Concert picks

By Carole Giambalvo
Published February 8, 2008

Existential Assimilation Movement

featuring DJ Starscream of Slipknot

With Empire X, SNO, G Roc, Synthetic Nature, Psychodelik, Mainframe, J-Ryder, Spindle, After Death, Vascular Symphony

FRIDAY 8 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St.,Ybor City. $10. (813) 241-8600.

Sans trademark jumpsuit and gas mask, Slipknot turntablist DJ Starscream headlines a night of drum and bass, hip-hop and metal fusion. Starscream's debut metal mashup album The New Leader was released late last year on N2O records, the indie label that released Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez' solo album just this week. After a stop on Bubba the Love Sponge's Sirius radio show, Starscream will head up this fast-paced fest, where scratches and eccentric samples will abound.

Bob Marley and Peter Tosh Tribute

With Tribal Style, Magadog, The Bird Street Players

SATURDAY 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $7. (813) 248-4969.

"In this great future, you can't forget your past," Marley once said. If you've been looking to enjoy a smooth "best of reggae"-type night, wait no longer. These are the local acts that can deliver it. The vets of Tribal Style have shared the stage with Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Third World, Damian Marley, Eek-A-Mouse and Ziggy Marley, just to name a few. The Bird Street Players just rocked Dunedin at its Mardi Gras fest and Magadog brings a seasoned ska angle into the mix.

Tres Bien!

With the Hatch

SATURDAY 6 p.m. Orpheum, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. $8-$10. (813) 248-9500.

After meeting as finalists on Fox's reality series The Next Great American Band, Clearwater's Tres Bien! and Brooklyn's the Hatch have been touring the east coast together. The always enthusiastic Tres Bien! puts on a rock show that you could take mom to, yet packs enough power pop to satisfy the hipsters. The Hatch singer Sean Douglas hits Adam Levine-like notes and wrote the score for Michael Keaton's film The Merry Gentlemen, which premiered at Sundance last month.

Stalling Dawn

With Radio Reset and Last Day Alive

SATURDAY 7 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St.,Ybor City. $7. (813) 241-8600.

This bunch of kids is better than alright. Stalling Dawn has hard-rocking riffs, top-notch harmonies and lead vocals that don't drift too far into whiny territory. Once they can mimic their recorded sound live, they may be off to big things. Radio Reset has a fit-for-radio sound and the look for MTV, but goes above and beyond with punchy, first-rate beats and savvy synths and guitars.

Ryan Bingham

MONDAY 7 p.m. Orpheum, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. $8. (813) 248-9500.

Sexy Texan singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham left a bullriding career on the Southwestern rodeo circuit to pursue music. Now the 25-year-old joins some of the songwriting elite (Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams) on the Lost Highway label. With a rootsy, alt-country style and a voice rough and weathered enough to make it sound as if he's pushing 60, Bingham paints a picture of border-town strife, eviction, and overall hard-livin'. Rolling Stone gave Bingham's recent release Mescalito a three-star rating last month, so don't be surprised to see the scruffy-faced cowboy pop up more in the coming months.

Queensryche

TUESDAY 7:30 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa. $35.50-$50. (813) 274-8982.

In the '80s, it was easy to lump Queensryche in with the many hair-metal bands of the era. Yes, they had the triumphant riffs and screamy guitar solos, but ultimately, the group's fans would embrace its more progressive side. Empire (1990) was Queensryche's biggest success, selling more than 2 million copies due to the hit ballad Silent Lucidity. The four-time Grammy nominees have a long tour history and have played with Bon Jovi, Metallica and Iron Maiden.

Valentine's Day Fusion

With win win Winter, the Beauvilles and DJ Mega

THURSDAY 8 p.m. Push Ultra Lounge, 128 3rd St. S, St. Petersburg. $6 for singles, $10 for couples. (727) 895-6400.

Treat yourself to the creme de la creme of local songwriting talent on Valentine's Day. The swanky new Push Ultra Lounge brings in win win Winter (above) and the Beauvilles to rock amongst plasma TVs and pomegranate mojitos. win win Winter's New Accents has the potential to captivate a massive indie-rock set the way the Shins' Caring is Creepy did three years ago. The charismatic Beauvilles can jump from pop-rock to a more murky garage sound quickly and effectively. Both bands bring big choruses and earnest lyrics.

Also playing

Yonder Mountain String Band Fri. 8 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $19.99-$25. (727) 895-3045.

Scott H. Biram Fri. 8 p.m. Orpheum, 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Ybor City. $8. (813) 248-9500.

Blaze Fri. 7 p.m. Boomerz, 6990 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. $16.50. (727) 391-7066.

Poetry 'n Lotion Sat. With Acho Brother. 9 p.m. Yeoman's Pub 236 E. David Blvd., Tampa. $5. (813) 251-2748.

Hello Alaska Sun. 7 p.m. Trax Music Hall, 2914 Roosevelt Blvd, Largo. $5-$7. (727) 531-0099.

Dr. Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys Sun. 5 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $20-$25. (813) 971-0666.

Reax Second Annual Valentine's Day '80s Prom Thur. With Rancid Polecats. 9 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St.,Ybor City. $8 singles, $10 couples. (813) 241-8600.

[Last modified February 7, 2008, 10:33:54]