I first met Florida "skactivist" Maddie (then Matt) Turner, site administrator for FloridaSka.com, and his band Paranoia Dance Party! at a Panera Bread in Carrollwood a little less than two years ago. I couldn't foresee that the soft-spoken guys who were too nervous to eat in front of me would later unleash a maniacal fury onstage, erupting into a crazed catharsis of hardcore, punk, ska, metal and disco. Their shows became know for stage dives and other crowd-commingling antics.
On CD, the PDP! energy is as palpable. Recordings include the debut EP Help!Help!Help!Help! in February 2009 and the full-length Surroundings on April 30. Sadly, the mad-fun Tampa band is calling it quits after a wee lifespan of three-and-a-half years, but you can get one final injection of PDP! insanity the band's farewell gig at the Skatepark of Tampa's Transitions Art Gallery on Nov. 12. "We're going to rage harder than we ever have before," proclaimed guitarist Tyler Rosenberg.
So, why is PDP! breaking up? No interpersonal problems or issues arose, but some outside challenges, including a major life change for Turner, might have. The singer wrote in the online farewell message: "You can call me Maddie, as I'm currently transitioning from male to female and have been for about a year now." Big doings, indeed. Best of luck to Maddie and the band, and be sure to stop by Transitions on Saturday to dance, thrash and celebrate a good run — and hopes for a new future.
Details: Paranoia Dance Party! Farewell Show w/The Taj Motel Trio, Chilled Monkey Brains, Corporate Fandango, Matt Wixon's Flying Circus. 6 p.m., Transitions Art Gallery at the Skatepark of Tampa, $8, fcopy of PDP! CD included with cover, Transitionsartgallery.com.
