Folk is a term used loosely to describe music for and by the common people.
I was driving around one afternoon, listening to WLRN NPR my favorite local radio station. Sundays at 2 p.m. the station hosts a really great folk music show, I recommend it.
Well, on this particular Sunday, host Michael Stock was speaking with two UM students: Raffa and Rainer. I was pulling into Walgreen's to get some pictures developed, and they started to play "Boy at the Bar", I had to take a minute and enjoy the music; it was something else -- I had goosebumps, no lie.
Sadly, the shows archives haven't been updated in a while, but they do have a nice selection of Youtube videos:
The Miami locals are making the hike up to Palm Beach County, March 2, at 9 p.m. to play Dada in Delray.
If you've never given folk music a chance, you have to, at least once. It's the kind of music that can get into your core if you let it, the kind of music that can really move someone.
Raffa and Rainer reminded me of that on that Sunday afternoon.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Resolve to see Them on Their Home Turf
"I wanna see you dance, man!" He said after busting out some crazy robot move to The Resolvers sweet and truly reggae sound.It was a perfect scene at Kahuna's, arriving late to The Resolvers weekly Sunday afternoon show. I parked at 7:15 p.m. I should have parked at the meters across the street to avoid the $10 parking robbery next to the bar.
"I'm not there yet man," I pointed out, bobbing my head and mixing my 7-on-7 with a cocktail straw.
There was a awkward moment between he and I.
"I'm so fucking high man, I can't see straight," he reassured me.
All I could do was smile.
I ordered a 7-on-7, which was proper as the band began to play a dub-style Pink Floyd tune. The place -- that, the Resolvers had played every Sunday for almost two years -- was full of friendly people and beautiful girls.
You could throw a rock into the ocean from the front door of the bar, it's the kind of place I'd expect to catch a really great reggae band; it's a gift they play they weekly.
Come check out my new Sunday hangout, I promise you'll like it.
Two for One!? It's like a sore di- Well, you can't beat it!
I know our Ipod Generation -- born from and raised by strobing television, instant messaging and soft amphetamines like caffeine.
So I'll make this short (enough for the average attention span) and sweet (enough to keep you coming back for me like crack):
So I'll make this short (enough for the average attention span) and sweet (enough to keep you coming back for me like crack):
- Friday, March 28 @ 8 p.m.
- Respectable Street - The Premier Indie Venue.
- Two bands
- The Handsome Furs - A Canadian Duo, "as sparse and repetitive as possible with the help of little more than vocals, guitars, and a new drum machine." Captivating.
- Violens - A New York Local Sound that say they sound like "Descriptions of nightmares, the passing of time, speculations on spiritual messages, and accounts of psychedelic hallucinations." Brilliantly true description.
Local Music From a Far Away Land.
Ok, there's only one thing cooler than local acts touring-- that's beer.
Coming all the way from New York City, The Honeycomb presents Mink. For two tour dates at:
- March 5, 9 p.m. @ Dr. Feelgoods, West Palm Beach. Free
- March 6, 9:30 p.m. @ City Limits, Delray Beach.
They've got that real Rock and Roll sound, that is kind of lost in music today -- local, indie or commercial -- mixed with that psychedelic feel that never really existed in music for my generation.
There "About me" on the Mypsace might serve as a perfect example for that psychedelic feel:
"To play until the end of time," drummer Stella Mozgawa continues. "Until the end of the universe."
In the words of Hunter S. Thompson's Attorney Dr. Gonzo on the Way into Las Vegas:
"What the hell are we doing out here in the middle of the Desert?"
A Dive Bar with The Lights Down Low
I drove out to Coral Springs once to see the Lights Down Low. I can't remember why.
I might have just gotten back form a music festival, probably Bonnaroo: wearing a tye-dye T-shirt, smoking grass and bored. They were playing The Walk that night, I didn't know what "The Walk" was. I was kind of confused when I arrived at a shopping center, but I was really impressed with their real funk and jazz sound.
It wasn't the best show ever. A lot of that had to do with the venue -- which was, as stated above, a strip mall -- but Friday, Feb. 29 at 11 p.m. when they play the Poorhouse in Las Olas has real potential.
