All entries by Scott Harrell except where otherwise noted.
CRADLE OF FILTH/BLEEDING THROUGH/ARCH ENEMY/HIMSA British outfit Cradle of Filth is one of the most theatrical, long-running black metal bands around — extroverted frontman Dani Filth has been a favorite subject of the European music press for more than a decade. Bleeding Through hail from punk- and ska-friendly Orange County, Calif., but fall pretty firmly into the mosh-metal category. Sweden's Arch Enemy are a far better-than-average death metal outfit with a straightforward, often melodic sound and an amazing vocalist in Germany's Angela Gossow (see this week's Music feature), while Himsa blends hardcore and metal better than most of the acts currently crowding that particular bandwagon. (Nov. 11, Masquerade, Ybor City)
BROTHERHOOD OF GROOVE What musically accomplished New Orleans conglomerate Brotherhood of Groove does fits easily under the aegis of the ever-widening Jam Nation. Their claim to individuality, however, lies in the band's love for the laid-back, soulful R&B grooves often associated with their hometown; expect plenty of slinky horns, effortlessly ripping guitar and spilled beers. (Nov. 11, New World Brewery, Ybor City)
NORAH JONES The jazzy pop-soul siren's star has faded a bit since she stormed adult-oriented radio formats early last year, but this will nonetheless probably go down as this year's show to see for everyone from 20 to 50 whose stereo and CD collection both fit on a tall, narrow, polished-metal rack in one corner of their tastefully open living room. (Nov. 12, Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa)
RIBFEST Some areas of the country celebrate the onset of autumn proper by somehow getting their foliage to all change color at once; down here, we've got RibFest, that annual cavalcade of sauce and slow-smoked flesh. And live music, most of which ceased to be even marginally culturally relevant at least a decade ago. This year, however, boasts at least one standout: The Family Stone experience, the funk/R&B ensemble featuring charter members of Sly & The Family Stone that actually appeared in the Bay area not too long ago under the moniker Live! The First Family of Funk. Other notable performers include young bluesman Jonny Lang, whatever's left of Jefferson Starship, Gregg Rolie, original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm, Dave Mason, former androgynous hair-rock duo The Nelsons, and ex-General Hospital hunk and pop-rock touchstone Rick Springfield. The mind reels. There's plenty more entertainment spread out over RibFest's three days; for the complete schedule, log onto www.ribfest.org. (Nov. 12-14, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)
BILLY BACON AND THE FORBIDDEN PIGS Their current tour celebrates 20 years of excellent, Tex-Mex-flavored roots-rock from Billy and his band of taboo pork on the hoof. They've also marked the occasion with a lengthy compilation of tuneage aptly titled Still Smokin' After 20 Years, but the proper way to enjoy the group is in a live setting. And with the added attractions of not only a pig-roast (by Cajun Connection president and St. Pete Crawfish Festival co-founder Benny Sylvester), but also a microbrew beer-tasting session, tonight would make an ideal opportunity to do so. (Nov. 12, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS The Spankers have been wowing live audiences with an indefinable but expertly played amalgam of largely acoustic-based American roots styles for more than 10 years. Their latest album, Mercurial, is an eminently listenable batch of standards, covers and favorite originals; it's so tight, and sounds so good, you'd never guess it was recorded live-to-tape on vintage equipment with absolutely no post-session monkey business. Good stuff. (Nov. 12, Bourbon Street, New Port Richey)
DOUBLE M CD RELEASE PARTY Bay area dance-pop duo Double M kicks off the promotional push for its new CD, Get Pumped Up!, with a live appearance at St. Pete gay bar Georgie's Alibi, home to one of the most judgment-impairing Thursday-night drink specials in town. Georgie's is located at 3100 Third Ave. N. (Nov. 12, Georgie's Alibi, St. Petersburg)
