Since forming in 2004, Austin, Texas,’ Black Angels have become the proverbial torchbearers of traditional psychedelia, wringing aural acid trips from the keys of reverb-soaked combo organs and droning sitars for the better part of ten years now. But beyond an impressive discography of its own drug-rock masterpieces, the band…

Jucifer Churchill’s Pub, Miami Friday, February 21, 2014 Some bands wield volume artistically, turning sound waves into bludgeoning vehicles of expression and tapping into the very viscera of the audience through sheer force. Bands like Swans, Japan’s Boris, and Miami’s own Holly Hunt all use decibels to bolster the inherent…

The International Noise Conference has come and gone this year, leaving in its wake perforated eardrums, a melted motorcycle tire, and a missing flute. But noise as an accessory within other genres has become a very regular thing in recent years. Hell, even Kanye West has dabbled with harsh noise…

Skinny Puppy Shapes for Arms Tour 2014 With Army of the Universe Grand Central, Miami Friday, February 7 Industrial music does not possess a great wealth of heroes. It’s a genre that many acts love to borrow from, but rarely ever commit to. However, Skinny Puppy is one group that…

Queens of the Stone Age With Chelsea Wolfe Fillmore Miami Beach Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Better Than: Those sad years when Queens of the Stone Age stopped being a band, the Dwarves gig at Churchill’s a few years back, and any recent Kyuss reboot. It’s been 11 years since Queens…

At this current moment, Queens of the Stone Age is the best rock ‘n’ roll band on the planet. A bold statement, to be sure. However, while there exist other artists with similar relevance and artistic integrity, no group so deeply embodies the spirit of the genre’s past while fighting…

At present, South Florida’s hardcore scene is strong. And that really should not be taken for granted. We have benevolent promoters who continue to toil away, convincing bands to make the journey down the length of a seemingly endless state to perform in Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach. The area…

Punk rock lives. Even if as John Joseph says: “It’s just become like anything else, you know? Homogenized, watered down, and fashion.” In the first part of our conversation with Joseph, frontman of the legendary New York hardcore/thrash band Cro-Mags, we spoke about punk in 2014, the changing face of…

When it comes to musicians with compelling personal histories, John “Bloodclot” Joseph’s story is a tough one to beat. Though we recommend his first book, Evolution of a Cro-Mag, for the full story, the man’s journey has seen him go from an early life spent quite literally on the streets…

Black Lips Shore Club, Miami Beach Thursday, December 5, 2013 It’s fair to say that Art Basel Miami Beach has come under critical siege at times for its supposed devolution from world-class art festival to glorified party. However, while plenty of people critiquing Basel are, in fact, too cool for…

Alabama Shakes Fillmore Miami Beach Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Better Than: An abbreviated Kendrick Lamar set, a weird party not thrown by Lady Gaga on North Beach, drinking warm beer in Wynwood. As the rest of South Beach clamored about to secret parties, cramped galleries, and other Basel diversions, the…

It is an interesting time for the Alabama Shakes. Riding high on the success of a nearly universally lauded debut full-length album, Boys & Girls, the group has undoubtedly earned a rep as one of the most exciting bands dwelling within the increasingly overrun world of roots and Americana music…

Thee Oh Sees With OBN III’s and the Blind Shake The Stage Miami Monday, November 4, 2013 Better Than: Going home and waiting to work again. Waiting to die, again. If you’re like the majority of Americans, Monday nights typically involve a mind-numbing commute, a meal, and perhaps some time…

Kurt Vile & The Violators With VBA, Band in Heaven, and Beach Fossils Grand Central, Miami Friday, November 1, 2013 Kurt Vile is the unassuming anti-rock star for a new generation. As a guitarist, Vile brings an understated athleticism to his playing that perfectly suits the charming and often revealing…

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a band that remains a protector of the rock ‘n’ roll spirit. In an age when processed pop, phonetic folk, and hyped hip-hop rule the airwaves and bandwidth, BRMC has stayed true to its roots as a propagator of anthemic rock, creating albums as statements…

STRFKR With Chrome Sparks and Feelings Grand Central, Miami Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Better Than: It was a Tuesday night. How did you spend yours? At one point during last night’s triumphant set by Starfucker (STRFKR), the bright lights that danced and coalesced behind band members cooled, and the stage…

Black Flag With Good for You Grand Central, Miami Saturday, September 7, 2013 Better Than: Seeing Keith Morris sing Rollins-era Black Flag songs. To expect a performance by the 2013 incarnation of Black Flag to provide the same animalistic, confrontational assault of yore would be to live in a state…