The Poorhouse is a true dive bar, which is my favorite kind. The selection of beer is amazing, with specialty beers, like my personal favorite Purple Haze. I mean, hot damn, that's good beer.
Beer and Funk? That's a good combination no matter how you define those words.
I might have just gotten back form a music festival, probably Bonnaroo: wearing a tye-dye T-shirt, smoking grass and bored. They were playing The Walk that night, I didn't know what "The Walk" was. I was kind of confused when I arrived at a shopping center, but I was really impressed with their real funk and jazz sound.
It wasn't the best show ever. A lot of that had to do with the venue -- which was, as stated above, a strip mall -- but Friday, Feb. 29 at 11 p.m. when they play the Poorhouse in Las Olas has real potential.
The Poorhouse is a true dive bar, which is my favorite kind. The selection of beer is amazing, with specialty beers, like my personal favorite Purple Haze. I mean, hot damn, that's good beer.
Beer and Funk? That's a good combination no matter how you define those words.
The Devil Came Down to Las Olas
I found this little gem of a venue by accident. The Atmosphere Lounge looks to be one of the chillest spots in Las Olas.
To be honest, I haven't formally had an opportunity to check it out, but I will be 9 p.m. Saturday March 8. Why?
Well besides $2.50 beers, which is always a plus, Los Diablos is playing.
Now I've never heard these guys, but from the noise on their Myspace, well, I'll bite. Especially for free. It wasn't just the sound, it's their whole Web presentation.
They note they're influences as:
Jake Cline, City Link editor, explains in their "About me section,"
To be honest, I haven't formally had an opportunity to check it out, but I will be 9 p.m. Saturday March 8. Why?
Well besides $2.50 beers, which is always a plus, Los Diablos is playing.
Now I've never heard these guys, but from the noise on their Myspace, well, I'll bite. Especially for free. It wasn't just the sound, it's their whole Web presentation.
They note they're influences as:
summer months in county jails...All things that I dig and can relate to.
eviction notices...
liner notes of every 70's record our folks ever had...
late night breakdowns...
6 a.m. jobs...
dirt roads...
southern skies...
busted hearts...
Jake Cline, City Link editor, explains in their "About me section,"
the music of Los Diablos is bracingly authentic, from the high-lonesome cry of Stankus’ steel guitar to Dubin’s penitential, open-wound songwriting.I couldn't have said it better Mr. Cline, so I won't try.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Throwing a Toaster into a Bathtub Don't Feel This Good
The stage presence energy the The Pots 'n' Pans bring could run Palm Beach County.
In a May City Link article about the band, Dan Sweeney wrote, "With the exception of a few musicians like Billy Boloby [Pots 'n' Pans front man], entertainment is dead."
Boloby, former music editor of New Times, expressed his feelings on the band in the article: "Oh, it's fucking good, man...It's really good."
Typically, these statements come from ego-centric assholes, but Boloby speaks the truth, for example:
In a May City Link article about the band, Dan Sweeney wrote, "With the exception of a few musicians like Billy Boloby [Pots 'n' Pans front man], entertainment is dead."
Boloby, former music editor of New Times, expressed his feelings on the band in the article: "Oh, it's fucking good, man...It's really good."
Typically, these statements come from ego-centric assholes, but Boloby speaks the truth, for example:
"We're trying to stray away from the punk stuff that we all played when starting out," Evan Eastham, vocalist and bassist, told Closer Magazine's Larry Boytano in this Dec article, "But the drunker we get, the more we revert. So we have these garage-y power-pop songs that end up sounding punk."
The band's recently released four-song debuted EP is available on their Website, if you like what you've seen and heard so far.
But everyone knows a CD is nothing compared to the real thing, especially one of The Pots 'n' Pans caliber, so check them out at Backbone Music Feb. 29 at 7:00 p.m., where they'll be playing a benefit show for Fifth Estate magazine with Molten Guava, Monsters, the Walking Dead and Bill Blanks.
The band's recently released four-song debuted EP is available on their Website, if you like what you've seen and heard so far.
But everyone knows a CD is nothing compared to the real thing, especially one of The Pots 'n' Pans caliber, so check them out at Backbone Music Feb. 29 at 7:00 p.m., where they'll be playing a benefit show for Fifth Estate magazine with Molten Guava, Monsters, the Walking Dead and Bill Blanks.
