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Metal acts in the city of twang

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published September 28, 2005

PINELLAS PARK - This city made its musical reputation celebrating a country twang. Then it expanded its repertoire with evenings of golden oldies.

Now Pinellas Park is going heavy metal.

"It definitely is something different. It's pushing the envelope for Pinellas Park," city spokesman Tim Caddell said Monday. "It's different than anything we've ever done."

Not that the city sought out Motorhead, Dark New Day, Meshuggah, Devil Driver, God Forbid, Otep, the Haunted, Mnemic, Cemetery, End of the Rope, Trigger Point and Reflux, the bands that will perform Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the England Brothers Bandshell.

Anvil Concert Productions came to the city and asked to hold the event at the bandshell, 5121 80th Ave. N, because the company liked the site so much, Caddell said.

Although he was a bit doubtful at first, Caddell said he okayed the event because "we try to be diverse." In the past, he said, some have criticized Pinellas Park for not offering musical events aimed at a younger audience. This concert should help meet that need, he said.

But heavy metal music in Pinellas Park?

"This isn't my kind of music, and I've yet to find anyone here who admits it's my kind of music, but the promoters say they're expecting to bring 7,000 to 10,000 people," Caddell said. "They're expecting a big turnout."

One of those attendees will be Caddell, who will be on hand to make sure all goes well. Other attendees will include 10 off-duty police officers for security. City officials will also monitor the sound to ensure the neighbors who live across the street from the bandshell won't be blasted too much.

The noise may disturb more than the neighbors. Some equine visitors to the event may find the noise and the expected mosh pit and head-banging dancers a bit much.

That's the whole idea, Pinellas Park police Capt. Sandy Forseth said. Forseth oversees the city's mounted volunteer horse patrol.

The patrol, composed of nonofficers, plans to use the event as a training exercise to help accustom the horses to crowds, noise, lights and any uproar that goes with large groups of people intent on having fun. Plans are to have the animals at the concert from about 6 to 8:30 or 9 p.m.

[Last modified September 28, 2005, 04:36:57]