Concerts, Oct. 31-Nov. 6
by Leilani Polk and Julie GaristoTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
Nine Inch Nails w/Gary Numan Trent Reznor took a break from Nine Inch Nails in 2009, got married, worked on various side projects (How to Destroy Angels, his band with wifey Mariqueen Maandig and Atticus Ross, the latter also Reznor’s collaborator on The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtracks), and finally started writing new NIN material last year. Hesitation Marks — Reznor’s eighth studio LP of dark, pounding industrial music — dropped in August. Reznor returns to the road in support with a new lineup that includes Telefon Tel Aviv’s Josh Eustis. Warming up the stage is “Cars” star Gary Numan, also touring behind a new LP, Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind), his 20th. (Amway Center, Orlando)—Leilani Polk
Morgan Page On his latest foray on the road, LA-based EDM producer/DJ Morgan Page is joined by a rotating cast of rising international talents (this date features Audien and Maor Levi), and promises a totally immersive 3D experience of light and color; apparently, the rig he’s using was originally created for Michael Jackson's “This Is It” tour. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City)—LP
Story of the Year w/Like Moths To Flames/Hawthorne Heights/Capture the Crown/Set It Off/I Am King The fourth annual all-ages “Scream It Like You Mean It” tour reps heavy music aesthetics as headed up by St. Louis, Mo.’s Story of the Year. The emo/post-hardcore/metallic-tinged quintet is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their breakthrough album, Page Avenue, by playing it front-to-back along with select fan favorites. A re-imagined version of the album was self-released on Oct. 8. (Orpheum, Ybor City)—LP
The Pangaea Project No. 45: Ventureween 2013 The impish demons of Venture Compound offer a special treat on Halloween: 10 bands for 10 bucks. See L.A.-based Kevin Greenspon and Memphis’ Offerings — both big hits at past Pangea shows. Locals include Mark Castle, Terminus Cursus, Raef, Abstract Machine, Magick Slags, Snacking, Hiatus and Cork. According to Jesse Thelonious Vance, “there will be a costume contest with some sort of shitty prize (shitty prize to be determined).” (The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg) —Julie Garisto
Ponderosa w/Sons of Hippies/Saskatchewan I know where I’ll be on Halloween — partying down at Crowbar with Ponderosa, a personal fave from the Atlanta area that brews up heady haunting indie rock with Southern, psychedelic and soulful influences, ties them all together via driving riffs and organ swells, and pits sweetly ethereal vocals over top. Grinding psych-rockers Sons of Hippies and haunting dream pop outfit Saskatchewan make it a holiday bill that’s impossible to pass up. Come in costume (the giant grand prize is a bar tab and free pass to all shows from aestheticized presents, Brokenmold Entertainment and Thx Mgmt Presents for the rest of the year) and be prepared to get down. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Sleigh Bells w/Doldrums St. Petersburg has become a regular stop on the Sleigh Bells tour itinerary, so much so that force-of-nature frontwoman Alexis Krauss posted directly to local fans on the Brooklyn noise pop duo’s Facebook page; the photo of herself holding up a backstage pass was paired with a reminder to pick up a copy of the band’s latest: “St. Pete, Bitter Rivals is out today! Can't wait to see you on 11/1 at State Theater with Doldrums. Save your costumes. xo Bells.” Doldrums — the electro-experimental breakbeats-and-patchwork-sounds project of Airick Woodhead — supports. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)—LP
Mike and Ruthy Mike Merenda plays guitars (regular and high-strung), banjo and harmonica. Ruth Ungar also strums a six-string as well as resonator-style ukulele; she also plays fiddle. Both sing in gentle, breathy, lovely harmonizing intones that waft over their blend of alt folk, Americana and alt country sounds. (Craftsmen House Gallery, St. Petersburg)—LP
Tim Kasher w/Laura Stevenson Tim Kasher is the frontman of Nebraska indie rock band Cursive, which has never really interested me too much; nor, before Kasher’s latest, Adult Film, had I ever given Kasher's solo material more than an obligatory listen, pretty much enough to write about him the last time he came to town. His sophomore full-length grabbed me via first single "Truly Freaking Out" with its rubbery bouncing synthline (or is it an effected bassline?) and smart lyrics discussing his feelings about the impeding end of a relationship (“And I know, I know, I know the end is near, and I know I know it's all downhill from here / we're all cascading to our graves, tugging back at gravity's reins"). There's something very earnest about the music at times, yet it's somehow also charming and lighthearted, and the outside-of-box alt rock/post-folk mix of pianos, fuzz, female guest vocals, and Kasher's own sweetly youthful intones come together quite nicely. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
