Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
FRIDAY (9/1) 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12 advance, $15 at door. (813) 977-6474.
Promises to be an enchanted show. You might see a couple of smurfs milling about. Wait. That's Gargamel, not Gandalf. We mean, Hobbits. Seriously. People dress up like that. The act with a cult-like following is a sure bet for amusement and awe, described as a whimsical blend of folk, rock and psychedelia - a "Hillbilly-Floyd."
Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets
With Hooker, Geri X, Will Quinlan, Ted Lukas, Dean Johaneson
FRIDAY (9/1) 8 p.m., Bombshell Gallery, 2534 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $4. (727) 519-5208.
Pulley has the kind of achingly rough sweetness to her voice that's sigh-inducing. She's a sparkly jewel in Tampa Bay's crown - incomparable to the famous "I lived in a van" Jewel. Okay, done fawning. But really, she's that good. And so are the other acts, including Lukas of Hangtown and Quinlan of Diviners, who offer much-needed sincerity and reflection after a trying workweek - and all in the relaxing living room of Bombshell Gallery.
Ten 13 Concept
With Truly Sunday, Pleasant Problem and Murdok
SATURDAY (9/2) 8 p.m. Gasoline Alley, 17928 US 19 N, Clearwater. $5. (727) 532-0265.
The lively ska-poppers endeared the America's Got Talent audience with harmonies and choreography when they made it to the finals of the NBC competition show. They're spazzy and dynamic -think Fishbone on Lithium. The horns are a-swinging but with much less edginess. The Orlando/Gainesville band has toured extensively and played the Vans Warped Tour. See them in Clearwater before they become the next big thing.
The Dukes of Hillsborough
With the TimVersion and Crash Mitchell Quartet
WEDNESDAY (9/6) 9 p.m. Corner Club, 1502 E Sligh Ave., Tampa; (813) 231-5010. Free.
The Corner Club is a comfy, no-nonsense bar that borders on David Lynch weirdness. You got Bruce the bartender with the flashy mullet and mustache, and a regular who goes by the name Animal, who'll karaoke a mean Otis Redding and tell unbelievable tales. With rock-em-sock-em tightness, loudness and punkabilly humor, the bands are excited to play their beloved neighborhood bar, and their playing should have a certain specialness to it - like seeing the Pogues' Shane MacGowan at the pub by his house. But on a much smaller scale.
Zillionaire
With Susie Ulrey and Michael Waksman, Jarvic 7 and King of Spain
SATURDAY (9/2) 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1902 Republica de Cuba Ave., Ybor City. (813) 248-4969. $5.
The good people at New Granada Records are bringing back Saturday night rock to New World, with the volume slightly turned down to avoid yet another noise ordinance violation. Zillionaire, a band that calls itself "heavy mellow," has been around a relatively short time but comprises longtime Tampa musicians. Its guitarist Michael Waksman will play a duet with singer-songwriter Susie Ulrey, a duo bound to stop folks mid sip with stirring acoustic ballads. Jarvik 7 performs its sweeping, cinematic tunes after a yearlong absence, with Brad Richardson (of Isobella and Pohgoh fame) playing his first stint as the band's guitarist. King of Spain is a new solo project from Matt Slate of Pohgoh and the Maccabees, which, coincidentally, Ulrey also sang for. See, folks. It all comes full circle.
Also playing
Select Start Fri. (9/1): 9 p.m., the Garage, 662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $5. (727) 553-9212.
G-Love and Special Sauce Fri. (9/1): 8:30 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $25. (727) 896-2276.
Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls Fri (9/1): With Last Conservative and the Juliet Dagger. 7 p.m. Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $39.50-$67.50. (813) 740-2446 or (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.
Get Downtown, with Suzette Jennings & Mood Swingz. Fri. (9/1): 5:30-10 p.m. Central Avenue between Second and Third streets, St. Petersburg. Benefits National Transplant Foundation. Free. (727) 393-3597.
Toby Keith Sat. (9/2): 7:30 p.m. Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $28.75-$62.75. (813) 740-2446 or (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.
Earth, Wind and Fire Sun. (9/3): With Chris Botti. 7:30 p.m. Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $35-$60. (813) 740-2446 or (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.
Jeff Beck Wed. (9/6): 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $35-$75. (727) 791-7400.
Tastemakers and Blackmarket DJs Thurs. (9/7): 10 p.m. Cafe Alma, 260 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 502-5002. Free.
Side Door Jazz Thurs. (9/7): The Music of Your Life Quintet, with Lorri Hafer. 7:30 p.m. Palladium Theater. $20.