Thursday, July 5
JESSE MALIN w/THE WILDBIRDS/ACUTE Possessing a shaky yet expressive voice reminiscent of Neil Young's, Jesse Malin's an exacting singer/songwriter who counts among his allies Bruce Springsteen. In fact, The Boss cameos on "Broken Radio," a gripping, string-laden ballad from Malin's arresting album Glitter in the Gutter, which came out in March. The former frontman for glam punks D Generation, Malin got bitten by the twang bug in the early '00s, buddied up with alt-country golden boy Ryan Adams and released his acclaimed solo debut The Fine Art of Self Destruction in 2003 (Adams produced). In short, Malin offers sincere, smart rock 'n' roll with plenty of hooks and lots of soul. Highly recommended. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
YO MAJESTY w/DJ FUNK The hottest hip-hop act to come out of Tampa of late is the openly lesbian rap group Yo Majesty (we featured 'em in our "Chicks Rock" music issue in April). The trio, which boasts song titles like "Kryptonite Pussy," made a huge splash at this year's South by Southwest music conference, where lead MC Jwl B ("Jewel B") performed topless. At some point during the set, a male artist who was also on the roster made an unwanted advance on her breast, prompting Jwl B to stop the show and confront the perp. "That muthafucka who sucked on my nipple," she said. "I'm gonna slap the shit out of you." The incident was captured on tape and became a popular item on YouTube.com. I talked to a friend last week who lives in New York City, and she said Yo Majesty's recent performance there was a wild ride full of mayhem and, um, exposure. Unfortunately, the closest thing to a homecoming show following the international buzz that's been growing around the group is a gig in Orlando — then they play Chicago before crossing the pond for a string of dates in Europe. Worth the drive down I-4? Let's put it this way: It's a pretty safe bet this show will not be boring. (Club Firestone, Orlando)
BLACK IN THE MIND w/THE QUEUES/IN VIOLENT TIMES Recently selected to play the Warped Tour when it stops in St. Pete on July 20, Haines City quartet Black in Mind offers alternative rock that's at once contemplative and visceral — amounting to a product far more interesting than the majority of stuff one will find at Warped. Much of the band's success is linked to the passionate yet polished vocals of singer/songwriter Michael Folds. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
Friday, July 6
PEOPLE NOISE w/AUDITORIUM Louisville quintet People Noise pile on layers of well-placed fuzz over icy drum beats to create indie-rock epics that recall My Bloody Valentine, Radiohead and U2. Lead singer Zeke Buck sounds like he's witnessed more than his fair share of creepy clubs and nights that don't end until the sun's beating down like a vengeful flashlight. Our pal Joran Slane and his band Auditorium's poignant art-rock should complement this promising out-of-town act nicely. Another band or two should be announced before day of show. For more info go to aestheticized.com. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
ERASURE Formed from the ashes of Depeche Mode in '85, synth-pop fave Erasure is former DM'er Vince Clarke and flamboyant frontman Andy Bell. The duo scored a big hit back in '88 with "Chains of Love," and have managed to sustain a loyal cult following over the years regardless of radio play and chart success. (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa)
SISTER HAZEL w/INGRAM HILL The biggest thing to come out of Gainesville since Tom Petty, Sister Hazel scored a hit single a decade ago with the jangly single "All For You," which went No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 in the wake of the success of Hootie and the Blowfish. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
INFORMATIK w/OPAQ FACE/CYANIDE REGIME/DJ BRINA MATSON One of the many industrial rock acts to emerge in the early 1990s following the success of Nine Inch Nails' 1989 debut Pretty Hate Machine, Da5id Din and Matthew Crofoot are a pair of former Boston studio owners who formed Informatik in '93. Crofoot has since been replaced by keyboardist/guitarist Tyler Newman. What can attendees expect? Deeply intoned lyrics that probe the dark world of pills, powders and after-hours parties across trancy beats that wouldn't have sounded out of place at a rave circa 1995. Atlanta trio Opaq Face splits the difference between industrial and electronica, while Miami-based trio Cyanide Regime is straight-up industrial with lyrics that occasionally skew political. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
