the music starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of for the 18-and-up show. And the opening act? Generationals, a New Orleans band known for their feel-good indie pop such as the handclaps of the sweetly beautiful “Yours Forever.”

The weekend roars to a close with a visits from Tooth & Nail Records artist I Am Empire and their blazing alternative rock mixed with punk rock coming to Vino’s on the band’s The Kings and Queens Tour. The music starts at 7 p.m. with a cover to be announced. Joining I Am Empire will be fellow Tooth & Nail Records artist Nine Lashes with their rock music with a message of faith, and California alternative rock band Blood and Water. Local support will be provided by Magnolia band belair. with their hybrid alternative rock/pop punk music, and The Alexia, a Conway quartet that plays punch-y alternative rock with soaring choruses and a touch of screamo.

Here’s Mates of State with their “Like U Crazy”:

Like U Crazy

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: September 15, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Alison Krauss & Union Station, belair., Benson Auditorium, Cody Canada & The Departed, Confused Little Girl, Every Knee Shall Bow, Harding University, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Najee, Rev Room, Rickey Smiley, Robert Earl Keen, Robinson Center Music Hall, Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers, Swamp Sitters, The Afterthought, The Alexei, The Good Time Ramblers, Vino's

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Robert Earl Keen.

Giving you the music a day early:

For more than 30 years, Robert Earl Keen has recorded and toured, and the Americana singer/songwriter is on the road again this fall, touring in support of his 16th and newest album Ready For Confetti. The tour includes a stop at Rev Room. The opening act is former Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman Cody Canada & The Departed with their rock ‘n’ roll with a touch of country. The show starts at 9 p.m. with tickets $20 in advance and $25 day of for the 18-and-up show. Keen arrives in town about once a year from Texas, unveils his tunes that combine folk, country, blues and rock, creates a boisterous live show to rival any act, and packs up, leaving behind smiling faces and good memories.

Conway alternative rock band The Alexei has finished recording their five-track EP The March and is holding an EP release party at Vino’s with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Cover is $5, and every person through the door will receive a free copy of The March. The headliner is Orlando, Fla., swamp rock act Confused Little Girl, and joining the band will be tourmates Swamp Sitters with their rootsy, rockabilly-based Americana. Blevins heavy metal group Every Knee Shall Bow and Magnolia alternative rock outfit belair. round out the bill. Confused Little Girl is on the road promoting the band’s new album for Rotten Records, Southern Gentlemen.

It’s good seeing The Good Time Ramblers playing more local shows recently; the Little Rock music scene needs the high-octane country and rock ‘n’ roll band. And so, The Good Time Ramblers return for a show at The Afterthought, bringing their rock-fueled country sprinkled with Texas swing, blues, folk and rock ‘n’ roll influences, and not re-heated classic rock hooks and slick pop choruses like today’s country. The music starts around 9 p.m. with a $7 cover. As The Afterthought said, “We love these guys,” and you should, too.

Free of former Led Zeppelin lead singer and her Raising Sand partner Robert Plant, Alison Krauss is back to work with her backing band Union Station (including master dobro player Jerry Douglas), and it’s Alison Krauss & Union Station that come to Harding University. The group released their first collection of new bluegrass since 2004 with April’s Paper Airplane, which became Krauss’ first No. 1 album on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and the group is nominated for seven International Bluegrass Music Awards. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Benson Auditorium, and tickets are $40 and $50 for the general public, and $20 and $30 for the Harding community.

With a recording career that stretches back to the 1980s, Najee is a renowned jazz saxophonist. Joining him for a special show in the historic auditorium of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will be openers and local jazz favorites Rodney Block and The Real Music Lovers. The night of music titled An Evening with Najee begins at 7 p.m. with tickets $50 to $100 with proceeds benefiting the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.

