Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. Tom Petty
Which would you choose as Florida's greatest rock act of all time? Senior Editor Eric Snider nearly choked on a piece of apple when I told him Skynyrd. He's a Petty guy. I like Petty but prefer pre-airplane crash Skynyrd. Plus, it's fun to debate Snider, who despises the band responsible for "Free Bird." "We're…
Rays: Who Gets All-Star Nod(s)?
With online voting for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game closing out Wednesday night, it seems a good opportunity to assess the Rays players most likely to go. You’d think, with the best record in baseball, that the local club would stand to place more than the mandatory one player on the American League roster.…
“Outrageous”
That word comes up a lot in my interview with Beth Littrell, the Lambda Legal attorney who is representing Janice Langbehn in her suit against a Miami hospital. As I mentioned in a previous post, Jackson Memorial Hospital denied Langbehn access to her dying partner, Lisa Marie Pond, because Langbehn was not a "family member"…
Ad hoc thoughts on sports (mostly the Rays)
Watched nine innings and nearly three hours of baseball last night. Again. I’m still amazed that I have that capacity, because baseball has always been a bit on the slow side for me. It’s all about the Rays, of course. Watching them become a good team has been a kick, then a thrill, then something…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Adult Swim has turned its animated series, Metalocalypse – about the exploits of Dethklok, a virtual death metal band (pictured) – into a national tour. In an interview with Ultimate Guitar, Brendon Small (the real-life producer of Dethklok’s music) said that the Dethklok show will be like that of the Gorillaz, with animated characters but…
Jay-Z covers “Wonderwall” at Glastonbury
Jay-Z is the man. He's chosen to headline the Glastonbury Fest, which is like the Bonnaroo of Europe, and one of the pricks from Oasis shoots his mouth off about the Brooklyn rapper not being an appropriate fit for the gig. Here's how the class act responded. From Billboard.com: The choice of the U.S. rapper…
Another reason to walk, bike or carpool to work
One of the reasons some people are loath to forgo their cars for the morning commute is the certain powerlessness that comes with it. What if you take the carpool to work and suddenly become ill, or little Johnny breaks a leg at school, or the boss wants you to work overtime for those TPS…
Guns for Gifcards
It was a good intentioned idea. Really. On Saturday, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office let area residents turn in their rusty, broken and unwanted guns for a brand-new $25 giftcard to Publix or Wal-Mart. True, it was a little badly-timed considering the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that unequivocally gives us, the common folk, the…
A cool book I just finished.
Fifty-three-year-old Benjamin Ford finds himself stranded for hours in O’Hare Airport on his way to his estranged daughter’s lesbian wedding in California. Out of sheer desperation, he picks up a pen and starts writing a letter to the airline, demanding his money back. This letter is the clever conceit that shapes Dear American Airlines, Jonathan…
This performance art brought to you by George W
The St. Pete-based theater troupe formerly known as Quirky White Chick Productions has announced it is changing its name to Economic Stimulus Productions, because, they announced in a press release today, "Producers Julie Rowe and T. Scott Wooten decided against buying plasma-screen-HD-television-sets and instead pooled their tax rebate checks together to produce live theatre." The…
Tom Morello solo disc ready to drop
The Rage Against the Machine axe man's solo disc, The Fabled City, will be released Sept. 30 via Epic Records. System of the Down's Serj Tankian and Shooter Jennings (sweet) appear on the album. Here's the press release, which includes quotes from Morello (aka The Nightwatchman) and the CD track list: June 30th, 2008 —…
Quick! Smoke your stash!
