For most of December, Memphis singer/songwriter Cory Branan has been on the road with Dave Hause of Philadelphia, punk-flavored rock ‘n’ roll band The Loved Ones. It seems as though Hause released a solo, full-length album called Resolutions back in February (The Loved Ones are not broken up though) and has been touring behind it. The twosome visit White Water Tavern. The music starts at 10 p.m. Expect stripped down punk mixed with Americana from Hause, and Branan is an Americana singer/songwriter, too, with his rugged folk rock, reflective acoustic ballads and swaggering rock ‘n’ roll such as “Prettiest Waitress in Memphis.”
At Downtown Music it’s a night of experimental progressive rock with a visit from Texas act Fair to Midland, a group known for their smart, muscular music that is part metal, part folk and part art rock. The group’s new album Arrows & Anchors was released in July, and the band has been touring heavily behind it. Joining Fair to Midland is Dead Letter Circus, an Australian progressive rock band influenced by bands such as Tool, Deftones and Massive Attack. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $11 in advance and $13 at the door. The opening act is a local band: the experimental, progressive, post-rock group Mainland Divide.
Can rock ‘n’ roll save the world? Maybe. Perhaps. Little Rock rock ‘n’ roll act Free Micah certainly likes to think so and their music shows it. The five piece creates energetic, highly infectious and emotional rock that is a little bit of a tent revival, too. See what Free Micah is up to when the quintet plays Stickyz. The music starts at 9 p.m. with cover $6 for the 18-and-up show. Little Rock rock act James Lepine & The Chasers (or is it Both/And?) is the opening act.
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”:
Vino’s wants you to know Arizona rock band Fight the Quiet has accomplished this in the past few months: Been named Fuse TV’s unsigned artist of the month for October 2010 and a Clear Channel’s Artist to Watch; licensed with the NHL and Ralph Lauren; and placed their music on more than 30 TV shows. Why all the fuss? The trio’s third album is Let Me In, a collection of hard rock-flavored tracks with soaring choruses and infectious hooks. Joining Fight the Quiet will be Free Micah, a Little Rock group of 20-somethings whose acoustic-powered music is energetic, highly infectious and emotional rock ‘n’ roll. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door with the music starting at 9 p.m.
New Haven, Conn., pop punkers The Tired and True bring their simple mix of drums, bass, guitar and voice influenced by acts such as Saves the Day, New Found Glory and I am the Avalanche to Downtown Music. The band released their newest album Scenarios last summer. The doors open at 7 p.m. with cover $7.
The band husband&wife is not a husband and wife duo at all, but instead a quartet from Indiana who play loudish indie rock and just released their newest album Proud Flesh. husband&wife visit Sticky Fingerz and Free Micah, a Little Rock group of 20-somethings whose acoustic-powered music is energetic, highly infectious and emotional rock ‘n’ roll, is the opening act. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. Cover is $5 for the 21-and-up show.
Here’s husband&wife with their “Haven’t Got a Friend”:
Although they formed early in the 21st century, it wasn’t until “Angels on the Moon” started climbing the charts in 2008 that California alternative rock band Thriving Ivory was introduced to the masses through their re-released, self-titled debut album. The tune ended up cracking the Top 100 of the Billboard charts, and Thriving Ivory started playing to bigger crowds. Two years later, the band is on the road again, this time in support of their upcoming sophomore release Through Yourself & Back Again. Thriving Ivory visits Juanita’s along with singer/songwriter rocker Ryan Star. The opening act is local energetic rock ‘n’ roll act Free Micah, kicking off the music at 8 p.m. for the all-ages show. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 day of show.
Nashville, Tenn., guitar-driven rock band Brenn arrives at Sticky Fingerz 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, channeling the soundscapes of Sigur Ros. The act’s new record, The Fury and the Sound, is out in September so expect a mix of new with the old. The opening act is the local alternative rock act Luster, and the music starts at 9 p.m. with cover $5 for the 21-and-up show.
Here’s Thriving Ivory with their “Angels on the Moon”:
Arkansas pop rocker Benjamin Del Shreve just re-released his 2007 album, the power pop gem Brilliant & Charming, in 2009. But now he’s got a new album of explosive alternative rock riffs and pop melodies to release, and is doing so in central Arkansas at Sticky Fingerz. Opening the show are Free Micah, a Little Rock group of 20-somethings whose acoustic-powered music is energetic, highly infectious and emotional rock ‘n’ roll, and the musical circus of Fayetteville’s Randall Shreve with his vaudevillian indie rock. The music starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $6 for the 21-and-up show.
