PUREHONEY 58

Groovenics Reunion When you think about the ‘90s music scene in South Florida, you may have fond memories of moshing to the visceral hardcore punk rock shows that the Groovenics brought to the area. Throughout the decade they rocked the Tri-county area. They even signed a record deal in 2001.

Sadly, however, they were not to last, imploding with in-fighting not long after the album’s release on Spitfire Records.

Still, friendships survived.

Five years ago they played the 10-year anniversary show celebrating the self-titled national debut at Propaganda. Keyboardist Josh Atom, who is one of the few members still living in South Florida recalls, “We had a really great show. It was capacity, the fire marshals came, but it was a lot of fun.”

The Groovenics

But the band wasn’t done. Five years later, Atom says he got a Facebook message if I would be interested in doing it again. He says he got the vibe everybody was excited about it, and they booked a 15-year anniversary show at Respectable Street. “We’re playing all the hits,” he promises. “We already put the set list together, and I think it’s pretty good, mostly the songs from the national CD we put out. We cut out the songs we didn’t like on that, some of the slow songs.” So expect to hear “Tasty Waves,” “Chopsticks,” “Booty Barn,” and possibly their version of “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” The members have been scattered across the United States, from New York to North Carolina, but Atom says everyone is excited about coming back to South Florida. “We’ve been Facebooking each other for months now, and it’s just this big thread where we’re all talking about it, making jokes and talking a little bit about the show.” He says a week-long rehearsal is probably all they’’ll need to get their groove back. “It’s rockin’,” he says with a casual laugh. “Last time it was really good, and it had been 10 years since we had played, and now it’s only five years.”

The Groovenics 15-year reunion shows w. Bullet to Blade, Fast Talkers, The Muggles takes place June 25 at Respectable Street at 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos (indieethos.com)

Set and Setting Set and Setting is a term used to describe the mindset and setting for taking psychoactive and particularly psychedelic drugs.

Then there’s the band from St. Petersburg, Florida that goes under the same moniker. Set and Setting, (the band), play a trippy, psychedelic, post-rock tinged with metallic elements. They’re like a more ethereal Neurosis, at times soothing and others loud and pulsing Set and Setting | Credit: Nicole Kibert with energy; but always with a dynamic element. Without vocals, the band really does a great job of conveying the vastness of their vision; like a trip through space and the mountains of some far away land without leaving the confines of your house.

The band formed in 2009 and have made some serious in roads with some of the heaviest bands currently making their way around the globe. They’ve played with: Eyehategod, Pelican, Wolves in the Throne Room and our very own Shroud Eater, to name just a few. For some people instrumental bands can be confusing; “like, where are the vocals, man?” But, those folks are missing the point. Some bands thrash, others swing and still others pummel and punish. Then there are bands like: Red Sparowes, Earthless, Karma to Burn and the aforementioned Pelican; much like those bands, Set and Setting’s music is more about enjoying the dynamics a group can create when they aren’t trying so hard to convey a message, as much as a feeling. Like the “desert rock” bands of the 90’s, Set and Setting are conjuring up an atmosphere for whatever kind of night you’re looking to have.

“A Vivid Memory” is the group’s newest addition to an arsenal of great music; and as is the case with such things they are kicking off an East Coast run of dates to promote it. Of course, they find themselves in our neck of the woods, because if anyone knows good metal (other than Tampa, obviously) it would be South Florida. The fellas hit the stage at Churchill’s Hideaway, Wednesday June 22nd with: Hivelords, Shroud Eater, Reapermanser and Orb Weaver.

Hivelords is from Philadelphia and currently doing some dates with Tombs, who are equally pretty awesome. Let’s hope everyone from out of town brings their A-game, because they’re playing with some heavy hitters from the dirty south.

