PUREHONEY 47

Jason Budjinski On Tuesday June 16th, longtime South Florida musician and writer Jason Budjinski died after years of suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis and Crohn’s disease. He was 38 years old.

While Jason had received local media attention for chronicling much of his health complications over the last few years - even getting a mention on Twitter from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on his brave fight - he was known best to many of us as the enigmatic frontman to some of this areas most beloved punk bands over the last two decades, including The Happy Accidents, Mute-Ants, Billy Boloby, Pots N Pans, the Bittercups.

Jason Budjinski aka Billy Boloby He operated by what he called the “anti-pretentious” model, going headfirst into some of the most delightfully ridiculous stage performances around. While others would be content to pop a collar, smoke a cigarette and hold up the wall of the facility, Jason was the polar opposite and encouraged all of us to get out of whatever ‘too cool’ ego, awkwardness or shyness we might be holding onto and join in on the fun. In his online ‘manifesto’ he stressed the importance of sharing in the experience of a show, saying “It’s not the songs themselves but the act of the band sharing their songs with the audience. Bands do not perform in a vacuum; the audience is equally important.”

All of Paul Weller and Pee Wee Herman wrapped into one, he was intent on creating music but more importantly, creating it here instead of jetting off to whatever city of the moment that bands were moving to. His dancing was something that stopped others in amazement, as a spastic and energized herky-jerky interpretation of the otherwise tightly controlled ‘step, touch and snap’ move of Holland/Dozier/Holland era Motown back-up performers that he loved to listen to.

He saw a show as a true event, saying on his blog once that his intention was “to view live shows as more than just randomly playing a set of songs, as if it’s just band practice with a bunch of people watching.”

Jason’s death leaves a negative space in so many of the hearts that he touched in his 38 years but he also left us with so much content. I have been pouring over his old columns http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/authors/jason-budjinski, his cyber library http://boloby.com entries and happily finding any video performances that someone (pre iPhones) was thoughtful enough to record. He is survived by his mother Maureen, father Gary, brother Matt and all of us who were lucky enough to know him. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations in Jason’s name to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure. ~Terra Sullivan

Sunny City, Shady People The inherent absurdity that is life in Miami could indeed provide an inexhaustible well of inspiration for an action/adventure/sitcom. Local boys Andrew Schwartz and Dan Gonzalez are hoping to channel all of it, from real-life local politics to local music, in their show “Sunny City/Shady People” (www.sunnycityshadypeople.com).

They sure have the sense of humor for it, as revealed in our exclusive Q&A with the writer/director/producer/actors:

Andrew and Dan

PureHoney: What about Miami inspired you?

Dan: This place is just loaded with material. I could write hundreds of episodes about all the crazy crap I’ve seen down here. We’re like a mountain-less Los Angeles with a New

York attitude.

Andrew: I was born and raised here. Write what you know, right?

PH: Who do you imagine watching your show?

Andrew: Degenerates.

Dan: My whole family.

Andrew: I think there’s overlap there.

Dan: People from Miami and outside Miami will enjoy it for different reasons.

Andrew: The locals get the inside jokes. Outsiders can laugh at the constant sideshow.

PH: Where would you like to see this series broadcast?

Dan: Ideally? HBO. Not so ideally? NBC. Andrew: The “Nothing But Censors” network!

Dan: Dude, that’s WAY too obscure.

Andrew: What, the kids don’t appreciate Laugh In references?

Dan: I don’t see us getting on Lifetime.

Andrew: Definitely not.

Dan: More realistically: El Rey, FX, or FXX. Netflix. Comedy Central. Spike, maybe?

Andrew: I would be fine with any of those. Or Adult Swim, alongside The Venture Bros. I particularly love the Netflix model, which enables marathon watching. I love to binge on a series in a short period of time. But, honestly, our main focus is retaining creative control while acquiring enough of a budget to effectively bring our show to life. Does that sound like a cliché?

PH: I can’t imagine the guy in the truck is wearing Borscht T-shirt by accident. What’s that about?

Andrew: It’s an inside joke.

Dan: A little homage, just to see if they’re paying attention.

Andrew: Locals -- particularly ones in the independent film and video scene -- will recognize it. I’m guessing everybody else will just appreciate the ouroboros-style design if they notice it at all.

