PUREHONEY 43

Miami Intl Film Festival Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival returns for its 32nd year, offering a diverse and interesting mix of movies as ever. The festival kicks off with an opening night gala featuring Argentina’s Wild Tales, a film nominated for the Foreign Language Oscar. Local filmmakers will also be heavily featured, including works by Billy Corben and members of the Borscht collective. Speaking about local filmmakers, festival executive director Jaie Laplante Theeb says he has noticed “more international-quality work than ever before. More confidence. More torque.”

Usually the festival hosts a centerpiece tribute for a well-known filmmaker. This year the Artist Tribute Award is going to the Independent Cuban Filmmaker. “In my time at the College in these past five years,” says Laplante, “I’ve always felt a total respect for the integrity of the artist. There’s a strong feeling, as indicated by the special program we created this year with support from The Related Group, that the new generation of Cuban filmmakers working totally on their own, outside the Cuban system, with help from producers in other countries to make their art and to push the boundaries of what they want to say as freely as possible -- they are worth empowering, even if through this symbolic honor that encourages them.”

There will be several Cuba-oriented films capturing slices of life most never considered, from the artistically humanistic and poetic short films of Marcel Beltrán to a look at the city’s contemporary working class and nightlife scene via Venice by respected filmmaker Kiki Álvarez.

Asked for some general movie recommendations that deserve special attention, Laplante offers, “Theeb, because it’s the most authentic thing I’ve The Record Man seen this year. Phoenix, because it is the most honest. Uncle Victory, because it is the most touching. Life is Sacred, because it teaches something about winning that I never understood before. And all the shorts, whether in shorts programs or the ones playing before features, because they are all deeply brave, fierce and free.”

Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival runs March 6 – 15 at various venues across Miami-Dade County. For tickets, visit: www.miamiff-tickets.com. ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos (www.indieethos.wordpress.com)

Corners When Corners returns to Delray Beach and Miami with a new album under their belt, expect a different sound. Their 2012 album Beyond Way, with its fuzzy, sparse psychedelic sound, placed them in the mix of psych-rock bands in the Los Angeles scene of Echo Park.

The new album, Maxed Out on Distractions, is a band renewed and focused.

Speaking via phone, bassist/ vocalist Robert Cifuentes takes immense pride in the record but admits, “The Maxed Out on Distractions record nearly broke me. It was a very hard record to do.”

Cifuentes, who often co-writes the songs with Corners founder and frontman Tracy Bryant, was crowned the album’s unofficial producer, though all four of the band’s members, which also include drummer Rick Mabery and guitarist/vocalist Jeffertitti, all have serious engineering experience. The band talked it out granted Cifuentes the reigns to record the band. “We all talked it out,” says speaking via phone from L.A. “I knew it was big step away from what the band was before, so I knew there had to be someone who could take the lead on it and just try it out.”

He invested in some vintage equipment, including an Ensoniq synthesizer from the 80s, and set out to record an album influenced by postpunk vinyl record from the late 70s and early 80s. He cites Warsaw, the predecessor to the more-polished sounding Joy Division as a great influence. “I just love the rawness of Warsaw, and when you hear it it felt like it was a band. It wasn’t very produced. I’m not sure if it was very well produced in that way, and I went for that.”

The revamped sound is more suited to the way the quartet performs. “It’s all in the energy. It’s all there and focused. But it’s just who we are as a band. We didn’t try to have that much energy. When people go crazy and mosh during the shows, we don’t plan for that. We love that. We come from a background of playing parties and playing very angsty shows. There’s a lot of fuckin’ kids coming out who want to have a good time, so we weren’t going to play ballads or try to keep it easy. We got a lot of anger within ourselves. We use that anger to channel it and kind of just bring it out.”

Corners is performing March 6 at 8pm w. Plastic Pinks, Hypoluxo and Sweet Bronco, at Vintage Tap, Delray Beach, and March 7 at 8pm, at Churchill’s Pub, Miami. ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos (www.indieethos.wordpress.com)

Black Lips This garage-rock renaissance we’ve been enjoying over the past few years has been the source of some of the most exciting new music in ages.

