Thursday, May 17
CRASH MITCHELL QUARTET w/NERVOUS TURKEY Sulphur Springs resident Crash Mitchell delivers a zany, brand of cow punk, with just enough craziness to keep attendees on their toes and make certain types squirm. Tampa's Nervous Turkey takes a Tom Waits-style approach to blues and boogie, performing steamy originals and convincing covers of back-alley classics by the likes of Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Howlin' Wolf. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
TOOTH & NAIL TOUR w/MXPX/SULLIVAN/THE CLASSIC CRIME/THE FOLD MXPX (originally named Magnified Plaid) is a Christian pop-punk band that formed in 1992 while the musicians were teens attending high school in Bremerton, Wash. Fifteen years since their inception, the trio still performs songs aimed squarely at adolescents. The title track to the MXPX's upcoming release, Secret Weapon, which is posted on the band's MySpace site, is a catchy tune with lyrics that amount to the kind of vague self-help lesson a well-meaning Sunday school teacher might offer. "Throw all of your fears into the sea," goes the chorus. "You are your own secret weapon." (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
THE LOOKAWAY w/WILD SWEET ORANGE/OH JULIET!/THE AIRPORT BONFIRE This is an odd lineup that finds Tampa punkers The Look Away co-headlining with Wild Sweet Orange, a five-piece from Birmingham, Ala., that plays Van Morrison-inspired soul-rock and whose ballad "The Land of No Return" was reportedly featured on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
THE DITCHFLOWERS/EXPERIMENTAL PILOT/BOB ANTHONY Brian Merrill and Ed Woltil are two of the most accomplished tunesmiths and singers the Bay area has ever produced. They've christened their first collaboration The Ditchflowers, and their self-released CD Carried Away is already a shoe-in for my year-end 10-best list. It's smart, sublimely melodic pop rock with exquisite vocals. Brian and Ed are still finalizing personnel for a full band to do a proper CD showcase, but in the meantime, they'll play this acoustic duo gig in Ybor City. Also on hand will be the Americana-oriented brother tandem Experimental Pilot and razor-witted singer/songwriter Bob Anthony. Tre Amici @ the Bunker is located at 1907 N. 19th St. Gig starts at 8 p.m. (Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City) —Eric Snider
Friday, May 18
GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC Don't get me wrong: I love P-Funk as much as the next party person. Clinton and his old squad of Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, etc., were masters of uniting thick funk and fuzzy rock to create sounds that go straight to the hips. P-Funk music helped sample-happy rappers like Dr. Dre go multiplatinum. But we can't, in good conscience, recommend this concert without mentioning that Clinton's has been known to get on stage and just smoke a hog leg for two hours while his band members phone in their performances. (Sometimes, though, the whole messy ensemble gets inspired and really kills.) That said, even a mediocre rendition of, say, "Flash Light," "One Nation Under a Groove" or "Atomic Dog" is still a treat. And the scene at a P-Funk gig is sure to be a hoot. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
AKROBATIK w/DJ THERAPY/BREAKDOWN & DJ RAN MECCA/HALOS FOR HOOKERS/CES CREW A highly respected member of the hip-hop underground, Boston-based rapper Akrobatik (Jared Bridgeman) brings a menacing approach to thoughtful rhymes that range from philosophical musings to witty boasts and political diatribes. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
THE SEMIS w/AUDITORIUM/DAYLIGHT DISTRICT/HAT TRICK HEROES Three of Tampa Bay's top alt-rock bands are joined by Orlando-by-way-of-Bradenton hip-hop/funk/rock outfit Daylight District, which is led by charismatic MC/keyboardist Frank Friend, former leader of area emo band The Silent Treatment. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
SIGNAL 76/RED LIPSTICK LETTER/LAST GREAT HOPE Bradenton's Signal 76 have been at it for years now, with three CDs and countless local gigs under their belt. This week, the band journeys south for a Sarasota date at what has become one of the most consistent rock venues in town, the Clubhouse. Signal's sound is rooted in punk, but with none of the I-can-scream-louder-than-you inanity; instead, the group stocks its sonic briefcase with a number of impressive riffs and melodies. (The Clubhouse Tavern, Sarasota) —Cooper Levey-Baker
DOUG AND TELISHA WILLIAMS A lot of folk acts might sound like they're from Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, but the Williams husband-wife combo can truthfully claim the region as home. The couple met as high school band nerds and have been making beautiful music together ever since. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) The two play mandolin and guitar, and trade vocal roles throughout. (Fogartyville Café, Bradenton) —CLB
Saturday, May 19
MATT & KIM w/INERTIA!/CARLO OF HOLLYWOOD/DJ SCOTT IMRICH Like two kids in the basement toying with their parents' instruments, Brooklyn-based duo Matt (vocals/keyboards) and Kim (drums) play little ditties that are rather charming in their simplicity. Matt's vocals make him sound like a teenager singing along to the radio — his range is seriously limited but there is a something engaging about the sheer enthusiasm he puts across. Tampa's Inertia! are a sister duo featuring the singing and strumming of Lily Richeson with drumming by her sibling Rose. The songs they posted online are sweet, sappy and poppy in the best kind of way. The lyrics are humorous and poignant — they pull the listener in like when a stranger drinks too much red wine and decides to confess her fears and desires to anyone within earshot. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
