Bayonics

Judging by Bayonics' mix of hip-hop, reggae, funk, and salsa sounds, you'd think they were local boys, or maybe an experimental act from some island somewhere. But most of the 10-piece band's members hail from San Francisco's Mission District. The group holds a monthly residence at that city's Elbo Room between regular gigs at other clubs throughout the Bay Area, and is one of many bands that blend eclectic live instrumentation with hip-hop beats and rap vocals. That idea should be familiar to fans of Miami acts such as ArtOfficial and Suenalo.

No strangers to South Florida, Bayonics have previously stumped at Jazid, Tobacco Road, and Transit Lounge. "One of our good friends does a lot of booking out there," says Jim Vargas, one of the band's MCs. "There's a lot of Latin flavor in Miami, so it's a good place for us to get some decent exposure."