PH: Tarantino seems like an influence, who else?

Dan: SNL and Britcoms. We definitely have a dryness to our approach.

Andrew: “Britcoms” is way too broad. We need to list some. The Young Ones is a big influence, and Monty Python, obviously.

Dan: Obviously. Uh, The Mighty Boosh. Snuff Box. Andrew: Definitely Snuff Box. It only ran for six episodes, but it was a huge influence on us. Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place.

Dan: Bottom, New Statesman, Black Adder -- a lotta Ben Elton (which people in England apparently hate, by the way).

Andrew: Spaced. We try to seamlessly integrate film and television parodies into scenes like Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg did on Spaced.

Dan: And we’ve based plots in different episodes on things like Watership Down, Marathon Man, the X-Men...

Andrew: And Doom Patrol! We had to change a lot of details while still getting across the similarities between the two Silver Age comic series.

Dan: Point Blank with Lee Marvin.

Andrew: That episode turns into Rope!

Dan: Yeah, John Boorman meets Alfred Hitchcock.

Andrew: Oh, and we did a funeral-based Rashomon episode.

Dan: I think we’ve listed enough.

PureHoney: Why throw in live music performances in the middle of the episodes?

Andrew: We both grew up in the South Florida music scene of the nineties, seeing bands like Jack Off Jill, The Groovenics, Indiegogo Taping Level Nine, Smite, Nonpoint, et al., at allages clubs like Cheers (Miami), Squeeze (Broward), The Underground (Broward), Roses (South Beach), etc., and we both really like the way local music was integrated into the show The Young Ones. We wanted to do something similar but showcasing current musicians from the local scene.

Dan: I thought we were ripping off Saturday Night Live.

Andrew: That too.

PureHoney: How is the fundraising going?

Dan: Phase one went well.

Andrew: It was a good start. We’re going to be able to buy all the Castro beards we need.

Dan: We’re getting ready for our second campaign now.

Andrew: Got some funny campaign commercials in the works. The last one we shot had comedy legend Freddy Stebbins in colonial attire and a wig with cat ears. That doesn’t sound like it would have anything to do with Miami, but it actually does.

Visit the duo’s Indiegogo page to help make their pilot a reality: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sunny-city-shady-people/#/story ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos | www.indieethos.wordpress.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 DADA: Riot Act

PROPAGANDA: Turbo Fruits, Sweet Bronco, Mylo Ranger, Rats Mouth KILL YOUR IDOL: Shameless Burlesque VINTAGE TAP: Smith Sunday, The Old Fashioned, Cute Fills, Abandon The Midwest

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Iron Art & Brew w. Jangle Leg, Raffles, Product give away, Art Work, Live Music, Beer Specials, Craft and micro brew beers, Vintage Arcade Games, Vintage Iron merch!

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

ARTSBUNKER: I Was There! The South Florida Gigposter Scene: Omar Angulo Art, Dave Berns / Hot Damn Arts, Brian Butler / Upperhandart, Chuck Loose / Iron Forge Press, Nathaniel Deas / Bourbon Sunday, Adam Sheetz Art plus Music, Food, Beer DADA: Bonnie Riot PROPAGANDA: I-Resolution, LFTD LVLS, Spred The Dub KILL YOUR IDOL: My Electric Heart VINTAGE TAP: Raggy Monster, Lavola, Scattered Light

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

PROPAGANDA: Acoustic Showcase / Open Mic

MONDAY, JUNE 29

DADA: Basement Jams Open Mic VINTAGE TAP: Homemade Jam

TUESDAY, JUNE 30

DADA: Comedy Open Mic

HOWLEYS: American Graffiti Art Show

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

DADA: Steven Busman KILL YOUR IDOL: Haochi TERRA FERMATA: Deal James & Autopilot

THURSDAY, JULY 2 DADA: LFTD LVLS

RESPECTABLE STREET: Johnny Raincloud EP Release PROPAGANDA: Ladies Night – LFTD LVLS

PALACIO DE LOS JUGOS: Audio Junkie Independence Day Bash: Couples Counseling, Snakehole, Kenny Millions, Male Model, Sad Ghost, Wynona Grinder, SSOS, Felipe Torres TERRA FERMATA: Joel DiSilva Trio

