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For nearly a year now we have been reporting, in a very opinionated way, on the local scene. Almost exclusively St. Pete and, when necessary, Tampa. We try to include all types of entertainment, but since our tastes run toward live music that rocks, that’s mostly what you get. High Falutin’ was created out of a need to let people know that shit was happening, inform people who might have missed such shit and how it went, and to promote the people and bands that make this area viable. So it was with a certain amount of “huh?!” that we read the Snider Sez column in the 4-6-00 issue of Jam magazine.
To be fair (we have diss’d them heavily in the past) this was their best edition by far. The smiling faces of two Focus-associated guitarists and their respective bands were featured in the “Sound Check” section, and there were good articles about South By Southwest and G.Love. But, hello Eric, “can Soundcheck be a viable scene builder?” We don’t need to build a scene, there’s a good scene here, there always has been (at least since the Club Detroit and new wave Sunday matinees at Jannus Landing). The first time we’ve seen you out since the Voodoo closed was at the Kiss tribute last weekend. Maybe we just don’t notice you unless you have flames all over your face. Okay, so this is our way of getting “our thoughts to you”. Hopefully you’ll find that you won’t have to work as hard at building a scene as you thought.
Which brings us to how much fun we’ve had out the past couple of weeks, starting with the awesome Cigar Store Indians show at the Orpheum. The fun-loving rockabilly crowd took advantage of $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can (now that’s Old School) and the swinging tunes. The good thing about CSI is that they can blend that sound over their punk rock roots. Midnight Bowlers League opened with a pretty loose set highlighted by their energetic bassist and a cover of ‘That’s Alright Mama’. Among the greasers were Squaresville’s Craig, in his homage-to-southern-rock Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt (he’s got a whole slew of rock n’ roll tees at the store, so go there), and the lovely Chrissy G with entourage. We also ran into rockabilly chick-about-town Illene, who gave us the scoop on the Homegrown/Amazing Royal Crowns gig in Orlando. I don’t know what the connection was, but yes, ARC opened for Homegrown. Illene said that, as usual, they were great, and that she hung out with Jason at Will’s, a bar with not only a Johnny Cash cover band playing, but a jukebox brimming with Social Distortion and Agnostic Front. Sounds like a dream come true. It’s near the Short Bus (editor’s note - on Orange, the same side as Barbarella and about a block north) if you’re so inclined.
Good news for hipsters on the other side of the Skyway, Light Painter Gallery in Sarasota is revving up their live music schedule. Terry, of HCA, has been working his skinny ass off booking local and national acts. His dislike of State Theatre politics is fueling the fire, so he is really motivated. If you’re interested call John Sudnik, 21st century folk artist and gallery owner, at 941-330-1696.
And to prove that we’re not just about the rock n’ roll, we attended not only one, but two American Stage productions and OD’d on culture. Our friend and star of the play Charlie Tucker comp’d us some tix for “Desire Under the Elms” (cause that shit ain’t cheap) and we learned that the American Stage folks don’t take too kindly to ‘FREE’, so we had obstructed-view seats. Well, turns out that it’s a very dramatic play with no nudity, even though the picture in the St Pete Times showed Charlie naked. It certainly was highbrow entertainment, so afterwards we touched base with reality in Mastry’s. Then last Sunday, we schlepped some blankets and spiked coffee to “Twelfth Night Fever”. It’s the 15th annual Shakespeare In The Park, but our first (what possessed us?). Actually, once you get used to the freaky English and you read the program, it’s pretty funny. It’s supposed to be disco, but only the costumes really are; the pre-recorded, computer generated music detracted from the lyrics and choreography. You’ll recognize Jon Harrison, formerly of Welcome, who hams it up as Fabian.
Unlikey as it may sound, the hit of the Kiss tribute was the Gita. Despite their nerdy exterior, their musicianship and clever arrangements were really impressive. No wonder people were flocking to Mother’s Milk to see them. Now we know. They reworked some of Kiss’ worst songs and a Paul Stanley solo, and made them interesting. Spiller pulled out all the stops, including fire and makeup, and the Cocktail Honeys’ set of “love songs” incited a riot and stage-rushing. Kim Dicce had a plaster caster booth set up in the lobby, and reported that a certain rock “critic” (Virgina Reed) couldn’t rise to the occassion. You figure it out. Rockin’ all night and partying every day were Adam and Melissa, Mr and Mrs Dead End Kids, Poor Bastard and Lori (without lil’ Bastard). The show ended early, but the Detroit City Rockers took the party down to Nastry’s.
Later, all you flame spittin’, tongue waggin’, platform wearin’, spandex splittin’, toni permed transsexuals
oooooxxxxx
Taffy and Cotton
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