Churchill’s Hideaway is at: 5501 NE Second Ave. Miami. 305.757.1807. Doors at 9pm, $5 at the door. ~ Tim Moffatt

Lord Huron For all those that heard it last year (and are probably still playing it), there’s a beautiful echo to the opening of Lord Huron’s sophomore album, Strange Trails.

“Yes, I know that love is like ghosts.” Vocalist/ guitarist/mastermind Ben Schneider pushes out the words with a quick, gritty but subtle twang, on the multi-layered track. Then it’s off to a sad story about the temporal quality of a relationship. Intimate and Lord Huron | Credit Josh Sanseri profound, Lord Huron’s sound befits a setting like the regal Fillmore Miami Beach.

Lord Huron’s last album came out just over a year ago, but the anticipation to see the L.A. band bring these songs, as well as those off their debut 2012 album Lonesome Dream, is a moment fans will find worth waiting for. With evocative lyrics and a sound a bit more upbeat and luscious than Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses, Lord Huron falls into that cubby hole of groups referred to as indie folk.

With tinges of decorative elements by Mark Barry on percussion and Miguel Briseño alternating between bass, keyboards and more percussion, Lord Huron’s sound transcends reduction, though. The group, which also includes Tom Renaud on guitar and vocals, lay on coats of harmonies to their dynamic melodies and driving rhythms. Most recently, Brett Farkas joined the group to add another layer of guitars to their live shows.

The members of Lord Huron deliver a lush sound with musically intricate performances, from the sleigh bells on “Until the Night Turns” to breaking out the Theremin to kick off “Way Out There.” The band’s attention to detail was on full display last year, as captured on a professionally shot live video for KEXP where they played with varied harmonic drones under several songs.

This show at the Fillmore apparently marks the band’s first ever live appearance in South Florida. The band last came this close on a tour stop at The Beacham in Orlando, back in July, so this show is a special opportunity for the band’s southernmost fans.

Lord Huron plays w. Lucy Dacus at The Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, Wednesday, June 15, at 7pm. Tickets are general admission and are $26.50. Purchase from Live Nation. ~ Hans Morgenstern | The Independent Ethos (indieethos.com)

TUESDAY, MAY 31

DADA: Ella Herrera

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

CHURCHILLS PUB: Symbiotic Simians, Open Mic, & Drum Circle

DADA: Whiskey Wasps KYI: K Pasa USA KREEPY TIKI: The Cloth, Other Body, Problem Child, Sponge

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night

Valdez LION & EAGLE PUB: Drag the River, Dan Bonebrake, Keith KYI: FUNKY BISCUIT: John Nemeth Welsh KREEPY TIKI: The Blues Crusaders- Blues Night

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night DADA: Future Prezidents

RESPECTABLE STREET: Peyote Coyote

KYI: Karaoke & Kraken PROPAGANDA: Lftd Lvls GRAMPS: Regla Palooza CHURCHILLS PUB: Lone Wolf OMB, Rick & The Pigs KREEPY TIKI: Broward Noise Ordnance- Rainé Rainé, Rat Bastard, Human Fluid Rot, Adam Matza, Xela Zaid, Ed Matus, Squid Squad, Mistr Rey, Colour With Sound, Michael Feathers, Silent Strangers, Battery Brain & DJ Robbie Brantley RHYTHM & VINE: Bluejay

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH: Ha*Ash BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Whiskey Wasps DADA: Elastique Band KYI: Octo Gato

HAROLDS COFFEE: Sweet Bronco, Chris Horgan

FUNKY BISCUIT: Corky Laing Plays Mountain ft Kofi Baker KREEPY TIKI: IRA, Gazms, Menudo Death Squad, Pena Maxima BAR 1306: Peyote Coyote, Mo’Booty, Heavy Drag CHURCHILLS PUB: The Kitchen Club with DJ 16 BIT TERRA FERMATA: Dreams, Crystal Visions of Fleetwood Mac, Deal James, Summer Gill LIBERTINE: Otto Von Shirach