Want a good laugh? Listen to Rickey Smiley‘s prank call where he calls a Church’s Chicken, acting like an old woman who has mistaken the fast-food chicken restaurant for an actual church. It’s nothing groundbreaking but just good, wholesome fun. The “clean” comedian, TV host and nationally syndicated radio personality of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show will bring his “Bernice Jenkins” to Robinson Center Music Hall for a night of laughs along with other characters such as “Lil’ Daryl,” “Rusty Dale” and “Beauford” and possibly a live band with Smiley singing and playing. The laughs starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $34 for balcony, and $39 for mezzanine and orchestra. Don’t forget to add all those nasty little Ticketmaster charges to the tickets.

Here’s Robert Earl Keen with his “Amarillo Highway”:

Amarillo Highway

Saturday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: July 29, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Boom the Wheel, Cajun's Wharf, Ellisons Cage, Emily Osment, Juanita's, Knox Hamilton, Magic Springs Water and Theme Park, Otis, Rev Room, Shane Harper, Stoney LaRue

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Stoney LaRue.

Giving you the music a day early:

This is how the Rev Room announces the return of Stoney LaRue to Little Rock: “If you’re not familiar and like bands like Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers Band, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and Reckless Kelly then Stoney LaRue is right up your alley.” True enough. LaRue — Texas born but Oklahoma bred — is a rousing country rocker that blends Red Dirt country and pure American music creating music that mixes and matches country with soul, rock ‘n’ roll and blues. The opening act is to be announced with the music starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of for the 21-and-up show.

Omega Artist Group is the newish, local promotion and management company headed by Jeremy Flynn, and Flynn brings his full roster of artist to Juanita’s for a special night of music. It’s an EP release for Magnolia pop punk/alternative rock band belair. and North Little Rock progressive indie rock outfit Ellison’s Cage. The doors open at 8 p.m. with the music starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The night of music also includes Sherwood high-energy rock outfit Boom the Wheel and North Little Rock indie dance rock act Knox Hamilton.

Emily Osment is the star of movies such as Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, and also played Lilly Truscott on the Disney hit Hannah Montana, but Osment has slowly branched out as a musician. She released her debut album Fight or Flight in September 2010, and the album included the dance pop hit “Let’s Be Friends.” Osment brings her pop rock sound to Magic Springs Water and Theme Park as part of the park’s Pepsi Concert Series. The evening also includes energetic singer/songwriter Shane Harper as well as part of the Radio Disney Roadshow. The show is at Timberwood Amphitheater with concert gates opening at 6 p.m., and the show starting at 7 p.m. with Harper and then Osment following at 8 p.m. General main gate admission is $44.99 for the day, and tickets after 4 p.m. are available for $22.50.

Little Rock native and Episcopal Collegiate School graduate Jessica Ott makes her return to Little Rock, fronting the Chicago seven-piece rocking soul band Otis as they play Cajun’s Wharf. The music starts at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover after 8:30 p.m. Ott isn’t the only Chicago transplant in the group as Otis is comprised of musicians from around the nation. But as a whole the band is a soul force with horn section that draws inspiration from legends such as Sly Stone and Miles Davis as they tear through their soul, funk and jazz influences in forming their new soul sound. Otis also appears at Markham Street Grill And Pub on Thursday, and the Town Pump on Friday.

Here’s Stoney LaRue with his “Empty Glass”:

Empty Glass

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: July 7, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Bear Colony, belair., Catskill Kids, Charles Woods, Epiphany, Glittercore, Matt Anders, Peabody Rivertop Party, Stickyz, Subdue, The Afterthought, The Year of the Tiger, This Holy House, Voodoo Sauce, White Water Tavern

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Bear Colony.

