In the natural ebb and flow of a local music scene, Tampa Bay is enjoying an exciting deluge, the assortment of musicians in our sprawled-out metropolis coming together to collaborate and create a diverse and lively local soundscape. Plenty of folks take it for granted that we have a music scene; others aren't even aware it exists at all. But the fact is, there are close to 150 noteworthy acts playing our region's live music circuit.
I know; with the help of the CL Music Team, I counted.
Eventually, we'll get the entire list online at cltampa.com/music. But for the purposes of this year's Music Issue, I've narrowed down that exhaustive compendium to the 25 locals who have helped shape and cultivate the local music scene over the past year. From the regularly gigging workhorses to those who perform more infrequently (but are good enough to draw a crowd when they do), these are the 25 bands and individual performers (listed in alphabetical order) who kept the scene vital in 2010, infusing it with color and creativity, stability and vigor.
A super big shout-out to Julie G. for allowing me to draw on her infinite wisdom and for helping me get poetic about the bands I finally settled on. To the ones who didn't make the cut (and to fans whose favorite band I'm sure I forgot), the online list will encompass a greater range and variety of performers.
And there's always next year … reach for the stars, right? —LP
10th Concession
The brothers Koteles' sparkly blend of middle-of-the road pop and modern arena rock is what you'd get if the '70s group America were reincarnated as Lifehouse (and had a Mediterranean way with the ladies).
For fans of: Keane, Coldplay, latter-era Cars
Next Show: Dec. 19 Album Release Party, The Ritz, Ybor City, 10thconcession.com
Auto?Automatic??
A post-rock/prog-rock instrumental threesome with groove-oriented tendencies and a lead guitarist known for his finger-tapping technique and sonic looping capabilities. The band returned in March after a year of inactivity and by October had raised more than $3,500 via Kickstarter.com to record a new LP.
For fans of: The Mercury Program, Umphrey's McGee, Pelican
Next show: TBD, myspace.com/autoautomatic
Aych
With lush production, stellar guest vocalists and a signature assertive flow, Hansel "Aych" Williams stays on the positive tip without losing his grit, and he helps out other artists via his "Da Cypher" open mics and collaborations.
For fans of: Ghostface, Lupe Fiasco, L.L. Cool J
Next show: Da Cypher Open Mic, Dec. 15, Crowbar, aych101.com
The Beauvilles
The exuberant rock 'n' roll power trio with blues-retro leanings is fronted by singer/guitarist Shawn Kyle Beauville, who possesses a wealth of animal magnetism and proves his local rawk! stardom via wild, sweaty, high-octane performances.
For fans of: Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, The Who
Next show: Dec. 30 with Raptar, New World Brewery, Ybor City, thebeauvilles.net
COPE
The longtime ensemble mixes Southern roots, classic rock and electronic influences into their jammy sound, and has kicked it into high gear this year with a new LP, regularly scheduled shows, and tour dates all over the Southeast.
For fans of: moe., Phish, Perpetual Groove
Next show: Dec. 22, The Blueberry Patch, St. Petersburg, myspace.com/copemusic
Damon Fowler Group
Fowler is the Bay area's premier blues rocker; he plays a wailing guitar and stretches his prowess far beyond the usual shuffling orthodoxies with his three-piece group.
For fans of: Stevie Ray Vaughan, North Mississippi Allstars, Gov't Mule
Next show: Dec. 17, Ringside Café, St. Petersburg, damonfowler.com
The Ditchflowers
Timeless and heart-rending melodic rock with sun-kissed guitars, lightly rustic touches and a judicious dab of British-Invasion pop, all delivered by a smart collective of scene vets, Brian Merrill, Ed Woltil and Steve Connelly among them.
For fans of: The Beatles, Wilco, Todd Rundgren, Elliott Smith
Next show: TBD, theditchflowers.com
Dive Bar Stalkers
Big, raucous, hard-driving rockabilly marked by dusty-baying harmonica, femme harmonies by easy-on-the-eye backing vocalists, and the gruff snarl and untamed slide guitar work of lead singer/axeman Jeff Vitolo, who alternately duels with or offsets the riffage of mohawked guitarist/singer Bob "Noxious" Addington. The septet just inked a contract with Seattle-based WorldSound for an international release of their debut, Rock The House, in early 2011.
