 I would like to preface this entry with a short story. The last time Jump Back Jake came through town, it was the night of The Revival Tour. After seeing four really talented singer/songwriters, I decided to try my luck at White Water. With one exception, there have always been great bands in the last six months or so. I took a gamble on these guys from Memphis and got more than I bargained for. I arrived at WW and was met with a rock band whose soul influences ran deep. I heard the songs "Easy Answers" and "Terrible Mistakes" and was instantly taken with them. I got a poster and asked them if they'd sign it for me. They only agreed to do so if I promised to come out to their next show. I happily accepted the terms and left very content that night.
So, fast forward to present day, and I see that JBJ is playing a Tuesday night show. What's better than a great band and cheap beer? Well not a whole lot. White Water was relatively empty for a Tuesday, but sometimes that happens. JBJ didn't let it discourage them though. They started playing a little after 10 and kept going until around midnight. This show was equally awesome to the last one. The members of Jump Back Jake play their hearts out and it definitely shows.
Jump Back Jake's first full length was released only a month or so ago. Brooklyn Hustle/Memphis Muscle is fantastic. If it was physically possible to wear out a Myspace music player, I would have done so with the one on their page. They offer a preview of half of their album and each song is a delight. Every tune is so consistent and front man Jake Rabinbach's vocals are extremely soulful. I would have never guessed that he could belt out songs like that, but he does a spectacular job with it. I can't just mention "Jump Back" Jake R. though because the other three members are just as great. Watching these four men, I can be safe saying that each of them share an incredible love and passion for the music that they play. It's always comforting to see artists who truly love what they are doing with every fiber of their bodies.
JBJ played most of their album, a few covers, and several new songs. There were a few people that were really getting in to the music. I didn't leave the stage area except to go to the bathroom. These guys have no doubt reeled me in hook, line, and sinker.
After their second set was finished, the guys slowly migrated towards the bar. They entertained any questions people may have had. I made my way over and we all started talking. Each member of the band was super nice. It was so pleasant to chat with them that I didn't leave until a little before 2am. Our conversation swirled around such subjects as the non-existent crowds at shows in Memphis, photography, and whiskey. Sitting around the bar after last call, several of the guys kept yelling for whiskey. Granted they only took two shots while I was up there, who knows how much more they drank. They had to pick up their gear at noon the next day, so I take it they had more fun after I left. I'm pretty sure Will kept them in line for the most part though.
I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll sait it many more times, but I love the overflow of bands from Memphis and Tennessee in general. They offer some types of music that don't run particularly rampant here in Little Rock. I find that they are most always booked here with open hands and hearts, and that's precisely why they keep coming back over and over again.
Jump Back Jake is one of those bands that absolutely loves White Water. So as long as Matt keeps booking them (hint hint), I'll be going to their shows. If you want a taste of rock 'n' roll with soul, check them out. I think you'd be hard-pressed not to like them. Have fun with their music, and if you are one of the lucky ones going to the SXSW festival, be sure to dance over and see them.
--L
(Photo by: Daniel Drinkard)
 A few short days ago, two of the most technically sound acts made their way through Little Rock. Brent Best and Glossary played the night away and left me astounded at just how great they were. I was a tiny bit surprised that White Water wasn't full up, but those who were there had a great time.
Best (pictured), a former member of Slobberbone and current member of The Drams, played first. He is full to capacity with raw energy. I was expecting something like that, but he certainly wowed me. Best came up with nothing more than his guitar, several harmonicas, and a sassy attitude. He started to play and as the night progressed, the audience could not take their eyes off of him. Best is a wonderful songwriter. His songs, when heard, seem like they were written in the style of a children's book. However, there's a haunting complexity to each one. Even his really sad songs didn't seem so sad because of the skillful way they were written. Best has effortlessly, in my mind, tapped in to his emotions and created some beautiful material.