Giving you the music a day early:

The central Arkansas indie rock collective known as Bear Colony returns to the stage for the first time in way too long, appearing at Stickyz for a night of local music. For a May show in Fayetteville, the band played new songs from a long-promised follow-up to their debut We Came Here To Die, an album that included such greatness as the swirling electronica landscape of “Hospital Rooms Aren’t For Lovers.” Joining the electronica-flavored indie rock band will be the indie folk rock band out of Conway by the name of This Holy House, Magnolia pop punkers belair. and Arkansas-bred indie pop/rock from the Catskill Kids. The music starts at 9 p.m. with cover $7 for the 21-and-up show.

Charles Woods will kick off a double-billed show at The Afterthought, running through a collection of classic soul, R&B and blues tunes such as “Rainy Night In Georgia.” Born into the church, Woods’ sound is a rich, gospel-flavored voice influenced by greats such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Johnny Taylor. What follows Woods is the three-man, swamp blues of Voodoo Sauce, a band consisting of ex-Cate Brother and Michael Burks’ bassist John Davies; ex-Windy Austin drummer David McKnight on suitcase bass drum, harp, vocals and electric bull horn; and Bluesboy Jag on cigar box guitar and vocals. The music starts at 9 p.m. with a $7 cover.

The summer is still in full swing, and that means another Friday night with the Peabody Rivertop Party, this week featuring the rock cover songs of Donaldson’s Subdue. Formed in 2004, the band has released two albums of original music influenced by bands such as Metallica, 3 Doors Down and several classic rock bands, and will include in their energetic live set a collection of ’80s rock, classic rock, alternative rock and modern rock. It’s the band’s first appearance at the Rivertop so it should be a memorable time. As with every Peabody Rivertop Party this year, the night will be hosted by Epiphany as he emcees the night and spins as well. The party starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show that goes until after midnight.

Glittercore, the Little Rock indie rock of Tim Anthony, Paul Bowling, India Carter and Shayne Gray, make their return to a Little Rock stage at White Water Tavern with their music that shrieks melodically. The music starts around 9 p.m. with a $5 cover and appearances by fellow acts Matt Anders, who opens as a solo appearance, then Glittercore and then the roaring indie rock sound of The Year of the Tiger.

Here’s Bear Colony with their “Hospital Rooms”:

Hospital Rooms

Wednesday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: May 3, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: A Good Fight, Aranda, belair., Downtown Music, Ivoryline, Juanita's, Silverstone, Stereo Sound, Us and the Ship

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Aranda.

Giving you the music a day early:

The Aranda brothers — Dameon and Gabe — combine a touch of rock with funk and soul when creating their Oklahoma City rock. What fans get is a blend of high-energy music that bounces and punches, taking Zep-size riffs and injecting a touch of Prince funk pop. The brothers and backing band, known together simply as Aranda, come to Juanita’s for a headlining gig. Presented by 100.3 The Edge, the opening acts are Fayetteville alternative rock band Silverstone and A Good Fight, a Fayetteville act that performs melodic pop rock. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the music at 9 p.m., and tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Alternative rockers Ivoryline, a Tooth & Nail Records artist, come to Downtown Music to deliver a dose of their Tyler, Texas, bred faith-based music based on driving guitars and sing-along choruses. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the music at 7 p.m., and tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Also on the bill are a trio of regional groups: Hot Springs progressive rockers Stereo Sound, Texarkana six-piece indie rockers Us and the Ship, and Magnolia pop punkers belair., who like incorporating a little faith into their catchy music.

Here’s Aranda with their “Still in the Dark”:

Thursday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: March 23, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Aloud, belair., Brenn, Downtown Music, Ellisons Cage, Frown Pow'r, Honky, Juanita's, Karma to Burn, The Alexei, The Reparation, White Water Tavern

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Brenn.

Giving you the music a day early:

Nashville, Tenn., guitar-driven rock band Brenn arrives at Juanita’s to unleash their grand take on “big” rock music. The band’s newest effort is their second EP, Stack of Fears, a collection of tunes complete with dynamic synths, anthemic riffs and dramatic vocals — the cornerstones of “big” rock music performed by U2 and Radiohead. But the group mixes the “big” with dreamy soundscapes. The doors open at 8 p.m. with the music at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The opening acts are a collection of local bands: Magnolia pop punkers belair., Conway punchy alt rock act The Alexei and Little Rock progressive indie rockers Ellison’s Cage.

