"Rock" means just about anything here. From blues rocker Jon Paris (September 21) to Miami protopunks Quit (September 27), Churchill's beery interior will house every conceivable kind of noise.
Despite its name the festival includes artists from outside Miami, like New Orleans' Quintron. The self-styled inventor and one-man band known for marrying organ-music kitsch to primal roots-rock savagery will play the festival September 29.
Anyone asking why an organist is headlining at a rock festival should check out Quintron's frantic gospel bleating with roots-punk band the Oblivians on Play 9 Songs with Mr. Quintron.
Churchill's proprietor Dave Daniels even snagged some music from the olde country. The U.K. Subs, British punks with a quarter-century of musical sneering under their belts, play Churchill's September 14. The Vibrators -- another original punk band with a discography that stretches back to 1976 -- will join fellow practitioners of punk-rock orthodoxy the Heatseekers, and Mary Tyler Whores, opening for the Subs.
While mid-Seventies punk may be en vogue with the kids these days (witness the success of Buzzcocks clones on MTV), Daniels says the festival's focus is Miami music, including last Sunday's Remedy Session show, and almost daily shows by local artists like Holy Terrors (September 13) and Painting David's Face (September 12).
Friday, September 6, is Latin Night featuring Prole, Tereso, Ohms, Munran, Legacy, Memori, and Gardis.
Those who prefer a pint to the inevitable maudlin parade of tear-jerking television and radio commentary that 9/11 will bring can find some solace at Churchill's for the Rock Festival's acoustic night, featuring Valerie Wisecracker, Empty Box, Alex Diaz, and Grant Livingston, among others.
