WEEZER VON BADER’S TWO CENTS...
Weezer
Oh Weezer. Where do we even begin at this point? It feels as if an absolute epoch has passed since the days your charming nervosa, unassuming image, and hook-laden songs carved out their very own little subgenre of indie-rock. For someone that once considered your first two full-length releases in the light of trusted friends -- musical confidants to help weather the dog days of adolescence -- you have fallen so far from grace that there is just no way this conversation can’t be a little awkward.
So let’s put it on the table. Your last few albums have been borderline insulting to the fan base that helped you to your glory days of rubbing elbows with Muppets and into the warm embrace of major labels. And while I don’t subscribe to the belief that an artist owes its fans anything as far as the art it creates is concerned, perhaps you owe us all the courtesy of an explanation. What the hell changed? Was it the money? Was it the lukewarm industry reception for the could-have-been magnum opus that was Pinkerton? Must one need to be struggling, hungry, and miserable to make the kind of records that sent a generation of disenfranchised pre-hipsters out on the hunt for thick rimmed specs and cardigans? How, exactly, do you explain or excuse Hurley? Raditude? Is it all just a great big troll? I could get behind that -- some thankless expenditure of record industry funds and time. Still, even that explanation doesn’t quite add up beyond the notion that I am simply too out-of-touch or beneath the comprehension of Rivers Cuomo’s Harvard-educated sense of humor and/or artistic motivations, and that it has all sailed over my head. Still, Butch Walker has a production credit! Rick Rubin was involved! I don’t get it. Despite all of this, I’ll still go see you when you come to my town, if only to revel in the nostalgia of the cult hits you’re expected to play. And while I’ll be cringing through the oddball falsettos and trite choruses of “Beverly Hills,” know that you are the musical equivalent of an ex-lover that has let themselves go, but not quite hard enough to completely outshine the golden memories, and that I still love you (almost) unconditionally, and while that unconditional love may feel a little tough at the moment, know it’s because I know what you’re capable of, and I believe in a future with the Weezer comeback the fans really want -- not just the Weezer comeback the accountants want. ~ Von Bader
DRIVE BY TRUCKERS Some things will just never go out of style. Despite whatever abominations find a home in the mainstream. No matter what foolish sounds become fashionable in the vernacular of popular music. Wild bleeps, bloops, and dropped bass be damned, there is absolutely nothing that can take a goddamned thing away from a well-written song done up in the classic twang-imbued rock ‘n’ roll finery that the Drive By Truckers have been perfecting since the late ‘90s.
Photo by McClister
The Drive By Truckers remain a powerhouse of alternative country in 2014, and while the band has seen its share of members come and go over the years (most notably providing singer/songwriter Jason Isbell with his start), founding members and principal songwriters, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, have continued to keep the band on its intended course of writing organic, no frills, tried and true alt. country well into its current iteration. The discography boasted by the Truckers is absolutely massive and while many bands begin to tread water Drive By Truckers after a few records, 2014’s English Oceans is another winner that holds up just fine amid the modern classics the band has released over the years. There is a specific charm to the simplistic, witty, and approachable Southern musings the Truckers purvey that makes the band’s music distinct, yet immediately comfortable. While the Truckers have certainly not reinvented the wheel in the realm of roots rock they occupy, eschewing the oddities and spacial experimentations that have become the norm for peers like Wilco, the band has always hung its hat on its live show, which has garnered