I must have missed the memo that said all of Little Rock would be staying at home or leaving town, but not getting out ON the town on Thursday. Only a handful of folks made the Big Thursday show, and maybe the crowds starting getting out late, but club proprietors down President Clinton Avenue seemed to be standing around waiting for the crowd around 8-ish last night.
The biggest disappointment for me was seeing Big Thursday, which used to be called Big Downtown Thursday and would draw hundreds of folks under both River Market pavilions, barely attended yesterday. Great weather, great music, free admission, cheap beer — what more could you ask for? I can promise you, I’ve seen hundreds upon hundreds of folks turn out for music that was pure shit compared to what was on the stage yesterday. I realize I can’t hold a gun to your heads and insist you check this band or that band out, I can only hope you trust suggestions from this end, but you did really miss a good band from Denton, Texas, yesterday in Ben Zephyr.
If you’re like the typical Central Arkansan music fan who needs to know “what they are like,” I’d say that Ben Zephyr has a little bit of Live in its modern-rock sound, and maybe some 3 Doors Down influence. But it’s original, and good, and the band’s “Red Means Go” CD is chockfull of good tunes. One, “Beetle Therapy,” is getting airplay on Clear Channel stations in West Texas.
Good news is, you have a chance to check out Ben Zephyr again tonight, as the quintet is playing at West End Grill and Tavern on Shackleford. Showtime is 10 p.m. You won’t be disappointed.
Meanwhile, the River Market clubs have lots to offer again tonight. It may be wet out this evening, but a little rain never hurt anyone, especially since most of your time will be indoors.