Psych-Pop Band Givers; Pepper Rabbit; 1,2,3 Bring Awesome Night of Indie Pop To Stickyz; Win Free Tix!

Five-piece indie pop band Givers — a favorite at this year's SXSW Music Festival in Austin, judging by the long line to get into their show — headlines a great night of music next Tuesday, June 28 at Stickyz Rock N' Roll Chicken Shack.
And Stickyz is giving away a reserved table for four and four free tickets to one lucky winner! Read below for how to enter.
The show also will feature two openers, popular indie-pop-rockers Pepper Rabbit and 1,2,3.
Givers' upbeat "psych-folk, afro-delic" pop music thrilled a huge audience in Austin, but the Lafayette, La.-based band has impressed many more fans and critics before and since, as they continue to travel all over the country.
Said by critics to be similar in sound to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., the Generationals, and Cults, the group's single "Up Up Up" off its new album "In Light" has been making waves online.
And Paste Magazine — which named Givers one of its best new bands of 2010 — just this month gave even more high marks to the band and its new album, with their "dexterous instrumental attack, tuneful yet alien hooks, and a proficiency for squiggly, short-circuiting electric guitar fills," Ryan Reed writes.
"But 'In Light,' their official debut, fortunately transcends … the old-fashioned way: by twisting the nuances of their heroes into a pretzel, paying homage by developing taking others’ good ideas and going someplace new. … Givers constantly rise above their reference points because the songs are usually excellent," the critic continues.
"The five players alternate between fidget and flow — on one hand, they know when to let a good groove ride, content to bask in the sun-streaked guitar stabs and kick drum pulse of opener 'Up, Up, Up,' their most easily digestible moment. But elsewhere, their attention spans are shorter, attacking the restless behemoth that is 'Meantime' like surgeons huddled around an open-heart surgery, dissecting the song through a series of jarring (and wonderful) shifts in tempo and dynamics—a sprint from muscley, exotic pop to worldly funk and back again."
Reed calls the album "literally the brightest album I’ve heard in ages" but says it's far from slick. "On headphones, the adventurous details really cut through — 'Up, Up, Up,' in its four-and-a-half minutes, parcels out flute, a steroid synth-bass, handclaps, and glockenspiels—but this is music equally suited for a psychedelic dance floor."
Supporting the performance by Givers Tuesday will be Los Angeles psychedelic-pop duo Pepper Rabbit.
Pepper Rabbit's recordings, according to Jambase.com, "present a unique musical vision, with Xander Singh and Luc Laurent displaying an impressive mastery of their twisted but tasty pop. … A treat-filled introduction to a duo unafraid to pound around on a variety of instruments such as trumpet, banjo, and piano. Singh and Laurent seamlessly blend their influences into a unified sound."
Filter Magazine writes of Pepper Rabbit: "Singh and Laurent pack their layered orchestral pop with ambitious arrangements, endless instrumentals and echoing harmonies born out of experience. … (They play) songs that manage to be happy and haunting all at once.”
Also opening Tuesday will be Pittsburgh rockers 1,2,3.
Last year, The Guardian of London was highly impressed with the band: "1,2,3 are a terrific new band whose 70s-tinged rock, sung with rasping intensity by white soul wonder Nic Snyder, reminds you of some of the best stuff from the pre-punk era. … You can certainly hear echoes of the pre-punk era in their debut U.S. single, 'Confetti,' a solo Lennon-esque chant with a twist of Bolan boogie and Big Star guitars. 'Can't Bribe God' is lovely slow white gospel, Snyder's cigarettes-and-booze vocals offset by the sweet soul melody. Two minutes in, gorgeous ELO harmonies emerge, before the song changes direction again, this time adding a classic Motown beat. Their first UK single, 'Going Away Party,' has a 'You're So Vain' bassline and a guitar motif redolent of 'Band On the Run,' before it, too, switches to Bolan-bopping-with-Big-Star mode. Now that's what we call music."
After their performance at SXSW this spring, The New York Times wrote of 1,2,3: "(They) play songs that put cantankerous twists into taut rock structures. During its brief set, songs hinted at lurching roots-rock, Talking Heads’ new wave funk, the keyboard filigree of progressive rock and the slow roll of a soul ballad. Lead vocals had a wry, scratchy edge, even as they delivered scrappy, snappy choruses: 'I’m scared,' went one, 'but not that scared.'"
And in April, Nylon Magazine had this to say about its "Band Crush" on 1,2,3 — whose new album "New Heaven" was just released this week: "Sugar and spice, sweet and salty, dark and light. Whatever you want to call it, Pittsburgh band 1,2,3 is a total contradiction- which in our opinion, makes them all the more interesting. Within the past year alone, these guys have already won over critics and a cult following alike for their melancholia-tinged tunes. '70s-inspired tracks like "Confetti" switch off between tight guitar riffs, booming choruses, and brooding lyrics ("Undertaker take me under oceans of oil/ I'll be under 20,000 blades of grass through the soil"), giving this brand of pop a split personality that we just can't resist."
Sounds like all in all, Little Rock won't be able to resist Tuesday night's show at Stickyz!
Music begins at 9 p.m. and tickets, available online now at www.stickyz.com, are $8 in advance or $10 day-of-show.
To enter the drawing for the reserved table for four and four free tickets, just go to the Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=190585574323064 and RSVP "Attending" AND post something on the event wall saying you want to enter the drawing. A name will be randomly drawn from the comments at 8 pm Monday evening, June 27. The winner will be notified via Facebook immediately and MUST reply back within two hours in order to claim their prize or it will be given to someone else.
For more information or a look at Stickyz' restaurant menu, visit www.stickyz.com or call 372-7707.
Stickyz is at 107 River Market Ave. in downtown Little Rock.