plenty of attention and respect to warrant the release of three live albums. The interesting thing about the musical climate in South Florida is that, while the mega-selling pop-country acts sell out the area’s largest venues, the alternative end of the roots spectrum seem to go very much unnoticed -- despite the wealth of great rootsy acts that call South Florida home. This affords fans with a taste for the authentic, honest stuff that is the calling card of band’s like Drive By Truckers opportunities to enjoy such artists in the intimacy of venues like Fort Lauderdale’s Culture Room, which will be hosting the Truckers on Wednesday, June 4. While you’re at it, check out some of the locals currently purveying a variety of alt. country and roots styles, like the Goddamn’ Hustle or the should-have-beenlegendary Charlie Pickett. ~ Von Bader
HUKILAU
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THE HUKILAU SAYS ‘ALOHA’ BUT NOT GOODBYE IN 2014 In Hawaii, aloha can mean both hello and goodbye. For the annual Polynesian Pop gathering that returns to Fort Lauderdale in June for its 13th annual celebration, both definitions are particularly apropos. For the many devotees who will be traveling from around the world to attend the rum-fueled festivities on June 11-15, aloha has quickly gone from meaning a lamented last fling to a promising new beginning. After an announcement late last year that 2014 would be the “Final Aloha,” organizer Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White dropped the bombshell in April that The Hukilau will continue in 2015 with new partners and a new energy. She plans to announce more details on the event’s future in June. But the focus now is on 2014. Expanded to five days of live bands, symposiums, artists, vendors, special events and performances, The Hukilau encompasses the historic Mai-Kai restaurant on Federal Highway and the Bahia Mar Beach Resort on the south end of Fort Lauderdale Beach. Begun in 2002 in Atlanta, the event moved to South Florida in 2003 and has attracted thousands of mid-century and retro culture devotees looking for an authentic tiki experience. Performers and VIPs also travel from far and wide, spanning a wide gamut of vintage styles. Highlights include: Florida bands Gold Dust Lounge (Miami), Skinny Jimmy & The Stingrays (Deerfield Beach), Slip and the Spinouts (Yeehaw Junction), The Intoxicators (Tallahassee), and The Disasternauts (Cape Canaveral), will be joined by The Left Arm of Buddha (Belgium), The Sweet Hollywaiians (Japan), and The Smokin’ Menehunes (California). The Intoxicators Special guests include South Florida’s Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid (performing in her native habitat at The Wreck Bar), legendary pinup photographer Bunny Yeager, burlesque queen Angie Pontani, emcee King Kukulele, musician Pablus, and artists Derek Yaniger, Bamboo Ben, and Danny Gallardo.
Educational and entertaining symposiums will be resented by tropical drink historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, tattoo artist Paul Roe, author Philip Greene, and the mid-century enthusiasts from Vintage Roadside and Retro Renovation. There will also be dozens of vendors selling collectibles in the Tiki Treasures Bazaar at the Bahia Mar, an Intracoastal Waterway booze cruise aboard the famous Jungle Queen, and special tropical rum cocktails served throughout the event. The Hukilau is also famous for its many after-hours parties. Tickets to some events are sold out, but others are available online and at the door. For the full schedule and ticket info, go to TheHukilau.com. ~ Jim Hayward | The Atomic Grog. Full coverage of The Hukilau at TheAtomicGrog.com
Friday, May 30
Rocket 88, Koffin Varnish, Stop The Presses @ Monterey Club Spam Allstars @ Blackbird Ordinary Jangle Leg @ Dada Joel DaSilva & The Midnight Howls @ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery Uproot Hootenanny @ Terra Fermata Tiki Bar
Saturday, May 31
Birthday Candles, New Guy, Routine Scheme, Southern Misconduct @ Propaganda Sea and Space @ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery Cerveza @ Terra Fermata Tiki Bar Shaun Peace Band @ KYI Behind the Houses @ Dada