Visceral, fun, outlandish rock ‘n roll exists again in its most natural form -- unfettered and pure!

Hurrah! And yes, while many of these bands have gleaned their sonic cues from the sounds of the past (who hasn’t?), the energy these artists exude is really the key to their charm. For example, Atlanta’s Black Lips: When it comes to exuding energy, the Black Lips are Gosh-darned class of their own! It’s almost difficult to explain to those that have not Black Lips experienced a Black Lips gig the promise of good times held within a Black Lips gig. However, we’re going to try because we really don’t want you to sleep on the band’s show at the Culture Room on March 20. Here’s a taste of what you might miss: The first time I saw the Black Lips in the flesh was in Austin, Texas at Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2012. I had just finished covering a heavy metal band’s performance a few stages away and was sauntering through the dust in the direction of a jangling, reverb-drenched racket across the festival grounds. When I arrived at the stage, I happened upon what appeared to be Val Kilmer -- donning a suit and brandishing a hunting knife -- sharing the stage with the Black Lips. I edged closer and confirmed that it was, in fact, Val Kilmer, who was now seen cutting off locks of his long blonde hair with the hunting knife and howling into a mic between stabs of guitar noise, sounding not unlike his version of Jim Morrison from the Doors flick. The band fed off of the moment and the energy was absolutely surreal. Kilmer eventually nicked his hand and just stood there, bleeding profusely and screaming as the band pounded through more of its sweaty, thumping garage-rock. I don’t know if it was for a film, just an odd convergence, or maybe performance art, but I do know that I’ve never seen anything else like it in my life.

Then there was the time the Black Lips played on South Beach at the foot of the Shore Club’s luxurious pool as part of that year’s Art Basel festivities. The show culminated with some rowdy audience members jumping into the pool naked, surrounded by a crowd of horror-stricken art stiffs and ritzy locals. The band’s guitarist, Cole Alexander, eventually jumped into the pool as well, and then he vomited into the pool from the stage after climbing back up to finish his set. The vomit didn’t stop more people from eventually jumping in, though, and the gig looked like a montage of party scenes pulled from B-list ‘80s movies. ~Von Bader

Cobalt Cranes If we can just be simple about it, Los Angeles’ Cobalt Cranes are a great rock ‘n’ roll band: a couple of guitarists/vocalists, drums, bass, nice and loud. Alas, rock critics aren’t simple, which is why we developed microgenres within subgenres within genres, and Cobalt Cranes harkens back to a few of them— Spacemen 3’s druggy space rock, the expansive shoegaze of Ride, the jangly alt-rock of R.E.M., and Nuggets-era garage rock—while creating one of its own: California Grunge. “’California grunge’ is taking elements that have a very California sound—12-string guitars, Cobalt Cranes harmonies—and blending them with rough, dirty, raw sounds that are grungier,” says guitarist and vocalist Tim Foley, who formed the band with bassist/vocalist Kate Betuel in 2010. After recruiting a second guitarist and a drummer, Cobalt Cranes released its punky debut Head in the Clouds in 2013. The “California Grunge” aesthetic didn’t take hold until the group’s sophomore LP, the exceptional Days in the Sun, released this year by Lolipop.

“We have always had ‘California’ elements in our songs, and have been fans of different types of grunge, but I never really thought about blending the two styles in the way that we are doing now,” Betuel says.

The result is a gritty, ominous record that is, paradoxically, also sprightly and florid.

“Flowers on Your Grave,” the album’s leadoff track and single, is emblematic of this approach, visually as well as aurally: A couple minutes into the song’s music video, flowers sprout from the musicians’ instruments and pulsate to the rhythms, ushering in a kaleidoscope of primitive, psychedelic special effects.

“The more low-budget the effects, the better it is if you can pull it off stylistically,” Betuel says. “My father is a science-fiction writer, and I’m definitely inspired by him. I always think cinematically.”

