THURSDAY, JULY 26
ZOROASTER w/CHRISTINE/CUTMAN/PALANTINE This evening of thinking man's metal features Atlanta's Zoroaster, a trio that offers guttural growls over sternum-rattling Sabbath riffs that often go off on wild, captivating tangents. One of the band's song titles is "Mons Venus." Could it be that Zoroaster have visited the pride of Tampa's world-class adult entertainment industry? The lyrics to the song — all their songs — are unintelligible. So it's impossible to discern whether it's a rant about the vapidity of it all or an ode to some gal named Bunny. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
DES ARK w/GIDDY-UP, HELICOPTER!/INERTIA/VERDE Des Ark are a dexterous trio from Durham, N.C., who adroitly alternate from crunchy garage rock to soft, chamber-y confessional fare. The band's "Lord of the Ring" is a zinger of a kiss-off that features such devastating lines as "I don't wanna fucking lover that makes me feel like a failure" and "It only feels good to be used when you're using," both of which are given perfectly plaintive readings. Judicious booking pairs this ace out-of-town act with Tampa's own Giddy-Up, Helicopter!, another band helping to redefine — at least locally — what it means to be an indie rock outfit by augmenting its effects-laden guitar crashes with banjo and lap steel. (Transitions Art Gallery at Skatepark of Tampa)
AND THEN THERE WAS YOU w/THE DISTANCE/WE ARE ACTION/OH MY JUSTINE/CROOKED EDGE Miami quintet And Then There Was You offer epic emo numbers that are punchy and pleasing, albeit generic. Connecticut four-piece The Distance play a more aggressive brand of emo that they probably consider hardcore. Once again, not without merit, but not particularly gripping or distinctive. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
BOBAFLEX/HYDROVIBE/HALOSCRIPT/SYFUR/STUK Whoooaaa ... we're used to throbbing metal destruction on Saturday nights at the SRQ's Gallery Billiards, but a second show, on a Thursday, this week? Wha? Luckily, that's the only curveball being thrown metalheads this week, 'cause this lineup features more of what they've come to expect at Gallery: whiplash rhythms, chugging shreddery and intestinal vocals. Two days later, local metal superstars Rmisery rock the house. (Gallery Billiards, Sarasota) —Cooper Levey-Baker
FRIDAY, JULY 27
JAZZ BRASIL w/HAROLD MAURO JR./O SOM DO JAZZ Emit series honcho David Manson unveils another two nights of lilting Brazilian jazz and bossa nova, featuring the lush, romantic stylings of Rio de Janeiro-bred pianist Mauro, who will perform in a trio format. O Som Do Jazz features trombonist Manson, his wife, singer Andrea Moraes Manson (also from Rio), and other members from Brazil. The same program will take place at the St. Petersburg College Music Center (6605 Fifth Ave. N., St. Pete) on Sat., July 28 at 8 p.m. Go to emitseries.org. (Historic Asolo Theater, Sarasota) —Eric Snider
MARILYN MANSON w/SLAYER My money is on the Slayer fans being outnumbered but still wiping the mosh pit floor with the Goth geeks showing up to see Manson. Come to think of it, The Ford Amp doesn't even allow dancing in the aisles, let alone full-contact body bashing. Shit, the security beefs and blue-haired ushers might just be dealt pure bedlam. This could get ugly. Snider and I were contemplating attending ... Now I think it's a shoo-in. After all, what's more exciting than being knee-deep in a metal melee involving, I don't know, 12,000 attendees? To read my interview with Slayer guitarist/chief songwriter Kerry King see music feature. (Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa)
BLIND BUDDY MOODY I raved at length about this fellow last week, so I'll keep it short this go-round: If you wanna hear a real hardcore troubadour perform the hell out of some Hank Williams Sr. and Jimmie Rodgers numbers, then Buddy's your man. (Kelly's Pub, Tampa)
LI'L RONNIE AND THE GRAND DUKES Bradenton's Aces Lounge once again welcomes a wrecking ball of an electric blues band in for a night. Li'l Ronnie merges the nasty stomp of classic Chicago blues with hints of rockabilly and some impressive hootin' on the harmonica. Don't expect anything fresh or original; go for that well-worn piledriver sound. (Aces Lounge, Bradenton) —CLB