Last day for Salvia, folks. The ban on the psychoactive substance takes effect tomorrow; if you're found in possession of the mild hallucinogen, you could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. I know at least one retailer is staying open until midnight to sell his stash of the soon-to-be-illegal weed.…
66 Dogs, 12 Minutes, A Lifetime of Glory
Fireworks? Barbecue? Boston Pops? A celebration of independence? Bah! As far as I'm concerned, the Fourth of July begins and ends on Coney Island, at the Nathan's Famous World Hot Dog Eating Contest. For 93 years, people have been lining up to see this freakish intersection of speed and gluttony, fascinated and appalled by the…
66 Dogs, 12 Minutes, A Lifetime of Glory
Fireworks? Barbecue? Boston Pops? A celebration of independence? Bah! As far as I'm concerned, the Fourth of July begins and ends on Coney Island, at the Nathan's Famous World Hot Dog Eating Contest. For 93 years, people have been lining up to see this freakish intersection of speed and gluttony, fascinated and appalled by the…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Albuquerque's screamo/crunkified dance music purveyors Brokencyde (pictured) and punkified pop music makers Karate High School of San Francisco bring their “We Make It Rain” tour to Crowbar tonight. Thoreau and The Fight at the Show provide support. 2. Indie Fest continues at Beach Theatre. 3. “A Concert for Nelson Mandela” – which was held in London’s…
Sunday round-up
MSNBC and MySpace team up to turn citizen journalism into yet another popularity contest. Only in baseball: The Angels no-hit the Dodgers — and lose. It's Earth vs. the Atom Smasher in the ultimate doomsday showdown. Gene genie: Woman ensures her baby will be born free of hereditary breast cancer. The $2.1- million lunch: That's…
Toby Keith concert review
Toby Keith w/Montgomery Gentry, Sat., June 28, Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa Toby Keith looked tired Saturday at the Ford Amphitheatre. Not physically tired from, say, doing too many curls before picking up his guitar and hitting the stage, but tired from singing the same songs, writing more songs, touring extensively, and doing the same redneck schtick…
St. Pete Times to double price
This morning the cardboard sign attached to the St. Petersburg Times newspaper box I use at the corner of South Howard Ave. and Swan read: "50 cents every day …. Effective Monday, June 30." In Tampa, a Times used to cost 25 cents Monday through Saturday and 50 cents only on Sunday. A 100 percent…
Saturday bites to chew on
Careful where you put the wasabi: The St. Pete Times reveals The Dirty Martini's naked sushi night. In keeping with the nautical theme, Beach Theatre is screening Jaws twice today as part of its 1970s weekend. So that's why John Kerry lost in 2004: A New York Times op-ed explains why we're so gullible. Because…
Ronny Elliott video for “Burn, Burn, Burn”
Tampa singer/songwriter Ronny Elliott has issued plenty of gems since launching an internationally acclaimed solo career in the 1990s. It's hard for a serious fan like me to pick a best album of his, or a greatest song, but "Burn, Burn, Burn" is clearly a favorite of mine. And deserves to finally have it's own…
Standing up for Drew Park
As City Council gets ready for another vacation, leaving work on the budget and Tampa's down turning economy on the table, angry citizens in Drew Park met to discuss eliminating the city’s hastily and completely backward proposed land-use changes. With citizens sick and tired of a city working against them at every turn, the voices…
It ain’t easy being Green when you are the Swath of Death
Remember when TBARTA came out with its proposed maps with routes C and D on Map 8 (aka the revisitation of the Green Swath of Death bypass highway)? It made about as much sense as the county proposing to give away our land use and transportation planning to special interests………NONE! Recall I asked the question…
City of Tampa determines that is costs over $30,000 for a PD rezoning
In what can only be called one of those gotcha moments, Tampa City Council was confronted with the realization that its actions are not only costly but so slow-moving that spending $30,000 is cheaper way to avoid its own processes. Here's how we know this: City Council had a small item tucked into its consent…
Jesus Christ not a Superstar
Because of Jesus Christ Superstar's colossal reputation, I wasn't surprised by the excited buzz before the rock opera's start at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center last night. While the regular theater-goers busied themselves at the bars scattered in the lobby, families and couples found their seats and flipped through their playbills, excitedly discussing "the…
It could happen to you
The St. Pete Pride weekend kicked off last night with A Taste of Pride, a reception at Nova 535, where I got a chance to talk with Janice Langbehn, the grand marshal of Saturday's parade. Langbehn seems a bit abashed by the lofty title, but her story needs to be told, and the Pride organizers…
Red Sox vs. Rays: The view from up north
My father lives in Brewster, Massachusetts, and just celebrated his 90th birthday. As you might expect, he’s a big Red Sox fan. But even up in Red Sox Nation, the Rays are raising eyebrows. Here’s my father’s take (sent to me via email) on a recent Rays/ Marlins blowout: “Rays scored almost as many runs…
St. Pete Times: Supreme Court Backs Tank Tops
By now, most of us know that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Americans have an intrinsic right to own a gun for self-defense. The St. Petersburg Times ran a wire story on 1A today about the landmark decision, but then, in a sidebar about Florida’s bring-a-gun-to-work law, appeared to digress into another ruling…
The Invisible Bed in the Alley
The back alley is a dirty place to get it on, so some of you public boinkers are going to love this one. This position begins with the woman kneeling in front of her partner, holding her torso up by her arms which are placed behind her. Her hands should be the only part of…
Five Things to Do This Weekend.
