Ski-mask-wearing, borderline anarchistic Orlando five-piece Room Full of Strangers have cultivated a following not only through their fist-pumping (and vaguely retro) punk rock, but through their rowdy stage shows.

Here's how singer Mick "Dagger" Mcluan described their performances in an e-mail: "After a few physical confrontations and the flogging of a nude whip cream-covered person in the audience, the word was out: Go to a Room Full of Strangers show and you will be entertained."

And then there are the ski masks. "In the beginning, it was a goof," Mcluan said, "but now it's a symbol." The band views the disguises as symbols of human darkness that take on a whole new meaning when juxtaposed with their fun-loving live sets. "With this little black beauty on, we're all the same, and we're all in this together."

The band recently returned from Nashville, where they worked with musician and producer Mark Kramer (Galaxie 500, Daniel Johnston, Urge Overkill's Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon) on new material.

"Hearing the stories of shows with Sonic Youth and The Butthole Surfers to producing a song for the Pulp Fiction soundtrack was worth the trip," said McIuan.

Room Full of Strangers performs at 9 p.m. Saturday with Villanova Junction and Sons of Hippies at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Emerald in downtown St. Pete. Cover is $3.

Click here to listen to Room Full of Strangers' American Dream.

-- Jay Cridlin, tbt*. Photo: Andrea Knight.