In another instance of local music scenesters using Facebook to rail against the scene (see also: Fernando Perdomo Wants You To Know That Experimental Music is Crap), Crossfade was surprised to see a surly post from This Heart Electric frontman Ricardo Guerrero acerbically declaring that "All Miami venues fucking suck a fat fucking dick" and that he would be moving his annual Death to the Sun festival to the recently opened Snooze Theater in Lake Park, Florida.
Guerrero's statement is weighty not only for its critical, kind-of-manic tone and approach, but also because the musician, promoter, engineer, and artist is such a dedicated member of the Biscayne Corridor music and arts community.
Crossfade shot Guerrero an email to get a feel for why he's so bummed out on Miami and its venues.
We sent Guerrero a few bulleted questions and he responded with a bona fide, self-described "rant." We've broken up his message into thematic clusters.
The crux of the problem seems to be a lack of options when it comes to live music venues. Guerrero thinks Miami has so few that he'd rather take his festival an hour north to The Snooze, a spot that matches the spirit of his event.
In the course of detailing the problems with Miami's venues, he touched upon several spaces, new and old, still around and now defunct.
I am very disappointed in the lack of options Miami has to offer. I would like for anyone to offer a retort to this.
Although I love it, respect it, and love playing it (it's actually my favorite place to play in Miami), Churchills' ratio of shitty shows to good shows is astounding. I do like that anyone can play there though, and I am happy it exists.
Sadly, Goo Gallery, Chum Bucket, and other DIY venues have all been shut down. Sweat Records is one of the only decent places you can book an out of town band. Eve, Grand Central, Bardot, Villa 221, and places like that cater to a South Beach/DWNTWN condo/trust-fund hipster crowd. Bar was okay, but like all things Miami, it did not last. There is practically no place, except for Churchill's and Sweat (which are in the same building) to book a DIY show.
I just feel there is a lack of places that support the underground music scene here. It feels like you're always fighting management when dealing with the places that are available. They refuse to pay bands, offer decent drink prices, or even pay for flyer costs.
He went on to explain how The Snooze offers a contrast to his issues with clubs in Miami.
The Snooze is a blessing to the South Florida music scene. Formerly known as The Orange Door, The Snooze is now being run by members of the bands Cop City/Chill Pillars and Love Handles. They have been the most accommodating, friendly, respectful, and professional people to work with in years. I've played as This Heart Electric a few times, attended Zitfest and a few other local shows there. They also host an array of events outside of "the scene", which is just wonderful for the community. I am excited to bring DEATH TO THE SUN to The Snooze. It's time to break the borders between counties and unite!
After speaking his mind, Guerrero brought shit back to the point, which is apparently rockin', rollin', and havin' a good time.
My plans for DTTS are to stick to my flawless formula: a shitload of excellent, hand-picked south Florida bands, no cover, and cheap drinks for all. It's a farewell to summer celebration, so I want to make sure everyone can partake and fucking lose their shit.
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