Slap of Reality @ Microgroove Credit: Todd Fixler
Down By Law was supposed to headline a show at New World Brewery this weekend, but had to back out due to “some pretty serious stuff” and rescheduled this show to July 1. In the meantime, Slap Of Reality—aka Tampa’s 36-year-old “melodic punk/emo/hardcore/indie” group that was supposed to play support—is celebrating new music.

The band just released the lead single from its forthcoming new album, Goodbye Me, Slap Of Reality’s first full-length since 1996, due later this year via Res Ipsa Records, a label founded by music lawyer Randy Ojeda and family law lawyer Josh Sheridan.

“Cover Me Up,” according to Slap Of Reality singer Frank Lacatena, is about the process of change, trying to define yourself but never being able to escape your past—good or bad. Guitarist Joe Kiser added that, “This song is a slight departure from our usual sound, a bit darker, but still sounds like Slap of Reality.”

Also on the bill of the show now set for July 1 is the recently revived Slinky, newish local punk-rock quartet Knife Rituals, and a Clairmel reunion gig, featuring co-founder and Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributing photographer Dave Decker.

This article appears in May 4-10, 2023.

Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa's resident live music freak. He started freelancing with the paper in 2020 at the age of 18, and has since covered, announced, and previewed numerous live shows in...