THURSDAY, MAY 25
DONNA SUMMER The consummate disco diva, Donna Summer made music in the late '70s that, to these ears at least, stands the test of time. This is not a popular take on anything disco, I know, but go back and listen to "Last Dance" or "Heaven Knows" or "Dim all the Lights" and you'll hear music that's exuberant, joyful and sexy. I admit that I donned the polyester shirts and platform shoes and hustled it up at discos in the '70s. Are they particularly fond memories? Not really. But Donna Summer's music — most of it — is. It should also be noted that Summer outlasted disco's swift and ignominious demise. She scored a Top 10 hit, "This Time I Know It's For Real," as late as 1989. Summer also makes a north-of-the-Skyway appearance at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday, May 28. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) Eric Snider
BAYSIDE/THE SLEEPING/HALIFAX Long Island-based punk-scene favorite Bayside was dealt a tragic blow last year when drummer John Holohan was killed, and bassist Nick Ghanbarian seriously injured, in a highway accident while the band was on tour. But the group persevered and finished out the tour, performing as an acoustic duo in Holohan's honor. The rejuvenated band is now back in action, promoting a new CD/DVD culled from the last tour, along with rising Victory Records labelmates The Sleeping and poppier perennial support act Halifax. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
LOVE EQUALS DEATH/TIME AGAINST It's been a banner year so far for beloved punk label Fat Wreck Chords — The Lawrence Arms, None More Black, NOFX and The Sainte Catherines have all released must-have records on Fat, and it ain't even June yet. Frisco's Love Equals Death is a new addition to the roster. Don't be fooled by the My Avenged Chemical Aiden-esque cover of their debut, Nightmerica — this is a raw, straight-up fastrawk act. Time Again is one of Epitaph Records' newest signings; this young L.A. act just got together in '04, and have been listening to their Rancid albums a little too exclusively, if you catch my drift. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
FRIDAY, MAY 26
REO SPEEDWAGON Take it on the run baby, 'cause I can't fight this feelin' anymore. I'm gonna keep on lovin' you while we're riding the storm out until it's time for me to fly. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
DUKE ROBILLARD Roomful of Blues co-founder Robillard is one of those musicians whose name is revered among diehard genre fans and other players, but almost completely unknown to those not passionate about their music. If you don't know him from Roomful of Blues, The Legendary Blues Band or as one of several guitarists to fill Jimmy Vaughan's shoes in The Fabulous Thunderbirds, then you don't know him. Come get to know his soulful style here. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: Those with advance tickets will be treated to a free wine tasting this evening. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY FEAT. TERRY DISLEY w/ERIC DARIUS Nooooo! Smooth jazz has returned! Flee from the mind-melting melodies! The narcotic rhythms! And good God, don't fall for the mellow guitars! Once ensnared, dear reader, you'll never escape. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) Cooper Lane Baker
EDISON GLASS Astute individuals might wonder if the name of this Christian prog-pop unit is derived from those of Thomas Edison and Philip Glass, and they would be right. (And no, I had no idea until I read the bio.) Fans of ambitious modern outfits like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Mars Volta, Edison Glass' fusion of instrumental eccentricity and hooks 'n' harmony have led some to compare them to The Police, and that's a hell of a compliment. Calvary Chapel Worship Center is located at 6825 Trouble Creek Road in NPR. (Calvary Chapel Worship Center, New Port Richey)
SATURDAY, MAY 27
KENNY NEAL The Louisiana swamp-bluesman had an extended run of regular Bay area appearances a few years back. It tapered off for a while, but Kenny returns, much to the delight of his core local fans. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) ES
WAYNE "THE TRAIN" HANCOCK There's a lot more to Americana iconoclast Wayne "The Train" Hancock than rockabilly, as he amply proved upon his last visit to St. Pete's The Bank. A true roots-rock renaissance man, Hancock can put together country-folk ballads, Western swing a la Hank Williams, and even raw roots-pop with equal facility. (The Bank, St. Petersburg)
BROOKSIDE/LOCAL NOTHING New York's Brookside plies a muscular, groovy emo style that fits right in with that genre's poppier sounds (i.e. there are a ton of harmonies, and nobody shreds his throat going into the chorus). The group's co-conspirator on this extremely DIY tour is Local Nothing, a crew from Maine that hews a little closer to the more rocking end of pop-punk. Buy some merch; it probably cost 'em a grand in gas to get here. (Top 5 Records, Tampa)
THE GITA REUNION SHOW A few years back, Pinellas jam-pop act The Gita successfully knocked down the barriers between local-music scenesterism and the bar-going public at large, simply by refusing to make distinctions between the two. Their upbeat, world-music-influenced originals infiltrated watering holes usually reserved for cover acts, and went over as well as "Brown Eyed Girl" would've. Since the breakup, The Gita's main factions have gone on to form crowd-pleasing strum-pop unit Cuban Sandwich Crisis and the more esoteric electro-rock combo Auditorium, but tonight they're getting back together for one last hurrah. And yes, T. Dolan will be in the hizzy. Friends and top-notch local bands Four Star Riot and Knowing Stu hit the stage as well. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA SWAMP STOMP Local punk/punk 'n' roll/punkabilly acts The Dead Popes keep their own little big event alive for another year, with a lot of help from some really cool sponsors (PBR, Crimson Anchor Tattoo, Top 5 Records and more), a really accommodating venue (their home base, The Pegasus Lounge), and some local-band brethren (The Redliners, The Crypt Keepers). Throw in barbecue, the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins, and out-of-town tuneage from L.A.'s Calavera and Miami's The VanOrsdels, and you've got the sort of shindig you'd seriously consider taking your hot rod out of the garage for. Things kick off at 5 p.m. (Pegasus Lounge, Tampa)
