WEDNESDAY 10/24
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD
9 p.m. Juanita's. $12.
Jeff the Brotherhood is Jake and Jamin Orrall, two brothers out of Nashville who have been around for about a decade, but have getting lots of media attention since rocking SXSW a couple of years back. This tour is to promote their sixth album and first release for Warner Bros., "Hypnotic Nights." On the opening track, "Country Life," they sing about drinking, swimming in the creek and smoking meat, which means they'll probably feel right at home here. They're the sons of country-pop singer, songwriter and producer Robert Ellis Orral. With their muscle shirts, lanky frames, shaggy hair and all-around scruffiness, these guys have a look that recalls Drag City, circa 1992. But their album is largely radio friendly pop. It's catchy and upbeat, with "ooh-oohs" aplenty, more Weezer than Royal Trux. If we're lucky, they'll toss a few of their earlier songs into the mix. That stuff has more feedback, more noise and more punk appeal. CF
THURSDAY 10/25
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
8 p.m. Verizon Arena. $38-$58.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers weren't the first outfit to mix the free-floating fury and distorted guitars of punk with the slap-bass thumping and sweaty grooves of funk (see Exhibit A: Gang of Four). But without question, they're the biggest-selling and most popular group ever to cross those particular streams. I was introduced to the Chili Peppers hit by Mike, my old junior high chum who was always one step ahead of everyone else. He had a cassette of "Mothers' Milk" that we listened to at his house. It wasn't speed metal or thrash metal or death metal, so I pretty much ignored it. But shortly thereafter, "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" came out and before you could say "Give-it-away-now," it had become the inescapable party soundtrack for all the cool kids. That was more than two decades ago, and back then I'd never have imagined that the Chili Peppers would still be going all the way in 2012 (Is that really even going to be a year? Won't we all just have jetpacks and flying cars by then?). They just seemed so combustible, with their wacky costumes and their drug problems and their outsized personalities and their generally libidinous, freaky-styley ways. They had their challenges and setbacks, sure. But here it is, 2012, and here they are, not only survivors, but respected elder statesmen of the rock landscape. Opening the show is session badass, avant-pop/funk bassist and Flying Lotus collaborator Stephen Bruner, a.k.a. Thundercat. RB
FRIDAY 10/26
ARKANSAS PUZZLE DAY 2012
4:30 p.m. Clinton School. Free.
OK, all you crossword-obsessed puzzle geeks, put down that Sudoku for just a sec and listen up, because The Clinton School has a big treat in store for you: The Sixth Annual Arkansas Puzzle Day. There will be crossword and Sudoku competitions and a presentation by puzzle creator David Kwong, who has masterminded brain-bending games for the New York Times, L.A. Times and many other national publications. The puzzle contests start at 4:30 p.m., and at 6 p.m., Kwong — who is also an illusionist who has collaborated with David Copperfield — will present a "multi-media, puzzle-themed magic show." Call 501-683-5239 to reserve seats. RB
FRIDAY 10/26-SATURDAY 10/27
WHITE WATER TAVERN HALLOWEEN COVERUP
9:30 p.m. White Water Tavern. $5.
The great Halloween tradition of dressing up like another band and playing a bunch of their songs continues this week. If you've never been to a coverup show, let me tell you, it's nearly always a great time. Obviously, it helps if you're a fan of the band being coverupped, and this year, White Water Tavern has two nights lined up, with folks from local bands taking on some pretty legendary bands. On Friday, The Wicked Good and Bryan Frazier take on The Smashing Pumpkins, while The Canehill Engagement brings us the hits from those sublimely maudlin Mancs, The Smiths, and Matt Quinn, David Slade and Adam Sweet tackle the timeless pop-punk of Jawbreaker. On Saturday, Big Silver, Norman Williamson and Phillip Huddleston bring the Boss, and The See's Joe Yoder and Eric Morris, along with Gaines Fricke, James Szenher and Charles Lyford take on Pearl Jam's catalog. RB
More by Robert Bell
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'Doubt' at the Weekend Theater
Also, Travs home opener, the Ozark Foothills Filmfest, Little Rock Startup Weekend at the Clinton School, the Designers Choice Fashion Preview at the Metroplex, Amp Out Alz at Revolution, Futurebirds and The Whigs at Stickyz.
- Apr 4, 2013
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2013 AT Showcase Round 5 roundup: The Sound of the Mountain
The Sound of the Mountain won Round 5 of the Showcase.
- Feb 25, 2013
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More by David Koon
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Friday-Sunday To-Do: Little Rock Horror Picture Show
The Little Rock Horror Picture Show is Friday through Sunday.
- Mar 21, 2013
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Happy Birthday, Johnny Cash
It's Johnny Cash's birthday today, so here's the Man in Black and Co. singing "Ring of Fire" live at Cummins Penitentiary in 1969.
- Feb 26, 2013
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More by Cheree Franco
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Sentencing in Arkansas Tech hazing case
Four men initially charged with second degree battery in an Arkansas Tech hazing case that we reported on in September have pled guilty to a lesser charge of violation of hazing and were sentenced to 90 days probation.
- Jan 11, 2013
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Cosmetic lenses do damage
A Hot Springs woman could lose an eye.
- May 30, 2012
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Arkansas's online checkbook goes live Sunday
At midnight Sunday, July 1, the first tier of the Arkansas Department of Finance’s new “online checkbook” will be available to the public.
- Jun 27, 2012
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Latest in To-Do List
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Mary Gauthier at White Water Tavern
Also, Flowing on the River at the River Market Pavilions, Mad Nomad at White Water Tavern, 7th Street Underground Festival, Collective Soul at the Timberwood Amphitheater and 'Clockwork Orange' at Vino's.
- May 23, 2013
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Tom Keifer at Revolution
Also, 'J Dilla Change My Life' at The Joint, Nathaniel Rich at South on Main, Good Time Ramblers at Stickyz, 607 Presents: Block Monster Party at Revolution, Running of the Tubs in Hot Springs and 'Buzz-B-Q' at the North Little Rock RV Park.
- May 16, 2013
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Ben Taylor at Juanita's
Also, Thick Syrup Anniversary Shows at White Water Tavern, 'The Main Thing: Wiener Day at the Rollercade' at the Joint, Ola Podrida at Vino's, Arkansas Delta Rockabilly Festival, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at Robinson Center Music Hall and Kvelertak at Downtown Music.
- May 9, 2013
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