Sleater-Kinney in Florida? Believe it

SPORTING THE EDDIE VEDDER SEAL OF APPROVAL: Sleater-Kinney fans in Florida rejoiced recently when we heard the critically acclaimed trio, who have never performed in the Sunshine State, gave in to singer Eddie Vedder's pleas and agreed to open for Pearl Jam for two weeks of the band's North American Riot Act tour, including an April 13 show in Tampa, and an April 11 show in West Palm Beach.

Vedder, a long-time champion of the band -- Team Pop once chatted with Vedder at an S-K show in San Francisco -- had requested the band open for the whole tour, but settled for the handful of dates, which follow S-K's own tour culmination for the critically acclaimed One Beat.

Both bands are from the Pacific Northwest and share a common political stance and spirit, but the acts play to decidely different-size crowds. The all-girl Sleater-Kinney, which Time calls the most important band in America, refuses to sign to a major label.

Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss told Team Pop that the band intends to perform in a separate, headlining gig of their own while visiting the Tampa Bay area.

THE FAMILY ALBUM: Country music fans will want to browse through Vinyl Hayride: Country Music Album Covers 1947-1989 (Chronicle Books, $24.95), a wonderful collection of glossy portraits of famous country album covers including those wonderful debuts by Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline. Remember the exciting red cover for Marty Robbins' Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, the one where Robbins is grabbing his pistol in his holster? It's in here. As is Waylon Jennings' Leavin' Town, Kay Adams' Alcohol and Tears, Johnny Cash's At Folsom Prison, just about every great country artist you can think of: Minnie Pearl, Porter Wagoner, Dolly, Tammy. Yee-haw!

ROCKIN' LATE NIGHT: For those of you digging last week's performance by the Raveonettes at the State Theatre, relive the magic when the Danish duo perform on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Friday. If you're among the excited bunch going to see the much-buzzed-about Swedish band Sahara Hotnights this weekend at the Orpheum, gear up by watching the band Friday on Last Call with Carson Daly. Busy tonight? Check out Beck on the Late Show with David Letterman.

HIP-HOPPING MAD, THE QUOTE: "Words are power. Don't think you can rap about money and b--- and ho's and shooting somebody and then make it better by giving $10 to somebody in the community. Your words are probably destroying more people than $10 is helping. Your words are affecting 5-year-olds riding in the back of their daddy's car; your words are affecting how the world sees you."

-- Rapper Common, advising others in the hip-hop world, in this month's Rolling Stone.

-- To contact Gina Vivinetto, e-mail gina@sptimes.com .

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