THURSDAY, DEC. 22
ROCKAPELLA This ensemble is world-renowned for bringing a hip, exciting edge to the vocal-group genre — as long as you still think Frank Sinatra is dangerous and haven't bought a new album since Survivor's Vital Signs. Expect a lot of holiday songs and some nicely cultivated facial hair/stubble, and whatever you do, don't go into the pit. (Tampa Theatre, Tampa)
FRIDAY, DEC. 23
LYNCHMOB w/SKID ROW Lynchmob is led (though not fronted) by former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, a formidably talented man with a certain singular knack for balancing his shred with tasteful yet attitude-laden melody. Come for the solos, stay for the … well, there's not a whole hell of lot else worth hearing. It's cock-rock, so stay for the solos. The long Sebastian Bach-less Skid Row (he's doing musical theater and Gilmore Girls, last we heard) was actually a far better than average hard rock band back in the day, and its guitarists are no slouches, either. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
DEATHBED DECEMBER/A GIRL, A GHOST & A GUN/CHEVY CHASE STABBED THE KING It's another all-ages hardcore/screamo rager out at the Skatepark. I don't know what the hell Clearwater's Deathbed December is yelling about — can't understand a fucking word — but the band's drummer has some mean double-bass feet on him. Not much info is available about A Girl, A Ghost & A Gun, beyond the fact that they've got one of the all-time great band names. But Chevy Chase Stabbed The King hails from Savannah; has a name almost as good as A Girl, A Ghost & A Gun; and plays a brand of screamo whose horrible vocals are very nearly made up for by its moody grooviness. (688 Skatepark, Clearwater)
A BENEFIT AND MEMORIAL FOR HEATHER MARTIN Friend and local-music fan Heather Martin succumbed to cancer mere weeks ago, before these great musicians could mount a benefit to help defray her medical costs. But the bands wanted to do the show anyway, as much as a memorial for her as to raise a little money. Untouchable hip-hop crew Red Tide and rocking/grooving/whatever friends Guiltmaker, Killroy and The Mosaic will play, along with at least one or two more worthwhile local acts (Zillionaire, maybe?). (Orpheum, Ybor City)
HOLIDAY HOOTENANNY This latest in a series of marvelous acoustic/partial-band/low-volume shows hosted by St. Pete's Globe Coffee Lounge sports a couple of twists. In addition to locals Bob Anthony, Dean Johanesen (of The Human Condition), and Natty Moss-Bond and Sam Bond (of Sparky's Nightmare), you get a national act in the form of former Florida and Georgia resident — and ace sophistipop songwriter — Kenny Howes. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: If you've got any sack and/or talent whatsoever, you'll haul your guitar down there with you, because there'll be an open-mic portion to the evening as well. (Globe Coffee Lounge, St. Petersburg)
SATURDAY, DEC. 24
OKSANA Siberian-born pianist and composer Oksana has made quite a name for herself — and a throng of fans — playing around the Bay area and beyond (including tours to entertain U.S. troops overseas) over the last four or five years. She was just recently granted naturalized-citizen status, and will be celebrating tonight with an intimate program of classical works and originals at the Regatta Beach Sunset Grille, located at 880 Mandalay Ave. in Clearwater Beach. (Regatta Beach Sunset Grille, Clearwater)
SUNDAY, DEC. 25
NEW GRANADA PRESENTS THE SORT-OF ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA Local shows on Christmas Night always rule, and they usually offer something a little more special than the average fare. Tonight's uber-noteworthy event is no exception: Four bands from the Tampa scene's salad days — Scrog, My Own America, Tomorrow and Pohgoh — reunite to raise some money for the National MS Society. Check out the Music feature for more. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
MONDAY, DEC. 26
MINDY SIMMONS/JIM GROMKO/CURT CLARK Simmons is one of those ubiquitous local folk artists who seem to pop up at every rootsy venue from time to time. Her particular variant of the folk genre is the catchy and upbeat variety, with covers of past pop songs thrown in for good measure. The lineup is rounded out by Jim Gromko and Curt Clark, both veterans of the Suncoast scene as well. But the real star this evening is the place: Sarasota Sailing Squadron. The outdoor patio right on the water is an excellent place to bring a chair and a blanket to take in some tunes. (Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota) —COOPER LANE BAKER
TUESDAY, DEC. 27
DJ EYEBALL'S BIRTHDAY BASH Club Empire DJ/promoter/networker/urban musicologist Eyeball celebrates that memorable day that came around nine months after his parents had sex with an eclectic evening on his home turf. DJs Sloane, Dan and Ferguson join Eyeball in spinning everything from old-school industrial and early dance tuneage to familiar '80s and '90s alternative. Tonight also marks the debut of Tie on Tuesdays, and yes, if you don't wear a tie in honor of the occasion, then you're a poser. (Club Empire, Ybor City)
WEDNESAY, DEC. 28
DIGABLE PLANETS The stylish and jazzy '90s hip-hop crew pleased all during its appearance at Jannus this year. Now the trio is back for an encore performance at that beloved dank-and-darkened grotto known as the State. Seriously, I went to the Jannus show, and they kicked ass. Attend. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
IN PASSING/UNSUNG ZEROES/NORMANDY First, In Passing was a Lakeland emo phenomenon, tagged to follow Copeland to Next Big Thing status. Then they moved. Then they moved again. These days, some of the guys are living in Canada (hey, you keep moving north and it happens eventually), working on outside projects when time permits, but the kids still love 'em around these parts, and they've still got some of the coolest instrumental parts in indie rock. Another tour-through favorite, Unsung Zeroes presents a rare acoustic performance, and local act Normandy, featuring former members of The September Engagement, opens. Oh, and In Passing will play another show — with Arthur Woodale, Look Mexico and The Quiet Hour — the following night at The Porch out in Brandon. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
This article appears in Dec 21-27, 2005.