Follow me on Twitter for regular updates from Wakarusa!

Follow me on Twitter (@KstarKristal) this weekend as I post regular mini-reviews and descriptions of the dozens of shows I'll see at Wakarusa Music Festival, which officially begins tomorrow!
Some of the musical acts I'm looking forward to seeing include Michael Franti & Spearhead, My Morning Jacket, STS9, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, North Mississippi Allstars, JJ Grey & Mofro, Shpongle, Umphrey's McGee, These United States, Ghostland Observatory, Galactic, Zoogma, Dirtfoot, Mumford & Sons, Frontier Ruckus, Grupo Fantasma, Truth & Salvage Co., Perpetual Groove, EOTO, Bassnectar, Lotus, Infantree, Ryan Bingham, The Heavy, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Split Lip Rayfield, Dark Star Orchestra, Thievery Corporation, Hot Buttered Rum, and Big Sam's Funky Nation, among others.
While I don't promise to Tweet reviews of every show — it will depend on my signal strength up on the Pigtrail in the heights of the Ozark Mountains — I promise to try!
And watch my blog over the weekend for at least one lengthy review of what I've seen so far, and then early next week, a final review of WAKARUSA 2011.
Love Live Music, y'all!

SHOW REVIEW: Spreadneck City & Riverfest 2011 Weekend

Well, a wonderful weekend of music has come to a close here in Little Rock. I decided I wanted to review some of the highlights, so here I go:
Friday night: Spreadneck City
Friday brought the beginning of Riverfest 2011 and what me and about 200 of my friends have been waiting for for months: Widespread Panic in our hometown!
Yes, we are what I affectionately call "Spreadnecks." All of us, to some degree at least, follow Widespread Panic and try to see them as much as possible at shows all across the country whenever we have the opportunity.
And this year, since Panic was a headliner at Riverfest, Little Rock played host to thousands of Spreadnecks from all over the nation.
The pre-party at Stickyz that afternoon was like a big ol' family reunion, and I saw friends and acquaintances — folks I've met at other Panic shows and at music festivals — from as close as Little Rock and as far away as New Zealand. What a blast!
We all continued our fun at the Panic concert, and what a concert it was! The setlist was AMAZING!
One thing non-Panic and non-jamband fans may not know is that Panic never plays the same concert twice. They have a system that prevents any setlist from being repeated, and they even work to ensure that they don't play the same songs within a certain number of shows from each other.
In other words, every single concert experience is a different one. Some setlists end up being magical, others may not — since we all know that the chemistry between particular songs does not always flow perfectly.
The trick with jambands is making that chemistry and transition between songs flow perfectly, OR knowing when it's not going to flow perfectly and when to just cut it off and start a whole new "jam" or song sequence.
Panic is especially skilled at this. Some "jambands" think they should never stop playing, and that their goal in life should be to somehow blend every single song with the next one without ever missing a note. But that doesn't always work, and not many musicians can make it work and sound good at the same time (unless all your songs sound the same, which is boring). Thank goodness, Panic doesn't have this problem. That's why I like their shows so much.
This Panic concert happened to be filled with a lot of their classics, which was just fine with me. I do have to add that I was a little disappointed they didn't whip out their full light show bag of tricks, but that's OK. The musical performance made me forget all about that.
