Beatlemania Is Back

Regional bands paying tribute to idols and heroes is a rite of passage in South Florida. The past year has seen local indie-rock homages to Tori Amos, the Pixies, Joy Division/New Order, and the Smiths. Now a Velvet Underground lovefest with sets from Mr. Entertainment and Whirlaway, among others, is set for mid-January at Respectable Street. But Tasha Lopez de Victoriaof Translucent Productions feels the time is ripe for a loving look back at the most worthy honoree, and she plans a bash on November 23 at Miami's Club Revolver to rectify the situation.

"Everybody loves the Beatles! I mean, who doesn't?" says Lopez de Victoria, who heads Translucent with her sister Monica and two members of Miami-based rockers the Remedy Session. The sisters work in a medium that relies on manipulated photocopies, found objects, and transparent materials, and are planning a juried art show to complement the musical Beatles tribute.

Each band is performing two Beatles songs; the lineup at press time included Dollyrocker, Blame Spree, Faller, Plutonium Pie, Future Ex, Broadview, Humbert, Sixo, the Stop Motion, Panda Bite(Juan Montoya's new band), and Justin Howell of Mandala.

Ely Bascoy says his band, Miami guitar-tweakers Dollyrocker, has a special treat planned for the evening.

For most of its existence, Dollyrocker has been just Bascoy and his guitarist/songwriting buddy Al Vasquez, relying on samplers and backing tapes to carry out live shows. That's changing, as the band has recently incorporated brothers Raul (bass) and George Rubiera (drums) and is in the midst of recording a new album with the full quartet. "We're expanding into a new sound right now," Bascoy reports. He'll be knocking out another pair of Beatles songs that night as he plays bass in Future Ex.

Both of his bands will hit West Palm Beach's Sound Splash on December 28 with the ever-lovable Baby Robots. Bascoy hopes the show will help his outfits finally break into Broward and Palm Beach counties. "I've never really shown my face up there," he says. "We're a bit unknown."