Sunday, June 1
Jahfe, Lance-O, Kulcha Shok Krew & Shyne J @ Jazid
Monday, June 2
Rhythmation & Lance-O @ Bostons Mastering Manifestation @ Coastars
Tuesday, June 3
Peter Murphy @ Grand Central Comedy feat. The Rev Bob Levy, Dougie Almeida, Damien Figler @ Propaganda The Funky Nuggets @ Funky Biscuit Mike Garulli @ Meatball Room
Wednesday, June 4 D.O.A., The Shakers, Sandratz, Ten Paces @ Respectable Street Ella Herrera @ Dada
Drive-By Truckers, Water Liars @ Culture Room Secret Stache @ Stache Fat Mannequin @ Rebel House Verbal Evasion Debate Night @ Coastars
Thursday, June 5
Army Gideon @ Dada Raggy Monster @ Respectable Street Waka Flocka Flame @ Grand Central Tremends, My Deer @ Blackbird Ordinary Throwback Thursdays @ Stache U.O.M Auditory Art @ The Embassy
Thursday, June 6
Boston @ Hard Rock Live Mylo Ranger @ Dada Skymatic @ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery Gardi, A Wine & Blues Affaire @ The Embassy Black Friday (Prince Burlesque) @ Stache
Saturday, June 7
Stratolites @ Dada Old Habits, Ten Paces, Sweet Nothings, No Peace & Anniza @ Propaganda Jangle Leg @ KYI Jones & Lawson Live @ Coastars Animals as Leaders, Conquering Dystopia, Chon @ Culture Room
Sunday, June 8 Weezer @ Hard Rock Live
Ras Kokay, Rythmadix, Lance-O & Kulcha Shok Krew & Iscious Equalizer @ Jazid
Monday, June 9
Foxy Shazam, Larry & His Flask @ Culture Room Rhythmation & Lance-O @ Bostons Mastering Manifestation @ Coastars
Wednesday, June 11
Chloe Dolandis @ Dada The Naked And Famous, White Sea @ Grand Central Secret Stache (Mixology Takeover) @ Stache Flow Tribe @ Funky Biscuit Fat Mannequin @ Copper Blues
Thursday, June 12
Campeona @ Respectable Street Craft Bazaar @ Dada Bluejay @ Bardot Counting Crows, Toad the Wet Sprocket @ Hard Rock
Little Dragon @ Grand Central
Throwback Thursdays @ Stache U.O.M Auditory Art @ The Embassy
Sunday, June 13
Equinox @ Dada Juke, Matt Farr Band @ Funky Biscuit The Drip Effect @ Propaganda Jangle Leg, Riot Act, Knife Fight, Dirty Rotten Snake in the Grass @ Poorhouse Black Friday @ Stache Gardi, A Wine & Blues Affaire @ The Embassy
Saturday, June 14 Decades Showcase: The Band in Heaven, Jean Jacket, Symbols, Wake Up, Gravel Kings, Astrea Corp @ Respectable Street
Eclectic Tuba @ Dada Flashback @ KYI Inner Circle, Suenalo @ Funky Biscuit Comedy feat. Melrose Larry Green, Damien Figler @ Propaganda Cash Cash @ Grand Central MOVE: Juliane and Derek Hough @ Hard Rock Live Catshell @ Stache
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Sunday, June 15
Family Outing on Father’s Day @ TATE’S Comics, Lauderhill InnaSense, Lance-O & the Kulcha Shok Krew & Iyatollah @ Jazid
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Monday, June 16
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Steven Seagal, Thunderbox @ Hard Rock Live Rhythmation & Lance-O @ Bostons
Tuesday, June 17
Say Anything, The Front Bottoms, The So So Glos, You Blew It! @ Revolution Live Jonathan Scales Fourchestra @ Funky Biscuit
Wednesday, June 18 Cut Copy, Classixx @ Grand Central
DevilDriver, White Chapel, Carnifex, Revocation, River of Nihil, Fit for an Autopsy @ Revolution Live Secret Stache @ Stache Verbal Evasion Debate Night @ Coastars Fat Mannequin @ Rebel House Spencer Rowell @ Dada
Thursday, June 19
Gravel Kings @ Respectable Street Fireside Prophets @ Dada Throwback Thursdays @ Stache Funky Nuggets @ Propaganda Fat Mannequin @ Rum Shack DuBBle James @ Fat Cat’s U.O.M Auditory Art @ The Embassy
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Friday, June 20 Paleface, David K @ Dada
Black Friday @ Stache Gardi, A Wine & Blues Affaire @ The Embassy EarPhunk @ Funky Biscuit Keb’ Mo’ @ BB Kings Fresh Squeezed, Adam Treez & Lance-O of Kulcha SHok Muzik @ Monkey Bar
Saturday, June 21
Jangle Leg, Askultura @ Monterey Club Wayward Parade Presents: Everymen @ Propaganda In Dying Arms, My Ticket Home, Reformers, Blood of, the Martyrs, Within Your Reach, With Honor We Fight @ Propaganda Flypaper @ Dada Paleface @ KYI Sub Focus @ Grand Central Chloe Dolandis @ Stache
Sunday, June 22