1. Beach Theatre hosts a 1970’s weekend, with a reduced admission price of $2 to screenings of Blazing Saddles, Rocky, Dirty Harry, Jaws, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 2. It’s St. Pete Pride weekend! Share some laughs with ANT, walk in the promenade and shop at the festival, return to Babylon, and rock…
Top 10: Songs about guns
Well, it's Year of the Gun. For the first time in history the Supreme Court has defined the Second Amendment as defending every Tom, Dick and Hillary's right to own a gun — not just Militia persons, which is how the amendment reads to me: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of…
Toby Keith, Blac Soap and more in CL
Local hip-hop duo Blac Soap, country king Toby Keith and more. Here's what I have running in this week's Creative Loafing: Bar Tab: You Are What You Drink … The ladies' edition. Blac Soap: So fresh, so clean. My Morning Jacket issues its best album to date. Toby Keith saddles up at Ford Ampitheatre. Win…
Promo video for new Brian Wilson disc
It won't be out until later this year, but Brian Wilson's That Lucky Old Sun, an L.A.-in-the-late-'50s song cycle with some breathtaking tunes, already has a promo video. It is a good overview of the music, with some interviews and in-studio performances, including a bit of the stunning "Midnight's Another Day." It's not embeddable but…
Random bits
On the drive to work this morning, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ian Beckles (of WDAE's Ron and Ian Show) asked his co-hosts what they thought he'd be getting in pension per month once he turns 55 (for his 10 years of service in the NFL). The guesses ranged from $2,500 to $10,000. The answer: $240.00.…
Phish members set the record straight
Rumors have been flying about Phish getting back together ever since lead vocalist/guitarist Trey Anastasio hinted at a reunion in a May interview with Rolling Stone. The flames were fanned even further when longtime Phish songwriter Tom Marshall sat down with PopMatters.com and talked at length about his recent time in the studio with Anastasio. Then, Billboard picked up a "breaking" story last Friday…
Thank The Lunch Lady
Scared to send your child out of the house for hours at a time to run off their summer vacation energy? Now you've got something else to fear. According to a NYT article, kindergarten and 1st grade kids put on body mass two to three times faster during the summer, compared to the school year.…
New Hammond Jr. album a welcome surprise
As do many CDs by artists I’m not familiar with, Albert Hammond, Jr.’s Como Te Llama? languished on my ever-growing pile for at least a couple weeks, before the gentle urging of a publicist caused me to grab it and shove it in the car player. I’m glad I did. Hammond, as I now know,…
Thank The Lunch Lady
Scared to send your child out of the house for hours at a time to run off their summer vacation energy? Now you've got something else to fear. According to a NYT article, kindergarten and 1st grade kids put on body mass two to three times faster during the summer, compared to the school year.…
Top 10: Whiskey songs
Anyone who reads my Bar Tab column knows I'm quite fond of whiskey, especially Irish whiskey. As a rule, I only drink wine and beer during the week, but this week has been a royal bugger and I think tonight I might have to cuddle with my sweetie Jamie. Or, better yet, finally drink the…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Maserati (pictured) hails from Athens, Ga., and produces a hard post rockin’ sort of progressive psychedelia. It’s pretty hot shit. They play Crowbar tonight; Summerbirds in the Cellar, Red Room Cinema, and Clock Hands Strangle provide support. 2. Sip samples of select Barefoot Wines, nibble on eats by Café Alma, and kick off St.…
Cat Power, Neko Case to sing on Romweber’s Bloodshot debut
Former Flat Duo Jet (and one-time Venice, Fla., resident) Dexter Romweber, who I interviewed here, has inked a deal with the venerable cow punk label Bloodshot. St. Petersburg's own Brett Steele of Steele Management (Mojo Gurus, Blind Buddy Moody, Some Dancing Skeleton), manages Romweber. The roots rock hero's debut disc for the label will feature…
