PalefaceThe Show is on the Road (Ramseur Records)Paleface’s journey has been a rocky one. He’s been picked up and slammed down by major labels, battled substance abuse, and had Beck crashing on his couch (okay, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad). But as one of the founders of New York’s…
Rachel GoodrichSweat Records, Miami Saturday, February 20, 2010 Better Than: Listening to old Raffi CDs as an adult. The Review: More than 100 fans crammed into Sweat Records Saturday night for a performance by Miami’s own “shake-a-billy” star, Rachel Goodrich. The event was part video contest award ceremony, part in-store dance…
Ike ReillyHard Luck Stories (Rock Ridge Music)If you took the Pogues and multiplied them by the Clash, then divided by Dylan the result would be Ike Reilly. Over the past decade, he’s quietly amassed one of the most raucous and literate catalogues in rock and roll. His peculiar genius is…
Dubble JamesThe Funky Buddha Lounge, Boca RatonSaturday, February 13, 2010Better Than: The Wailers covering Legend at Garlic Fest.The Review:The Funky Buddha Lounge has moved! Its new location is on the north end of the same plaza in Boca where it’s always been, but now takes up roughly twice the space…
State Radio With Big D and the Kids’ TableCulture Room, Fort LauderdaleWednesday, February 10, 2010 Better Than: Watching your live Dispatch: Zimbabwe DVD for the 12th time. State Radio plays smart rock.More specifically, it’s educated, punk-infused alt-reggae with socially conscious lyrics. And the band plays it damn well. The trio — Chad…
Yonder Mountain String BandRevolution, Fort LauderdaleFebruary 12, 2010 The Review: If there’s one thing that hippies love more than bluegrass, it’s far-out bluegrass played by hippies, for hippies. That’s why Yonder Mountain String Band is as precious as a magic topaz crystal mined from the caverns of Tim Leary’s wisdom-mind (wooooaaah). The…
Furthur Bayfront Park Amphitheater, MiamiFriday, February 5, 2010Better Than: [Insert clever Grateful Dead song title] cover bandThe Review:With weather on my mind and 50 miles of Super Bowl-enhanced traffic in front of me, I departed home this past Friday with anticipation of what the Grateful Dead’s newest incarnation would have…
After a booming kickoff last week, organizer/DJ David Healey (a.k.a the Commissioner) was back in effect this past Wednesday night at American Rock Bar. It was the second edition of the new weekly party Smoosh. Although this week drew less of a crowd than last week’s big opening event, there…
B.B. King & Buddy GuyHard Rock Live, HollywoodTuesday, February 2, 2010 Better Than: Hearing hip-hop and electronic music all Super Bowl week The Review: The collective age of the two performers at Hard Rock Live on Tuesday Night was 157 years. So you might think this concert was better suited for Florida’s…
NightWatch is a regular feature about bars and clubs by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg.Mickey’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill2739 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort LauderdaleCall 954-561-1911Mickey’s is the kind of place that doesn’t change much. Regulars are so comfortable, they’ll interrogate anyone whose face they don’t recognize. It’s nothing personal;…
New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert is enjoying a new found bill of health. Earlier this week he underwent surgery on his thyroid in order to have part of it removed. Doctors had feared that that part of his thyroid contained some potentially malignant cells. The surgery went fine, and…
Night Watch is a regular feature about bars and clubs by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg. Mugs2671 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort LauderdaleCall 954-566-7782 or visit mugsbar.comI got a clear sense of déjà vu at Mugs, but only, as I realized, because I’d been taken there for dinner once by a lovely…
Night Watch is a recurring feature about bars and clubs by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg. Shooters Waterfront Café3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort LauderdaleCall 954-566-2855, or visit shooterscafe.com”I thought you were really… different. That was the first thing about you that really caught my attention,” he was saying. His clean sweatshirt was…
Totally NebularWith Milk Spot and Ice CreamRadio-Active Records, Fort LauderdaleFriday, January 22, 2010Better Than: Chugging Mad Dog 20/20s from a brown paper bag in a parking lot.The Review:Underage bands have the toughest time finding places to play around town; they’re often relegated to performing at warehouses or house parties with…
Night Watch is a regular feature about bars and clubs by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg. JByrd’s Muddy Waters Restaurant and Raw Bar (2237 W Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach Call 954-428-6577, or visit muddywaters.biz)Out front, the patio area is replete with glider booths, palm trees, and parrot cages. A small island-like…
To view a full slideshow of photos from the event, click here. Stonefox 1921, Fort LauderdaleFriday, January 22, 2010 Better Than: Having someone say, “It’s not you, it’s me” through a medium other than rock music.The Review:Have we just been dumped? There have been so many hot, sweaty nights that South Florida music…
Gov’t MuleRevolution, Fort LauderdaleJanuary 20, 2010Better Than: Paying to be crammed in a container with 1000 old, loud, smelly people and then shipped from Haiti during a earthquake with nothing but Gov’t Mule on my MP3 player. The Review:I am guessing that since Revolution Live has an average of six shows…
Suck down as much beer as you can at the Bierbrunnen-New Times Help for Haiti event on Saturday, because half of the profits from sales of Corona, Heineken, and Miller will go to the American Red Cross. Gold Coast Beverage Distributors Inc. is donating the beer and New Times’ Street…
Brother Bean’s final performance and Aura Music FestivalSeratoma Youth Ranch, Brooksville, FloridaJanuary 15 through 17, 2010Better Than: Crossing paths with a crazy redneck on a shooting rampage. The Review:This past weekend was a holiday for some, but not for me. I was only able to attend 24 hours of the three-day…
Click here to view photo from this show.Surfer Blood, Invisible Music (John Ralston), Sweet Bronco, Kill Now?! Propaganda, Lake WorthMonday, January 18, 2010 Better Than: Pat Robertson The Review:Beauty often emerges from tragedy, and last night’s Benefit for Haiti show at Propaganda was like a little flower growing from the bloody rubble…
Slip and the SpinoutsThe Monterey Club, Fort LauderdaleSaturday, January 16, 2010The Review:The new Fort Lauderdale bar the Monterey Club is rockabilly through and through. There are hot rods parked out front, a flaming sacred heart painted on the wall behind the stage, and tiki imagery throughout the room. And it…
JJ Grey & Mofro, GalacticRevolution, Fort LauderdaleSaturday, January 9, 2010Better Than: Being stuck on a boat with “suspicious liquids.”The Review:This past weekend marked an annual ritual: the end of the Jam Cruise, which always floods South Florida with musical talent. Though sometimes this place feels like a musical black hole,…
