Live music in Fort Myers, Cape Coral: Surfer Blood, Kraftwerk's Emil Schult, Mephiskapheles, Rockin' 4 Paws, Grupo Niche, etc.

Looking for live music? Here are some of my best bets for touring bands, original tunes, big acts and otherwise cool shows this July in Southwest Florida. I’ll add more as venues announce new shows.

This list focuses mostly on original music and interesting concerts. Check individual venues for cover bands and other shows.

ACMA

• Every Sunday: Songwriters Circle, weekly event where local songwriters get together, perform their original songs and get feedback from the group. Anyone is welcome. Just bring your guitar. 2-5 p.m. Free.
• July 20: Alan Rhody, critically acclaimed contemporary roots singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player. Drew Dintzer opens. 7 p.m. $10-$15.

The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org

THE BARREL ROOM

• Every Sunday: Don Mopsick and Roy Gerson, the jazz bassist and pianist perform for The Barrel Room’s Jazz Brunch. 10 a.m. Free.
• Every Thursday: The Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet, featuring trumpeter Miller (who has toured and recorded with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis and more) and saxman Del Gatto (formerly of the Saturday Night Live band) playing jazz every week in this local quartet. 7-10 p.m. Free.
• July 17, 24 and 31: “Bang n Pitbull Residency,” Chicago bluesman Frank Bang joins Southwest Florida’s Josh “The Pitbull of Blues” Rowand for a series of Wednesday night concerts. 7 p.m. Free
• July 27: RJ Howson and friends, roots rocker/bluesman RJ Howson honed his guitar-playing chops at well-known Chicago blues clubs such as Buddy Guy's Legends and Rosa's Lounge. He plays with some of his musical buddies. 9 p.m. Free.

The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St., Fort Myers. 333-2225 or barrelroomfortmyers.com

BERT’S BAR

• July 24 and 31: Scotty Bryan, local trop-rock singer/guitarist who plays obscure Jimmy Buffett tunes, other trop-rock covers and his own originals. 6:30 p.m. Free.
• July 25: Deb & The Dynamics, popular and long-running local blues and soul band. 7:30 p.m. Free.
• July 26: Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockers, the young Southwest Florida bluesman has been singing and playing guitar professionally since age 5. 7:30 p.m. Free.
• July 27: Brother Love, local blues band that plays covers and originals. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Bert’s Bar & Grill, 4271 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 282-3232 or bertsbar.com

BIG BLUE BREWING

• July 18: Claire Liparulo, the Freecoasters frontwoman takes her reggae-soul sound solo for this show. 7-10 p.m. Free.
• July 27: Soulixer, local indie rockers with funk vibes and influences such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes and Kings of Leon. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Free.

Big Blue Brewing, 4721 S.E. 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. 471-2777 or bigbluebrewing.com

BUCKINGHAM BLUES BAR

• Ongoing: Open Stage Blues Jam, twice-weekly blues jam open to all musicians and hosted by bar owner and bluesman Tommy Lee Cook. 3-6 p.m. every Sunday, 8-11 p.m. every Wednesday. Free.
• July 27: JP Soars and the Red Hots, popular Boca Raton bluesman and his band, whose influences include blues greats Muddy Waters and T-Bone Walker, but also Slayer, Black Sabbath, Hank Williams and Tito Puente. Soars won the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where he also won the Albert King Award for best guitarist. 8-11 p.m. $12.

Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com

CELTIC RAY

• July 29: Mephiskapheles, the New Yorkers play an infectious, upbeat “satanic” ska/metal fusion with tongue-in-cheek song titles such as “Satan on the Beach” and “Satan Stole My Weed.” The Freecoasters open. 7-10 p.m. Free.

The Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. (941) 916-9115 or celticray.net

CUCKOO’S NEST BAR & GRILL

• July 27: Summer Vibes: Cape Coral rapper Fame Faiella leads this show featuring visual artists, guest deejays and rappers Dee Goodson, Manny En El Mapa, K. Maine, Tyler Friedman, Nawledge, Gentre Hough, Mike Tedder, Frank Sizzle, Ronin EarthClan. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free.

Cuckoo's Nest Bar & Grill, 13290 N Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. 656-6440 or facebook.com/Cuckoos-Nest-Bar-Grill-658959967934840

DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS (THE RIVER DISTRICT)

• July 19: Music Walk, downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of every month. Free.

Downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com

GEORGE & WENDY’S SANIBEL SEAFOOD GRILLE

• July 18: The Electric Mud, Fort Myers rock act with lots of big, 70s-style riffs. The band says its music sounds “like a couple wizards throwing lightning bolts around.” 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.
• July 19: The Marty Stokes Band, local band known for its raw, ferocious blues power. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.
• July 22 and 29: Rex Bongo, the local blues, roots-music and swamp country-rock musician performs with his duo (Mondays) and a full band (Saturday). 8-11 p.m. Mondays, 9 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Free.
• July 28, Bill Metts, the local singer-songwriter performs. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille, 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. 395-1263 or sanibelseafoodgrille.com

HOWL

• Every Thursday: HOWL Jam Night, local musicians, comedians and burlesque dancers perform at this weekly event. 8 p.m. to midnight. Free.
• July 20: Beneath Black Sails and Kamikaze Zombie, Kentucky prog-metal act Beneath Black Sails and Alabama horror punk/metal band Kamikaze Zombie headline this show that also includes opening local acts Hellfrost and Psychic Dose.  8 p.m. to midnight. $8.

HOWL, 4160 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. 332-0161 or facebook.com/HOWLFTMYERS

JAYCEE PARK

• Thursdays: Jaycee Acoustic Jam, musicians of all ages, instruments and skill levels are welcomed to this weekly event. It’s not an open-mic event, though. It’s a community of local acoustic musicians who just love playing music together in the park. 6-8 p.m. every Thursday. Free.

Jaycee Park, 4125 S.E. 20th Place, Cape Coral. For more info, search for “Jaycee Acoustic Jam” on Facebook

NAPLES BAY RESORT

• July 28: The Ex-Bachelors, all the members of this Motown and soul band play multiple instruments and will often switch instruments during their shows — sometimes even mid-song. 7-9 p.m. $45 for concert only, $85 for concert and pre-show buffet at 1500 SOUTH Restaurant and Bar.

The waterfront venue The Pointe at Naples Bay Resort, 1500 5th Ave. S., Naples, Naples. NaplesBayResort.com/concerts

NAPLES BEACH CLUB

• July 20: Late Night Brass, 11-piece pop-funk band known for a blasting horn section and covers of songs by Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana and many other acts. Part of the 34th annual SummerJazz on the Gulf outdoor concert series overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Parking is available just north of the hotel at Lowdermilk Park with free trolley service to the resort and back. Blankets and lawn chairs are OK, but no outside food or drinks.

The Watkins Lawn at Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. 261-2222 or NaplesBeachHotel.com

NICE GUYS

• July 25: Tough Thursdays, local rock musicians Frankie Colt and Angela Page host this monthly, multi-genre concert. The July lineup includes Emma Arnold, Sex Luthor and more bands to be announced. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.
• July 27: Surfer Blood: Critically acclaimed West Palm Beach indie-rock/surf-rock band whose songs include “Swim,” “Miranda” and “I’m Not Ready.” 8 p.m. Yr Glow opens, along with another band to be announced. Free.

Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral.  549-7542 or facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza

OLD SOUL

• July 27: Rockin’ 4 Paws, a big lineup of rock and metal bands performs and raises money for Gulf Coast Humane Society. The bands include Mommy's Lil Monsterz, Irra's One, SEVEN SINS, Tomb Of Ligeia, Vilest Breed, Dead Ritual, Silhouettes On Screen, For The Struggle, Hellfrost and Nausratep. 2 p.m. to midnight. $8 admission benefits the humane society.

Old Soul Brewing, 10970 S Cleveland Ave., Suite 402, Fort Myers. 334-4334 or facebook.com/OldSoulBrewing

PARROT KEY

• July 20 and 27: Frank Torino, popular local Elvis and Tom Jones tribute artist. 7 p.m. Free.

Parrot Key, 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach. 463-3257 or MyParrotKey.com

PATIO DE LEON

• July 26: The Pitbull of Blues Band, frontman Josh Rowand — otherwise known as The Pitbull of Blues — and his high-energy band known for its fun mix of traditional and original blues. 7-10 p.m. Free.
• July 27: Little Eddie & the Fat Fingers, longtime Naples blues act led by singer/guitarist Ryan Bladen (otherwise known as Little Eddie). They play Delta and Chicago blues, boogie woogie and rocking blues. 7-10 p.m. Free.

