Playing at Churchill's Pub is a rite of passage for Miami musicians. When Modernage had the opportunity to perform at the legendary Little Haiti
"We probably didn't put on the most politically correct show."
tweet this
But despite the magnitude of its success, Modernage took a nearly two-and-a-half-year hiatus, which was — thankfully — broken by one performance this past April. That show inspired the group's members to come together once again to create new material.
"We were creating again," he remembers fondly. "We are keeping it going and playing new shows and eventually, hopefully, having another release."
Before Modernage moves forward, though, the bandmates decided it was only right to begin the new leg of their career where it all began: Churchill's.
For guitarist Xavier Alexander, this will be an opportunity to not only complete the circle but also to present a more mature and refined version of themselves.
"It's funny, because the last time we played Churchill's, we probably didn't put on the most politically correct show. We were drunk, and I don't remember much, but I remember rolling around on the stage at some point, making trumpet sounds into the microphone," Alexander says. "So I think we can probably come back and say, 'Hey, this is what we really do,' and it'll be a nice feeling."
Although the show will be a celebration of Modernage's return to music, Giancarlo hopes the night's lineup will also highlight the growth that Miami's music scene has seen while they were out of the game.
"There wasn't much of a community of music at the time. Now there are a lot more different types of acts that are doing well because there seems to be more of a centralized community around it," Giancarlo says. "One of the things I remember back then is there weren't that many bands doing anything other than hardcore or punk. Now that's changed."
Alexander hopes Miami's new players on the music scene will increase the city's demand for live music.
"I think at some point, people are going to realize there are a lot of amazing bands out there and get sick of watching a DJ pretend to twist some knobs behind a stage and want to see some real music. I think it's hopeful," he says.
After having reached what some might consider a milestone, Alexander and Giancarlo look forward to continuing what they started ten years ago, but this time with a newfound ease and confidence.
"We've really ridden the whole band experience like you see in the movies," Alexander says. "It gets to a point where you're no longer really worried about the future or really even thinking about it. You're just kind of doing your thing. You know what to do, you get onstage, you knock it out, you have fun, and there's a lot less pressure on it."
Modernage with Deaf Poets, MillionYoung, Krisp, and Sigh Kicks. 9 p.m. Saturday, August 1, at Churchill’s Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com. Admission is $10.