Revolution Music Room is the spot for a shot of local music, with appearances by Ginsu Wives, Androids of Ex Lovers and Dangerous Idiots. Here’s what Idiot Aaron Sarlo has to say about the night: “Enjoy the Clinton loop with a show to rock your socks off … chatter your teeth. Just plain have a kick ass time here in our humble city the Rock.” And here’s what to expect: Jacksonville’s Androids of Ex Lovers is no guitar; just bass, drums and howling, bluesy vocals from a two-piece that grinds out garage rock with the simplest sonic assault; Ginsu Wives is a Conway band that merges electronica-infused beats with raging rhythms to create their experimental rock; and Dangerous Idiots is self-described gulch rock. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. with a $6 cover for the 18-and-up show.
Here’s Benjamin Del Shreve with the video to his “Dance. Sing. Talk. Pretend.”:
The Dave Matthews Band came and went through North Little Rock last fall with a visit to Dickey-Stephens Park, but luckily for fans of the Dave Matthews Band acoustic guitar-, saxophone- and violin-led jams, The Dave Matthews Tribute Band is coming to Sticky Fingerz. The six-piece Buffalo, N.Y., outfit reproduce the sound and energy of Boyd Tinsley’s violin playing and Dave Matthews’ hyper-exuberant guitar playing. There’s no opening act, just all Dave starting at 10 p.m. with a $6 early admission for the 21-and-up show.
The Diving Bell Ball returns to Revolution Music Room, showcasing Arkansas music and benefiting Overlooked, a nonprofit that sells T-shirts and accessories with proceeds assisting struggling, developing nations in Africa. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. and will include a quartet of Arkansas bands: the amped-up indie rock of Magic Hassle (including David Slade and Matt Quin from American Princes), the musical circus of Fayetteville’s Randall Shreve with his vaudevillian indie rock, Little Rock experimental indie rockers Falcon Scott, and the celebratory rock ‘n’ roll fervor of Little Rock outfit Free Micah. It’s an all-ages show with tickets $5 for 21 and over, and $7 for under 21.
Texas’ Graham Wilkinson and the Underground Township blend folk rock with Americana, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll, creating shuffling roots music peppered with jazzy keyboard and moody organ. Local act Jonathan Wilkins and the Reparations is folk-flavored roots music with the amps turned loud, creating a blast of boisterous, beer-raising rock. The two acts play White Water Tavern.
Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers (Oliver Thomas on bass, Sam Carroll on piano and Michael Chandler on drums) return to The Afterthought for their seemingly almost monthly show. Expect Block on trumpet to lead his bandmates through a night of stone cold fusion jazz, implementing elements of hip-hop, R&B, funk and soul. The music is at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover.
The 13th annual Foam Fest will be held at the River Market Pavilions from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a beer sampling event — with more than 100 varieties of beer and wine, including local distributors and microbreweries, and music from local bands — benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter. Admission is $25 advance or $30 at the door. Some of the non-local brews for the sampling include Bard’s Tale Dragon Gold (a gluten-free beer), Tornado Alley Amber Ale from Missouri’s Charleville Vineyard Winery & Microbrewery, Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale from California’s Moylan’s Brewing Company and Tahoe Blue, a pale ale from Nevada’s Joseph James Brewing Inc.
Here’s a shot of The Dave Matthews Tribute Band in action with “Tripping Billies”:
Little Rock based Last Chance Records and White Water Tavern are teaming up to record a series of live albums at the Seventh Street bar, kicking off the Live From the White Water series with a recording of Little Rock favorites and Last Chance Records artist American Aquarium. The series will feature Last Chance artists and other White Water favorites, and use professional sound equipment and recording engineering pros, with the first album available in the spring. American Aquarium is a North Carolina alt country band whose latest album, Dances for the Lonely, is a collection of hard-charging, Bruce-Springsteen-gone-country-rock (“Katherine Belle”) and cautionary, acoustic-strummed ballads fueled by weeping pedal steel (“Downtown Girls”) that serves as a follow-up to 2008′s The Bible & The Bottle. Local rustic rockers Jonathan Wilkins & The Reparations are the openers, with the music starting at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover.
What better way to spend a Friday night than by watching other people cram nails and things up their noses, eat fire, swallow swords and horseplay with chainsaws? That’s the fun the Electric Acid Theatre — the sideshow tag-team of The Enigma, a founding member of the Jim Rose Circus, and Serana Rose — promise when they visit Juanita’s. Beyond the crazy sideshow stunts, the duo also perform to music that is described as “acid rock from the year 3000.” The opening act is the drums and guitar onslaught of Illinois duo Tweak Bird, with their fuzz-driven, big-beat rock. The night starts at 10 p.m. with cover to be announced for the 18-and-up show.
