He began life as Stanley Harvey Eisen but became famous under the alias Paul Stanley as a founding member of Kiss, easily one of the most successful if somewhat eccentric bands of all time. Certainly, no group has ever mixed comic-book fantasy with hard-rock intent as competently and completely. Born…
Black Cobra Invernal (Southern Lord Recordings) blackcobra.net Say what you will, but South Florida loves all of its children, whether they live here or not. I can’t think of a better example of this at the moment than the almighty duo of Black Cobra. And that’s not just because album…
A review of “Rockstar” Karaoke at America’s Backyard on Wednesdays at downtown Fort Lauderdale. It is true — when you sing karaoke at America’s Backyard, you can be heard beyond Esplanade Park. That might not be baseball-stadium distance, but it sure the hell is close — when it comes to…
If you grew up in South Florida and are old enough to remember the mid- and late ’90s, you might remember the band Discount. The Vero Beach punk ensemble was led by then middle schooler Alison Mosshart. The once-underaged songstress is now a grown woman living in London as one-half…
Call her what you will — a showbiz chanteuse, a down-home diva, or simply the epitome of American superstardom. Dolly Parton is an absolutely brilliant entertainer, as suited to the stage as any icon of the modern era. She turns 66 today, January 18, but she still was able to…
A review of the Inkmaster Screening Party at Spin Ultra Lounge in Boca Raton Tuesday night and an introduction of Lea Vendetta. Tuesday night, tattoo artist/painter Lea Vendetta was at a chic lounge in Boca Raton, yet a good chunk of people all over America fell in love with her…
Miami band Plains’ first year of existence was defined by a certain elusiveness. The group, led by frontman Michael McGinnis, dropped gem after indie-rock gem to the internet hordes but largely held back from saturating the live circuit. The focus on writing and recording meant that the group’s self-titled debut…
The creation myth of August Burns Red is charmingly pastoral. The founding members, then high school buddies, got together on drummer Matt Greiner’s family farmland in exurban Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But the sound they came up with was the opposite of mellow — in fact, maybe all that open space encouraged…
Buffalo, New York-based death-metal legend Cannibal Corpse has been going strong for some 23 years now, longer than many of its younger fans have likely been alive. That, however, is the beauty of that musical style and of Cannibal Corpse in particular. As long as there is a new, fresh…
On a recent Monday afternoon, Bleubird is on a mission to find the perfect pair of shoes and hat. They need to match a blue-and-orange suit the Fort Lauderdale-based rapper purchased at the Oakland Park Flea Market. The gaudy ensemble is coming together for the filming of a Kickstarter-funded music…
If you live in South Florida and often are at shows, it is entirely possible that we’ve made eye contact. This is because I like to glare intensely at people, and also because I spend my afternoons obsessively checking events on Facebook, looking for concerts to attend once the sun…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions and observations about the local scene. This week: Two very different backstage scenarios… Considering the fact that this column is called Backstage in South Florida, I found it interesting to note the differences in a pair of backstage…
Singer/songwriter Nick Eberhardt is one of those talented local musicians who make us scratch our head and wonder, why isn’t anyone handing this guy a big-time, multimillion-dollar recording contract? Seriously, he has the sparkling, intimate chops of a Pete Yorn, the dapper looks of a Jeff Buckley, and the guitar…
Born January 18, 1982, Joanna Newsom has made her mark in modern music circles as one of the chief proponents of what’s been dubbed the psych-folk, freak folk or nü-folk movement, depending on the pundit. It’s a curious hybrid, a combination of surreal arrangements and back-porch sensibilities. Imagine Joni Mitchell…
When Plains’ frontman Michael McGinnis dragged the South Florida music swamp for a band to back him, he probably just wanted dudes who could carry a tune, keep a rhythm, and wield an ax as well as he does. To his surprise and benefit, when Jorge Graupera, Jorge Rubiera, and…
Buffalo, New York-based death-metal legends Cannibal Corpse have been going strong for some 23 years now, longer than many of their younger fans have likely been alive. That, however, is the beauty of that musical style and of Cannibal Corpse in particular. As long as there is a new fresh…
Miami-based twee poppers Little Beard — last seen around these parts at Radio-Active Records’ recent grand reopening — have a vacancy. The group has been written up positively in NME and continues to field offers for tours, but it recently amicably parted ways with its bassist, who needed more time…
There were those who branded themselves as outlaws way before — Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, and David Allan Coe among them. But Steve Earle has lived that legend to the fullest. Born January 17, 1955, Earle’s notoriety has often threatened to overshadow his prodigious musical career, one that’s made him…
Lou Barlow has been to South Florida only once, ever, and previously has had no desire to spend any extended time at sea. This week, though, he’s due for an extended dose of both. The indie-rock icon is slated to perform aboard the Weezer Cruise, departing from the Port of…
Skerik & FriendsHurricane Bar & Grill, Delray BeachJanuary 15, 2011 Better than: The Dead Kennedys and Kenny G at any point in their careers.While you might think that an excursion to Jamaica and Haiti would be a low-key vacation, the return of Jam Cruise patrons on Saturday instigated epic stories…
It’s tough to imagine that any previously initiated Wannee Festival lovers felt anything but warmth this morning when they checked the lineup announcement on the fest’s website. They’ll probably feel the warmth again when they log on to buy their tickets, which will be released Friday. Wannee Fest has always…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares observations, insights and updates relating to South Florida’s musical environs. This week, cool conversation, part two. In our last Backstage in South Florida column, I reflected on some of the more notable interviews I conducted over the past 12 months. As…
