With Ancient Astronauts
Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Ritz Ybor, 1503 Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $38.50. (813) 247-2555.
Socially conscious never sounded so sexy. While D.C.-based Thievery Corporation takes an activist approach lyrically and cites outspoken artists like Minor Threat and Public Enemy as influences, the band emits exceptionally seductive trip-hop, world beat and acid jazz more like Zero 7 or Massive Attack. (You might recall sitar-powered Lebanese Blonde from the slow-motion entrance scene in Garden State.) Latest Radio Retaliation features Nigeria's Afro-beat heir Femi Kuti, above, and Brazilian vocalist/guitarist Seu Jorge, among others. On stage, its worldly, late-night sound comes to life with a culturally diverse 15-member band, costumed dancers, DJ-spun global beats, live guitar and frenzied percussion.
Details: 10 p.m. Friday. The Dallas Bull, 3322 U.S. 301 N, Tampa. $15. (813) 987-2855.
Hey, ladies. Never mind the "Ivy League, Humvee, tennis sweater-type," sings Luke Bryan on Country Man. This Georgia boy can "grow his own groceries and salt cure a ham!" Not unlike Blake Shelton or Chris Cagle, Bryan serves up guitar-based contemporary country with a side of small-town lyricism. In a "deep Southern drawl that makes the conversation crawl" and as pedal steel and fiddles flare, line dance-ready All My Friends Say finds Bryan forced to shoot doubles after an ex walks into his bar with another man. Comedy ensues.
Dex Romweber Duo
With the Mojo Gurus, Izzy Cox
Details: 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Dave's Aqua Lounge, 10820 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg. $8. (727) 576-1091.
Long before explosive, lo-fi duos like White Stripes and Black Keys came a rockin', Dex Romweber was hammering out frantic garage rock and hillbilly blues in guitar/drums duo Flat Duo Jets. With a hyperactive swagger like that of Jerry Lee Lewis, Romweber upholds stripped-down sound traditions, now with his sister Sara on drums. New Ruins of Berlin features all-star collaborators Neko Case, Cat Power and Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids. Can't-sit-still local favorites the Mojo Gurus provide support with straight-ahead, Southern-flavored rock 'n' roll.
With Sunbears, BC of Red Tide
Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday. Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N, Ybor City. $10. (813) 241-8600.
Like MGMT on a budget, young indie up-and-comers Neon Indian specialize in hazy, blissful bedroom pop and dilapidated art rock. Apathetic vocals, syrupy synths and a closet full of effects (some of which call to mind the aqua levels in Mario Bros.) have bloggers tagging the group in the "chillwave" genre (like Memory Tapes, Nite Jewel). Frontman Alan Palomo characterizes the sound as merely "strange musical and emotional impulses." Fun and funky hot single Deadbeat Summer samples Todd Rundgren's Izzat Love. Incidentally, Neon Indian's debut album Psychic Chasms will drop on the day of this show.
With Nations Afire, the Flatliners, Alias Orion
Details: 7 p.m. Friday. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $16. (727) 895-3045.
The twenty-year-old L.A. act does meaty skate-punk. Among the band's biggest fans are Thrice, which "followed them around the West Coast like Deadheads," and Rise Against, which owes them "for adding imagery and intellect to a pop-punk scene inundated with goofy songs about farts or bad breakups." Strung Out just released heavy-on-harmonies Agents of the Underground on Fat Wreck Chords.
Times correspondent Carole Giambalvo can be reached at carole. firstname.lastname@example.org.Also playing
Tortured Soul: Fri. 10 p.m. The Kennedy, 2408 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. $10-$15. (813) 259-9669.
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band: Fri. With Nervous Turkey, Poetry 'n Lotion. 9:30 p.m. Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N, Ybor City. $10. (813) 241-8600.
Florida Poets Happy Hour and Prime Time Show: Fri. 6 p.m. Karma Bar and Cafe, 206 N Morgan St., Tampa. (813) 228-0870.
Sienna Shores: Fri. With In Reference To a Sinking Ship, Set the Sights, more. 8 p.m. Neptune Lounge, 13 S Safford Ave., Tarpon Springs. $8. (727) 943-5713.
Pattern Is Movement: Fri. With the Pauses, Harlem. 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $8. (813) 248-4969.
A Forest Path: Fri. With Catalysis, Singod, RMisery, Born of Hades. 8:30 p.m. Pegasus Lounge, 10008 N 30th St., Tampa. $5-$7. (813) 971-1679.
Eyes Set to Kill: Sat. With the Word Alive, Dreaming of Eden. 8 p.m. Orpheum, 1902 Republica de Cuba Ave., Ybor City. $10-$12. (813) 248-9500.
Safety: Sat. With Go Rydell, Arm the Poor, more. 7 p.m. Transitions Gallery, 4215 E Columbus Drive, Tampa. $7. (813) 382-3477.
Drink Up Buttercup: Sat. With Blind Man's Colour, Oh Fortuna. 9 p.m. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $6. (813) 248-4969.
The Pundits (Surfrider benefit): Sat. With the Shakes Society. 8 p.m. The Beach Bar, 454 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach. Free. (727) 447-5080.
The Pursuit: Sat. 10 p.m. Gasoline Alley, 14042 66th St. N, Largo. $5. (727) 532-0265.
Triptico: Sat. 9 p.m. Fly Bar, 1202 N Franklin St., Tampa. Free. (813) 275-5000.
Sam and Ruby: Mon. 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $25.50. (813) 229-7827.