THURSDAY, APRIL 12
Drive-By Truckers w/Centro-Matic Drive-By Trucker fans freaked a little when the gritty, twangy Southern soulful alt country rock band signed to ATO, though their fears about what the major label upgrade would do to DBT's music proved unfounded with 2010's The Big To-Do. Their 2011 ninth album, Go Go Boots, was welcomed to the catalog with no fuss, maybe because the songs were originally written and recorded during the To-Do sessions and find leader Patterson Hood delivering narratives about subjects ranging from small town murder to the absurd family antics spurred by Thanksgiving with his usual wry, blue-collar finesse. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City)—Leilani Polk
Go Radio w/ Tyler Carter/Simple As Surgery/This Providence A Tallahassee alt rock band with pop and punk tendencies, Go Radio was originally started by Mayday Parade former Jason Lancaster in 2007 and is currently celebrating the release of their debut full-length, Lucky Street, issued last year via Fearless Records. (Orpheum, Ybor City)—LP
FRIDAY, APRIL 13
Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Los Lonely Boys / Roomful of Blues w/others For the past 16 years, locals have been treated to guitar-powered sizzle at the annual Tampa Bay Blues Festival. The three-day 2012 edition kicks off on Friday with warm-up sets by Alexis P. Suter Band, Johnny Rawls, and the Delta Groove Harp Blast. Roomful of Blues, a long-running (est. 1967) blues and swing revival band from Rhode Island, hits town with a new record (Hook, Line & Sinker on Alligator) that includes a dozen horn-blasted covers of songs by Little Richard, Dave Bartholomew, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, among others. Closing out the evening is Los Lonely Boys, a power trio featuring the three-part harmonizing Garza brothers – guitarist Henry, bassist Jojo and drummer Ringo, who play a driving mix of blues, roots, Tex-Mex, Chicano and Latin rock, and issued their fourth studio album, Rockpango, in 2011. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)—LP
Blues Fest After Shows: Delta Groove Harp Blast feat. Mitch Kashmar Al Blake & Big Pete/Johnny Rawls/The Alexis P. Suter Band The three acts who warmed up the stage at the fest perform at this after party showcase; highlights include the harmonica-wielding talent of Delta Groove players Mitch Kashmar, Al Blake and Big Pete, who are backed by a tight three-piece band; and soul-blues vet Johnny Rawls. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
set and setting w/Recreant/Florida Night Heat Heavy-droning, double-drumming post rock quartet set and setting finally makes their way back home after a month-long national tour. (Transitions Art Gallery @ Skatepark of Tampa)—LP
David Cassidy This intimate concert is sure to be filled with a range of emotions as Cassidy celebrates both his 62nd birthday and the 40th anniversary of his debut solo album, Cherish. He'll pay tribute to close friend and our favorite Monkee, Davy Jones, whom he became close to during their time as teen heartthrobs in the '70s. A portion of proceeds from the show go to All Children’s Hospital. (The Club at Treasure Island, Treasure Island) —Rebecca Forman
Five Eight w/Signals From Satellites/The Pauses New World kicks off its anniversary weekend with Athens, Ga.'s high quality garage-jangle hard rock foursome Five Eight, which makes a special jaunt down to Ybor to help celebrate. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)—LP
TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds w/Sons of Bill You may not know his name, but you just might recognize his guitar chops. Two-time Grammy nominee Tim Reynolds is the lead player in Dave Matthews Band. His funky hard-rocking power trio, TR3 – Reynolds on guitar, Mick Vaughn on bass, and Dan Martier on drums, with all three sharing vocal duties – hits town on the latest round of dates supporting a 2011 double live album, From Space and Beyond. Expect TR3 originals and select eclectic covers, like "Hocus Pocus" by Dutch prog-yodelers Focus. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —RF
Young Joe's Standing Ovation Tour w/Sammie/Richie Wess/89/DJ Spinatik A solo headlining concert by Young Joe, a Tampa-based R&B singer and songwriter who regularly performs with Orlando group 89. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City)—LP
Corey Smith w/Florida Georgia Line This Georgia native entered the country rock scene in 2003 and his current album, The Broken Record, hit No. 17 on the Billboard Country charts. His honest and relatable lyrics are especially apparent in one of his best known singles, "Maybe Next Year," which includes some wise advice: "Yeah, my grandma still tells me enough is enough / Life ain’t a game son, it's time to grow up." (Dallas Bull, Tampa) —RF
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Jimmie Vaughan / Tower Of Power w/James Cotton Band feat. Darrell Nulisch/The Mannish Boys/others Day two of the fest features headlining sets by the legendary Tower of Power, a horn-driven R&B, funk, soul and jazz group with a five-piece horn section that most famously performed with Little Feat on their seminal 1978 live album, Waiting for Columbus; and Texas electric blues guitar rocker Jimmie Vaughan, brother of late great Stevie Ray, his performance backing a 2011 album, More Blues, Ballads and Favorites. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)—LP