The first of the show was all well-known faves, much to the singalong-crowd's delight.
Panic opened with Holden Oversoul, which was on their first commercial CD released back in September 1988, "Space Wrangler."
Next was Pleas off their 1993 album, "Everyday," then they rocked right into Love Tractor, which is off their 1991 self-titled album.
The thousands of fans ate up these classics and more, dancing and singing along from the get-go and never stopping throughout the entire three-and-a-half-hour show.

The remainder of the first-half setlist:
Good People
Shut Up and Drive
Fishwater

Blackout>

Disco

Junior

Now, I have to add here that Friday night's version of Disco melted my ears to their core. I have heard (in person) Panic do Disco three times. Once, it sounded much like it sounds on the album, 1998's "Light Fuse Get Away," and it was amazing to hear it live. Another time I heard it at a concert, it sounded a little rushed, like they weren't really feeling it or weren't really trying to make it extra-special like they normally do with almost all their songs. But this Friday at Riverfest, they ROCKED Disco, which happens to be one of my favorite songs. So I was pretty happy.
As you might guess from the title, the song features some special guitar and keyboard effects reminiscent of the 1970s disco era, and its fast backbeat FORCES you to shake it on down (as R.L. Burnside would say, LOL). It's a GREAT song, and they really did it right for Little Rock Friday night. JoJo Hermann was on FIRE on the keys, and Jimmy Herring gave us a thrill on lead guitar as well.
After setbreak, Panic came back out almost instantly on fire, thrilling the crowd with more new and old favorites, the highlight of which was the absolute face-rocking solos by Jimmy Herring on "Chilly Water" — I mean, really, I have never seen anybody rock that hard and that skillfully and for that long on a guitar. I swear I saw smoke coming from his strings! I am not making this up! (Well, maybe I am about the smoke, LOL…)

Here's the rest of the concert setlist: 
Black Hole

Dirty Side Down
Diner>
Ribs and Whiskey (Everybody went crazy!)
Light is Like Water with Jerry Joseph
Chainsaw City with Jerry Joseph
Drums
Chilly Water
Pilgrims

Conrad
Encore: Expiration Day, Imitation Leather Shoes > Action Man

Now, This was my first time to hear "Chainsaw City" live, and it's one of my new faves by Panic. What a song! The lyrics are kinda dark (Jerry Joseph wrote it) but the music is just great rock-n-roll, and it's got a great hook.
As for the end of the show: I have to say I'm not a fan of slow songs during an encore, but as far as slow songs go, "Expiration Day" is a beautiful song. Seems a little, uh, heavy in topic for a late-night party crowd wanting an encore to a great three-hour concert, but whatever. At least they brought the heat with the next two songs, ending on a high note with a rockin' rendition of "Action Man."
All in all, it was a fabulous Panic show, not typical of a Panic festival set at all, but far, far more intense and much longer. Little Rock really got a treat, and for that we are grateful!

Later Friday night, Weakness For Blondes really brought an excellent, rowdy show filled with awesome originals and fun covers to a rowdy Spreadneck crowd back at Stickyz, which was at capacity all night with, at one point, hundreds waiting in line to get inside. It was nuts and a ton of fun, with old and new friends mingling inside and out on the patio.
I hear that FreeVerse really threw down at Midtown late-night after Stickyz closed, but I didn't make it that long, alas. Sorry guys.