Day of the Dead Fest w/Everymen/Hail Abigail/Funeral Dazies/Housebroken/South of Holly/UNRB/many more Seventeen bands throw down on three stages at this fest, repping a range of sonic realms that encompass varying styles of ska-punk vigor (UNRB, Saganaki Bomb Squad, Broseph Skalin, Electric Landlady), alt rock and punk-pop drive (Cash For Soul, Escape Tonight), experimental dance music bounce (Abstract Machine), straightforward punk (Lemon Law), horror rock (Funeral Dazies), and even some folk-crusty, gypsy-flavored punk-abilly (Everymen, from Lake Worth). An art show featuring pieces by nine local talents, face-painting and a silent auction round out the night’s festivities, with all proceeds to benefit local nonprofit CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse). (Local 662 and Fubar, St. Petersburg)—LP
[page]Bobby Messano A modern guitar bluesman who’s flexed his chops in an array of sonic settings, and was a much-called upon session artist and sideman for the likes of Steve Winwood and Lou Gramm before rolling solo more than two decades ago. Bobby Messano’s most recent outing, Welcome to Deltaville, came out in July and includes original material and covers like the timeless instrumental ode by Santo & Johnny, “Sleepwalk” (most famously used in La Bamba) and Traffic’s “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys.” (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)—LP
Jacuzzi Boys w/Florida Night Heat/Booker & Norton From the cool sliding groove, synth fuzz and rhythmic stuttering refrain of “Double Vision” to the darker, faster, post-punk momentum of “Domino Moon” and guitar-distorted psych-garage urgency of “Guillotine,” the eponymous third full-length from Miami’s Jacuzzi Boys is jam-packed with an welcome excess of ear worms and jangle. Ybor is the final stop on the cheeky-fun trio’s tour in support. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)—LP
Michael Bublé The first of two contemporary crooners saunters into town to serenade the non-trick-or-treating contingent. The velvet-voiced sophisticate should deliver a knockout performance with both originals and covers. For his Houston show, he enlivened his set with the scintillating “Fever” amid billowy curtains, LED screens projections and flames that shot across the front of the stage. Hot stuff. For Tampa’s Halloween engagement, may we suggest a fog machine and vampire cape? Who’s more debonair than the big D, right? (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa) —JG
J.J. Grey & Mofro w/Thomas Wynn & The Believers There’s more than a few things to celebrate this Friday night at Jannus. The return of JJ Grey & Mofro, a Florida-bred act and favorite among locals (their shows tend to sell out). A new album of riffy, soulful, Southern-fried and swamp-soaked rock with a firm funky backbeat (The River, Grey’s seventh overall). The debut of a craft beer conceived by Grey and Rock Brothers Brewery (Nare Sugar Brown, named after his grandfather's preferred way of drinking coffee, “nare sugar,” the result “a beer that somehow matches my music sip for sip (or chug) and note for note” according to Grey). And philanthropy; five percent of net proceeds from Nare Sugar Brown sales go to the Snook and Gamefish Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, protection and enhancement of game fish populations. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—LP
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
FolkFest St. Pete w/Anne McCue/The Congress/Rebekah Pulley (Saturday) Birds Of Chicago/Amandla Tunesmith/Hiroya Tsukamoto (Sunday) For the past seven years, Creative Clay has presented a folk music fundraiser in support of their programs for people with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. For the 2013 edition of the festival — which returns to the stretch of Central Avenue running in front of the cultural arts center — Aussie alt country songstress Anne McCue headlines Saturday’s festivities, while Sunday features the soulful dusty road odes of Birds of Chicago. Other highlights include the easy-going rock of The Congress, from Denver, and the fingerstyle picking and plucking prowess of Japanese guitarist-songwriter Hiroya Tsukamoto. (Central Avenue, St. Petersburg)—LP
Chelsea Light Moving w/Merchandise/Permanent Make-Up/Blood Wave Chelsea Light Moving is the current project of Sonic Youth’s former co-chief, bassist Thurston Moore; their sound is a heavy, grungy mix of avant punk and experimental alt rock sounds. Merchandise is Tampa’s own success story, and even though the shoegazey outfit could care less if we wrote anything about them (apparently they aren’t fans of CL), we’ll continue rooting them on like masochistic cheerleaders. Rah fucking rah, guys. Good job on landing such a sweet gig. A tour-only split 7" with Chelsea Light Moving will be available at this date. (Orpheum, Ybor City)—LP
Red Elvises w/6 Volt Radio If you didn’t get your Red Elvises fix in April, the Igor Yuzov-led world music-tinged surf and rockabilly staple returns for another round of Skipperdome cavorting. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)—LP
