Tribute to Michael Colleli
With Nessie, Car Bomb Driver, Experimental Pilot, James McFarland, Bob Anthony, Geri X, Rebekah Pulley and DJ Cornelius FU
SUNDAY (9/10) 3 p.m., the Garage, 662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $8 suggested donation, plus $2 required cover charge. (727) 553-9212.
Michael Colleli befriended many people in the music and arts community. " He believed that everyone could change the world through small gestures," said Teresa Vidal, co-owner of If and Only If boutique, where Colleli worked. Colleli battled liver disease, and friends organized a benefit to help him pay for a transplant, but, sadly, he died of liver failure on Aug. 24, just hours before he was scheduled to go into surgery. The show organizers decided to go on with the event as a celebration of Colleli's life, with proceeds going to the American Liver Foundation. At the event, you'll catch some of the local scene's best, from the heartfelt boozy rock of Nessie to the feverish punk of Car Bomb Driver to the melodic pleasantness of the brothers Vessenmeyer, a.k.a. Experimental Pilot.
Flogging Molly
THURSDAY (9/14) 8:30 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $18. (727) 896-2276.
More of a religion than a band, folks get downright fanatical about Flogging Molly. Formed in 1997 by Dublin-born singer and guitar player Dave King, the seven-piece cooks up a hearty stew of traditional Irish folk and punk rock. Word of mouth has gotten around about the group's raucous, spirited live shows, which resemble the swirl of the Tasmanian Devil, except with beer bottles, Doc boots, accordions and fiddles popping out of the blur. Expect to hear tunes from the recently released Whiskey on a Sunday, a feature-length documentary and CD that shot to No. 2 on the Billboard DVD chart the week it went on sale.
The Fest 5 Warmup
With Ninja Gun, Billy Reese Peters, Grabass Charlestons, the TimVersion, New Bruises, The Cold Ones and No Truth Lies
SUNDAY (9/10) 6 p.m. Transitions Art Gallery at Skatepark of Tampa, 4215 E Columbus Ave., Tampa. $7. All ages. (813) 382-3477.
The sampling of bands gearing up to play Gainesville's huge three-day music festival in late October vary from hardcore to country to metal to rock, but it all meshes well. The act here to watch is Ninja Gun. The Valdosta, Ga., guys perform catchy and heart-gnashing tunes that, in a perfect world, would wake hipsters across the nation out of their iPod catatonia. Singer Jonathan Coody has a sweet and ragged voice you don't typically hear from the indie-punk scene. His guns and the other Southeast bands on the bill - among them Tampa hardcore honeys the TimVersion - have all played together in the past and share a genuine camaraderie.
Also recommended
Eddie Kirkland Sat. (9/9): He was once the bandleader for Otis Redding. He toured and recorded with John Lee Hooker for more than seven years. Bluesman Kirkland is an edgy cat who doesn't compromise heartfelt delivery for eclectic style blending. Proceeds from his show go to the non-profit that helps musicians in need. 9:30 p.m. Dave's Aqua Lounge, 10820 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg. $7. (727) 576-1091.
River City High Sat. (9/9): With Nessie and Weapons of Ass Destruction. 10 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. $7. 21 and up. (813) 248-4969.
Bogus Pomp Sat. (9/9): 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $12/$15. (813) 971-0666. There were rumblings about the beloved Frank Zappa tribute act calling it quits, but the fans have spoken and the group dedicated to the late great composer decided to "keep it greasy."
The Independents Fri. (9/8): With Can't Do It. 9 p.m. Brass Mug, 1441 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa. (813) 972-8152. From the costume-wearing mania of South Carolina's the Independents to the ska of St. Pete's Can't Do It, this show has fun written all over it.
RockAIDS Sat. (9/9): With John Allison Band, Chumley's Toy, Lives Page, Suburban Tragedy and Rude Squad. 6:30 p.m., Jannus Landing, 19 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $10. (727) 896-2276. AIDS/HIV awareness and fundraiser concert for the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas County.
