UA rock lover shares insight on local music scene

By: Amanda Wells

Posted: 8/22/07

As an avid fan of local music, especially the local metal scene, I know a lot of musicians in the Fayetteville area. I don't say this to brag, though. If you knew the people I'm talking about, you wouldn't brag about it. Actually, you'd probably do as I do and pretend you don't recognize them when you see them in public.

I only mention this as a sort of disclaimer: The writer of this column might or might not know members of the bands mentioned herein, and therefore any recommendations concerning said bands should be taken with a grain of salt.

That said, I should also let my readers know that I don't consider myself a music guru of any sort. I know what I like, and this is my opportunity to share my opinion with a semi-captive audience. What more could I ask for?

My column will deal primarily with local bands and local shows, for two reasons. First of all, I'm sure my dear readers don't want to be pelted with information about far-away shows that they did not, cannot or will not attend. But more importantly, I'm a poor college student and I don't have the time or the money to go to those far-away shows very often.

When I do have the time and money, however, reason No. 2 for writing about local shows can and will be suspended. This is one of those instances:

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to witness the glory of three days full of performances by more '80s rockers than I could count, only a two-hour drive from Fayetteville. The anticipation of seeing that many spandex-clad men with Aqua-net hair was grueling, but Rocklahoma was well worth the wait.

The four-day-long festival that took place outside Pryor, Okla., in mid-July was obviously a gift bestowed upon rock fans by a loving, merciful god. The audience was a virtual sea of sin, but some higher power saw fit to allow the festivities to continue anyway.

The sins of the concertgoers did not go without punishment, however. Crippling headaches rained down upon those who spent too much time at the VIP beer tent. And, oh, the horrors that befell those who engaged in fornication! I can hardly bring myself to mention what those poor fools had to endure … gonorrhea … syphilis … the horror of waking up next to the unwashed roadie of a has-been '80s rocker…

But the rest of us had a swell time. According to the Rocklahoma Web site, about 100,000 fans from all 50 states and countries as far away as Australia and Japan descended upon a field outside the small Oklahoma town of Pryor to experience a flashback to the days when it was perfectly OK to wear spandex in public.

Poison, Vince Neil and Twisted Sister headlined the show, but my personal favorites were LA Guns, Dokken and Skid Row (even without original singer Sebastian Bach.) Rumor has it Iron Maiden and Judas Priest will be performing next year, but the list of bands for Rocklahoma 2008 has not been released yet.

If you didn't go this year, go next year. Don't argue, just do it. Tickets should go on sale soon at www.RockFeverFest.com.

In the meantime, there are plenty of shows to choose from in Fayetteville this week. Here are my top picks:

Several local bands and DJs will be teaming up for a three-day fundraiser at The Dart Room on College Avenue this weekend. The shows will benefit the club, which has experienced some money woes because of a recent robbery and other problems, said owner John Faubus.

The event will start Thursday night with Genome Chomsky, Burn it Like a Church and The Family Dogs. It will continue Friday at 5 p.m. with Esper Machine, The Reticent, and Vessels of Wrath playing outside to an all-ages crowd and, at 11 p.m., Das Gift and GUN! will play on the inside stage. Saturday is metal night, with Open Addiction, Dragon Sunday, Chemical Discipline and Everyday Disciple. For more information about this event, visit www.TheDartRoom.com.

Also this weekend, Dickson Street clubs George's Majestic Lounge and The Gypsy each have events planned to bring in the new school year.

Thursday will be George's "Back to Class Scion Bash," featuring Benjamin Del Shreve, A Good Fight and the.radio.sky. The "Back to Class Red Dirt Bash" takes place Saturday with Eli Brown, Wade Bowen, Bleu Edmondson and Solomon's Vine. You must be 18-years-old to attend these shows. Visit George's Web site at www.GeorgesMajesticLounge.com for more information.

The Gypsy's back-to-school party will take place Saturday, with local band Phase One presenting a tribute to Sublime. For more information, visit www.TheGypsyonDickson.com.

There is a local band to suit most everyone's taste. So, no matter what flavor you prefer, be sure to sink your teeth into some local music this week. You'll be happy you did.

Amanda Wells the editor of The Arkansas Traveler her music column appears every other wednesday.