Saturday: Riverfest, an Encore, & Pure Rock
The highlight of Saturday was sitting in the sun, getting my first real sunburn of the year — though DANG was it uncomfortably hot all of a sudden! — and listening proudly to my friend Barry Fowler play lead guitar for Southern Rock band Zach Williams & the Reformation on the Miller Lite Ampitheatre Stage.
They remind me a WHOLE LOT of The Black Crowes, and they have a lot of potential and talent. I think the sound — technically speaking — wasn't all that great that afternoon, however, and the setlist needed a little pick-me-up in between a few of the more mellow songs. Just my opinion though.
But they had several very strong originals that have what I call "radio-land legs" (a potential to earn airtime and popularity on commercial radio), and I loved, loved, loved their cover of The Beatles' "Come Together," which just happened to feature a solo or three by Fowler (and he did great!).
Then over at the Stickyz Music Tent at 8 pm, things got nasty as Chicago funk-soul-pop band Lubriphonic nearly tore the tent down, so to speak. Dozens of Riverfest-goers followed the band over to their late-night show at Stickyz that evening, which began at 11 pm, to see them play even more of that funky James Brown-inspired party music. It was a great night.
Then it got at least two notches better, when I went over to Midtown to check out Chillyrose, a straight-up rock-and-roll band with some Southern Rock, Alt-Rock and Jamband influences who are based in Pocahontas, believe it or not. While I've heard them before and liked 'em, I must admit I'd not really LISTENED to them while completely sober and paying attention, LOL. And on this night, I was sober and at attention.
After an hour, still sober, I announced that Chillyrose is my new favorite straight-up rock band in the state of Arkansas.
They have excellent originals that vary widely from song to song in tempo, sound, style and lyrics. Their two leaders, Kris Rose and Chris Lynch, are both talented songwriters, both skilled lead guitarists and both strong vocalists.
The recent addition of a bassist has added a whole new dimension of sound — beyond the expected one of depth to the existing percussion — and the result is fantastic.
I REALLY hope these guys can get in a studio soon and get some of their newer songs down in a professional setting, because I think that will help them grow immensely.
As for shows, look for them to start blowing up in the next year and come to venue near you. When they do, don't miss it.
Favorite original: "Twilight." Gorgeous. Favorite cover: "Whipping Post." Best version I've heard for less than a $20 cover charge in a long time, maybe ever. Thanks guys.  :)


Sunday: Exhaustion & a Quick Big Smith Fix
After a long week of planning, writing about and attending music shows as well as working an additional part-time job, I was worn out by Sunday. Hopes to attend Digital Underground early Sunday evening didn't work out when overwhelmingly bad traffic put me onsite an hour later than planned.
So I skipped it, went to straight to the Stickyz Music Tent for the last few minutes of the Kopecky Family Band — VERY impressive alt-pop group, surprised me in fact! — and to grab a table for the fireworks and the Big Smith show afterwards.
Difficult times, which I've seen a bit of lately, always call for bluegrass to bolster the spirits. It was my night, despite being extremely tired from the get-go.
Sure enough, a table opened up after the Kopeckys finished and the fireworks started. We grabbed one, I peeked out at the show in the sky and we waited.
Annoyingly, the sound guy was BLARING the RADIO, and it wasn't even radio that was appropriate for EITHER the fireworks show OR a pre-bluegrass show crowd, which was beginning to thicken (you could tell from the overalls, tie-dye and hula hoops). No, instead of playing some house bluegrass tunes or folk music — or wait, how about the freaking Symphony Orchestra live on air that is SUPPOSED to be played along with the fireworks?!? — the sound guy was playing, at ear-deafening level, a local classic rock station, commercials and all.
I cannot tell you how irritated I was after 45 minutes of this.
About 100 deep breaths and 20 minutes of incredible fireworks later, Big Smith finally started. Even though — out of the 50 or so times I've seen them play — it was probably in my bottom-five-favorite setlists, I STILL had a great time, because they ALWAYS put on a great show.
They just didn't play the songs I think are their best songs, that's all, such as "Mockingbird," "Don't You Ever," "Tongue In Groove," or "Go Away Maggie." They did, however, do their ever-popular songs "Fan," "Trash" and "Burn Down the House," making the very large crowd of fans up front extremely happy, judging from the likes of the jigs they were dancing.
I, myself, couldn't sit still for more than one song at a time, despite having blisters from wearing new shoes to the Panic concert Friday night (STUPID thing to do!). I danced to at least every other song, fighting off exhaustion and a cold, sweating unbecomingly in the early-summer riverside swelter. And it was wonderful. I left with a smile on my face and in my heart… Thanks, Big Smith!
And thank you to all the awesome musicians who brought Little Rock and Arkansas music fans such a great week and weekend of music!
Love Live Music, y'all!

