Concerts, Sept. 19-25
by Leilani Polk, Eric Snider and Carol CurrieTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Travie McCoy The frontman for Gym Class Heroes has lately kept some pretty heady company, including Bruno Mars, who guested on his Top 5 hit “Billionaire,” and Jason Mraz, chipping in on current single “Rough Water.” McCoy’s agreeable pop — infused with easygoing rap and beachy reggae — makes you feel the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City) —Eric Snider
Fun. w/Tegan and Sara The Grammy award-winning indie alt pop rock trio with the quirky melodic hooks and Queen-esque moments as led by lead singer-songwriter Nate Ruess stops in Orlando on their “#MostNights” tour, joined by Canadian twin sister synth rock duo, Tegan and Sara, who back 2013 seventh studio album, Heartthrob. Read more about the latter in Tiffany Razzano’s interview with Sara Quin here. (UCF Arena, Orlando) —Carol Currie
Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin II“Whole Lotta Love,”“What Is and What Should Never Be,”“Thank You,”“Heartbreaker,”“Ramble On,”“Moby Dick”— every one of these legendary tracks made it onto Led Zeppelin II and into the classic rock pantheon, and all of them plus the three I left out (but that you likely know) will be staged in their entirety at the latest Classic Albums Live presentation. An assemblage of fine musicians recreate II with “note for note, cut for cut” accuracy, keenly respecting the music as it was recorded, without costumes or impersonations. An all-hits Zep set follows. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) —Leilani Polk
An Evening with Icon for Hire Illinois-based Tooth & Nails Records quartet Icon for Hire — fronted by vocalist Ariel Bloomer, of the magenta-streaked hair, self-made threads, and sweet clear vocals that can transform into ugly sneering commands — offers a packed night to their fans on the current 14-date tour: a meet and greet, an acoustic performance and a Q&A, in addition to a full plugged-in concert of their electro-grinding punk-edged alt rock. Ariel also shows pieces from her fall fashion line and likely hawks “regular” threads, too (alt grrl corsets, wrist cuffs, lace leggings and other stuff available at her Etsy shop, CustomCatastrophes). (Local 662, St. Petersburg) —LP
Rebelution w/Collie Buddz/Zion I Rebelution has posi-vibing energy, a California sunshine-lit reggae rock sound, and songs full of socially conscious lyrics, which they bring back to the Sunshine State on their “Good Vibes” tour. Like acts support. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) —CC
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Billy Cobham: Spectrum 40 With an arsenal of drums big enough to fill an above-ground swimming pool, Billy Cobham was one of the main poster boys of the ’70s jazz-fusion movement. An alumnus of Miles Davis’ early electric period and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Cobham’s solo work of the time was an assault of serpentine melodies, tricky rhythms, squiggly synths, wailing guitars and lots and lots of super-aggro drumming. His current tour celebrates the 40th anniversary of his first title as a leader, the proto-fusion LP, Spectrum. He’s joined by guitarist Dean Parks and other burners. You just might hear a drum solo or eight. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg) —ES
Il Volo In the one year since Il Volo last played here, the Italian pop-opera crossover trio of youthful (barely legal) vocalists — who originally met on a music competition show (Ti lascio una canzone, “Leaving you a song”) — went from the Straz Center’s 2,610-seat hall to the half-stage configuration at the Forum, which accommodates nearly 10,000 people. Performing as special guests of Barbra Streisand’s fall 2012 tour probably helped beef up their non-tween fanbase, and they’ve kept the buzz alive with brand new material on a special edition release of 2012 album We Are Love in May and yet another PBS special (Il Volo: We Are Love) in June. (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa)—LP
Caskey w/Dangeruss Pinch-voiced, white-boy rapper Caskey missed the whole boy band craze in his native Orlando and delved into N.W.A., Nas and Eminem. He has a debut studio album slated for release this year on the Cash Money label. St. Petersburg rhyme slinger Dangeruss was reportedly the inspiration for James Franco’s character in the execrable film Spring Breakers. Every time I cross Central to where the streets end in S, I think about our boy and hope he doesn’t have a cache of AKs like Alien. (Orpheum, Ybor City) —ES
Miranda Lambert w/Dierks Bentley/Randy Rogers Band Grab cowboy hats, y’all, “’Cause you’re running with the fastest girl in town…”— or so sings country superstar Miranda Lambert in a track off 2011’s Four the Record. Not only is the Grammy-winning Texas native married to one of the biggest names in country music — Blake Shelton — but she has three No. 1 hits of her own along with numerous other charting singles, and a curio cabinet full of award trophies, including a Grammy. Joining Lambert is “What Was I Thinkin’” country singer Dierks Bentley, promoting new album Riser. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa) —CC