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH: Young Contemporary Dance BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Karlos Marz Acoustic KELSEY THEATER: Guerilla Art Challenge PROPAGANDA: Everymen, Party Flag, Dirty Rotten Snake In The Grass DADA: Chilean Slang, Celebrator LONGBOARDS: Jah Steve & The Counteract Crew HAROLDS COFFEE: Steve Brouse Art Opening BOHEMÏA AG: Cyanide Regime ft. Kill:Addikt, Pain Appendix KREEPY TIKI: Control This, The Freecoasters, Skajamz & Stereotype The Masses FUNKY BISCUIT: Dreams Crystal Visions Of Fleetwood Mac CHURCHILLS PUB: Trick Daddy RHYTHM & VINE: Magic City Hippies

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

DADA: Craft Bazaar

RESPECTABLE STREET: Rivers

KYI: Karaoke & Kraken PROPAGANDA: Lftd Lvls ARTISTS’ GUILD GALLERY: Free Opening Reception

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Live Bait DADA: Big Chief

RESPECTABLE STREET: Fall of Olympus

GRAMPS: Patrick and the Swayzees, Weird Al bus trip FUNKY BISCUIT: Strung Like A Horse, Cranford Hollow

REVOLUTION LIVE: Gogol Bordello, Frank Turner

KREEPY TIKI: Burning Bridges Fest 3- The Dialtones, Alexandre Merbouti, Talking Dogs, Chilean Slang, Killmama, Filthy Casuals HAROLDS COFFEE: Cafe Praise TERRA FERMATA: Nappy Roots, 808 Blake, Morning Fatty CHURCHILLS PUB: 80’s Night w Dead End Lane LIBERTINE: Austin Paul, XAXO

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Acoustic Soul KELSEY THEATER: Adult 80’s Prom

DADA: Int’l Language LONGBOARDS: Reggae Souljahs KYI: Keep it Deep JAZID: Jahfe, Inna Sense, Lance-O, Swaggah, Vendetta BOHEMÏA AG: Digsy Empire FUNKY BISCUIT: Brian Simpson & Elan Trotman HAROLDS COFFEE: Art X Art Walk Gallery Tour KREEPY TIKI: Live Punk Rock n’ Roll Karaoke w/ The X-Wrays TERRA FERMATA: Strung Like a Horse, Cranford Hollow, Beartoe, The Inverted, Revelry, String Assassins, Chris King CHURCHILLS PUB: Bowie’s In Space (David Bowie Tribute) with Armada, Godsend, & DJ Carlos Menendez LIBERTINE: KillMama RHYTHM & VINE: Patrick & the Swayzees

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

KYI: Sabotage Sunday KREEPY TIKI: The Trad305

MONDAY, JUNE 13

DADA: Basement Jams Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

GRAMPS: Miami Vice Episode: Caribbean Party KYI: Local Motion CHURCHILLS PUB: IRA, Party Flag, Speculum, Nutcheck, Union HAROLDS COFFEE: No Garbage Garage Sale

DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam BAYFRONT PARK AMP: Weezer, Panic! At The Disco CULTURE ROOM: St. Lucia CHURCHILLS PUB: Radio Bemba Latin Punk Rock Night

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: A Sunday Kind of Blues (2 – 4), Summer Gill (7 – 10)

MONDAY, JUNE 6

FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH: Gigi D’alessio

DADA: Basement Jams KYI: Drag Mondays CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground HAROLDS COFFEE: Double Punch Monday

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

DADA: Spoken Word Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia

BOHEMÏA AG: Macula Dog, Tender Cruncher, Beatles Haircut

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH: Lord Huron, Lucy Dacus BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia

DADA: Jbay & Anthony Payne KYI: Audrey Horne CHURCHILLS PUB: S.P.I.T with t30, open mic, & drum circle

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night LITTLE MUNICH: Jason Budjinski, An Evening To Remember DADA: Octo Gato