JUCIFER W/TORCHE/BYAM KLAVOR/NOTHING PROMISE "Like Sabbath, but, you know, indie and hip." It's as good a way as any to describe sludgy, catchy, terribly loud Georgia boy-girl duo Jucifer, I guess. The pair (and their wall of amplifiers) make yet another Orpheum appearance, topping off a bill packed with varied yet noticeably heavy styles. (Nov. 12, Orpheum, Ybor City)
ROD MACDONALD Widely hailed singer-songwriter MacDonald went to law school before becoming an integral part of NYC's early-'80s Greenwich Village folk resurgence. He's since become a familiar figure to festival attendees worldwide, and has had his songs covered by contemporary folk-scene luminaries like Christine Lavin. (Nov. 12, Octagon Arts Center, Clearwater)
THE RIVERHAWK FESTIVAL The three-day annual Riverhawk fest, held at Dade City's Sertoma Youth Ranch, leans heavily toward the roots/Americana/bluegrass side of the jam-culture street. This year's long, long lineup features notables like Fred Eaglesmith, Asylum Street Spankers, The Clumsy Lovers, The Gourds, The Laura Love Band, Zoe Speaks, Eddie From Ohio, and Small Potatoes. For the full bill and more information, visit www.lindentertainment.com. (Nov. 12-14, Sertoma Youth Ranch, Dade City)
SARAH BRIGHTMAN Go for the New Age, stay for the outfits. Brightman's pseudo-classical, sort-of-World Beat, kind-of-techno, marginally-opera take on mood music has struck a chord with a strangely wide cross-section of people; you find her CDs in the homes of people you'd never assume would be into her — like straight males. (Nov. 13, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa)
NEW CRASH POSITION CD RELEASE Their new album, Music to Rob Banks To, came out on Nov. 2, and in the meantime they've been playing their share of local shows (a hurricane benefit in Sarasota, the Masquerade in Ybor — both in the same week). Supporting NCP is The Morning After, Stuk and Signal 76. If you don't catch them at this CD release, be sure to see them next week at The Chase Theory's show, where CT is re-releasing their first album. Between the two bands, that's a lot of shrinkwrap. (Nov. 13, Rockerfellas, Bradenton) —Mark Sanders
ARMOR FOR SLEEP/NUMBER ONE FAN/DAYS AWAY/THE SNAKE THE CROSS THE CROWN Though they're definitely more lush, atmospheric and influenced by old-school fringe-pop than your average emo band, Armor for Sleep have garnered a glowing reputation in that scene, largely thanks to shows opening for bands with days of the week in their names. This whole bill kind of approaches emo from oblique angles; The Snake The Cross The Crown, for example, does some particularly cool, ambitious and empathic stuff with its songs that shouldn't be overlooked just because of the Three-Letter Word. Word has it Number One Fan's going to be next year's big kiddie attraction, though. (Nov. 13, Masquerade, Ybor City)
THE SIX PARTS SEVEN/MATT POND PA/BRIAN STRAW/DUMBWAITERS/SUSIE ULREY This is pretty much THE show this week for discerning post-rock aficionados. The evolution and maturation of favored Ohio instrumental cooperative The Six Parts Seven continues unabated; their engrossing latest, Everywhere and Right Here, is simply a joy to listen to. Singer-songwriters Matt Pond and Brian Straw also bring the sophisticated, innately melodic non-noise, and you should know by now that Dumbwaiters and Maccabees singer-songwriter Susie Ulrey are two of the Tampa music-IS-art scene's brightest talents. (Nov. 13, New World Brewery, Ybor City)
ANDREW CALHOUN Waterbug Records founder Calhoun was raised in Chicago listening to old John Prine records and teaching himself the acoustic guitar. His country-meets-city style has won him acclaim from many a coffeeshop patron. His latest effort, a collection of Scottish folk songs called Telfer's Cows, was released earlier this year. (Nov. 13, Fogartyville Cafe, Bradenton) —MS
