A breakdown of live music happening on this Thurs., April 2…
Taking Back Sunday with The Menzingers, Letlive. Amityville, NY-spawned outfit Taking Back Sunday has been an emo headliner for a decade now; despite multiple near-breakups and the group’s pop-hardcore sound falling out of vogue, the group continues to command an incredibly devoted fanbase. More gruff and steeped in straightforward buzzsaw punk rock are Pennsylvania’s Menzingers, which can be counted on to deliver a fun, sweaty and memorable live show. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City) —Scott Harrell
Rock the Park with Gwan Massive, Bangarang, Virginia Rose Band The April edition of Rock the Park brings the usual diverse array of sounds to Curtis Hixon’s outdoor stage as ring-led by tight, rhapsodic local collective Gwan Massive, its vibrant instrumentally-driven brand of hip-hop calling on elements of funk, jazz, reggae and soul, clever-flowing raps balanced by two-part female vocal harmonies and blasts of powerful brass. Tampa’s Bangarang leans to stronger island grooves and rock-outs in its own brand of hip-hop, while Virginia Rose Band delivers heavy, femme-driven alt-rock. (Curtis Hixon Park, Tampa) —Leilani Polk
Jeff Zagers with I LIKE DOG FACE, Dance Index Savannah, Ga. multi-instrumental songwriter Jeff Zagers crafts synth-driven pop odes that mix bright and gauzy sonic tones with moodier gothic chilliness using guitar, bass, drum machines, keys, alto saxophone and his own brooding New Wave-flavored vocals. He’s enjoyed a surge of internet buzz with the release of his new album, Still/Alive, with appreciative nods from both Pitchfork and Noisey and a video for the title track directed by Merchandise primary Carson Cox. (Frolic Exchange, Tampa) —LP
Teenage Bottlerocket with The Pears Blasting off with Ramones-inspired sounds marked by fast tempos and cheeky lyrics is Teenage Bottlerocket, a Wyoming-based pop-punk quartet that hits St. Pete directly following the release of new LP Tales from Wyoming (Rise Records). The dueling vocals of Kody Templeman and Ray Carlisle are sure to start a massive mosh pit; that is, of course, if Brandon Carlisle’s manic rhythms don’t bring the house down first. Expect to hear cuts off the new album as well as old favorites like “Skate or Die” and “Headbanger.” (Local 662, St. Petersburg) —Seth Peterson
Flypaper No band sticks to your ear quite like Flypaper. Lead singer/guitarist Micaela Kingslight invests her whole soul into her vocals, Sam Rice keeps the tempos tight and head bob-worhty, Joe Chamberlin fills in the gaps with solid low end and backup vocals while Marty McClean puts sexy sax back into rock ‘n’ roll one note at a time, using effects pedals to draw out sounds you’ve likely never heard before. It all adds up to a unique soulful-bluesy aesthetic unlike any other, though the band’s cover of “Voodoo Child” would make Hendrix proud. (Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin) —SP
ALSO TONIGHT
Bunker Singer-Songwriter Night w/American Song Box, Chris Cava, The Cruz Brothers Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City
Get The Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin Tribute Tampa Theatre, Tampa
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2015.