Tampa Calling

Katy “I Kissed a Girl” Perry is embarking on a worldwide tour that will bring the vibrant vixen to Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg on April 28, 2009 for her final date of the far-flung jaunt.

By then, you have to wonder, will pretty Perry (aka “titties magee” in this cleavagely awesome pic) still be a hot commodity or a novelty hit has-been?

We’ll see, eh? Bored? Watch the video for the umpteenth time.

Complete tour dates after the jump.

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I woke up happy to learn that honky tonk hero Merle Haggard — country music’s greatest living singer, songwriter and guitar badasss — is recovering from successful lung surgery. Here’s the press release:

MERLE HAGGARD arrived home five days after having lung surgery in a Bakersfield hospital last Monday morning. It was discovered during a previous biopsy that he had non-small cell lung cancer, which has a far better cure rate than the small (oat) cell cancer. At this time, tests show that they were able to eliminate the affected tissue when they removed the upper lobe of his right lung. Upon waking up after the surgery, Hag opened his eyes, yodeled and smiled. Haggard’s post-operation progress was so rapid and successful he was discharged on Saturday night.

“Due to the surgeon, Dr. Peck, the Tylenol pushers on the fourth floor of the Memorial Hospital, and most of all, my wife Theresa, I’m feeling good…better and better each day,” says Haggard. “If not for the love and wisdom of my wife, I might not be around today.”

Haggard adds, “I’d sure like to know who controls the largest shares of Tylenol. God forbid it be the oil companies!”

Mr. Haggard and his family are respectfully asking for privacy at this time.

Your prayers and good thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Here’s an interview I did with Hag back in 2002.

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It’s Friday morning and I already have my eye on the weekend. Chances are, you do, too. Here are the shows that matter — well, at least to us — going down in the next seven days. What am I most excited about? The Black Crowes (pictured), performing with added firepower courtesy of Luther Dickinson, at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Black Crowes shake their moneymakers at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Coldplay, The Toasters, John Anderson, The Last Damn Show with GYm Class Heroes and more in Music Week.

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So, here it goes, I got terrifically drunk recently and shaved my head. Yep. Been planning on doing the deed for some time. Not exactly sure why I finally went through with it. Still waiting for my coworker/personal shrink Joe Bardi to give his analysis. Anyway, here are the songs that go through my naked head every time I look at that picture my neighbor Katie took of me while I was blogging away on election night.

Top 10: Songs about hair (or losing it)

1. Bald Headed Men, Four Bitchin’ Babes

2. Get a Hair Cut, George Thorogood

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It was often difficult to take pride in being an American during these trying years of the Bush administration. Sure, Obama probably won’t turn out to be the messiah many are expecting but for now, at least, I have faith that he’ll lead our country in the right, or at least a better, direction. And this afternoon, after reading the St. Pete Times‘ stirring cover story about 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper over a late lunch at Four Green Fields, I felt truly patriotic. Hence, a fresh playlist.

Top 10: Patriotic Songs

1. The Star Spangled Banner, Jimi Hendrix
2. This Land Is Your Land, Woody Guthrie
3. Back in the U.S.A., Chuck Berry
4. Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen
5. Living in America, James Brown
6. America, Neil Diamond
7. American Trilogy, Elvis Presley
8. America, Lou Reed
9. A Few Words in Defense of Our Country, Randy Newman
10. God’s Country, Ani DiFranco

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Every pervs favorite “social networking site” is offering a slew of new music videos. Like any good MySpace bitch, I’m gonna pass on this killer info that found its way into my inbox. Here ya go:

***MYSPACE MUSIC VIDEO EXCLUSIVES***

MYSPACE MUSIC PROUDLY PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE OF NEW MUSIC VIDEOS FROM OASIS AND KINGS OF LEON

Check out the world premieres of these highly anticipated new videos from Oasis and Kings of Leon exclusively on MySpace Music.
Oasis
MySpace Music is proud to announce the worldwide premiere of the highly anticipated new music video from international rock sensations Oasis. The video is for the hit single “I’m Outta Time” off of the band’s Dig Out Your Soul album which premiered globally on MySpace before hitting store shelves in October 2008. The video will be available on the band’s official MySpace profile http://www.myspace.com/oasis beginning on Wednesday November 5th. Oasis joined MySpace in 2004 and has more than 350,000 friends on MySpace.

Watch “I’m Outta Time” from Oasis:
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45859913

Kings of Leon
MySpace Music is proud to announce the worldwide premiere of the highly anticipated new music video from Kings of Leon. The video is for the hit single “Use Somebody” off of the band’s Only By The Night album, released in early September 2008 and will be available on the band’s official MySpace profile http://www.myspace.com/kingsofleon beginning on Tuesday November 4th. Kings of Leon has more than 240,000 friends on MySpace.

Watch “Use Somebody” from Kings of Leon:
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45792329

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Experimental jazz piano trio Bad Plus has become an unlikely jam band fave in recent years. Secret weapon? Superbly screwing with classic rock and grunge staples like Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” Sure, the threesome composes originals, but that’s not what gets these guys paid. So it should come as no surprise that Bad Plus are following the same template for their new disc.