Paleface @ South Shores Tavern Jahfe, Lance-O & the Kulcha Shok Krew & Exit Sounds, Bin Bin & Yasushi @ Jazid
Monday, June 23
Rhythmation & Lance-O @ Bostons
Wednesday, June 25
Hannah @ Dada Fat Mannequin @ Rebel House Homeroom Open Mic & Spoken Word Poetry @ Propaganda Secret Stache @ Stache
Thursday, June 26
Young Deville @ Respectable Street Zero to Sixty @ Dada Paleface @ Terra Fermata U.O.M Auditory Art @ The Embassy Andy C, Get Low Anniversary @ Grand Central Boynton Beach Live @ Boynton Beach Art District Throwback Thursdays @ Stache
Friday, June 27
Woodgrains @ Dada Black Friday @ Stache DuBBle James @ Will Call Fat Mannequin @ Funky Biscuit Gardi, A Wine & Blues Affaire @ The Embassy DJ. Needlez presents Rock The Mic @ Propaganda
Saturday, June 28 SUMMER DAZE CONCERT SERIES DAY #1 feat. Badfish A Tribute to Sublime, Whole Wheat Bread, The Hard Richards, Shorty the Giant, Moska Project, Rude Hecklers, Shrub, Spred the Dub, Making Faces, Howling Winds, Operative Me, Project X, LW Long Shots, Half Pipe @ Propaganda Public Sounds @ Dada Sunday Quorum @ KYI
Phantogram, Bad Things @ Grand Central Jahfe, Lance-O @ Dog N Bone Pavilion “Party At Gatsby’s” @ Stache Jonny Veo’s kitten B-Day party @ Stache
Dead For Denver, Fero Lux, I, Of Helix, Nebraska Bricks @ Propaganda
Wednesday, July 2
Verbal Evasion Debate Night @ Coastars
Thursday, July 3
Jangle Leg @ Respectable Street
Friday, July 4
Lake Worth’s Fourth of July Fireworks, Music & Watershow Celebration feat. Danger Muffin & more @ Propaganda
Saturday, July 5
Old Habits, Remembering Never @ Propaganda Lindsey Stirling @ Sunset Cove
Sunday, July 6 Replay America: The Go-Go’s, Patty Smith of Scandal, Martha Davis & the Motel’s, Cutting Crew, Naked Eye @ Hard Rock Live Jahfe, Lance-O & the Kulcha Shok Krew @ Jazid moe. @ Revolution Live
Monday, July 7
Rhythmation & Lance-O of Kulcha Shok Muzik @ Bostons
Wednesday, July 9
Dizzy Wright @ Grand Central
Deadline for Swede Fest Palm Beach 3 Film Submissions
Thursday, July 10
Jason Erhart @ Respectable Street
Saturday, July 12
Chris Tucker @ Hard Rock Live OnFire Booking Benefit Show @ Propaganda Under The Radar Open Mic @ Coastars Brillz, Thugli, Supernaut, Happy Colors, Khaos @ Grand Central
Sunday, July 13
Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller @ Hard Rock Live Ras Kokay & Rythmadix, Lance-O & Kulcha Shok Krew @ Jazid
Monday, July 14
Rhythmation & Lance-O of Kulcha Shok Muzik @ Bostons
Wednesday, July 16
Verbal Evasion Debate Night @ Coastars
Thursday, July 17
New Mayans @ Respectable Street
Friday, July 18
Black Friday (3yr Anniv) @ Stache Astari Nite (video release/record deal signing party) @ Stache
Saturday, July 19 SUMMER DAZE CONCERT SERIES DAY #2 feat. Lit, The People Upstairs, The Kinected, Luxury of Company, Trapped in Tomorrow, A New Way To Live Forever, Elegant Mess, First Last & Always, The Drip Effect, The No. 13’s, The Ruins, 1 Hit Left, Dirty Skirty @ Propaganda Zapato 3 @ Grand Central
Sunday, July 20
Army Gideon, Lance-O & Kulcha Shok Krew @ Jazid
Sunday, June 29
Monday, July 21
Monday, June 30
Tuesday, July 22
InnaSense, Lance-O & the Kulcha Shok Krew & Socialist Roots @Jazid Rhythmation & Lance-O @ Bostons
Nightmares On Wax @ Grand Central Rhythmation & Lance-O of Kulcha Shok Muzik @ Bostons The Fray @ Hard Rock Live
LITTLE DRAGON
Little Dragon
Feel the electronic pulsations, synth pop and bass, as Little Dragon takes listeners on a journey of magical rhythmic bliss. Little Dragon has come a long way from what started out as a high school Swedish band formed in 1996. The close group of friends which began jamming out after class, has evolved their sound into three visionary albums. These albums include 2007’s self titled release, 2009’s Machine Dreams, and 2011’s Ritual Union.