Cat Power, Neko Case to sing on Romweber’s Bloodshot debut
Former Flat Duo Jet (and one-time Venice, Fla., resident) Dexter Romweber, who I interviewed here, has inked a deal with the venerable cow punk label Bloodshot. St. Petersburg's own Brett Steele of Steele Management (Mojo Gurus, Blind Buddy Moody, Some Dancing Skeleton), manages Romweber. The roots rock hero's debut disc for the label will feature…
Afternoon quick hits
The New York Times waxes nostalgic about the Beatles in light of their rumored entry into the world of Guitar Hero. Are Slate and The Daily Show sharing writers? Both get similarly snarky on Obama's first campaign commercial of the general election. Check out the Slate's vid here and The Daily Show's here. The U.S.…
Talking to the machine
I'm moving this weekend, so yesterday afternoon I took some time to call and schedule my cable and power services to be transferred to my new address. I started by calling Bright House Networks first, only because it was at the top of the list of customer service phone numbers I compiled a few days…
Fleet Foxes reviewed
Fleet Foxes FLEET FOXES Sub Pop Fleet Foxes comprise five guys in their early-20s from Seattle who make music that’s honest and beautiful at a time when such virtues are in short supply. Yeah, this is a tough spell for the working class, unlike anything most young adults have previously experienced. Government mendacity and corporate…
Five Things to Do Today
1. St. Pete for Peace continues its free screening series with Cocalero, an award-winning documentary that focuses on Bolivian farmers, the union they formed in response to their government's U.S.-prompted efforts to get rid of coca crops, and Evo Morales (pictured), the native Aymara Indian man who comes to represent them and eventually become the…
FROM THE STREET (Jah Know What I Mean)
A stretch limo pulled up to Push Ultra Lounge Thursday with a load full of suits. “What’s going on tonight?” one of the passengers asked the doorman. “A reggae show.” The limo drove away. Push has quickly become known as the go-to St. Pete venue for cougars on the prowl; professionals who can’t stomach PBRs…
Mr. Wonderfull’s Surprize
The Florida Sun-Sentinel has a truly awe-inspiring series of retro cereal box photos posted on their website. Sure, there's Quisp and and Mr. T cereal, but there are also many I've never heard of. Cap'n Crunch's Punch Crunch. Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs. And, perhaps my very favorite, Crunchy Loggs. Makes me want…
Mr Wonderfull’s Surprize
The Florida Sun-Sentinel has a truly awe-inspiring series of retro cereal box photos posted on their website. Sure, there's Quisp and and Mr. T cereal, but there are also many I've never heard of. Cap'n Crunch's Punch Crunch. Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs. And, perhaps my very favorite, Crunchy Loggs. Makes me want…
CrÜe Fest, Dave Matthews Band
Plus Mark Knopfler
Two against Amendment 2
Fighting the anti-gay marriage referendum.
Tom Waits “glitters” in Jacksonville
When Tom Waits played the Tampa Theatre in the late-'70s — the last time he performed in the Bay area, the only time he headlined here (I'm pretty certain) — he was still kind of a curio, yet to become the cult legend that he is, a favorite of highbrow music buffs of all ages.…
Toby Keith saddles up at the Ford Amp
When it comes to Tampa Bay music taste, country reigns supreme. Whereas Beyonce drew about 6,000 to the St. Pete Times Forum a few months back, Toby Keith routinely sells out the 20,000-capacity Ford Amphitheatre, the Tampa venue where he will host another massive hoedown Saturday. Keith puts on a show of arena-rock proportions that…
Concert: Rock Loud, Rock Proud with Betty
Saturday, June 28
Alienation in Paranoid Park and The Kite
Yearning for freedom, burdened with freedom.
Marvin Gaye, smooth and seductive
The soul icon gets lush on I Want You
See queerly now
A digital project aims to eliminate hate through empathy.
St. Pete Pride
What’s going on this year?
George Carlin, St. Pete Pride, Amy Winehouse
Plus a Phish reunion
Film: 1970s Weekend
Sunday, June 29
Za-Gay Guide
A user’s guide to the gay scene in Ybor and beyond.