JACK BROKENSHA'S JAZZ QUARTET The vibraphonist relocated from his native Australia in 1953 and has carved out a solid career as a straight-ahead jazzman. His quartet includes pianist Matt Bokulic, bassist Ken Fitzgerald and drummer Johnny Moor. This is another in a series of intimate concerts presented by the Tampa Jazz Club in the acoustically impeccable Gorilla Theatre. The venue is at 4419 N Hubert Ave., Tampa (near Raymond James Stadium). Call 813-879-2913 for more info. (Nov. 14, Gorilla Theater, Tampa)
—ERIC SNIDER
FESTIVAL CALIENTE Some of the more cultured music-heads over at the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department took it upon themselves to lobby for a free, city-sponsored daylight Latin fest, and damned if they didn't pull it off. Well-known singer Tito Nieves headlines a bill that includes fellow big timers Andy Aguilera, Area 305, Limi T21, Daniel, Ley Alejandro, Mamajuana, and Jackie Negron, as well as Bay area acts Freddy Montes y Su Son, El Mariachi Invasor de Mexico, and Banda San Martin. The music starts at noon, and proceeds from the beer garden will go to Tampa-based nonprofit Arts for All. Good job, people. Al Lopez Park is located at 4810 N. Himes Ave. (Nov. 14, Al Lopez Park, Tampa)
CRUXSHADOWS W/NEGATIVE FORMAT/Y-LUK-O/PHILOSOPHER'S POINT Get your spooky dance on. Tallahassee's Cruxshadows blend the rhythmic synth-pop influence of New Romantic-era Brit-bands with darker atmosphere and haunting touches of live guitar and strings. Clearwater's own Negative Format, brainchild of electro-dance obsessive Alex Matheu, has been converting fans at shows as far away as Budapest; the sound is trancey, without coming off as too cliched. (Nov. 14, Masquerade, Ybor City)
DARKEST HOUR/BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME/FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES/KYLESA Though the band certainly fits the mold, brutal more-metal-than-core outfit Darkest Hour predates the burgeoning screamo/metalcore scene by at least a couple of years. They're from back when at least half of the Victory Records roster was listenable. The rest of these guys you're probably familiar with from their umpteen recent visits to the stages here and at the State. (Nov. 15, Orpheum, Ybor City)
COHEED & CAMBRIA W/UNDEROATH/THREE Two of the biggest names in Warped Tour rock and, uh, a number. Fresh from being one of the highest-drawing acts on this year's Warped Tour, thematic prog-punk hypesters Coheed & Cambria continue to win new fans at every turn. On an only slightly less heavily buzzed tip, West Central Florida homeboys Underoath keep testing the limits of a metalcore underground that won't be able to contain them much longer. (Nov. 15, Masquerade, Ybor City)
SMALL POTATOES/ZOE SPEAKS Both of these acoustic roots-music duos are husband-and-wife teams, and both are highly praised along the communal D.I.Y. folk tour circuit. Zoe Speaks ply a Kentucky-bred multi-instrumental style that's won several Americana songwriting awards, and Chicago's Small Potatoes is regularly raved for their energetic live performances. (Nov. 16, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD The Shreveport, La., native is one of Stevie Ray's spawn. Once a young phenom who quickly carved out a rep as a firebrand Strat slinger, he was among a cadre of young blues-rockers that enjoyed radio play and commercial success in the mid '90s. His '95 album, Ledbetter Heights, released when Shepherd was 18, sold a half-million copies. His 2004 entry, The Place You're In, finds him singing lead on most tracks — a new venture for him. (Nov. 16, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg) —ES
BOUNCING SOULS/AGAINST ME!/MURPHY'S LAW/ LET IT BURN/THE LOVED ONES Yep, though it's only been a couple of weeks since their last State appearance, raucous, rebellious Gainesville sons Against Me! have glommed onto this equally raucous punk-core bill. Good for them; better for us. Other highlights include Bouncing Souls' irrepressible, well-written shout-along melodies, and the old-school political and lifestyle rants of seminal New York City mosh-core combo Murphy's Law. This will be one of those quality shows at the State that doesn't make me feel like the oldest fan in the building. (Nov. 17, State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
This article appears in Nov 10-16, 2004.