BEST PLACE TO BUY DRUM EQUIPMENT
AJ's Pro Percussion
AJ's provides the type of service, selection and quality that will keep me coming back for a long time. Months back, my cymbal cracked right before a gig. With extremely limited funds, I tried my luck at AJ's. I was greeted and offered help as soon as I entered the store. I explained my situation; the salesman asked what my preferences were, escorted me to the cymbal room, and after a quick glance around found exactly what I needed. However, the cymbal was a little out of my price range. Not a problem. I was given the cymbal for the amount I had on me, and he even polished it up for me. They truly saved the day, and it was all done with a smile. I'm happy to spend my money there. Thanks AJ's!
AJ's Pro Percussion, 4340 W. Hillsborough Ave., Ste. 208, Tampa, 813-353-1829 or 800-545-7668.
BEST PLACE TO DRINK ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Retro Red Square Recall at the Orpheum
Seven bucks gets you in the door and gets you all the crappy beer and wells you can drink. Socializing, dancing, drinking — you can't lose. The music selection has kinda gone to shit — lots of mainstream stuff these days — but regardless, it's still a cool place to hang with all your friends and just have a great time.
Orpheum, 1902 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-9500.
BEST TATTOO PARLOR
Atomic Tattoos
After asking countless people in the Bay area where they had gotten their tattoos, I found a definite pattern in the responses: "Atomic Tattoos." It's too bad I didn't get my first tattoo here (I'm having one of the artists at Atomic cover it), because the quality of work and the cleanliness is incredible. When you walk into any of Atomic's five Bay area locations, they look clean, they smell clean, they're organized and the staff treats you professionally. No more haggling with some sleazy greaser over your price, or wondering if everything is sterile. The artists are great and they all offer books of their work; they can draw custom designs or you can pick from thousands of pieces of flash on the walls and in other books. You can even see the artists and their work on the shop's website. My favorite tats so far are the blue birds on my back, inspired by my father, who has a similar design that he got back in the '50s. They came out awesome and I get comments on them all the time. My husband Joe is also a customer, and he's up to nine tattoos (by co-owner/artist Clay Montgomery, at the Largo location) and plans to go back for more.
Atomic Tattoos, 9043 Ulmerton Road, Largo, 727-581-4444 or www.atomictattoos.com. Atomic also has locations in Palm Harbor, Tampa, Brandon and St. Petersburg.
BEST REASON NOT TO SLEEP WITH YOUR BANDMATES
The Ultimate Demise
It creates total chaos and the eventual loss of a band member — if it doesn't break up the entire band, that is. It hurts the music, it makes everyone tense and insecure. And it's so logical. I mean, how can you not see chaos coming? Why the hell do people do this?!
BEST RETRO MODEL
Anna Crawford
Anna is all over my website (www.evadark.com). She's a timeless beauty, an absolute stunner, and she's as sweet as can be (pretty rare for a beautiful chick). She's friendly and extremely loyal, with a great sassy attitude, and everywhere she goes she looks just perfect for the occasion, especially when she shows up in "Nadine," her 1967 Pontiac Tempest (red with orange and yellow flames down the side — and totally bitchin!). She has a degree in architectural design and construction, and has worked for Ybor City's Associated Space Design for almost four years. But her modeling has really taken off. Aside from being in countless TooSquare ads and spreads, Anna has done local fashion shows, clothing shoots and ad campaigns, and she's done shoots for several other local photographers, as well.
BEST (UNPRETENTIOUS) PLACE TO CATCH A SHOW
The Brass Mug
I've been going to the Brass Mug since before legal drinking age, which is far too long ago to mention actual years. It has supported local acts the entire time, as well as bringing us awesome national acts, such as No Doubt and Green Day (before both groups moved to MTV Land). Two of the Ramones also played there, and in a national magazine, Marky Ramone said the best sound he ever had on the drums was at the Brass Mug. Shows at the Mug have an intimate feel that makes them unique and memorable. In my opinion, it is the CBGB's of Florida. Years later, with my own band, Heroine, playing there, I can tell you that the owner, Heather Mullis, goes to great lengths to make sure the bands have a decent gig. She bought the bar when she was 23, and she's had to endure tons of obstacles over the years, but she's followed her heart and her gut and continues to make the Mug a huge success. JD, the sound guy, has been there forever and does a stellar job with the sound system, which is KEY. There are so many other things I like about the place — great drink specials, friendly bartenders, heavy-metal karaoke. But most of all, it's the fact that there are no pretentious assholes. The crowd is extremely diverse and you don't have to be "cool" or in a clique to hang at the Mug.
The Brass Mug, 1441 Fletcher Ave. E., Tampa, 813-972-8152.
BEST THRIFT STORE
Goodwill on Hillsborough Avenue
I THRIFT A LOT! My favorite place to thrift is at the Goodwill on Hillsborough. Every thrift store has a "boutique" area these days, and anything remotely cool is marked up and placed in this area. Even some Goodwills do that. But not the one on Hillsborough. All of its shit is cheap; I can spend $30 on a bag overflowing with stuff and make triple that after listing it on eBay.
Goodwill, 4102 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-874-7077.
BEST WAY TO PULL YOURSELF OUT OF A FINANCIAL HOLE
eBay
Of course, the topic of thrift stores naturally leads to eBay. The majority of my listings are thrift store castoffs, and in the past three years, I've made an estimated $5,000 on eBay. And that's a conservative estimate. It's easily the best second job going.
BEST PLACE FOR A PHOTO SHOOT
University of South Florida
Maybe I'm a little biased, since I work there. But the fact is, there are endless photo ops at USF. It's a beautiful campus — great buildings and open spaces, lovely trees and grassy areas, wonderful sculptures. I've shot on campus with models and without models, for lots of different types of shoots. When we had TooSquare (a now-defunct local scenester 'zine from the mind of Val's husband, Joe Murphy), I took some of my best risqué cover model pictures at USF. If Judy Genshaft only knew!
University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.
BEST HAIRCUT
Mabuhay Hair Studio
I love this place! Everyone is so friendly, they play awesome music, all the staffers have colorfully decorated stations. You can get a sleek bob, cool mohawk or just pop in for a massage. The stylists are also a very diverse bunch, and they're all up on the latest cutting-edge styles. The best part, though, is the price range. Mabuhay is proof that there are excellent stylists out there who don't expect you to mortgage your house for a simple trim. I trust this place completely.
Mabuhay Hair Studio, 10022 N. 30th St., Tampa, 813-972-0880 or www.mabuhayhairstudio.com.
BEST TAMPA VERSION OF THE PINK LADIES
The Vandalettes
Just a cool girl gang that likes to get together and do whatever makes them happy. Like their motto says, they sew, they drink, and they wreak havoc on the greater Tampa Bay area. It's really a support group; they support local music, they support each other's events, and they never miss a Heroine show. The name comes from a '50s movie about a gang called the Vandals, whose chicks are known as the Vandalettes. It's a little silly but still a lot of fun with (almost) no catty bullshit. And yes, I'm a member.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.