Soundcheck: Editor's local music picks this week

By JGARISTON
Published August 17, 2007

Zillionaire

With Giddy-up, Helicopter!, Life of Pi and Jarvik 7

THURSDAY (8/23) 9 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. $5. (813) 241-8600.

Zillionaire is like a ripe peach on the verge of bursting with sweet success. The band has capitalized on the evolution of modern music by melding atmospheric rock and snazzy rhythms but veer away from gimmicks. The four experienced Tampa musicians (Washdown, Pohgoh, Maccabees, etc.) have been keeping a steady balance of practicing and playing out here and there, while meticulously recording their new CD. When that's out, watch out. Giddy-up, Helicopter! spent the summer touring, so expect a well-rehearsed show from these appealing mood rockers on the rise. Life of Pi plays ultra-melodic, textured rock. Jarvik 7 is named after the famous artificial heart, but it's true in its wall-of-sound delivery. Powerful stuff.

The Wankers

With Steve Connelly and the Lesser Gods

FRIDAY (8/17) 10 p.m. Emerald Bar, 550 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $5. (727) 898-6054.

Want a history lesson without the boring revisions? The Wankers, a legendary bay area punk band that played the entire '80s and some of the mid '90s, has reunited this year. Original members Carl Webb, Tracy Cooley, Jake Pizza remain with Albert Holycross on drums. Webb says to expect the same spontaneous humor with new material never played before. Let it be known that Steve Connelly is not a has-been; more of a will always be. He and his band has gotten praise for their jagged melodies and Southern-kissed rock. A former member of the longstanding local act the Headlights, Connelly has acquired a reputation as an accomplished guitarist, songwriter and producer known for collaborating with the Byrds' Roger McGuinn.

Arm the Poor

With Safety, the CV, Rotten Deal, Young Livers

FRIDAY (8/17) 8 p.m. Skatepark of Tampa, 4215 E Columbus Drive, Tampa. $7. (813) 382-3477.

Punk fans who can't make the drive or afford to go to the Against Me! show are well-advised to attend this one instead. Arm the Poor is funny, creative, diverse and meaningful all at once. The Oldsmar guys don't take themselves too seriously but they're no novelty band, either. The guys in Tampa's Safety are 19 but play like they're 39. The trio plays tight, loud and hard, with some good melody. The same can be said for the rest on the bill, with various ages and levels of volume, of course.

Venus in Furs

SATURDAY (8/18) 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12. (813) 971-0666.

Venus In Furs converges formidable female talent, playing covers of Velvet Underground - hence the name. It's Karen Collins of Monday Mornings on bass and vocals, Sandy Grecco from Rebekah Pulley's band, Rebekah Pulley on guitar and former Baskervil Laura Taylor on vocals, heremin and violin.

Bad Flirt

With Automatic Loveletter and Tres Bien!

WEDNESDAY (8/22) 8 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. $7; all ages. (813) 241-8600.

The theme of this hump day show is cuteness with attitude. Formed in 2002 with several lineup changes, Canadian band Bad Flirt was named among the Olsen twins' top 10 favorite bands. Bad Flirt rusts up the pink Lady Shaver of dance pop with a jagged blade of fuzz, distortions and dissonance. Opener Automatic Loveletter, from Clearwater, is signed to a major label. The Epic darlings are fronted by 20-year-old Juliet Simms, who has the American sweetheart charm of Anna Faris and toughness of Joan Jett. Automatic Loveletter's sound is a bit more polished and FM-friendly than the headliner, with experienced and tight musicians. Same goes Tres Bien! Also from Clearwater, they're adorably lively 20-something guys with a melodic and raucous British Invasion-flavored style - and matching outfits .

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

With Centro-matic and Poetry 'N Lotion

SATURDAY (8/18) 9 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N, Ybor City. (813) 248-4969.

Gear up for earthy and sublime musical mastery. Isbell, late of Americana indie rockers Drive-By Truckers, is a soulful solo performer in his own right. Centro-matic delivers a powerful and unique combo of Texas grit, melodic guitars and keyboards and gut-socking vocals from front man Will Johnson. Local boys Poetry 'N Lotion are experienced improv players that play TV show themes, mandolins. A blast to watch - both bang and twang.

Night of Experimental Delights

With BLAST, Insect Joy and Flexxehawk

Friday (8/17) 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. $5.

A night of noise, weirdness and surprises from members of Dumbwaiters and other longtime local and national bands.

Against Me!

With Two Gallants and the Gaslight Anthem

FRIDAY (8/17) 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $15. (813) 893-2276.

Front man Tom Gabel of Gainesville's Against Me! has the throaty yell of a military commander, calling all his fans into ideological battle. His voice may or may not translate as well in the isolated state of a polished major label recording, but that's a matter of opinion. Regardless, all the big-time trappings get stripped away live. All the kids know the lyrics and the crowd is in constant motion and synchronicity with the band. San Fran band Two Gallants has a rustic charm and grit with harmonies. The Gaslight Anthem, from Brunswick, N.J., plays catchy, listenable punk pop.

[Last modified August 23, 2007, 11:30:53]