Patio De Leon in downtown Fort Myers (the brick-paved outdoor area near Cigar Bar, Space 39, Downtown House of Pizza and Indigo Room, just southwest of First and Hendry streets). facebook.com/ThePatioFortMyers

POINT YBEL BREWING COMPANY

• July 19: Tyler Stryker, solo show from the singer-songwriter of local indie-rock band Broken Waves. 7-10 p.m. Free.

Point Ybel Brewing Company, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers.  603-6535 or facebook.com/PointYbelBrew

RACK’EM

• July 20: Lollipop-A-Palooza: Celebrate National Lollipop Day with free lollipops for all, local vendors, live art and a night of local and Florida rock and rap bands, including The Drain Outs, The Time Framed, Jay Saint, Simon Says Nothing and more. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free.
• July 27: Feature Festival, cultural festival that includes art vendors, a punk-rock deejay, live interviews for the podcast Conversations That Matter, movie screenings and live music. The bands play inside from 9 p.m. to midnight, including Sex Luthor, The Camaros and Diphalia. Art vendors, the deejay and the podcast interviews take place on the front patio from 3-7 p.m. Screenings of the short film “Binaural” and “Our Friend John” take place inside from 7-9 p.m. Free.

Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/RackemspiritsandTimes

THE RANCH CONCERT HALL & SALOON

• July 19: Grupo Niche, the popular Colombian salsa act invites its fans to come help celebrate their home country’s independence. 9 p.m. $45.

The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

RAUSCHENBERG GALLERY

• July 19: Kraftwerk's Emil Schult, the German painter/poet/musician is a frequent collaborator with pioneering electronic band Kraftwerk. He returns to Rauschenberg Gallery with collaborator Emma Nilsson. Their duo, Transhuman Art Critics, will premiere their newly commissioned musical piece honoring artist/composer John Cage. The multi-media/electronic music program also features the world premiere of celebrated New York City artist Allan McCollum’s “Symphony for John Cage (and the Hearing Impaired)” and the U.S. premiere of Fluxus pioneer Philip Corner’s “Out of John’s CAGE.” The concert coincides with the gallery’s current John Cage art exhibit. 7 p.m. Free.

Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway S.W., Building L, south Fort Myers. 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com

THE RHYTHM HOUSE

• July 28: Matt Schofield, the influential British blues guitarist returns to play his first U.S. gig after finishing a recent European tour. CORRECTION: This won't be Schofield's first-ever U.S. tour, as previously reported in the Live Music calendar. The concert also features opening act The Marty Stokes Band. 2-6 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

The Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 11, south Fort Myers. 466-8326 or therhythmhousefortmyers.com

THE SHELL FACTORY

• Every Wednesday: Dance Nights with Jerry Dycke, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist performs covers of country songs, ballads, waltzes and more, plus some of his own solo music. Dycke is a former recording artist for Sun Records. Three of his songs have made it onto the Billboard Top 100 radio charts: "I Never Said Goodbye,” "Daddy Played Harmonica” and “Beethoven Was Before My Time." 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays. $6. Takes place in The Dolphin Room.

The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or shellfactory.com

SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER

• July 26: The F.E.M. Collective, this group of female-empowering musicians performs original music and talks about their songs’ inspirations. The lineup includes Lala Deaton, Lockwood Barr and country singer Sheena Brook, who also hosts the event.  Part of the Sounds of Summer concert series. 8 p.m. $5.

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.  333-1933 or sbdac.com

SOCIETY

• Every Friday: The Roy Gerson Swingtet,  former New York City jazz pianist Roy Gerson leads this eight-piece act that plays classic jazz, Latin and swing. Dancing is encouraged. 7:30-10 p.m. Free.
• July 19: SOWFLO, the popular local reggae-rock band kicks off its summer tour with special guests. 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Free.

Society at Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Drive, Suite E-518, south Fort Myers. 334-0900 or societyfortmyers.com

SPACE 39

• Every Thursday: Space Jam, weekly soul/funk jam open to everyone. 8 p.m. to midnight. Free.

Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge, 39 Patio de Leon, downtown Fort Myers. 204-9949 or space39artbar.com

Want your band to be considered for the Live Music calendar and The News-Press’s various entertainment calendars? Just visit events.news-press.com and enter details about your upcoming shows. You can also email concert details (including times and ticket prices) and high-res band photos to crunnells@news-press.com. No cover bands, please!

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (News-Press) (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)