RESPECTABLE STREET: Beachhead

KYI: Karaoke & Kraken PROPAGANDA: Lftd Lvls HAROLDS COFFEE: Livin The Rhythm Open Drum Circle KREEPY TIKI: Fiend Without A Face, Cave of Swimmers, Sandratz RHYTHM & VINE: Killmama

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Damien Louviere KELSEY THEATER: Noah Rabe’s “My Heart” Tour

DADA: Fat Sun KYI: Bermuda Beach FUNKY BISCUIT: Unlimited Devotion – Grateful Dead Trib TRIANGLE CLUB: Killmama, SADA HAROLDS COFFEE: Lyrical Ink Open Mic PROPAGANDA: Burlesque Peep Show TERRA FERMATA: Selwyn Birchwood

CHURCHILLS PUB: LOAD/BLOWFLY Tribute Night: Overtown Soul Revue performing the music of Blowfly & Clarence Reid, Load Orchestra ft members of Blowfly, Floor, Cavity, The Crumbs, The Holy Terrors, Holly Hunt, Subliminal Criminal, Chickenhead, Smoke Dog, FWA!, Suburban Delinqents plus Shark Valley Sisters, The Gun Hoes, DJ Skidmark KREEPY TIKI: Hot Whiskey, Solemark AnyOtherColor

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Bryce Allyn, Custom Bicycle Show KELSEY THEATER: The Helmsmen CD Release w Brett Staska, Ethan Parker Band DADA: Confidence Beyond Chaos LONGBOARDS: Reggae Souljahs KYI: Breaks Yo!

RESPECTABLE STREET: Cupcake Burlesque

FUNKY BISCUIT: Jeff Jensen PROPAGANDA: Echo, Koffin Varnish, Gravel Kings HAROLDS COFFEE: Dead Angel Baby LIBERTINE: Mo’Booty GRAMPS: Max Pain & the Groovies, Denudes, Heavy Drag CHURCHILLS PUB: Kerasphorus, Perdition Temple, Sacurse, Gnosis, Hellmass WILTON DRIVE: Wilton Manors Stonewall Parade & Street Fest KREEPY TIKI: Demons, Asura, Sorus, Host, The Killing Hour LIBERTINE Mo Booty, Deadbournes

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: A Sunday Kind of Blues (2 – 4), Nip & Tuck (7 – 10)

KYI: Mo’Booty CHURCHILLS PUB: Moon River Cabaret Presents Daddy Issues BOCA RATON MUSEUM: Film Screening: Hermitage Revealed

MONDAY, JUNE 20

KYI: Drag Mondays DADA: Basement Jams CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH: Brit Floyd Continuum World Tour 2016 BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia DADA: Grace Givertz

CHURCHILLS PUB: Set & Setting, Hivelords, Shroud Eater, Reapermanser, Orbweaver, + Words & Wine TERRA FERMATA: Deal James, Summer Gill

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night DADA: Black Cousins

RESPECTABLE STREET: The Helmsmen

KYI: Karaoke & Kraken PROPAGANDA: Lftd Lvls HAROLDS COFFEE: Livin The Rhythm Open Drum Circle RHYTHM & VINE: Elastic Bond

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Vintage Iron Motorcycle Night, Trial by Fire KELSEY THEATER: Unlimited Devotion: Grateful Dead Tribute

DADA: Ghost Cat KYI: Shameless Burlesque SUNSET COVE: Rebelution, The Green, Stick Figure, Through the Roots, J Boog and DJ Mackle FUNKY BISCUIT: Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers With Special Guests JP Soars & The Red Hots CHURCHILLS PUB: Super Summer Slam with DJ OSKI KREEPY TIKI: Curasbun, Revolucion, Asymetric Combat, Pena Maxima, Menudo Death Squad LIBERTINE: Similar Prisoners, Analog

SATURDAY, JUNE 25

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Mainstreet Dreamers KELSEY THEATER: JL Fulks CD Release DADA: The State Of LONGBOARDS: Jah Steve & The Counteract Crew KYI: The Wire

RESPECTABLE STREET: The Groovenics Reunion w.

