BEST NEW LOCAL BAND
Candy Bars
Tampa's Candy Bars are a bit of an enigma. There's no official band website, and the band's not playing out too much these days, AND you don't know what you're going to get when you do see them. Will it be guitarist/vocalist Daniel Martinez and drummer Ryan Hastings, or Martinez and cellist Melissa Castellano, or all three, or just Martinez? There's nothing puzzling about the usually-a-duo's dynamic, hauntingly original, intelligently poppy sound, though — listen to one of Candy Bars' effects-assisted live sets or more lushly arranged recordings, and it's obvious that this is an ambitious project that's already reached, and maybe surpassed, national-scene caliber. www.myspace.com/candybars.
BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER
Rebekah Pulley
She captured the local original-music scene's attention a couple years ago, and has admirably held it since, remaining one of the most loved, cited and talked-about artists in the area. And she's only gotten better, widening her stylistic palette in both grittier and mellower directions, while maintaining one of the most evocative voices around. Whether solo or with her fine band The Reluctant Prophets, she's a standout act on any bill, be it rock-, folk-, pop-, or jam-oriented. She should be famous, but first, can we get another album of intimate yet universal tunes, please? www.rebekahpulley.com.
BEST RETURN TO BRUTAL FORM
Obituary
It's been more than 15 years, and almost as many metal-scene trends, since Slowly We Rot made Obituary one of the most prominent residents of the Death Metal Capital of the World. And it's been eight years since the group's last studio record, the prematurely titled Back from the Dead, went largely unnoticed outside a worldwide core of fans patiently awaiting the death of false metal. This past summer, however, saw the release of Frozen in Time, a nearly perfect slab of evil riff and groove that was the best heavy thing we heard — local or national — come out of the Bay area this year. www.obituary.cc.
BEST PIANO COLOSSUS
Charles Farrell's Glossolalia
Part-time Tampa resident Farrell doesn't gig locally, so people really don't get a chance to check out his rare brand of artistry. Glossolalia is a remarkable CD of free improvisation duets that pairs him with English saxophone titan Evan Parker. Recorded in London late last year, it was released this summer. Glossolalia (the word for speaking in tongues) is a volcanic encounter, where the two masters spar and feint amid a frenetic dance of notes. Farrell's piano work comes in torrents and cascades, built around dizzyingly complex patterns rather than melodies or harmonic structure. It's heavy, relentless stuff — not easy listening in the least — but it's damned amazing. www.farrellworldtribe.com.
BEST LOCAL-SCENE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
Steve Connelly
Some folks only know Connelly as one of the co-founders of now-reformed Bay area jangle-rock band The Headlights. Some only know him as the proprietor of Zen Recording, a St. Pete studio that consistently turns out above-average production. Others only know him as a member of relatively new act Too Many Subplots, or as an exceedingly talented multi-instrumentalist who has sat in or sessioned with dozens of other acts, or as a singer-songwriter in his own right. But most of the people who have been kicking around the local roots, rock, pop and folk crowds for any length of time know him in all of these roles, and that his contributions to many facets of Bay area music have enhanced the scene for as long as they can remember. Thanks, Steve.
BEST NEW VENUE
The Bank Nightclub & Concert Venue
St. Pete's got plenty of excellent dive bars. It's also got a couple of great medium-sized concert halls. What it didn't have until this year was a nightclub, with the big dance floor and the lights and the elevated DJ booth and all. Now it does, and it doesn't, because while The Bank has all of that shit, owner Bill Hillman is committed to doing stuff most nightclubs don't — like putting bands on his stage (and in the more intimate back bar) regularly, and creating an identity based on the scene's artists and interests. The club has a good PA that's getting better all the time, a roomy stage, and a vibe that splits the difference between scene hangout and upscale nightspot. It's a big room — the capacity is over 800 — and the locals need to support it; it would suck to see an elegy for the place in next year's Best Of issue. 1919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-898-4488, www.atthebank.com.
BEST MUSIC-VENUE UPGRADE
Java Junction
In one fell swoop (all right, seriously, it was probably more like a hundred little stressed-out swoops, but the mechanics aren't very dramatic), Java Junction went from being a funky, artist-friendly coffee shop out on Drew Street to being not only a full-fledged live-music room with a capacity of more than 500 (and a full menu, to boot), but also the center of the Bay area's jam-band universe. Where? Why, in the old, beloved Club More building on Franklin, that's where. Beer, wine, open mics, spoken word events, and bands of all stripes have a (sort of) new home in Clearwater — one that just celebrated its first anniversary a couple weeks back, and expects to celebrate many more. 705 Franklin St., Clearwater, 727-799-1100.
BEST LOCAL-SCENE HANGOUT
New World Brewery
The winnah, and still champeen, New World long ago established itself as the place for discerning Tampa musicians to congregate, whether they're playing the outdoor deck or just having a couple of pints in the crowd. And now, with beverage prices at St. Pete's State Theatre rivaling dance-club rates and the Emerald and Uptown increasingly featuring newer bands and DJs, more established Pinellas acts are playing and patronizing Ybor's hippest little live-music venue than ever. We support every Bay area nightspot that puts local talent onstage, but the New World is still the place you're most likely to overhear the phrase "so when are you playing out again?" 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-4969.