The group released their fourth studio album Nabuma Rubberband on May 12th. On the album the Japanese and Swedish lead singer Yukimi Nagano blends her high pitched vocals with the dark beat of the music, creating an atmosphere of haunted eeriness. This is the type of alteration and risk taking in their music that has set the Gothenburg based band apart from other musicians. Between their last album Ritual Union and now, Little Dragon has kept busy collaborating with experimental artists such as Big Boi and the Gorillaz. Do not be fooled by the group’s name, Little Dragon is far from anything minute when it comes to their music, such as newly released songs Klapp Klapp and Paris. These tracks are the first two singles released off of their album Nabuma Rubberband; they project hypnotizing electronic vibes. Little Dragon has come out with a video for Klapp Klapp, in which a woman is depicted resurrecting a dead body from a grave. Klapp Klapp creates a unique juxtaposition between Yukimi’s searching vocals set against the shadowy background laid out by the band. In a recent interview at SXSW, Nagano explains the meaning behind Nabuma Rubberband. She states, “It could be a person, it could be a state of mind, it could be a place, it could be a ghost, or anything it wants.” The album can not be defined as one specific thing, and instead has a far more explorative meaning of several interpretations. This dynamic album encourages unlimited possibilities for the fan’s imagination to run wild. Little Dragon will be making it’s seventh stop in South Florida out of it’s thirteen city tour. Be sure to make it out to Grand Central, Miami June 12th to experience Little Dragon’s transcendental wonder. ~ Brittany Curtis
PEEMONSTER.COM
“ Thank you for seeing my art! I, PeeMonster, am based in California and draw to communicate when I can’t find the words. My art is a means of processing everything within and without my own perception... it is a translation of what I feel, think, see, from my heart to the outside world. I am inspired by everything, and choose to live my life surrounded by love. I like to feel the universe move from under my skin.” A common occurrence in my work are depictions of children or child-like characters. I’ve come to realize that though I don’t choose children consciously, this is how I, from my innermost being, decipher and explore that which we don’t ordinarily visualize. “Kim, the Little Bee Queen” is a piece that came along after visiting a wall of art tiles designed by children at my daughter’s elementary school. A lot of the children had drawn bees, so I came up with an idea that incorporated the likeness of a bee, but in a bit of an unconventional way. It is quite possible that “Kim” has yellow stripes across her face, rather than black, but then again. ~ PeeMonster.com
JODOROWSKY Céline Nieszawer
After a lengthy absence from filmmaking, 2014 is shaping up to be quite a year for cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky. First there was the enchanting d o c u m e n t a r y Jodorowsky’s Dune, directed by Frank Pavich, which focused on his failed but inspired attempt to adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune in 1975. Now Brontis Jodorowsky comes his first feature film in almost 15 years, The Dance of Reality, which was independently produced and based on his autobiography of the same name. While the 85-year-old Jodorowsky travels to film festivals promoting these latest films, he will send a special liaison to Miami Beach: his eldest son, the actor Brontis Jodorowsky will make an appearance during a near month-long engagement of these new films at the Miami Beach Cinematheque. In The Dance of Reality, Brontis plays the lead role: the director’s abusive father, Jaime. Like the book, the film is parts exorcism and reconciliation, and Brontis goes all out in a powerful performance as the tyrannical father figure who often uses fear to motivate the 12-year-old version of his father to “act like a man.” Speaking over Skype from his Paris home, Brontis is as mellow as can be. “I think it’s an interesting movie as a cinema object but also as a therapeutical thing, like a personal thing. There’s a mix there.” Brontis has a long history of collaborating with his father in film. He made his film debut in Jodorowsky’s noted 1970 “Midnight Movie” El Topo, playing the titular gunslinger’s son at 6 years old. At 12, his father chose him to play Dune’s hero Paul Atreides. While his father scurried to pull