The fallout from Flugtag
It's been two weeks since the Red Bull Flugtag rolled up its runway and left the Tampa Convention Center and more than 100,000 (mostly) happy, (mostly) drunken spectators behind. Except for the folks at the sixth annual Metrocon, who recently e-mailed CL to complain about the Flugtaggers who wandered into their event. Attendees at Metrocon…
Sean Daly writing about me writing about him
St. Petersburg Times pop music critic Sean Daly is the only person in town who might have an ego the size of mine, which is saying something, because mine is bigger than a Buick. Since he revealed to everyone that we are friends, a fact I was hoping to keep secret, I guess I better…
More Bob Dylan boots
Rumors of Tell Tale Signs: Bootleg Series Volume 8 have been circulating for months on fan sites like Expecting Rain but now it's official. And I, a huge Dyan fan, am stoked. To be honest, I already own almost everything on the track list but in far less superior sound quality than what Sony will…
Photo of the Day: Tagging St. Pete
Snapped a photo of this little piece of illegal art earlier today on Second Street North and Central Avenue. It's allegedly a calling card left by the Southern California band OPM, who stopped by Jannus Landing last week on their tour with metalcore outfit Hed PE. According to Ultimate-Guitar.com, this tag earned OPM frontman John…
Billy Joel’s “The Stranger” reissued
To my ears, Billy Joel’s artistic hot streak lasted two years, 1977 and 1978, when he released far and away his best LPs: The Stranger and 52nd Street. (For the record, I think 52nd Street wins by a nose as the top Joel album). The rest of his discs are marked by a few good…
Becoming well-versed in spoken verse
Wanna go to a poetry slam next Monday? I said yes, as I wasn’t going to disappoint a friend, even if it meant (as I thought it might) having to suffer through self-absorbed poseurs with limited knowledge ranting about how fucked up the world is while having little in the way of honest answers or…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Tom Waits (pictured) performs the last few concerts of his "Glitter and Doom" tour this week. NPR Music keeps the magic going with a new installment of its "Live in Concert" series, this one of Waits' complete two-and-a-half hour July 5 performance at Atlanta's Fox Theatre. The show streams throughout the day today; interested listeners can…
Food Media Wrap-up
Apparently, the culinary world does not stop when your CL Food Editor steps out for a little staycation. Here's your guide to the wide world of food for the past 10 days.
Tuesday Media Wrap-up — Back From Vacation
Apparently, the culinary world does not stop when your CL Food Editor steps out for a little staycation. Here's your guide to the wide world of food for the past 10 days. Soy "milk"? It's an aberration and,"as one British government report put it, manufacturing soy milk is closer to making fruit juice than cow's…
Rich Whiteley review
Back in 2000, Uncle John’s Band co-frontman Rich Whiteley released this beautiful batch of Deadhead-friendly originals that rank with the songs he regularly covers every Thursday at Skipper’s Smokehouse. The record ranges from laidback funk and fun “Raise the Roof” to space jams “Stargazer” to moving confessionals “As I Lay Dying.” Whiteley’s lyrics are mature…
Little Richard’s riches
It’s been more than a half-century since Little Richard Wayne Penniman and Specialty Records producer Bumps Blackwell went to New Orleans and made rock ’n’ roll history. Blackwell had clean lyrics fitted to Little Richards’ bawdy stage number “Tutti Frutti, Good Bootie” and the singer recorded it with Crescent City session stars like drummer Earl…
Response to American Idol post
Here's what Carl Wilson, an editor and critic at The Globe and Mail in Toronto, Canada, and the author of Let's Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste, had to say about my July 27 Ann Powers/American Idol post. He opined on his blog Zoilus: At Creative Loafing's Tampa Calling blog, Wade…
Musings on the Rays
Not every series can be pivotal, but the three-gamer starting tonight in Toronto sure feels that way. The Rays just split four games with the Royals in K.C. — not a disaster, but not the tonic the St. Petersburg team needed. The major problems persist, chief among them the offense. While the Rays are no…
The Maiden Voyage
Have you ever had a thing for those well endowed next naked ladies you find on the front of sea boats. These “figureheads” as they were known, were meant to guide sailor’s home safely, but they were often the source of a lot of upper deck jerk sessions. Today we bring you a position that…
Five Things to Do Today
1. See King Fu Panda, IMAX style, tonight at MOSI. 2. Stock up on rain gear – all-purpose rain suits, Eco-umbrellas, Rain X (highly recommended) and perhaps some stylin’ rain boots. 3. It’s Independence Day in Peru! Pick up a Ceviche Fresco Eats Certificate from the Creative Loafing offices and enjoy half-off a meal of…
Suspending naked men from the ceiling is a crime
Someone should've told that to Erotic Lounge owner Bill Schramm (left), who was arrested this weekend by St. Petersburg Police after they found a naked man suspended (quite happily) from the gallery's ceiling during a risque art show. According to the Times article, Schramm's bad day started with an enormous penis statue he had installed…
To hell with Criss Angel
Criss Angel, ugh. Until the magician announced a major stunt in Clearwater — an escape from an about-to-implode building to be shown live on A&E Wednesday at 10 p.m. — he was little more than a vague name to me. But I caught a bit of Criss Angel: Mindfreak last week — the one where…
What flag defines the South?
