“Hold Your Head High,” say the Heartless Bastards. Fans of the band can pick their chin up a bit because the group is coming to Fayetteville next year.

Some bands are best described as folk rock, some are indie rock and others still are blues rock or psychedelic rock or even others are Celtic-West African-noise-etc… rock.

And the Heartless Bastards? Somewhere right around rock rock. The Ohio band will make their way to George’s Majestic Lounge for a show on March 8, it was recently announced. Tickets are on sale now through the venue and are $10.

The Old 78's

Go to a record store and look for old tunes, and you’re likely to find some — if you consider 1950 old.

For players like Curly Miller and Carole Anne Rose, that’s not nearly far enough. As the driving force behind the quartet The Old 78′s, the Northwest Arkansas residents are interested in many genres, none of which can be found in conventional music stores. They mine from genres such as ragtime, Charleston and early jazz. They are also interested in the instruments that created those sounds: gut-string banjos, banjo-mandolins and banjeaurines.

With musicians Ray Palmer and Melanie Palmer, they’ve assembled and 18-track collection of songs that will be released Sunday (Dec. 4) at Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville. The event begins at 5 p.m., with music about an hour later. Featured on the menu that night will be shiitake mushrooms, which Miller and Rose grow on their farm near Kingston and sell to local restaurants and grocery stores. Admission to the concert is $5.

The album, “The Women Wear No Clothes At All,” has largely been recorded in the past year. It features Miller’s arrangements of old time tunes — from about 1880 to 1930 — and guest work from artists such as Clarke Buehling and members of the band Shout Lulu. You can read more in my story about The Old 78′s that was published today in What’s Up! [Note: Subscriber content]

Before you go, listen to a track from the new recording. It’s called “Beaver Slide Rag,” and it was originally recorded by Peg Leg Howell & His Gang in 1927.

Beaver Slide Rag

Randall Shreve & The Sideshow

Randall Shreve has made a couple albums before, both for national touring acts and as a frontman.

But he’s never made an album like “The Jester,” the album he’ll officially release Saturday night (Oct. 22) at George’s Majestic Lounge.

In many ways that’s a surprising statement, considering it shares many elements with his previous release, “The Entertainer.” They are both best described as “vaudeville rock,” a blend of rock ‘n’ roll and a circus-like atmosphere of multiple instruments and emotions.

Shreve moved from New York City to Fayetteville about three years ago to start a music career here just like his younger brother, Benjamin Del Shreve, has done.

But the elder Shreve has continued on his own path, assembling a backing band called The Sideshow and touring the region. Shreve sat down with me recently to discuss making an album with a full band, his songwriting process and why he thinks his music is better suited for film than radio. You can read my full report here, if you’re a subscriber to the Northwest Arkansas Media group newspapers or its online products.

Admission to Saturday night’s 9 p.m. show is $6.

If you’d like to sample a track from the new album before you go, try “The Ghost,” found below in music video format.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yonder Mountain String Band photo by Tobin Voggesser

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely already missed them once. Yonder Mountain String Band performed last night (Oct. 13) at Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Music Festival, which continues through Sunday (Oct. 16) near Ozark.

That’s okay, though. You’ve still got two more times to catch them. They play again at 9:30 p.m. today (Oct. 14) and tomorrow (Oct. 15), both times on the festival’s main stage.

Yonder members Dave Johnston and Jeff Austin joined me on a conference call to describe their partnership with Harvest Fest, which for many years just that — Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival. Yonder Mountain teamed up with the organizers in 2010, and the partnership continues this year for what is expected to be the best-attended Harvest Fest yet.

Yonder says they hope to create a positive vibe at the festival, one that can be fun and appeal to diverse, kid-friendly crowds but still attract top-tier performers. Read all about Yonder’s plans for the festival by checking out our What’s Up! section, out today in Northwest Arkansas Media newspapers, or online.

As you read this, we’re already at the festival. Keep checking for reviews and photos from the event.

In case you want to check it out for yourself, tickets start at $125 (including camping) for a three-day pass good for today through Sunday. There are several other ticket passes available.

400 Blows

So, it’s Saturday night. The Arkansas-Auburn game is over, and you’re looking for a place to celebrate (or, and let’s hope not, mourn).

What to do?

How about some live music?

