Here are Managing Editor Bobby Tanzilo's picks for Summerfest 2008.

June 26 -- To my ears -- and eyes -- the improbably named Gnarls Barkley -- a collaboration between Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo -- is much better than the sum of its parts (which are pretty talented parts). The duo released the appropriately titled second disc, "The Odd Couple," in March and it's a barrier-bursting mix of retro soul, rock 'n' roll and hip-hop. How can you miss 'em at 11 p.m. at the Big Backyard?

June 27 -- I've known Signaldrift (aka Franz Buccholz) for a long time. More precisely since he and Jim Warchol formed Sometime Sweet Susan, which I played bass in for perhaps one day after George left and before Tom joined and "managed" -- which means hung out at practice in the new demolished sausage factory, mostly -- for maybe two. Anyway, by the time Franz left SSS and was working at Atomic Records, he had begun to create ambient, electronic music that he himself describes as "somewhere between shoegazing bliss and disco muzak at a nightclub in an '80s sci-fi movie." Signaldrift performs at 9:30 p.m. at the Groove Garage. It will be an unusual kind of show for Summerfest and for that, I salute everyone involved.

June 28 -- The Old 97's at 8 p.m. on the Rock Stage. I'm a passive and not at all aggressive fan of The Old 97's. I don't buy their records and I don't listen to them, unless they're on stage. They're a great cowpunk band with good songs and simmering energy. Perfect for a summer evening with a beer in hand.

June 29 -- I think if Summerfest is going to support local music -- and it does, even if your band didn't get a gig -- I'm going to urge you to support the local bands, too, at the Big Gig. The eclectic and unfailingly fun -- they've got a tuba for pete's sake -- and interesting Scarring Party nabbed a coveted 8 p.m. slot at the U.S. Cellular Connection. So, go have fun and support local music.

June 30 -- A Tribute to James Brown starring Bootsy Collins, 8:30 p.m. on the Classic Rock Stage. While I usually run screaming from anything that includes the phrase, "a tribute to," the phrase "Bootsy Collins" leads me in the opposite direction. I saw the Godfather of Soul on these grounds in 1983 at Summerfest's short-lived late-summer festival, so it won't be hard to conjure his spirit while watching his erstwhile bassist Bootsy (beh-bay) rock the crowd.

July 1 -- Yonder Mountain String Band released the live "Mountain Tracks: Volume 5," back in April on its own Frog Pad Records and is in the midst of a long summer tour now. If the record is any indication, the 10 p.m. performance at the Big Backyard will be one to see. When I hear people complain about the state of music today, I only have to think about a band like this that can bring bluegrass to new fans in large venues to realize those folks have missed the mark.

July 2 -- Benevento/Russo Duo has turned the organ and drums combo on its head. While you might expect to see something like Big John Patton rocking with Idris Muhammad or something, these guys are more like Ennio Morricone duetting with Thurston Moore. The pair rocked Turner Hall back in March and now heads outdoors for an 8 p.m. show at the Big Backyard.

July 3 -- D.C.-based Thievery Corporation -- which plays at 10 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis, creates a globe-trotting sound that has one foot in the club scene and the other in the lounge revival. But Rob Garza and Eric Hilton and collaborators infuse their smooth sound with buzzing sitars, deep dub bass runs, bossa beats and a range of great vocalists, from Wayne Coyne and David Byrne to Icelandic chanteuse Emiliana Torrini and American jazz singer Pam Bricker.

July 4 -- I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I'm staying home today, firing up the grill, uncapping a Peroni and blowing bubbles with my son.

July 5 -- I rambled on about Steel Pulse back in May, so I won't repeat myself here, since you can click the link to read what I wrote then. But I will remind you that the Birmingham, England band is ace onstage and plays at 10 p.m. on what I like to call the OnMilwaukee stage, but is, in reality, The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion with Miller High Life and OnMilwaukee.com.

July 6 -- I'm not an aficionado of Earth, Wind and Fire -- not like my pal Eric -- but I grew up in the '70s, when Maurice White and crew were at the top of their game. So, I'll travel back in time to see them at 9 p.m. on the OnMilwaukee.com stage (sorry).