Bullet to Blade, Fast Talkers, The Muggles

PROPAGANDA: Old Habits, Brick By Brick, Sweet Nothings

SLUSHBOX GALLERY: Ink & Pistons & Slushbox Gallery Annual Art Show Anniversary and Hot Rod Roundup BOHEMÏA AG: Taboo Art Affair #5 ft. William Deal Jr. GRAMPS: Southern Most Soul Party, Absolute Party Control FUNKY BISCUIT: Damon Fowler CHURCHILLS PUB: Michael Jackson Tribute KREEPY TIKI: Sevensins, Irras One, All Hail The Mustache TERRA FERMATA: Unlimited Devotion LIBERTINE: Rick Guerre, Gun Hoes

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Echoes of Erin

KYI: Comedy Night GRAMPS: Double Stubble BAYFRONT PARK AMP: The Cure CHURCHILLS PUB: Mea Cupa, Smurphio, Skinny Hendrix, Serious Jorge, Raker, & Bacon KREEPY TIKI: Murder Junkies, Armageddon Man, Sandratz & Punk Rock Flea Market

MONDAY, JUNE 27

DADA: Basement Jams Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays BAYFRONT PARK AMP: The Cure CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 DADA: Boris Simeonov

RESPECTABLE STREET: Clueless Party

PERFECT VODKA AMP: Steely Dan, Steve Winwood

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night DADA: Sol Republic Band

RESPECTABLE STREET: Raggy Monster

KYI: Karaoke & Kraken FUNKY BISCUIT: Flow Tribe & The Fritz HAROLDS COFFEE: Livin The Rhythm Open Drum Circle

CHRISTOPHER IAN MACFARLANE | HAUNTED MIRROR FOREST STUDIOS

“Through the Fire Swamps”

Art by Erika Taguchi-Newton

http://www.ravengirlsnest.com

The Helmsmen “South Florida plays a big impact on our lives whether we notice it or not,” says Helmsmen acoustic guitarist Jacob Constantakos.

“Being based in Jupiter we couldn’t be anymore grateful for the community of supportive people we have in this town.

Growing up right by the water in a small town filled with great people probably has a deeper role in our compositions subconsciously.”

These compositions, amalgammed from the individual flavors of this quintet is a rendered sound built from indie rock, surf, and folk into The Helmsmen “Island Indie,” a descriptor the band is eager to laud. Formed in 2012 by vocalist and ukulele player Jesse Glendinning and saxophonist/guitarist Derek Campbell in Jupiter and taking their nomenclature from their elementary school mascot, the duo would expand to a quintet in 2014 with the addition of Constantakos, and the rhythm section of Micko Paparo on bass and Samuel King on drums.

“When we came together as a band, our instrumentation was not really planned, but just happened,” explains Constantakos of the eclectic makeup of the outfit. “We started jamming on the combination of electric and acoustic sounds accompanied by a ukulele, it was a formula that worked. Jesse has a great connection with the ukulele. His soft picking can really set the mood for an entire song.”

With a 2015 EP (The Homework) under their belt, the band is poised to release their second effort a little over a year after. This record, Midterm, follows their thematic vein of academia a la Wes Andserson – which imbues the Island Indie with cinematic flair. Bringing in veteran Jupiter producer Jordan Wraggs, Constantakos reflects, “Since (the EP) we feel we haven’t changed, but grown more into our music together as a group. We had a strong idea what we wanted on this new record before we started recording.”

Releasing this album at the Kelsey Theater on the 18th and working relentlessly on creating videos and an upcoming two-month-long tour is part of a commitment to craft and community that the band capitalizes on. “It is an incredible feeling to see a big support of art and music in the community and it feels even better to be a part of it. Music and art is such an unspoken language that only brings people closer together and that is what Palm Beach deserves.”

