THURS 19
Psychostick w/Consinity/Potter Field/Drastic Fall/Fossor Silenti Phoenix-based Psychostick dishes out music dubbed "humorcore" — in sum, heavy metal with comedic lyrical tendencies. The band is currently working on Space Vampires vs. Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D, a third LP that they claim is their most humor-intensive to date. Fans who attend shows on Psychostick's current "Unleash the Dumb" tour and every tour henceforth are urged to come dressed in outlandish gear to start a new live tradition, "Show Up Dumb." The latest update on the band's news feed reads, "Don't you dare show up looking normal. From here on out before you come out to a Psychostick show, find the dumbest thing you can wear and put it on ... Don't hold back." Expect cuts off the new album as well as Psychostick classics like "Scrotal-Torment" and "Beer Is Good ... And Stuff." I couldn't make this shit up. (The Local 662, St. Petersburg)
COPE w/Saltwater Grass Two Florida jam-bands team up for a Thursday night bill — Tampa's own COPE, which doles out tasty servings of energetic rock with rootsy and funky flavors and electro-prog flare-ups; and Saltwater Grass, a Jacksonville sextet that adds percussive texture, gritty harmonica, wah-wah guitar, and Southern-soulful vocals to their groove rock sound. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
FRI 20
A Taste of Pinellas: Chris Isaak w/Josh Turner/Amanda Drake & the Barn Burners (Friday) Bonnie Raitt w/Buddy Guy/Josh Garrett/The Black Honkeys/Motel Funk/Rocky Ruckman Band (Saturday) Third Eye Blind w/Colbie Caillat/Allison Iraheta/Adam 812 (Sunday) If you're looking for fun that's more than a mouthful, Taste of Pinellas returns with a three-day event that brings big names from country, blues, pop and rock 'n' roll for to town a great cause: All Children's Hospital. The event highlights 50 restaurants with a parade, 5K run, and more. Headlining on Friday is retro-crooning rocker Chris Isaak while on Saturday, attendees get a double punch of blues with veteran Chicago-style axeman Buddy Guy followed by the easy slide guitar jams of Grammy-winning songstress, Bonnie Raitt, her set ending in a 10 p.m. fireworks show. And finally, Third Eye Blind closes out Sunday's music with their mainstream friendly pop-tinged alt-rock. (Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg). —Julie Garisto & LP
Light Up Clearwater w/Suite Caroline A family-friendly concert to raise money for restoration of the historic Capitol Theatre that's headlined by 13-year-old country-tinged singer-songwriter Suite Caroline and featuring students from Ruth Eckerd Hall's Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute. (Hyatt Regency, Clearwater Beach)
Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights Rock 'n' roll isn't dead, and Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights are distilled proof of this. The Dallas fivesome packs a heavy punch on their second LP and major label debut, Pardon Me (2010). True rock stars emerge in heavy, Hendrix-style guitar riffs, heart-pounding basslines, and gritty yet soulful vocals that all come together in a perfect kick-ass, in-your-face kind of way. (The Local 662, St. Petersburg) —Kate Cillian
Fake Problems w/Laura Stevenson & the Cans/Into It. Over It./You Blew It! Fake Problems, a rising Naples foursome responsible for a compelling mix of retrofied rock and energetic post-punk, signed to SideOne Dummy in 2008 and plays a headlining gig in support of their second release on the label and third LP overall, 2010's Real Ghosts Caught On Tape. Also on the bill is Long Island, NY's Laura Stevenson & the Cans, a folk-punk-roots outfit led by the cotton candy sweet and stirring vocals of keyboardist/songwriter Stevenson, also a member of the music collective Bomb the Music Industry! (Crowbar, Ybor City)
Amos Lee After two sell-out shows at Capitol Theatre, blue-eyed folk-soul singer-songwriter Amos Lee upgrades to Ruth Eckerd for his current tour in support of his fourth and latest Blue Note Records release, Mission Bell. "I spent more time alone with these songs than I ever did in the past," Amos has said about the 2011 LP, which was produced by Joey Burns of Calexico and features backing by that band as well as noted appearances by guests like Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), among others. The result is a more organic, roots-flecked sound complementing Lee's warm, rich vocals. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
An Acoustic Evening with Firefall and Pure Prairie I received the most hardcore piece of hate mail thus far in my career after a one-sentence jibe in my short write-up of Firefall's acoustic stop last year was twisted into a personal affront against the band and the Uberfan who sent the letter, and not only challenged my abilities as a journalist but pretty much condemned all future pieces I wrote to a shady spot under her litter box. So, Uberfan, in case you haven't completely forsaken me and are, indeed, reading this, I want you to know that I put a little more time into this write-up. Here are a few things the Interwebs taught me about the smooth AC rock band. 1. I actually do know their 1976 hit, "You Are the Woman." There's ever-dreaded flute solos and the classic line, "I saw your face and that's the last I've seen of my heart." 2. Their last album was 2007's Colorado to Liverpool — A Tribute To The Beatles, which means they have good taste but haven't released any new original material since 1994's Messenger. Co-headliners Pure Prairie League lean more heartland country-Americana (you know their rolling 1973 hit, "Amie") and their last release was 2006's All In Good Time. Both bands have several Billboard charting hits, though none recent. (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
