SUN 4/11
It's a damn chore sifting through the endless barrage of band fliers you're assaulted with upon entering any given rock club. Mainly because most of the bands pictured on the fliers don't look that interesting. But then you see a flier with some dude wearing only a trench coat and briefs and calling himself Jerry Cherry. You're intrigued; what's his deal? You have to know, so you go check out his band. Jerry Cherry is a Fort Lauderdale-based trio fronted by Jerry James Giamundo, the band's vocalist and guitar player. Dressed in black-and-white suits (yes, Giamundo is usually fully clothed), the band employs a back-to-basics style as minimal as its color schemes. And, sometimes, that minimalism is manifested in Giamundo's running about the stage in nothing but his skivvies. However, Jerry Cherry is only part Ted Nugent. While the band's earlier songs lean toward the harder side of the rock spectrum, its songwriting is increasingly turning in a poppier direction. "We're transforming from a band that was heavier, along the lines of a Zeta sound -- heavy, crunching, screaming music -- to more of an indie, low-fi sound, which is more similar to our influences," Giamundo says, citing contemporary Brit pop bands, such as Radiohead and the Verve, as well as late '70s/early '80s power pop geniuses like the Jam and Elvis Costello. Giamundo says these influences will show up in Jerry Cherry's upcoming CD, a full-length collection of new and old songs. And while Jerry Cherry still plays its heavier tunes, Giamundo says Sunday's show at Dada (52 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach) will be tailored to accommodate the venue's smaller, more intimate confines. That means turning it down a notch. "It'll be more of a musical/audio experience than a performance," Giamundo notes. Expect a separate acoustic set of new songs and covers. And yes, Jerry Cherry does take requests. The band has been known to bust out with Firehouse's "Don't Treat Me Bad," Warrant's "Heaven," and other sundry tunes blurted out by drunken audience members. Feel free to contribute. The Cherry drops at 10 p.m. Call 561-330-3232. -- Jason Budjinski
The Incredible Hunk
Luke Duke Returns
MON 4/12
When we heard that Tom Wopat was coming, we thought, "How much fun could we have writing about a singer whose credits include 'Red Hot Love (In a Blue Collar Town)' and 'Too Many Honkytonks (On My Way Home)'?" Then we realized who Wopat is, and we could not stop picturing him as eternal hottie Luke Duke. True, it's not really fair to judge people on their accomplishments of 20 years ago. Since The Dukes of Hazzard was canceled in 1983, Wopat has starred in the Broadway revival of 42nd Street and received a Tony nomination for his role in Annie Get Your Gun. Www.wopat.com says he sings "in a romantic style that belies his husky voice and ruggedly handsome appearance." Reviewers have credited him with a "jazz singer's mastery" and a "warm, lived-in voice." And we hear he does a mean cover of "Makin' Whoopee." All that may be true... but we're going to see him 'cause he's a good ol' boy, doin' no harm. Wopat performs at the Crest Theatre at Old School Square (51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach) at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $36. Call 561-243-7922, ext. 1. -- Deirdra Funcheon
Birth of the School
College jazz group jams for Miles
TUE 4/13
Fans of big bands ought to check out the Broward Community College jazz concert on April 13. "We have an exciting, full brass sound," says Loretta Scherperel, music program coordinator for Broward Community College. "We have six brass players and six woodwinds in our large big band." The BCC "large big band" features 20 players performing arrangements by Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. There will also be a performance by the BCC jazz combo. This group features six performers. Much of the music to be performed was popular during and shortly after the World War II era, but it still has tremendous power today, according to Scherperel. All the performers are students in the BCC music program. "These students all had to go through an audition to perform, and they are very good," Scherperel says. The performance takes place at the Bailey Concert Hall on the campus of BCC Central in Davie (3501 SW Davie Rd.). The show begins at 8 p.m., and admission costs $4. Call 954-201-6884. -- David Volz
Two Toes over the Line
THU 4/8
If you don't know what the term camel toe means, you probably shouldn't ask. Having never heard the term before, you're obviously too sophisticated to find humor in such a description of... well, just use your imagination. But if you do appreciate the raunchier side of humor, then you should check out this amusingly named funk-rock trio as it brings the beat over to Alligator Alley (1321 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park). Like other funny funksters, from Primus to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Camel Toe uses its dynamic musicianship to knock out the tunes. There's no shortage of guitar solos on Camel Toe's 16-song CD, Pelada, which naturally is chock full of hilarity. Just check out songs like "Bacon Strip," "Erection Dysfunction," and "Condo Commando." It'll get your, uh... toes a tappin'. And if you're jealous that Camel Toe took the name you wanted for your band, there's always Buffalo Knuckle. The free show starts at 10 p.m. with openers Meredosia. Call 954-771-2220. -- Jason Budjinski
