It’s long been acknowledged in local music circles that Matt Welch is a friggin’ genius. With Transitions Art Gallery, he’s single-handedly turned an empty warehouse behind Skatepark of Tampa into the one of the area’s most reliable venues for local and regional punk and indie-rock acts. Last year, he wrangled none other than Dinosaur Jr. to perform at the the Skatepark’s anniversary party. And this year? He may just have outdone himself.

The Hold Steady, arguably the world’s finest live rock ‘n’ roll band, will play Jan. 19 at Czar in Ybor City as part of the Skatepark’s 15-Year Anniversary Party.

After all, there was a Hold Steady song in the last “Tony Hawk” video game, so playing the Skatepark’s anniversary party is the next logical step.

If you caught the Hold Steady last year at the Orpheum—or the year before at Masquerade—you know this is a can’t-miss show. If you’re not familiar with the band, start with the colorful street-poet storytelling of vintage Bruce Springsteen, throw in the rough-hewn charm of their fellow Twin Cities greats the Replacements, and then add a heavy dose of the sort of crunchy guitar riffs that leave you no choice but to pump your fist, even if you’re the sort of aloof scenester who’s philosophically opposed to fist-pumping.

It’s OK. Go ahead. It’s the Hold Steady. Everyone will understand.

A track by the Hold Steady, courtesy of Vagrant Records:

The Hold Steady, “Chips Ahoy!” (from “Boys and Girls in America") [mp3]