Bob Nite 2: All Bob Dylan, All Night Long Bob Dylan’s influence on rock n’ roll and folk music is indisputable, though his reach has extended far beyond those particular genres in his more than five decade career. Florida’s sardonic guitar-slinging swamp troubadour Grant Peeples pays tribute to the artist otherwise known as Robert Zimmerman with his second tribute show. Peeples and three locals — the Sarah Mac Band, Geri X and Ronny Elliott as joined by Spencer Hinkle and Steve Connelly — each perform a 25-minute set of favored Dylan tunes on the Palladium’s intimate Side Door stage, culminating in a sing-along finale of “You Ain't Going Nowhere.” (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
[page]Born to Ride Day of the Dead Monster Jam w/Joan Jett and the Blackhearts/Paul Rodgers/Foghat/Blackberry Smoke/Molly Hatchet/David Allan Coe What happens when you bring together a handful of acts normally found on classic rock radio (Joan Jett, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company fame, Foghat, Molly Hatchett and David Allan Coe) with one newer act that sounds like it should belong on classic rock radio (Blackberry Smoke), and appearances by cast members from the FX TV series about an outlaw motorcycle club, Sons of Anarchy? A big ass revved-up party in Pinellas Park, that’s what! Leave your colors at home. (England Brothers Park, Pinellas Park)—LP
Lucero w/Titus Andronicus Ben Nichols and his mates have come a long way since playing punk clubs in Memphis. The now salt-and-pepper-bearded frontman of the raucous and often anthemic Americana rock band even landed a lead role in an MTV series, $5 Cover. He flew solo in 2009 for The Last Pale Light in the West, a collection of acoustic songs based loosely on Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian. But through the changes, Lucero has remained intact while fleshing out its sound, bringing in Rick Stef on keys (piano, organ, accordion), Todd Beene on pedal steel, and horn players Jim Spake and Scott Thompson. Women & Work, the band’s eighth studio album, reveals a Lucero all grown up but far from over the hill. Still young and thirsty, Titus Andronicus should get the most fists pumping in the air at this show. The N.J. band named after a Shakespeare tragedy is that perfect balance of testosterone and brains; always catchy as hell without compromising their credibility. They spike the tried-and-true formula with butt-twitching rhythms and honest storytelling — proper sons indeed from the land of the Boss. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) —JG
Reel Big Fish w/Goldfinger/Beautiful Bodies/Beebs and Her Money Makers A pair of vet ska-punk bands land in St. Pete as ring-led by Reel Big Fish, which just lost longtime trombone player Dan Regan — one of the longest tenured members beyond visionary frontman Aaron Barrett — but carries on with their usual aplomb. Goldfinger hits with a heavier grinding thrust that seems to be headed into more straightforward alt rock territory, if new single “Am I Deaf?” is any indication. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)—LP
And So I Watch You From Afar/TTNG w/Mylets Two technically-inclined Sargent House rock bands from the UK unite for a co-headlining tour that stops at Crowbar. Oxford Englishmen TTNG (formerly known as This Town Needs Guns) sets the emotive wails of frontman Henry Tremain against a mix of progressive and math time signatures. Belfast-spawned Irish quartet And So I Watch You From Afar also delivers on musical complexity, but with experimental quirkiness — more guitars and synthesizers, layered vocal melodies (when there’s vocals), and on latest album, All Hail Bright Futures, a taste of the Caribbean. Warm-up from another Sargent artist, Mylets, the nom-de-plume of teen guitar loop phenom Henry Kohen. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—LP
Dan Bern The second of two back-to-back nights of intimate listening room-style shows at Craftsmen House. On this night, prolific singer-songwriter Dan Bern delivers his wry acoustic guitar-driven narratives, and though he didn’t drop any new material this year, the three albums worth he dropped last year —Drifter, Doubleheader and Wilderness Song— more than make up for it. (Craftsmen House Gallery, St. Petersburg)—LP
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
The John Lamb Quintet Tampa Jazz Club welcomes a few former Duke Ellington Orchestra players for its latest Sunday afternoon session: bassist John Lamb and trombone player Buster Cooper, who are joined by keysman Kenny Drew, Jr., saxophonist Mark Gould and drummer/vocalist Patricia Dean. (HCC-Ybor Mainstage Theatre, Ybor City)—LP
Sonny Landreth w/Randy McAllister Band Blues guitarist Sonny Landreth hits town with his retro Strats, suitcase of pedals and finger-licking prowess. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)—LP
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4
John Legend A gentleman of soulful R&B who first came into his fame with 2005 hit "Ordinary People," John Legend is currently touring behind August release Love in the Future, his first full-length of solo material since 2008 and fourth overall. Grooving lead single “Who Do We Think We Are” samples Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff" and features a guest spot by South Florida rapper Rick Ross, who drops into town later this month. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)—LP
