A Diamond is forever
The Van Hagar era had its moments. The 1986 album 5150 was pretty good, and OU812 definitely didn't suck. But by the time For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge came out in '91 and that sappy single "Right Now" flooded the airwaves, you couldn't help but crave the irreverent shenanigans of Diamond Dave. Van Halen teased us with the idea of returning its original frontman to the band and then dropped a massive stink bomb by enlisting former Extreme vocalist Gary Cherone, the hack best known for crooning that criminally awful power ballad "More Than Words." Finally, after a more than two-decade wait, Van Halen came to its senses and reunited with Roth. Granted, the zany showman's midair splits probably won't be what they were in '84, but the return of the original Van Halen is still most welcome. Even if it did mean founding member Michael Anthony got the shaft so that Eddie's 16-year-old son Wolfie could take over on bass. Bob Marley scion Ky-Mani Marley opens. His latest album, Radio, eschews roots-reggae for contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Read the interview with Marley in the music feature. Van Halen w/Ky-Mani Marley, 7 p.m., Mon., Feb. 18, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, $49.50, $79.50, $149.50. —Wade Tatangelo
Rockabilly royale
If WMNF's 5th Annual Rockabilly Ruckus is anything like it's been in years past, the Skipperdome will be packed Saturday with people dressed as if they were auditioning for Grease. Scads of local bands influenced by Gene Vincent (or more likely Brian Setzer) are scheduled to play throughout the afternoon and evening prior to a performance by Dracula-dressing psychobilly star Unknown Hinson, who counts among his fans Hank Williams III. Headlining the show is a true rockabilly legend, Wanda Jackson. The genre's first and most significant female star (story goes that her ex, Elvis Presley, encouraged her to be a rocker), she had a hit in 1956 with a number called "I Gotta Know" and continued to chart through the 1970s with titles like "Let's Have a Party," "Right or Wrong" and "Fancy Satin Pillows." WMNF's 5th Annual Rockabilly Ruckus w/Wanda Jackson/Unknown Hinson/Rocket 88/High Octane/Midnight Bowlers League/Hot Rod Walt and Psycho Devilles/HoDaddys/Downshifters/Johnny Zoom and the Cheerlead Squad, 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 16, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $20 (in advance), $25 (at the door). —WT
Only the lonely
The Chicago's Owen Ashworth calls his lo-fi electronica endeavor Casiotone for the Painfully Alone — and it's a fitting moniker. The artist implements old-school keyboards to sequence minimal beats that sound culled from some kid's basement in the '80s. Although the sonics are conspicuously simple, they fit nicely with Ashworth's detailed tales of seamy sex, seedy nightclub adventures and alienation. His vocal range is limited, and he speaks more than actually sings, but he has a way of delivering each word that makes it difficult not to be drawn in. The intensity proves hypnotic. A deft songwriter, Ashworth also has a gift for interpreting Springsteen songs. He's covered both "Born in the U.S.A." and "Streets of Philadelphia," somehow making the latter even more gripping than the original. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone w/Aloha Model/Ophelia/John Gold, 7 p.m. Sun., Feb. 17, Transitions Art Gallery at Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa, $7. —WT
Victor Wooten, Loretta Lynn, Patrick Bettison, Legendary J.C.'s and more in Music Week.
This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2008.