[page]Kung Fu w/COPE Kung Fu hails from Connecticut and purveys a deeply funky brand of jazz fusion that calls on the synthesized sounds of modern jamtronica, and is marked by keys and basslines treated with dirty rubbery groove-psych effects, wailing guitar solos and saxophone scales, and a hard-hitting dance-ready rhythmic thrust to keep the bodies moving all night long. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
Yo Gotti feat. YG & Cash Out Yo Gotti is an elite Memphis rap scene up-and-comer who established himself with a string of indie releases and mixtapes before signing to RCA and issuing his proper full-length studio debut last year. His deliberate, rhythm-driven hoarse-grunting flow style is mildly reminiscent of both Master P and Juvenile, set against crunkin’ production and paired with the rhymes of big names guests. Three Yo Gotti tracks have made it to the charts and airwaves, including “Women Lie, Men Lie” with Lil Wayne and new club bangin’ single “Act Right” with Young Jeezy and YG, off forthcoming sophomore LP I Am. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—LP
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
The Politix w/Synergy in a Cup/Rahim Samad/Louis Junior/Mike DeLuxx Taking their sonic cue from jazz rap groups like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, but exchanging traditional production for a live configuration ala The Roots, is The Politix, a Miami five-piece formed in 2010 by drummer Aaron Glueckauf, fronted by an emcee/vocalist (formerly John Payan, currently Krishton King) and filled out by University of Miami music school students Jason Matthews (keys), Patrick Howards (bass, production) and Nick Tannura (guitar). This stop comes at the tail end of their “Black Tie Tour.” (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
Skipper’s 33rd Anniversary Party w/COPE/Sara Rose Band/Poetry ‘N’ Lotion/The Applebutter Express/Impulse/Daniel B. Marshall/Gumbo Boogie Band/Ellie Lee & Blues Fury/6 Volt Rodeo/The Lint Rollers/Joel Tatangelo Band/Rev. Billy C. Wirtz One of Tampa Bay’s most beloved institutions rings in 33 years with a splendid lineup of local/regional talent in a free, day-long bash. The lineup celebrates the eclecticism the venue so values: jam-band (Cope, which closes), blues/rock (Joel Tatangelo Band), western swing (6 Volt Rodeo), old-style hillbilly (Sara Rose Band), reggae (Impulse) and way, way more. The Rev. Billy C. Wirtz counts it off at noon. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa) —ES
Felix Cartal Visit Felix Cartal’s Soundcloud page and you’ll find mixes by the Canadian EDM producer that range from sexy pulsing mid-tempo house music grooves with yearning feminine vocals soaring over top, to faster pounding electro-house scorchers riding the line between R&B and dance-pop. He signed to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak label in 2009, and has issued several recordings since then along with touring with the likes of MSTRKRFT, Bloody Beetroots and Wolfgang Gartner. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City)—LP
Chase Rice Even if you don’t know him for his music — pert drawling vocals slinging refrains like “She like to get down, sippin’ on coke and Crown, Jesus and gypsy soul / that’s how she rocks, that’s how she rolls” over guitar-rearing country odes — you might remember Chase Rice from his time beefcaking it up on (and almost winning) Survivor: Nicaragua. If so, then the bit of momentum he gained from being on the CBS reality show has at least caught your attention. Whether you listen to and like his material is a whole ‘nother yarn. (Dallas Bull, Tampa)—LP
Geto Boys Few film scenes induce quite so much satisfying glee as the laser printer beat-down in Office Space, and Geto Boys will be forever linked to it in my mind since one of their songs is playing while the baseball bats are swinging and the office dudes are kicking and stomping the machine into the ground. (“Die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, still!”) The Houston-bred Southern rap trio with horror-core tendencies has another more well-known ode you also might remember from the film —”Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta.” (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)—LP
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Skipper’s Inland Surf Spectacular: The Wrenchers/Tidal Wave/Johnny Zoom Hi-Fi Show The Skipperdome stages a mellow vocals-free surf music follow-up to Saturday’s 33rd anniversary extravaganza. Two trios — The Wrenchers and Tidal Wave — deliver made-for-Hod-Rodding sounds while the Johnny Zoom Hi-Fi Show is a one-man retro guitar band who plays against bass and drum tracks pre-recorded on a vintage Silvertone reel-to-reel tape deck. Get ready for a “Miserlou” or two. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)—LP