Indeed, visuals matter for Cobalt Cranes, down to their onstage attire, which, oddly enough, can conjure the sequined sport coats of “Rhinestone Cowboy”-era Glen Campbell.

“I like the idea of having a stage wardrobe that’s a component of your music,” says Kate, who runs a vintage clothing business by day. “It’s a subliminal part of music when you see it performed. Visuals, while listening to music, can impact the entire experience. And besides, it’s fun to dress up.”

Cobalt Cranes perform at 9pm March 27 at Propaganda, Lake Worth with Sweet Bronco, Whorish Boorish and Hypoluxo and March 28 at Churchill’s Pub, Miami ~John Thomason

CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM

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& CHEF BRUCE FEINGOLD BRINGING HOME THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

KRAVIS CENTER | PEAK: Rene Marie: I Wanna Be Evil with Love to Eartha Kitt RESPECTABLE STREET: Killmama PROPAGANDA: Hurly Burly DADA: Paleface, David K VINTAGE TAP: One Drop Rebellion feat. Mike Mcdermott of Bouncing Souls BARDOT: The Moon Caravan INKWELL PUB: Mylo Ranger, Cult Love

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

VINTAGE TAP: Smells Like Grunge (Nirvana Trib) REVOLUTION LIVE: Shpongle BLUEPRINT GALLERY: Melody Exhibit Opening Reception CHURCHILL’S PUB: Caveman Cult, Koroidia, Hellwitch, Reapermanser, Solstice KREEPY TIKI: Damien Figler Chaotic Comedy

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

PROPAGANDA: Que Lastima REVOLUTION LIVE: The Expendables, Ballyhoo!, Katastro VINTAGE TAP: The Red Elvises HOLLYWOOD ARTSPARK: Paul Collins’ Beat, Charlie Pickett, The Talking Dogs, The Done KREEPY TIKI: Battle Lines Tour: Fight the Fade, Sink In POORHOUSE: The Holstered, Sound Sleeper, The Gazms

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 29

KREEPY TIKI: Retro Pin Up Hair Workshop

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

PROPAGANDA: Barrier, Villains, Gift Giver, Traitors, Adalia, Locust & Liars SOUTH SHORES TAVERN: Paleface, David K TERRA FERMATA: JP Soars JAZID: Inna Sense, DJ Iyatollah, P-Dub, Kulcha Shok, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB: Disturbed & Beautiful

MONDAY, MARCH 2

DADA: Basement Jams BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

DADA: Comedy Open Mic REVOLUTION LIVE: August Burns Red, Miss May I, Northlane, Erra TERRA FERMATA: Tim & Rebecca O’Donnell

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

DADA: Whiskey Wasps KYI: SunGhosts VINTAGE TAP: JP Soars

HOUNDSTOOTH COTTAGE: Lobo Marino, David Brieske

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Torche, Wrong, Nunhex, Disciples of Christ TERRA FERMATA: Ben Childs

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 DADA: Army Gideon

RESPECTABLE STREET: Wake Up

PROPAGANDA: The Brothers Bone Tour ft. Layzie Bone & Flesh-N-Bone of Bone Thugs in Harmony VINTAGE TAP: Raggy Monster, Killmama BLACKBIRD ORDINARY: Redman TERRA FERMATA: JL Fulks

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

VINTAGE TAP: PUREHONEY presents Corners, Plastic Pinks, Hypoluxo, Sweet Bronco REVOLUTION LIVE: Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic

RESPECTABLE STREET: Stillkept, Murder in Motion, Moguera

DADA: Riot Act CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Girls Rock Camp Presents- Holly Hunt, Raffa, Quarter Horses, Steph Taylor (from The State Of), Bleeth, Bonnie Riot, Sadie Hawkins, Haochi Waves KYI: Sonic Graffiti

PROPAGANDA: Koncrete Jungle TERRA FERMATA: Gravel Kings SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: The Cravens

