Check Crossfade on Wednesdays from now on for a quick survey of interesting recent national releases.Chuck ProphetLet Freedom Ring (Yep Roc)You’ve got to hand it to Chuck Prophet. While the rest of the world was panicking about the swine flu outbreak, the San Francisco-based songwriter was holed up in a…
A cross between the melodic punk of Lawrence Arms and the churning hardcore of Rise Against, A Wilhelm Scream combines a high quotient of both heft and hooks. Original drummer Nicholas Pasquale Angelini is the beast’s backbone, driving tempo like Jeff Gordon, and keying a thick bottom end worthy of…
Alligator Alley was one of the most distinctive venues we had in South Florida. Where else could you munch on savory gator ribs, sip on a crisp microbrew, and listen to funky New Orleans zydeco all at once? Sadly, it is no more — after a weekend-long send-off, Alligator Alley…
Marc AnthonySaturday, October 24, 2009American Airlines Arena, MiamiMelodramatic Latin tenor extraordinaire Marc Anthony was personally handed the keys to Dwyane Wade’s house Saturday night. Wade, NBA star player of the Miami Heat, surprised Anthony on stage midway through the the singer/songwriter’s performance to make sure he would feel right at…
The revelry swings into high gear on Lake Avenue on Halloween as Lake Worth’s inaugural Halloween Street gets under way that Saturday at noon. Organizers promise three stages of music, “Coney Island-style” freak shows, a psychic fair, a costume contests for kids, pets, and adults, and arts and crafts vendors…
If semitrailers got down ‘n dirty like motor oil in a dank club beneath the highway, Revolting Cocks would be the house band. Spiritual kin of Thrill Kill Kult, this Al Jourgensen (of Ministry) side project does a grindhouse, brass-pole version of industrial dance, fueled by all the seething lust…
Hello everyone! We’ve been traveling the country for about two weeks nowand here it is summed up:The fall is starting to settle, the leaves are changing and the cold weather is kicking!!! Layers are very essential at this point. The lowest temperature we’ve hit so far has been 33 degrees…
The Dexter Romweber Duo and Ben PrestagePropaganda, Lake WorthFriday, October 9, 2009Better Than: Sharing corn whiskey with a friendThe Review:Last Friday at Propaganda was an evening of sweaty, unabashed musical revival. Both acts on the evening’s bill, the Dexter Romweber Duo and Ben Prestage, masterfully resurrected styles of music popular…
A well-known Miami DJ Juan Carlos Portieles, known professionally as DJ Seasunz, turned himself in yesterday afternoon after driving around with the dead body of his 18-year-old girlfriend, Jaclyn Torrealba. Police are charging the 30 year-old Portieles with second degree murder. The arrest affidavit can be read here. Police say the couple became involved in a…
When a newly reformed legendary Brazilian psychedelic band calls upon you to open up for its national tour, it’s probably best to simply say yes. Of course, leave it to those wacky Os Mutantes to go ahead and dig up the only group that describes their sound as “Spanish-Jewish indie…
This week I decided to try something new — an interview. I asked my friend Tommy Newman of Murderous Rampage ten questions about his band. Here we go. Please let me know what you guys think. Brooklyn: What bands have you been in around South Florida, and what did they sound…
DJ Roc Raida Tribute and Benefit Show at Champion SoundElectric Pickle, Miami Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Better Than: Watching DJ routines on YouTubeFull Disclosure: I’m a resident DJ at this party, under the name Sire Esquire.The Review: Tribute events are not an easy task, as their themes often get sidetracked in the midst…
Who doesn’t like arroz con leche? It’s rice, condensed milk, and lots of sugar, sometimes with cinnamon sprinkled on top, served either hot or cold. As such it’s a dessert meant for the gods (or cheap foodies like myself). But enough of the actual food. Why not try out Arroz…
Native South Floridian Roberto Lange is a busy guy. Aside from having his fingers in the production pot, working with indie up-and-comers like School of Seven Bells, he is also has been known to work with Prefuse 73. And just this past summer, he put out an album of his…
Catastrophic Euphoria Fundraiser With Boxwood, Radioboxer, and others PS14, Miami Saturday, September 26, 2009 Better Than: Wandering through Bayside wondering why you’re broke. The Review: Catastrophic Euphoria, the musical kaleidoscope stuffed into P.S. 14’s backyard this past Saturday night, was organized with three intentions. First and foremost, the event…
What I would like to talk about this week is the resurgence of ’90s hardcore. I think it’s awesome, and frankly, maybe I’m just thinking this because I’m excited that Converge is coming to the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Sunday, November 8. (They’re playing with High on Fire, Mastodon, and Dethklok)…
When we close the book on this decade, I am willing to bet Nick Diamonds will be mentioned among the names of the most influential music makers of the 00’s. Through his work in lo-fi indie-pop outfit the Unicorns, into his most recent incarnation with the band Islands, Mr. Diamonds…
To read past installments of Jacobs Ladder’s tour diary, click here. This is the final installment, by bassist Sammy Gonzalez. Now that the band is back home, you can stay updated on their shows and releases by checking out the Jacobs Ladder MySpace page. Driving home from Tampa at 12:30 a.m…
Rootz Underground Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Pulp Live, Fort Lauderdale Better Than: Breaking the law and getting away with it. The Review: There are two words to describe the music of Rootz Underground: “rebel rock.” And from the looks of what transpired Wednesday night, rebellion in all its rockin’ glory was at hand. It’s been…
Jacobs Ladder is almost at the end of their national tour. Click here and here to read past installments of the band’s tour diary — and to hear their music, check out their MySpace page. These installments were penned by the band’s bassist, Sammy Gonzalez.Wednesday, September 2: General Thoughts on…
The CrumbsInsubordination Fest ’08: Live From Baltimore (Insubordination Records)insubordinationrecords.com Here are the Crumbs down to a three-piece, rocking harder than most of their contemporaries in an excellent live document of one of their retrospective gigs. (The Crumbs have 16 years in the game, baby!) The DVD gives them the full…
DubFest Featuring Bunny Wailer, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, and othersHollywood ArtsPark at Young CircleSaturday, September 5, 2009 Better Than: Anything that has come to the ArtsPark in a very long time.The Review:Last Saturday, the rain just wouldn’t let up. By the time 2:00 p.m. rolled around, yet…