Despite the efforts of some community activists, it looks like the huge Confederate Flag at I-75 and I-4 will still fly. As the Confederate Flag Dude himself told me last month: "The flag is going to be flown. As long as I have breath in my body and am able to function and articulate. And…
Register to vote!
Today is the last day to register to vote in the statewide August primary. There's umpteen different primary races this year — state house, school board, county commission — and you want to have a say (Keep your eye out for future CL election coverage closer to the primary). If you think you are registered,…
How’d they get my credit card number?
Consumer Alert! Just got a call from a friend of mine with a weird charge on her bank account. It shows up on her bank statement as "Source Limited" and charged her $9.60. She put the company name in Google and it looks like she's not alone. I've had this happen to me before, and…
Pirate porn sequel nears
Remember Pirates, that porn flick that gained local notoriety when reporters found out some of the scenes were shot at the St. Petersburg Pier? The groundbreaking 2005 Digital Playground film made history as the most expensive porn ever produced and is still one of the industry's top selling movies.Well, Digital Playground will soon release a…
The Hold Steady rock Pitchfork
Craig Finn is my generation's Boss, and I'm cool with that. Watch him lead his band The Hold Steady through a fist-pumping performance of the title-track to the band's new album Stay Positive at Pitchfork Fest in Chicago.Posted below the Pitchfork link is a clip of The Hold Steady's "Killer Parties" encore from the band's…
Return the bass
I've had my balls busted thoroughly by both Rabi at Reax and Stpetersblog, and loathe both of 'em, but agree with 'em that's it's totally fucked up to steal a man's instrument, which in this case belonged to a member of Petrograd in Progress Transit (thanks Joey), which includes Stpetersblogger Ted Flynn. Here, and here,…
Hillsborough EPC 2007 report out
Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission just released its slick 2007 State of the Environment report. Download it here. Preliminary thoughts, anyone?
Pic of the Day
11:30 a.m. at the Fourth Street Salvation Army. A dozen other XL pro-stadium shirts joined this one.
Some political campaigns need copy editors
Got this from the Darden Rice campaign for Pinellas County commissioner: Darden asks Rene, "Where'd ya get that yard sign?" ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Yard signs are among the most visible parts of a campaign – and so are their hiccups. The Darden Rice campaign posted a picture today of her opponent's misspelled yard sign…
Debating Ann Powers, poptimism and American Idol
Ann Powers wrote a fine essay on the music critic trend of "poptimism" titled "Pop music critics embrace the mainstream." (L.A. Times). But she failed to mention that a potential reason daily music critics like the St. Petersburg Times' Sean Daly are covering cheap reality TV like American Idol (Powers does, too, but more likely…
Duane Allman and Eric Clapton making history in Tampa
On December 1, 1970, rock 'n' roll history was made at the old Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa. For the first and, by most accounts, only time, Duane Allman performed on stage with Derek & the Dominos, the supergroup featuring Slow Hand and Sky Dog. Ronny Elliott promoted the concert and has an interesting story…
Scientology sticks to you like lint.
There’s no doubt that the Church of Scientology has improved its image in the last decade or so. A little less secretive, a little less scary (although still creepy), more the butt of a good joke than a genuine threat. Nonetheless, before you walk into a Scientology storefront on a drunken lark and fill out…
Friday’s movie openings — July 25
Reunited and it feels so good: A pair of well-known duos make their returns to multiplexes this weekend. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly (Talladega Nights) team up as middle-aged sibling rivals in Step Brothers (read Lance Goldenberg's review). Meanwhile, Mulder and Scully are together again after a 10-year layoff in The X-Files: I Want…
Watch U.S.A. Basketball reclaim gold.
