It’s a fine looking night of concerts on this Fri., July 8. Take a look at the breakdown of highlights below, then peep the weekend ahead.
Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic & DJ Zone, Homeboy Sandman Among the artists helping to dispel the misconception that hip hop doesn’t possess enough intellectual rigor, Aesop Rock waxes deeply personal and often complex lyrics that emphasize vulnerability and psychological themes over male bravado and posturing. Oh yeah, and his freestyle game is just as impressive as his produced content. Rob Sonic and DJ Zone provide equal parts back up and hype on the current tour behind brand new Rhymesayers LP, The Impossible Kid. Homeboy Sandman has been known for his effective and at times verbose lyrical turns, which, in his recent album Kindness for Weakness, has slowed down to accommodate themes that are equal parts morose and introspective, but still amusing. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) –Brian Roesler
Blood On The Dance Floor with Brokencyde Blood on the Dance Floor are Orlando’s cult favorite purveyors of theatric, goth-tronic rock that’s powered by gender-bending tatted and dyed leader Dahvie Vanity. He and longtome BOTDF co-collaborator Jayy Von Monroe arrive in town behind a freshly-released ninth studio album, Scissors, the ominous synth-fuzzed drive and shimmer-dusted soar of “Ringleader” a clear highlight. (Epic Problem/Transitions, Tampa)–Leilani Polk
Cave of Swimmers with Gravespeed, Frostfang There’s this cave in the Sahara with Neolithic pictographs on its walls, and the people in these ancient rock paintings have their limbs bent as if swimming. It’s called the Cave of Swimmers. The Venezuelan-born, Miami-brewed trio that takes their name from this historic archeological site crafts prog rock and technically-inclined heavy metal soaked in Latin percussion and guitar progressions ala epic scorcher, “The Prince of the Power of the Air,” or slithering and galloping in fits and bursts of expansive stoner grind and operatic drama (“The Skull”), all driven by the robustly soaring arias of guitar-slinging frontman G.E. Perez. (The Loft, St. Petersburg)–LP
Up the Ante Concert Series with Mike Mass, Hagan Lee, Brilly Asher, Mowgli, Kris Harden, Cano, Shinobi Stalin A “2nd Saturday” (even though it’s on Friday) hip hop edition of the Up the Ante concert series is headed up by one rather fine local emcee and wordsmith of impeccable (gonna break out any day) talents, Mike Mass, who just released a video for Tribe-riffing boom bap-vibing new single “Like That,” that had more than 11.7k views as of this writing. Read more about him in this week’s feature here. (Fubar, St. Petersburg)–LP
Exodus with Dark Disciple, Mindscar, Generichrist, Unsung Destroyer The Brass Mug, a legendary venue. Exodus, a legendary thrash metal outfit that’s nearly four decades old. A match made in hell as fueled by scene veterans with music like a smoothie of napalm percussion and primal guitar garroting. It’s brutal stuff, that’s all I’m saying. They’ve earned a reputation for spurring some massive mosh pits as well, so pit junkies, feel free to enjoy their antics; everyone else, head towards the back. Tampa’s Dark Disciple is a death metal band that doesn’t attempt to defy convention, and that probably works in their favor. Rest assured you’ll hear plenty of blast beats and guttural growls. St. Pete’s Generichrist is positioned between thrash and death metal, embodying the rapidly fluctuating time signatures with occasional bouts of tortured but clean vocals. Unsung Destroyer is from Crystal River, an incredibly metal place with its derelict countryside, though their influences stretch far beyond to give their particular brand of metal a distinct sound. (Brass Mug, Tampa) –BR
RADON with Sandspur City, Low Season, Claymonster Radon is a chemical agent that is bad for your house. RADON is a Gainsville punk act that is great for your soul, especially for fans of vintage punk with a smattering of alternative, and is also one of Florida’s best kept secrets and definitely deserves more recognition for their impact on Florida’s underground. Ever had a sandspur in your sock or foot? Imagine a city full of Sandspurs. It’s a horrifying thought. Sandspur City is from Tampa and brings a deeply melodic and appropriately moody style to what would normally be classic punk to create something energetic and memorable. Low Season is a gift for fans of harmonious punk with exceptionally high production values, and razor sharp chord progressions. Big hooks are ever present in their debut Four Songs EP. (The Bends, St. Petersburg) –BR
ALSO TONIGHT
Brad Noblitt (Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg)
Ari and the Alibis w/Holey Miss Moley (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)
INC Tour w/Jesse Langdale/Little Iceland/Land of Nod/Gefilte Fist/Dogs in Reverse/Hell Garbage/Vasectomy Party/Whitey Alabastard/Bucket Of Piss/Durastatic/The Laundry Room Squechers (The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg)
The Skarz /Stone Bone/American Fix/Murder The Crow (Local 662, St. Petersburg)
COMING UP THIS WEEKEND
Modest Mouse/Brand New Sat., July 9, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa
Up the Ante Concert Series with Mike Mass/Hagan Lee/Mowglii/Brilly Asher/Kris Harden/Shinobi Stalin Sat., July 9, Fubar, St. Petersburg
Austin Lucas w/Matt Woods/Will Quinlan Sat., July 9, New World Brewery, Ybor City
Sonic Stew w/The Donna Hopkins Band Sat., July 9, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Sound Parlor Sat., July 9, Hideaway Café & Recording Studio, St. Petersburg
Troy Youngblood & the Soulfish w/ Row Jomah Sat., July 9, Crowbar, Ybor City
FTS w/Menudo Death Squad/Kuraishi/Skum of the Slum Sat., July 9, The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg
Shoeless Soul w/Jun Bustamante Sat., July 9, Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg
Beerwolf/Hell’s Fauna/Enthean/Rapheumet’s Well/Alien Tape Recorder Sat., July 9, Brass Mug, Tampa
Schism: Tribute to Tool w/Dolt/Yabo Tribe Sat., July 9, Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Lauren Mitchell Band Sat., July 9, Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Ol’ Dirty Sundays w/DJ Day Sun., July 10, Crowbar, Ybor City
Flag w/War On Women/The Dirty Nil Sun., July 10, State Theatre, St. Petersburg
Firefall w/Poco Sun., July 10, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
The Final Edition – Tribber’s Appreciation Day Sun., July 10, Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa
Folk Noise Sun., July 10, The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg
This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2016.
