Countdown to Tropical Heatwave 2012: Barons of Tang

Barons of Tang turn gypsy music on its head, taking the exotic sounds of Eastern Europe and infusing them with elements of ska, dub, punk, metalcore, tango and rockabilly. Their lush, boisterous, colorful compositions are marked by heavy distorted guitar riffs amid acoustic strumming, marching double-kick rhythms, horn arrangements that range from jaunty to mournful to dark and doomfully discordant to slinky and exotic, and wailing strains of accordion to add to the old country mystique. The rollicking moments are interspersed with the downright bizarre and heavy, and while the music leans instrumental, vocals are added when apropos and encompass demon-possessed lead shrieks and rah-rah choruses that shout things like "Even if you?re missing fingers, you can still make a fist!"

Their live show has been described as "thrilling mental bedlam," and I, for one, don?t want to miss it.

Barons of Tang's video for "Villain (Stage Left)" from their 2010 EP, Knots and Tangles.

A live performance of "The Black Flamingo" from last October.

And finally, a playlist of tracks that includes both studio recordings and live cuts.

TROPICAL HEATWAVE DETAILS: Sat., May 12, 4:30-1 a.m., Centennial Park, Collage Ybor, Crowbar, New World Brewery, The Bricks, Orpheum, The Cuban Club, The Ritz, The Roosevelt 2.0, El Pasaje Plaza, Ybor City, $30 adults advance/$40 at the door ($12 youths ages 12-20, available by phone or in-person only). Click here to buy online or call 813-238-8001. Stay tuned for further picks from CL along with our own page featuring details about the fest, its performers, stages and schedule...