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
