Hey There, Battleship, Brother Ali

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

HEY THERE, BATTLESHIP w/NESSIE/DJ CUB A pair of St. Pete regulars share a bill again for a gig at their hometown's chic new venue: Hey There, Battleship supplies the angular indie-rock, while Nessie douses listeners with beer-soaked power-pop. (Push Ultra Lounge, St. Petersburg)

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS Lonesome George's blooze anthems — "Bad to the Bone," "Born to Be Bad," "I Drink Alone" — made him an '80s star and current classic-rock fave, much to the chagrin of blues purists. I saw Thorogood perform several years back at Robarts arena in Sarasota, and he delivered a solid, albeit predictable, set that thrilled the rowdy, biker-intensive audience. I'm kinda curious whether this performance at the decidedly more upscale Tampa Theatre will attract the same beer-swilling, request-hollering, leather-and-denim-clad crowd. (Tampa Theatre, Tampa)

BADFISH With countless bands biting the reggae-punk-stoner sound of Sublime, it only makes sense that a straight-up tribute act would find success. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)

HERMAN'S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE A British Invasion band that has received about as much critical respect over the years as the Monkees, Herman's Hermits peppered the pop charts from 1964 to '68 with ditties like the No. 1 singles "Henry VIII, I Am" and "Mrs. Brown You Have a Lovely Daughter." Original lead singer Peter Noone and his latest cast of replacement players perform today through March 23 at the theme park's Stanleyville Theater. (Busch Gardens, Tampa)

ENVY ON THE COAST w/BRIGHTEN/FOLK & STRESS Emo rockers Envy on the Coast, of Long Island, N.Y., spice their power-chord stomps and snotty vocals with pedestrian keyboard flourishes à la Something Corporate. The quintet's debut album, Lucy Gray, reached No. 11 last year on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. (Orpheum, Ybor City)

NOVEMBER FOXTROT WHISKEY A punk-informed roots-rock outfit from Tampa, November Foxtrot Whiskey also incorporates avant-lounge into its eclectic act. (Kelly's Pub, Tampa)

THE TEMPTATIONS To the best of my knowledge, tenor/baritone vocalist Otis Williams is the only original member left repping this legendary Motown group responsible for pop-soul chestnuts like "My Girl," "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone." (Youkey Theatre, Lakeland)

FRIDAY, MARCH 21

RUSTED ROOT w/ONE FLEW SOUTH A Dead-worshiping ensemble with a world music bent, Pittsburgh's Rusted Root had a middling hit single in '95 with "Send Me on My Way" and has since found a comfy life of noodling on the jam-band circuit. RR and opener One Flew South play same venue following day. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)

BROTHER ALI w/ABTSTRACT RUDE/TOKI WRIGHT/BK ONE Over jazzy beats, underground rap standout Brother Ali spits about everything from his albinism (he's also legally blind) to his Muslim beliefs. The MC's latest album, The Undisputed Truth, which just missed the Top 40 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums survey, features the controversial track "Uncle Sam Goddamn." Sample lyric: "Welcome to the united snakes/ Land of the thief, home of the slave." (Orpheum, Ybor City)

JOHNNY LOWEBOW w/MEMPHIS TRAIN UNION/BRENT RADEMAKER Playing a self-designed "cigarbox" guitar while seated behind a drum kit, Memphis one-man-band Johnny Lowebow offers an irreverent amalgam of roots styles steeped in dirty Delta blues. (Dave's Aqua Lounge, St. Petersburg)

ROSE BILAL The Mahaffey kicks off its Jazz Jamm Series with Bilal, a big-voiced veteran vocalist who has called Tampa Bay home since 1969. Her style skews toward classic jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae. (Mahaffey Theater) —Eric Snider

LYNDA BOSTROM w/HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL, NINO PINELLI AND BRYAN BEARDSLEY Sarasota native Bostrom and artist Anthony Zollo put together this "dYAd" collaborative, a stellar lineup including the gothic Americana of Have Gun, Will Travel; smoldering acoustic blues-rocker (and recent Lust List honoree) Pinelli; and Beardsley's folk country-and-western. Bostrom is no sonic slouch herself, a chanteuse whose lovely, hushed vocals and evocative strumming make her one to watch. (The Crossley Gallery at Ringling College of Art & Design, Sarasota) —Amanda Schurr

PIG PEN, LARF, FACEPLANT! AND THE LONG JOHNS Mindsyndicate Productions presents another evening of full-throttle rock for the Red Bull set, capped by Tampa ska quartet The Long Johns. Frontwoman Stephanie Summerbell and crew's sound is downright Stefani-esque, circa No Doubt — all plucky, pre-Harajuku spunk and New Wave moxie. Rounding out the evening are hardcore thrashers Faceplant!, Orlando power trio Larf and the filthy punk of Pig Pen, whose 'tude-filled repertoire includes "Jobs are for Losers" and "Crack Whore Barbie." (O'Malley's Irish Pub, Sarasota) —AS