From Billboard.com:

Jazz trio the Bad Plus offers more unique interpretations of pop and rock classics on “For All I Care,” due Feb. 3 via Head’s Up. In a first for the group, the album also features contributions from veteran Minneapolis vocalist Wendy Lewis.

Among the covers given the Bad Plus treatment this time around are Nirvana’s “Lithium,” the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” Heart’s “Barracuda” and Yes’ “Long Distance Runaround.”

Bad Plus: “Iron Man”

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Jennifer Smith, 27, of SoHo, watching her candidate Obama lead. The Dubliner.

Wed. A.M. UPDATE: Obama wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, here I am. It’s just past 10 p.m. and I’m cranking my Obama Victory Mix. My man is winning, and I’m feeling good about life, my country, humanity in general. Damn it all if he loses, eh? Here’s what I reported tonight:

8:03 P.M. Middle-age(d?) white man at Tiny Tap Tavern, looks up at Fox New Coverage, sees Obama in the lead, and says to me: “Either way, they’re going to burn things, in celebration or defeat, just look at Philadelphia.”

Yikes!

8:19 P.M.: Four people currently at SoHo’s MacDinton’s. Soccer on the TV!

McCain man Joey

9:27 P.M.: SoHo shows it’s civil side. At the Dubliner a crowd of mid-20-something Hyde Park residents discuss the pros and cons of Obama and McCain. Equal number of people voted for each candidate, but a consensus is reached that everyone present is proud of the fact that young people are voting. As McCain voter Joey Lenz, 25, put it, “I would be so happy to something like 85% of the country voted in this election.”

9:28 P.M.: “The Rack is packed. But no one save a few servers is offering even a cursory glance at the Fox News playing across the sushi/sports/billiards bar.”

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Bruce Springsteen delivered a moving endorsement speech at an Obama in Philly last month. The Boss described the United States as a “sacred house of dreams” that has been torn down by the current administration. But it can be rebuilt, he said by Obama. “I want my house back, I want my America back, I want my country back,” Sprinsgteen intoned before launching into a stirring, solo acoustic rendition of “The Rising.”

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I like John McCain. I do. But I like Barack Obama a whole lot more and think, more than any other politician to campaign in my lifetime, he could truly help the working class, especially during these trying times. So, here’s the fingers-crossed, mix CD I made to help get me through the rest of the evening … And then celebrate!

Click here for CL’s complete, up-to-the-minute election coverage.

Top 10: Obama victory songs

1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
2. Roc Boys (And the Winner Is…), Jay-Z feat. Kanye West
3. Dancing in the Street, Martha Reeves
4. Livin’ in the Future, Bruce Springsteen
5. Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder
6. Celebration Day, Led Zeppelin
7. Heading for the Light, Traveling Wilburys
8. It’s a Long Way to the Top, AC/DC
9. I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty
10. Chocolate City, Parliament

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South Tampa’s fabulously independent record store Vinyl Fever is offering a 15 percent discount to customers who come in wearing an “I voted” sticker. So after spending three hours waiting around to do your patriotic duty treat your ass to the new AC/DC, Ani DiFranco, Hank III or Lucinda Williams … Or something even cooler. Here are the details:

Maybe you are a little tired of this election, and that’s a sentiment we can understand, BUT today is the day to lay aside any cynicism or helplessness towards our political system you may be feeling, because NOW is not the time for weak hearts: Step Forward, become the thinking, responsible citizen you know you have within, and vote in this presidential election. We’ll reward you with 15% off your Vinyl Fever purchase* on Tuesday or Wednesday- just wear your “I Voted” sticker.
*(purchase of $10 or more)

Vinyl Fever, 4110 Henderson Blvd., Tampa.

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Editor’s note: Review and pic by B.Treotch.

A crowd of more than 100 filled a comfy Crowbar to see experimental indie rockers Deerhoof (pictured) play a lively set late last Sunday night (Nov. 2) in support of their new album Offend Maggie.  The veteran, genre-defying San Francisco quartet invoke thoughts of the Pixies gargling with Frank Zappa.

Deerhoof can’t quite craft a song like either of the Franks, but they make up for it with a unique style, polished and tight; all the while manipulating tempo and the downbeat against their psychedelic pop offerings.  Not to mention employing #11 on the list of things Stuff White People Like – Asian Girls – in the form of Satomi Matsuzaki as their bass player and lead singer.  Another trait setting Deerhoof apart is their tasteful use of improvisation, both within song and during song transitions that kept the set fluid throughout the night.

Experimental Dental School is a Portland, Oregon based duo consisting of the precious and powerful Shoko Horikawa on drums and vocals and Jesse Hall on guitar and vocals.  Their sound was endearing and energetic, even strangely reminiscent of a stripped down Fugazi or Primus, but something about Jesse Hall’s delivery did not make me a believer.

Fertile Crescent opened with a short set, just tolerable on its cuteness.  They are 2/3 of the band Flying which was scheduled to open, but transportation issues forced a change.

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Ben Nichols, raspy-voiced leader of cow punks Lucero, has announced that he’ll release his debut solo disc early 2009.