Blue Jeans Classics: The Florida Orchestra presents Simple Gifts The Orchestra continues its offshoot Blue Jeans Classics series with Simple Gifts, a program that emphasizes pristine melody and the beauty of understatement over more technically ambitious pieces. Please wear a shirt with at least short sleeves, and remember — at events such as this, the thick-ass chain goes on the inside. (Dec. 20, Coliseum)
Jes' Grew Tony Green — guitarist, nationally known music critic and host of Community Radio WMNF-88.5's Grooves show (Sat., 9-11 p.m.) — unveils his new band, which puts a unique skew on Island sounds. Jes' Grew is rounded out by drummer Frank Martinez, bassist Kenny Walker and keyboardist John Richardson. The instrumental quartet will play material by reggae stalwarts Ernest Ranglin, Bob Marley and such, as well as reggae-oriented material by Outkast, Funkadelic and others. They'll color the sound with jazz-oriented improvisation. Show up, and Tony might be encouraged to get out of the house a little more. He'll spin reggae and other groove-intensive stuff immediately following the show. That in itself would be a pretty good night out, but the live band too? Shiiiiiiiiiiiit. Admission is $3. (Dec. 20, The Martini Club, 520 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-734-0885)
—Eric Snider
Uptown Downtown showcase w/RudeSquad/Gardy-Loo/D.H.O.P. Pinellas characters Hollywood and Brewski host WTAN-1340 AM's Uptown Downtown Thursday-night local-music show; tonight they'll be emerging from the studio to present a varied palette of guitar-driven sounds. RudeSquad ply muscular, catchy ska-inflected rock. Novelty thrashers Gardy-Loo seem to have given up on the Last Show Ever/Hey We're Back marketing angle, in favor of just cropping up every once in a while to offend the shit out of that one guy who wasn't at their last gig. D.H.O.P. stands for Drunk Hippies On Probation, but don't let the name fool you — their sound is firmly rooted in heavy rock/metal. Your primary motivation for attending is to support guys who support local music, I guess. (Dec. 20, State Theatre)
Got Skills? 5 At events such as this, however, the thick-ass chain goes on the outside. Pit your microphone or turntable skills against peers possessed of similar grandiose delusions, to the delight of your friends (i.e., the people who most love it when you make a spectacle of yourself). Who knows, maybe you'll end up with one of several fine prizes, including studio time, clothing-company gift certificates, and that wicked green (cash, not chronic). DJs, bring your own needles. Pre-battle entertainment will be provided by Double Helix, Paradox, Verbal Diverzion and Red Tide. (Dec. 21, Orpheum)
Tibetan Freedom Concert w/The Chase Theory/The Know-How/Fat Hat/The September Engagement/Race To Win/The Risk Involved I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, Dude, you've blurbed, like, a million shows that were supposed to be at the new Refuge, and none of 'em happened. And you're right, dude. What can I say? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, but somebody somewhere assured me that this one was going to come off. I know what else you're thinking; you're thinking, Dude, is MCA gonna be there? Sadly, this particular show of support for the oppressed peoples of Tibet is not officially endorsed by the Beasties. Dude, it's still cool — various themes on 21st century punk rock/posthardcore abound. The Refuge is located at 2235 Central Ave. in St. Pete. (Dec. 21, The Refuge)
Misfortune500 No, seriously, they've got a show. After more than a year of retooling, recording and rumor-mongering, those crazy Spiller dudes are back with a new name, a new set and a new member in former Brainiac's Daughter leader/current Harry Dash sideman Chris Skogen. Word on the street is that their new CD is in fact back from the manufacturer, making this a bit of an unofficial release soiree. Expect plenty of earnest, stylish, immaculately constructed guitar-pop, but be prepared for more. We're not saying outright that they won't play again for another 14 months, but … (Dec. 21, The Emerald)
Buffalo Strange/Food Buffalo Strange does your average college-head jam-band one better, incorporating jazz, Arabic world-beat, and socially conscious lyrics into their blend of folk and island grooves. Kick off your shoes and gyrate in Skipper's wonderful sand, the welcoming kind utterly devoid of annoying broken shells and cat turds. St. Pete's own Food bind exceptional musicianship to adventurous rhythmic experimentation — that means they're a jazz band. (Dec. 22, Skipper's Smokehouse)
Maria Zouves and Michael Brennan The Tarpon Springs PAC has thoughtfully provided an evening of Greek vocal music, performed by acclaimed singer Maria Zouves, accompanied by classical guitarist Michael Brennan. Both are among the best in their respective fields — this is going to be good. (Dec. 22, Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center)
Hubert Sumlin w/Sean Chambers Howlin' Wolf acolyte Hubert Sumlin played alongside his mentor on some of The Wolf's most memorable cuts from the Chess Records era. An Arkansas native, Sumlin existed on the outskirts of the Delta blues scene before Chicago, and a career as a sideman, beckoned. These days, he's getting as much attention for his vocal prowess as his six-string style. Local blues hotshot Sean Chambers has earned his reputation for barn burning in the style of his idol, Stevie Ray Vaughan. (Dec. 22, Bourbon Street)
Saigon Kick We can't be sure if the blond singer who painted daisies on his combat boots has returned to the fold (and we seriously doubt it), but rest assured, ALL the hits will be played. Love 'em or hate 'em, Saigon Kick managed to create and keep a fanbase throughout Nirvanamania (and the ensuing crap-saturated fallout) by plying catchy heavy-rock songs that, sonically, had little or nothing to do with grunge. (Dec. 22, Goldstar)
Calm/Lo/Chumley's Toy/UnRavel Four young nu-metal bands are appearing at The State this weekend — quick, call Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Seriously, though, Calm has weathered Coffeestain.com's disgust with their backdrop banner to become one of the Bay's groovecore up-and-comers, and Lo's distinctly more melodic, song-oriented sound seems to be winning them converts left and right. Chumley's Toy and UnRavel provide more jagged, riff-intensive support. (Dec. 22, State Theatre)
Pure Playazz w/Mighty Punisha/Fifth Element Do you dig the Caribbean grooves? Do you want to know what the underground dub/Island hip-hop scene is up to? Do you just dig that Pepsi commercial where Wyclef is mixing a track? If you answered yes to any one of the above queries, maybe you should check out the doings at Tampa's Club 901 (901 Franklin St., downtown). Tonight it's Pure Playazz, an organic sextet from Montego Bay, plus local Caribbean-influenced mic-rockers/turntablists Mighty Punisha and Fifth Element. The latter two crews will be supporting various headliners throughout the next four weeks, so if you're looking for a real alternative to Tampa's club scene, here it is. (Dec. 22, Club 901)
Shana Banana w/Hollywood Dave Grammy-nominated (oh, yeah!) Bay area children's performer Shana Banana and comedic folk rocker Dave Wright are putting on a pair of shows for the kids today, down at Gulfport's Catherine Hickman Theatre. Showtimes are 12:30 and 3 p.m.. Advance tickets are available at www.shanabanana.com; for more information, call 727-550-0128. (Dec. 23, Catherine Hickman Theatre)
—All entries by Scott Harrell unless otherwise indicated
This article appears in Dec 20-26, 2002.
