THURSDAY, OCTOBER 06
Das Racist w/ Danny Brown/Despot Rappers Heems and Kool A.D. of Das Racist first met while attending a liberal arts college in upstate Connecticut. The duo, along with hype-man Dap, exploded on the web in 2010 with their infectious/ridiculous track, "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell," and acclaimed mixtapes Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man. Their lyrics mash together jokes, obscure pop-culture references (Zach Morris, Days of Our Lives and Ernest Hemingway show up on just one track), and total non-sequiturs, which would be dismissible if it weren't for their genuine rhyme skills. The new studio album, Relax, features glossy beats from producers like Diplo, Boy 1 Da and Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij. Depending on who you ask, it's either an amazingly profound commentary on consumerism, race and culture, or complete nonsense. Either way, it's fun as hell, and unlike anything else out there right now. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —Christopher Spata
The Bright Light Social Hour Bright Light Social Hour has visited the Bay area several times since their first appearance here last fall. Their arrival is always welcome, as few bands possess the refreshing balls-out approach and charismatic showmanship of the Austin indie rock foursome, especially so early in their career. The band members also happen to be superb musicians who dole out Southern-drenched cock rock, electro-disco funkadelia, and down-and-dirty Texas blues, their sound dripping with the sort of sexy-raw classic rock testosterone that'd make Robert Plant proud. Three of the four members also happen to be pretty damn good vocalists, each with his own distinct timbre, and able to take lead or deliver spot-on harmonies depending on the song. Live shows usually turn into raucous and sweaty dance parties — the last one at The Hub ending in a screamingly happy mess of drunkenness. A must-see. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
"Weird Al" Yankovic "It's like a traveling circus," Weird Al Yankovic said of his tour during a recent CL interview. "It's just not a rock band playing on stage. There'll be costume changes, film clips — it's a whole multimedia extravaganza." On his "Apocalypse Tour," fans can expect performances of the Lady Gaga-inspired "Perform This Way" and the Miley Cyrus takeoff, "Party in the CIA," among other relevant fare, classic staples and surprise "deep cuts." If you missed Julie's thoughtful story on the principal purveyor of pop parody — which ran on the cover last week — check it out at cltampa.com. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
Marc Broussard Atlantic recording artist Marc Broussard is currently touring in support of his 2011 self-titled LP and fourth full-length slice of blue-eyed soul and AC pop rock, some tracks imbued with the faint taste of bayou blues and funky-groovy R&B. (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
The Rhymes and Resin Tour: Potluck / Glasses Malone w/Mistah Fab/Sunspot/Jonz J Hornay/Infinite Skillz The tour takes its name from Potluck's newest release, Rhymes And Resin. Hailing from Cali's Humboldt County, a region known as a Mecca of marijuana for its thriving medical pot trade, the duo loves to rap about their favorite plant. South Central L.A. gangsta rapper Glasses Malone has been bubbling beneath the surface since his street-centered flow got him signed to Cash Money Records in 2007. After more than four years of delays, his first studio album Beach Cruiser finally dropped last month, and features guest spots from heavyweights like Snoop Dogg, Lil' Wayne and Rick Ross. Malone doesn't do anything new, but what he does do (unpolished West Coast hood-bangers), he does well. (Orpheum, Ybor City) —CS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07
Chris Brown w/Bow Wow/T-Pain/Tyga Chris Brown had to do some serious PR maintenance after the backlash from his domestic assault incident with ex-flame Rihanna. A public YouTube apology and revealing interviews on Larry King Live and 20/20 have all painted Brown as deeply remorseful. He seems to be back on track in 2011 with a new album, F.A.M.E., that peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and a performance at this year's MTV VMA awards that didn't get booed. The young R&B and hip-hop singer-entertainer has brought some quality talent along for his current tour, including Compton-born rapper Tyga, who appears on Brown's LP in the charting track, "Deuces." (1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre, Tampa)
Gaby Moreno The LA-by-way-of-Guatemala City songstress delivers her lyrics in both English and Spanish, her soulfully rich vocals laid atop driving blues and Motown retro grooves (as in "Mess with a Good Thing"), or more swaying made-for-lounging jazz-tinged Latin pop, like in "Y Tu Sombra," both off her NPR-approved 2011 album, Illustrated Songs. (Ella's Americana Folk Art Café, Tampa)
