What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1141216
TO ALL TERRIFIC JUNE, JULY & AUGUST 5 to 8 pm The garden will offer entertainment or activities on select evenings. Tuesday, July 16 ArkAnsAuce Concert begins at 7 pm www.bgozarks.org | (479) 750.2620 | 4703 N Crossover Rd | Fayetteville, AR Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Become a member today! TO ALL TERRIFIC TO ALL TERRIFIC www.bgozarks.org | (479) 750.2620 | 4703 North Crossover Rd | Fayetteville, AR Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Become a member today! JULY 14-20, 2019 WHAT'S UP! 7 FAQ 'Group Therapy Tour' Hootie & the Blowfish With Barenaked Ladies WHEN — 7:30 p.m. July 14 WHERE — Walmart AMP in Rogers COST — $129.50 INFO — waltonartscenter.org/AMP, barenakedladies.com Stripping It Down Band lays bare its music and truth JOCELYN MURPHY NWA Democrat-Gazette T yler Stewart wouldn't have thought 30 years into a career with Barenaked Ladies that the band would still be having to prove itself. But he doesn't say this begrudgingly. The four-piece is enjoying the process of winning the audience over night after night as they travel the country with Hootie & the Blowfish on the "Group Therapy Tour." "We've got an hour at the beginning of the show and at the beginning of that hour, people are kind of polite and clapping and taking their seats and trying to balance three beers while they're sitting down," the drummer illustrates. "It gradually builds, and people are on their feet when they hear 'One Week' and then singing along when they hear 'If I Had $1,000,000' and by the end, by the encore, everyone's standing and screaming. And that's pretty rewarding for us to see that build happen in the show, and a reminder that the live show is really our calling card." Stewart points to changes in the industry the band has witnessed over three decades together as the impetus for going all-in on the live shows. That's not to say they haven't continued creating new music since their heyday of the late-1990s to early- 2000s. In fact, the alternative rockers just debuted a stripped-down acoustic EP of songs from their 2017 album "Fake Nudes" titled "Fake Nudes: Naked." It's just that the streaming ways of the world today have shifted the focus for many artists from career- bolstering record (and cassette!) releases to career-maintaining performances. "We've definitely seen that change but what I think is stronger than ever for us is our live show. And really that's the only thing we can control. That's the only aspect of our career that is all us; it's all hands-on. So we put a lot of faith in that, and this summer touring with Hootie has been a great example of that," Stewart shares. That acoustic EP got the foursome back to their roots as they spent time in the quieter side of their music. "We weren't a garage band or a basement band; we were a living room band," Stewart explains with a chuckle about their origin. Steven Page (former member) and Ed Robertson were on acoustic guitars, Jim Creeggan was on acoustic upright bass, Andy Creeggan (also a former member) threw in some congas, and Stewart himself was usually on a suitcase with brushes or a small snare drum, he recalls. "So we've always had this, almost a buskers' ethic in that we can play a song anywhere. I love that. I love that about the band," he enthuses over getting back to the basics. "Because we're so vocally based where we all sing, there's a lot of harmony, group vocals, stuff like that, it comes across well. "So for the percussionist, it's you get to learn how to play quietly, which for a lot of drummers, it's impossible," Stewart adds, laughing. "Could you imagine getting Tommy Lee from the Motley Crue in a room, or Lars (Ulrich) from Metallica, and saying, 'We need you to play quiet'? He'd be like, 'F*** that!' But for me, it's always been part of my requirements and my repertoire for the band to have quieter options." Looking back on the band's touring through the years, Stewart guesses the Ladies have only played in the state of Arkansas two or three times. The most recent of those was when the group "opened" for REO Speedwagon at the 2010 Walmart Shareholders Meeting with a brief set. They're looking forward to getting back to the Natural State, he assures enthusiastically. And, for good measure, quotes REO in making sure Arkansas feels the love ahead of the Ladies' return: "We're gonna keep on loving you, Arkansas. Because it's the only thing we want to do. We don't wanna sleep. We just want to keep on loving you. There's my final quote!" ROGERS Photo courtesy: Matt Barnes Though the title of their latest album, "Fake Nudes," sees Barenaked Ladies' signature wit playing off the current political climate, drummer Tyler Stewart admits the last few years have been tough for everyone. "But I think the main thing is that people can't give up, they can't lose hope. And the things that are good in your life obviously help you do that," he shares on trying remain optimistic. "And sometimes it's right in front of your face, or you have a special place that you go to — whether it be the woods or a cabin or the hockey rink or the baseball diamond or church or whatever it is, you have a place of reflection and also a place of community. So for me, family and community are the most important things to me. And then let's not discount, something very important, which is food. Food is good. Learn how to cook; make delicious food. It's very good. That'll make you happy."