Top 10 Beatles songs for Guitar Hero
A scribe for Wired, reporting on the recent Beatles/Guitar Hero/Rock Band rumors, posted his Top 10 songs he'd like to play on one of the popular video games, to wit: "Blackbird" "Day Tripper" "Dear Prudence" "Helter Skelter" "Here Comes the Sun" "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" "Octopus's Garden" "Revolution" "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club…
Boy George’s St. Pete gig in jeopardy
Like I predicted here, Boy George is having visa problems and it appears unlikely he'll be able to make his July 27 date at Jannus Landing. From Reuters: "At the moment, Boy George cannot come to the United States of America because he has been refused permission to enter by the USA Administration," read a…
Boy George’s St. Pete gig in jeopardy
Like I predicted here, Boy George is having visa problems and it appears unlikely he'll be able to make his July 27 date at Jannus Landing. From Reuters: "At the moment, Boy George cannot come to the United States of America because he has been refused permission to enter by the USA Administration," read a…
Greenpeace and Alton Brown Team Up
Sort of. Greenpeace recently released a study that ranks supermarket chains by their commitment to sustainable seafood. Since GP essentially advocates taking a break from any type of fishing — not a bad idea, considering the apocalyptic scenarios outlined here — they are understandably a bit harsh in their ranking system. In our area, Whole…
The new new thing: Herman Dune
Who: Herman Dune Seven-word description: Highly emotive and quirky anti-folk from Paris. Should appeal to fans of: Kimya Dawson, Jonathan Richman, Hamell on Trial Wait, hasn't Herman Dune been around for like 10 years? Yes, but this might be the year the Parisian duo finally expands its following Stateside. Herman Dune played a well-received set…
The new new thing: Herman Dune
Who: Herman Dune Seven-word description: Highly emotive and quirky anti-folk from Paris. Should appeal to fans of: Kimya Dawson, Jonathan Richman, Hamell on Trial Wait, hasn't Herman Dune been around for like 10 years? Yes, but this might be the year the Parisian duo finally expands its following Stateside. Herman Dune played a well-received set…
Five Things to Do Today
Wipeout on ABC. 1. If it’s as good as its Japanese counterpart, Ninja Warrior/Sasuke, ABC’s Wipeout could turn out to be an outrageously hilarious reality competition show. See the first group of contestants bumble through the extreme obstacle course when Wipeout premieres tonight. 2. Anti-aging and aesthetic institute a3 hosts “Party Like a Rock Star,”…
Bye, George
When I heard the news this morning that comedian George Carlin had died yesterday at the age of 71 (not bad for a guy with long-term heart problems and a love of cocaine), I was immediately overcome by the urge to stage my own all-day Carlin Comedy Festival. Alas, Carlin's death has not yet been…
Amanda Shaw returning to Tampa
Creative Loafing cover girl and Tropical Heatwave star Amanda Shaw returns to Tampa Bay to play Skipper's Smokehouse on August 8. If you saw the singer/songwriter/fiddler in May then you're already excited about catching this roots rock/Cajun pop act return for a headlining gig. Click here for my review/photos of Shaw's outstanding performance at Heatwave.…
Amanda Shaw returning to Tampa
Creative Loafing cover girl and Tropical Heatwave star Amanda Shaw returns to Tampa Bay to play Skipper's Smokehouse on August 8. If you saw the singer/songwriter/fiddler in May then you're already excited about catching this roots rock/Cajun pop act return for a headlining gig. Click here for my review/photos of Shaw's outstanding performance at Heatwave.…
What’s inside Florida’s dead people?
Drugs, of course! The Florida Department of Law Enforcement just released its latest report on some of the more common drugs found in dead Floridians. Researchers at the state's Office of Vital Statistics compiled toxicology reports on the 8,620 people who died last year with drugs in their system (whether it was the direct cause…
Guitar Hero: Beatles?
Well, here's an interesting bit of news on a potential Beatles/video game mash-up: Publishers Activision and MTV Games are courting representatives of the Beatles to license the wildly popular band's catalog for use in their respective rhythm franchises Guitar Hero and Rock Band, the Financial Times reports. According to the report, both publishers have held…
Adventures in underage drinking
In all of my previous experience, Tampa has been a safe haven for underage drinkers — all you need is a fake ID and a pretty smile. At least that's what's always worked up until now. First, let me introduce you to my partners in crime, Danielle and Melissa. Melissa looks like an angel, tiny…
George Carlin: ‘The blue pile!’