Proving that ZZ Top isn’t the only power rock trio from Texas worthy of praise, the three members of Honky crank out Texas boogie music, stripped to its soul but on speed, delivering tunes such as “Love to Smoke Y’r Weed,” a heavy metal meets Texas blues rock tune. Honky visits Downtown Music with West Virginia instrumental stoner rock band Karma to Burn and The Reparation. The doors open at 8 p.m, with cover $8.

Frown Pow’r, a band whose live show combines gorgeously messy rock ‘n’ roll with the fervor of an old-time religious tent revival, returns to action with a show at White Water Tavern. The act creates scratchy, raggedy, deconstructed rock ‘n’ roll exhilaration. The music starts at 10 p.m. Joining the Arkansas act will be Aloud, a Boston band known for their harmonies from newlywed lead singers Henry Beguiristain and Jen de la Osa and layered, orchestral pop. The band includes drummer Mike Dawley, and Aloud’s long-time touring bassist and Little Rock native Charles Haywood Murphy IV.

Here’s Brenn with their “Colours”:

Saturday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: March 11, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Baths, belair., Downtown Music, Emery, Every Knee Shall Bow, Gobble Gobble, Haven Hill, Hawkboy, Into It. Over It., Kingsdown, Moving Mountains, Polyphonic Breakdown, Rev Room, Stickyz, The Dirty Guv'nahs, The Perimeter, To Speak of Wolves, Vino's

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Emery.

Giving you the music a day early:

Seattle-based post-hardcore outfit Emery has a new album dropping March 29 and are out on the road in early support of it, including a stop at Vino’s. Known for their brutal music with lyrics of faith, the band is headlining a show that includes several other hard-hitting acts, including Nashville, Tenn., rock outfit Hawkboy (former members of As Cities Burn) and hardcore act To Speak of Wolves. Local support will come from Magnolia pop punkers belair. and Blevins Christian thrash metal band Every Knee Shall Bow. The music begins at 8 p.m. with tickets $12 in advance and $15 day of show.

The four members of New York State outfit Moving Mountains — guitarist and vocalists Gregory Dunn and Frank Graniero, bassist Mitchell Lee and drummer Nicholas Pizzolato — deliver their hard-charging indie rock with an experimental undercurrent at Downtown Music as the band makes its way to South by Southwest 2011. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Joining the band is touring partner indie-emo, one-man-band Into It. Over It. Local support will be provided by acoustic rockers Polyphonic Breakdown and The Perimeter.

Local, energetic rock ‘n’ roll outfit Kingsdown returns to town for a show at Rev Room. The band — Dwain Roark Jr. on vocals, Johnny Rocket and James Watts on guitars, Aaron Elms on bass and Blain Roark on drums — are still promoting their self-titled debut album released last year. The all-ages show begins at 8:30 p.m. with tickets $7 for 21 and over, and $10 for 20 and under. Joining Kingsdown will be Memphis sonic landscape-creating rock act Haven Hill and Knoxville, Tenn., rock ‘n’ roll outfit The Dirty Guv’nahs.

Here’s what Chris King has to say about a visit from one-man band Baths at Stickyz: “Bad ass doesn’t quite convey how awesome tonight is going to be but it comes pretty close.” Baths (Will Wiesenfeld) creates electronica music and is one of the leaders of Los Angeles’ experimental beat music scene. Tickets are $10 for the 21-and-up show starting at 9 p.m. But Baths is not the only reason King thinks the show will be “awesome.” San Francisco’s Gobble Gobble is also on the bill with their twisted yet danceable music. It should be one massive dance party.

Here’s Emery with their “The Party Song”:

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