Best played and bantered with the audience for the better part of an hour. There was a short break between sets and then Glossary took the stage. Hailing from Murfreesboro, TN, Glossary travels to Little Rock several times a year. I had only seen them once before, but I unfortunately didn't pay that much attention to them. I went in to this show with a solid determination to give my full attention to them and I'm content that I did.
Glossary is straight up indie rock with a slight twang here and there. This twang manifests itself mostly in Todd Beene's pedal steel and in certain vocals by Kelly & Joey Kneiser. It just gives the music a little something extra and I'm glad they've gone in that direction. Every aspect of their band fits tightly together like a jigsaw puzzle, and they have a good thing going for them. The moment I saw the angel and devil on the bass drum head and heard the first song, I was sold on them.
Glossary played for well over an hour. Many of the songs including my favorite, Little Caney, were from their new album, The Better Angels Of Our Nature. If you have heard of these guys and don't have the album, I highly suggest purchasing it. However, it might be sold out and you can find a free download at their home website. I choose to describe it as lilting and reminiscent of one's favorite bedtime story. This specific album is wholly comforting and a joy to listen to all the way through, and that's something I haven't been able to say about many bands recently. I will happily go to future shows.
Best and Glossary were just genuinely good musical talents. People seem to really love them and I have convereted to one of the many who do. They are welcome to come back to Little Rock anytime White Water will have them. I'll definitely be there front and center supporting great music, and I can only hope others will do the very same.
--L
 Well I guess I need to explain the title of the post before everyone goes crazy wondering what it's all about. "Storytelling" and "Yul Brynner" are two of the songs that a local trio, The See, play. I have mentioned The See in passing, but I really do hope great things come their way. They have several shows booked in the near future and I urge people to check them out.
The See consists of Joe Yoder, Dylan Yelenich, and Tyler Nance. Each one is musically gifted in their own right and combined they make some really interesting music. I've now seen them five or six times, and each time I notice something a little different about them. Whether it's Nance twirling a drumstick during a pause or Yelenich's exuberant bass playing, they know how to keep people's attention. During this specific show, Yoder fell over, lost his guitar pick, and started slamming his knuckles on his guitar to keep the song going. I had no idea he hadn't planned it at all because it seemed to have come so naturally to him, and when a musician can convince me of something ridiculous like that, I'm hooked. These guys have a fantastic stage presence that I haven't seen a whole lot of lately which is really refreshing.
I saw them the other night at On The Rocks, which is not typically a place I go, but I like to support up and coming Little Rock bands. I got to talk with the guys before the show and wanted to hear what they had to say about their music. They described it to me as post-punk meets indie rock. I know it's a large spectrum to fit any band in, but I love the fact that it is fully open to interpretation. The Arkansas Times called them "a noise band." When I think of noise music, I literally think of just noise with no vocals. However, because I don't listen to that genre, I could be completely off. There are definitely elements of noise to the music though because Yoder plays with various levels of feedback on several songs, and there is a metal string of beads incorporated with the cymbals of the drum set every once in a while. In the proper context, controlled noise can add so much to a song, and I like what has been incorporated so far.
I was told that they want their music to be somewhat confusing to the audience, and I have noticed that it is to some extent. If I hadn't been paying attention when I saw them, I could have easily missed several songs because they fit together and complimented each other so well. My curiosity has been peaked and I look forward to new and exciting musical concepts from them.
--L
 What do you get when you throw together five guys from Cleveland, Ohio, a plethora of instruments, and White Water Tavern? The answer is simple. You get a show with the Magpies. Comprised of Roger Hoover, the brothers McKean, Chris Yohn on bass, and multi-instrumentalist Justin Gorski, The Magpies are phenomenal. They are a mix of indie and folk rock, but have a flair for the exceptional. Hoover’s voice is loud, clear, & quite distinctive. However, I feel the one who steals the scenes is Gorski. I have never seen a more enthusiastic and spasmodic keyboardist/accordion player. Prior to all of this, I never fully understood WWT’s extreme love for them, but after seeing them two nights in a row, I fully appreciate the love that is fostered there for them. You may have heard of Roger Hoover before because he used to play with his band The Whiskeyhounds. However, the name has changed and while I’m sure their love of whiskey and other alcoholic beverages still runs deep, I like the name they have settled on. They steal the hearts of their audiences, and I think it’s fitting because in several folklore cultures Magpies are considered thieves. Nonetheless, these men come out to put on a show and they have not disappointed me in the least the last three times I have seen them.