Blues Fest After Shows: Trampled Under Foot w/Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges/Albert Castiglia The second of two late night after shows featuring acts who perform afternoon sets at the fest on Saturday and Sunday. This show is headlined by Trampled Under Foot, a Kansas City blues trio made up of three singers-musicians-siblings, two of whom – guitarist Nick and bassist/lead vocalist Danielle – are both lefties. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
The Lion Faced Boy w/Goodnight Neverland/A Play On Words/Peter Pepper/Victorian Halls/Relief In Sleep/MBL Trio An indie rock multi-header starring punk pop-leaning outfit The Lion Faced Boy, which dropped their new Cause & Infected EP last summer. Also of note: Peter Pepper, the name of both the frontman and band that produces a mixmash of synth rock, punk and post-hardcore; and noise core/dance pop three-piece Victorian Halls, from Chicago. (Local 662, St. Petersburg)—LP
Shawn Mullins The 2012 edition of the "Live from Loews" concert series at the Don Cesar kicks off with a performance by Atlanta's raspy low-toned singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, who you probably know best for his 1998 AC single, "Lullaby." His last album was 2010's Light You Up. (Don Cesar Beach Resort, St. Pete Beach)—LP
Car Bomb Driver w/Mosquito Teeth/Gonad Rehab Seen in local venues since the '90s, Car Bomb Driver — Dave Reeder, Joe Sonic, Shea Moxon, Matt Grimshaw and Brian Granik – is an ol' reliable that never gets tired, energizing the crowd with their vintage and heavy-hitting punk rock. Skinny-tie wearing Frontman Reeder may look like a librarian but transforms into an aggressively crazed showman, straddling the mic and summoning forth god knows what. If you're haven't witnessed their infectious energy, come to St. Pete's Brass Mug Jr. and let Car Bomb Driver do donuts on your eardrums. Mosquito Teeth, a St. Pete bar band inspired by "NOFX, leftover crack and vaginas," opens the show with Gonad Rehab. (Fubar, St. Petersburg) —Julie Garisto
Van Halen w/Kool & the Gang In February, hard rock and arena metal heavyweights Van Halen – executors of such classics as "Jump," "Hot for Teacher" and "Panama" – issued their first studio LP with singer David Lee Roth since the band's classic multi-platinum 1984; 2012's A Different Kind of Truth was also their first album of original music in 14 years and 12th overall. The record has earned some rather good press from Spin, Rolling Stone and the like, and it's definitely a mighty fine comeback album full of heavy bombast and meaty Eddie Van Halen solos. Kool & the Gang ("Jungle Boogie," "Celebration") seems like a puzzling opener, but apparently, their funky dance-soul party provides the perfect prelude to rocking out. (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa)—LP
Dead Sound Kickstarter Project Launch Celebration The melodic punk/indie band from St. Pete hosts a Kickstarter project launch celebration, sharing the stage with their good buddies Awkward Age and Dave Decker. Dead Sound is hoping to raise at least $2,500 via their campaign, so that they can record and release "their own slab of wax." Formerly known as Steady State, the recently re-named Dead Sound is nothing like their moniker, performing spirited, anthemic rock. (Emerald Bar, St. Petersburg) —JG
Country Nights, Garden Lights feat. Mark Wills A "celebration of life through music" charity concert to benefit Suncoast Hospice Center for Loss and Healing. Young local twang-slinging darling Suite Caroline opens the evening, with Georgia country music crooner Mark Wills ("Wish You Were Here," "19 Somethin") headlining. (Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo) —LP
The Only Sons w/Geri X/Proud Iron Lion A favorite of Ninebullets.net, The Only Sons craft Southern-fried alt country that has recently been given the '70s rock treatment ala Big Star and classic Rod Stewart as evidenced by their 2012 Kickstarter.com-funded LP, When The New Wears Off (out April 24). Glossary's Joey Kneiser contributes on organ and piano, and topics range from the unrequited love of "Bully" ("When you got hitched, I got stoned / Being your best friend, baby, makes me feel so alone") to the hard claims of fame. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)—LP
SUNDAY, APRIL 15
Reggae Sunday ft. Sashamon The reggae series continues with ukulele-strumming singer-songwriter Sashamon (real name Sasha Makia Spiller-Reiff), who incorporates elements of music from his Hawaiian island home into his easy-going dub, ska and roots grooves; his backing "Necta" band includes left-handed guitar virtuoso Isaac Kamaile, Jr. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—LP
Rebecca Loebe She covered Nirvana's "Come as You Are" to get the chairs turning on NBC's first season of The Voice, but her version of "Creep" by Radiohead wasn't quite compelling enough to score her a battle round win. Nevertheless, Atlanta folk-roots songstress Rebecca Loebe got an invaluable chance at national exposure, likely playing for more people on The Voice than in all her years of touring up to that point. Her rich, dulcet-toned vocals soar over gently-picked acoustic melodies that locals can enjoy in person when Loebe performs as part of the 2012 Independent Music Concert Series. The evening opens with a light buffet from Sofia Forte at 7 p.m.; music commences at 7:30. (Studio@620, St. Petersburg)—LP