Granted, the Tampa Bay Rays have sustained me through the summer thus far, but I’m amped about the U.S. Olympic basketball team kicking into gear. U.S.A. Basketball stunk it up in the last Olympics. The chemistry looked shaky; they didn’t play as a team. Finished with the bronze. The ’08 edition looks and feels better;…
Five Things to Do This Weekend
1. Reggae royal family Morgan Heritage – a St. Thomas band formed by five children of reggae heavyweight Denroy Morgan – bring their island sounds to Jannus Landing tonight. Fri., July 25, 8 p.m., 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg, $18, jannuslandingconcerts.com. 2. Cigar City Magazine holds a launch party for its July/August West Tampa…
Guilty pleasures
Michael Hussey over at Pushing Rope has baited me into revealing some deep, dark secrets. "This is what happens when you make fun of a feminist's undying love of Michael Jackson and Pussycat Dolls," he writes. "The game is bloggers tag each other and name their five guiltiest musical pleasures on their iPod." It's Friday,…
Afternoon Blogroll
Shout outs to some local bloggers: St. Petersblog rips into Progress Energy CEO Jeff Lyash and the "community" effort to find the Tampa Bay Rays a spot for their new stadium. Want to see some more theater shows, but your wallet is empty? David Jenkins has an idea on how you can get in for…
And the dog’s name is …
I was a writer for the St. Petersburg Times from 1987-1993, and one of the first pieces of advice I got (I think I heard it initially from then managing editor Mike Foley) was “get the dog’s name.” That turned out to be an old journalism saw encouraging writers to get as much detail as…
CHUGTAG FLUGTAG
“What makes you qualified to lead a street team?” asked Steve at Yeoman’s Road Pub on Thursday — the site of this month’s Beer Club. “Um,” I said, sipping my beer. “I drink a lot?” “That seems to be a reoccurring trend with Creative Loafing.” Alright, so maybe CL was sponsoring the Craft Beer Expo…
Neil Young knocks fans around, films it
Most of the flower power generation has mellowed by this point, even the musicians. Not Neil Young. The antagonistic son of a famed sportswriter still displays the same fire that fueled topical anti-establishment classics like “Ohio” and “Campaigner.” Young displayed his latest one-finger salute to the man (and to a good chunk of his fanbase)…
Post photos of your stolen art
In this week's Urban Explorer, I tackle local art theft and profile a couple artists whose artwork was stolen, literally, right off the wall at a gallery and restaurant. It's not a rare occurrence. Talk to any prolific artist and most likely they'll have a story or two about pilfered paintings. As I reported the…
A Fumble by Blair, an Interception by Sharpe, and a Score for the Environment
I was unable to attend last week's EPC meeting in defense of our wetlands but I did tune in to catch the end of it. I was very impressed with my fellow citizens as they fought for our environment and held our elected officials accountable for it to the dismay of developers. Seeing them in…
Mastodon, Flugtag, Knopfler and more in new CL
This week I attended the foolishness known as Flugtag, interviewed local rockers Hat Trick Heroes, wrote about Mastodon coming to town and lots more fun stuff. Here are the links: Bar Tab: Flugtag follies. More sun than fun. Hat Trick Heroes revel in their youth. Mastodon brings the mayhem. Mark Knopfler to leave Ruth Eckerd…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Two big mouths play in town tonight: Guttermouth at Orpheum in Ybor City, and Cowboy Mouth (pictured) at Jannus Landing in St. Pete. 2. Taste a variety of cheeses from Ireland during a special presentation at Whole Foods this evening. 3. The Studio at 620 kicks off three days of campy goodness during its Summer…
Whedon Creates Horrible Television
How is it that a barely-funded series of web shorts produced during the writers' strike manages to be better than just about everything aired on TV? Part of the reason is Joss Whedon, the man behind Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Whedon — of Buffy, Firefly and Serenity fame — is known for snappy dialogue, engaging…
Allman Brothers Band returns to the road
Back in May, I reported that Gregg Allman was "on the road to recovery." Today it became official, which is great news for us ABB enthusiasts. The original jam band resumes touring after an 11-month break prompted by the singer/keyboardist/guitarist and former Bradenton resident's Hepatitis C treatment. Here's the press release including a quote from…
Ninja Rap
Wanna get Joe Bardi to exclaim "Damn it!"? Do what loyal commenter David Jenkins did on our blog post about the best superhero flicks and mention the "Ninja Rap” song from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze. In case you’ve conveniently forgotten this lost classic, here’s the video:
Chris Simms’ loose lips
Chris Simms, the dude don’t give a fuck. The Bucs quarterback — for so long a good, obedient soldier — talked out of school not long ago. He told the St. Pete Times that GM Bruce Allen had asked him how he thought Brett Favre would fit in as a Tampa Bay quarterback. This is…
Full Serve!