“And words, you know the seven don’t you? Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, and Tits, huh? Those are the heavy seven. Those are the ones that will infect your soul, curve your spine and keep the country from winning the war. Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, and Tits, wow.” (Crossposted from The Political…
Hog Wild
Hogs are running wild in 37 states. Florida is one of them, with the second largest population of wild porkers in the country. Why worry about a few feral pigs? They eat just about anything and can clear the ground of native plant and animal species at an alarming rate, wrecking the ecosystems of acres…
Hog Wild
Hogs are running wild in 37 states. Florida is one of them, with the second largest population of wild porkers in the country. Why worry about a few feral pigs? They eat just about anything and can clear the ground of native plant and animal species at an alarming rate, wrecking the ecosystems of acres…
Songs for George Carlin
In honor of the late, great George Carlin, today's Top 10 is dedicated to songs that contain one (or more) of the cusses included in the famed comic's classic routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." Top 10: Songs for George Carlin 1. "My Shit's Fucked Up," Warren Zevon 2. "Bitches Ain't Shit,"…
Songs for George Carlin
In honor of the late, great George Carlin, today's Top 10 is dedicated to songs that contain one (or more) of the cusses included in the famed comic's classic routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." Top 10: Songs for George Carlin 1. "My Shit's Fucked Up," Warren Zevon 2. "Bitches Ain't Shit,"…
Five Things to Do Today
Courtesy of Matt & Kim. 1. The Fuck Yeah Fest Tour brings its experimental electro rock and dance fun sounds to Transitions Gallery at Skatepark of Tampa, with sets of music by Matt & Kim (pictured), The Death Set, Monotonix and Team Robespierre, and comedy by Josh Fadem and Reggie Watts. 2. CBS affiliate…
Phish reunion(?) and other Sunday music links
Phish reunion? Phor real? Anybody give a phuck? (Actually, this is pretty exciting news, especially for a large chunk of Creative Loafing's editorial department. Let's just hope this doesn't inspire a similar move from those jamband hacks String Cheese Incident.) Michael Jackson touring? For real? Anybody give a f—-? (From MTV.com.) New Order finished? For…
Phish reunion(?) and other Sunday music links
Phish reunion? Phor real? Anybody give a phuck? (Actually, this is pretty exciting news, especially for a large chunk of Creative Loafing's editorial department. Let's just hope this doesn't inspire a similar move from those jamband hacks String Cheese Incident.) Michael Jackson touring? For real? Anybody give a f—-? (From MTV.com.) New Order finished? For…
Summer Jam 4 details
When we went to press with my profile of Summer Jam 4 headliner, Dennis "Dow Jones" Shaw (South Rakkas Crew), it had yet to be determined exactly which acts would be playing Crowbar and New World Brewery on Saturday. On Wednesday, I received an email from the promoter that straightens everything out. Should be good…
Summer Jam 4 details
When we went to press with my profile of Summer Jam 4 headliner, Dennis "Dow Jones" Shaw (South Rakkas Crew), it had yet to be determined exactly which acts would be playing Crowbar and New World Brewery on Saturday. On Wednesday, I received an email from the promoter that straightens everything out. Should be good…
Laughing last, loudly, at the Rays/Cubs game
Man, was that fun. Sitting along the third bass line in a sea of Cubs fans last night at Tropicana Field, and having the last laugh. And being artfully obnoxious to boot. I picked up my media credentials at the Trop and grabbed a seat in the last row of the press box. It being…
Renaissance woman
This week's edition of Creative Loafing includes a story by Megan Voeller on Chicago marketing guru Patricia Martin and the "Renaissance Generation." From the story: Some of Martin's rhetoric sounds familiar. Instead of a "creative class," a la Richard Florida, she speaks glowingly of RenGen — short for Renaissance Generation — a multigenerational group of…
Firefighter’s Say No to 2
The Florida Professional Firefighters union is joining the campaign to stop Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment. According to SayNo2.com, the firefighters union has joined the campaign in light of a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling that found a similar amendment to interfere with public employees' ability to extend benefits to domestic partners. Other…
Boozing at Bern’s, Dennis ‘Dow Jones’ Shaw and more in CL
