Lou Ming Presents

So on a previous post I received a message from the man Lou Ming. Lou also runs a blog documenting Florida music scene and wanted to say hey and let me know about his. I couldnt believe that between the two of us, we had over 300 posts and not a single one overlapped. I couldnt believe it...Lou has a great variety of artists on his page so check that out as Im sure we'll be hearing more from him soon.

Lou Ming Presents Florida Documentation

Awake!

City: Tampa (I think)
Type Of Music: Hardcore/Punk
Years Active: 1988 - ???
Myspace or Website: n/a

Justin from Thunder Lizard sent this to me to post. I remember my friend Old School John having this record but I honestly know nothing about the band. This was released in 1989 and is really melodic. Definately had a real good sound. If anyone has info, theyd like to pass, please do. Great record and worth checking out

Awake! - Beliefs

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HUOUEZHO

Gargirls/Drug Czars Split

For info on the Drug Czars, click here

Not alot of info on this, I think it was released on Star Crunch Records. If anyone has info theyd like to pass along, by all means hit me up and Ill get it updated

EDIT:
It has been brought to my attention that this record is still available and can be purchased here:

http://www.matteblack.com/roachmotel/store.html

Happy Birthday to...the blog

Sorry for the lack of update yesterday but this week is hectic with school so Im doing the best I can. Also I didnt realize it but last week was the 1 year anniversary of the South Florida Music Scene blog. Time just flew by...I cant believe Ive been doing it for a year. It started me wanting to track down rare recordings from old South Florida bands and its turned into this, this which consumes my life when I go down to Miami for a visit. Im glad that so many of you still check regularly and leave comments and I will try to continue doing what Im doing. Just bear with me as school is brutal this semester. Again thank you for your support.

Glasseater - Holiday (Weezer Cover)

For past Glasseater entries, click here: http://southfloridamusicscene.blogspot.com/search?q=glasseater

Glasseater recorded this track, a cover of Weezer's song "Holiday", for a compilation called "Rock Music: A Tribute To Weezer" on Dead Droid Records. This has Jason on vocals and still features the classic lineup up from their first 2 records. Glasseater put their own spin on the song and I think it holds up pretty well.

Glasseater - Holiday (Weezer cover)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WYAPD68I

Also, a little tidbit of info about this compilation: Miami straight edge band Destro was originally slated to be on this comp as well. They recorded a cover of "Suzanne" from the Mallrats soundtrack which was drastically different from the original. The compilation was delayed numerous times so the band decided to include the track as a hidden track on their full length "The Accuracy of Broken Whispers". The owner of Dead Droid records found out, blew up about the situation, and kicked the band off the compilation replacing them with Midtown who did the same song. If you wanna hear their version, its about 30 seconds after the song "Jettison" on the full length. You can check it out here:

http://southfloridamusicscene.blogspot.com/2008/02/destro.html

Chocolate Grasshopper

City: Miami
Years Active: 1985 - late 1980s (roughly)
Type Of Music: Hardcore Punk
Myspace or Website: n/a

Okay so Im not even gonna pretend like I know a lot about Chocolate Grasshopper. I know the name from way back but thats where my knowledge ends. If anyone out there has any info, please pass it along so I can give this band a proper post. The music is fast with some melodic parts...definately good stuff. Did they release anything else? Again I have no clue...Ill see what I can do about finding more info but until then heres Chocolate Grasshopper.

EDIT:
Thankfully both Aesop and George Van Orsdel saw my post and helped piece some of the info together for me. Aesop said the band started before the year I thought which helped since he moved out of South Florida in 1988. George had this to say:

"Aesop is correct, this was Andre's pre-Quit band. Chocolate Grasshopper was around during the mid-eighties, I'd venture to say 1985-87, give or take, and the band consisted of Brent Wilson on guitar and vocals, Andre Serafini on drums, Ray (whose last name escapes me) on guitar and vocals, and Mike (whose last name again I can't remember) on bass. Brent and Ray would alternate on vocals as well as share backing vocal duties. As for the origin of the band, I honestly don't know, since they were already established when I became friends with them. In their own words, as written on their demo cassette, Chocolate Grasshopper were not "punkers, skins, gothic, progressives, rich little brats like the rest of miami, cool, mean, macho, fags, capitalists, commies, nazis, addicts, bros or vegetarians". Of course none of this was meant as slurs or insults to anyone, it was merely written sarcastically, due to constant rumors and the usual "shit-talking" that goes on within a scene. Chocolate Grasshopper was indeed one of the more popular bands at the time, therefore attracting the usual jealousy from other bands, which in turn sparks negative rumors. But I can vouch for them in saying that not only were Chocolate Grasshopper one of the most talented Miami bands in their day, but they were great guys, very cool and lots of fun to be around, in fact Brent and I went on to be great friends. They were very popular with the skateboarding crowd, as well as the punk crowd, but they were loved by all. My old band, Not Dead Yet, had the pleasure of playing many shows together with Chocolate Grasshopper. In my personal opinion, Chocolate Grasshopper was, and still remains, one of the great Miami punk bands of all time.
After the band broke up, Brent went on to play in Not Dead Yet, and then eventually moved to Gainesville where he started one of my all-time favorite Florida bands, RADON. Andre of course went on to play drums in QUIT. I occasionally run into Ray at local shows, I know he's played with Jesse from FWA in several projects, at the moment I don't know if he's involved in any music projects or not. I haven't heard from Mike since after Chocolate Grasshopper broke up. Brent now lives in Colorado and Andre went on to start his own live sound company in south Florida called Beach Sound. Ray still lives in Miami to the best of my knowledge and Mike is M.I.A. I have live footage of Chocolate Grasshopper playing one of their many shows at the Cameo Theater. I will try posting some footage up on youtube, I'll keep you posted."

