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.