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I’d first like to point out this interesting phenomenon that’s going on here in Little Rock.  We’re almost like the sister state of North Carolina these days.  I mean, every time I turn my back there’s a new NC based band here.  First American Aquarium, then Red Collar, and now Roman Candle have invaded The Natural State.  I’ve probably forgotten a few, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind, and I’m continually surprised and amazed by all these individual musicians and their respective groups.  I wonder who’ll be next?  It’s probably a good bet that they’ll be great as well, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

With that being said, Roman Candle, originally of Chapel Hill, North Carolina who have now semi-relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, certainly made a positive impression on me last night at their show at Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom.  I’m not entirely sure how they got on the bill opening for Rocco Deluca, but I’ll address that in a while.

As I walked in, I was greeted to an energetic, five piece band.  Roman Candle had already taken the stage and were most likely a couple songs in to their set.  The first thing I noticed was Skip Matheny’s commanding vocals.  If one were to drift and lose focus, his vocals would certainly wake you up and pull you back in, magnetic if you have it.  The next thing I noticed and couldn’t keep my mind off of was the fact that the keyboard, bass, and drums were the three instruments to stick out.  It may have just been the sound system, because the guitar on the album is more pronounced, but it was a nice change of pace for once.  Because of that fact, the vocals were a bit difficult to hear over the actual music, but were the most clear and spirited during their song “One Hundred Thousand Miles,” which coincidentally was my favorite tune of the night.

Each song tells a story.  I appreciate musicians who are able to tell a concise, interesting tale within the span of a five minute song.  It is such a talent that many, but not all possess, and to be able to do it in such a vivid & vibrant way is truly a gift.  With all of the right elements combined, their set was fluid and a pure pleasure to watch.  Exhibiting a carefree attitude, they look like they’re have a lot of fun on stage, and that is such an integral quality a band should have.  If a band isn’t having fun, chances are the audience isn’t, but thankfully that was not the case here.  In my opinion, a band is supposed to capture their audience’s attention, and that is something this group does extremely well.  

It is beyond me as to why Roman Candle was opening for Rocco Deluca and The Burden.  The opening band is supposed to get people geared up to see the headliner, but RC stole the show in my opinion.  They left me on a positively high note, but out of respect for Deluca, I stayed through his set.  Personally I see no redeeming factors to his music.  I fail to see the comparisons to U2, Thom Yorke, & Jeff Buckley among others that have been mentioned.  The thing that no one could miss was his insistent whining.  I feel as if he should leave that to Ben Gibbard, who has built a pretty decent career on doing similar things.  Just because you are on Kiefer Sutherland’s co-owned record label, Ironworks, does not automatically make you good.  I was thoroughly under impressed, but I urge you to make your own mind up about him.

Roman Candle should have played the whole night.  Frankly, I think it would have made several other people other than myself happier.  The only thing I would change about their show would be to bring to a smaller, more intimate venue like White Water Tavern.  While they are seriously lovely folks, I’d rather see them at a venue where the crowd could interact with them more.  Other than that one small change, I sincerely hope to see good things happen to this band because they are hardworking, and it most definitely shines through their music.

-L

www.romancandlemusic.com
www.myspace.com/romancandle

(Photo credit unknown)

I have been putting off writing about the Slobberbone show at White Water Tavern now for a while now.  Frankly, I didn’t know if I could do it justice, and I’m personally still not sure I can.

Slobberbone, perhaps the most randomly named, best alt-country band out there, recently reunited for a ten show tour.  Little Rock was their first stop, and I like to think a lot of that had to do with the numerous ties Brent Best has with the place.  One of his best friends, since the age of eight, Kevin Kerby, is here.  Travis Hill is a massive fan and brought them down in conjunction with Last Chance Records.  Lastly I cannot forget the fans.  If it weren’t for the fans that packed the small bar on that Tuesday night, the show would have been missing something.

I knew Slobberbone would draw a crowd.  They broke up in 2005 and some of the members formed The Drams.  I’d seen The Drams & Brent Best’s solo act and knew what I was getting in to.  Well, I thought I did.  

Let me start with the openers first though.  Kevin Kerby + Battery started precisely at 9:45.  I was surprised that the show started only 15 minutes later than the time predicted online.  They performed most of their new album Beautiful & Bright and threw in a few old favorites too.  I was gunning for Kerby’s new song about “Christian boys, their fucking cocaine, and their skinny girl jeans”, but alas that was not on the set list that night.  Perhaps it’ll be next time.  I’m not making that up either, he really does have a song that’s tentatively titled that.  It’s humorous and well written which, if you are a fan of Kerby’s, is expected.  They always put on a great set, and this was actually better because Best was there to egg Kerby on.  

Glossary, a local crowd favorite, from Murfreesboro, TN, took the stage next.  They played a good mix of songs from their albums The Better Angels Of Our Nature and For What I Don’t Become.  They even threw in a few new ones from their forthcoming album Feral Fire.  I’m highly looking forward to it as are a multitude of other diehard fans.  If the new album is anything like Angels… it should be amazing.  Joey & Kelly Kneiser’s vocals are pretty stand out.  Bingham Barnes is an enthusiastic bassist that really shows on stage.  Todd Beene is still one of the most bad ass pedal steel players I’ve seen and their drummer is no slouch either.  Put them all together and you have one hell of a band that I’ll continually go out and support when they come through town.  With sharp lyrics, pretty melodies, and a bit of country twang to spice things up, they certainly form a coherent band that is such a p.  In fewer words, along with Kerby + Battery, they were also perfect openers for the band to come.

Slobberbone formed in 1994.  I feel as if the way of life back then was a bit more laid back and accepting of alt-country.  Denton, TX probably didn’t know what hit them.  Brent Best (pictured) and his motley crew proceeded to crafts some amazing albums.  My personal favorite and the most widely received album in my opinion is 2000’s Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today.  There isn’t a bad song on that album and Slobberbone sure delivered many of them during their nearly 30 song set.  

During the show, there were several childhood Kerby/Best stories exchanged.  One of my old, standby favorites was when Best gave Kerby some more than run of the mill tequila.  Apparently, Kerby vomited so hard that night that he woke his wife up, she came out, took the tequila away from him, and poured it out in front of his face.  I bet that was a priceless night. I love hearing these stories as a glimpse in to the lives of those that I don’t know well.  Also about this time Todd Beene made his way up front and well none of us could quiet him.  He just kept saying in a high-pitched, southern hick voice, “Gimme back my dog.”     Obviously that was in reference to their song with the same title, but Beene was having too much fun pestering Best while he was on stage.

Regardless of all the bantering between audience and musicians, the show was a complete success.  Three of the hardest working bands, that ought to be more popular than they are, delivered literally one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.  I’m still in awe of how great of a show it was, and I must apologize for not being able to convey it in better words.  I really hate to say this phrase, but it must suffice for now, but you just had to be there.

-L