Choir Joy

Still, they remain outcasts, in a way. Fritz dismisses the importance of Miami-scene cliques, and then, in the next breath, mutters about how frustrating it is to be denied chances to play live because of local-music politics. So not only are they outsiders battling their way through the national spotlight labyrinth, they're further hindered by their refusal to clique up and ply the inside of the clannish local scene. Good for them.

Nonetheless, it's easy to sympathize with their predicament. During an interview many weeks ago in a conference room in the downtown building where New Times is headquartered, the trio was playing rough mixes of new songs on a boom box. Something evil appeared in the doorway A a matronly woman from another office demanding something to the effect of "turn that shit down!" Typical.

Drive Choir performs on Saturday at Churchill's Hideaway, 5501 NE 2nd Ave., 757-1807. Admission costs $3.