Local community radio station WMNF-FM 88.5 throws its 24th Birthday Bash in style with musical guests including headliner Jimmy LaFave and Night Tribe. Roadhouse roots rocker La Fave, above, from Austin, Texas, is a favorite of WMNF's for his scorching live shows filled with soulful countrified tunes, skillful guitar playing and, often, keen interpretations of Dylan songs.
Also on the bill: the quirky all-female Fruit, from Australia. Fruit meshes electronic music with jazzy grooves to make a sophisticated sound, rich in the ladies' yummy harmonies. Local reggae outfit Rocksteady@8 takes you on a journey of the genre, providing tunes steeped in bouncy ska, rocksteady and dance hall.
WMNF's 24th Birthday Bash begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Tickets are $21 in advance, $24 at the door and EVERYBODY GETS CAKE! (The Coliseum is BYOB).
- GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic
"Monkeyshine" and merriment
Enthusiasts of Tampa Bay area local music in the 1980s and 1990s remember Deloris Telescope, the wacky alt-rock trio that was always a scene favorite. That band's drummer was Ricky Wilcox and he has begun a solo career.
Except now Wilcox strums instead of drums on Monkeyshine, his second solo disc, a collection of fun power pop tunes featuring Wilcox on guitar and vocals.
Still a sought-after drummer - Wilcox recently inked a deal endorsing Silver Fox drumsticks - the talented musician treats nostalgic Deloris Telescope fans to two tunes on Monkeyshine that he wrote while with the band (It's True and a live Desdemona).
Wilcox will perform at a CD release with his band the Moonsnakes, and also with local favorites Sparky's Nightmare and the cheekily named Johnny Thunders Overdose.
The fun starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at the ACL Club, 1750 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Admission is $4. Those who pay $10 get a copy of Monkeyshine. Call (727) 823-6183.
