SoundCheck: Three Dog Night, Crash Mitchell, Hey Monday, Reel Big Fish

Three Dog Night

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. The Ritz Ybor, 1503 Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $55-$125. For a link to a BOGO ticket offer available today, go to blogs.tampabay.com/tbt. (813) 247-2555.

Turning unknown or unlikely songs into rock gold was/is Three Dog Night's signature move. Consider this anecdote: While sifting through a bargain bin at Sears & Roebuck, the group stumbled upon the music of a then-unfamiliar Randy Newman. By 1970, their rendition of Newman's Mama Told Me (Not to Come) was a No. 1 hit. Even Hoyt Axton's Joy to the World, originally written for a children's television show (hence the bullfrog named Jeremiah and the spreading of joy to fishes), became a pop-soul smash. Forever-gleeful original singers Cory Wells and Danny Hutton continue to lead the band.

, Hey Monday

With This Providence, the Friday Night Boys, Stereo Skyline

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $13. (727) 895-3045.

Whatever get-togethers tweens and teens hold these days — slumber parties? box socials? — Hey Monday songs would be appropriate for the fun and fizzy soundtrack. Pete Wentz signed the West Palm Beach band to his label, and emo super-producers S*A*M and Sluggo (Metro Station's Shake It, We the Kings' Check Yes Juliet) had a hand in the songwriting. Hey Monday's pop-rock is more syrupy than Paramore's but similarly hooky. Plus, singer Cassadee Pope (left) is total BFF material. If only she'd tag us in a "25 random things about me" note.

The Crash Mitchell Five

With Flat Stanley, the Tim Version, Rebekah Pulley, Jen Shamro

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $7. (813) 248-4969.

Local music hero Crash Mitchell's got some nerve. Take his song Radio Station Abomination, in which he makes some pretty strong comments about Clear Channel founder Lowry Mays and his "watered down, pre-programmed propaganda" that's "killing rock 'n' roll." Crash will celebrate his 40th birthday Friday, yet it's doubtful he'll curb his hell-raising tendencies. Mitchell and his band play tattered punk and country tunes a la Johnny Cash with a quirkiness like that of the Hold Steady.

The Skull and Bone Band CD Release Party

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Dave's Aqua Lounge, 10820 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg. $5. (727) 576-1091.

The Skull and Bone Band seems like the kind of group that has accumulated a hoard of Marlboro Miles. Rugged, irreverent and hilarious at times, the blues-rock-country-folk-jam-miscellaneous act will celebrate the release of The Devil Smells Like Bourbon on Friday. The Tampa group is led by Troy Youngblood, whose vocals evoke Jim Morrison, Duane Allman and William Shatner, sometimes within the same track.

Super-Sized Summer Ska Spectacular

Featuring Victims of Circumstance, the Long Johns, Johnny Cakes and the Four Horsemen of Apocalypso, Fall on Purpose, the AA Dropouts, Crisis in Skallywood, the Ambassy, CIO, One Way, Out of Nothing, Bastard Suns

Details: 3 p.m. Saturday. Gasoline Alley, 14042 66th St. N, Largo. $10. (727) 532-0265.

Loads of local ska acts and restless leg syndrome sufferers come together to celebrate the almighty up beat. At $10 for more than a dozen bands, this show might be a good alternative if Reel Big Fish's price tag seems too steep.

E-mail Carole at carole.giambalvo @gmail.com.