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

KISMET: Kismet turns 7! Burger Backyard BBQ: Pocket of Lollipops, Lazer Puzzy, Boy Orbison, Sweet Bronco BRYANT PARK: Lake Worth Reggae Fest: Badfish, Spred the Dub, Making Faces, RedLyte w. Sound Movement Band, Lance-O Kulcha Shok CENTER FOR CREATIVE EDUCATION, NORTHWOOD: Collaborations & Mixed Mediums CHURCHILL’S PUB: Corners, Plastic Pinks, Viceroy, The Bearings, Montage, Part Time Models, Red Nectar, Buffy, Booty & the Browns PROPAGANDA: Reggaefest Afterparty w. The People Upstairs OUTSPOKIN: Benefit for Local Anti-Prison Groups: Grant Peeples, Autumn Spring, Bed Burner, Whiskey Wasps, Unity Rise

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DADA: Lake Worth Long Shots KYI: Jangle Leg VINTAGE TAP: Birthday Candles Tour Launch Party TERRA FERMATA: Strung Like a Horse REVOLUTION LIVE: Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, Aeon, Tribulation BEAT CUP: Lobo Marino SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Bryce Allyn Band

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BRYANT PARK: Lake Worth Reggae Fest w. Future Prezidents, Yellowman, Lance-O Kulcha Shok

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SUNDAY, MARCH 8

PROPAGANDA: Birthday Candles, Sunnyvale TERRA FERMATA: El Dub KYI: Sabotage Sunday JAZID: Red Lyte & Sound Movement, DJ Mucho, Phil Watkins, LanceO, Kulcha Shok CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground

MONDAY, MARCH 9

DADA: Basement Jams BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB Presents: Vinyl Solutions

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

DADA: Comedy Open Mic GRAND CENTRAL: Hundred Waters, Mitski TERRA FERMATA: Ben Prestage PROPAGANDA: The Rock Showdown

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

DADA: Hannah and Matt VINTAGE TAP: Ben & Virgil of the Killbillies

CULTURE ROOM: Gogol Bordello

KYI: Killmama PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez presents. Rock The Mic TERRA FERMATA: Minus Turmoil FISH TALES: The Rock Showdown

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 DADA: Craft Bazaar

RESPECTABLE STREET: Shotgun Betty

PROPAGANDA: Funky Nuggets, Sawgrass Express VINTAGE TAP: Mark Telesca Band RAILROAD BLUES: The Rock Showdown TERRA FERMATA: Laney Jones & the Lively Spirits STACHE: Park Road & Zack Jones

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

DADA: Montage & Black Cousins PROPAGANDA: Norma Jean, For the Fallen Dreams, Silence and Sailors, Silent Planet, Nebraska Bricks, Sounds of The Rodeo

VINTAGE TAP: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Jangle Leg TERRA FERMATA: Wilder & Sons, Kashed Out SWEAT RECORDS: Axe & the Oak, Moon Caravan

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STACHE: Nightcasters & DJ Misha Samson SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Smells Like Grunge

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

RESPECTABLE STREET: Astari Nite, Bonnie Riot, The Grey 8’s

DADA: Washa VINTAGE TAP: Forlorn Strangers PROPAGANDA: Oceano, The Last 10 Seconds of Life, Lorna Shore, Boris the Blade, Murder Defile, Existence Has Failed TERRA FERMATA: Cerveza, Sun Dried Vibes & Substance

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

DADA: Mylo Ranger PROPAGANDA: Peep Show – Burlesque CHURCHILL’S PUB: La Luz, The Shivas. Plastic Pinks, Whorish Boorish TERRA FERMATA: Killbillies REVOLUTIONS: The Rock Showdown STACHE: Cocodrills & DJ Roland

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Madball TERRA FERMATA: Moska Project JAZID: Dubbest, DJ Luzion, Itawe, LanceO, Kulcha Shok

MONDAY, MARCH 16

DADA: Basement Jams CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

TERRA FERMATA: Dubbest DADA: Comedy Open Mic

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

DADA: Chloe Dolandis KYI: The Hoy Polloy PROPAGANDA: Homeroom TERRA FERMATA: Grass Satchels

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

DADA: Paul Anthony Reggae & Jypsea Swimwear Fashion Show CHURCHILL’S PUB: Agnostic Front, Coldside, Homestretch, Die Trying!