MOLTEN MIKE w/BILLY NORRIS PROJECT Florida bluesman Molten Mike returns to Skipper's Smokehouse this Friday brandishing his 1930s steel guitar and leading his band through a set of blues, Latin and jazz originals. Opening for Molten Mike are The Billy Norris Project, led by the 19-year-old Seminole High graduate, a certified hot-licks guitarist and accomplished vocalist. Look for precocious blues backed by the BNP's funky rhythm section (Tim Conwell on bass, Mike Bortz on the kit); between covers like John Mayall's "So Many Roads," you'll hear the sort of fusion that keeps its roots and translates to the dance floor. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —Ted Scheinman
CIRCLE II CIRCLE w/ZAK STEVENS/MENA BRINNO/ARGUS OK, so we know Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code spawned a smackdown from the Pope, a bad Tom Hanks flick and an entire cottage industry of spin-off and rebuttal books. But did you know the historical thriller also inspired Tampa old-school (think '80s) metal band Circle II Circle to create the concept album Burden of Truth? Last October, the quintet even held a Da Vinci-inspired contest. "Circle II Circle now offers their fans a unique contest," reads the band's website. "Listeners can perform their own research to reveal the Burden of Truth mystery." Incidentally, Circle II Circle is fronted by former Savatage lead singer Zachary Stevens. (Club Bourbon Street, New Port Richey)
Saturday, July 7
TRIBAL STYLE Warm reggae rhythms and the soothing vocals of bassist/lead singer Muagbe have made this Tampa quintet one of the most popular bands playing original music in the Bay area. This show's a release party for Olde Town, Tribal Style's first CD in about five years. Other acts to be announced. (Network, formerly Code, Ybor City)
AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE I understand that millions of American not only watch, but absolutely love American Idol. And for them, here's a list of who's coming to perform in Tampa: Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Chris Richardson, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, Lakisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar. Enjoy. (St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa)
MR. BELLA w/EIGHT FINGERED LARRY/EPICOURSE/LIFESCORN A night of mainstream-leaning hard rock headlined by Tampa's Mr. Bella, a modern metal band (they cite Sevendust as an influence) fronted by Ms. Erin Marie. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
Sunday, July 8
BASIC ROCK OUTFIT w/SHANE MEADE & THE SOUND Jeremy Thomas has been one of the Bay area's most talented rock artists over the last decade-plus. He made his biggest mark as a member of Men From Earth, a band that flirted with an unrequited major-label signing for longer than the members care to think about. For the last few years, Thomas has fronted Basic Rock Outfit, an outlet for his hooky rock tunes and passionate singing. BRO's new album, Thank You For the Pain, is a highly professional, radio-ready effort that blends fashionable modern rock with a touch of emo and power-pop. BRO will be joined by Tampa-based Shane Meade & the Sound, who do an acoustic-based blend of pop, folk and soul. I hear hints of Bob Seger in Meade's vocals. Show starts at 5 p.m. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —Eric Snider
TUESDAY, JUly 10
VITAL REMAINS w/THE ABSENCE/UNMERCIFUL/BLOOD BY DAWN/LEFT IN ASHES One of the biggest Satanism bands in the land, Rhode Island-based Vital Remains has been bashing religion and praising his almighty wickedness since 1989. The band's latest album features Tampa's legendary Prince of Darkness, Glen Benton, of Deicide, on lead vocals. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
WEDNESDAY, July 11
THE SLEEPING w/ENVY ON THE COAST/A DAY TO REMEMBER/VALERYA New York four-piece The Sleeping offer a mix that's equal parts emo and hardcore with a hint of screamo, garnering the band comparisons to acts like Taking Back Sunday. The band's latest release, Questions and Answers, came out last year and reached No. 36 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
This article appears in Jul 4-10, 2007.