BEST LOCAL LABEL
New Granada Records
Once again, we've gotta give props all around — there are several labels in the Bay area (Blue Heart and A.D.D. spring immediately to mind) consistently putting out great music that's getting heard everywhere. But New Granada really stepped up this year, not only releasing a record by a local band (Isobella's surrogate emotions of the silver screen) that made it onto indie airplay charts of CMJ (College Music Journal), but also further investing in the local scene via its successful regular New Granada Presents showcase nights at the New World. Longtime Tampa musicians Keith and Susie Ulrey and Chris Deininger may have only wanted to have a name to put on their friends' and their own records when they started years ago, and that may still be the case. But these days they're introducing listeners worldwide to Bay area sounds, as well as putting it onstage regularly — and they're doing a hell of a job. www.newgranada.com.
BEST LOCAL CD
Dumbwaiters, Musick
The long-running, member-swapping Tampa iconoclasts didn't do something so normal as "finally live up to their potential" with this, their second proper (or maybe "acknowledged" is the right word) full-length; they completely surpassed expectations. Not to slight Bay area original music in the least, but if you didn't know Dumbwaiters were locals, listening to Musick's audacious, mesmerizing mix of Krautrock, riff-rock and damaged robotic noise would inspire you to ask first where they were from, and then when they were coming to town. www.dumbwaiters.org.
BEST LOCAL MC
Eyeznpowa
Northeastern native Eyeznpowa has been plying his craft in the Bay area for a while now, yet has maintained an almost criminally low profile. His smart, idiosyncratic, around-the-beat style flies in the face of both club- and battle-friendly flows; the deep subject matter might be easily associated with the collegiate underground, but both his voice and production are immensely ear-friendly. This year, Eyeznpowa made it to the stage fairly frequently, usually on a lengthy bill of below-the-radar names at Orpheum, and there's plenty of his music available online. He's a regular visitor to WMNF's Hip-Hop Flavas program, as well. But when are we going to get to experience the eternally forthcoming full-length Conflict of Conscience? www.eyeznpowa.com.
BEST LOCAL CONCERT DEBUT BY A NATIONAL ACT
The Black Keys, Skipper's Smokehouse
There was some local infighting among promoters to bring this heavily buzzed garage-blues act to Tampa. Skipper's won out, and so did the people. The Black Keys don't get mainstream radio play, but their word-of-mouth must be good, because the crowd of nearly a thousand at the Skipperdome hummed with anticipation. Singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach, whose laconic demeanor during a Planet interview suggested he might be a shoegazer type, played with animated verve, stomping and flinging his dirty-blonde mane about. Drummer Patrick Carney flailed away. It was just the two of 'em. And even though the Keys kept the volume a bit too low (because of noise-level restrictions in Skippers' neighborhood), they delivered a tight, powerhouse blues-rock set that clocked in at just over an hour. The guys from Akron, Ohio, definitely left us wanting more, but no one felt shortchanged. www.theblackkeys.com.
BEST SPONTANEOUS DANCE PARTY
Los Lobos, Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, Vinoy Park
It was an odd booking to start with: a band of Mexican-Americans from East L.A. playing a Caribbean festival in Florida in June. When Los Lobos took the stage, there was a large riser in front of it with a ramp leading to the ground. A few songs into the set, a couple of intrepid women jumped onto the platform and began to shake it, much to the appreciation of the small but enthusiastic crowd. More people joined them, and then more, and more. In short order, the riser was jammed with dancing folks — men, women, children, babies on shoulders. Los Lobos, whose days playing in front of a dance floor are well behind them, loved it. Most of the guys wore non-stop ear-to-ear grins. Their song selection picked up the theme: extremely danceable. The group even played "La Bamba," a rare thing during their concerts. To top it all off, Los Lobos let some folks on stage during their encores — but women, only women.
BEST KARAOKE
Wilson's Sports Lounge
Karaoke isn't just about the singing; it's about the atmosphere and the people-watching, too. And while you can hear singers talented and terrible at Mugs 'N Jugs while chowing down on some wings, it's just more fun to round up a gaggle of friends and experience the good, the bad and the ugly on a weekend at Wilson's. The bar is only nominally a "sports lounge." In actuality, it's a dive, one of our favorites, and that makes for a much more eclectic environment, one where an anonymous trailer-park diva might give up a note-perfect Celine Dion cover right before a dude who might or might not be homeless absolutely, hilariously chokes on the lyrics to "Baby Got Back." Plus, there's often a gaggle of local musicians in the place, one-upping each other and egging their friends on. 3030 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-895-4219.