Well…

More than dozen years after forming, Los Angeles group 400 Blows maintains their punk rock origins. The band, which performs Saturday (Oct. 8) at The Lightbulb Club in downtown Fayetteville, released their latest album, “Sickness and Health,” on Aug. 23. Potions open. The show will begin about 10 p.m. with opening act Potions. Admission is $5.

Looking for something else this weekend? George’s has the Cate Brothers Band for Happy Hour (6-8 p.m.) on Friday (Oct. 7) and a band that has some ties to the Cates, The Eoff Brothers Band, is booked for JJ’s Grill and Chill in Fayetteville on Saturday night. You could also find Tinhorn Molly and Cletus Got Shot on Saturday at Smoke & Barrel.

There’s also the Needtobreathe concert tonight at the Arkansas Music Pavilion. We’ll have more on that later.

See you at a show?

Blue October

Just two months after the release of ther No. 1 charting rock album “Any Man in America,” Texas modern rockers Blue October will be visiting Fayetteville for a show at George’s Majestic Lounge. The veteran rockers are also known for the song “Hate Me” and appearances on several soundtracks. Tickets for the 9:30 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 4) show are $25 and are available through the venue or its website.

Blackberry Winter

If you’ve watched the movie “Winter’s Bone” (and if you haven’t, you certainly should), then you know that music plays a strong role in the award-winning film.

The lead sequence starts with “Missouri Waltz,” a heartbreaking song. Later, the protagonist, Ree Dolly (played by Jennifer Lawrence), stumbles upon a birthday party bluegrass jam as she searches for her missing father.

Much of the film’s music comes courtesy of Missouri band Blackberry Winter, a group of musicians from West Plains. They are also featured in the birthday party scene.

Marideth Sisco, vocalist for the group, explained to me how she and her colleagues in the band got involved with the film and the how the music was selected. She also discusses her band’s “The Amazing Geriatric Hillbilly U.S. World Tour,” which brings them to Eureka Springs on Saturday (Aug. 20) as the headliners of the Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival.

You can read my story featuring Sisco, if you’re a subscriber to this newspaper or its digital products.

Blackberry Winter performs Saturday at Basin Spring Park in Eureka. They’ll be joined by several other acts such as Mountain Sprout and The Hogscalders during the course of the festival, which begins Friday (Aug. 19) and continues through Sunday (Aug. 21).

Admission is free.

Here’s Sisco and friends singing “Missouri Waltz”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The B-52s

At a press conference this morning (April 20) at George’s Majestic Lounge, officials with the AMP announced several new shows for the Arkansas Music Pavilion, the open-air venue located in the parking lot at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville.

The new events come in addition to several shows that have already been announced, which include a Friday (April 22) night set by Pretty Lights, a May 1 appointment with Lucinda Williams and a May 27 appearance by Primus, among other shows.

Newly announced shows for the AMP are:

June 10 — David Crowder Band

July 1 — Rodney Carrington

July 14 — B-52s (with openers Ultra Suede)

July 29 — Chris Young

Charlie Daniels

Aug. 2 — Charlie Daniels Band

Sept. 28 — Candlebox

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday (April 22) through the Walton Arts Center (which purchased the venue in February of this year) box office, its website or by calling 443-5600.

More artists are expected to be announced soon.

Zac Brown Band

It’s a good time to be a member of the Zac Brown Band.

And, a very busy time.

The group is launching a tour that includes an April 15 stop on Mulberry Mountain, which is located about 15 miles north of Ozark on Arkansas 23. After that tour concludes, they’ll join Kenny Chesney for a series of dates in this country and the Kings of Leon for several European gigs.

All of this comes as the band makes appearances on award shows such as the Academy of Country Music Awards, like on April 3, where the band played with James Taylor in addition to picking up an award for Vocal Collaboration of the Year for the song “As She’s Walking Away,” which was recorded with Alan Jackson.

Because of their schedule, neither Brown or any of the other band members could sit down for a phone conversation, but Coy Bowles, organist and guitarist for Zac Brown Band, was able to answer a few questions for us. We talked to him about life on the road, overnight success and his favorite artists, and you can read the full transcript below.

