THURSDAY, DEC. 07
JOHNNY WINTER The fleet-fingered blues-rocker has grown increasingly frail in recent years, but eyewitness reports from his last Bay area show said that Winter could still bring the blaze. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg) —Eric Snider
COREY CROWDER/JAKE SMITH A couple of up-and-coming indie singer-songwriters make their first appearances in this market. Corey Crowder hails from South Carolina and recently got some exposure via The Real World and some ABC program called One Ocean Avenue; his latest CD, Starting All Over, showcases a deceptively mature mellow-pop sound, sort of like a cross between Jack Johnson and Pedro The Lion. Lake Smith, a Louisianan, plies a more danceable and accessible '80s-influenced style. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
MIMS A rare hip-hop show for the venue that's long been New Port Richey's home of local and national rock. NYC rapper Mims started out as a DJ, but decided to focus on MCing when he realized he couldn't do it all at once. His original breakthrough came when a song he cowrote, "Love 'Em All," was a turn-of-the-millennium hit for Canada's Baby Blue Sound Crew; his most recent single is "This Is Why I'm Hot." (Bourbon Street, New Port Richey)
FRIDAY, Dec. 08
CIRCLE JERKS w/LOWER CLASS BRATS Formed in '79 by Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Redd Kross guitarist Greg Hetson, Circle Jerks were one of the small handful of California bands that defined the first wave of hardcore. The group's popularity waxed and waned during its heyday as it experimented with humor and metal influences, and like many of its contemporaries, it spent much of the '90s MIA. But the Jerks remain a punk-scene touchstone to this day, and at press time, both Hetson and longtime bassist Zander Schloss are on the road with Morris. Austin gutter-punk revivalists Lower Class Brats open up. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
SLIPPERY SNEAKERS w/ROBERT GRAVES LEONARD Slippery Sneakers specialize in zydeco, the syncopated Southwest Louisiana music that prominently features instruments like the accordion and the rub-board (or frottoir). The Sneaks hail from a place nowhere near the French Quarter: Rhode Island. The band's website is shockingly clip-less, but Zydeco shows are normally rhythm-centered hoedowns, and I doubt this date will be an exception. (Fogartyville Café, Bradenton) —Cooper Levey-Baker
SATURDAY, Dec. 09
SUE FOLEY/NORA JEAN BRUSO/SANDY ATKINSON & THE MODEANS This slate of blueswomen comes courtesy of both WMNF and the Suncoast Blues Society. Foley, who's been an MNF favorite since first playing the station's Tropical Heatwave fest back in '92, incorporates everything from country to classic Motown sounds into her singular style. Bruso is a seasoned, soulful performer with a warm stage presence and organic, emotive voice. Atkinson has been a Tampa blues-scene staple for more than a decade; her latest full band, The MoDeans, boasts a more energetic, jump-blues-influenced sound. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
THE BOUNCING SOULS/STREET DOGS/WHOLE WHEAT BREAD/WORLD INFERNO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY When this year's Warped Tour rolled around, it had been a while since I'd seen Jersey punk 'n' roll unit The Bouncing Souls live, and it took all of about half a song to remind me how strong, catchy and killer they are. These guys are always good for a tight, fun, no-frills, no-filler set. Street Dogs, the vaguely oi-flavored outfit fronted by former Dropkick Murphys barker Mike McColgan, can be a bit light on record, but word has it the live show is top-notch. Jacksonville's Whole Wheat Bread mixes up pop-punk, hip-hop and the urban fresh-beats-hesh skate-kid aesthetic, while The World Inferno Friendship Society gives up rowdy ska-punk from behind an enigmatic cabaret-cult façade. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
DJ X There have got to be a dozen turntablists with this moniker scattered around the globe, but most of 'em have got to be unknown club spinners, because the real dance/remix heads know about this guy — the Floridian breakbeat/trance/house innovator whose Funky Breakz and Club Experience mix-CD series have made "the Xquizit One" a worldwide club attraction. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City)
WARREN AND ALLAN VACHÉ Don't fret, right-wingers, this isn't some male-male married gay couple. The Vachés are in fact a brother duo, both sons of jazz bassist Warren Vaché Sr. Warren Jr. has been playing the cornet and leading bands since the '70s. He started off best known for his velvety technique on smooth swing tunes, but veered more toward bop later on. His bro's a clarinetist with a sound also rooted in swing. (Temple Sinai, Sarasota) —CLB
3 GIRLS WITH GUITARS From time to time, St. Pete's Pro Sound Recording Studio hosts artists live on its sound stage. This time around, it's a CD release party for Chicago folk-rock singer-songwriter Julie Loyd, whose All That You Ask For has just now become available. Loyd will get apt local support from Lorna Bracewell and Lexi Pierson. Pro Sound Recording Studio is located at 3223 28th St. N. in St. Pete; your $10 cover also nets you tapas and a glass of beer or wine. (Pro Sound Recording Studio, St. Petersburg)
PIG PEN/6 YEAR BENDER A 10-year veteran of the Tampa punk scene, Pig Pen changes lineups like you change your drawers (I hope) and jaunts down to Sarasota for this date at the Tavern. Surprise, surprise, the band's sound is hard, fast and grimy. Sarasota's Benders kick things off with a bit more swingin' sound. (The Tavern on Main, Sarasota) —CLB
