When God created summertime, She did so with the intention of having humans spend the entirety of the hottest months smoking joints and listening to reggae music. What the Almighty didn’t plan, however, was that a manmade buzzkill known as “the war on drugs” would ruin our high some 4.5…
Gringo Star is not to be confused with the popular drummer who replaced Pete Best in the Beatles and now refuses to sign autographs, Ringo “Peace and Love, Peace and Love” Starr. Gringo Star is actually the name of an indie-rock outfit from the fine Southern city of Atlanta. But…
As expected, the highly controversial Trayvon Martin case has called everyone from the lowliest of Facebook pundits and apparent overnight law school grads, to the upper echelon of proper lawyers and cultural icons to roost upon a bandwidth-choking, virtual soapbox. Whether you believe that Saturday’s verdict was wrong, right, or…
West Palm Beach has been missing something in the way of music. There hasn’t been a time or place for younger indie acts that are too big for Respectable Street but not quite regular headliners, to plug in their amps in our town. But then the gods heard our prayers,…
Whether you’re an avid follower, passive peruser, or determined hater of Pitchfork Media, there’s no denying the impact the Chiacgo-based Internet music daily has had on the independent music industry since it first hit the scene back in 1995. With more than 1.5 million unique visitors per month, it’s the…
True Blood’s Lafayette Reynolds must be taking style cues from Sylvester James, a.k.a. Sylvester, the late American disco and soul singer-songwriter whose flamboyant, androgynous hippie-feminine looks, counter and drag culture leanings, and string of hit dance singles earned him the moniker “The Queen of Disco” back in the 1970s. At…
The night at the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton began the way most nights at the Biscuit do – with a desperate search for a parking space somewhere in the strip malls of the Big Pink along Mizner Boulevard. But that spot secured, and a mid-length sojourn by foot later,…
Lil Wayne with T.I., Hit-Boy, and G-Easy Cruzan Amphitheatre July 14 The problem with Lil Wayne’s America’s Most Wanted concert last night in West Palm Beach wasn’t Lil Wayne. It wasn’t openers G-Easy or T.I. either, nor was it Birdman, who made a cameo during Weezy’s set. The problem was…
Ten years ago, Rx Bandits released The Resignation, its fourth studio album — a beacon in the ever revolving door of band members and ever evolving sound. Last night, Culture Room brought the act to Fort Lauderdale, along with a show that your high school self, and maybe even your…
The late ’80s were a difficult time for mainstream rock music. Between the nascent ascent of grunge and the rise of hip-hop, there wasn’t much room for effortless, engaging melodies and musical hooks that could be cool as well as catchy. For that reason alone, a group bearing an odd…
Remember when it was all about dueling pianos? The excitement, the entertainment, the audience participation — the seniors shuffling and frat guys moshing their way up the front to deposit their song requests and scanty tips! That ship has sailed, and when it did, so did 88’s Dueling Piano’s at…
Beyoncé BB&T Center, Sunrise July 9 You could divide Beyoncé’s performance at the BB&T Center into two parts: the beginning of the night, when everyone was getting up to pee, and the end of the night, when everyone looked like they had to pee but were not running to the…
Sometimes, we need a little fast-paced pop-punk in our lives — even if we’re going through a tragic, emo breakup. Buffalo three-piece Lemuria boasts a melodious, sing-along discography (like Dinosaur Jr. and Superchunk before them) fashioned from the sweet soprano of winsome frontwoman Sheena Ozzella, the sharp croon of drummer/vocalist…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: The scramble for seating. I have a friend named Dan who won’t go to a concert unless his tickets take him way up close. So close that he can see…
To the careless observer, Krewella and Excision may not be so different. Both have a reputation for playing heavy but energetic tunes, have been linked to “dubstep,” and cater to audiences who come hoping to leave sweaty and totally wasted. But the similarities end there, and in fact, the two…
Ghost Owl The Funky Biscuit Friday, July 5, 2013 It’s been said for years and years, by many, that first impressions are the most lasting. If that’s the case, Ghost Owl will forever be fondly remembered anyone in attendance at the Funky Biscuit last Friday night. The venue hosted the…
Beck hasn’t aged well. Physically he looks like he could be getting ready for his sophomore year of college, but his music lacks the respect it once seemed destined for. After “Loser” reached song-of-a-generation status, odds were, Beck would be a one-hit wonder, but then came Odelay. Sampling and innovating…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares observations, insights, and updates relating to South Florida’s musical environs. This week, Lee proves he’s a really good listener. It may seem odd, but I can attest to the fact that interviewing artists is often like engaging in therapy, both for…
Kiss may very well be the most polarizing band in rock music. However, the hard rockin’ kings of glam showmanship have assembled a veritable army of makeup-caked fans, thanks to a 40-year career of loud rock ‘n’ roll delivered from stages littered with explosives, flames, comically large walls of amplifiers,…
If you know who Soul Asylum are, you can now officially consider yourself middle-aged. But in 1993, they were amongst the biggest bands in America. The alternative rock band played President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration. Their lead singer Dave Pirner dated America’s sweetheart Winona Ryder, and their video for “Runaway…
Beach Day and Mr. Entertainment and the Pookiesmackers Hollywood Beach Bandshell June 28 Better than: Hiding from the summer heat in a movie theater. Summer has officially arrived in South Florida. Back to haunt South Floridians is the familiar wall of moisture that hangs in the air, the baking sun…
Journey Hard Rock Live, Hollywood June 28, 2013 In the past, some of my colleagues have pigeonholed the long-running American rock and roll act, Journey as a bit of esoteric Americana in the realm of kabuki karaoke theatrics. I did not grow up with Journey as a household name. Far…