Here's what I have running in the current Creative Loafing: Bar Tab: Bern's, baby, Bern's: steaks, bad shirts and sexy strangers. Dennis "Dow Jones" Shaw is money. The Sugar Oaks, Mark Chesnutt and more in Music Week. Foxboro Hot Tubs (Eric Snider), The Veronicas (Amanda Schurr) and The Beach Boys box set (WT) reviewed in…
Chipotle Wants To Buy Your Peppers
Chipotle — the fast-food burrito joint owned by McDonald's — has been trying to push more local foods through its restaurants for the past few years. Part of it is marketing, like their high-profile agreement with Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms (immortalized in Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma) to provide all the pork at Chipotle's Charlottesville,…
Five Things to Do This Weekend
1. Toubab Krewe (pictured) bring their West African rhythms to State Theatre. 2. Beach Theatre screens the latest batch of alternative animations from Spike and Mike's Twisted Animation Festival. 3. African Students’ Association of USF-Tampa presents a “World Refugee Day” celebration at USF-Tampa. 4. New World Brewery and Crowbar co-host Summer Jam 4, a summertime music…
The Piggy Back Boink
Everybody loves a good piggy back ride, and this one proves to be one of the best a man could get. To properly execute this position, both partners need to be in the standing position, with the male “rider” facing towards the woman's rear end. The woman now must embrace herself against a wall or…
Ticketmaster weirdness
Just called Ticketmaster to check on prices for a story I was writing — no, I wouldn’t actually use Ticketmaster — and the computer voice came on. The computer voice introduced herself: “My name is Kelly, I’ll be helping you with your order.” I was so thankful that Ticketmaster went out of its way to…
Snider’s Top 5 of ’08 (so far)
Wade just published his Top 10 favorite CDs of ’08, so far, and I figured I’d piggy-back. But I’m not going to do 10. I’ll do that in December, but for June I’ll keep it to five. Two of the five are on Wade's list, and I have to admit that that troubles me in…
Top 10 albums of 2008 (so far)
This year is flying past like they all tend to do. In fact, we're more than halfway through, which means time to assess the year in music (so far). It's difficult to compare one year's music output to another's, but I do feel 2008 is shaping up to be one of the strongest of recent…
A Pleasant Encounter with a public servant.
We’ve all seen — in the movies or, worse, in person — the power-tripping parking meter person who writes you a ticket even when you’re begging to get in the car and drive away. Well, I just had an experience that shows it doesn’t always have to be that way. My pal Hamgravy and I…
Morning roundup
Check out this cool Google map, which tracks newspaper buyouts and layoffs. Don't want your unborn baby to grow up gay? The answer may be chemical. 1,500 bid goodbye to Tim Russert at memorial service. Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama play the "Who's a prouder American?" sweepstakes. Grand prize? A 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. address. Wasn't…
Five Things to Do Today
"High Country Champion," a new giclee by John Seerey-Lester featured at Plainsmen Gallery. 1. Plainsmen Gallery’s Summer Renewal exhibit of western, wildlife and Florida-inspired art draws to a close. 2. Missouri’s Jah Roots headline a reggae show at Push Ultra Lounge; Tribal Style, Badda Skat & Ras Kana, and Blackstone Sound System provide support. 3. New York…
Happy Birthday, Paul McCartney
I can't believe I missed this til now, being the devoted Macca fan that I am, but Sir Paul McCartney turned 66 today. On June 14, he played before over 350,000 fans in Independence Square in Kiev. One of the show's highlights was undoubtedly "Mrs. Vandebilt," (off Band on the Run) which was the top…
Happy Birthday, Paul McCartney
I can't believe I missed this til now, being the devoted Macca fan that I am, but Sir Paul McCartney turned 66 today. On June 14, he played before over 350,000 fans in Independence Square in Kiev. One of the show's highlights was undoubtedly "Mrs. Vandebilt," (off Band on the Run) which was the top…
Download: Pink Floyd live 1977
Oakland Coliseum Arena 05.09.77 PINK FLOYD WolfgangsVault.com Pink Floyd, at the height of its creative and commercial powers, delivers a stellar set featuring material from the as-yet-unreleased Animals (“Pigs”) cuts from Dark Side of the Moon (“Money,” “Us and Them”) and Wish You Were Here in its entirety. That right, all nine parts of “Shine…
Debate over Confederate flag heating up
If you haven't had enough of the 140-year-old argument over the Confederacy, hop on over to my interview with Marion Lambert AKA the Giant Confederate Flag Dude. It's getting heated in the comments …
Greenpeace ranks Publix last in seafood sustainability
Yet another reason why I'm not happy Publix is taking over Albertson's stores across St. Petersburg.
