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What I thought would turn out to be a great night quickly went down as one of the worst I’ve ever had at White Water.  I went out to see Ben Nichols (pictured) & Christopher Denny.  I knew Nichols was playing solo, and I was under the impression that Denny’s band would be in tow, but they were nowhere to be seen.  Instead, the packed bar was greeted to one of the more interesting round robin shows I’ve seen. 

Nichols would play a song, and Denny would follow quickly with one of his own.  I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the biggest Denny fan out there, but I give him credit where credit is due.  The one thing I’d forgotten about a show with Nichols headlining was the rabid amount of douchebags he brings out of the woodwork.  I felt like I was a real life part of that one website that chronicles douchebags & the women they date.  For reference it’s here.  It was eerily similar to some of the people on that website.  I know it’s not Nichols’ fault, but man those types are not fun to be around in a small bar considering my friends & I are nothing like them.  However, to each their own.

I saw very quickly that they weren’t there for Denny.  Most everyone just paid attention when Nichols sang Lucero’s bigger hits, Sweet Little Thing, Nights Like These, etc.  Then they would turn around and basically bitch about the fact he was playing his new solo stuff, and that they didn’t really like it.  What’s the point of going to a Nichols show if you aren’t there to hear his solo material?  I mean really. 

I kicked myself out of the bar at around 11:30.  I knew if I didn’t leave the night might end very poorly for me and some unsuspecting person.  I wish I’d stuck around to catch more of the show, but it was just one of the worst, most tension fueled atmospheres I’ve ever been in.  I love White Water, but I just wasn’t feeling it that night.  I hope the next show proves to be less off kilter. 

--L

Last Wednesday night was arguably one of the best shows of the summer.  Yes, I know it’s early, but I don’t think anything in the near future will rival it until Slobberbone takes the stage at White Water on August 11.  Three talented acts took the stage, but I’d really like to focus more on Red Collar (pictured).  

To begin the night, Ben Nichols, the gravelly voiced lead singer of Lucero, took the stage.  At 2:30am Wednesday morning, in a whiskey drunk state, Nichols agreed to play an impromptu solo show.  I didn’t know Todd Beene was going to accompany him therefore making it a non-solo show but you get what I mean.  I should have guessed since Beene is a recent Little Rock transplant from his previous home of Murfreesboro, TN.  Anyways, Nichols played several new Lucero songs, at least one song off his new EP, The Last Pale Light In The West, and a couple old favorites.  The standout new song in my mind was penned about his mother, and I must say I can’t wait to hear that one again.  

To speed things up, and of course out of sequential order, American Aquarium played the last set of the night.  Don’t get me wrong, I love these men, but playing favorites to Little Rock and canceling a prior gig just isn’t professional in my mind.  I believe they should have finished their tour and come back in August when they were scheduled to.  Putting that aside however, even though the crowd was dwindling, they played their hearts out.  Whit Wright is a wizard on the pedal steel.  Their new drummer, Kevin McClain, has already proved his worth and is playing very well with them.  It’s almost like he isn’t the newest member.  AA played a bunch of crowd favorites but tended to stick to the newest material off their latest release, Dances For The Lonely, on Little Rock’s own Last Chance Records.  Those of us who stuck around had a great time, and I’m sure the next will be just as fun.

However, the standout act of the night was Red Collar.  They hail from Durham, North Carolina and are friends with American Aquarium.  That friendship led them down to our humble little town, and in my opinion they will be welcomed back with open arms any time.  They originally played Tuesday night with The Nightmare River Band from NYC, but due to impeccable timing, had no other obligations the next night and convinced White Water to let them play again.  Of course I thought this was a spectacular idea along with several others who’d caught them on Tuesday night.  

I was in awe of them when I saw them several months ago and was highly anticipating their return to White Water.  I really think what caught me by surprise and just roped me in were Jason Kutchma’s gold combat boots with spurs attached by bungee cord.  I mean, who does that these days?  Badasses do apparently!  Nonetheless, with as much energy if not more than the last time I saw them, they rocked the house down.  They have a nice blend of punk influenced rock music. They are lound and in charge, but know how to tone things down when they along with their audience need a breather. Their songs are geared towards those folks who work for a living and the proverbial "losers, dreamers, & the in-betweens."  There is something there for everyone and I think that's why I find them so appealing.

Their first album, Pilgrim, is about as solid as they come.  I haven’t found a song on it that I don’t like, and that makes me really happy.  Several of the songs are infectious and you can’t help but keep time with them.  Trust me, they’re even more so in person.  I found myself dancing along more to some of their songs because of the energy they instilled in those watching them, and it sounds corny to say this, but I love when bands are able to accomplish such a feat.

Just to add a bit of character reference, the members of Red Collar made plans with a mutual friend & I to eat lunch at Vino’s on Thursday.  Our friend couldn’t make it and it ended up being just the five of us.  Beth, Jason, Mike, & Jon are beyond nice.  We ate lunch and just talked for over an hour, and it was just neat to hear some of their stories involving winters in the north, craziness in North Carolina, and whatever else we cared to talk about.  The best thing about the day was that they allowed me, someone they don’t really know at all, to hang out and enjoy one of the best places to grab a slice of pizza in town.  They’ve made such a great impression on me, personally & musically, that I can’t wait until their next visit to Little Rock.  

--L


P.S. On a semi-related sidenote, I apologize for not keeping the gallery up to date.  I have painstakenly decided to just start from this date forward.  I'm sorry if I left your show out, but chances are sometime in the near future you'll make your way back.