For fans of: Legendary Shack Shakers, Reverend Horton Heat
Next show: Jan. 14, Wahoo's On The Island, Treasure Island, myspace.com/divebarstalkers
Dynasty
The petite Tampa-by-way-of-NYC hip-hop "Fem-cee" has been making her presence known all year long with her calculated and self-confident style of lyrical delivery, refreshing sincerity and a 2010 Dreampusher mixtape with partner-in-crime DJ Sandman that features shout-outs from Wu-Tang's Raekwon, MC Lyte and KRS-One.
For fans of: Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott
Next show: Dec. 11, Hip Hop Against Hunger, Market on 7th, Ybor City, thefemcee.com
Ronny Elliott
Elliott serves a 100-proof blend of authentic styles, with each piece of the repertoire never overpowering — Southern rock, protest singing, Old-Florida folk and classic rock 'n' roll. The local legend stays true and in the present after three decades of rocking out.
For fans of: The Byrds, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan
Next show: TBD, ronnyelliott.com
Grecian Urns
Lush, harmonious and soulful folk pop with diverse instruments in the mix — fiddle, trumpet, flute, trombone, harmonica, ukulele — the college-age collective wakes up the joint with their spirited performances while surprising the crustiest curmudgeons with their tight musicianship.
For fans of: Dr. Dog, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird
Next show: Dec. 23 with Grapefruit League and Preson Philips, New World Brewery, Ybor City, thegrecianurns.bandcamp.com
Guiltmaker
These guys make the most of many styles, purveying post-punk through the ages — from the DIY D.C. sounds of the early '90s, to proto-New Wave of the early '80s (Joy Division, early U2), to progressive indie of today (Pelican and Pinback).
For fans of: Quicksand, Fugazi, Kylesa
Next show: Dec. 18 with Scrog and Zillionaire, New World Brewery, Ybor City, myspace.com/guiltmaker
Have Gun, Will Travel
Woozy ballads and whip-smart flurries of violins, drums, lap steels and other rustic stand-bys, led by the inviting vocals of Matt Burke, who can "sing a merry melody like sparrows in a gilded cage" and is compared often to Ben Gibbard and Jeff Tweedy.
For fans of: The Avett Brothers, Uncle Tupelo, Dawes
Next show: Jan. 21 with Will Quinlan & the Diviners, New World Brewery, Ybor City, myspace.com/hgwt
The Hip Abduction
Breezy, good time groove-and-sway music mixing flavors of funk, jazz, roots reggae, Afro-beat, Latin and acoustic rock into an intoxicating brew. Percussion and vibes add texture, the three-piece horn section offers bright brassy bursts of sound, and frontman David New embodies Jack Johnson's brand of laid-back cool.
For fans of: Graceland-era Paul Simon, Trey Anastasio Band, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Next show: Dec. 10, Fly Bar, Tampa, thehipabduction.com
Infinite Groove Orchestra
What might happen if funk and jazz took some acid and went playing in the woods after dark — heady, funkadelic, expansive music marked by the expert keywork of John Richardson, and the moody atmospherics and occasional straightforward sexiness of sax player Jeremy Powell.
For fans of: Bonobo, Herbie Hancock, Medeski Martin & Wood
Next show: CD release party, Jan. 15, The Local 662, St. Petersburg, myspace.com/infinitegrooveorchestra
King of Spain
Rising from the routine noise and ambient flotsam of experimental music is this one-man project turned two-man band. The duo (singer/multi-instrumentalist Matt Slate and bassist Daniel Wainright) purveys a melodic, minimalist brand of experimental pop with electro atmospherics and flourishes.
For fans of: Brian Eno, Boards of Canada
Next show: TBD, myspace.com/musicofkingofspain
Light Yourself on Fire
Sounds like no metal, punk or otherwise-heavy band you've ever heard before. LYOF immolates the stage with searing guitars, chugga-chugga old-school grit, demonic vocals and a heart-poundingly precise backbeat; made up of former members of Scrog and Reversal of Man.
