THURS 14
Boz Scaggs w/Marc Cohn The pop-soulful singer-songwriter with the high-pitched timbre experienced his peak of commercial success from the mid-'70s to the early '80s with several Top 20 hits, including the 1976 Grammy-winning disco funk standard, "Lowdown," and 1980's smooth AC ballad, "Look What You've Done to Me" from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. This tour around, Boz Scaggs is supported by Marc Cohn (of "Walking in Memphis" fame). (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
Frank McComb w/Cece Teneal Mixing the sounds of R&B, gospel-soul and contemporary jazz, singer/keyboardist Frank McComb brings a smooth feel and a cheesy sort of Stevie Wonder vocal appeal to his easy jams. This tour comes on the heels of A New Beginning, McComb's 2010 release and first LP of original material in more than five years. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
FRI 15
Coheed and Cambria Comic book storylines and prog-rock sonics collide in the music of Coheed and Cambria. The band's peculiar, outrageously original concept albums that follow the continuing saga of The Amory Wars are written and delivered via the rich, soaring vocals of frontman Claudio Sanchez. This tour supports 2010's Year of the Black Rainbow, a prequel to the previous four albums that comes with its own 352-page novel co-written by Sanchez and Peter David. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) —Valerie Quintana
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has been dishing out their brand of revival cool for the past 18 years, their swinging big band jazz introduced to national audiences when appeared in the 1996 indie cult classic, Swingers. The septet has built up an impressive repertoire since then; their most recent output was 2009's How Big Can You Get? A Tribute to Cab Calloway, which captures the spirit of an influential American icon and was recorded in LA's legendary Capitol Studios using vintage equipment and in the rooms once occupied by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. Lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Scotty Morris called the recording experience "one of our biggest musical moments." (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
Coral Reefer Soul Show feat. Coral Reefer Band w/Outside Art, JD Spradlin, John Frinzi and John Patti Coral Reefer Band members Nadirah Shakoor (vocals), Robert Greenidge (steel drums), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Jim Mayer (bass) and Doyle Grisham (pedal steel guitar) part from Jimmy Buffett for this one-off performance featuring some special local guests. A portion of proceeds benefit the Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club's charity, Florida Parrot Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of companion parrots. (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
Campbell the Band w/ Despite Distance/Fiorisi Charlotte collective Campbell the Band mixes elements of chamber folk and acoustic pop, their sound made up of pretty piano and guitar melodies, finely-spun vocals shaded with pained sensitivity and a sense of nostalgia, and introspective lyrics that occasionally pay homage to the places they've been, like in "Quickly Growing Old": "Florida held me with warm arms, though I truly hated the heat / and though Lakeland had its charm, she was not my cup of tea." (The Warehouse, Tampa)
New World Brewery Sweet 16 w/Sunbears!/The Semis/Alexander & the Grapes/Gentlemen Please Buy a beer and celebrate New World's blessed (thank God we have it) longevity while enjoying live music by several of the venue's favorite (and frequently-appearing) area acts. Confetti-spewing Jacksonville-based electro-psyche pop two-piece Sunbears! headline; local support provided by hard-edged beach rockers The Semis (fronted by newly-hitched singer-songwriter Billy Summer), alt country outfit Alexander & the Grapes, and minimalist pop/garage rock foursome Gentlemen Please. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
Drowning Pool w/Pop Evil/Trust Company/Static Cycle Since their formation in 1996, nu metal outfit Drowning Pool has been through their share of frontman troubles, including when original lead singer Dave Williams died of heart failure a few months after 2001's Sinner went multi-platinum. A few albums later, they settled on current vocalist Ryan McComb, who adds his impressive range to arena-worthy anthems crafted with pounding guitar and bass, and fueled by viciously catchy choruses. Their 2010 self-titled fourth LP is their second release with McCombs. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —VQ
The Beach Boys This tour around, the classic California surf pop outfit commemorates their 50th Anniversary (and 40th without sound-shaping singer-songwriter Brian Wilson); Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are the remaining originals. On a side note, EMI offers a limited edition Beach Boys release on Record Store Day — a double 78RPM vinyl single set of "Good Vibrations"/"Heroes and Villains." Stop by Bananas April 16 and pick up your copy; for more on RSD, see p. 48. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
SAT 16
Dr. Dog w/Floating Action The Philly quintet's sixth LP and first release on ANTI-, 2010's Shame Shame, didn't find Dr. Dog changing their formula so much as improving upon their warm, early '70s FM rock sound. Dr. Dog mixes elements of indie folk rock and '60s psyche-pop, their music marked by big, buoyant basslines, sweetly earnest vocals, and charming hard-on-sleeve lyrics ("I do believe that there's no more tricks up my sleeve / oh, the good old days have passed and the good times after that / and slowly I've become undone, a stranger with a stranger heart"). Live, they kill with recklessly charming abandon. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)