Sunday, Dec. 10
SOUTHWIND w/SONNY EBSARY The four West Central Florida folk and bluegrass musicians that make up Southwind come together again for their ninth annual holiday-season concert. The group is adept at playing both various instruments and various folk and traditional styles, and is known for its harmonies and unique arrangements of standards. Tonight's program will feature both holiday favorites and non-seasonal fare, and yes, they'll do their famous rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas." Nine-year-old "future rock 'n' roll star" Sonny Esbary opens the show with his uniquely youthful renditions of covers and originals. This is a matinee show, kicking off at 5 p.m. (Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, Tampa)
Tuesday, Dec. 12
SEPULTURA/SWORN ENEMY/SUICIDE SILENCE/DIECAST One of the most original and revered bands of thrash metal's death-y post-Slayer/Metallica/Megadeth second wave, Brazil's Sepultura produced three bona fide classic full-lengths — Beneath The Remains, Arise and Roots — before co-founder/frontman Max Cavalera left the band. Since Cavalera's departure, his brother, drummer Igor, has led the Sepultura through a half a dozen or so subsequent releases; while still beloved by longtime fans, they haven't really raised the bar set during their breakthrough era. Still, by all means, attend, because you know you're gonna hear those tunes. Plus, Boston's Diecast is a pretty rad band, too, blending metalcore with old-school thrash melody. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
Wednesday, Dec. 13
LUCERO/MARITIME/DRAG THE RIVER So, yeah, OK, a bunch of us have been waiting for them to come since, well, that last time they came. Memphis' Lucero have one of the most original, raw-nerved and compelling alt-country sounds currently available, and they're always great live, whether tight and evocative or a spectacular drunken train wreck. Hell yes. What's more, like most Lucero shows, this is a quality bill through and through. Houston's Maritime gives up some beautifully rough-hewn twang-folk, and Colorado's Drag The River might be the best country-rock combo to not be as well known as the headliner. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
GHOST TO FALCO/THE SEAHORSE ORCHESTRA/LUSH PROGRESS/KING OF SPAIN Hailing from Providence, R.I., Ghost to Falco purvey fast, taut, melodic punk that splits the difference between the harder SoCal sound and the more overtly tuneful "early Fat Wreck" style. The touring act is buffered by a diverse bill of Bay area acts: The Seahorse Orchestra does eccentric psych-pop vaguely flavored by old garage rock; Lush Progress play mellow, tuneful, slightly progressive alt-pop; and King of Spain waxes intimately expansive and electro-folky. All good. (Transitions Art Gallery @ Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa)
December
14 Tony Bennett Ruth Eckerd Hall
14 The Preservation Hall Jazz Band Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
14 Through The Eyes of the Dead/From A Second Story Window/The Acacia Strain/If Hope Dies State Theatre
15 Coolio/Digital Underground/Young MC Jannus Landing
15 Kidgusto/DRM/Mr. Marley New World Brewery
15 Melissa Ferrick Skipper's Smokehouse
16 Red Elvises/Jimbo Mathus & Knockdown South Skipper's Smokehouse
16 Centro-Matic w/The Sugar Oaks/Modern Skirts New World Brewery
16 Maylene & The Sons of Disaster/Inhale Exhale/Twelve Gauge Valentine State Theatre
16 & 17 Michael W. Smith Ruth Eckerd Hall
17 BT w/Thomas Dolby State Theatre
17 Exene Cervenka & The Original Sinners/Knuckel Drager Orpheum
22 Holiday Jazz w/Fred Johnson Ruth Eckerd Hall
28 Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks Tampa Theatre
29 '70s Soul Jam Feat. The Chi-Lites/The Spinners/The Stylistics Ruth Eckerd Hall
29 The Fixx State Theatre
31 Donna The Buffalo Coliseum
31 Southern Culture on the Skids Skipper's Smokehouse
31 Sevendust Jannus Landing
January
2 Van Morrison Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee)
6 Marcia Ball/Bettye Lavette Tampa Theatre
9 Greyboy All-Stars Jannus Landing
12 Tab Benoit Skipper's Smokehouse
13 Chris Botti Ruth Eckerd Hall
16 Glenn Miller Orchestra Ruth Eckerd Hall
17 Johnny Mathis Ruth Eckerd Hall
17 Rod Stewart St. Pete Times Forum
19 Senses Fail/Saosin/Alexisonfire/The Sleeping Jannus Landing
19 Guy Davis Ruth Eckerd Hall
20 Joshua Bell Ruth Eckerd Hall
21 Chuck Brodsky Octagon Arts Center
21 Dave Brubeck & Ramsey Lewis Ruth Eckerd Hall
26 Claire Lynch Band w/Jack Williams Palladium Theater
26 The Fray w/Mute Math Ruth Eckerd Hall
28 David Bromberg & Angel Band Skipper's Smokehouse
30 Richard Gilewitz Skipper's Smokehouse
February
1 Dark Funeral/Enslaved/Abigail Williams State Theatre
1 Jack Jones Ruth Eckerd Hall
2 Bottle Rockets Skipper's Smokehouse
7 Bobby McFerrin Ruth Eckerd Hall
8 Chicago Ruth Eckerd Hall
9 & 10 Less Than Jake State Theatre
14 Joe Bonamassa Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
14 Huey Lewis & The News Ruth Eckerd Hall
17 Julio Iglesias Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
19 Irish Rovers Ruth Eckerd Hall
22 Justin Timberlake w/Pink St. Pete Times Forum
23 Liza Minelli Ruth Eckerd Hall
March
2 Patti LaBelle Ruth Eckerd Hall
3 Doo Wop VII Ruth Eckerd Hall
7 & 8 Engelbert Humperdinck Ruth Eckerd Hall
20 Paul Anka Ruth Eckerd Hall
25 Bobby Vinton Ruth Eckerd Hall
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2006.