FRIDAY, JULY 3

DADA: Tailored Soul BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Shotgun Betty, Kristopher James FUNKY BUDDHA: Mylo Ranger, Jangle Leg, HVY CRM, Ratsmouth MUSSEL BEACH: Zack Jones PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez Presents. Rock The Mic TERRA FERMATA: Boxelder, Moska Project

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Audio Junkie Independence Day Bash: The Gun Hoes, Nate Blazing, Treasure Teeth, Bearings, Shark Valley Sisters, Denudes, Fulltime Motherfucker, Party Flag, Viceroi, Ask for Tiger, Trench, In Oculus, Terminus Cursus SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Liquid Thunder

SATURDAY, JULY 4

BRYANT PARK: AOS LIVE presents Lake Worth 4th of July w. LFTD LVLS, Spred The Dub, The People UpStairs, The Heavy Pets, Yellow Dubmarine, Float Parade, Raft Race, Water Sports Show, Enigma Pro Wrestling CORAL SKY AMP: Vans Warped Tour PROPAGANDA: Greenhouse Lounge

GRAMPS: Audio Junkie Independence Day Bash: UFO Sex Scene, UV/TV, Radio Frequency, Maks Suki, Ruff Bummer, Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser, Free Pizza, Pariah, Jellyfish Brothers, Nunhex, Plastic Pinks, Juju Pie, Flower Girl, Rat Bastard, Quarter Horses, Pocket of Lollipops, Rick Guerre DADA: Satori Kings, Mylo Ranger

BLUE DOOR: Zack Jones FUNKY BUDDHA: Oddessey TERRA FERMATA: Raincat & Friends SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Quax, Bastard Suns Acoustic Revue

SUNDAY, JULY 5

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Ella Herrera TERRA FERMATA: Albert Castiglia JAZID: Lance-O, Kulcha Shok, Perfect Giddimani, Army Gideon, Iyatollah

MONDAY, JULY 6

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

TUESDAY, JULY 7

DADA: Comedy Open Mic TERRA FERMATA: The Sweet Somethings

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

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LION & EAGLE PUB: Chad Price (ALL, Drag the River), Scott Reynolds (ALL, Pavers), Dan Bonebrake, Florida Frenzy F DADA: 2 Girls and a Guitar KILL YOUR IDOL: Bleeth BARDOT: Ordinary Boys (The Smiths + Morrissey Tribute) TERRA FERMATA: Sidereal

THURSDAY, JULY 9

RESPECTABLE STREET: Hypoluxo, Snakehole

PROPAGANDA: Guttermouth, Operative Me, Riot Agents, Here To Nowhere REVOLUTION LIVE: Neon Trees, Coin, Fictionist STACHE: The Heavy Pets Present: Dubble James TERRA FERMATA: Keep It Civil & Hor!zon CRAFTED KEG: Zack Jones CHURCHILL’S PUB: Bowie in Space: A Tribute to David Bowie with Armada!, F-Yeah!, and The Men Who Fell to Earth

FRIDAY, JULY 10

DADA: Big Chief BREWHOUSE GALLERY: The Whiskey Wasps BEAR & BIRD GALLERY: Prints Charming: Annual Print Show AMERICANAIRLINES ARENA: Eagles REVOLUTION LIVE: Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Animals As Leaders STACHE: Phil Barnes MUSSEL BEACH: Zack Jones PRL: Shit House Mouse, The Lovemakers, Party Flag, Shark Valley Sisters, FTMF TERRA FERMATA: Dreams CHURCHILL’S PUB: Grampa SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Lake Worth Long Shots, Operative Me

SATURDAY, JULY 11

RESPECTABLE STREET: Dirty Sonic, A New Way To Live Forever

DADA: Lake Worth Long Shots KILL YOUR IDOL: Keep It Deep BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Greg Hansen PROPAGANDA: Raggy Monster, Goddamn Hustle VINTAGE TAP: Jane Rose & the Deadend Boys, Slip & the Spinouts BB&T CENTER: Imagine Dragons, Metric ORCHID ISLAND BREWERY: Jangle Leg CRAFTED KEG: Oddessey POORHOUSE: Zack Jones OMALLEY’S: The Drip Effect, Europa, Marvlec CHURCHILL’S PUB: Morning Again, Brethren, Blistered, Homestretch, Guilty Conscience, Livid Death SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Tori Lynn, The Inverted, Jumbo Shrimp, Karol Stop Kallin’