Stadium sign wars
Theft and vandalism in the fight over the proposed ballpark
Comedy: Laughter in Paradise
Friday, June 27
Kevin Beckner and Darden Rice: ‘Yeah, we’re gay. So what?’
Who? Kevin Beckner and Darden Rice, candidates for, respectively, the Hillsborough and Pinellas county commissions. Spheres of influence: Public policy on the environment and smart growth; Democratic politics and county government. How they make a difference: By offering a progressive and pro-environmental alternative to their Republican opponents, Beckner and Rice have helped set the agenda…
The GaYbor Coalition List
Who’s who in the GaYbor District Coalition in Historic Ybor City
Babes, boobs and hot wings
Hooters and Ker’s thrive on the breast intentions.
Film: Indie Fest
Monday, June 30
Pink Floyd at its peak
See art rockers stellar show in Oakland
Blac Soap: so fresh, so clean
Trippy hip-hoppers bring the Outkast vibe to Tampa.
Hating on the Love Guru
"The Love Guru is creatively awful. The feeling you derive from this dud is comparable to swallowing a bottle of bulky Viagra pills while nursing an inflamed strep throat." —Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye "Myers has his head in the toilet more than a Florida State University freshman coed during homecoming weekend." —Willie Waffle, WaffleMovies.com "The…
Studio@620 flies The Kite
Global Lens 2008 film examines Israeli-Lebanese relations.
Get Smart plays spy games for laughs
Why Steve Carell shines as Agent 86.
Wall-E and Wanted latest blockbuster wanna-bes
Plus reviews of other recent releases
Theater: Jesus Christ Superstar
Friday, June 27
Where the girls are
Resources for lesbians and bisexual women in Tampa Bay.
Comedy: Chris Rock
Wednesday, July 2
Maserati, The Fixx
Plus Ringo Starr
Uncovered
Why make an issue out of being gay?
Culinary/Fundraiser: A Taste of Pride
Thursday, June 26
Special Events: Return to Babylon
Saturday, June 28
The wrong Stuff
Don’t let it get you.
Film: Indie Fest
Tuesday, July 1
You are what you drink
The ladies’ edition.
Galleries gratis
Area museums offer free admission
Frankly French
Don’t be fooled by the German trappings.
Greg Poulos gathers his Angels
Solo debut features a who’s who of Tampa Bay musicians.
Special Events: St. Pete Pride Street Festival and Promenade
Saturday, June 28
Hooray for Hollywood?
Catching up with two actors who left for Tinseltown.
Win Win Winter and Très Bien dive into Neptune’s Lounge
OK, I've been totally dropping the ball on this one. Tampa Bay's Win Win Winter has been issuing (online) exuberant indie-rock — with some seriously rad cock strutting going down, as well — and I still haven't seen 'em live, just missing their performance by several minutes when they opened for Dresden Dolls at Tampa…
Art: Convergence 2008 Gallery Crawl
Friday, June 27
Don’t Panic
What’s going on in Zimbabwe?
Film: 1970s Weekend
Saturday, June 28
Heaven help us
John McCain’s former reverend is a hypocrite.
My Morning Jacket puts out its best album to date
Evil Urges, plus CDs by Cassandra Wilson and Solomon Burke
Loud and Proud
St. Pete Pride ‘08: A photo story
The queering of Ybor
Why the historic district’s newfound fabulousness is economic development news everyone should be cheering.
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. Want even more corkscrew? Click here for news and information about Taylor's wine club. ONGOING EVENTS A&L FINE WINES WEEKLY TASTINGS A&L hosts weekly tastings on Friday nights (5-8 p.m.)…
Film: Indie Fest
Friday, June 27
Top 10: Songs about sugar
Appears U.S. Sugar, aka Big Sugar, has lost its sweet tooth, which could be a very good thing for the Florida environment, particularly the everglades. Then again, how exactly is Florida going to pay Big Sugar $1.75 billion? It's doubtful anything but crocodile alligator(?) tears will be shed for this bloated behemoth but let's give…
Top 10: Songs about sugar
Appears U.S. Sugar, aka Big Sugar, has lost its sweet tooth, which could be a very good thing for the Florida environment, particularly the everglades. Then again, how exactly is Florida going to pay Big Sugar $1.75 billion? It's doubtful anything but crocodile alligator(?) tears will be shed for this bloated behemoth but let's give…