BEST CONCERT VENUE FOR BASEBALL FANS
Bright House Networks Field
The Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson show on Memorial Day weekend — the third concert in the Clearwater stadium's short history — was a blissful break from the Jannus/Eckerd/Ford Amp circuit for big acts. They let you plop down in the outfield, right on the grass, and even if the music left something to be desired (see: Dylan), you could pass the time imagining the incredible catches you'd make if the Phillies would ever give you a shot. Add to that decent beer prices and a great view of the sunset, and Bright House Networks Field becomes a near perfect place to see a show. 601 Old Coachmen Road, Clearwater, www.threshersbaseball.com/field.html.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A GUITAR AND THE LATEST ISSUE OF AQUAMAN
Green Shift Music & Comics
The original Green Shift specialized in electronic repairs and offered second-hand musical instruments on an occasional basis only. The owner retired in the early 1980s and sold his business to then-employee Donald Taylor, who began stocking a greater selection of musical instruments as well as a small assortment of comic books. He ultimately opened a larger showroom (the current location) on Nebraska Avenue, dedicating a generous portion of its maze-like interior to new, used and vintage musical instruments, amps, accessories, and an array of note-related gadgets and books. Meanwhile, the demand for comics grew so significantly that the collection soon overtook the store's other half. Nowadays, Green Shift stocks over 200,000 new and back-issue comics, Manga comics, graphic novels and non-sports cards, as well as memorabilia of all sorts, action figures (from Homer Simpson to Jerry Garcia), fiction and nonfiction books, DVD and VHS movies, imported toys, T-shirts and other random must-haves. 5226 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-4177, www.greenshiftmusic.com.
BEST USE OF PREVIOUSLY DEAD SPACE
Flight 19 Gallery
The long, rectangular room has a wide-open feel with its high ceilings and exposed brick walls, and aside from a lack of air conditioning and plumbing, serves as the ideal setting for a tasteful (or madcap) art happening. Sadly, there's no telling how long the converted baggage building will be available for use as an art space. It belongs to the City of Tampa and is used free of charge by artist collective Experimental Skeleton as a space to display artwork and host artsy happenings — but only as long as it takes for the city to find a paying tenant. Union Station, 601 Nebraska Ave., downtown Tampa, 813-238-5910, www.experimentalskeleton.com.
BEST INEXPENSIVE ART
Rock 'n' Roll Swap Meet
The swap meet portion of this annual spring-time event takes a backseat to killer local tunes both in and outside Rick's ACL, but there are indeed bargains to be had at them thar tables. We've snapped up works by Natty Moss Bond, Valeri Rose, Dan MacLeod, Carrie Price and a half dozen other known and emerging local artists — never paying more than $40 (often just $5 or $10). And our living room walls have never looked better. Rick's ACL, 1750 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-823-6183. The Swap Meet occurs every April; keep your eyes peeled to the Planet 'round springtime.
BEST NEW PUBLIC SPACE
Airside C, Southwest terminal, TIA
Tampa's airport gets generally good reviews for its design, but Southwest's dramatic new terminal is on another level entirely. Using visual gestures both flamboyant and subtle, the designers (including Tampa's Alfonso Architects) have managed to convey the romance and exhilaration of flight. The sweeping roof lines and long vistas lend a sense of grandeur, while smartly positioned public artworks offer surprises at every turn, from mosaic "portals" in the floor to the huge mural of passengers boarding an Eastern Airlines DC-7 by Tarpon Springs painter Christopher Still. This terminal's so snazzy, you might not even mind a flight delay. Airside C, serving Southwest, Spirit, Midwest and Independence Air. General airport info: 813-870-8700.
BEST IMPASSIONED THEATER FANS
Jobsite devotees
One might still debate whether Mark Leib's review of Jobsite's hit play March of the Kitefliers revealed too much of the plot, but one thing was not debatable: The passionate devotion of Jobsite's fans. We printed only a few of the letters we received in protest of Mark's review, but they all shared an undiluted joy in having discovered a new play — and, to be fair, a sense of violation. Whether you agreed with them or not, it was heartening to see so many people willing to lay it on the line, not just for Jobsite, but for the core value of live theater itself. Every theater company should have such a fan base. www.jobsitetheater.org.
BEST VIDEO GAME ARCADE
The D-Pad Console Gaming Center
The D-Pad represents the evolution of the video arcade. Not long ago, kids (and embarrassed adults) crowded into smoky bowling alleys and rundown mall arcades in search of their electronic fix. No longer. The D-Pad has taken a strip-mall location and spruced it up with a nice paint job, plenty of couches, over 20 big screen TVs and dozens of X-Boxes, PS2s and Gamecubes. The staff is great, the atmosphere is kid- and adult-friendly alike, and the website is fostering an active message board community. For the older gamer/musicians, the D-pad hosts an 18-and-up open jam every Thursday night. Big plus: They sell Red Bull behind the counter. Big minus: Try playing Halo 2 against a 12-year-old on Red Bull. 32770 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor, 727-784-3233, www.thed-pad.com.