STACHE: Bobby Lee Jazz Trio TERRA FERMATA: Ellameno Beat

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

PROPAGANDA: ASG, The Muggles, Here to Nowhere DADA: Neverland & Closer to the Ocean

CULTURE ROOM: Black Lips, Black Linen, Plastic Pinks

TERRA FERMATA: Zosos BIG NIGHT IN LITTLE HAITI: Rutshelle Guillaume, Mario Chandel SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: She’s Neurotic, Murder Hole

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

HOLLYWOOD ARTSPARK EXPERIENCE: The Wood Brothers

PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez presents. Rock The Mic DADA: Jangle Leg CHURCHILL’S PUB: Black Kvlt Presents- HOD, Kult of Azazel, Druid Lord, Solstice, Gnosis, Koroida TERRA FERMATA: Robbie Hunter Band SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Blackball

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

KRAVIS CENTER | PEAK: Les Yeux Noirs

TERRA FERMATA: Gas House Gorillas JAZID: Inna Sense, DJ Bin Bin, DJ Yasushi, LanceO, Kulcha Shok

MONDAY, MARCH 23

PROPAGANDA: Karaoke with ALEX DADA: Basement Jams CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

VINTAGE TAP: Pierce Edens, Jason Bible of The Train Wrecks DADA: Comedy Open Mic TERRA FERMATA: Gas House Gorillas CHURCHILL’S PUB: Lich King

CHURCHILL’S PUB: The King Khan & BBQ Show

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 DADA: Sol Republic

RESPECTABLE STREET: Raggy Monster

HUIZENGA PAVILION: Kawehi PROPAGANDA: Making Faces VINTAGE TAP: JP Soars CHURCHILL’S PUB: Mutilation Rites TERRA FERMATA: Slip & the Spinouts STACHE: Biscayne Bay Water Keepers Charity Music Event

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

PROPAGANDA: PUREHONEY presents Cobalt Cranes, Sweet Bronco, Whorish Boorish, Hypoluxo VINTAGE TAP: One Drop Rebellion w/ Mike Mcdermott Of Bouncing Souls STACHE: Bluejay & DJ Roland DADA: Red 7 Depot TERRA FERMATA: Cody & the Qualified

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

DADA: Blue Crusaders PROPAGANDA: SKATE NIGHT

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Cobalt Cranes, Sunghosts, Free Pizza, The Gun Hoes, Seafoam Walls TERRA FERMATA: Didges Christ SuperDrum SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: County Line Road

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

PROPAGANDA: The Ataris CHURCHILL’S PUB: Amigo Skate Cuba Fundraiser TERRA FERMATA: Nouveaux Honkies JAZID: Chillakaya, Yung Chiney, LanceO, Kulcha Shok

MONDAY, MARCH 30

DADA: Basement Jams PROPAGANDA: Karaoke with ALEX CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO GUANABANAS: Ironhorse

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

DADA: Comedy Open Mic

HOWLEYS: Spirit Animals Art Show

TERRA FERMATA: Ryan Owens & Friends O’CINEMA: 30th Anniversary of Weird Science

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 KYI: The Holstered

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

VINTAGE TAP: Fusik REVOLUTION LIVE: Taking Back Sunday, letlive., The Menzingers GRAND CENTRAL: tUnE-yArDs, Son Lux

APRIL 10 & 11

NORTH MIAMI BEACH BANDSHELL: 13th Annual Heineken TransAtlantic Festival: Wild Belle, Budos Band, Ana Tijoux, Puerto Candelaria, My Deer, Bluejay

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Kreamy Lectric Santa

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

RESPECTABLE STREET: Seabound, Architect, Astari Nite JUMP THE SHARK: Kreamy Lectric Santa FRED LIPPMAN CENTER: Odd Duck Bazaar

