THURSDAY, NOV. 02
MELVINS/BIG BUSINESS For their latest Ipecac Records release, A Senile Animal, the eternally difficult 'n' dangerous Pacific Northwest mudslingers in Melvins enlisted help from a couple of the guys in this tour's opener, old-school hardcore-reverent unit Big Business. The album is one of the group's best and most unsettling in years. It's like a shard of broken bottle that's been sitting in filthy earth long enough to grow fungus on its edges — if you cut yourself on it, you're likely to come down with something nasty. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
FRIDAY, NOV. 03
THE CULT w/THE STRAYS I can forgive the various members of legendary goth-turned-rock act The Cult for pretty much everything they've done since Sonic Temple's "Edie (Ciao Baby)" — and that includes singer Ian Astbury's stint with The Doors of the 21st Century — simply because The Cult was my gateway to alternative music. For that, I'll be forever grateful. The Strays, a rising new Clash-indebted, ska-inflected punk 'n' roll unit, opens up. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
KANSAS For some reason, Kansas has always been big in Florida — who knows, maybe even bigger than in Kansas. That probably still holds true for the veteran art-meets-hard-rock band. I would expect a fair number of wayward sons (and a few daughters) to turn out for this one. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —Eric Snider
FEAR FACTORY/SUFFOCATION/HYPOCRISY/DECAPITATED Like Prong and Soulfly, Fear Factory was one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands to start experimenting with contemporary heavy-metal sounds and instrumentation in the early '90s. The group's inclusion of elements of industrial and death metal (and its love for remixes) earned it a rabidly loyal following that hung on through various early-'00's lineup and label shakeups. A host of more conventional (though still impressive) death metal acts join in. This gig was originally booked into the State Theatre but has moved to Seventh Avenue nightclub CODE (formerly The Rubb, Fun, etc.). (Code, Ybor City)
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA It's that time of year. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Wearing a slightly thicker T-shirt. And a tour by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the classical-meets-metal seasonal symphony. (Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland)
JUCIFER/LEGIONS/THE TROJAN WARFRONT Labeled noise-rock's Next Big Thing back in '97, Athens' Jucifer never really broke through, but continues to destroy small venues with its alternately atmospheric and vicious punk-metal. If you haven't seen the duo yet, they rip, but bring earplugs if you don't want to spend the next couple of days doing your impression of that dude from the cereal commercial who can't hear shit 'cause the crunch is too loud. Believe me, the crunch is too loud. (Transitions Art Gallery @ Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa)
PHIL LEE In town from Nashville, Lee's sound references Jerry Lee Lewis-style rock 'n' roll and rockabilly, with the obligatory dash of country in his hiccupped drawl. (Fogartyville Café, Bradenton) —Cooper Levey-Baker
COLLECTIVES CD RELEASE EXHIBIT Dave Eichenberger, guitarist for the improvisational group Hazard Factor, unveils his ambitious art/music project Collectives. It's a series of 50 unique guitar/loops/effects, each one hour long and recorded to its own unique CD; no copies have been made, and none of the performances can be recreated. Sounds like interesting, soundscape-y stuff. The exhibition runs from 6 until 9 p.m. For more detailed information, check out hazardfactor.com/collectives. (Progress Energy Art Gallery, New Port Richey)
STEELHEART That softest of hard rock bands from the early '90s, Steelheart begins a two-night stand at New Port Richey's home of rawk and wrestling. In case you're thinking, "Steelheart … why do I know that name?" it's because your significant other put the band's hit ballad "Never Let You Go" — and its ball-squeezingly high vocals — on a mix tape for you in '91, then started calling it "our song," and you just went ahead with it because it wasn't worth fighting about. (Bourbon Street, New Port Richey)