together all the elements of his film in pre-production, he hooked Brontis up with a martial arts teacher to play Paul. “I took it very seriously,” says Brontis. “I was very passionate about the project. I was very aware about the responsibility I would have to carry even if I was a very young person. I could see my father working 24 hours a day on this project, and it would be a huge thing.” Unfortunately, the film never came to be. But Brontis’ acting career continued, mostly in Credit: Pascale Montandon-Jodorowsky theater. In 2012 he had his first starring role in a small film from Mexico called Táu directed by newcomer Daniel Castro Zimbrón. Besides these two new Jodorowskyrelated films, the MBC with host a rare screening of Táu, which means a lot to the actor. “Most of the movie is in the desert of San Luis Potosi. Part of El Topo was shot there, so it was like finishing a cycle and opening a new cycle. It’s really magical,” he notes. The Dance of Reality and Jodorowsky’s Dune open June 6 at Miami Beach Cinematheque (www.mbcinema.com). There will also be a screening of Táu that month. The month of Jodorowsky climaxes June 17, at 7 PM, with “Speaking In Cinema” with Brontis discussing his films with film critics Michael Atkinson (Village Voice) and Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald). ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos
PHANTOGRAM Named for a specific optical illusion when two-dimensional images are combined to appear as three-dimensional, Phantogram is an indie electro-pop duo whose sound transcends the expectations of a two-piece. Infusing hypnotic hip-hop beats with otherworldly guitar riffs and wickedly ambient vocals, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter together paint an urban atmosphere and pace that can walk you through the streets of NYC. Appropriately so, since Sarah and Josh both call New Phantogram York their home. You may, however, not believe they recorded such hard-hitting tunes in the seclusion of their unconventional barn studio located upstate. Since their debut album Eyelid Movies in 2009, they have released two EPs and their most recent full length album Voices in February of 2014. They have stayed true to their sound that has earned them recognition with early hits such as When I’m Small, while still managing to push themselves and grow into the bolder sound that is Black Out Days. Sarah’s vocals have pushed beyond her subtle siren serenades with her angelic harmonies and fearless wails, which have become the driving force behind their rising-up-from-theashes lyrics. Josh’s guitar melodies float and weave through the hip-hop beats and bass lines, injecting a psych-rock ambience to warm up the atmosphere of their street influenced groove. Their multi-faceted sound has drawn the attention and interest of icons from the opposite worlds of hip-hop and psychedelia that they manage to successfully combine. Recent collaborations with Big Boi of Outkast (with promises of more in the future!), and also with Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips exercises their versatility and has shaped them into producers beyond their own work. Deep into an ambitious tour, Phantogram has been jumping state lines and oceans promoting their new album and evolving their live show. Reflective of their chosen identity, they use a very simple combination of lights, mirrors, and fog to create optical illusions that are as visually impactful as their sound. Phantogram play with Bad Things at Grand Central in Miami on Saturday, June 28, 8pm. ~ Danielle Romanowski & Brittanny Larevitzear