The Helmsmen CD release with Brett Staska w/ Chris Cope and Ethan Parker Band at 7pm on Saturday, June 18 at the Kelsey Theater, 700 Park Ave, Lake Park. Presale tickets cost $5, $10 at the door. ~ Abel Folgar

Next Time You Snap a Photo at a show TAG IT with #FillmoreMB

FillmoreMB.com

Hot Rod Roundup

Hot Rod Roundup

brow art.

Hot Rod culture was spawned from the Southern California car scene of the 1960’s. Part rock-abilly esthetic, part grease monkey cool, it’s all Americana at its core. This subculture spawned other subcultures within the subculture: for instance the pinup. Also, there’s the distinct art, or lack thereof, in some cases of the cars.

Basically, these odes to sex and rock n’ roll birthed, in part, low

A Slushbox is a term from hot rod culture that refers to an automatic transmission car; it’s not a term of endearment. However, Slushbox is also an art gallery in West Palm Beach that specializes in low brow art. Low brow and art have always seemed to be almost double negative in nature, since isn’t beauty in the eye of the beholder? There is a sort of cool, detachment in embracing low brow, outlaw status and creating a culture behind it: see Marlon Brando’s line from the Wild One when asked what he’s rebelling against, his answer, “What have you got?” This, “rebellion at any cost” attitude is the cornerstone behind what makes low brow art so much fun and Slushbox is celebrating their 4 year anniversary by embracing all of the elements that have made them so successful.

Saturday, June 25th is the Ink & Pistons Tattoo & Piercing and Slushbox Gallery annual Art Show and Hot Rod Roundup! The event will feature some of the most interesting and bad ass hot rods ratting around the tri-county area; as well, as pretty much anything else they can get their hands on that features prominently in the Hot Rod culture. There’s mention of tikis, pin-ups, tattoo inspired art, day of the dead schwag and of course cake and hot dogs from the PS561 food truck. Really what other way is there to celebrate low brow art and an art gallery specializing in low brow art than to get loud with hot chicks and kustom kulture? The gods of kitsch and rock and roll will be very pleased.

The Ink & Pistons / Slushbox Gallery Anniversary Party, Art Show & Hot Rod Roundup takes place at Slushbox Gallery: 2716 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. 7pm-11pm. Come early, stay late! ~ Tim Moffatt

Jason Budjinski On June 16th one year ago, longtime South Florida musician and writer Jason Budjinski, aka Billy Boloby died after several years of suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis, a relatively rare disease of the bile ducts that eventually can lead to liver failure, and Crohn’s disease.

He was on a transplant list, but because of numerous complications it unfortunately never happened. He was 38 years old.

Budjinski was no stranger to the music scene in South Florida for over 20 years with his bands The Happy Accidents, Mute-Ants, Billy Boloby (the band), Bittercups and Pots N Pans, eventually becoming music editor for New Times Broward-Palm Beach. He then went on to become community editor for the Town-Crier Jason Budjinski Newspaper in Palm Beach County’s western communities, Wellington The Magazine where he grew up and started as reporter fresh out of college. He was also editor for Okeechobee The Magazine. He had a passion for writing which was evident in his newspaper and magazine career, his blogs and his songs. He once posted “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.” This made it all fun for the audience in which they could share in the enthusiasm watching the bands perform.

At his Celebration of Life last June in Wellington it was obvious to all in attendance that he was well respected and admired. His friends and family have always said that his creativity lives on through his music and writings. His heart lives on in everyone he touched.