Buckwheat Zydeco w/Beth McKee Two artists bring the Louisiana heat to Skipper's. Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. has been a leader in zydeco music for the past three decades. Rising songbird Beth Mckee brings a bit of Southern-fried flavor to the table with a repertoire that draws on blues, soul, rock and country. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —Lindsay Collette
Yuck w/Porcelain Raft/Palantine UK shoegaze indie-rock quartet Yuck signed to Fat Possum early this year, released their eponymous first album in February, and made their American debut at Chicago's Pitchfork Festival this summer. The current tour also promotes a self-released double A-side 7" featuring the previously unreleased "Milkshake." (Crowbar, Ybor City)
k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang w/Teddy Thompson She has routinely toured as a solo artist, but the mildly country-leaning Canadian AC pop-rock songstress brought on and collaborated with a full-scale band for Sing It Loud, her 2011 studio album and 13th overall. k. d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang includes multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia (guitar, keys, pedal steel, banjo, ukulele, mandolin), who also serves as the band's musical director, keyboardist Daniel Clarke, bassist Lex Price, drummer/percussionist Fred Eltringham, and Joshua Grange (baritone guitar, dobro). (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
The Beauvilles w/The Dirty Names/Andy Matchett & the Minks Their 2008 album — Whispering Sin — is The Beauvilles' official hello to the world, and the effort features live staples like "Snow," "Bougainvillea" and "Lips," that all find frontman Shawn Kyle both cooing and screaming into the microphone while his band blasts a thunderous blend of sultry guitar, big, fuzzed-out rock hooks, and a veiled gift for melody. It's another reason to be proud of the Bay area's musical offerings and makes me want to crack open a cold one right now. A new album is in the works, but in the meantime The Beauvilles play two back-to-back shows following their recent return from a national tour — this one as well as a Red Bull Flugtag after-party at the Tampa Bay History Museum on Saturday. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —Ray Roa
Conspirator w/DJ Craig Heneveld Instrumental jamtronic dance outfit Conspirator has taken many forms since its inception in 2004 as a side project of Disco Biscuits members Marc Brownstein (bass) and Aron Magner (keys, synths). Both musicians have continued as the group's core members, with a rotating cast of guest support players drawn from the jam rock circuit throughout Conspirator's existence. Currently, they're joined by guitarist Chris Michetti (RAQ) and drummer Mike Greenfield (Lotus). (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08
Friendly Fires With songs that smolder, only to spread fast like wildfire, English trio Friendly Fires' electronic beats and catchy lyrics are lighting up dance floors across the U.S. and U.K. Pala, released May 24 via XL Recordings, takes a more fast-paced route than their first album. (The Social, Orlando) —LC
Childish Gambino You'd probably recognize Donald Glover for his role as Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community, but it turns out the 28-year-old has a little more up his sleeve. Since 2010, the former 30 Rock writer has recorded a stand-up special for Comedy Central, modeled for the Gap, campaigned to become the first black Spider-Man, and recorded music under the rap moniker Childish Gambino. He addresses his ADD-ish tendencies on the track "Bitch, Look At Me Now," singing "You started rapping cause you wasn't good at basketball / I started rapping 'cause I need some fucking Adderall" over a sample from Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks." His ability to sing his own hooks is reminiscent of Drake, and his delivery is Weezy-esque, but he crafts playful, seamless songs that are all his own. (The Plaza Live, Orlando) —CS
Peter Frampton He might be best recognized for his big 1970s vox box hit, "Do You Feel Like We Do," but Frampton has done plenty since his popularity peaked and is still producing new material and touring regularly. From Gabe Echazabal's review of Frampton's 2010 stop at Ruth Eckerd: "Sure, his trademark blond locks are gone and he sports a close-cropped silver coif, opts for simple button-up shirts and faded jeans over satin pants and kimonos, and has abandoned his old habits in favor of a cleaner, more sober lifestyle. But Peter Frampton hasn't lost an iota of what's endeared him to so many for so long. He seems more relaxed these days and his onstage exuberance is refreshing. Frampton's come a long way and seems unfazed by his roller-coaster ride of a career. And judging from the fiery guitar work he dazzled the crowd with, he certainly hasn't lost his vastly underrated ability to dominate a Gibson Les Paul and squeeze sparks out of it." (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