SHOW REVIEW: Wanda Jackson Brings House Down In Little Rock

Last Wednesday night, May 25, was a definite highlight of my year as it brought Wanda Jackson, the First Lady of Rock And Roll, to Rev Room in Little Rock.
Jackson, believed to be the first female to star on a rock-n-roll record, toured with Elvis back in the day and even talked during her show Wednesday night of performing with him in Camden in 1961. (My friend John Davies' mom and sister were there! How cool is that?!)
Jackson — a tiny, stately lady sporting a dark brown, beautiful, "set" Grandma-type hairdo and a white sparkly jacket with layers of sexy fringe — truly held court while on stage, sharing stories from her long and varied career in between her old and new hit songs.
The 2009 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Inductee performed "Let's Have a Party," "Mean, Mean Man," "Rock Your Baby" and several other big hits from the late 1950s and early '60s, as well as a few covers from her old pals Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. She also did a couple of her more country hits and rocked out the gospel tune "I Saw The Light," sharing a brief but not-too-preachy mention of her conversion to Christianity in the early 1970s.
She then transitioned into some tunes off her brand new album, "The Party Ain't Over," produced by none other than Jack White of the White Stripes, previously mentioned. (His presence was felt all over Little Rock this week, LOL.)
Now, I have to say I was a little skeptical about what these new (rock? is that what they would be classified as?) songs would sound like coming from a 73-year-old former rockabilly singer — despite the fact that "The Party Ain't Over" has already reached No. 17 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart. That's pretty damn good!
But my skepticism had waned early in the night — the minute she'd begun singing. Her voice is just awesome, still, and it has an edginess and purity that probably any 20-something alt-rock or pop singer would give a limb to have as their own. It's an unusual vocal sound, not your everyday American Idol voice, and it certainly doesn't sound like your Grandma up there singing old songs.
My favorites off the new album were her cover of Bob Dylan's "Thunder On The Mountain" and her cover of Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good."
If you can't tell, I was highly impressed. We all were.
The couple of hundred or so people in the crowd — which included Hollywood actors and Little Rock residents Mary Steenburgen and Judge Reinhold, I might add — were all dancing and/or tapping their feet, and the dance floor stayed full all night with folks of a broader range of ages than any other show I can remember at Rev Room. It was a pretty cool sight to see. Everyone had a blast and was thrilled with the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson. What a lady.

Lubriphonic Brings Funk, Soul To Stickyz Tonight After Riverfest Performance!!

You might think you know what to expect when you hear the band name Lubriphonic, but you might be wrong.
Billed as "Chicago Funk and Soul," Lubriphonic doesn't mess around. The band jams the "proto-funk of James Brown" as Jambase.com puts it, and if you don't want wanna dance, get the heck outta the way.
A seven-piece band that includes several horns, Lubriphonic is ready to blow your mind — as they have blown minds at clubs and major festival gigs all across the nation in recent years, including Wakarusa Music Festival and New Orleans' famed Tipitina's club.
And tonight, after warming up with an 8 pm set at the Riverfest Stickyz Music Tent, Lubriphonic headlines at Stickyz Rock N' Roll Chicken Shack with a show at 10:30 pm!
The band has been playing sold-out shows with the likes of Widespread Panic, George Clinton & P-Funk, Buddy Guy, Dumpstaphunk and many other great bands, and they just played two days at Bear Creek Music Festival where James Brown horns Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley joined Lubriphonic onstage for a few jams. Other sit-ins included Sam Kininger from Soulive and Chris Myer from Umphrey's McGee.
Another famous name Lubriphonic is familiar with is Ivan Neville, as he guest-stars on the band's new CD, "The Gig Is On," which received rave reviews from Jambase as well as Relix and Alternate Root Magazine and the Atlanta Examiner.

