Longoria on drums? Tantric seeks double play for Rays concert

When that ominous-sounding violin riff blares from Tropicana Field's loudspeakers - the opening of Tantric's "Down and Out" smash hit from 2008 - one thing is obvious.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, setting a determined mood with his walk-up music, is headed to the plate.

Now Tantric is headed to the Trop.

And Longoria might join the post-grunge band on stage to display his latest musical passion, playing the drums.

On Friday night, following the Rays' series-opening game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tantric will play a postgame concert at the stadium where the band's signature song has become Longoria's familiar anthem.

"Definitely a lot of people affiliate that song with Evan," Marcus Ratzenboeck, the electric violin player for Louisville-based Tantric, said in a conference call this week. "It's great. We got really lucky with that (Longoria using the song). I guess it has become a staple for him and for us, too."

Ratzenboeck, a graduate of Sarasota's Riverview High School, was a Rays fan before Longoria's big-league arrival in 2008. Ratzenboeck met Longoria on May 30, 2009, when he performed the national anthem at Tropicana Field and played the violin for Longoria's first at-bat of a game against the Minnesota Twins.

"He grounded out," Ratzenboeck said. "I don't think I'll be doing that (playing live) again."

Born in Chicago, Ratzenboeck went to Riverview after his family moved to Sarasota. His parents still live there, and he said he spends time between Sarasota, Louisville and the road.

Ratzenboeck's Rays interest makes for fascinating byplay when Tantric tours the country. Guitar player Joe Pessia hails from Boston and roots for the Red Sox. Bassist Erik Leonhardt, a New Yorker, favors the Yankees.

But Longoria might be the favorite player for each musician.

Tantric's songs have been adopted by other athletes, including wrestlers and mixed martial arts fighters. "Down and Out" has popped up at other major-league parks. It is featured on baseball video games. Ratzenboeck has heard it's a favorite of military personnel.

"It has the kind of sound they like - a confidence-builder," Ratzenboeck said. "The violin riff is kind of dark. It's got that unique quality. It's one of those unique songs that seems to motivate people."

Now Ratzenboeck would like to motivate Longoria to perform on stage - or, at the least, in rehearsal.

"We definitely want Evan to play (the drums)," said Ratzenboeck, originally a classical musician who still performs with orchestras in Sarasota and Tampa. "The word was he wanted to play, but maybe he's a little uneasy, a little nervous. I'd like to personally ask him to play."

In turn, how about a little batting practice for Ratzenboeck?

"I'd love to," he said. "If they asked me, I'd definitely take a few swings. But I guarantee you I wouldn't be able to come close to hitting anything more than 60 mph."