KEILAH CD RELEASE PARTY Though only together for three years, Contemporary Christian pop trio Keilah has played Orlando's world-famous Cornerstone festival, and been awarded a Song of the Year award by the Gospel Music Association for its 2004 composition "Evangeline." Tonight, the group headlines a school's-out celebration while simultaneously officially announcing the release of its debut CD, Humble Introductions. My Rocket Heart, Keith Roberts and Brer support. The Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church is located at 6100 Memorial Hwy. (Wesley Memorial UMC, Tampa)
SUNDAY, MAY 28
JIMMY HERRING, BOBBY LEE ROGERS, JEFF SIPE & FRIENDS It's a jam-scene supergroup! I always suspected that all of those bands were composed of the same rotating lineup of, like, nine dudes, and this show is one more piece of evidence in my case. Guitarist Herring is an alumnus of Col. Bruce Hampton's legendary Aquarium Rescue Unit, who's also played with Frogwings, Jazz is Dead, and the Allman Brothers; Bobby Lee Rogers has played for Hampton's post-ARU club The Codetalkers; and drummer Sipe, another ARU alum, did time in Leftover Salmon. (The Bank, St. Petersburg)
GREGORY ISAACS/MARCIA GRIFFITHS/KASHIEF LINDO Sweet-voiced singer Gregory Isaacs was a major player on the burgeoning Jamaican reggae scene of the '70s and virtually invented a romantic subgenre called lovers rock. Marcia Griffiths is perhaps reggae's biggest female star. Covering the somewhat younger reggae demographic is Kashief Lindo, who is often associated with lovers rock as well. Multi-bill reggae shows are not as common in these parts as they used to be, so roll 'em up and represent. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg) ES
DJ ICEY Celebrated funky breaks pioneer Icey was one of a handful of dance-music visionaries that put Orlando on the electronica map when the emerging style was still almost exclusively a European phenomenon. Not only was Icey a resident at O-Town's The Edge, he was also the guy who got The Chemical Brothers to play their first American appearance there in the early '90s. Since being "discovered" by renowned DJ/producer Pete Tong a decade ago, he's remained at the top of the breakbeat game. (Floyd's @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)
WHEATUS Power-alt-pop purveyor Wheatus had a hit back in '00 with a little tune called "Teenage Dirtbag," but somehow failed to clean up when its style broke through hugely a couple of years later with the All-American Rejects and "Swing, Swing." The band was stuck in major-label limbo for quite a while, but last year celebrated its freedom with the awesomely titled Suck Fony. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
MONDAY, MAY 29
LITTLE STEVEN'S UNDERGROUND GARAGE PRESENTS BIKINI BEACH PARTY A GO-GO Ironically, the only place any self-respecting rock 'n' roll fanatic should be this Memorial Day is the one that made millions by reducing the music to caricature and marketability. No matter — the Hard Rock is forgiven, because today they're hosting the Supersuckers for free! That's right, Sopranos actor/Springsteen sideman/DJ Little Steven Van Zandt's awesome Underground Garage radio show is bringing you a hell of a spectacle for absolutely no money: old-school leather fetishists The Romantics, nearly perfect rant 'n' roll machine the Supersuckers, Sunset Strip girl group The Holograms, Southern beatmasters The Gants, and even Orlando's own, beloved, reunited Hate Bombs! Holy shit! The bands will rock the outside pool area starting at 2 p.m. The only acceptable excuse for not being there is having to go to my family reunion in Alabama. (Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)
TUESDAY, MAY 30
THE RED STICK RAMBLERS w/THE WAYBACKS The Red Stick Ramblers are a Louisianan sextet that have steeped themselves in the folk and Cajun traditions of their home state, and now deliver them with just enough contemporary flair to suck in the uninitiated; they call it "Cajun gypsy swing," and if you're sick of what you've been listening to, this might be just what you need. San Francisco neo-folk unit The Waybacks mixes all manner of time-honored Americana, from swing to beatnik jazz, with humor and smarts. The Ramblers will also make their way to Bradenton's Fogartyville Café for a benefit for WSLR on Wednesday, May 31. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
ABC A group that so heavily characterized the synth-laden New Romantic vein of '80s British pop that it almost seemed to be making fun of it, ABC allowed more camp and theatrics to seep in than most of its danceably mopey compatriots. Remember "The Look of Love?" "Be Near Me?" Yup, that's ABC. Original bandleader Martin Fry is definitely a part of this nostalgic incarnation, but as far as other members, we really couldn't say. (Largo Cultural Center, Largo)
DOG FASHION DISCO/TUB RING/LOOK WHAT I DID/KARATE HIGH SCHOOL/INDORPHINE We Menu'ed this show a few weeks back, but it was postponed at the last minute. Dog Fashion Disco tears it up like a more metallic, less John Zorn-obsessed Mr. Bungle. Tub Ring sludges and punks it up, and has a killer name. Look What I Did, a new band on the recently resuscitated Combat label, is schizoid and tortured and fucking masterful, really. Karate High School is more generic, almost-screamo post-pop-punk, only with keyboards and a sense of humor it thinks is clever, but which actually makes the whole thing even more irritating. I think I played with Orlando's Indorphine at a Florida Music Festival showcase; in any event, the band is more interesting than most, with a sound that splits the difference between Pantera and weird-ass hometown peer Gargamel. (688 Skatepark, Clearwater)
This article appears in May 24-30, 2006.