The thought of maintaining Miami musician Rick Diaz's Google calendar could give even the best multitasker a tragic case of heartburn. But despite being in almost every South Florida band ever, Diaz keeps starting new bands.
Years ago, he founded two-piece noise-rock group hahahelp! amid the dive-bar weirdo scene centered around Churchill's Pub. But most recently, the vocalist and guitarist has been pulling double duty in two of Biscayne Boulevard's favorite new rock bands — 90s Teen and Boils & Goyles.
Just days away from this Saturday's County Grind Live showcase, Diaz spoke with New Times about the skinny on his many projects, especially Boils & Goyles, his new "supergroup" with Luma Junger's Dorys Bello and Slashpine's Rob Goyanes.
New Times: Was hahahelp! your first band?
Rick Diaz: First band to play a show. I had a solo project. Hahahelp! was a reaction against an apathetic feeling in the scene. It felt like a lot of people were too scared to try something new. So we wanted to do whatever we wanted and not really worry if it sounded good. We wanted people to be like, "That sucks!" or "That was good!"
What's the difference between the songwriting for 90s Teen and Boils & Goyles? How do you know which material is for what?
I'm not sure. We try to make it as natural as possible. We try to keep it open format so that we can explore.
Do you play the role of primary songwriter in either group?
Me and Alex [Puentes] share that in 90s Teen. He'll come up with riffs and lyrics, and we throw things together. I'm more of the songwriter in Boils & Goyles. I'll come up with stuff, and then Dorys will come up with her own vocal melody and approach to playing the drums.
Is Boils & Goyles more personal?
I wouldn't say personal. I definitely use it for an outlet for a certain style I've been neglecting. It's a return to singing pretty. I used to focus more on singing light with hahahelp! I haven't really been able to do that — play guitar and sing nice.
Before adding a third member, Boils & Goyles was originally just you and Dorys, right?
It was me and Dorys shooting the shit. Years ago, we came up with a song and then recorded it at FIU. There are these warehouses with really high ceilings that have a lot of natural reverberation that we were able to use to our benefit.
Are Boils & Goyles shows different from 90s Teen shows?
90s Teen tends to be more confrontational, like, "Here, think about this." Boils & Goyles is darker but more inviting; it's groovier. 90s Teen is more on the punk end of the spectrum, and Boils & Goyles is more psychedelic.
Whenever anyone asks me about 90s Teen, I just say psychedelic punk. If I say hardcore, it's too loaded. If I say noise, people probably won't pay attention.