He's My Brother She's My Sister w/Caught A Ghost/Song Preservation Society I first stumbled on He’s My Brother She’s My Sister at their frenzied Crowbar show at Tropical Heatwave a couple years back. The coed band has spunk and flair, commanding the entire stage with free-spirited abandon. Drummer Lauren Brown stole the show for me, pounding and tap-dancing at the same time. While they may have that eclectic gypsy-jangle co-ed fun sound all too prevalent nowadays, don’t dismiss them as a novelty act. HMBSMS perform a dynamic repertoire that is never too campy. The other acts round out an all-L.A. bill — Caught a Ghost sports a super soul vintage thang and the folky-lovely Song Preservation Society serenade with well-appointed acoustics and tender lead vocals/harmonies. (Crowbar, Ybor City) —JG
[page]TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Harry Connick, Jr. If you aren’t old enough to remember Connick’s Sinatra covers from the soundtrack of When Harry Met Sally, then you may recognize him as a judge on American Idol, where he returns to preside with J-Lo and Keith Urban on Jan. 15. In the meantime, the suave N’awlins-bred crooner is touring in support of his 12th release, Every Man Should Know, an introspective album that critics have praised for its emotional honesty and breadth of style. Welcome back to the Bay area, Harry, and thanks for staying classy — and handsome. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) —JG
GWAR w/Whitechapel/Iron Reagan A few months back, Oderus Urungus hit town to celebrate GWAR’s new barbecue sauce and trademark locally-brewed GWAR Beer. This time, the ringmaster of horror metal satire returns with full band in tow, disgusting alien gear in place, and an abundance of faux-gore to lob at fans who’ve come to be spattered and splattered in it. Raincoats recommended. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City)—LP
Streetlight Manifesto w/Mike Park/Dan Pottshat New Jersey’s horn-driven ska-punk outfit Streelight Manifesto delivered their fifth studio album this year, The Hands That Thieve, which has generated a generally positive buzz and marks the end of the band’s acrimonious contract with Victory Records. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)—LP
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Spicy vibrant mambo, jaunty Dixieland jazz, vintage 1940s and ‘50s-era swing and the instrumental brass-infused lushness of big band music come together in Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s spirited arrangements. This tour marks the nine-piece ensemble’s 20th Anniversary, and supports 2012’s Rattle Them Bones as well as a brand new holiday release, It Feels Like Christmas Time. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)—LP
Drake w/Miguel/Future/Jhene Aiko Say happy birthday to the biracial Canadian with Hebrew and African roots, who immodestly proclaims himself October’s Very Own and just celebrated another year with a mammoth 27th celebration in Toronto. If you’re new to the Drake sensation, the R&B-fueled rapper has intriguing identity complexes. One minute he’s a millionaire rescuing women from their thug boyfriends, another he’s a gangsta beating his chest, then he’s that hard-scrabble guy from the hood who “started from the bottom” and then a shifty ladies’ man. He even told Ellen DeGeneres that he was a bartender in a former life — an imaginary former life. In reality, Drake is a shrewd businessman with a knack for lyricism and an ear for arrangements, having worked with the Weeknd and other indie R&B artists who meld soul with synth-drenched atmospherics. Above all, Drake’s got a nice voice, and he shows it off skillfully between braggadocio-laden raps. His confessional lyrics may not always win you over, but you come away knowing what’s underneath all those layers of the former child star from Degrassi. His ability to inhabit so many personas reveals an artist that isn’t so much desperate but a chameleonic tour de force. Arrive early for Miguel, who’s also on the heels of a birthday (a day and a year older than Drake). His Kaleidoscope Dream was on many a top 10 list in 2012 — that perfect blend of contemporary ambience and old school soul. (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa) —JG
KMFDM w/Chant German producer/keys master Sascha Konietzko has led hard-thrashing electro-industrial metal outfit KMFDM for what seems like ages (since 1984), with only a brief hiatus somewhere in the middle of the band’s tenure, and 18 albums to their credit; the most recent is this year’s Kunst. (Orpheum, Ybor City) —LP
Sick/Sea The intimate vibe at Microgroove should be a sweet setting for the McAllen, Texas trio — Johnny Garza with siblings Audrey and Cameron Scott — who deliver sophisticated mellow pop to get you over that hump day hump. Reverb-ifed guitars and heart-stopping percussion add to their dreamlike aura — which is never too gauzy or fey. Fans of Ida will dig them for sure. (Microgroove, Tampa) —JG
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.