Wine Recommendations For $20 Menu Challenge
From our wine maven Taylor Eason comes inexpensive wines with our inexpensive menus (bolded wines will work for the whole menu, if you don't want to go with course-by-course wines): David Miller, Savant Fine Dining: Sweet Potato Soup: Big Fire 2006 Pinot Gris, $15 Heirloom Tomato Salad: Columbia Crest 2007 Two Vines Rose, $10 Braised…
Honda releases hydrogen-electric car
Honda Motors has announced it will be soon releasing a hydrogen-electric car in California. The Honda FCX Clarity runs on a combination of a hydrogen fuel and an electric motor. The FCX Clarity mixes hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power an electric motor, which drives the wheels. The only exhaust it emits is…
FROM THE STREET (Fun with Beer and the Drunkenly Divine)
"I'm starting to cook more with beer," said Katie, a chef-in-training and one of the 40 or so people who came to The Retreat Friday for the resurrection of Beer Club. "I find that I cook more with beer the more beer I've had to drink," I told her. "If I order pizza after a…
Five Things to Do Today
“Painted Dancers,” by photographer Bill Williams, on display at HCC-Dale Mabry Art Gallery. 1. A new photography exhibit, Chihuahua: The Land of Ancient Wonders, opens today at HCC-Dale Mabry Art Gallery. 2. Night II: Tampa Bay Rays versus Chicago Cubs at the Trop. 3. DINOSAURS! The Exhibition transforms a 5,000-square-foot space at Museum of Science…
Down goes Bryant!
This year, for the first time, NBA pundits allowed themselves to utter, albeit rather apologetically, a heretofore blasphemous statement — that Kobe Bryant might actually might be as good as Michael Jordan. Bryant's performance in the playoffs — up until the Lakers/Celtics final — seemed to justify that discussion. Bryant's disappearing act, especially last night,…
Creative Loafing presents Independence Fest
Creative Loafing's marketing wing (aka Joran) continues its concert series focused on spotlighting purveyors of original local music. The roster for the Sat., July 5, installment at the State Theatre will feature five acts ranging from punk (Car Bomb Driver) to alt-country (Have Gun, Will Travel) to math rock (Military Junior; pictured). Should be a…
Giving Africa The Finger
Thanks to reader Erica comes news of this local "natural" wonder from Tate Brothers Pizza on Davis Island. No word yet if it will be included in alongside modern monuments like the Eiffel Tower or the Golden Gate Bridge, but we'll see. Better yet, you can own it for approximately pocket change. Best part of…
Giving Africa The Finger
Thanks to reader Erica comes news of this local "natural" wonder from Tate Brothers Pizza on Davis Island. No word yet if it will be included in alongside modern monuments like the Eiffel Tower or the Golden Gate Bridge, but we'll see. Better yet, you can own it for approximately pocket change. Best part of…
Creative Loafing presents Independence Fest
Creative Loafing's marketing wing (aka Joran) continues its concert series focused on spotlighting purveyors of original local music. The roster for the Sat., July 5, installment at the State Theatre will feature five acts ranging from punk (Car Bomb Driver) to alt-country (Have Gun, Will Travel) to math rock (Military Junior; pictured). Should be a…
Finally, some guidelines about torture
What's the line between interrogation and torture? I admit to not having given it much thought until recently. Some stuff is obvious, like beating a guys balls off (e.g. Daniel Craig in the latest Bond movie) and forcing someone to listen to "Afternoon Delight" for days on end. From what I've heard about waterboarding ……
From the Street with Alfie: Fun with Beer and the Drunkenly Divine
"I'm starting to cook more with beer," said Katie, a chef-in-training and one of the 40 or so people who came to The Retreat Friday for the resurrection of Beer Club. "I find that I cook more with beer the more beer I've had to drink," I told her. "If I order pizza after a…
The Fixx, Toby Keith
Plus Shelby Lynne
Firth of Forth Ale
Time to get out your flagon!
A Dream Play that stays earthbound.
Tapping into Strindberg’s genius and paranoia.
Are You Getting Good Head?
We’re talking about more than foreplay.