SUMMER DAZE CONCERTS SUMMER DAZE 2014, DAY ONE First year festivals are amazing because if all goes well, they guarantee one thing: the second year will be even better. That’s the case with Summer Daze. Propaganda’s 3-day street party features more local bands than you can count directly alongside national headliners in the heart of Lake Worth— and the cherry on top is a surf/skate vibe that personifies the culture of summer in South Florida. At last year’s Summer Daze triple play, the party was kicking and the bands owned the stage, quickly turning this concert series into a local music staple that’s back for another year and ready to impress. Propaganda owners Jon Jordan and Matthew Krug have learned a thing or two about throwing a party. Maybe it’s their 10 years of experience booking local bands or maybe it’s the revival J Street has experienced in the past two years, but every time this gang throws a J Street Block Party, you might as well Badfish clear your schedule because there will be no event more exciting or with better live music in our delightful bubble. Jon and Matt couldn’t be more stoked at the chance to create an incredible, live music-focused event in the town they love. J Street has grown leaps and bounds in recent years and any Lake Worth dweller knows it is the best place to be. Propaganda’s support of local music is huge but by booking big headliners, they are able to not only open up the party to the street but also give our local guys a chance to play in front of a much bigger audience. At the core of it all is a chance to perfect a scene and create a powerhouse of music culture in Lake Worth. “We want to help build the city and bring people in to help show them that Lake Worth is awesome”, says Matt. Local and national bands are legit, but the party doesn’t end there. The Propaganda crew is going big, bringing in a 24 foot half pipe for Day 1. It will serve as a centerpiece for the party and a chance for people to express themselves while simultaneously expanding the energy of the festival and showing off our chilled out yet extreme South Florida culture. “We are always going to keep looking for something new.” says Matt. “We want to add a ‘wow-factor’ to Summer Daze.” Each day indeed features something wow-worthy. And while Day 1 kicks it off with the ramp, Day 2 is binging in Lit (yes, that Lit!) and changing up the proven reggae formula with a more rock-inspired vibe, including touches of metal and punk. Day 3 will make it even more local with indieSWIM representing their signature bikini cut and bringing in local, bikini-clad ladies for a live fashion show during the performances.
Dana Drolet
There are piles of talent in the area so it’s no surprise that the lineup is killer. With South Florida heavy hitters like The People UpStairs, Moska Project and Spred The Dub, the reggae vibes are alive and well. And while local bands are enough to satisfy your live music hunger, it’s only the beginning.
Headlining Day 1 is nationally recognized kickass Sublime tribute band Badfish. Badfish switches things up. They don’t try to be Sublime, but they definitely pay tribute to the band that inspired them to start playing music. Lead singer Pat Downes joined Badfish Spred the Dub after jumping on stage to cameo on a song and he never left-- the energy he felt is the same that the crowd experiences and one of the major reasons they are so popular.
Their Providence, Rhode Island upbringing sounds very similar to Lake Worth’s. “Rhode Island has a tight knit music scene” says Downes. “A lot of us have helped each other on gigs and recordings through the years which has been a fun and rewarding experience. You can get a lot more done with good people by your side.” With Badfish and their sweet Sublime tunes filling the air at a glorious outdoor festival, what more could we need? Well beer, of course. But there will be plenty of that. Downes wants to remind you to bring your irie attitude to really knock it out of the park. “Seriously, all we need to put on an awesome show is people who are pumped to be out partying along with us and loving the vibe that Sublime’s music brings.” he says. “The variable of ‘what’s the crowd going to be like tonight’ makes the show unforgettable.” Badfish can’t wait to get the festival started and neither can Jon who is careful to make sure Summer Daze is a blast for everyone. “It’s not just a concert,” he says. “It’s a helluva party.” Propaganda presents Summer Daze June 28, July 19 and August 23 at 6 South J Street in Lake Worth. Advance day tickets are $25, prices go up to $30 at the door. A 2-day pass is $45 and a 3-day pass is 60. ~ Dana Krangel