Look, you made it to Hump Day, pat yourself on the back. In fact, do yourself a solid and celebrate with some live music. Breakdown of highlights for this Wed., May 25 below.
Say Anything with Mewithoutyou, Teen Suicide, Museum Mouth Max Bemis is an iconoclastic asshole. A brilliant, incredible provocateur of equal parts charm and sap. Bemis's constant growth and consistently biting, witty lyrical tone has helped Say Anything maintain relevancy in the emo scene and beyond. And no, he's never recording another album like ...is a Real Boy, so don't even whisper that crap at the show. Expect to hear some classics as well as plenty of material off excellent 2016 album, I Don't Think It Is. Additionally, scene veterans Mewithoutyou's artful spoken-word verse over intense post-hardcore riffs is featured alongside bombastic performances from noise pop entrepreneurs Teen Suicide and Museum Mouth. (The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City) –Brian Roesler
Blues Fundraiser for James "Big Country" McKnight Recently, local blues scene vet James McKnight was involved in a car accident that severed the tendons and nerves in his right arm and has kept him out of work, both as a truck driver and drummer. Not only is he facing a fat stack of medical bills from all the surgeries, but he’s having trouble supporting his family and still has weeks of recouping to go. He needs help, and musician friends TC Carr, Damon Fowler, Selwyn Birchwood and Betty Fox chip in with performances at this fundraising event held from 6 to 11 p.m. Can’t make it out? Donate to his GoFundMe page –“James McKnight's Medical Fund.” (Ale and the Witch, St. Petersburg)–Leilani Polk
CJ Ramone with Broken Gold, Boney Fiend If the Ramones Tribute on Saturday night didn’t whet your punk appetite, the last member to join that NYC band’s lineup, bassist/vocalist CJ (who replaced Dee Dee in 1989 and played with Ramones until they retired in 1996) brings his snotty sounds to town behind a fresh solo LP, Last Chance to Dance. (Local 662, St. Petersburg)–LP
Modern English with Entertainment, Sleeping Pills Between 1981 debut Mesh & Lace and 1982 sophomore follow-up After the Show, Modern English shifted from dark, moody post-punk with jagged guitars, droning vocal qualities and experimental atmospherics, to a brighter, catchier New Wave sound that got them on the charts with pervasive ‘80s era single “I Melt with You.” Both LPs were re-issued in March, and the UK group hits the road to celebrate, playing the entirety of Mesh & Lace among other hits and possibly a new cut or two off a forthcoming eighth album. Check out Gabe’s Q&A with Robbie Grey HERE. (American Legion Seminole Post 111, Tampa)–LP
ALSO TONIGHT
Metal Alliance Tour w/Dying Fetus/The Acacia Strain/Jungle Rot/Black Crown Initiate Orpheum, Ybor City
BBQ Wednesday Acoustic Series w/Lou Collazo New World Brewery, Ybor City