SATURDAY, MARCH 22

"SKATEPARK OF TAMPA PRO PARTY:" BAND OF HORSES/KIMYA DAWSON Skatepark of Tampa's latest bash in Ybor City features hyped indie-folk outfit Band of Horses with former Moldy Peach and Juno soundtrack solo star Kimya Dawson. For an interview with anti-folk singer Dawson, see p. 43. (Cuban Club, Ybor City)

ADRIANNE w/STEPH TAYLOR A one-named folk singer with an expressive voice and a gift for richly detailed lyrics, Adrianne, of Los Angeles, returns to this St. Pete venue that doubles as a recording studio for another evening of intimate confessionals culled from her new album, Burn Me Up. (Pro Star Sound Stage, St. Petersburg)

DONNA JEAN & THE TRICKSTERS A backup singer for the Grateful Dead in the 1970s, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay and her band's new self-titled disc recently enjoyed praise in Rolling Stone, with the magazine's Senior Editor David Fricke noting, "The pairing of her Southern-gospel alto and the Tricksters' roots-groove interplay on Donna Jean & the Tricksters is a warm, perfect fit, especially in the early '70s Boz Scaggs-style R&B of "All I Gotta Say" and "No Better Way." (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)

AUTHORITY ZERO w/WHOLE WHEAT BREAD One of myriad bands melding skate-punk and reggae in the '90s, Authority Zero were briefly signed to Atlantic and had a moderately successful radio hit in 2002 with "One More Minute." The band is currently touring in support of the full-length 12:34, which came out last year on the indie label Big Panda. (Orpheum, Ybor City)

DJ SCOOTER San Diego turntablist DJ Scooter stops by Push to spin a mix of hip-hop and techno that will be recorded for an upcoming live CD. (Push Ultra Lounge, St. Petersburg)

DIKKI DU & THE ZYDECO KREWE Hailing from deep down in Louisiana (Lawtell to be specific), Dikki Du brings a contemporary funk and rock vibe to traditional Zydeco, resulting in party music that anyone with half a tail feather should enjoy — especially after that magical third or fourth drink. (Ferg's Sports Bar and Grille, St. Petersburg)

THE CRASH MITCHELL FIVE w/THE SEMIS/SKULL AND BONE BAND/AL TORCHIA Beloved Tampa cow-punk Crash Mitchell expands his quartet into a five-piece with the addition of a "stellar guitar player," says the frontman. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

SETH WALKER Austin-based singer-songwriter is an ace guitarist who delivers an engaging blend of blues, alt-country and Southern soul. Walker also performs Sunday at New World Brewery in Tampa. (Aces Lounge, Bradenton)

HYDROSONIC Orlando quintet does alt-rock with a screamo edge. (The Garage, St. Petersburg)

SUNDAY, MARCH 23

THE UNSEEN w/A WILHELM SCREAM/THE LUCHAGORS/SAFETY For the past decade, Boston hardcore punk quintet and Warped Tour-regulars The Unseen have been flailing hard and fast against all forms of authority — just like their musical heroes and former record label bosses Anti-Flag. (Orpheum, Ybor City)

MONDAY, MARCH 24

YELLOWCARD w/SPILL CANVAS/SECONDHAND SERENADE/PLAY RADIO PLAY The rare (only?) punk-pop band with a violinist in the lineup, Jacksonville's Yellowcard returns to the Bay area — yet again — for an acoustic performance, which will likely include the 2004 smash "Ocean Avenue" and "Light Up the Sky." (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)

KENNY G Sax man Kenny Gorelick has been raking in millions as a smooth jazz sensation while making jazz snobs cringe for the past quarter century. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

JAY-Z w/MARY J. BLIGE He retired at the top of the rap game and then returned with the less-than-spectacular 2006 album Kingdom Come — leaving fans feeling slighted. All was made right, though, last year, when Jay-Z released American Gangster. A superb song cycle inspired by the film of the same name, the disc features the smash single "Roc Boys." R&B-soul diva Mary J. Blige joins Jigga for this performance in O-Town. (Amway Arena, Orlando)

ACEYALONE w/TRIBAL STYLE/PROMISE & NUMONICS One of the leading proponents of West Coast progressive hip-hop, Freestyle Fellowship founder Aceyalone issued his solo debut, All Balls Don't Bounce, on Capitol in '95. But despite critical praise that compared his thoughtful rhymes to those of Rakim, the album bricked commercially. No matter. Aceyalone has soldiered on as an underground luminary; he's currently touring in support of last year's Lightning Strikes. (Orpheum, Ybor City)

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

"TASTE OF CHAOS:" AVENGED SEVENFOLD w/ATREYU/BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE/BLESS THE FALL/IDIOT PILOT/MUCC/D'ESPAIRSPRAY/THE UNDERNEATH A metalcore band with substantial mass appeal (its self-titled album hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200 pop survey last year), Avenged Sevenfold headlines this multi-act roster that will likely rattle the Dome and inspire mosh-pit mayhem. (USF Sun Dome, Tampa)

THE IRISH ROVERS On the heels of St. Patrick's Day, Ruth Eckerd Hall host a performance by vet purveyors of pop-ified Irish folk (they're from Canada) like "The Unicorn," which was a Top 10 hit in '68. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2008.