The Hat Trick Heroes are three young men from Tampa waging war on emo with the kind of grungy, visceral rock sorely missing from the airwaves these days. The power trio taps into post-teen angst while staying clear of self-pity, injecting their work with a healthy dose of classic-rock swagger. Their melodies are sharp assaults featuring fiery guitar riffs and the occasional kick-ass solo. When it comes to local rock bands, Hat Trick Heroes are easily one of the most exciting and promising around. The Human Condition excels at jangle rock and alt-country buoyed by frequent collaborators Scott Anderson (electric guitar, lap steel) and Anson Mitchell (mandolin, banjo). The Hat Trick Heroes and Male Order Brides also perform 8 p.m. Tues., March 18 at Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $7.
Hat Trick Heroes w/The Human Condition/Male Order Brides, 8 p.m. (doors) Fri., March 14, Crowbar, Ybor City, $6
This article appears in Mar 12-18, 2008.