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Concert picks
By Carole Giambalvo, tbt* writer
Published February 21, 2008
Clearwater Seafood and Blues festival Featuring The Derek Trucks Band
With Rent Money, Sack O' Woe, Eric Lindell, Bettye LaVette (Sat.); Al "Coffee" McDaniel, Julie Black, Sue Foley, Chris Thomas King, Coco Montoya (Sun.)
SATURDAY 11 a.m. and SUNDAY noon. Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. General admission free, reserved seating $18. (727) 562-4839.
A chance to sample seafood gumbos and sweet guitar sounds hardly seems reason to be blue. In its second year, the Clearwater Sea-Blues Fest boasts the freshest in jumbo shrimp and blackened grouper and about 10 great blues acts. Headliners the Derek Trucks Band are a great fit with an upbeat, jam-band-ish take on rock, blues and jazz that should go well with your crab cakes. Last year the young, ponytailed bluesman shared the cover of Rolling Stone with John Frusciante and John Mayer in the "New Guitar Gods" spread. Trucks has spent time in the Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton's touring group, and in March he'll support Carlos Santana.
J.J. Grey and Mofro
With Nervous Turkey
FRIDAY-SATURDAY 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $20. (813) 971-0666.
Front-porch soul stars J.J. Grey and Mofro are playing back-to-back nights at Skipper's due to popular demand. Raised in rural Cross Creek Grey delivers tales of swampy North Florida living in a smoky, soulful tone. But most notably, Grey (whose influences include Muddy Waters and Otis Redding) puts a new spin on old soul ideas that attracts a young, energetic fan base.
Plies
SUNDAY 9 p.m. Club 112, 901 N Franklin St., Tampa. $20. (813) 204-9433.
The last time Fort Myers rapper Plies had a show in Tampa, it was so crowded that even he couldn't get in the door. At his CD release party last August, police wouldn't allow anyone in once the club reached capacity, and unfortunately, that included Plies and his family. Let's hope Club 112 gets him on the list this time.
We the Kings
With Cobra Starship, Metro Station, The Cab
TUESDAY 6:30 p.m. State Theater, 687 Central Ave., St Petersburg. Sold Out. (727) 895-3045.
Cobra Starship is the headliner here, but Bradenton boys We the Kings are certainly getting noticed on this tour. Their pop-rock sound has been compared to Boys Like Girls, but seems a little less cocky and a little more charming. Last week, for Valentine's Day, their bubbly Check Yes Juliet was iTunes' Single of the Week. Dance-pop-rock group Cobra Starship took off with a soundtrack song for Snakes on a Plane, and have since toured with emo's biggest names, Fall Out Boy and Panic At the Disco.
Southern Culture on the Skids
With Demolition String Band
TUESDAY 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12-$15. (813) 971-0666.
After you do some lady flips and scissor kicks with Leslie and the Ly's on Friday (see Page 26), head over to Skipper's to walk like a camel. The march of Southern Culture on the Skids' Camel Walk gained the group the most attention of its career in 1995, but fans will tell you the SCOTS party is still going strong. They sing about fried chicken and cheap motels and play a blend of surf rock, Americana, rockabilly and some R&B.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band
THURSDAY 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $8. (813) 248-4969.
With Christabel & the Jons, Rebekah Pulley
A kazoo show is long overdue, obviously. New York's Two Man Gentlemen Band play throwback ragtime and swing with a standup bass, banjo, foot percussion and, yes, kazoos. After two years of performing in Central Park, the peppy duo hit the road with a danceable act and lyrics about the girth of President William Howard Taft, badminton duels and the Hindenburg. Apparently, you'll receive a free kazoo too. Knoxville, Tenn.'s Christabel and the Jons perform a blend of southern blues, swing and folk, but Christabel's sultry voice is what's of note here. Fans of Feist may really go for it.
Also playing
Bear Colony Sat. With win win Winter, Look Mexico, The Dark Romantics. 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $7. (813) 248-4969.
Lucero Sat. 7:30 p.m. State Theater, 687 Central Ave., St Petersburg. $12. (727) 895-3045.
Dining On Air Sat. WMNF fundraiser featuring The Human Condition, Leigh Humes, The Shakes, Peter Gallagher, Bob Anthony. 8 p.m. Eckerd College Conference Center, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. $10. (813) 238-8001.
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams Sat. after the Lightning game. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-2500.
Casting Crowns Sun. With Leeland and John Waller 6 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $16-$73. (813) 301-2500.
Paul Thorn Sun. With Raiford Starke Band. 6 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $16-$20. (813) 971-0666.
Styx Sun. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, 10001 N. McKinley Drive Tampa. Free with park admission. 1-888-800-5447.
Keb' Mo' Tues. 7:30 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa. $32.50. (813) 274-8982.
Farewell Tues. With Just Surrender, Lorene Drive, The Maine. 7 p.m. Orpheum, 1902 Republica de Cuba Ave., Ybor City. $10. (813) 248-9500.
Candy Bars Thurs. With Tres Bien, Stavros, DJ Nak1. 8 p.m. Push Ultra Lounge, 128 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. $7. (727) 895-6400.
[Last modified February 22, 2008, 11:37:02]
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