But first, a little bit more about the show. It begins at 7 p.m. April 15, and tickets are currently onsale for $39.50-$60. There are also camping permits available, or you can arrive onsite early (or stay late) and hear from local musicians such as Sarah Hughes, Big Smith and Charliehorse. You can get tickets online, or at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, Papa’s Pub in Fort Smith and White Oak Grocery in Ozark.

Now, for a video version of “Colder Weather” (co-written by Coy Bowles) as the group performed at the ACM Awards Ceremony with Taylor and that Q&A with Bowles:

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Up!: You got the chance to perform with James Taylor last night at the ACM Awards Ceremony. Was Taylor someone you admired growing up?

Coy Bowles: I admired him very much growing up. I taught guitar lessons right (out of) college and (Taylor’s song) ‘Fire and Rain’ was one of the tunes I used to teach my students finger-style guitar. I taught that tune to hundreds of students. I never got burnt on it and I gained respect for the song and Mr. Taylor with every student I taught it to.

WU: What artists do influence your playing?

CB: I’m personally influenced by a wide variety of artists. As far as vocalists go Ray Charles is the best and baddest to ever live. Guitar would be Stone Gossard and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, Jimmy Herring, Grant Green, Sean Costello and Oliver Wood. Songwriting would be everyone from Ryan Adams and Jason Isbell to Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone.

WU: You did pick up an award, for Vocal Event of the Year, which you can add to your ever-growing list of accolades. Did you envision this kind of success when you first started together as a band?

CB: I think we knew that something was going to happen. Every member of the band has been a band leader in the past. So everyone knows what it takes to grind it out on the road fronting your own project. It’s like we have a den full if lions who aren’t competing for food. With that said in the beginning we all knew that this project was something to dedicate our lives to. We also knew that people liked what we were doing and were drawn to our musical expressions. But to answer the question: Did I think I’d have two Grammys, ACM awards, a number one album, number one songs, sold out crowds in arenas and stadiums and get to play with my hereos like James Taylor? I’ll let you know when I wake up. Haha.

WU: You’ve done many collaborations, both at shows like the ACM and onstage. Is there an artists you’d love to jam with but haven’t yet?

CB: Oh man I have a big bucket list of musicians I’d love to collaborate with.  There was talks of us sitting in with the Allman Brothers earlier this year. (That) didn’t happen but that would be my personal biggest wish. We talked to Brad Paisley last night backstage at the ACMs about coming out and sitting in. I’d like to collaborate with Paul McCartney. I love the Beatles. Who doesn’t love the Beatles though and Paul was always my favorite. Sting would be another good choice.

WU: Success came fast and furiously after a few years under the radar. Do you think it’s changed the way the band operates?

CB: There are definitely more people around and everyone is busier now. But overall I’d say we haven’t changed really at all. We still laugh a lot and are always up to no good with some inside joke. Zac has always been very serious about hiring people he can trust and people who are going to be a part of the family. We are as tight with our crew as we are as a band. I think it would be different if there were people coming and going and the organization wasn’t so family oriented.

WU: You’ve got a few headlining dates before you join Kenny Chesney for several shows. What can you do as a headliner that you aren’t able to do when combined with other artists?

CB: When we do a ZBB show it’s like playing to people who really love what you do and they have let the music infiltrate their lives and they send that energy back to the stage when we play. But Kenny has hardcore fans as well and he treats his fans with the most respect. I have a lot of love for Kenny Chesney. He’s a really good guy and he’s been a very good friend to us. His band is the best as well.

WU: You’ve earned a reputation as a great live band. Is that where your heart is, or would you rather be known for great studio albums? Or, are the two mutually exclusive?

CB: They are related but like apples and oranges. You have to come see us to really get what the deal is but we pride ourselves (in having spent) years of our lives in the studio understanding and perfecting the art of recording music.

John Hopkins and Clay Cook have made a living for years as being two of Atlanta’s best studio engineers. We are constanly in the studio doing projects whether (it) be recording with the artists on Southern Grounds Artists, Inc., or doing our own personal albums. Clay and I just finished my new album called “Love Takes Flight.” Spending that much time with him in the studio is going to make the next ZBB album that much better.

John also helped sing on and edit some of the tracks. We stay busy playing live and in the studio. I think you have to service your fans with both or you aren’t doing your job to your best ability.

WU: What’s the next big step for the Zac Brown Band?