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

FRED LIPPMAN CENTER: Odd Duck Bazaar

King Khan & BBQ Show What the King Khan and BBQ Show does is so off-kilter, so left field, and so rad, that one might be forgiven for confusing the duo for a Miami band. Which is all the more reason to see what happens when the pair brings its proprietary brand of doo-wop-infused garage-rock to Miami’s Churchill’s Pub on March 25. The great thing about what King Khan and Mark Sultan (also known as BBQ) bring to the table as a duo is that it’s universally enjoyable. The songs are excellent, ‘50s-tinged rock ‘n roll that inspires a proper dance party at every show. The pair always comes correct with some sort of ridiculous outfits to complete the spectacle, and it’s really, truly, honestly, nearly (almost) entirely impossible to have a bad time watching this band do what it does. It’s almost like stepping into a Tim Burton film scored by the Sonics instead of Danny Elfman.

The Montreal-based duo has been on and off of performance hiatus for many years, but this year marks its first return to recording The King Khan & BBQ Show since 2009’s album Invisible Girl.

The band’s return to form, Bad News Boys, drops on February 24 on In The Red Recordings and brings the goods for anyone familiar with the band’s previous work. Still lo-fi, still gritty, the new record does not screw with the tried and true formula of sparse percussion, jangling guitars, and soulful vocals. What’s more, the duo’s signature, demented stew of early rock ‘n roll and soul is as potent as ever, reminding us that Khan and Sultan really do have something special in the grand scheme of garage-rock revivalists, and nostalgia-fueled music in general.

Those that have caught a King Khan and BBQ show in the past know just how tailor made it is for a night of debauchery at our own Churchill’s Pub. The music lends itself to the spirit of this particular bar exceedingly well and we fully endorse taking off the following Thursday from your day job because you will undoubtedly need the time to recuperate. ~Von Bader

Raze the Walls Benefit Raze the Walls!: Benefit Show for Lake Worth Anti-Prison Groups The United States incarcerates people at a higher rate than any other country in the world. While the U.S. makes up only 5% of the world’s population, it is home to almost 25% of its prisoners. One in every 100 U.S. adults is incarcerated, and 60% of those are Black or Latino.

Nearly 245 thousand people are currently under the supervision of the Florida corrections system, making up about 3.5% of all people locked up, on parole, or on probation in the United States. Over 320 inmates died in Florida prisons last year, with 100 of those deaths under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Two organizations in Lake Worth are working to respond to this alarming trend. Prison Legal News publishes a 64-page monthly magazine, sent to prisoners all over the country, providing news on prison justice issues. The magazine operates as part of the Human Rights Defense Center, which advocates for prisoner rights by litigating prisoner abuse cases and providing legal information for prisoners.

The South Florida Prison Book Project, founded in 2011, sends free books to prisoners in the state of Florida upon request. Every week, they receive letters from inmates asking for reading material ranging from novels to cookbooks to dictionaries, and they fulfill these requests with books from their library at the Outspokin warehouse.

Prison Legal News and the South Florida Prison Book Project will be holding a benefit acoustic and spoken word concert at Outspokin, 131 South F Street, Lake Worth on Saturday, March 7, at 6pm. Acts will include Grant Peeples (legendary Florida folk), The Whiskey Wasps (members of Raggy Monster), Unity Rise (folk/punk from Miami), Bed Burner, and spoken word poetry from Autumn Springs. Admission to this benefit show will be $5 and one to two used paperback books, if possible, to be sent to prisoners.

For more information, visit Prison Legal News at prisonlegalnews.org, the South Florida Prison Book Project at sflprisonbookproject.org, or contact Serafima at 305-479-0350.

Monica McGivern

Plastic Pinks

Plastic Pinks

There’s little we love more than seeing locals do big things, and Miami’s newest charges of garage-rock dominance, Plastic Pinks, is starting to make some serious waves. The band has gone from a local favorite to bringing the Miami gospel abroad and putting out records on two of the top tier garage-rock labels currently pushing the movement forward.

