Prize goes to the Dogs

By GINA VIVINETTO

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

[Photo Courtesy of the Dog] The Dogs, from left, Bobby Lapp, Larry Griffin, Adam Shoemaker and Matthew Wright, say they’re going to be the next huge rock ‘n’ roll band. They may be right.

The state of the local music scene? Not too shabby, judging by FLARO4, the Florida Rock Off competition, sponsored annually by Reindeer Records of Portland, Maine.

Five finalist bands from local high schools took the State Theatre stage on Sunday to battle for the title of Best Young Band in Tampa Bay. Top honors went to the Dogs, a hard rock four-piece representing Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg. The Dogs, who cite influences such as Nirvana, Guns 'n' Roses and Led Zeppelin, nabbed $1,000 to help advance their musical career.

The other four finalists, with sounds ranging from arty alt-pop to speed metal, were Blind Side, Desperate Cry, the Golden Vanity and Magadan. The bands' remarkable diversity -- with the exception of a lack of young women musicians -- was as impressive as their sophistication.

Anyone familiar with local music scenes knows what it's like seeing the same bands playing over and over at the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall. Sometimes the bands get jaded -- with reason -- by playing to a handful of loyal followers at the same venue weekend after weekend.

But these bands, with members all in their upper teens, don't get the chance to play out much. So, when they do, watch out. They give the big stars a run for the money.

Take, for example, the Dogs. Lead singer Matthew Wright swaggered on the State's big stage like Iggy Pop. Wright can really work the crowd, too, holding his mike, swiveling his hips. He's as Dionysian as Jim Morrison, and sometimes just plain ol' nasty. Wright's cool black vinyl pants and long hair make him MTV-ready. The guy's a star waiting to happen. Guitarist Adam Shoemaker is dazzling, a top-notch player who's not afraid to crunch it up and let some pretty notes flicker out. The Dogs' rhythm guys, Larry Griffin on drums and bassist Bobby Lapp, are strong and tight. The band played seamlessly. The crowd of more than 200 ate it up.

Adam's dad, Bob Shoemaker, like many parents, was there to cheer on the kids. Surprise! Not all parents of rockers are covering their ears or barging into the garage screaming, "Turn down that #%*!! amp!" The parents of these local bands recognize their kids' talent. These moms and dads were sporting band T-shirts and helping sell CDs.

Thank goodness. These young bands need support and encouragement. With talent like that, it would be a shame to not take the music beyond the garage or rented rehearsal space.

Bob Shoemaker says he's been through it all with Adam, who first began banging drums at their Treasure Island home before he made the switch to super-loud electric guitar. Dad encouraged it, even though neighbors and Treasure Island police, he jokes, may have been miffed by the noise.

Dad says he's confident that the Dogs are going places.

"I challenge anybody at DreamWorks or any other major label to find a band that's better than them," Shoemaker said.

Everyone will get a chance to hear the band this summer when the Dogs release their debut disc, recorded in Italy. If you can't wait to hear these talented guys, check them out at 2:30 p.m. Sunday when they play the Battle of the Bands in Coachman Park in Clearwater. But get up close so you can say you saw them way back when. According to the band's press release, "The Dogs are going to be the next huge rock 'n' roll band."

NEGATIVLAND AT CLUB MORE -- Multimedia conceptual pop outfit Negativland plays its only Florida gig at 8 tonight at Club More, 703 Franklin St., Clearwater. No strangers to controversy, these fellas once issued a phony media alert claiming their single Christianity Is Stupid influenced a Minnesota teen to ax his parents to death. (The kid really did it, but not because of Negativland.)

The band issued its 1991 U2 E.P. packaged to look like a U2 record, complete with an interesting kazoo and synth cover of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. The tune also featured a for-real bootleg sample of deejay Kasey Casem dissing the stars.

Whooee, did that create an uproar when U2 sued. It all prompted a war between the bands and lots of shenanigans for free speech by Negativland. Tickets are $15. Call (727) 466-6673.

JAZZ IN THE PARK -- The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association presents a free "Jazz Lunch in the Park" with the Andy Foertsch Quartet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in Williams Park, Second Avenue N and Fourth Street, St. Petersburg. Pack a lunch or get some to-go grub and enjoy the sounds of the quartet's trombone, sax, guitar and drums.

MOTHER'S DAY BLUES -- The Women's Blues Revue brings its annual "Take Back the Night" benefit to Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. The ladies play a snazzy mix of R&B, jazz -- even a bit of gospel. Proceeds go to bay area shelters for women, the Spring, CASA and the Haven. Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Call (813) 977-6474.

OR, MOTHER'S DAY DIXIELAND: Bring mom to Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday to enjoy the sounds of live Dixieland jazz. Sit back and relax or give it a whirl on the dance floor. Get there early for the brunch preceding the live music. Tickets are $15. Call (727) 541-1582.

TEAM POP TRIVIA -- The winner of last week's random drawing was Mark Walker of St. Petersburg. Walker knew that it was Prince, or the Artist Formerly Known As, who penned the Chaka Khan hit I Feel for You. Rock on in your splendiforous Times T-shirt, Mark.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION -- British pop band Naked Eyes scored a hit in 1983 with Always Something There to Remind Me. For the chance to have your name in lights and to win a too-fresh Times T-shirt, tell me what songwriter (collaborating with partner Hal David) is responsible for the tune. Hint: The songwriter's birthday is today.

Fax entries to Team Pop Trivia at (727) 892-2327, send e-mail to gina@sptimes.com or send your entry in an envelope as our ancestors used to: Team Pop Trivia, c/o Weekend, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33713. All mailed entries must be postmarked by Saturday (the day after we ask the question). Faxes and e-mail can come as late as Monday morning. Please include your full name and phone number.