In memory of Budjinski on this first anniversary, his family and friends are holding “An Evening To Remember” event on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 7 to 9 at Little Munich, 806 Lake Ave in Lake Worth. Along with an evening of love, laughter, camaraderie, music there will be sharing memories, meeting old friends and new. This will also be used as a fundraiser In Memory of Jason Budjinski to support PSC Partner Seeking a Cure. Donations can be made online at www. pscpartners.org, mailed to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure, 6900 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 202, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 or donations can be brought to the event in person. ~ Bill Kord

Astari Nite “Until the End of the Moon” is the most mature music written by Astari Nite to date. In fact this is our second LP – the prior being Stereo Waltz,” says Astari Nite vocalist Mychael Ghost. “In our earlier years it seemed a bit like High School if you will. I did enjoy my prior band mates but as time goes by, things change. Illia Tulloch and I needed to explore as well as find likeminded individuals who believed in each other.”

Adding Monch Sallons on bass to round out the rhythm section and guitarists Michael Setton and Astari Nite Howard Melnick has taken this band into a new and exciting facet of their existence. While Ghost and co. might think that they’ve had a reset of sorts, Astari Nite, formed in 2008, has long held been the torchbearer for dark, New Wave-ish, post-punk in South Florida.

Ghost, who admittedly was not a part of South Florida’s Gothic/dark music scene of yesteryear, has grown to embody the perfect frontman for this type of group, an anomaly of sorts in this landscape of tropicalia. And maybe it’s a good thing to be an anomaly, not just within a musical scene in general but in the previously mentioned maturity the group has attained.

“I’ve never had so much to say ever before in my life,” he explains. “Many expected something dark and gloomy which are our key elements but you can hear the happiness which tends to shine a bit more than the color grey.”

Signed to Germany’s Danse Macabre Records, Astari Nite is coming off a strong year in which the band headlined the Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, Germany and performed with the Psychedelic Furs – all catalysts for the completion of this album, which was produced by Melnick.

With an East Coast Tour underway, a pair of local album releases and a return to Europe in 2017, Astari Nite is taking this reinvigorated spirit with utmost energy and sincerity. Theirs is not a shtick or nostalgia, it is a genre of music done well and appreciated. “We tend to get told that our music is the last of that genre here in South Florida, I don’t know. Perhaps we are and that makes me smile a bit brighter.”

Their return home show is scheduled for July 22 at Kill Your Idol in Miami ~ Abel Folgar

Frank Turner At the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Frank Turner took to a stage resembling an idyllic pastoral scene of the English countryside.

In a plaid shirt and blue jeans, he sang out to the packed London stadium, “Now who’d have thought that after all, Something as simple as rock ‘n’ roll would save us all?”

Whether seeing him live or watching a playlist of his videos on YouTube, whether you’re a fan or not, his belief in and passion for music immediately hit you within a few bars. Deeply personal lyrics above rolling, rollicking folk punk rock rhythms drive through like a strong wind and pull you up into them--somehow hopeful even when touching on the darkest moments.

Frank Turner

Listening to Frank Turner feels like those moments when you were a kid listening to your parents fight or when you are sitting alone in your apartment after you just got fired only to come home to a note from your lover explaining why they and all their things are gone--but after the initial blow, you close your eyes and imagine running through an open meadow or walking along an empty stretch of beach with the soothing rhythm of lapping waves that provide some semblance of freedom from that uncontrollable shitty situation.

Music is just one way that Turner connects with his audience. He regularly blogs at www.frank-turner.com and posts on social media. In March 2015, he released a lyric video for “Get Better” along with a music memoir, The Road Beneath My Feet. He announced that he was working on the book and asked fans to send in pictures and stories. The book starts on the night of his last show with his band Million Dead in 2005 and carries through his solo songwriting, tours backed by The Sleeping Souls, and more. It went to the top of the hardback non-fiction bestsellers list in England. Whether he is writing or playing with The Sleeping Souls, you get the sense that he is just a man with a guitar trying to save the world (and maybe himself) with something as simple as Rock and Roll.

Turner takes on Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on June 10 with gypsy punk rockers Gogol Bordello. Doors open at 7:30pm. Advance tickets are $30.50 / $33 day of the show. Tickets available at the box office or at Ticketmaster.com. ~ Jessica Chesler