There's lots of live music happening this Thursday, March 24. Here's our breakdown of the shows that matter the most…
[pictured right] w/Sons of Hippies/Drake and Sofia/Alien House A singer-songwriter with a natural knack for charming the pants off her fans, Miami native-turned-LA dweller Rachel Goodrich is among my favorite purveyors of quirky, infectious folk pop. This year is turning out to be a great one for Goodrich, whose self-titled second LP was produced by Grammy-nominated Greg Wells (Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright), released this February via her own Yellow Bear imprint to much critical praise, and has been used in TV spots ranging from MTV’s My Life as Liz and HBO’s Weeds to commercials by Crayola and Blackberry. The mistress of “shake-abilly” sings in a big, velvety-rich soprano and plays guitar along with a myriad of other instruments. Her bright and buoyant sound is infused with Vaudeville-inspired and Latino-flavored embellishments on kazoo, xylophone, ukulele, charango and percussion (hand-claps and whistling included), and she delivers pert ironic lyrics like “I fell in love with your face, honey, not with your heart” amidst the odd nonsensical ba-ba-ba’s, na na na’s and other cutesie vocal outbursts. A definite must-see. 8 p.m., Crowbar, Ybor City, $8 (ages 18 and up).
Chuck Brodsky Chuck Brodsky A top-notch folk rocker from N.C. whose cheeky songwriting touches on life, culture, and baseball, like his tune “Dock Ellis' No No,” about the Pirates pitcher who threw a no-hitter after a night of tripping on acid. 7 and 9 p.m., Craftsmen House Gallery, St. Petersburg, $18-$23.
Superhumanoids w/The Pauses/Empire Cinema/Lions After Dark On their second EP, 2011’s Parasite Paradise, LA foursome Superhumanoids serve up dynamic electro rock with dreamy retrofied garage pop overtones and a shiny New Wave glaze, the vocals trading between the silvery femme-sweetness of Sarah Chernoff (keys) and the tender male-huskiness of Cameron Parkins (programming, synths). 7 p.m. doors, The Local 662, St. Petersburg, $8.
Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett Two Little Feat musicians – slide-savvy lead guitarist/singer Barrere, and guitarist, mandolin player and trumpeter Tackett – partner up for their latest tour as an acoustic duo. Expect performances of songs from the Little Feat catalogue along with select solo fare by both musicians. 7:30 p.m., Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, $39 and $49.
Norma Jean w/Stick To Your Guns/Impending Doom/Of Legends Georgia-based Christian metalcore outfit Norma Jean push the limits of heavy with mesmerizing melodies and aggressive ambition, their sound earning them comparisons to the likes of Pantera and Tool. 6 p.m. doors, State Theatre, St. Petersburg, $18. –Valerie Quintana
This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2011.