Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes got their start in New Jersey in 1974 when gravelly voiced blues singer Southside Johnny put together a big ol' band of horn players - no, seriously, we're talking trumpets, trombones, all manner of sax, plus guitars, drums, bass, keys.
Anyway, the band is huge, and so is the sound.
They are pals of Bruce Springsteen, who started at the same time in the same Jersey rock scene. In fact, the Boss penned several of the Juke's richest hits, including The Fever and Hearts Of Stone.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. Tickets are $17 advance, $20 day of show. (727) 896-2276. - GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic
A ten-dollar tribute to alternative rock
The kids at WSUN-FM 97.1 know how to throw a party. Take a look at the cutting edge alt-rock artists they have on the roster for the 97X Ten Dollar Bill:
Cave In, from Massachusetts, play a juiced-up mix of metal and punk that erupts in short, sharp bursts. The tunes on this year's Antenna are tight, filled with grandiose guitar, and they're over before you know it. The band sounds like Radiohead on speed.
Taking Back Sunday, from spooky Amityville, N.Y., plays the melodic hardcore that the youngsters so adore nowadays. The band's riffs are quick, the beats are oddly danceable, and singer Adam Lazzara wails in that dime-a-dozen emo mopey boy voice.
Also playing: punksters Hot Action Cop; chick-led Evanescence, which combines rap and hip-hop beats with Morissette-y moody girl vocals; Revis; and local pop-punk favorite Harry Dash, which may be the best act on the bill.
The 97X Ten Dollar Bill kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday in Coachman Park on the waterfront in Clearwater. $10 advance, $15 at the gate.
- GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic
Chicks with attitude
Goodness knows the Dixie Chicks have been in the news lately. Haven't you heard? Outspoken lead singer Natalie Maines, center, got into some hot water for telling a British audience in March that the band was "ashamed" that President Bush was from the Chicks' home state of Texas.
That comment has pretty much divided the nation - and the world of popular music. Most country stars say they would would like to see Maines properly drawn and quartered - or at least they ask that that she kindly shut what country singer Toby Keith calls her "big mouth."
The pop stars have been more forgiving with Bruce Springsteen issuing a statement in support of the Chicks, and in support of Free Speech, which last time we checked was a big part of what makes a democracy so lovely. (Hey, Springsteen questioned, aren't we trying to bring democracy to Iraq?)
The backlash has country stations boycotting the Chicks' music, yet it hasn't hurt the band's overall sales too much. That's probably because as "crossover" artists, the Chicks' pop fans still love 'em.
Anyway, the Chicks are in Tampa on Monday to fiddle and be feisty, singing hits from the chart-topping Home, Fly and Wide Open Spaces.
The Dixie Chicks perform with Joan Osborne at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $35-$65. (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.
