An interesting weekend of music ahead. Highlights below.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
An Evening with Yes With all these full-album tours happening now, why not Yes, too? The ‘70s-spawned British prog-rock band presents two from their 21-album catalog— 1971’s Fragile (“Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround”) and a redux of 1972’s Close to the Edge from last year’s tour — as well as performing select cuts from their 2014 latest, Heaven and Earth. (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg) —Leilani Polk
The Anti-Folk Revival Tour with Filter, Helmet, Local H, Sunshine & Bullets I never thought I’d have to admit this, but even I get sick of all that string-plucking, tree-hugging, whispery-singing, what-are-you-even-talking-about-Sam-Beam folk music sometimes. And I know for a fact that you get sick of it as well. The Anti-Folk Revival Tour brings back that part of us yearning for the head-banging, angst-releasing alt-metal and hardcore debauchery of edgy ‘90s-era bands like Helmet, Filter and Local H, joined by the ultra cool dudes (and lady) of local outfit Sunshine & Bullets. Save the Dylanese for the folkies. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —Jackie Braje
Delta Swamp Rats CD Release Party with Tangled Magoes Pardon me for showing my youth, but some of my fondest kindergarten memories have to be those long drives in my dad’s backseat, clicking my light-up sneakers together and bobbing along to “Everyboooody, needs someboooooody,” and what I love about the Delta Swamp Rats is their Blues Brothers nostalgia cross-fired with down ‘n’ dirty 1930s Mississippi Delta funk. Swamp Rat dudes Steve Arvey, Ernie Locke and Aeron Fowler will be celebrating the release of their new CD with funky reggae band Tangled Mangoes. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) —JB
The Happiness Machine, OL’MadNess, Infinite Skillz, Joe Stu, Rudy Shred Covington, W.I.C. Pack your skateboards, longboards, roller skates (do we sound old yet?), and other assorted gear for a day of celebrating some of our favorite local bands. The Happiness Machine headlines the event, sure to bring their chilled-out folk-pop grooves and ironic wordplay. Other locals include Southern hip-hop collective OL’MadNess and Rays Up Pool Party host and rapper Infinite Skillz. (Schoolyard Skatepark, St. Petersburg) —Cody Smith
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
An Evening with BJ Barham My very first impression of BJ Barham was a doozy (doozies are good, I hope), considering he was described to me as “Springsteen-esque” and “old-school country lyrical heartbreak.” Coming from Raleigh, N.C. and the leading member of alt-country band American Aquarium, Barham is a confessional-style singer-songwriter with Americana flair. Sometimes he evokes long nights hanging out on the back porch with your favorite darlin’, and other times long lonesome drives along the highway alone. American Aquarium’s most recent success is their latest studio album Burn, Flicker. Die., which brings about the fine-spun sounds of the small southern town spirit. (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —JB
Hail Dale The Sarasota trio delivers a well-brewed mixture of garage rock and country, their Facebook bio claiming “dive bars, fast cars and women” as musical influences, which sounds about right given the twangy, grungy, soulful truck-driver-esque vibe of their music. “Our songs remind you of sitting in a smoky bar up north, drinking and being depressed, and you realize, ‘Oh, that’s exactly what you guys are going for’,” one band member said in an interview. Their album Smoke It Off was recorded in an old bomb shelter in Nashville, and they now offer their very own brand of beer, Hail Dale Pale Ale. (Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg) —JB
Under the Sun Tour with Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, Smash Mouth Rummage through your closet and pull out that old plaid shirt, the cut-off jeans you swore to throw out, and a faded vintage band tee when the ‘90s make their glorious comeback this Sunday, at least temporarily for the Under the Sun Tour. Previously on Your Favorite ‘90s Band (copyrighting in (3, 2, 1…), Blues Traveler absconds from their Top 40 label and goes independent, Sugar Ray loses all of its members except lead singer Mark McGrath and guitarist Rodney Sheppard, Uncle Cracker abandons rap completely and focuses on honing his honky-tonk roots, and Smash Mouth puts out a cookbook titled Recipes from the Road. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) —CS
More music happenings this weekend:
Altavilla/Echo Rowdy/Green Eye Sat., Aug. 2, Pegasus Lounge, Tampa
D.R.E.A.M Producer Showcase Sat., Aug. 2, Crowbar, Ybor City
Uncle John’s Band Sat., Aug. 2, Ale and the Witch, Clearwater
Scholar’s Word Sat., Aug. 2, Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
A Little Lint From Our Friends w/The Lint Rollers/Pilgrim Wind feat. Danny Moody Sun., Aug. 3, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Ol’ Dirty Sundays Sun., Aug. 3, Crowbar, Ybor City
Marly Music Chamber Series: Jason Vieaux and Gary Schocker Sun., Aug. 3, Marly Room at Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
