Concert picks
By Julie Garisto
Published January 10, 2008
November Foxtrot Whiskey
With Spooky Greenhill and Channing Deren
FRIDAY 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $5. 813 248-4969.
Aaron Lepley trots out his two bands and a buddy's niece for a show that highlights a group of folks who go back a long, long way together. Spooky Greenhill features members of NFW and recording guru/producer/all-around good guy Steve Seachrist. Channing Deren, related to photographer Sean Deren, is a singer-songwriter with an angelic voice and powerful tunes, and last but not least, November Foxtrot Whiskey gets its name for the military code for "No "F-ing Way." These dudes have been around since the mid-'90s, evolving from an off-kilter mishmash into a tight, powerful rock band with warm soulfulness and genius licks. The band's been slowly re-emerging into the forefront of the scene and should make a bang in '08 with new songs to lay on you.
Tab Benoit
With the Damon Fowler Group
FRIDAY 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $15, $18. (813) 971-0666.
It's a N'awlins'gasm with guitarist Benoit busting out an all-star band: George Porter Jr. of the Meters on vocals and bass, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux on vocals, Waylon Thibodeaux on fiddle, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone on accordion and harmonica, and David Peters on drums. Local contemporary blues king Damon Fowler and his band should do a righteous job warming up the crowd for this bayou stomp.
Galactic
Featuring Boots Riley and Mr. Lif, with guests Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
SATURDAY 8 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $21. (727) 895-3045.
Listen up music nabobs, Galactic ain't your run-o'-the-mill trippy jam band. The idiosyncratic, energetic New Orleans outfit brings on da futuristic funk with a catchy, accessible appeal. These wily musicians reach beyond the cliches of hippie improvisations with tight, danceable grooves. Their debut on Anti- records, The Corner to the Block, breaks new ground, featuring hip-hop heavyweights rapping over the band's signature jazzy-funky arrangements. Two of the CD's eminent MCs appear at this show - Boots Riley of the Coup and Mr. Lif. Come hear why the new CD has been named to 2007 best-of lists, including that of the New York Daily News, which proclaims it the "hottest rock-rap fusion since peak Beastie Boys." Vermont's Grace Potter and the Nationals is a grab bag of styles - bluesy and classic rock 'n' roll riffs mixed with country and energetic power pop.
Ruthie Foster
With Lauren Dragon
SATURDAY 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12, $15. (813) 971-0666.
Ruthie Foster projects what seems like infinite range. The Austin performer draws from intense, personal experience and lays her heart out in a blanket of solid blues rock and pop. Bonus: She offers up a musical rendering of Maya Angelou's famous poem "Phenomenal Woman." Dragon is a red-headed vixen who might be a bit much for sum, but she sure can sing. If the jazzy-blues-lady-in-heat style is yo' thang, then let Ms. Dragon light your fire.
Arm the Poor
With New Bruises, Seasick, Static Radio, Can't Stand It and Nothing in the Dark
SATURDAY 8 p.m. Transitions Art Gallery at the Skatepark of Tampa, 4215 E Columbus Drive, Tampa. $7. (813) 382-3477.
A great Saturday night of punk, hardcore and ska, ranging from the catchy and the poppy to the dirty and the speedy.
Dumbwaiters
With Wye Oak and King of Prussia
SATURDAY 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $7. (813) 248-4969.
Tampa's Dumbwaiters, considered by many to be Tampa's best and next to be famous, stirs you up with Bowie- and Eno-inspired rock, catchy synth pop and Krautrock hypnotics. Brian Repetto and Co. play their first show at New World in almost a year and a half and only their second gig inside six months. Duo Wye Oak, from Baltimore, is Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack. They play soaring and noisy riffs, with atmospheric keyboards and other random instrumental accents interlacing their co-ed pop, mixed by local boy made good, Eric Morrison. Athens, Ga.'s King of Prussia should be a royal crowd-pleaser with its luminous, majestic pop. The trio was quite a hit back in spring, opening for Candy Bars.
Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters
With Kristen Ford and Ashland Miller
SATURDAY 8 p.m. Pro Star Recording, 3220 28th St. N., St. Petersburg. (727) 526-0446.
Calling all in transit: Critically praised Sarasota band Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters perform rustic, folksy ballads. Down-to-earth frontwoman Carmela engages the audience in easygoing chitchat between tunes; her loquacious nature, the band's press says, earned her the "radio-free" title. Mates Doug Conroy, Dave Townsend, David Mishkin and Jerry Sparkman add a big meaty backup to the personal tunes, with acoustic touches, like dobro and mandolin, in addition to electric guitar. They'll be performing tunes from the group's latest CD, Americana Tourister. Kristen Ford, from Richmond, Va., shares her poetic ditties enhanced by experiences from a life on the road, all played passionately live. Ford usually has a backing band but will be playing in a duo for this appearance, with Ashland Miller on slide and regular guitars. Smoke-free indoors; snacks provided.
Also playing
D'Visitors Fri. 9 p.m. Kelly's Pub, 206 N Morgan St., downtown Tampa. $3. (813) 228-0870.
Tres Bien Sat. With the Same and Mouse Fire. 8 p.m. Neptune Lounge, 13 S Safford Ave., Tarpon Springs. $7. (727) 943-5713.
Jet Lag Gemini Sun. With Lady Radiator and Red Light Green Light. 7 p.m. Orpheum, Ybor City $6.(813) 248-9500.
Enter the Haggis Tues. 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $10, $13. (813) 971-0666.
Capillary Action Thur. Auto!Automatic!! and Insect Joy. New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $5. (813) 248-4969.
Papos Thur. 7:30 p.m. Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City. Free. (813) 247-6964.
Toad the Wet Sprocket Thur. 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg. (727) 895-3045.