SUNDAY, JULY 12

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Nicholas Caputo GRAND CENTRAL: Los Autenticos Decadentes, No Te Va Gustar, Estelares TERRA FERMATA: Signal Fire JAZID: LanceO, Kulcha Shok, New Kingston, Agent, PeppaBox

MONDAY, JULY 13

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REVOLUTION LIVE: Steel Pulse, Roots Shakedown CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO

TUESDAY, JULY 14

TERRA FERMATA: Nick Caputo REVOLUTION LIVE: Steel Pulse, Heritage

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

DADA: Aymber Pilzak PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez Presents. Rock The Mic TERRA FERMATA: Zack Jones CHURCHILL’S PUB: Raw Meat, Kenny Millions, Bleeth

THURSDAY, JULY 16

FILLMORE MIAMI: Brit Floyd DADA: Future Prezidents

RESPECTABLE STREET: The Psymatics

PROPAGANDA: Ladies Night – LFTD LVLS STACHE: The Sunghosts, Kid Lore, & Mr. Jolt TERRA FERMATA: Jess Lee

FRIDAY, JULY 17

DADA: Nightcasters

CHURCHILL’S PUB: Round Eye, Mr. Clit & the Pink Cigarettes, Satanic Turd Worship, Male Model, Party Flag, Milk Spot, Sunrot, Furnace Head, Crud, Livid Death

VINTAGE TAP: The Flyers Album Release Show BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Josh Mile, The Sweet Somethings STACHE: Rat’s Mouth TERRA FERMATA: Spred the Dub E.R. BRADLEY’S: Zack Jones REVOLUTION LIVE: Heritage, Spred the Dub, Mixed Culture, Roots Shakedown SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Deal James

SATURDAY, JULY 18

JUMP THE SHARK: LIMITLESS is an Interactive Art Show feat Live Music, Live Art, Collaborative Installations, Vendors, Food Trucks + Beer! Raggy Monster, The Von, The Violet West, Boxwood, TONX, DJ Mig, Andie Sweetswirl, AJ ‘Morrissey’ Navarette, Kimmy Dee, Allison Groll, CHNK, Christopher Ian MacFarlane, Danny M. Kidwell, Gaby Pelatti, Jon Rice, Kazilla, Kelcie McQuaid, Kevin Goff, Lady Larva, Nicole Salgar, Paul Caprio, Rob Regis, Registered Artist, ShitHouse Mouse, Todd Traxler RESPECTABLE STREET: Aces High Music Fest: Everymen, Que Lastima, The Zoo Peculiar, Panther Camp, The Inverted, Old Habits, Ten Paces, Cinderblock, Right Through DADA: Jangle Leg VINTAGE TAP: Gallimimus, Deaf Poets, The Psymatics KILL YOUR IDOL: Cheap Miami Presents…

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Brie Music Fundraiser, Rogue Theory, Sprockets & Spokes: Custom Bicycle Show TERRA FERMATA: Bachaco BLUE DOOR: Zack Jones REVOLUTION LIVE: Zouk Jam CHURCHILL’S PUB: Quit, Shark Valley Sisters, Hit Play SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Southern Misconduct

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TERRA FERMATA: Tiffany Ashton REVOLUTION LIVE: The Vamps, Before You Exit

THURSDAY, JULY 23

DADA: The Holidazed

RESPECTABLE STREET: Raggy Monster

PROPAGANDA: Ladies Night – LFTD LVLS STACHE: Sur Back, & JUDE. TERRA FERMATA: Leon Russell with Abby Owens

FRIDAY, JULY 24

DADA: Closer to the Ocean KILL YOUR IDOL: Singular Fashion

PROPAGANDA: Summer Daze Concert Series Day 1: ARTIKaL Sound System, Askultura, The Hard Richards, The Supervillains, BALLYHOO!, Alligator Wine, Fireside Prophets, Rude Hecklers, Cerveza, Whole Wheat Bread, Adam Barnes, The Holidazed, Sawgrass Express STACHE: Cannibal Kids TERRA FERMATA: Bushwood BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Zack Jones REVOLUTION LIVE: The Revivalists, Bobby Lee Rodgers

SATURDAY, JULY 25

VINTAGE TAP: Sealion, Party Static, Riot Act, One Year Anniv.