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. ONGOING EVENTS A&L FINE WINES WEEKLY TASTINGS A&L hosts weekly tastings on Friday nights (5-8 p.m.) and Saturday afternoons (1-4 p.m.). A&L Fine Wines, 35249 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor…
My first time: why I’m voting
As November nears and my time as a political virgin dwindles, I feel my adulthood beginning to take hold. This is a big year for me: Not only am I passing the two-decade mark, but I will be voting in a presidential election for the first time. When I turned 18, voting was definitely last…
The youth vote
Will it really make a difference in November?
My Morning Jacket’s “Evil Urges”
Greatest pop/rock song since “Crazy.”
Film: On the Other Hand, Death
Wednesday, June 25
Fundraiser: 6/20@6:20@620
Friday, June 20
Grillside Central hits the mark
Breakfast to dinner, downtown St. Pete eatery doesn’t break stride.
Literature: Lisa Unger
Thursday, June 19
Arts/Conference: Convergence 2008
Wednesday, June 25
Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mark Chesnutt
Plus WILD 98.7 Block Party
Bern’s baby, Bern’s
Steaks, bad shirts and sexy strangers.
Studio@620 has a birthday bash
Celebrating four years of promoting art
Film: For the Bible Tells Me So
Friday, June 20
Film: Some Like It Hot
Sunday, June 22
Tequila Lary strikes again
The genius of a drunk man with a chain saw.
Don’t Panic
What is a Status of Forces Agreement?
Heirlooms in the garden
Where to find valuable produce.
The Incredible Hulk is a smashing good time
Edward Norton lets out his aggressions in Marvel’s latest.
Dennis “Dow Jones” Shaw is money
And his stock continues to rise.
Film: Spike and Mike’s 2008 Twisted Animation Festival
Friday, June 20
Groovy Grüner
Dig this hip Austrian grape.
Film: Over the Rainbow Bingo
Saturday, June 21
Film:8 Femmes
Thursday, June 19
Get Smart, The Love Guru aim for laughs
Plus other new and recent releases
Beach erosion takes it in the groin
A controversial solution has beachgoers upset
Rooney set to shimmer at State Theatre
Electric Light Orchestra-channeling pop-rockers Rooney dipped into disco territory for the 2007 smash "When Did Your Heart Go Missing?" Whereas that song is all throbbing bass, shimmering synths and cheap rhymes about treating a girl "like a princess," the Los Angeles quintet's '07 full-length, Calling the World, reveals a band capable of richly textured pop…
Toubab Krewe gathers at the State
Formed in 2005, the members of Asheville, N.C., quintet Toubab Krewe fuse fluid instrumental psyche-rock and worldly jazz with West African rhythms. The band's sound was nurtured over the course of several extended trips to Mali, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, where they absorbed the local cultures, studied and performed with a range of West African…
The Potters: “Ashamed of some of the people we have in office.”
Who? Thalia and Sydney Potter Sphere of influence: The Potters are longtime environmental activists with deep ties to the Democratic Party. Thalia grew up in civic life — her father was James Joseph Lunsford, Hillsborough County's first law librarian — but immersed herself in politics during the late-1960s, when she became secretary (and later, aide)…
Theater: Wait Until Dark
Saturday, June 21
Tim Russert, in memoriam
"The primary responsibility of the media is accountability of government, whether it's about lying under oath, which upset Democrats, or the mismanagement of responding to a hurricane, which happens to upset Republicans." —Tim Russert, quoted on Thinkexist.com "Tim Russert always struck me as fair-minded and incisive. He seemed to be one of the few sensible…
Photography all over
Exhibits at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and Polk Museum of Art
Poli sci in action
On Florida campuses, dirty tricks and registration difficulties impact the youth voting rate.
The Headers Turn it Up!
With this collection of old-school rockabilly
A shot of Morphine
Is just Like Swimming
Tim Russert, the oil crisis
Plus Tiger Woods
Is Tampa Bay ready for an arts renaissance?
Marketing guru talks about the Renaissance Generation.
Festival: Brasil Arts Festival
Sunday, June 22
Reckless Kelly takes a shot at Skipper’s
Reckless Kelly's excellent new studio album, Bulletproof, its first in three years, drops Tues., June 24, just three days before the Austin-based alt-country quintet plays the Skipperdome. The band's debut disc for Yep Roc finds brothers Willy (vocals/guitar) and Cody Braun (vocals/fiddle/mandolin) turning in a varied set of twangy bangers (the rollicking opener "Ragged as…
Green Day by way of Foxboro
Stop Drop and Roll!!! Plus new releases by The Veronicas and The Beach Boys
