Lovedrug, an indie progressive rock band that has drawn favorable comparisons to such acts as Muse, Queen and Radiohead, will appear at Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom on Thursday, May 19.
The band, based out of Canton, Ohio, has had a revolving line-up since its 2002 inception, and the group now consists of founding member and vocalist/front man Michael Shepard, guitarist David Owen, bassist Matthew Depper and drummer Matthew Putman. Lovedrug is reportedly in negotiations with Columbia Records, with speculation that Columbia will re-release the group’s debut album, “Pretend You’re Alive,” which was independently released last July.
Chase Pagan and Dan Dyer open the show at 8:30 p.m., and tickets are $8. The venue states on its web site that Lovedrug’s last appearance sold out.
Texas-based nu-metal band Element 80 is the headliner at Juanita’s on Saturday, May 21, with a new, self-titled album in tow. But appearing as an opening act is Mourningside, the new side project of Evanescence members John LeCompt and Rocky Gray. Evanescence is currently on touring hiatus while preparing songs for its follow-up to the multi-platinum “Fallen.” Mourningside played its first public gig May 15 at the Pointfest 17 show in St. Louis with some of the bigger names in heavy rock (Breaking Benjamin, Sum 41, Story of the Year, Unwritten Law, the Exies).
Local metal band Temper Effect, an Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase finalist in March, starts the show at 9:30 p.m. The cover is $7.
Leftover Salmon guitarist/vocalist/washboard player Vince Herman will appear on Tuesday, May 24, at Sticky Fingerz as part of the club’s “Roots in the Rock” series. Herman played in the Left Hand String Band and the Salmonheads before starting Leftover Salmon with Drew Emmitt in 1990. Cover charge is $5, and an act not announced as of press time will open at 8 p.m.
The conceptual rock band Of Montreal offers a poppy, sunny execution of its music with psychedelic undertones and has just released a CD called “The Sunlandic Twins.” The quintet, together since 1997, has released earlier albums with very interesting titles, including “Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse,” “The Gay Parade” and “Satanic Panic in the Attic.” Of Montreal appears at Sticky Fingerz on Thursday, May 19, along with Tilly and the Wall and Heber Springs-based Grand Serenade. Admission is $10. Showtime is 9 p.m.
There’s not much that hasn’t already been said in these pages and elsewhere about beloved New Orleans rock band Cowboy Mouth, led by drummer/singer Fred LeBlanc. Cowboy Mouth is known for its positive, good-feeling rock shows, and this upcoming one at Sticky Fingerz on Friday, May 20, is likely to sell out.
Tickets are $15. The Outlaws will open at 10 p.m.
Expect vintage Cajun swing and waltzes, accordion dancehall tunes and blues when the Lost Bayou Ramblers play at Sticky Fingerz on Saturday, May 21. The Ramblers are a throwback old-time band that performs mostly in French, and they have a debut release titled “Pilette Breakdown.” There will be no opening act for the 9:30 p.m. show, and the cover is $5.
After the Tragedy, a group of young local Christian hard rockers, have completed their latest album, “The Beautiful Brand New,” at Blue Chair Studios and will have their CD release party on Saturday, May 21 at Vino’s Brewpub. The members are Jon Barrington (lead guitar), Joel Taylor (vocalist), Kody Knight (drums), James Taylor (rhythm guitar) and Aaron Newton (bass). Their ages range from 16 to 23. The new album features Matt Baird, the lead singer of local hardcore and Dove Award nominee Spoken. Opening at 8:30 p.m. will be India, followed by Autumn Trajectory. Admission is $5.
Flogging Molly, which mixes Irish traditional ballads and instruments with punk rock, will appear at Vino’s on Monday, May 23. Dave King, vocalist and guitarist of the group, says, “If you take away the guitars and drums, this would be a nice little Irish folk band. Take away the fiddle, mandolin and accordion and Flogging Molly would be one hardcore punk band.”
The early 7 p.m. show will open with Orange County-based punks Bullets and Octane. Admission is $12.
Spookie Daly Pride, a kooky, energetic four-piece rock outfit that delves into ragtime, surf, soul and other musical genres, will appear at Sticky Fingerz on Wednesday, May 25. The group consists of gruff-voiced pianist Spookie Daly, bassist Floyd Kellog and drummer Tommy Diehl, along with guest musician Pete Witham. NRBQ, Louis Prima and the Muppet Band are among the band members’ influences, they say. Admission is $8, and showtime is 9 p.m.

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