Kickoff plus Chuck’s (Jangle Leg) Birthday DADA: Equinox KILL YOUR IDOL: Astari Nite, Modernate

RESPECTABLE STREET: Florida Regional Burlypicks

PROPAGANDA: Franscene BREWHOUSE GALLERY: The Inverted REVOLUTION LIVE: Jake Miller, Jasmine V, Alex Angelo KILTED MERMAID: Jangle Leg TERRA FERMATA: Bloody Jug Band VINE & BARLEY PC: Zack Jones SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Chad Headlee, Confidence Beyond Chaos, Jesse Lopez & Brie, TNT Acoustics, Vintage Vox

SUNDAY, JULY 26

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Nicholas Caputo TERRA FERMATA: Sister Baby JAZID: LanceO, Kulcha Shok, Uma Galera, Fyaworks, Exit Sounds

MONDAY, JULY 27

DADA: BasementJams CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CANDACE: Love Zack

TUESDAY, JULY 28

HOWLEYS: Exquisite Taste Art Show

TERRA FERMATA: The String Assassins CHURCHILL’S PUB: A Folk’d Up Evening hosted by Ryan Carney

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

DADA: Mike and Monique TERRA FERMATA: Gravel Kings, Hollis Brown

THURSDAY, JULY 30

DADA: Chucka Riddim

SUNDAY, JULY 19

RESPECTABLE STREET: Killmama, Hung Heart

MONDAY, JULY 20

FRIDAY, JULY 31

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Ella Herrera TERRA FERMATA: JL Fulks JAZID: LanceO, Kulcha Shok, J Shepard, Rythmadix, J5 DADA: Basement Jams CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO

TUESDAY, JULY 21

DADA: Comedy Open Mic TERRA FERMATA: Summer Gill

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22

DADA: Kristin Capiello KILL YOUR IDOL: Vladez

FILLMORE MIAMI: The Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn

PROPAGANDA: Ladies Night – LFTD LVLS STACHE: DJ Treznik & Jay Hero (of Ketchy Shuby) TERRA FERMATA: Sister Baby DADA: FELIX KILL YOUR IDOL: Shameless Burlesque

RESPECTABLE STREET: Authority Zero, Counterpunch

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Vintage Iron, Subgroove STACHE: Nacho Londono SWAMPGRASS WILLY’S: The Boho-Glam SpACe-ROcK PARTY, feat. The C***MOnSteRs TSL LOUNGE: Bimini Records presents Dudeskywalker, Matt Ohashi, Rico from Paris, Steve Sanx Dubelu MANATEE ISLAND: Oddessey TERRA FERMATA: Thomas Wynn & the Believers SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Gutterfish

Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes

Credit Dr.Varuni Kulasekera

Few songs incite the Pavlovian response of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun.” Its primitive, instantly recognizable two-chord guitar jangle and its concomitant punctuation of twin drum bursts can inspire the deaf to clap their heads in communal syncopation, as if responding to some tribal anthem, some secular youth hymn. It’s surely the most iconic song ever written about masturbation (sorry, Billie Joe Armstrong), which is the subversive truth behind its mainstream acceptance into the Great American Alt-Rock Songbook.

This is also why the song didn’t really work when Nouvelle Vague covered it, in 2009, and transformed it into a cool, sensual aphrodisiac. The song is supposed to be the antithesis of sexy; like everything on the band’s seminal (pun intended) self-titled 1983 debut, it’s about the frustrations of sexlessness, of haywire hormones and pent-up urges and the limits of boredom. The Femmes pulled you in with infectious chords and hummable choruses, but if you really paid attention to the lyrics, the songs were voyeuristic windows into a horny, jittery, depressed, deviant, murderous and sometimes unsettlingly relatable mindscape. But please, clap along!

Thirty-five years after its release, Violent Femmes’ debut is one of those astonishing mission-statement alt-rock albums, like License to Ill and Nevermind, in which every tune sounds like a single you’ve known since birth. Songwriter/vocalist Gordon Gano, bassist Brian Richie and drummer Victor DeLorenzo never topped it, which is why, all of these decades later, it still contains the largest share of the group’s set-list pie. We’d be just fine with Violent Femmes remaining a nostalgia act and playing that record straight through, but after 15 years with no original recordings to their name, the Femmes have just released an EP, Happy New Year, whose lead single “Love Love Love Love Love” channels the same catchy, frantic repression of the early years. Gano and Richie are in their ‘50s but still sound 20, horny and inspired, their dark anthems tempered by a sheen of ironic humor.