For fans of: Catharsis, Mastodon, Assuck
Next show: TBD, myspace.com/lightyourselfonfire
Magadog
A multi-piece ensemble made up of Florida dudes who've been properly schooled in roots reggae and ska music while versed in the British and American resurgence of the styles, replete with searing horns, bouncy rhythms and sing-along vocals. The band's been around since '92 and still sports three of its original members.
For fans of: The Toasters, The Specials, Toots and the Maytals
Next show: Dec. 10 with The Loving Thorns and Poetry n' Lotion, The Local 662, St. Petersburg, myspace.com/magadogtampa
Marksmen
An on-target brigade of Americana rhapsody, straight-up rock 'n' roll and mellow indie pop; the band formerly known as Glasgow is around two years young and has been among the area's hardest-working and most impressive up-and-comers.
For fans of: My Morning Jacket, Pedro the Lion, Death Cab for Cutie
Next show: Dec. 31, New Year's Eve Bash, Crowbar, myspace.com/wearemarksmen
Mogul Street Reserve
The tight, high-energy, boyishly charming prog trio with pop tendencies plays around with time signatures but still manages to produce some truly catchy and upbeat music.
For fans of: Minus the Bear, Adrian Belew Trio
Next show: Dec. 10 with Dafrebos, Ella's Americana Folk Art Café, Tampa, myspace.com/mogulstreetreserve
New Bruises
Fast and fierce DIY rock with a sharp wit and salt-of-the-earth swagger, delivered by way of tough anthems, cascading guitars and gut-grabbing rhythms; NB's been around five years, features ex-members of Mid Carson July, and tours the U.S. and abroad.
For fans of: Jawbreaker, Fugazi, The Replacements
Next show: TBD, myspace.com/newbruises
Poetry n' Lotion
The nu-jazz instrumental quartet released a debut LP in January and has since developed their playful synthesis of sepia-toned jazz, heel-stomping Americana, hard rock and global-ishness into a more progressive and head-spaced place. PNL also experienced some recent lineup changes; mandolin player/guitarist Jim Page exited and trumpeter Kenny Pullin is now performing in his place.
For fans of: Tortoise meets Black Sabbath with Zappa's sense of humor.
Next show: Dec. 10, with Magadog and The Loving Thorns, The Local 662, St. Petersburg, myspace.com/poetrynlotion
Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets
Country-Western-influenced local folk-pop heroine who's too dern pretty-sounding to compare to Sheryl Crow, but too soulful to liken to Emmylou; both, however, are in her ballpark. Ms. Pulley's backup band combines down-home twang, acoustic folk and bluegrass with a little electric oomph.
For fans of: Loretta Lynn, Joni Mitchell, Patty Griffin
Next show: Dec. 10 with The Groves, New World Brewery, Ybor City, rebekahpulley.com
The Semis
What you'd hear if indie, garage, punk and surf rock all checked into a seedy motel run by eccentric genius/reformed party animal Billy Summer. Sidemen Matt Simmons (original member for more than a decade), Jay Schultz and Kyle Lovell keep Billy in check and have helped the band reach its potential, the foursome delivering a masterful balance of shimmering pop and muscular power with this year's "comeback" LP.
For fans of: Nada Surf, The Makers, Pavement
Next show: Dec. 23, Brokenmold Xmas Party, Crowbar, thesemisrock.com
Tribal Style
It's real reggae, mon — really good reggae — as produced by three native Jamaicans (brothers Muthoni, Mugabe and T.K. Tenn) and their Tampa bandmates that includes guitarist Blake Yeager and Michael "DJ Blenda" Mendolusky. TS is probably Tampa Bay's most hardworking band — they never seem to take a week off, and their polished performances, knack for authentic roots interpretation and creative reinterpretations show as a result.
For fans of: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru
Next show: Dec. 18 at Skinny Water Culture Christmas Party, Finley's Irish Pub & Eatery, Largo, myspace.com/tribalstyle
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2010.