Being a father isn’t really that different than being a comedian. A lot of it is trial and error. There’s no right way to tell a joke, and there’s no right way to raise a child. You never really know when either is ready to be sent out into the…
South Florida is the best place to experience live music. Hear me out on this, haters. I’m not saying we have the largest, most diverse scene, or whether we do or don’t have the coolest bands ever, of all time. Our venues aren’t like necessarily far superior to those in…
It’s been a minute since County Grind caught up with Fort Lauderdale native and Limited Fanfare Records founder Brian Kurtz. The young record label has shown much promise in the few years of its existence by releasing stellar records from scuzzy Miami rockers Lil’ Daggers, Mike Marsh’s (former drummer for…
After 31 years as bassist and sometimes vocalist for Late Show With David Letterman’s musical ensemble, WIll Lee would seem to have more than enough activity to take up his time. Still, considering the more than 1,700 sessions he’s played over the course of his career — for luminaries like…
With apologies to Jon Secada’s legion of adoring fans, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say Chan Marshall is the finest singer to reside in South Florida. Marshall, who records and performs as Cat Power, has lived on and off in our neck of the woods for more than a decade…
Over here at New Times, we never miss a Cat Power show. Whether she’s “on” or “off,” you better believe we’re there with bells on, singing into our fists. ‘Cause not only is Chan Marshall a total goddess on the mic but she’s a local gal. Even though we spoke…
Dreads don’t necessarily equal reggae, but when it comes to the D.C. area septet SOJA’s singer, Jacob Hemphill, it’s a balanced hair-to-sound equation. These rootsy storytellers recently released their fourth LP, Strength to Survive, on ATO Records, a label cofounded by the very famous music man Dave Matthews. New Times…
One theory on South Florida’s thriving local music scene is that once you’re down here, it’s kind of hard to get out. Lots of bands end up keeping their tours within Florida’s borders. That’s why it’s so ska-tastic that Hialeah’s Stop the Presses is determined to break out of this…
Flickr/Great BeyondEditor’s Note: Shea Serrano is an award-winning music writer and goofball whose recent exploits include Bun B’s Rap Coloring and Activity Book. In his column, he writes about his life and times. Among many other things, my twin six-year-olds sons think I am Manu Ginobili when the Spurs play…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: aching for the ’80s. Hey, kids, remember the ’80s? That era of big hair, leisure suits, and Phil Collins? Yeah, a lot of Phil Collins. Maybe too much Phil Collins,…
With apologies to Jon Secada’s legion of adoring fans, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say Chan Marshall is the finest singer to reside in South Florida. Marshall, who records and performs as Cat Power, has lived on and off in our neck of the woods for more than a decade…
The name Paul Mecurio might not instantly ring a bell, but you have no doubt been privy to his comedic stylings. The writer and standup comedian came into comedy not through extensive improv training but a career on Wall Street. What started as a comedy habit quickly turned into a…
We all have a friend or two who still dress like it’s 1995 but with skinny jeans. They usually have on thick-rimmed glasses and wear T-shirts of bands you’ve never heard of. The dude or chick carries around all their synthy equipment in their trunk, just in case inspiration strikes…
One Tuesday night at the 101 Coffee Shop in Los Angeles, I was sitting at a booth and a friend pointed out a shaggy-haired stocky man who was standing by the front door being loud and obnoxious. “That’s Philip Seymour Hoffman,” he said. Sure enough, with the next word, Hoffman…
One of the most oft-explored weed stereotypes deals with the inescapable small talk that comes with committing the USA’s favorite non-violent, increasingly-legal crime. “What do you mean?” balks a utilitarian. “You show up. You spit out an amount and some dollars. And you leave.” Ah! Anyone who has ever copped…
One of the greatest sporting events in the US takes place this weekend — and we’re not talking about the Puppy Bowl. As cute as those canines are, we’ll prob skip them for the Super Bowl, or as Stephen Colbert calls it, Superb Owl. And while it’s awesome to see…
It’s a night to relish in local music folklore at the Youth Nations Project for the Arts this Saturday. This upstart Fort Lauderdale gallery has local musical legend Gregory McLaughlin unveiling his artwork for the very first time. McLaughlin is known as the lead vocalist for heralded ’80s punk/new wave…
A couple of weeks ago, I offered a list of ten LGBT punk bands using my usual scientific approach that meets my memory’s criteria. While I fervently appreciate all of your clicks on the blog, I also appreciate those who took the time to jog my memory with some obvious…
Everyone has that friend that pisses and moans about how South Florida never receives any decent tours. While there is certainly some truth in the observation that many acts skip the trip down the eight hours of weirdness that is Florida, today you can satisfy your inner contrarian and tell…
February is a month known for two things: the Superbowl and Valentine’s Day. Unless you are extremely stingy or don’t celebrate these “holidays,” this time of year is bound to take a slight toll on your wallet. Whether it’s supplying supersize nachos and beer for a football party, getting your…
Mötley Crüe is heading home sweet home. Well, home in the death sense. And yes, on this, their allegedly final tour, the “boys” are coming to South Florida, a place old folks have long used as their final abode. As it turns out, one of the wildest bands of all…
The world is looking at you Fort Lauderdale! A spread displaying Broward County’s coolest everything appeared in the February/March 2014 issue of the fantastic BUST Magazine. In it, writer Bridget Sweet calls the city, “more mellow than Miami and more punk than Palm Beach.” While the gutter-punks of Lake Worth…