CB: The next thing is to bring the live show to the fans in a way that has never been done before. We are bringing the best up-and-coming bands we can find to open for us! We are stepping up the stage and light show to a whole other level. And last but not least we are going to provide gourmet Southern food to our fans so they sit back and get amazed with their bellies full.  Integrating food into the show like this has never been done before and I think the fans are gonna love it.

The Pink Floyd Experience. All photos by KEVIN KINDER, NWA Media.

What the Pink Floyd Experience is doing on their current tour, which stopped at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville last night (March 18), is either very bold or very foolish.

Frankly, I’m not convinced which one it is.

The concert was a tale of two halves, with the first 40 minutes dedicated to “Animals,” the 1977 Pink Floyd album that the Pink Floyd Experience, a San Diego-based tribute band, played in its entirety.

Drummer John Staten

Here’s what made it a less-than-expected move: “Animals” does it contain one of the many classic rock radio singles that the original band is so loved for. And, at its essence, isn’t that what a tribute band is all about, to make us remember the reasons we fell in love with the band in the first place?

The elements of Pink Floyd were there, mostly. The musicianship was superb, particularly the interplay between lead guitarist and bandleader Tom Quinn and bass player Gus Beaudoin. The lights and dramatic mood shifts of Floyd’s cynical tunes were there, too, although, like so many Pink Floyd cover bands (and I’ve watched a few), the vocals of Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Roger Waters are tough to duplicate precisely.

So, what inspired the Pink Floyd Experience to perform some of Floyd’s most difficult and depressing music? Perhaps they’ve tired of performing just the hits. Maybe they wanted the challenge. Or, there might be some reason I’ve yet to consider. I suspect, without knowing the material on “Animals” as well as I do many of Pink Floyd’s other works, that Pink Floyd Experience played it precisely and played it with aplomb. I suspect only hardcore Floyd fans, those who’ve listened to every album and bootleg a hundred times over, know that for sure.

But it wasn’t what I came to see, and judging by how little reaction the crowd gave it (although each song got a warm round of applause at its conclusion), it wasn’t what everyone else came to see either.

Vocalist Howard Pattow, center, with multi-instrumentalist Jesse Molloy

That point was demonstrated with the second half, as the band built passion with a string of hits such as “Have a Cigar,” “Time” and “Money.” Even still, it wasn’t much of a singalong environment, and most fans sat fairly motionless at their seats as a few mouthed along the lyrics they knew.

But by they time the band deployed a remote controlled inflatable pig, the capacity crowd was largely on its feet, giving the Pink Floyd Experience one of the two standing ovations they would receive during the course of the evening. There were other highlights during the evening, especially a spot-on take of the first five parts of the song “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”

But I couldn’t help think it could’ve been better, and that’s a thought based solely on song selection. Aside from the strange inclusion of the whole “Animals” album (why not “The Wall”?), the band led us to believe they were going to play the classic Floyd song “Wish You Were Here” as a man dressed in light bulbs and carrying an umbrella – a reference to the “Wish You Were Here” album art – came out during a sequence of lightning and thunder, just as the track opens on the album. Except, they didn’t play it, instead running the umbrella man off the stage and starting into “Comfortably Numb.”

That was a disappointment, considering I’d had much rather heard it, or “Hey You” or “Us and Them” or “Young Lust,” than any of the movements from “Animals.”

It should also tell you a little bit about what I thought of the band, too. I enjoyed them enough to want to hear their take on some of the classics, but didn’t get them.

It comes down to personal preference, and I suspect there were some that got exactly what they wanted from this show. There were also some who started to leave as the concert sailed past the two-hour mark. And that question remains: Which is the better tribute – playing the hits we all know and love, or testing the limits of fandom and musicianship with something more challenging? Pink Floyd themselves might opt for the latter, but I wanted something else.

Setlist: From “Animals” 1) Pigs on the Wing 1; 2) Dogs; 3) Pigs (Three Different Ones); 4) Sheep; 5) Pigs on the Wing 2;

— Intermission —

6) Learning to Fly; 7) Have a Cigar; 8) Time; 9) Money; 10) Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts I-V; 11) Let There Be More Light; 12) Echoes; 13) Any Colour You Like; 14) Brain Damage/Eclipse; 15) Comfortably Numb; 16) Run Like Hell; 17) Another Brick in the Wall