Make TBO Your Home Page| Subscribe To The Paper| Advertise With Us| Contact Us| Login| Edit Profile| Register
Suncoast Pinellas News
Email
Print
Summer Solstice Sounds Coming To Palm Harbor
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 21, 2008
The music fairies might be out tonight at "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a celebration of both this weekend's summer solstice and the first anniversary of The Witch's Brew, a Palm Harbor coffee and ice cream shop in Palm Harbor.
The Defendants will highlight the event with tonight's concert at The Witch's Brew. It opened a year ago as part of Oak Trail Books, a 13-year-old metaphysical book and gift shop.
Perhaps in a sign of perfect planetary alignment, the event will also mark the first anniversary of the four-member band.
With years of experience in playing in area rock bands, members created The Defendants last year to "defend your right to enjoy live music," according to the group's lead guitarist and vocalist, Richard Smith. Palm Harbor resident Smith is a veteran of 20 years of playing in area rock bands.
Bass player Jeff Beltz has been playing instruments since childhood. He is a graduate of Tarpon Springs High School.
Drummer Rick Klein was also a childhood musician. His playing is "deeply passionate," said Smith.
The final member, lead vocalist and song writer Thad Wiley, came late to The Defendants, several months after it formed last year. Wiley has helped the group gel, according to Smith. "His passion for music flows through him and really comes out when he performs. When he came on, we really became something special."
The band concentrates on 1970s and '80s rock and throws in a bit of original music for variety.
His group feeds off the energy of the crowd, Smith noted. "The more they get into the music, the more we get into the music."
They regularly perform at The Witch's Brew and appeared at last year's Palm Harbor Arts and Music Festival. They also appear at charity events such as the fundraiser to benefit artists of Imago, a Dunedin art cooperative and gallery that was destroyed by fire last year.
Organizers of the celebrations invite attendees to dress like fairies in keeping with the Midsummer's Night theme.
The lowdown
The Defendants will perform 7:30 to 11 p.m. tonight, June 21, at Witch's Brew and Oak Trail Books at 1219 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor.
Cheryl Bentley can be reached at 727-815-1069 cbentley@suncoastnews.com.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