El Cantador w/Signals From Satellites/The Velaceras An indie bill headed up by Mobile, Ala.'s El Cantador, which brings a dark experimental dance appeal to their alt-rock sound. Rounding it out is heavy melodic post rock trio Signals from Satellites, and Orlando's prog-experimental outfit The Velaceras, their sound jumping from ambient and quiet to loud and technically complex. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
Mates of State w/Yawn Possibly one of the most underrated bands of the decade, Mates of State is kicking off the fall with a 41-date East Coast tour. Their current 22-song setlist is the longest MoS have played live to date and includes such goodies as "The Re-arranger" and "Get Better" from their 2009 critically acclaimed Re-Arrange Us, along with a hefty dose of tracks from newly-minted Mountaintops. Formed in 1997, the married duo is known for the electronic organ keywork of Kori Gardner and fast-tempo percussion of Jason Hammel. Add to that a dance of high-toned, overlapping and interchanging female-male vocals, and you've got yourself some sunny, energetic, high-quality synth pop. (Orpheum, Ybor City) —LC
Ska Homecoming 2011 w/SCIO/UNRB/Waxed Curbs/Stone Leek/The Real Deal/The Duppies/Teflon Don/The Long Johns/The Singletones/The Hoverounds/Victims Of Circumstance/Four Minute Warning A huge bill of skanking acts converge on Transitions for this all-ages event that includes sets by Montreal-based ska/punk outfit The Real Deal and tourmates Stone Leek, from Japan, as well as area bands like The Singletones from Tampa, made up of former and current members of Johnny Cakes, and Orlando's The Duppies, which lean to a more rocksteady sound. (Transitions Art Gallery @ Skatepark of Tampa)
Cave w/set and setting Cave, from Chicago, is a psyche drone trio signed to Drag City Records that imbues their aesthetic with driving Kraut-and-1970s groove influences, tension-and-release jams, and a surprisingly buoyant energy. Pitchfork.com gave their 2008 debut, Psychic Psummer, a healthy 7.6 rating, and 2011's Neverendless paired with a many-date U.S. tour is primed to bring them a whole new batch of followers. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 09
Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys w/Jubal's Kin You'd think that at 84, Dr. Ralph Stanley would be ready to retire to a quiet mountain cabin in his Southeastern Virginia hometown. But the bluegrass luminary and banjo master who originally formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946 is still active on the roots music circuit after more than six decades, with upward of 70 recordings under his belt (including a new one, 2011's A Mother's Prayer) and 100 or so live dates a year. Just goes to show you that for some people, creativity and drive never lets up, no matter what the age. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
30 Years of Jazz: A Tribute to Bob Seymour with Ira Sullivan/Dick Hyman/Gumbi Ortiz/Fred Johnson/Kym Purling/Nate Najar/John Lamb/Michael Royal/Michael Ross/Rose Bilal//Whitney James/Larue Nickelson/Denise Moore/many others An all-star lineup of Tampa Bay jazz talents, from elder statesman jazz piano great Dick Hyman to newer school guitarist Nate Najar, pay tribute to WUSF's Bob Seymour, a three-decade station vet who's know for his refined taste in jazz and for introducing both classics and new releases to innumerable local listeners during his many years on the air. The concert is followed by a jam session on the intimate Side Door stage. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
Mord Fustang w/Halo Nova/D.T.M./Nerd Rage Twenty-year-old Estonian producer Mord Fustang crafts electronic dance music marked by big house beats and dramatic dubstep embellishments. He's been active for less than a year but has dropped five singles for Germany's Plasmapool label since January ("Lick the Rainbow" hit No. 3 on the Beatport Top 100). (The Orpheum, Ybor City)
Firewind w/Arsis/White Wizzard/Nightrage/Fire We've been seeing loads of international metal acts lately, and Firewind, an anthemic power metal five-piece from Greece, is the latest. Lead guitarist/founder Gus G. is a monster shredder, and was tapped by Ozzy Osbourne to replace Zakk Wylde in his band in 2009, a fact that might bring some curious ears to Firewind's U.S. shows. This tour promotes 2010's Days of Defiance, the band's sixth album. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