Here's what some other critics had to say about Lubriphonic:

• “Combine the best elements of old-school funk and edgy rock and roll, throw in some soulful R&B, and you end up with Lubriphonic, one of the most happening bands out there today... Lubriphonic draws from strong, eclectic influences, yet is cutting-edge original-- Soul Solution is a listening pleasure and a dancing treat". — John Lynskey, Hittin' The Note
• “This old-school Chicago-based rocking funk and soul band kicks up the dust with a crackling three-piece horn section and enough energy to blow the fuses at this intimate venue. Its terrific originals sound like ‘70s covers and when it does dig down for an oldie, as on Curtis Mayfield’s classic ‘If There’s a Hell Below (We’re All Gonna Go),’ it’s an all-stops-pulled blast.” – Hal Horowitz, Creative Loafing Atlanta

Now, Lubriphonic brings their electric, energetic and funk-filled show to Stickyz tonight after blowing away the staff and crowd at a recent performance here in April.
Early admission is just $5.
For more info, visit www.stickyz.com.
Stickyz is located at 107 S. Commerce St. in the River Market district in downtown Little Rock.

K*Star's Picks for Riverfest 2011

Following are the bands I've picked out to go see this year at Riverfest, and I highly recommend them to you as well. In some cases, I'll explain why, but most of the time, you might just have to take my word for it! But trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Friday:
6:15 pm Bud Light Stage — Jerry Joseph: Joseph and his band frequently open for the Bud Light Stage headliner, Widespread Panic, all across the country. They are seasoned, highly respected performers and songwriters; in fact, some of Panic's biggest hits and best-loved songs ("North," "Climb To Safety") are Jerry Joseph tunes.
7:30 Bud Light Stage — Widespread Panic: There is a reason this band has been touring so successfully for two decades now and that tens of thousands of fans follow them all over the country when they embark upon a new tour schedule. First of all, they WILL rock your face off. Even if you have have never heard a so-called "jamband" (which they qualify as) that you like, and you can't stand the Grateful Dead (the father of all jambands), you will love a live Panic show. Heavy on improvisation and full of surprises for even the most seasoned fans, Panic shows feature not only impeccable musicianship but an amazing, beautiful light show as well. This is NOT a recital of their albums, by any stretch of the imagination. However, if you prefer a concert full of three-minute songs that sound exactly like they sounded on the radio 15-20 years ago and that you know every word to, you might want to go check out Poison when they start at 9:30…

Saturday:
12:30 Kidzone Stage — Sugar Free Allstars: Heard them before and had a good time listening (and I'm picky). Will be fun for all ages.
1:30 Miller Lite Ampitheatre Stage — Greg Gardner & Voodoo Cowboy
3:00 Bud Light Stage — Sea Nanners: A finalist in the Arkansas Times Musicians' Showcase recently, this indie pop band has a bright future, but I have to say it'd likely be even brighter if we could understand the lyrics… just saying'. Nevertheless, the music is great and the vocals are pleasant despite the fact that I have no idea what the lead singer is saying.
4:30 Miller Lite Ampitheatre Stage — Zach Williams & The Reformation: Easily the best-sounding band at the recent Dandy Day at the Park all-day concert on the north side of the river that also featured Black Oak Arkansas, Zach Williams & The Reformation hails from Jonesboro and offers up a mixture of Southern Rock, Blues-Rock and Country-Rock. And they Rock! TONS of talent in this group, not the least of which is my good friend on lead guitar, Barry Fowler. (This is my shout-out to Barry! Rock on, brother!)
6:00 Miller Lite Ampitheatre Stage — Pat Green: Green has had some commercial (country radio and video) success over the past several years, but he's been a touring machine for at least a decade and a half that I have witnessed. He is AWESOME. I would call him alt-country, but some would just call him "new country." Who cares, though; all that matters is he brings a party and his music is great. And if he does his mega-hit "Wave On Wave," you just might have a religious experience.
8:00 Stickyz Music Tent — Lubriphonic: I saw this funk-soul-pop band (which includes horns, key info in my book) out of Chicago recently and they blew my mind and I didn't stop shaking my rear the entire night. Let me say it this way: You're nuts if you miss this show. Last year, it was Michael Burks Band who brought down the tent at Riverfest; this year it'll be Lubriphonic — bet.
9:30 Stickyz Music Tent — Free Sol: I don't know much about them, but word on the street is this is the sleeper star of Riverfest. OK, that's enough for me to check them out, since Barenaked Ladies is the other option and they started getting on my nerves from too much radio play about, oh, a decade ago. Just kidding. Sort of.

