Jacuzzi Boys press photo.
Audio By Carbonatix
On Sunday night, after playing a family-friendly set in Miami Beach with his band Jacuzzi Boys, Alcala suffered a seizure at home that caused a serious head injury and loss of consciousness. His wife found him unresponsive and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors performed a CT scan and MRI, ultimately discovering a tumor on the left side of his brain, likely growing slowly for the past decade.
A fixture in Miami’s indie scene, Alcala is the frontman of the beloved garage rock trio Jacuzzi Boys, which has been gracing the local stages since 2007 and has earned national recognition. He’s also a prolific illustrator whose signature artwork has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Magazine, and, of course, Miami New Times. This paper launched a merch collaboration with Alcala earlier this year, featuring some of his designs in t-shirts.
Alcala is now recovering at home but faces major surgery to remove the tumor, followed by possible radiation treatment. According to details shared by his wife, he will remain on anti-seizure medication indefinitely and will be unable to drive for at least six months. A biopsy will be performed during surgery to determine the tumor’s nature.
Gofundme screenshot
His wife, Lizzy, is spearheading the GoFundMe campaign to help cover the extensive costs associated with surgery, post-operative therapy, long-term medication, childcare, and lost income during recovery. The couple shares a two-year-old son, Arthur.
“Gabriel is the heart of our family and a beloved part of Miami’s arts and music community,” Lizzy writes. “We’re asking for your support, whether through a donation or by sharing his story.”
Luckily, the local art and music community has been quick to respond, with comments of support flooding social media and raising over $50,000 in less than 24 hours. For those willing to support, you can do so by visiting the GoFundMe page, where updates are expected to be posted regularly.
Out of respect for his recovery, the family kindly requests that well-wishers refrain from asking Gabriel Alcala for updates directly. You can follow his Instagram page for the latest information.
