In the News

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS — For the last three years, if you wanted to hear hip hop-infused beats laced with trippy guitar riffs in Tampa Bay, you had to wait for the next Bangarang concert. On Nov. 28, that will no longer be the case. The local band is officially dropping its first album, “Galaxy Dust,” which will be available on CDs, iTunes and Pandora.

The seven-member band, including a pit bull named Animal, played its first gig in 2012 at Cephas’ Hot Shop in Ybor City. Since then, the band has played at Curtis Hixon’s Rock the Park and WMNF’s Live Music Showcase. The new album will feature eight tracks, many of which the band has performed at local shows.

“We don’t like to corner ourselves into one genre, so it can really appeal to anybody,” said Wesley Bland, lead guitarist.

According to Bland, the band pulls its influences from an assortment of artists that range from classics like Pink Floyd to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. On some tracks, it sounds like reggae, while others are straight hip-hop, but it’s playing live music that gets the band excited.

“The shows are always a good time whether you’re really into music or not, you’ll still have fun — I guarantee that,” said Bland.

Three years may sound like a long time to put together a single album, but this isn’t a full-time job for the band members (except for Animal). Members’ jobs include a bar back, an electrician and a barista at Starbucks.

To celebrate the release, Bangarang will play the album in its entirety at Red Star Rock Bar in Seminole Heights. Six other local bands also will play during the event, while local artists Rickey Goodall, Whitney Holbourn and Cam Parker will do live painting. Plus, there will be food trucks, merchant vendors and fire spinners performing outside.

The record release party will take place. at Red Star Rock Bar, 5210 N. Florida Ave., on Nov. 28 from 6 to 11 p.m. For information, visit bangarangtampa.com.