Sunday:
1:30 Miller Lite Ampitheatre Stage — Matt Stell & The Crashers: Some of the best of Arkansas' music scene offerings, according to my friend-with-good-taste Suzon.
3:30 Stickyz Music Tent — Adam Faucett: This Saline County native who should be getting more press than he has gotten has been touring all over the place from what I hear. There has to be a reason and I plan to find out what it is when I go see him on Sunday.
5:00 Stickyz Music Tent — Grace Askew: I know they share a name, but this chick truly reminds me of a softer, gentler (but still rockin') Grace Potter. She is REALLY good and WAY underrated in my book.
7:45 Bud Light Stage — Digital Underground: Do the HUMPTY DANCE Y'ALL! Seriously, my brother has seen this band before (regrettably I missed that show) and he says they are a BLAST. So… "Stop what you're doing, 'cuz I'm about to ruin, the image and the style that you're used to…" Yes, I had to go there.
9:45 Stickyz Music Tent — Big Smith: Yes, I have broad tastes in music, but this hillbilly-rock/bluegrass band from Springfield, Mo., will get you doing a new kind of humpty dance, for real yo! If you are open to music that contains flavors of bluegrass, or comedy, or country, you will LOVE Big Smith.

That's it y'all! Have a great time, stay safe and be kind!

Panic Party All Day Long At Stickyz Rock N' Roll Chicken Shack

The "lot party" typically found before Widespread Panic shows all across the country will be hosted by Stickyz Rock N' Roll Chicken Shack this Friday, the opening day of Riverfest.
The party gets under way around 3:30 pm with Panic DVDs on the bigscreen and "lot"-type vendors all afternoon at Stickyz in advance of the Widespread Panic show at the Bud Lite Stage at Riverfest starting at 7:30 Friday night.
After the Panic concert, the party at Stickyz continues with Little Rock-based funk-jamband Weakness For Blondes bringing their psychedelic blues-based jams to Panic fans who aren't yet ready to put up their dancing shoes.
Early admission is just $6. The music is expected to begin between 10 and 10:30 pm.
Weakness For Blondes features dueling guitar improvisation, tight vocal melodies and songs that tell stories of love, travels and the ability of music to move people.
In addition to a deep and multifaceted list of original tunes, WFB also pays homage to its influences with excellent, upbeat covers of artists such as the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, The Band and many others.
WFB, which includes Ahren Herbert-WIlson on bass, Jason Adams on drums, Chris DeClerk on guitar and vocals and Rob Moore on electric guitar, will be joined by a guest musician Friday night, Cody Russell on pedal steel guitar. Russell has regularly played with such bands as Charliehorse and the Sarah Hughes Band, among others.
WFB has shared the stage with many major musical acts, including current Allman Brothers’ bassist, Oteil Burbridge, and his band, The Peacemakers; Particle; The Kudzu Kings; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers; and The Drew Emmit Band of Leftover Salmon fame.
If you are a Widespread Panic fan or a fan of funk, blues or jamband style music, don't miss Weakness For Blondes this Friday night at Stickyz! It's gonna be a rock 'n' roll party, y'all!