Weekend concert picks

By Carole Giambalvo, tbt* writer
Published March 7, 2008

RX Bandits

With The English Beat

FRIDAY 7 p.m. The Honey Pot, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. $16.75-$20. (813) 247-4663.

California's RX Bandits will play Ybor's new Honey Pot (formerly Club Code and the Rubb) a night after Ashlee Simpson performs there. (At least the mics will be used at this show - baaazing!) The ska-infused pop-rock group offers burly drums and bracing, top-rate vocals. While the Bandits have gotten mashed into the emo-punk genre, they offer much more variety with horns and windy jam sessions. They're best at engaging an audience with toe-tappers like Taking Chase as the Serpent Slithers. Police fans should seriously give this one a listen.

Joran Slane CD release

With Katherine Kelly, Ryan Wendell Bauer, Scott Harrell, The Ditchflowers

FRIDAY 9 p.m. Star Booty Rock and Roll Salon, 681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $3. (727) 895-7827.

Local music devotee Joran Slane has worked diligently for our scene, staging many a pep rally for Tampa Bay artists over the past decade. He's fought city councilmen for the right to keep all-ages concerts, labored to bring A&R scouts to local shows, and has formed a sturdy alliance among local musicians, the Southeast Music Alliance. His long-delayed new disc (much like his new hair) is sleek and graceful. His vibe's a little PJ Harvey and a little Eddie Vedder. Wander over from First Friday to enjoy the CD, Martyr, in a funky, friendly salon setting.

Ryan Kendrick

At Wild Splash with Wyclef Jean, Flo Rida, Pitbull, Trina, Rick Ross and others

SATURDAY 4 p.m. Festival Stage at the Ford Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $14-$46. (813) 740-2446.

Clearwater's young R&B crooner Ryan Kendrick gets the chance to strut his stuff as a Wild Splash opener. Since it's hard to hear him sing over screaming female fans on his YouTube videos, come to the Amp early for a better chance. Kendrick sounds like Jagged Edge, but incorporates peppy, fun elements like those of Ginuwine or the Dream. He's got a strong jazz background and a knack for choreography too.

The Roots

SUNDAY 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $26.50-$30. (727) 895-3045.

I don't care that you're losing an hour of sleep. The Roots' Sunday show shouldn't be missed! Their jazzy hip-hop has evolved over the years, and the group has experienced a handful of member changes, but that hasn't stopped the live show from bumping as hard as ever. While the Roots' lyrics are full of tough-times social issues (False Media, Don't Feel Right), the show will likely be upbeat and reviving. Famed drummer ?uestlove, the unofficial face of the band, is always a class act. He keeps his afro neatly picked and the beats banging.

They Might Be Giants

TUESDAY 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $21-$25. 727 895-3045.

Theme-music aficionados They Might Be Giants won a Grammy for the Malcolm in the Middle theme song Boss of Me some years back, and did The Daily Show and Mickey Mouse Club House anthems. The New York jokesters have more than a dozen full-length albums that are grab bags of playful rock, pop, folk and children's music. With plenty of sound effects, spoofs, catchy hooks and jingles, They Might Be Giants overflow with a charming cheesiness.

Ani DiFranco

TUESDAY 7:30 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa. $34. (813) 274-8982.

Leading indie rock lady Ani DiFranco has earned the title of innovator for her fiery, folksy, punk-poet sound. Her songs are passionate, personal, political and it's obvious she's got a lot to say. On some tracks, you'll wonder where she's able to fit in time to breathe. DiFranco said she wrote her 2001 song Grey in Florida. Maybe things will look brighter while in town this time.

Also playing

Florida Strawberry Festival Fri.-Sun. Concerts by Gene Watson, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Neal McCoy, Sugarland, Jason Aldean. Times and ticket prices vary. Strawberry Festival grounds, 2202 W Reynolds St., Plant City. (813) 752-9194. www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

First Friday featuring Elevated and Soulfound Fri. 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 895-3045.

Alejandro Escovedo Fri. 8 p.m. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. $20. (727) 822-3590.

Claire Lynch Fri. With Raiford Starke. 7:30 p.m. Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave. N. $22-$25. (727) 571-4183.

The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker Sat. 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $15-$20. (813) 971-0666.

Flogging Molly Sat. 7 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $23. (727) 895-3045.

O Som Do Jazz Sun. 3 p.m. Studio@620 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. $10. (727) 895-6620.

Belinda Womack Sun. Child in Need Benefit with Bravo Contante. 4 p.m. The Copper Mug, 1463 Belcher Road, Clearwater. Donations accepted. (727) 533-2205.

Gary Allan Sun. 4 p.m. Busch Gardens, 10001 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. Free with park admission. 1-888-800-5447.

Chicago Tues. 8 p.m. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $48-$88. (727) 892-5767.

Every Time I Die Wed. With August Burns Red, From First To Last, The Bled, The Human Abstract. 6 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $16-$18. (727) 895-3045.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 12:43:08]