How Long Have I Been Legal For?
I remember seeing The Int'l Language for the first and only time on my 21st Birthday, April 13, 2007. Obviously, it was a Friday, but I was lucky enough to see them.
I walked into Dada and took a seat at the bar. The bartender (they're really nice at Dada) asked me what I wanted. Having never ordered from a bar, I responded, "To get drunk."
She mixed me a proper Long Island Ice Tea; The Int'l Language must have been taking a break because as she hands it to me Bob Rich's Sax blasts a real sweet sound right behind me. I turned around, drank my first legal drink and watched them play, and it was great.
I haven't seen or heard of them since then, but then I stumbled (literally) upon a flyer that says they're playing at Dada Feb. 15 at 10:30 p.m. So check it out.
I walked into Dada and took a seat at the bar. The bartender (they're really nice at Dada) asked me what I wanted. Having never ordered from a bar, I responded, "To get drunk."
She mixed me a proper Long Island Ice Tea; The Int'l Language must have been taking a break because as she hands it to me Bob Rich's Sax blasts a real sweet sound right behind me. I turned around, drank my first legal drink and watched them play, and it was great.
I haven't seen or heard of them since then, but then I stumbled (literally) upon a flyer that says they're playing at Dada Feb. 15 at 10:30 p.m. So check it out.
Who'd Guess? It's Bigger than I thought.
Whilst myspace-whoring, I found some noise from Lake Worth.
Yes, and with a little bit of faith and a sober driver you know I'll be following Black Finger from South Shores Tavern to The Poorhouse Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday (11:00 p.m.), Feb. 15 and 16, respectably.
According to their Myspace they were "Voted 'BEST NEW BAND OF 2007' by CITY LINK magazine." It's impossible to confirm this since City Link dumped their website and sold their soul to South Florida Metromix sometime last year, but this isn't Bob Norman's The Daily Pulp.
Regardless, this is 2008, and there's, apparently, an Internet! So digitally sample the sweet nectar of Black Finger with Myspace music and Youtube videos. Look out! Here's one now:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Post Valentine's Zombie Riot
I won't lie -- I can't get enough of the Zombies! Organize!!; arguably they are one of the most creative local bands in the south Florida scene. And you can see them - for Free – at Dada Feb. 21 at 10 p.m. (although at Dada 10 p.m. usually means 11 p.m. but it’s a nice place; show up and have a few before the set) for a late Valentine's Day show.
The first time I saw the trio -- made up of sisters, Laura and Mary Sheffield, and Bobby Jividen -- was Supercon 2007 at the Cypress Creek Marriott, last June. It was unforgettable. In the depths of a comic convention filled with cosplay anime-addicts was a tiny gem of a stage somewhere off in a sideroom.
I recognized Bobby Jividen, Mary's husband, from the Myspace pictures. There was a sense of intimidation at first because their Myspace music was so good. He told me all the shows were running late and described the music to me as "political zombie hip-hop," although the band would later add pop to that.
The beats were so expertly plugged into Fruity Loops on that HP laptop, and Mary's rapping was not only lyrically deep and meaningful, but her flow was incredible. Add Laura's back-up vox, guitar and Wurlitzer piano playing and the sounds in undeniably uniquely great.
Jeff Stratton wrote an article for New Times back in April 2007, describing them as "South Florida's most talked-about new band."
Jake Smith's July New Times inteview delves a little deeper into the music’s meaning citing, “the politically charged rock act has spread its gospel of anti-consumerism and anti-celebrity propaganda throughout South Florida.”
Mary told me in an Oct interview at the Lion and Eagle Pub(Great Pub by the way), "It's about anyone who mindlessly follows the Status Quo without questioning."
In the same interview Jividen chimed in explaining, "Zombies, by nature, are a vehicle for politics. People walk by wearing brand-name shirts - it seems like FAU and Boca are the capital for people who don't care - they don't even think about how their consumption hurts the rest of the world."