I’m not sure who pulled what strings but the Magpies played at WWT on January 5 & 6. They have told me the love to play in Little Rock, so I don’t think it was too terribly hard to persuade them to play here. The first of the two shows started a bit late, but went well after 1 am. I was hoping they would play longer like the previous time I had seen them, but I couldn’t complain because I knew they would play the next night.
So that brings me to January 6th. The guys played happy hour at WWT. I actually did not know that there was a happy hour there, but it makes sense. Anyways, they played two sets worth of material, took an extended break and played later as back up for Doug McKean. Doug also plays with his backup band The Stuntmen. However, he seems to always find time on the side for the Magpies. McKean played for about forty minutes and the guys took a well-deserved break. They came back later as the Magpies and played for around forty minutes. However no one who was there was disappointed in the least.
This just leads me in to my next epic, late night journey at WWT. As 1:30 am rolled around, last call was made and the usual attempts to kick people out were relatively successful. By 2ish there were still about ten or so people still there. We all migrated to the bar and pretty much decided it was too quiet. So we convinced Doug and Justin to grab the accordion and guitar to entertain us. They happily obliged and things quickly turned in to a two hour jam session.
Gorski kept playing Motown much to everyone’s delight. I recall off the top of my head that “My Girl” and “Under the Boardwalk” were played. They played a lot of other songs, but nothing beat the rendition of Jim Croce’s, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” Those of us not playing instruments either tapped the tip jars, the tambourine that was floating around, or our beer bottles along to the beat. Everyone was getting really in to it and singing along. I could not have asked for a better time. I went in to those shows knowing none of the guys, but after an evening like that, I feel as if we bonded, and I cannot wait until they grace White Water again in the hopefully near future.
--L
 2008 was not necessarily the best of years for some people. One in particular stands out in my mind. Former member of Sugar and The Raw and current member of Big Boots & American Princes, Luke Hunsicker received some terrible news. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor right before the holidays. Word quickly spread and the outpouring of love and support came in massive waves.
The music scene in Little Rock has once again amazed me. A couple of Tuesday nights ago, a show at White Water quickly turned in to a benefit that was well attended and successful. Drunken Angels, Stella Fancy, and Mat Mahar played the night away keeping the audience on their toes. Stella Fancy was originally the only one on the bill, but the other two acts quickly signed on, even though it meant Mahar had to drive from Conway after getting off work. It is selfless acts like these that keep me continually awed and rooted deeply within this community.
I feel as if the music scene here is exceptional because of events like this. Every person involved in the greater Little Rock area is a part of a large extended family, or at least that’s how I view things. I think that is the single most inspiring thing I’ve noticed about the people here. Just seeing all of the love and well wishes from friends and strangers alike was phenomenal. I realize this is not the purpose of the blog, but I felt like it should be mentioned.
The tumor was diagnosed as benign and was successfully removed. I have been told by some of Luke’s close friends that his outlook is very positive. I’m glad to hear this because Luke is a great guy and such a dedicated and talented musician. He is recovering well from what I have heard, and we can only wish him the best at the moment.
As another near last minute benefit, Lucero has signed on to play a show, merely a week after their last one, at the Rev Room on January 9. Big Boots and Whale Fire are also playing, and I have no doubt all three bands combined with put on a ridiculously fun show. I strongly encourage everyone to go out and have a fantastic time for a great cause.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been involved with these benefits. I believe the Hunsickers are grateful for all of the love from everyone whether they know them personally or not. Finally I wanted to say thanks to this unique community of musicians and fans alike because we are all connected and cared for, and that’s what makes this so special.
--L
p.s. Sorry for the really dated photo, it's the only clear one I had on hand.
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