They’ve also inadvertently stacked the month of March with more rad gigs than you can shake a half-empty PBR can at! We caught up with guitarist and vocalist, Augie Pink, to get the lowdown on the band’s crazy March and its impending releases.

March sounds like it’s going to be a pretty intense month of the band...

Definitely one of the biggest if not the biggest month for us yet! Last year was really good to us and now things are starting to blossom. It seems as if we have unconsciously made March into our pedal-to-the-metal month. We’re gonna’ be playing with Burger/Lolipop Records band Corners on the 6th at Vintage Tap in Delray and the 7th at Churchill’s in Miami, then we play the 14th with Seattle’s La Luz, the Shivas, and Miami’s own Whorish Boorish. Then, we’re off to SXSW to play Wienermania on the 18th at Spiderhouse, turn around and drive right home to finish off the month with Black Lips at Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale. By far some of the craziest nights we’ve experienced are on their way!

Tell me about the 7” release you’ve got in the works. Where did you guys record it?

Who’s putting it out? What other stuff do you have planned as far as recording goes?

Oh yeah! The 7”! We couldn’t be prouder of the 7” vinyl being put out by Die Slauterhaus Records from Atlanta. They’ve put out some great bands like Black Lips, Deerhunter, the Coathangers, Dinos Boys... they’ve proven to have a great ear and we are more than flattered to be a involved with such an amazing record label!

We met Mark Naumann from the label last year on tour and things got rolling pretty quickly! Immediately after that, we contacted Gabe from the Gun Hoes -- who was already recording our EP -- and got things in motion to record and he recorded, mixed, and mastered it like a champ! The art for the 7” was done by Mimi Starr, who did a kick ass job as well! We also have an EP titled Livin’ On the Coast that is going to be released on Burger Record’s subsidiary label, Wiener Records, which is something we’re really looking forward to. We’re definitely where we want to be at the moment!

How did the relationship with Burger/Weiner come about?

After our tour with AJ Davila & Terror/Amor; they had worked with them on a release and we reached out to them with the hopes of releasing our album through their label as well. They’re sweethearts, seriously! You can tell they love this type of music and that passion has definitely gotten them where they are, which is why we want to be part of that particular movement. ~Von Bader

Gogol Bordello

Gogol Bordello Since the release of their sixth studio album Pura Vida Conspiracy, Gogol Bordello has been touring the world. Gogol’s front man Eugene Hütz plays guitar while belting lyrics that speak to his own life experiences of different cultures, immigration, and traveling. On past albums the Ukrainian born artist demonstrated his strong political rage in songs like Immigraniada, but he also adds humor with tracks like Start Wearing Purple and American Wedding. Hütz discusses the change into the album Pura Vida Conspiracy. He explains that, “This album in particular is more about human potential, there is something that I have that I am not using, where is it? And why is nobody reaching it except very few people?” He continues to say that, “Music is just a way of exploring your human potential. “

Audiences that are familiar with Gogol Bordello’s music know the band is accustomed to melding many genres: everything from gypsy punk to reggae and dub. One thing that Gogol Bordello fans can get a true taste for on Pura Vida Conspiracy is the influences of Latin and Balkan music coming together.

Malandrino is one track off the album that depicts this genre fusion especially well. The melody starts off slowly with a romantic Spanish guitar which by the chorus turns into a frenetic Balkan gypsy punk. Although the combination of Latin and Balkan music is rather uncommon, it quickly realizes itself as a contagious transformation from Gogol Bordello’s already established sound of immigrant punk.

Gogol Bordello continues to play concerts that last two hours long. From beginning to end Gogol Bordello’s performance is one huge cabaret fully charged with energy. There exists a transformative inspirational soul in their sound that you will not be able to fully realize unless you catch them live. If you’re ready to witness a wickedly heart pounding and show-stopping performance, then do not miss them when they play Culture Room on March 11 and 12. ~Brittany Curtis