-ES INTERPOL W/Q & NOT U New York quartet Interpol took the indie-rock scene by storm a few years back with a dark, clubby, sound and an unabashedly upscale fashion aesthetic. (Check out the Music column for more.) Q & Not U is one of the artier members of Dischord Records' D.C.-area post-punk cadre - their latest album, the strained and fragmented Power, inspired rave reviews, though I bought it and still can't figure out why. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
PSYCHOPATHIC ALL-STARS Psychopathic Records is the stable maintained by the marketing geniuses/abhorrent recording artists/extreme-wrestling enthusiasts that are Insane Clown Posse - but don't worry, they're not actually playing. Legendary Detroit horror-core MC Esham is playing, however, so you best check it out. As for the rest of the bill - Jump Steady, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa, Drainage X, and The Filthy Immigrants - who knows, but they can't possibly be as bad as Twiztid, can they? (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
THE FABULOUS ROCKERS Extreeeeeeemely long-running Tampa rock 'n' dance ensemble The Fabulous Rockers first coalesced at Jefferson High School back in 1957, and has been inspiring fans of all ages to "get a partner and your dancing shoes" off and on ever since. Because this shindig is being billed as one of a series of farewell shows, those inclined to climb into the way-back machine with the Rockers had better do so while the option is still available. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: Bring extra cash, as prizes will be raffled off in order to benefit The Unsinkable Molly Brown Foundation, which stands up for arts education and music in the schools. (The Coliseum, St. Petersburg)
BOHOLA St. Patrick's Day has come and gone, but it seems like you can always get your ears some good Irish music around here in Tampa Bay. This masterful, traditionally grounded acoustic trio features accordionist Jimmy Keane, fiddler Sean Cleland and dordan player/vocalist Pat Broaders. (Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, Tarpon Springs)
SUNDAY, MARCH 20
GARY SMULYAN & PETE MALINVERNI I've heard Smulyan called the greatest baritone saxophonist in the world, but I'm not quite ready to hand over such an appellation - let's say he's the fifth best baritone saxophonist in the world. That's still pretty good, huh? OK, I'm being smug. I have limited exposure to his playing, but what I've heard is particularly impressive. Plus, it's not very often (in these parts, especially) that you see a concert featuring that beautiful, guttural bari sound. Smulyan will be joined by accomplished pianist Malinverni, who enjoys a very strong rep on the international jazz scene. This is another one of those great Tampa Jazz Club matinees, where 50-or-so people can lounge in the intimate theater for a generous Sunday concert that starts at 3 p.m. (Gorilla Theater, Tampa)
-ES
SECOND ANNUAL SPRING EQUINOX SUN FEST Captain Soularcat is a five-piece band from Atlanta that plays funky, blues-inspired grooves with influences that range from the Allman Brothers to John Coltrane to Paul Simon. This eclecticism has earned them a respectable following in the Southeast and a nod from Relix magazine. They are joined by the newly relocated Mountain of Venus, one of few bands on the jam scene with a female vocalist; local psychedelic jam vehicle Buffalo Strange; and "cybernetic roots" rockers Dixie Flatline. (Gaspar's Grotto, Ybor City)
-Leilani Polk
25TH ANNUAL SARASOTA JAZZ FESTIVAL Congrats on a quarter century. The Sarasota jazz fest started small, as most do, concentrating on swing-era players. Its stylistic scope has grown over the years. Space does not permit us to detail all the goings-on (go to www.jazzclubsarasota.com for all the info), but here are a few of the featured performers: Fred Johnson, The Venturas, Kenny Drew Jr., Dick Hyman, Bill Charlap, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Tommy Newsom and - ta da! - Kenny G. (March 20-26 @ venues throughout Sarasota)
-ES
TUESDAY, MARCH 22
FRENCH KICKS/CALLA/DUMBWAITERS/CANDYBARS NYC outfit French Kicks doesn't get as much ink as scene-mates like Walkmen or Liars, but their mix of sinewy, rhythmic rock 'n' roll and contemporary underground eccentricity ranks right up there. Also from the City that Never Sleeps, Calla has a more varied and atmospheric thing going on. Feel free to insert the same raving praise I always heap on better-every-day Tampa iconoclasts Dumbwaiters here, but right after that comes the part where I tell you rising Bay area duo Candybars' scarily original space-pop-rock sound is probably the best new thing we've got going lately. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
