DONOVAN FRANKENREITER w/THE HUMAN CONDITION Quick, name a pro surfer-turned-rock star whose name isn't Jack Johnson. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? His name is Donavon Frankenreiter, and yes, he is counted among Johnson's brahs. Joining him is the Human Condition, four Bay-area white boys who don't sound nearly as jam-bandy as the acts they've played with (Col. Bruce Hampton, the Zen Tricksters, et al). Should be a good concert, regardless of how many bong hits you took out in the parking lot beforehand. (Boomerz Boiler Room, Seminole)
-MS
THE JULIANA THEORY/ZAO/OPEN HAND/SINAI BEACH/THE TAKEOVER UK The Juliana Theory and Zao are both credited with ushering in current Christian punk-scene trends - the former incorporated elements of power-pop and classic rock before signing to a major label and taking basically forever to put out a disappointing record, while the latter was among the first brutal, death metal-influenced spiritual hardcore crossover bands. (Zao's latest, The Funeral of God, rolls back the heaviness a bit to incorporate a little melody.) The rest of these acts are comparative newcomers; of them, Open Hand, whose frenetic, prog-pop sound defies comparisons to just about everything except maybe a less killer Queens of the Stone Age on helium, is most often tagged as quasi-underground melodic punk's Next Big Thing. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) \
KIWANIS FAMILY FUNFEST w/TOMMY G & THE HIGH SEAS/CARIBBEAN COWBOYS/TOM KATS/KEVIN TOON/OTHERS Amid all the wholesome fun catch a bunch of wholesomely American music. Singer/guitarist Tommy G cut his latest album in upstate New York in the barn studio of none other than Levon Helm, who played drums. Garth Hudson, former keyboardist for The Band, also contributed to the sessions. The rest of the lineup is rounded out by a variety of acts. Today's lineup, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m., goes like this (in order of appearance): Michael Young, Play It By Ear, Tommy G & the High Seas. The fest continues Sunday, when music goes from 2 to 7 p.m.: Caribbean Cowboys, Kevin Toon, Scott Anderson, Tom Kats. (Madeira Beach Recreation Complex)
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SUNDAY, MARCH 13
NEW FOUND GLORY w/REGGIE & THE FULL EFFECT/EISLEY Florida all-ages scene favorites New Found Glory flirted with the big time a couple of years back via hit single "My Friends Over You," but the less straightforward follow-up album, Catalyst, seems stalled. (Hey, at least their singer can take comfort in the idea that every nu-punk vocalist to come after him has sounded exactly like him.) Extremely non-serious Get Up Kids pop/New Wave offshoot Reggie & The Full Effect is always entertaining for at least 10 minutes, but as far as well-written pop music goes, up-and-coming opener Eisley smokes both of the bands that hit the stage after it. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
HARMIK IS TOM JONES Got kitsch? A Tom Jones impersonator performs at a nudie resort. No word on whether the tight pants will come off or not. (Paradise Lakes Resort, Lutz)
-ES
SCIENCE NONFICTION/ASTRONAUTALIS/BLEUBIRD/GAVIN This show is presented by Sarasota-based rap collective Free Poets and local arts/culture mag Porch. Science NonFiction recently shared the stage with the current clown prince of indie rap, Sage Francis, and has been steadily building a buzz that not only gets them notable gigs up the East Coast, but also brings bigger acts down this way. Such as the following: Bleubird is one guy who raps about the state of the world, in notably anti-krunk fashion - a cynical intellectual who doesn't find any contradiction in mixing amped-up bass with provocative, self-deprecating lyricism. Jacksonville's Astronautalis is another white indie rap guy with a thesaurus-type penchant for obscure rhymes. Rounding out the bill is Gavin, of criminally underrated alterna-rap group Gruvis Malt. (j.a.c.s., Sarasota)
-MS
MONDAY, MARCH 14
STEVE VAI w/ERIC SARDINAS Since catching the eyes and ears of discerning guitar fans with his work with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai has screwed around with mainstream hard rock in Alcatrazz, Whitesnake and an iteration of David Lee Roth's backing band. But through it all, his flamboyant, somewhat gimmicky solo output has kept him a shred/instrumental-culture icon. Vai's new album, Real Illusions: Reflections, is the first in a four-album cycle. I know, I know - who cares? He'll blow your mind just the same, plus, bassist extraordinaire Billy Sheehan and fellow guitar god Tony MacAlpine are members of his recording and touring band, The Breed. (Tampa Theatre, Tampa)
THE SNOCORE TOUR What ostensibly originated as a vaguely winter-extreme-sports-connected package tour showcasing the heavier and weirder corners of the punk, metal and indie-rock scenes quickly devolved into a quick way for major labels' vaguely edgy hard-music acts to try on a little "street cred." Now you've got this: a decent band that's hardly starving for exposure (Chevelle); a band that's a shadow of what it was back when it and SnoCore were brilliant and bold (Helmet); a straightforward, up-and-coming rock act that's about as interesting as boiled chicken (Crossfade); and two generically brooding new acts that are at least a couple of years behind the curve (Future Leaders of The World, Strata). Slayer? Willhaven? Deftones? Fantomas? You won't find anything nearly that good or challenging at SnoCore this year, or likely ever again. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
