Rock 'n' Roll Overdrive

For those too young to remember, in the early 1970s, there was a big Southern rock renaissance. Spearheaded by the Allman Brothers, the South sprouted a viable, back-to-the-roots alternative to the major rock power centers like New York and Los Angeles. Following the Bros. were the old-school R&B of Wet Willie and the surly, blues-charged rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd. These Southern bands made their mark, and much of their spirit lives on in South Florida's 5th Gear.But they commingle the earthier aspects of back then with the baleful melodic edge of more recently (Stone Temple Pilots, Nickelback). The Gear's "Together in Vain" made this year's Songsalive CD Sampler 7 and it has a four-song self-titled EP -- but it really gets revved up on stage.

5th Gear, along with Military Training, performs at 9 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Red Lion Pub, 10114 S. Military Trl., Applegate Plaza, Boynton Beach. Free. Call 561-737-0434.