After getting denied service at the Mobil station on the corner of Fourth Street N. and Ninth Avenue in St. Pete this morning (the pump told me to "See Attendant" and I don't do that), I drove up the road a few blocks to the Bob Lee Mobil at 1631 Fourth Street N. Though Bob…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Clip Film Series — a program offered by the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival – presents its July selections: the Chad Allen drama, Save Me, followed by two episodes of the new LOGO series Sordid Lives, which is based on the indie film by Del Shores. (Pictured at right: Allen and co-star…
Will Quinlan tops WMNF playlist
WMNF (88.5) has always been good about playing local artists but rarely does one top the radio station's playlists. So it warrants mention to note that Will Quinlan, who I interviewed last month, topped the tally with his excellent Navasota album on Mon., July 21. Here's the chart: WMNF 88.5 Tampa playlist, July 21, 2008…
Best superhero movies
With The Dark Knight raking in monster box-office and critical raves, and this week's CL cover story focused on what our superheroes say about who we are as a culture, Joe Bardi and I were inspired to each make our lists of the best superhero flicks of all time. Joe offers 10 films in eight…
Concert/Festival: Rockstar Mayhem Festival
Tuesday, July 29
The X-Files invade multiplexes
Plus other new and recent releases
Is Obama destined for greatness?
Only time will tell.
Art/Film: Summer Camp
Thursday, July 24
Lovely junk
Blooming incongruously to my predicament.
Skipper’s hosts a Midnight Bowlers League
The Skipperdome kicks off what it hopes to make a new series of multi-act showcases of roots-influenced bands. The opening salvo features four Tampa Bay bands that know how to get audiences shaking it under the oaks. Topping the roster is Midnight Bowlers League, a doghouse bass rockabilly quartet that has been expertly channeling the…
Shakespeare, the Hat Trick way
There’s energy to spare in this staging of the Bard’s “greatest hits.”
Obama, my bro
The candidate’s sister talks to Wayne Garcia in Tampa
Lip service you’ll appreciate
Tampa Bay indie label offers a worthy sampler of modern rock
Mark Knopfler to leave Ruth Eckerd Hall in “dire straits”
Dire Straits didn't receive much love from critics. Most scribes recognized frontman Mark Knopfler's guitar prowess but knocked him for singing too much like his buddy Bob Dylan. Then Dire Straits issued the 1985 single/groundbreaking video "Money For Nothing," which included the infamous hook "I want my MTV." The song, viewed as pandering by haters,…
Rebekah Pulley drops a beauty
HGWT and King of Spain featured on NPR.
The Straight Dope
Is the woman committing the crime by selling herself or is the man committing the crime by paying for the service? —M. E. Duke Who says feminism hasn't accomplished anything? Nowadays, in most American jurisdictions, both the hooker and the john are committing a crime in the eyes of the law. That may not seem…
Sides line up over the county mayor issue
How many people does it take to run Hillsborough?
Step Brothers brings back the raunch
Reilly and Ferrell, rude and crude
Our superheroes, ourselves
What the current crop of comic-book movies tells us about America’s identity crisis.
Frorup, up and away
HCC honors the sculptor’s work at the Ybor School of Visual and Performing Arts
Concert: Mark Knopfler
Wednesday, July 30
Exhibit: Cigar City Magazine
Friday, July 25
Did you steal this painting?
Art theft goes local.
Music: Idina Menzel
Sunday, July 27
Tampa Museum goes green (sort of)
An exhibition gives art the “green” light
George Michael, Stone Temple Pilots
Plus Rod Stewart
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. AMERICAN SPIRITS Screw the economy, American Spirits is pouring the good stuff! This Thursday's tasting features only wines that retail for more than $25, including a couple Burgundies, some Champagne…
Art: Wearable ART and The Alice Project
Tuesday, July 29
The Dark Knight: like no blockbuster you’ve ever seen
It’s much more than a comic-book movie.
This Gunne is loaded
Jo Jo Gunne delivers rock with panache
Mayhem at the Ford Amp
Rather than slag headliner Slipknot — sorry, just can't get into bands that wear masks, reminds me too much of Kiss, an act I truly despise — let me tout another band on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival roster, Mastodon, the fiercest and smartest metal outfit on the planet. OK, perhaps that's a bit hyperbolic. But…
Katy Perry: Believe the hype
One of the boys, plus new CDs by Katy Perry, N.E.R.D. and Jamie Davis
Flugtag follies
More sun than fun.
Hat Trick Heroes revel in their youth
And put the fun back in rock.
The Dark Knight: Joker’s rising
Batman and The Joker: What’s the diagnosis, doc?
Savage Love
When gays and straights work together
What would Jesus drink?
A history of the grape.
Morgan Heritage, Greg Poulus
Plus The Flobots
Arigato feeds, entertains
Dinner and a show at the teppenyaki mainstay
Comedy: 420-Friendly Comedy Tour
Wednesday, July 30
Film: Zombie Beach Night
Saturday, July 26
Don’t Panic
Who is Omar al-Bashir?
He’s preserving St. Pete
Will Michaels sees the big picture.
Tasting: Cheese of Ireland
Thursday, July 24
Get a History lesson
Two DVDs of rock icons and heroes
Flugtag follies, unemployment blues
Plus, the bright side of The Dark Knight