Chocolate Grasshopper - Partyin With Bearhead

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=52J1D0C0

Brandon Holding, R.I.P.

Brandon Holding who was a regular at South Florida shows passed away on Wednesday night after an 8 month battle with Leukemia. I don't know all the details but there is going to be a memorial/benefit show in the next month or so to help out his family. Brandon you are in our hearts and thoughts, may your soul rest in peace.

The Modern Society from GA. playing Florida

While not a Florida band, Original Signal Recordings contacted me about mentioning the tour for "The Modern Society" who is playing Florida dates. I checked out the band and enjoyed their music...real good rock n roll in the vein of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (in my opinion) and 70s rock. Check it out...heres what the label had to say:

"Original Signal Recordings recently released The Modern Society’s album The Beat Goes On. The Modern Society are an Atlanta, Georgia based band. They are fans of the early 60's polished mod movement along with the gritty leather and rock n' roll culture of the 50's and you can hear elements of both in their music. They are playing all throughout Florida this month."

myspace.com/themodernsociety

Feb 19 2009 8:00P
Dive Bar Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Feb 20 2009 8:00P
Exodus Coffee Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 21 2009 8:00P
Dada Delray Beach, Florida

Cell 63

City: Miami
Years Active: 1992 - 1995
Type Of Music: Punk
Myspace or Website: n/a

Bio courtesy of George Van Orsdel:

"CELL 63 was formed in 1992 by Rob Coe (singer/guitarist), George Graquitena (drums), William Trev (bass) and David O. (guitar). Rob Coe had just come off the heels of his former band The NAUGHTY PURITANS (where he went by the stage name of Johnny Dallas), and George had previously played locally with bands such as JOBBERNOWL and The F-BOYZ.
CELL 63 had a very distinct sound, but was very reminiscent of the Minneapolis sound of the eighties, with such bands as The Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum, as well as Florida artists Charlie Pickett and the Psycho Daisies,among many others. The band started playing locally in the Miami area, starting with their first show at Uncle Sam's Musicafe on South Beach. They immediately became a staple in the Miami local music scene, and soon after began working on their first self-titled debut CD "CELL 63".
The band quickly gained fans and recognition, from citations in "South Florida Magazine" (for best local artists) to articles in The New Times. The band was also featured on 2 local cd compilations, the Churchill's Hideaway CD "Music Generated by Geographical Confusion and Beer", and the Washington Square comp CD "Live At The Square II", as well as being a featured band at the 'Miami Rocks II" live music conference.
In 1993, William Trev quit the band to join the Holy Terrors and Cell 63 was found with having to find a replacement. After numerous bass players, the band finally found one, Peter Tassler from local Miami band The Shruggs.
The band started branching out of Miami, playing shows around the state, and opening up for such national acts as Reverend Horton Heat, The Genitorturers, The Nixons and many others.
In 1994, the band decided to record their second cd, "Once Upon A Drunk...". During recording however, Peter left the band and was replaced by Matt Peters, who formally played drums for Melbourne band The SCOOBIE DOOS. "Once Upon A Drunk...", which was released later that year, received great reviews, locally and nationally, garnering the band an excellent write-up in CMJ magazine as well as other publications, and offering them the opportunity to be featured on a 30 minute South Florida TV show called "MUSIC X".
The band eventually broke up in 1995, shortly after their U.S. East Coast tour, citing musical and personal differences. They all went their separate ways, except for Rob and George, who went on to form FAY WRAY with Tony Roche (bassist for local Miami band QUIT) and singer Jeff London, who lived in Gainesville.
Rob Coe is currently the mastermind behind the band The ENABLERS, and George is the vocalist for South Florida psychobilly band The VAN ORSDELS. Matt Peters moved back to Melbourne, FL and now owns his own asphalt paving company. David O. settled down to the family life."

Heres an article on the band that was written by the Miami New Times:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/1993-02-03/music/prisoners-of-rock-and-roll/1

Cell 63 - Self Titled

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6F0BLXC8

Cell 63 - Once Upon A Drunk

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=76YO263V

Against All Authority interview, Rational Enquirer 1995

Heres an early interview with Against All Authority from late 1995 or early 1996, right after one of their first US tours. This is before "Destroy What Destroys You" was released. This interview was published in Rational Enquirer zine.