KILLROY/SIGNAL 76/TRADED TO RACINE Killroy represent the alt-rock hotbed of Brandon — that's a joke, people — down in that other B-town this weekend, with a gig at Rasher Tierney's. The band does your usual post-grunge thing, combining the big melodies of classic rock with a heavy dose of metal (for extra flavor). (Rasher Tierney's, Bradenton) —CLB
SATURDAY, JULY 28
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS w/DRAMARAMA/GENE LOVES JEZEBEL/WHEN IN ROME If you have a yearning nostalgia for '80s synth-pop and the New Romantics, then skip the rent if necessary: This is THE show. Each of these bands came to the fore when MTV still played mostly videos, when skinny ties were de rigueur, and real drums were an anomaly. What do you remember best? The Flock's "I Ran (So Far Away)"? GLJ's "Jealous"? When in Rome's "The Promise"? For me it's easy. Flock frontman Mike Score's hair, that ridiculous swoop thing that covered half his face. Don't think he has that 'do anymore. Too high-maintenance. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg) —ES
WEAK SAUCE w/ELEVATED/SOULFOUND/CHANNING DEREN/TAILGUNNER JOE & THE EARLS OF SLANDER So many bands are doing the Sublime thing these days one has to wonder if maybe Brad Nowell gazed into the future, saw the army of clones closing in and decided to junk the gun to O.D. level just so he didn't have to stomach all this shit. That said, Clearwater's Weak Sauce is one of the better Sublime substitutes (albeit with more of a ska bent) operating on the local level, and this show is to celebrate their new live disc. Also on the roster are Tailgunner Joe & the Earls of Slander, a local garage rock band that, well, rocks. I know, because I saw 'em do it one night at an ill-attended show at Crowbar. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
DIKKI DU AND THE ZYDECO KREWE Dikki cuts Louisiana squeezebox rambles with a fine dose of second-line funk. "I've paid my dues/ Earned my zydeco shoes," he croons, and one is inclined to believe him. You probably won't catch most of the lyrics. But that may be for the best because with Dikki it's all about the groove, the two-step, the mess-around. This band is pure rhythm section fronted by an accordion, and if the scrub board gets a solo workout, make sure to pay attention. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —Ted Scheinman
LOLA RAY w/UMBRELLAS Splitting the difference between Depeche Mode and Radiohead, Brooklyn four-piece Lola Ray offer melodic, moody disco-rock that's all about the male-wail, y'know, that tortured vocal that some dig, others despise. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
THE FAB FOUR The 941 welcomes another tribute act to town — this one dedicated to all things John, Paul, George and Ringo — instead of reaching out to artists who create rather than re-create. Shows like this bum me out. They're more proof (as if we needed it) that rock 'n' roll has been totally lost in the showbiz shuffle. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) —CLB
SUNDAY, JULY 29
THE RADIATORS w/GLASS CAMELS One of New Orleans' most venerable bar bands, The Radiators blend the Crescent City's distinct syncopated rhythms with a jam-rock vibe. Jacksonville's Glass Camels tout their music as "psychedelic Southern groove tunes." (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa) —ES
STAN RIDGWAY He's best known for the quirky 1983 hit "Mexican Radio" by his band Wall of Voodoo, but over the years Ridgway has forged a solid career as a rootsy solo act as a member of variously styled bands, as a composer of indie film scores and other endeavors. He'll perform in the intimate confines of the Tamiami, the bar adjacent to Jannus Landing (Tamiami Bar, St. Petersburg) —ES
HOT SUMMER JAZZ BY THE BAY w/ROSE BILAL & FRIENDS/DENISE MOORE & THEN SOME/THE DON CAPOTE TRIO/ARBRA TAWWAB A cartel of Bay area jazz musicians — vocalists and instrumentalists — join forces for a Sunday fundraiser for Jazztorian, an organization that presents jazz programming in schools, nursing centers, shelters and other places. (Grille 29 @ Channelside, Tampa) —ES
Monday, July 30
SOMETHING SPECIAL Any band that lists "lead kazoo" as an instrument for one of its members can't be all bad. Such is the case with the upbeat and friendly strum-pop group Something Special, which performs this week as part of the Sarasota Folk Club's monthly outdoor concert series. (Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota) —CLB