SATURDAY, NOV. 04
SPIKEFEST Legendary hardcore/thrash crossover act D.R.I. had to cancel its latest tour plans early this year when charter member Spike was diagnosed with cancer. Now, quasi-legendary Bay area hardcore band Belching Penguins — yes, you read that right — has reunited for one show only to help raise some money for Spike's medical bills. Let me say that again: Belching Penguins reunion show. Car Bomb Driver, Exist, Covet and Warfield round out a punk bill that's not to be missed, not the least of all because of its intent. (Orpheum, Tampa)
POWER TO THE PEOPLE Our boy Flee, the keeper of the tribute-show flame over at WMNF, in conjunction with the local music organization BAAMO, serves up this event, subtitled "A Tribute to the Songs of Protest, Dissent and Electoral Dysfunction." Twenty-eight Bay area acts from all over the stylistic spectrum will play short sets of politicized protest music. (Think there'll be any Dylan?) We're presuming, hoping even, that some of them will sing their own songs. Here's a sampling: Ricky Wilcox & the Moonsnakes, Lorna Bracewell, Amandla Tunesmith, Crash Mitchell (with band), Mojo Gurus, Handshake Squad, Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets, Ronny Elliott, Geri X and The Diviners. These WMNF throwdowns are uniformly satisfying, and this one should take on a different cast with the serious subject matter. Fun should be had, nevertheless. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —ES
BATTLEFIELD BAND This Scottish act's credo is "Forward with Scotland's Past." Expect a mixture of Celtic standards and Battlefield Band originals, played on a variety of instruments both classic and contemporary. The Bay's own Irish bard Brendan Nolan provides support. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
"TRIPLE THREAT" FEAT. BLACK HAWK/LITTLE TEXAS/RESTLESS HEART The biggest days of each of the three acts on this bill o' country over at the Van Wezel are behind them, so the three-way team-up makes a lot of sense. Black Hawk had a string of Nashville hits in the mid-to-late-'90s. Little Texas debuted all the way back in '92 and hasn't cut a record since '97. Restless Heart was resurrected after a long layoff in 2004. Musically, all these guys share a similar pop-driven arena-country sound. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) —CLB
SUNDAY, NOV. 05
GOV'T MULE W/DONOVAN FRANKENREITER It's been over a decade since Allman Brothers Warren Haynes and Allen Woody debuted their swampy Southern-jam trio Gov't Mule, and six years since Woody tragically passed away. Soulful, rootsy singer-songwriter (and pro surfer) Frankenreiter, whose second album Move by Yourself was released by cred-heavy Americana label Lost Highway, opens. (Tampa Theatre, Tampa)
PETE YORN Singer-songwriter Yorn is one of those guys who isn't known to many, but is usually the favorite artist of those who've been exposed to him (many of whom, naturally, are other musicians). He originally came to prominence scoring films like Me, Myself & Irene and landing tracks on compilations for teen-targeted prime-time TV shows, but has since dug his own singular niche in American pop and rock on the strength of his songwriting, producing and multi-instrumental talents. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS/JENNIFER O'CONNOR The Goats have been recording twisting and soft-spoken folk anthems since 1991, although the production's grown up a bit since the band's early tape-hiss-laden days. O'Connor's an up-and-comer on the same circuit; her Matador Records debut has won hype from this paper, amongst many others. For more, check out the story on p. 39. (New College of Florida, Sarasota) —CLB
SONNY LANDRETH The word wizard comes to mind. Sonny Landreth is an absolute wizard of the electric slide guitar. He showcases it in a Deep South, swamp-rock, New Orleans/zydeco blend that is the perfect fit for his slithery, metallic playing. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —ES