FreeVerse, a free-spirited, rock ‘n’ roll jamband known for keeping their jams tightly focused while infusing them with funk and jazz, return to Sticky Fingerz for a night of groovy tunes as they prepare for the release of their second full-length album. The band will be joined by Little Rock band Interstate Buffalo, a blues-based rock band who just finished up work on their first EP. The show starts at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover.
Invisible Children is a nonprofit organization supporting educational efforts in northern Uganda that grew out of the 2003 documentary Invisible Children: Rough Cut, a film showcasing the tragic use of child soldiers in that region’s two-decade old conflict between rebels and the government of Uganda. Five Arkansas bands — Falcon Scott, Free Micah, Listener, Badhand and Deas Vail — are joining forces at Revolution Music Room to present a benefit for the nonprofit and screen the organization’s newest documentary GO, a film documenting how Invisible Children is helping in northern Uganda. The documentary will be shown at 6:30 p.m. with music to follow at 8 p.m. Cover for the all-ages show is free for 21 and up, and $5 for 20 and under. Donations will be accepted for Invisible Children during the show.
Influenced by such “old school” heavy metal bands such as Metallic and Slayer, Massachusetts band Unearth have injected their heavy metal music with dose of hardcore punk to create their metalcore sound with dueling, searing guitar riffs and screaming vocals. It’s a sound that gets unveil as Unearth visits The Village on a tour that includes Chicago death metal band Veil of Maya and San Francisco hardcore punk band Early Graves, along with local support from Russellville heavy metal band Cruxx and El Dorado death metal band Once Exiled. The doors open at 7 p.m. with the music starting at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $15 advance and $18 day of show.
It’s quite the opposite of the Sundance Film Festival — especially minus the talentless, puppy-dog-in-a-purse, Hollywood types — as the Arkansas Community Arts Cooperative presents Show Your Shorts Film Night. The biannual event allows local filmmakers to show and discuss their independent works, from the quirky to the family ready. About a dozen films will be presented, and the ACAC will have beer, wine and popcorn on hand, and will be accepting donations as well, but admission is $7 for the public and $5 for ACAC members. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Here’s what American Aquarium brings to the table with their tune “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart.” The first 2:30 of the video is lead singer BJ Barham dishing advice, poking fun at methheads in South Carolina and detailing why the love of a bad woman creates great songs:
Giving you the music a day early: Former Deadboy & the Elephantmen lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Dax Riggs (he also fronted Louisiana sludge band Acid Bath before that) is closing out a May tour with a Stickyz visit. There’s a $10 cover at the door with the music starting [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Those opening piano chords in “Trouble Won’t Last Always” from Tennessee-based Glossary‘s October 2011 album Long Live All Of Us tells you quickly the 12-track record is going to be a rollicking good time filled with boogie R&B, horn-filled soul and pedal steel-laced [...]
Giving you the music a day early: These guys in Memphis-based Tiger High have quite the musical pedigree. Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jake Vest was in Jack Oblivian and The Trashed Romeos, and drummer Greg Roberson was in Reigning Sound, Arthur Lee’s Love, The Trashed Romeos, Jack Oblivian and Compulsive Gamblers. [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Have you heard Elizabeth Cook‘s “Heroin Addict Sister”? It’s one song you won’t ever hear on country radio. It’s — to say the least — a little too brutally honest, but it’s oh-so great: devastating lyrics delivered with Cook’s angelic vocals. “Sometimes [...]
Giving you the music day early: Psychedelic, electro, roots music? Well, that’s what the Portland, Ore., by way of Kentucky band Morning Teleportation offer up when they come to Stickyz. The band also likes calling their music “deep-space pickin’ ‘n’ grinnin’.” Check out the band’s 2011 debut Expanding Anyway for [...]
Giving you the music a day early: You want to hear great Americana/country/folk songs of the 21st century? You get down to the Rev Room and hear Chris Knight, a singer/songwriter who grew up in Slaughters, Ky., and sings about despair, bad luck, sorrow and the rural struggle to survive. [...]
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 [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Each second Thursday of the month, the William F. Laman Public Library kicks off the weekend with a free show titled Live at Laman. This week it’s Audrey Dean Kelley doing the Live at Laman thing, playing a free, 7 p.m. show in [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is close to the deep dark woods of Canada, so it’s apt that an indie folk rock quartet from that city would name themselves The Deep Dark Woods. The group is currently on a run of shows far from home that [...]
Giving you the music a day early: It has been 11 years — give or take a few months — for Little Rock bluegrass outfit Runaway Planet. Let’s hope the band keeps on going, too, because the metro and the world needs their hard-driving bluegrass that also mixes in traditional [...]
Loading ...
Not logged in 