On Make Music Day 2016, Stop Whatever You’re Doing and Play

What started in France 34 years ago as a new musical holiday has spread to 700 cities in 120 countries, and this year it’s arriving in South Florida. In a partnership with Riverwalk of Fort Lauderdale and School of Rock Coral Springs and West Broward, Make Music Day Fort Lauderdale…

X Ambassadors Struggled Until That Jeep Commercial

A young band, plagued by small club numbers and a lack of radio play, claws and fights its way to some modicum of success. The reason this sounds cliché is because it’s a reality for thousands. Even after years of working on side projects in addition to their main band,…

Broward’s Best Concert of the Week: Gogol Bordello at Revolution Live

Gogol Bordello are brilliant, wild, and completely out-of-control maniacs. Thank goodness, they party on the side of good. This Friday, the New York-bred band of Gypsy-punks descend on Revolution Live like a swarm of fun-loving circus folk armed with accordions and violins instead of stale popcorn and bearded ladies. That’s not…

Hukilau 2016: Massive Tiki Party Begins Wednesday

In December, the Mai-Kai, one of the premier tiki-themed Polynesian restaurants in the country (and perhaps the world), turns 60. But there’s nothing wrong with starting the party early. Beginning June 8, the 15th-annual Hukilau will honor the Mai-Kai’s birthday with tiki enthusiasts from around the globe marking the occasion…

Tommy James: The Mafia Used to Run the Music Industry

“I’ve had some amazing good fortune,” Tommy James admits. “I’ve always felt a kind of predestination with things. I’ve always felt that the Good Lord was looking out for me, and I mean that sincerely because of the things that have happened to me. I’ve been very, very blessed and…

Refused: The Most Important Punk Band of Its Generation?

Punk-rock authenticity has been argued over, analyzed, poked, prodded, and torn apart to the point of irrelevancy since the form’s inception in the late ’70s (or early ’80s, depending on which self-appointed punk historian you listen to). I suppose it’s important for people to make some attempt to define and…

Jason Bonham Talks About Led Zeppelin Reunion Rumors

If the name “Jason Bonham” sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of John Bonham, former drummer of Led Zeppelin and one of the most renowned musicians in history. The younger Bonham subbed in for his late father on drums during Led Zeppelin’s London reunion concert in 2007. Three…

Girls Make Beats: Workshop Teaches Girls to Write Songs

Photo Credit: Benhur Photography. When Tiffany Miranda started out as a recording artist, she looked around the studio and quickly noticed she was in the midst of a male-dominated industry. “Women are known to be vocalists or songwriters, but they rarely are in the position of creative control of a…

Ten Signs You’ve Been in Fort Lauderdale Too Long

South Florida has everything. Day drinking and sports are options year round. There’s a beautiful ocean, a sandy beach covered in hot bodies, and plenty of lively nightlife.  So why leave?  Whether you were born here or assimilated into Fort Lauderdale culture a decade ago, there’s a great big world out there…

Surfer Blood Guitarist Thomas Fekete Has Died

Thomas Fekete, the guitarist of West Palm Beach-based band Surfer Blood, has died.  His wife Jessica announced the death on a GoFundMe page that had been set up to help with costs related to his treatment for cancer.  Jessica wrote:  Our sweet Thomas passed on last night, peacefully in his…

Five Greatest Videos From the Talent Farm

We sure do miss teh Talent Farm. For nearly a decade, the all-ages Pembroke Pines venue hosted shows of all sizes before closing its doors two years ago, almost to the day. The warehouse space, which opened in 2005 and closed at the end of May 2014, hosted everyone from…