Lyrics, like from the song “I am the Swooish,” really express this anti-consumerism message:
The first time I saw the trio -- made up of sisters, Laura and Mary Sheffield, and Bobby Jividen -- was Supercon 2007 at the Cypress Creek Marriott, last June. It was unforgettable. In the depths of a comic convention filled with cosplay anime-addicts was a tiny gem of a stage somewhere off in a sideroom.
I recognized Bobby Jividen, Mary's husband, from the Myspace pictures. There was a sense of intimidation at first because their Myspace music was so good. He told me all the shows were running late and described the music to me as "political zombie hip-hop," although the band would later add pop to that.
The beats were so expertly plugged into Fruity Loops on that HP laptop, and Mary's rapping was not only lyrically deep and meaningful, but her flow was incredible. Add Laura's back-up vox, guitar and Wurlitzer piano playing and the sounds in undeniably uniquely great.
Jeff Stratton wrote an article for New Times back in April 2007, describing them as "South Florida's most talked-about new band."
Jake Smith's July New Times inteview delves a little deeper into the music’s meaning citing, “the politically charged rock act has spread its gospel of anti-consumerism and anti-celebrity propaganda throughout South Florida.”
Mary told me in an Oct interview at the Lion and Eagle Pub(Great Pub by the way), "It's about anyone who mindlessly follows the Status Quo without questioning."
In the same interview Jividen chimed in explaining, "Zombies, by nature, are a vehicle for politics. People walk by wearing brand-name shirts - it seems like FAU and Boca are the capital for people who don't care - they don't even think about how their consumption hurts the rest of the world."
Lyrics, like from the song “I am the Swooish,” really express this anti-consumerism message:
“how do we make shoes sell hotter then crack
how we take your money without you fighting back
our commercials are a 30 second cultural hijack
i stole your culture now i'm sellin it back
wearin the swoosh is paying to be a billboard
you gotta know that baby you're being whored
and tacitly condoning shit that should be abhorred
for oppressing the proletariat your money's our reward”
I’m not sure how much more I can hype this band, and honestly, they don’t need it.
Here watch a video:
If you’re going out to one show this month, it has to be this one.
Monday, February 4, 2008
That Old Sound
There's something special about Reggae: maybe it's the skank, the tempo or the accent. Perhaps it's the peaceful vibe of the music. Most likely it's everything I mentioned and something else --indescribable.
If you don't know what I'm talking about you should check out local reggae band The Resolvers; coming up to play City Limits, Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
Resolvers bassist, Steave Nieratka, told me in a University Press article that the Resolvers have a "Universal appeal."
In the same article, Ron Eisner, electric guitar and harmony vox said, "Each one of us from The Resolvers, we're into old music. Reggae is older than you think, you can trace it back to the oldest rhythms and we're trying to make something new from it."
Todd McFliker for Livebroward.com said, "The Resolvers perform about 95% original material." But don't be surprised if you hear some old reggae favorites.
You can see the Resolvers at their self-described home, Kahuna's Bar and Grill, 4 p.m. any Sunday. But the Thursday night City Limits show is a must see.
City Limits is a great venue to see any band play with reasonably priced drinks, great acoustics and a good view from just about anywhere in the bar; besides it's Thursday -- that's the new Friday in 2008 -- so get the weekend started right.
It'll be especially easy for the women, because it's also Ladies Night.
If you don't know what I'm talking about you should check out local reggae band The Resolvers; coming up to play City Limits, Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
Resolvers bassist, Steave Nieratka, told me in a University Press article that the Resolvers have a "Universal appeal."
In the same article, Ron Eisner, electric guitar and harmony vox said, "Each one of us from The Resolvers, we're into old music. Reggae is older than you think, you can trace it back to the oldest rhythms and we're trying to make something new from it."
Todd McFliker for Livebroward.com said, "The Resolvers perform about 95% original material." But don't be surprised if you hear some old reggae favorites.
You can see the Resolvers at their self-described home, Kahuna's Bar and Grill, 4 p.m. any Sunday. But the Thursday night City Limits show is a must see.
City Limits is a great venue to see any band play with reasonably priced drinks, great acoustics and a good view from just about anywhere in the bar; besides it's Thursday -- that's the new Friday in 2008 -- so get the weekend started right.
It'll be especially easy for the women, because it's also Ladies Night.
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