Punk Rock/Heavy Metal Karaoke Director/producer Sonny JL Aronson's documentary film Punk Rock/Heavy Metal Karaoke takes a look at the latest thing to hit LA and NYC — namely, karaoke nights where Joe Anybody can be a rock star for five minutes by getting up and belting out their favorite raging guitar tune in front of a live backing band. Filmed at famed New York rock 'n' roll nightspot Arlene's Grocery, PRHMK examines the vagaries of star worship, suburban boredom, and urban nostalgia. Well, that, or it's really fun to laugh at bond brokers doing their Johnny Rotten imitations. Following the 7:30 screening at the Globe, we'll all head over to the Emerald for bartendress Mo's monthly Scaryoke blowout. Rock. (Feb. 28, Globe Coffee Lounge/Emerald)
Junction Lots of avant/experimental/out-there shit in the Menu this time around, kids. Here's the first installment of Junction, a new two-Thursday (at least two; we'll see how it goes) Orpheum shindig bent on mixing beats and turntable dexterity with live instruments in an improvisational context. If you smell The Boats' skewed collective imagination behind this one, give your nose a cookie — George will be vocalizing, Sam will be spinning, and Todd and Jeremiah will be jamming, along with members of other local groups (including We Have Agents) and DJs like Biggs, Cornelius Eu, Nigel and others. It could be a sonic train-wreck of boggling proportions, but it could also be most severely cool. Be daring. (Feb. 28, Orpheum)
Ronny Elliott & The Nationals/Gypsy Wind/Walt Bucklin Tampa songsmith Ronny Elliott's got more true tales and country soul than Ex-Convict Nite at The Cadillac Ranch. And if he ever runs out of yarn (HIGHLY unlikely), he need only turn to his colorful and storied Nationals for inspiration, motivation and the occasional bout with lunacy. Together, they crank out some of the best C&W/roots-rock around, and this is the release party for their latest disc, Magneto. Buzzed blue/newgrass outfit the Gypsy Wind Band and National Walt Bucklin, a gifted songwriter in his own right, will be on hand as well. Highly recommended. (March 2, Skipper's Smokehouse)
Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra The locally based trumpeter fronts his 16-piece big band in a benefit concert for the Victory Ship Restoration Project. The ensemble plays the music of late hornmeister Maynard Ferguson and others. (March 2, Florida Aquarium, 9 p.m.)
—Eric Snider
Alan Gerber Folk-bluesman Alan Gerber began playing professionally in Chicago at the age of 12, and recorded the single It's You I'm Thinking Of for Chess Records before he could legally drive. Famed '60s producer Paul Rothchild personally selected Gerber to front Summer of Love cult act Rhinoceros, which recorded for Elektra and toured with everyone from Joplin to Hendrix to Steppenwolf. He spent the '80s touring with his one-man show and establishing France's American Blues Tour, before settling into a career as an underground and online hero. Last year, he participated in the International Folk Alliance conference, and is currently recording his 60 or so annual performances for an upcoming live album, so clap loudly or go whoooooo or something, like my date did to get on the live Tori Amos disc. (March 3, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa)
Sister Hazel Gainesville granola-pop quintet Sister Hazel achieved superstardom on the strength of the single All For You; then came the pop-punk/nu-metal onslaught and, well, why be Loving when you can be Disturbed? Chances are the band's hooky, sunny sound is still reverberating in the skulls of plenty, though, so get to this FREE show on Crescent Hill early if you want to get close. In addition, some fortunate locals will be most likely provide support. (March 3, USF)
Loud Zoo Avant/experimental/out-there shit, PART TWO: Improvisational art-music at St. Pete's Center of Radical Empowerment (their new location is at 1615 Central Ave.). Vonn New will be locally debuting 'Concerto for Cubicle,' a three-movement piece written for office equipment, they say. Nechamah Singer, formerly of The Fallopian Tubes, will also make her first appearance with the Loud Zoo conglomerate. And who could forget The Dance of the Bubble Wrap? Intrigued is battling with vaguely frightened and is losing. (Mar. 3, C.O.R.E.)
Crooked Fingers/Cold Sides/Skyline Crooked Fingers is the new outfit featuring Eric Bachmann, the former Archer of Loaf; that should be all you need to know right there. Also on the Chapel Hill tip is Cold Sides, featuring one or more of those fine folks who brought you The White Octave, one of the East Coast's finer psych-emo suppliers. Still teetering? Let locals Skyline push you over the edge into attendance — their postrock is daring, yet still pretty damn grabby. (March 4, New World Brewery)
Wesley Willis w/Grand Buffet Schizophrenic Wesley Willis began his career as a street artist. Some eight or so years later, the giant, lovable man's name is still a hip one to drop. Willis' keyboard-accompanied tunes are probably less attractive than his freaky, fun charisma; still, his fans seem honestly endeared and respectful. Sound-collage hip-hop weirdos Grand Buffet are along for the ride, and will certainly provide something strange to watch/hear. DJ Fuctinlife provides between-set spinnage. (March 5, Orpheum)
BONK Festival of New Music Avant/experimental/out-there shit, THE MOTHER LODE: If you simply love to have a few dozen imported beers and belabor the subject of exactly what qualifies music as such, then chances are you've already got this year's BONK schedule stuck to your fridge with John Zorn and/or Guinness magnets. From the kickoff party tonight at St. Pete's Salvador Dali Museum (featuring works by Jens Hedman, Sergio Barroso, Eric Lyon and others) through the final bash at the Harbor Club on March 9 (organic choreography by Freefall, followed by a bash downstairs with Crash Mitchell, Handshake Squad and the Unrequited Loves), expect to have your mind expanded, your imagination enchanted and your eardrums tested. (See this week's Performance column for the whole skinny.) (March 5-9, various area locations)
Umphrey's McGee South Bend, Ind.-based jam-circuit favorites Umphrey's McGee have become one of the Internet's most-hunted acts. Their sound is a little quirkier than your average, heavily roots-inflected H.O.R.D.E. fare — little metallic edges and shades of everything from Primus to The Flecktones permeate their style. (March 6, Orpheum)
—All entries by Scott Harrell unless otherwise indicated
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2002.