In one of those lopsided bills that we see a lot in South Florida, the band will open for Barenaked Ladies July 10 at Sunset Cove Amphitheater. Nothing against the witty mom-rockers in BNL, but you owe it to yourself to show up early. Another not to be missed opener... Colin Hay (Men at Work). Tickets cost $40. Call 561-4888069 or visit ticketmaster.com. ~John Thomason

Chaucer, BUSTED! The artistic petri dish that is South Florida -- far removed from the pretentiousness that’s bred in a scene by any sort of sustained national spotlight -- continues to create unique, exciting, and, most importantly, honest, artists. While there are plenty of cheeky, lo-fi bedroom projects already clogging the blogosphere’s bandwidth, South Florida’s Chaucer -- the name Joshua Simkowitz uses for his music. Chaucer’s debut tape, BUSTED, brings a fresh take to minimalist bedroom rock that is as infectious as it is fun, and will appeal to fans of Ariel Pink’s charming early work, and displays songcraft that belies the novelty of the unique sound of the recording itself.

We spoke with Simkowitz in attempt to glean some background on an artist we’ve got on our shortlist of recent Florida favorites.

PH: What’s your recording process like? The stuff on the band camp has a very unique sound -- even compared to the heaps of other lo-fi stuff that’s out there these days.

Chaucer: I just try to record a lot. I’m not really doing much else anymore, and I feel really bad for watching so much tv and stuff, so I just play music a lot and see what happens. 90% of my recording process is lighting incense so my friend/landlord doesn’t know I’m smoking cigarettes inside. I’m not trying to sound lo-fi necessarily, I’m just using the equipment available to me, and am not really that good at music; what you hear is literally me just doing my best.

Which, apparently doesn’t sound very good at all.

Do you work alone on the recordings?

The last song on the tape has my buddy Adam playing keyboards and doing some noisy stuff, but that’s about it. I’m kind of a pain in the ass. I don’t think I would work well recording with other people. I’d have no friends left What music directly influenced the project? It’s definitely got it’s own thing going on.

I don’t really have a conscious thing I’m trying to sound like. I’ve been recording and playing in punk bands since I was twelve years old, and after a lot of years and some dark drugs, this is what I’m doing now, and this is just how it sounds There’s a lot of humor in the songwriting, and the little monologues are hilarious.

Do you improvise those bits when you record? A lot of the subject matter is super out there and surrealist -- how do you go about writing your lyrics? Is there a thread of your own reality in any of it?

I don’t ever really write down lyrics, I just think about it while I’m recording and go with it. So yeah, I guess it’s improvised. Sometimes I think about stuff at work and go home and record it. Most of it is just stuff that happened. I don’t really make things up. BUSTED was written and recorded in like a month and a half. I was kind of bummed out and getting really obsessive over people and things, and eating a lot of candy and staying up too late. I guess it worked out, though.

I’m halfway done with my next record already. I just want to record and play music. There’s no ultimate goal here it’s just the thing I like to do the most, so that’s what I do. I’m just going to keep recording and releasing stuff.

LISTEN: https://mynameischaucer.bandcamp.com ~Von Bader

StrangeWave Productions “I went to the Dreyfoos School of the Arts for video my last two years of High School, but I actually ended up spending more time in the audio recording classes,” explains Ates Isildak. “I went a good ten years without working on any video stuff at all. I had all my guitar gear stolen from my car NYE 2013, and I woke up in 2014 and decided that I was going to buy a bunch of video gear instead of replacing my guitar stuff. I think I felt betrayed or something by music, I don’t know. But I also felt like I could stop being so solipsistic with video work. I could collaborate with other musicians and artists, and not be so closed off. I wanted to help other artist with their vision, instead of staying stuck in mine.”