Alchemy Fest 7 w/Rebekah Pulley/The Ditchflowers/The Boom Bap Eclectic/Jun Bustamante + Ngaire Young/Ella Jet The seventh annual family-friendly music and arts festival organized by CL's own Marketing Director, Joran Oppelt, and named for his darling daughter benefits Revolutions Dance Company. In addition to live music by performers ranging from acoustic pop rock outfit The Ditchflowers to 12-year-old singer-songwriter Ella Jet, diversions include arts and crafts, games, an appearance by the Bluebird Books Bus, and plenty else. (World of Beer/Woodfired Pizza, St. Petersburg)—LP
Tampa Bay Blues Festival: Delbert McClinton / Charles Bradley w/others The three-day fest closes with two tried-and-true musical professionals. Gainesville’s Charles Bradley, aka "The Screaming Eagle of Soul," started his music career late in life, as a James Brown impersonator, and was signed to Daptone Records several years back; his first full-length, No Time for Dreaming, was finally issued in 2011. Delbert McClinton has been active since the early 1970s, a roots and blues artist with upwards of 25 albums to his credit; his last, 2009's Acquired Taste, peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Blues charts. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg)—LP
Over the Rhine w/Lucy Wainwright Roche Over the Rhine comprises husband-and-wife musicians Linford Detweiler (piano, guitar, bass) and Karin Bergquist (vocals, guitar), who've been active under the moniker since 1991 when they released their full-length debut of self-styled "post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop." The band's 11th and latest studio album, 2011's The Long Surrender, was produced by three-time Grammy winner Joe Henry (Carolina Chocolate Drops, Allen Toussaint) and issued via their own Great Speckled Dog label. (Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center, downtown Tampa)—LP
Breakdown CD Release Party For this week's edition of Ol' Dirty Sundays, Tampa emcee/producer Breakdown (Ryan McGown) celebrates his return from a hiatus with a sophomore LP, So Far Away. Though he's been MIA for a while, Breakdown claims he's no less fresh in first single "Been a Minute," his solid even-paced flow and smart bravado-ridden rhymes set against bumpin' scratch-scattered production. The album features sit-ins by producer friends like Funk Ghost and Rudy Rude, among others, and guest spots by The Rukus, Mes, Niki Ferraro, Monica Delgado and Mugabe Tenn. Admission to the show is free; hard copies of the album are $5. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
MONDAY, APRIL 16
Ry Cuming Ry Cuming is the epitome of chill. He grew up in a coastal town in Australia, climbed onto a surfboard at age 3 and held his first guitar at 5. His sandy tenor and captivating falsetto made him a hit in his home country and he landed a record deal while playing his guitar in a hallway in Costa Rica. Since then, he's released a self-titled album and toured with Maroon 5. His inspirations include Jeff Buckley, the ocean and romance, with his mood shifting from gentle and hushed to grimy and rocking. (Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center, downtown Tampa) –RF
MIRA: World Music, Electronica, Sonny Rollins and Sting A showcase of performances by students in SPC's Music Industry/Recording Arts program: the Laptop Ensemble, Hand Drum Ensemble, R&B Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Pop Ensemble and Student/Faculty Ensemble. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
TUESDAY, APRIL 17
Mux Mool w/Devonwho/The Soft Rock Renegades A huge party celebrating the four-year anniversary of All Good Tuesdays, with the festivities headed up by with Ghostly International electro musician Mux Mool, whose beat-driven, sample-strewn, stutter-and-fidget instrumentals draw on elements of trip- and hip-hop, techno, R&B and grime. New album Planet High School dropped earlier this year. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
Inertia: The Musical CD Release Party The locally-produced Inertia encompasses pop, rock, reggae, blues, psychedelia, hip hop, opera and other genres into a conceptual, socially-conscious musical music and theatre work based on the idea that society is stuck in a state of social inertia, "resisting a pull towards something greater than ourselves because of our insatiable appetite for distraction." A 15-person cast and 14-piece band perform short clips from the script as well as the album in its entirety, about a woman who is inspired to liberate the willfully ignorant and starts a movement to end corporate-controlled capitalism and restore reason to Americans with help from some newly roused misfit recruits and a government-fighting radical named The Philosopher. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)—LP
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
Margot and the Nuclear So & So's w/Ezra Furman/Writer/Sleepy Vikings Last month, Midwest indie rock/guitar pop band Margot & the Nuclear So and So's released their fifth and latest, Rot Gut, Domestic. Produced with help by John Congleton (David Byrne, St Vincent, Polyphonic Spree), the record earned high marks from Spin magazine, which likened their current darker, denser tendencies to R.E.M. (Crowbar, Ybor City) —LP
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2012.