Arctic Monkeys w/Smith Westerns "I poured my aching heart into a pop song / I couldn't get the hang of poetry," sings lyrical wordsmith Alex Turner, who's poured hook after hook into British indie-rock band Arctic Monkeys' 2011 fourth album, Suck It and See. The LP has been praised by critics and fans alike for its return to the "old form" that 2009's Humbug strayed away from. Arctic Monkeys bring their mix of post-punk and vintage pop to the U.S. on their fall tour. Support comes from Chicago-based rock trio Smith Westerns, which catapulted onto the scene with their lo-fi self-titled debut that earned enough to get them a record deal with Fat Possum in 2009. The band expanded on their British Bowie influences on their latest, Dye It Blonde. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City) —LC
The Cavalera Conspiracy W/OTE Hailing from Brazil and brewing up a groove, thrash and hardcore punk-fused stew of heavy metal is The Cavalera Conspiracy, a quartet led by brothers Max (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Igor (drums, percs) Cavalera. Both are former members of Sepultura who, after a long-standing (10-year) feud, reconciled and formed the band with American guitarist and bassist Marc Rizzo in 2007; currently, drummer Johny Chow rounds out the ensemble. (Gasoline Alley, Largo)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10
Duran Duran CL's expert in all things retro, Gabe Echazabal, wrote a glowing 4.5-star review of Duran Duran's Mark Ronson-produced 13th studio album, All You Need Is Now. Per Gabe, "The band has not only brilliantly bridged the gap between their pop-glam-disco masterpiece, 1982's Rio, and the present, but they've also reestablished themselves as true originators and purveyors of modern dance music, experts at melding many different genres into smart, danceable, sexy, seductive pop music that is also catchy as hell." This will be the band's first appearance at Ruth Eckerd since their sold-out concert in 2001. This show will likely sell-out, too. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Parachute Musical w/Kyle Andrews Like a sudden burst of colored confetti against a clear blue sky, the energetic tunes of Parachute Musical demand attention. Josh Foster (vocals, piano), Tom Gilbert (guitar, backing vocals), Andrew Samples (bass, backing vocals) and Ben Jacoby (drums) create a unique blend of sunny, orchestral pop rock. The band collaborated with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Jack's Mannequin) on their new album, Kill It Cut It Down. The title, Foster has said, "represents the abandonment of old ways; leaving them behind and embracing the new." Recording mastermind Kyle Andrews warms up the stage in promotion of his new record, Robot Learn Love, which he produced by recording his vocals lo-fi style through laptop mics, pairing the results with software simulated drums, and tracked the string parts with real life players at a professional studio. Andrews is backed by a full band on this tour. (Crowbar, Ybor City) —LC
Shawn Phillips An enigmatic artist with a cult following, South Africa-based Shawn Phillips was among the quiet surge of singer-songwriters to emerge from the early-'70s but was active as far back as the early 1960s, when he played the folk circuit with artists like Tim Hardin, met and schooled a young aspiring musician named Joni Mitchell on guitar, studied sitar in England while collaborating and doing session work with then-roommate Donovan (there's still controversy surrounding how involved Phillips was in the making of Sunshine Superman, which he's claimed in interviews to have co-written), gave George Harrison some sitar tips and even sang back-up on "Lovely Rita" before he was ejected from England for not having a work permit. Phillips has released a few dozen solo LPs; his vocals range from deep and warm to high, poignant and regal, and his mix of folk, prog, groove and psyche rock has that warm and comforting AM feel. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Gym Class Heroes & The Dirty Heads w/Outsight Travie McCoy reunited with his alt-rock/hip-hop Gym-mates Matt McGinley (drums), Disashi Lumumba-Kasongoto (guitar) and Eric Roberts (bass) earlier his year to record, and the foursome is on the road promoting their forthcoming LP, The Paper Chronicles II, due out in November. Reggae rock co-headliner The Dirty Heads were dubbed as one of the "Best New Bands of 2010" by Rolling Stone and have already topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart with their single, "Lay Me Down." (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) —LC
Weedeater w/Saviours/Bison/Fight Amp Weedeater vocalist/bass player "Dixie" Dave Collins shot off his big toe while cleaning his shotgun last year, which put the N.C. trio's recording sessions on hold while he recovered. I shit you not. They made it back into the studio eventually, and their resulting fourth album of sludgy stoner metal, Jason… The Dragon, dropped in January. (The Orpheum, Ybor City)
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.
This article appears in Oct 6-12, 2011.