Ates Isildak Isildak’s considerable talents have brought him into demand by the same music scene he once, and considerably so, felt betrayed by. However, it was that moment of reinvention and unwillingness to fall victim that created the hybrid persona that has him as one of South Florida’s most sought-after indie video makers. With a digital style that blends the organic and nostalgic qualities of bygone formats with purposely whacky and whimsical experimentations Isildak’s StrangeWave Productions is the happy home of many local acts looking to stand apart in a congested post-punk, indie rock world.

“Being in bands you learn how to work with other people. And you also learn that excellent musicians don’t always know how to present themselves, their ‘image.’ And that some bands just don’t care. All that is fine. I think with most of my own bands I ended up at very least taking care of the ‘art direction,’ so when I do a project for other bands, I just try to listen to them, figure out the vibe of what they are trying to convey,” her says of his personal experience.

“Then I try to do something that captures that song and that band as well as possible.”

Surfer Blood Video Shoot With a humble start doing Symbols’ surreal murder/gore/cannibalism video for their track “Death Valley (Not 69)”, he’s gone from his first commission, Octo Gato’s “Superpuss” to his most recent video release, Surfer Blood’s “I Can’t Explain,” Isildak finds himself needed, “Now I get contacted pretty often, I get more project offers than I have time for, which is unexpected but nice.” This last one was a testament to his craft and his attitude towards his work and how his general compliance can be effective by starting and finishing the project in roughly one week without the aid of a giant studio’s support. His work also comes at a pivotal time when art and music have strong bonds and the idea of video as art is wholly accepted as a respected medium.

Keeping himself locally available, Isildak stays true to his original intentions, “I have learned from being a musician that everyone wants to rip you off, and that’s something I am unwilling to do to bands, so I keep my prices really low. The people I work with are very grateful for this. I don’t work on some hourly rate. I make sure each video stands alone and is rad and the band is happy, no matter how long it takes to shoot or edit.” Though continuing to work visuals for Rodney Mayo’s Decades Records or even say, David Lynch would factor in his dreams, Isildak’s vision will carry on based on his genuine merits and talents.

WATCH IT: http://www.strangewaverecords.com ~Abel Folgar

Circus Amour, Makers Square Dearest misfits, Circus Basura and Makers Square are to host a royal shindig for you.

What awaits isn’t your typical Broward gathering, but rather a night of weirdness and fun fit for a true open-minded creative.

Step up, spin your top hop around and enter into a world made for Burning Man enthusiasts, zany characters and crafty makers, folks who build things with tools, as Circus Amour pitches a fête for your mere amusement and to raise funds for The Love Tester, an art project designed for Burning Man 2015.

On Saturday, July 25, from 9pm to 4am Fort Lauderdale’s largest, member-based makerspace invite curious attendees for a night of jaunty jugglers, cavorting clowns, magicians, balancing acts, food and libations and other circus-themed entertainment. Be sure to get into the spirit by dressing up in your best circus garb, mes amis.

For readers unfamiliar with Makers Square and makerspaces, the property functions as a tool shop where members join just like one would at a gym and are granted access to an array of equipment -- sewing machines, 3D printers, welding machines -- in order to make what their dreams desire. Say, you want to learn how to weld metal and create a statue for your backyard, you can do that here. Or you want to design your next cosplay outfit, but need to brainstorm with fun folks to get your ideas brewing. You can do that here.

The two-story space fosters a supportive and creative environment and isn’t shy to wave its freak flag.

All funds made at the door at Circus Amour will help fund a crew of nearly 20 South Florida artists take their road trip to Burning Man this August. Monies will support the gas costs, the drive is roughly 7,200 miles roundtrip, and the supplies needed for the group to build their Black Rock City’s interactive art piece The Love Tester, which is a massive 30-foot high, fireball-shooting carnival game. How deep is your love? Dare to test it Ring leader, “Juan Trash” claims attending Burning Man can be a wake up call. “It is death changing,” he says, “We all learn how fleeting life is, and why it’s important to be more present. So much of our culture only sees creation, not the duality of creationdestruction. Burning Man teaches the artist how to let go.”

Perhaps all it takes is a long drive to the desert this summer to really rejuvenate. Perhaps what awaits at Burning Man is not a life-altering experience, but what Mister Trash observed, the key to being alive is letting go through destruction.

Circus Amour shakes things up on Saturday, July 25, from 9pm to 4am at Makers Square, 1142 NE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-361-4414. $10. http://www.makerssquare.com ~ Andrea Richard