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I’ve noticed this trend with superb shows being booked in the latter half of the week.  Recently, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, The Revival Tour, and Bishop Allen all were booked on Sundays.  Mondays are a second runner up with booking some of the best artists you may or may not have heard about.  Regardless, if I don’t keep my eyes open, I miss these amazing opportunities.  Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack, located in down town Little Rock, has been the best about these shows.  I don’t know many other places, which would book or are able to do so on those particular days.

This past Monday was a shining example of the excellent booking prowess at the above venue.  The double bill show is quickly becoming my favorite type at Stickyz, featured A.A. Bondy (pictured) and Elvis Perkins In Dearland.  I had heard some of Bondy’s material before through his album American Hearts. Needless to say, I loved it directly off the bat.  I haven’t actually heard his new full length, When The Devil’s Loose, in its entirety, but I’m sure it’s great. 

 Auguste Arthur Bondy chooses to go by A.A.  Personally I think the moniker there suits him way more so than going up to him and calling him Auguste.  He seems like a good old down home kind of guy, and I saw afterwards online that he was indeed from Alabama.  There’s almost something a bit intimidating about him but in a good way.  I was definitely thrilled to see that he was slated to play first of the night.

Bondy, whiskey in hand, came up on stage with his full band in tow.  I was unable to hear the names of his bassist or pedal steel/drummer, but they needed a mention because they were such a lovely addition to the set.  With one of the most coherent, fluid sound checks out of the way, they started.

I have never seen someone play a guitar with such nimble fingers as Bondy.  It almost seemed like he wasn’t even playing if that makes sense.  He played so delicately, yet hard enough to get his point across. When I first heard him about a year ago, I immediately made the comparison to Jeff Buckley in the sense that his music is extremely haunting as well.  Bondy’s voice is not one I could easily forget, which in my mind is one of the best things about a songwriter, or storyteller, as I like to refer to some of them as.  His voice is velvety soft, with enough edge to bring you back to reality and leave you wanting more.

With songs ranging from life to loss and the in between, there is something everyone can relate to.  Each song is crafted and executed so well that you cannot take your eyes off of him.  He grabs you by your imaginary horns, dances around with your emotions, and doesn’t let you go until he’s done.  I loved that about his set, and am eagerly waiting for the next time I get to see him solo or not.   

Elvis Perkins In Dearland, hailing from the Hudson River Valley in New York, is a gloriously talented quartet.  Elvis Perkins, an oddly dapper, mustachioed man, came up to the stage to back up Bondy on a song.  The rest of his band quickly followed.  They closed out his set, and then proceeded to load in to the stage. 

Perkins and his motley crew of men, with a tendency towards unkempt hair & paisley patterns, have perfected their brand of folk rock infused with humming, gospel refrains which they encourage the audience to sing along to, and a two-piece horn section.  It was certainly an entertaining show.  I hadn’t quite heard anything like that recently, so it was refreshing when they asked us to sing along to the some of the songs. 

They seemed like genuinely nice guys who had a seriously familiar grip on each instrument they played.  While I’m still not as familiar with EPID as I’d like to be, I’m going to be looking in to them more.  Coupled with Bondy, they made for one unforgettable Monday night show.  Here’s hoping I see both of them again some time in the future, and if you haven’t checked out either of these two bands, please do.  I highly doubt you’d be disappointed. 

 
-L

www.myspace.com/aabondy
www.myspace.com/elvisperkinsindearland

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