Caleb Hyers Band Album Release Party An alt-rock power trio from Tampa with a namesake singer-guitarist whose pained howls and vocal stylings taste of Maynard James Keenan influence, while his band’s sound evokes the dark and heavy grind of Tool and more introspective moody stylings of A Perfect Circle. This show celebrates the release of a new full-length, Lay Down Without a Fight. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
[page]Tha Alkaholiks & Casual w/Cisum Tomorrow/Wes Nyle A few esteemed West Coast hip-hop acts are joined by two fresh game players as part of the “Clash of the Titans” tour. The Alkaholiks from LA (Tash, J-Ro and E-Swift) enjoyed their heyday during hip-hop’s second Golden Era and hit the rap charts with singles like “Make Room” (off 1993 debut, 21 & Over) and “Hip-Hop Drunkies.” Oakland-based Casual is the most renowned member of the Hieroglyphics alt hip-hop crew, likely because he’s done the most without it; currently he backs 2012’s Respect Game or Expect Flames, produced by J. Rawls. Newer-comers Cisum Tomorrow and Wes Nyle open. (Orpheum, Ybor City)—LP
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Imagine Dragons w/Paper Route/The Neighbourhood The Las Vegas rock group featuring a few bonafide Mormon members — including frontman Dan Reynolds — has experienced an incredible ascension for a band so relatively new to the biz; likely it’s the poignant sincerity imbued in their lyrics paired with compelling hooks and strong, finely-textured instrumentals. Imagine Dragons grabbed ears with the first few singles off 2012 debut full-length Night Visions, Reynolds wailing expressively in the mandolin-plucked, percussive clap-and-stomp ode “It’s Time,” about staying true to who you are, and delivering forceful demands in the harder-hitting crush of “Radioactive” with its dubstep-evocative synths and message of self-empowerment. Both tracks have spent many weeks on the Billboard Top 40 charts — 44 for the former, 54 and counting for the latter, which was certified 5x platinum and stands as the third most-downloaded song in the U.S. this year. Support on the current tour by Nashville’s piano-driven indie rockers Paper Route (“Better Life”) and grooving Cali-based alt rock outfit The Neighbourhood (“Sweater Weather”). (USF Sun Dome, Tampa)—LP
Colin Hay The frontman for the Australian New Wave band Men at Work is now 60 and working the small-venue circuit on the strength of his solo material. In the early ’80s, Men at Work scored the massive hits “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under” (which immortalized the Vegemite sandwich; funny the vile-tasting stuff never took off Stateside). The band won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1983, but to these ears they were little more than a poor man’s rip-off of The Police. (Largo Cultural Center, Largo)—ES
Ra Ra Riot w/Royal Bangs Rambunctious New York outfit Ra Ra Riot hits town promoting 2013 third full-length Beta Love, which marks their first effort since the departure of cellist Alexandra Lawn. Her absence likely prompted the stylistic shift away from their earlier chamber tendencies and more towards neon-hued synth pop with meditative, experimental moments and lyrics inspired by futuristic sources, among them, author/keyboard inventor Ray Kurzweil and writer William Gibson. Violin mistress Rebecca Zeller is still adding sophisticated string texture to the infectious keyboards-heavy mix, and frontman Wes Miles continues to wildly yelp and tunefully croon all over it. (Orpheum, Ybor City)—LP
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
The People’s Blues of Richmond w/The Woolly Bushmen PBR, an acronym this band is quite okay with, mixes garage rock, blues and psychedelia — with plenty of neo-hippie vibrations, man. The pop underground has always made room for scruffy, quirky, irreverent goofs; these guys — they’re from Richmond, Va., by the way — call to mind The Fugs, Canned Heat and the like. There’s some good playing buried amid the shenanigans. Orlando’s Woolly Bushmen play ’60s-inspired slop-rock, Farfisa organ and all. It should be mandatory that they cover “Woolly Bully.” (New World Brewery, Ybor City) —ES
STRFKR Another hip indie band skips Tampa Bay in favor of Orlando — Portland-based Polyvinyl-repped synth pop outfit STRFKR, backing fourth full-length Miracle Mile. (The Social, Orlando)—LP
Gramatik Offering up a refreshingly welcome shift away from the dubstep-clogged waves of EDM and into beat-driven groove-saturated low-tempo genre-jumping is Slovenian-born producer and rising star of Pretty Lights Music label Gramtik, his foundation mixing house, breakbeat, techno, electro and drum ’n’ bass aesthetics, and incorporating the cherry-picked sounds of soul, blues, jazz, funk and R&B — sample splices, guests vocalists and instrumental cuts included. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City)—LP
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.