Monday, NOV. 06
CHAD & JEREMY This British duo scored 11 top 40 hits during the '60s, including "Yesterday's Gone," "Willow Weep for Me" and "Summer Song," and is in the midst of its first reunion tour in 30 years. Could it have something to do with the fact that the pair's music was used in this year's Super Bowl? Nah. (Largo Cultural Center, Largo)
Tuesday, NOV. 07
30 SECONDS TO MARS/HEAD AUTOMATICA/ROCK KILLS KID A bill of more timely non-emo modern-rock sounds, there couldn't possibly be. Actor Jared Leto's 30 Seconds to Mars has slowly worked its way beyond "movie star's vanity band" to mainstream ubiquity via some seriously generic, moody nu-goth radio-rock. Head Automatica gave up its splashy, stylized electro elements this year in favor of some splashy, stylized hook-laden power-pop and came out ahead, while Rock Kills Kid might be the best band currently associated with the whole post-Interpol Old Wave trend. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
THE TWILIGHT SINGERS/STARS OF TRACK AND FIELD/JEFF KLEIN Former Afghan Whig Greg Dulli's Twilight Singers have been sounding eerily like an updating of his previous band lately, and I couldn't possibly be happier. Suave Portland, Ore. electro-rock outfit Stars of Track and Field and gifted young Austin singer-songwriter Jeff Klein (who also plays with the Singers) provide support. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
Wednesday, NOV. 08
THE PLUS-44 Hey, a number. A hyphen. Could it be? It is. The Plus-44 is the new project by former Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis "Holy shit, I'm an awesome drummer" Barker; sure, there are some other guys in there, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that the kids lined up for this show, unfortunately, couldn't care less. The sound is a little more taut and mature than Blink's, but expect the same overt hooks and energy. Perennial middle-of-the-bill punk act The Matches is in tow. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
UpComing
9 MC Chris State Theatre
9 Dashboard Confessional w/Brand New St. Pete Times Forum
9-12 Riverhawk Music Festival Sertoma Youth Ranch (Brooksville)
10 Avett Brothers/Fruit/Shannon Curfman Skipper's Smokehouse
10 Mushroomhead w/Soil/The Autumn Offering/Gizmachi State Theatre
10 Stephen Pearcy w/Julliett/Dirty Black Halo Bourbon Street
10-12 RibFest 2006 Feat. Cheap Trick/The Guess Who/Toto/Marshall Tucker Band/The Family Stone Experience Vinoy Park
11 The Weary Boys New World Brewery
11 Whitey Orpheum
11 Brooks & Dunn Ford Amphitheatre
12 Dirty Dozen Brass Band/Karl Denson's Jazz Trio State Theatre
12 Margot & The Nuclear So And Sos w/Pemberly/Giddy-Up, Helicopter!/John McNicholas New World Brewery
12 Hellogoodbye/Reggie & The Full Effect/David Melillo Jannus Landing
13 The Limeliters Largo Cultural Center
13 Carrie Newcomer Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
14 All American Rejects USF Sun Dome
14 Umbrellas Tuesday Music Club (Lakeland)
15 Moonspell/Catatonia/Daylight Dies State Theatre
15 Keller Williams Tampa Theatre
16 Kasabian/Men, Women & Children State Theatre
16 Jimmy Buffett Ford Amphitheatre
17 Tinsley Ellis w/Hamilton Loomis Skipper's Smokehouse
17 The Live Love Tour Feat. Superchick/Sanctus Real/John Reuben/Last Tuesday Countryside Christian Center
17 Mute Math/The Whigs/Jonezetta State Theatre
18 Blood Brothers/…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead/Brothers and Sisters/Celebration Jannus Landing
18 Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys w/Blueground Undergrass Skipper's Smokehouse
20 The Who w/The Pretenders Bankatlantic Center (Ft. Lauderdale)
21 Deftones w/Deadsy Jannus Landing
22 Aerosmith & Motley Crue w/Lennon Ford Amphitheatre
22 L.A. Guns/Bulletboys The Garage
23 Ziggy Marley Jannus Landing
24 Godsmack w/Breaking Benjamin USF Sun Dome
24 Genitorturers State Theatre
24 Brandtson/Lovedrug Orpheum
24 Rick Derringer Bourbon Street
25 Donovan Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
This article appears in Nov 1-7, 2006.