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Feb 13-19, 2008

Feb 13-19, 2008 / Vol. 20 / No. 48

Reviewed: Van Halen at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa

Reunited hard rock heroes play nice — but predictability proves boring. Van Halen w/Ky-Mani Marley Mon., Feb. 18, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Photo by Shanna Gillette. Diamond Dave displayed a giant grin for nearly two hours straight. Eddie melted faces with ferocious guitar exploits. Alex bashed away on a fortress of drums. And Wolfie…

by Wade Tatangelo

Van Halen concert review (in progress)

Van Halen w/Ky-Mani Marley Mon., Feb. 18, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa I'm at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa tonight attempting real time updates on the Van Halen concert. My Internet connection is shaky so I can't promise much but we'll see. I'll post a full review later tonight under a separate title.…

by Wade Tatangelo

Portishead ’Third’ due out April 29

Portishead's 1994 debut Dummy might be the sexiest album ever made. Seriously. There's something about Beth Gibbons' pleading vocals draped in those hypnotic beats that's, well, sexy. Portishead's self-titled sophomore release from 1997 is another late-night, trip-hop masterstroke and then there's the 1998 live album I've never heard … and then nothing from Portishead. Until…

by Wade Tatangelo

Robert Irvine is More Ooze Than Schmooze

I've been pounding on this muscle-bound mook ever since he announced the name of his "future" restaurant in St. Petersburg. Something about his unrelenting tight-assed demeanor, pseudo-military appearance, pointy head, bad teeth and, well, let's face it, the fact that he works for the Food Network really rubs me the wrong way. Or it might…

by Brian Ries

Top 10: Upcoming shows

A slew of the big names are headed this way. Alicia Keys (pictured) at the St. Pete Times Forum on May 24. Sheryl Crow at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 29. The Boss. Petty. Kanye. Radiohead. They've all announced dates around Tampa Bay. But which ones are priorities? Top 10: Upcoming shows (Feb. 28-July 30,…

by Wade Tatangelo

Another look at Michael Jackson’s ’Thriller’

A second take on the album, 25 years later. When I tell people that I gave Michael Jackson's Thriller three stars when it was originally released in December 1982, they tend to be amused — the implication being that I really blew that call. I let them have their laugh, but I’ve never backed down…

by Eric Snider

Chains Want To Kill More Than Just Independent Restaurants

This week, Men's Health released their annual list of the worst foods in America. For them, "worst" is more a calculation of fat and calories than overall taste, but several items could qualify in both respects. Their targets are big national chains, with McDonalds, Chilis, Chipotle and Macaroni Grill making the list for egregious concoctions…

by Brian Ries

Kanye West to play Tampa on May 5

Looks like the only rapper who really matters these days, Kanye West, will perform at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa on May 5. (Yep, that's the night before Radiohead plays the same venue.) I've received no official statement regarding West's "Glow in the Dark Tour" and the Tampa date isn't listed on Ticketmaster.com, but here's…

by Wade Tatangelo

Is it good policy for area retailers to lock up condoms?

That's a question I pose in the CL print edition this week. Across Tampa Bay, men and women looking to buy condoms from local drugstores and supermarkets are finding the prophylactics locked up. And in a state that ranks third in HIV rates and sixth in teenage pregnancy, some local health advocates say that's a…

by Alex Pickett

Blue Valentines

Songs to avoid (or wallow in) on Cupid Day. Few holidays hurt like Valentine's Day. February 14th proves tough on even the healthiest relationships. The ultimate evening of romantic bliss followed by the hottest sex since Pam and Tommy videotaped each other on that yacht — it doesn't often happen. But I know what you're…

by Wade Tatangelo

Coolio Shows You A Salad Guaranteed To Remove Panties

"Is your girlfriend one of them salad eatin' bitches" and you need just the right recipe to get her to "drop them panties?" Coolio's got your back. Cooking with Coolio debuted this week on My Damn Channel (a new video aggregator starring long-lost and b-list celebs), where he demonstrates his culinary chops with the Coolio…

by Brian Ries

Radiohead concert update

As previously reported, Radiohead performs at Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa on May 6. This just in from the promoter: **PLEASE BE ADVISED** DUE TO THE STATE FAIR, THE BOX OFFICE AT THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE IN TAMPA WILL NOT BE OPEN FOR THE RADIOHEAD ONSALE THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY, 16TH. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT WWW.LIVENATION.COM, WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM,…

by Wade Tatangelo

Condom Commandos

Who are these people and why are they lying in a sea of condoms? Check out this week's Urban Explorer to find out!

by Alex Pickett

Top 10: Songs for SI swimsuit issue

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up in a rather strict household in the pre-Internet era, I looked forward to its arrival like Christmas. Pops, who subscribed to the magazine as long as I can remember, would try and hide the yearly pseudo-porn offering from me…

by Wade Tatangelo

The Amazon

The Amazon begins with the man lying on his back with both feet in the air, legs curled up towards his abdomen, and legs spread comfortably. The woman then squats over top of the man, pushing his legs forward, curling him backward, so that she can straddle his hamstrings and achieve penetration at the same…

by Eric J. Leech

FROM THE STREET … with ALFIE (Nova 535 Grand Opening)

“I’m partial to the abstract nudes,” I told St. Pete scenester Brent Bruns Saturday at Nova 535 Art Lounge.  “They’re also the most pornographic,” Brent said. “You think there’s a correlation?”  I’d be lying if I said I just liked artist Lisa Scholder’s use of color. But that’s the beauty of a place like Nova.…

by Tampa Promotions

The Finest Form of Flattery

Peeped the REAX MySpace this morning: "Shelter from the Alternative?" Artfully Designed Distribution Boxes? A Call for Street Team Members? "REAX.TV?" We must be doing something right.

by Tampa Promotions

From the Street with Alfie: Nova 535 Grand Opening

"I'm partial to the abstract nudes," I told St. Pete scenester Brent Bruns Saturday at Nova 535 Art Lounge. "They're also the most pornographic," Brent said. "You think there's a correlation" I'd be lying if I said I just liked artist Lisa Scholder's use of color. But that's the beauty of a place like Nova.…

by Shawn Alff

The Finest Form of Flattery

Peeped the REAX MySpace this morning: "Shelter from the Alternative?" Artfully Designed Distribution Boxes? A Call for Street Team Members? "REAX.TV?" We must be doing something right.

by Joran Oppelt

Wine List

Got an upcoming or ongoing wine event? Send information to: The Wine List, 810 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, fax 813-739-4801 or e-mail brian.ries@creativeloafing.com. BEST BET: VERITE CRUSH HOUR Vérité Winery is dedicated to producing red wines of style and substance along a traditional Bordeaux model using fruit from Sonoma County. Winemaker Pierre Seillan's…

by CL Staff

“No” Means… What?

"In the Illinois state Senate, on issue after issue, my opponent voted 'present,' instead of yes or no. Seven of those votes were on a women's right to choose," –—Sen. Hillary Clinton on Sen. Barack Obama at a speech in Iowa. HillaryHub.com "The Illinois Legislature allows members to vote 'yes,' 'no' or 'present.' Bills need…

by Franki Weddington

Don’t Panic

What are the ethnic and religious differences dividing Iraq? The list of reasons people I know avoid TV news is endless: the compression of complex topics into 15-second video clips; the emphasis on emotion and dramatic narrative over facts and analysis; interviews with "experts" who are, in fact, biased hacks; the yelling; Katie Couric; the…

by Andisheh Nouraee

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