LONESTAR The country-pop act (think Rascal Flatts) scored a slew of hits from about 1995-2005, including the chart-toppers "Come Cryin' to Me," "Amazed," "Smile" and "Mr. Mom." (Busch Gardens, Tampa)
KINGSPADE Former members of Southern Cali rap punks the Kottonmouth Kings, John Richter and D-Loc continue their obnoxious assault on humanity with Kingspade. This is music for the suburban kid who wears his hat to the side and looks for fights with lonely strangers while driving around in his dad's Hummer, backed by eight of his boyz and a couple Louisville Sluggers. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
SKA-FEST Rude Squad headlines this dozen-plus lineup of local ska bands, which begs the question: Just how much ska can you stomach? (For more info, go to See & Do) (Skatepark of Tampa: Transitions Art Gallery, Tampa)
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ROCKFEST w/BURN THEORY/VERONICAS VEIL/CLENCHFIST/TRANSERA/DOLT Operation Shoebox was founded in 2003 to mail overseas U.S. troops care packages full of snacks and "personal care items." Local metalheads are showing that their Beelzebub-loving hearts are in the correct places this week by throwing a bash to benefit the Shoebox program. You know what to expect: thrashing riffage, horror-movie lyrics and plenty of flying devil horns. Who could have known that Satan's minions have such tender values? (Gallery Billiards, Sarasota) —CLB
Sunday, May 20
GLOBAL WARMING AWARENESS CONCERT w/PETE GALLAGHER/KELLY GREEN/TC CARR/CHRISTIAN MORIARITY/REBEKAH PULLEY & THE RELUCTANT PROPHETS/RONNY ELLIOTT/CHARLIE VEGAS & THE NEW BLUES COMBO/DAMON FOWLER GROUP/SANDY ATKINS & THE MODEANS Featuring the top roots musicians in the area — from the country noir of Ronny Elliott to the lap-steel mastery of Damon Fowler and the gripping folk-rock of Rebekah Pulley — this is a highly recommended show that even a global warming denier could appreciate. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
RED LIPSTICK LETTER w/LADY RADIATOR/BURIED BY YOU Pensacola's Red Lipstick Letter play pop punk laced with computer-generated squiggles, while New Jersey four-piece Lady Radiator deliver histrionic vocals over a more moody indie-rock foundation, and Buried By are an emo trio from North Port. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
BASIC ROCK OUTFIT w/KLIK Long-time Bay area rocker Jeremy Thomas leads this hooky quintet that plays a beguiling blend of power pop, post grunge and emo. The band has flirted with breaking into bigger things, and the hope is that their new album, Thank You For the Pain, will act as a further catalyst to that end. Klik, also from the Bay area, are a female-fronted quintet that makes dark, throbbing hard rock. (Crowbar, Ybor City) —ES
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED This quintet includes original Creedence Clearwater Revival members Stu Cook (bass) and Doug Clifford (drums). Pretty lame idea that surely makes John Fogerty wanna throw 'bows — but could be fun, I guess, after enough time in the hospitality tent. (Busch Gardens, Tampa)
PAT TRAVERS Seeing guitar slinger Travers doing "Snortin' Whiskey" and "Boom, Boom (Out Go the Lights)" in what appears to be a rockin' little roadhouse sounds appealing. (Tony's Spotlight Tavern, Tampa)
Tuesday, May 21
INSANE CLOWN POSSE Kottonmouth Kings and Insane Clown Posse in the same week? What did St. Pete do to deserve such a fate? Warning: ICP is a metal/rap band that wields chainsaws on stage and boasts some seriously deranged fans. Put it this way: I won't go anywhere near downtown St. Pete Monday for fear of having to actually rub shoulders with one of ICP's psychotic, face-painting followers. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
Tuesday, May 22
THE BLUERUNNERS This Cajun rock quartet from deep down in Louisiana has recorded for Island and Rounder since hitting the scene in the early 1990s and earned a loyal following with their eclectic party mix of zydeco, funk, country rock and saxophone-fueled R&B. In short, these guys should have no problem raising the proverbial roof at the Skipperdome. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
ASTERIA w/THE ALPHA COUPLE/YOU, ME AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW Indiana-based five-piece Asteria play fairly standard pop punk while co-headliner The Alpha Couple, of Chicago, are more into the pedal effects and jagged guitar parts. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
CLIFF EBERHARDT A member of the 1980s Greenwich Village folk revival, Eberhardt has had his songs covered by the likes of Buffy Sainte-Marie and Carl Perkins. (Craftsman House Gallery, St. Petersburg)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES w/PIRATE PRUDE/DEAD LOVER Their latest album Élan Vital was one of the finest indie-rock releases of '06, but this is the final run for Matador recording artist Pretty Girls Make Graves (see music feature). (Orpheum, Ybor City)
MIDNIGHT BOWLERS LEAGUE AND BIG JEF Tampa's Midnight Bowlers specialize in willfully retro rockabilly, playing originals that wouldn't sound out of place if played on Memphis radio in 1955. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
This article appears in May 16-22, 2007.