Blogosphere

I just realized that my old blog, Myspace Mutants, has more posts on it than this one. Not sure how proud I am of that. Good thing I didn't quit my job, and put all my chips in on a Myspace based website.
I woke up way early for work today, so I decided to get some outside of work work done. In other words, I have spammed about 1000 people this morning, and if I'm real good maybe I can spam another 2000 in the next 45 minutes. I sent out "fan" suggestions for Will's Pub, Parafora Presents:, and Vinyl Richie's Wiggly World of Records from the Orlando Shows profile. If you got the invites, I hope you appreciate one of them and choose to join the group or page I invited you to. They're all related to local music in some way or another, so I'm guessing you may. If not, ignore my shit.
I also created a group called Orlando Shows Group, mostly just because it has discussion threads on it. Maybe people will find it a useful place to connect regarding music in Orlando, maybe they will just be giant ass holes to each other (like what happens on virtually every music related message board for some reason.) Maybe nobody uses it, maybe somebody does. I also bought the url, orlandoshows.org, and I am going to hopefully get a site together to accomplish virtually the same thing the FB profiles do. I don't know if this is superfluous or not, but I'll try it out. It works with tallahasseeshows.org and I like/respect what they've got going on. If anyone wants to help me out, let me know.
In other news. . . I leave for vacation tomorrow. Going to the frigid north to visit old Tallahassee and Orlando friends. Should be fun!

Parafora Presents: 3 Year Anniversary Party

This past Tuesday we put on the 3 year anniversary party for Parafora Presents: at Backbooth. I've only been working with these dudes for about 2 months, but I am really having fun contributing (I think) to our local music scene. Parafora Presents: was started by Chris Anderson, and he put together an amazing lineup for Tuesday: Monotonix, Surfer Blood, The Tenant, Yip Yip and Basements of Florida. The show went off really well, so thanks a million to all of our friends who came out to support us, it was great to see everyone out supporting the bands.
Basements opened up by playing on the floor while people were still filing in (before the place got completely packed the fuck out). For those of you not familiar with Basements of Florida, they feature three bass players (Patrick O'Neal, Phil Longo, Henry M**$) and two drummers (Tyson Bodiford and Jeff Ilgenfritz) which of course sounds over the top in theory but in execution it works, due in large part to the fact they are all excellent at what they do. Playing on the floor works for them. . . and definitely added to the intimacy of the experience watching them that night. They're playing February 21 at Will's Pub for a Haiti Benefit show, check it out.
Basements was followed up by Yip Yip, which I guess you would call, "experimental." Lots of cool synths, an electric saxophone, drum machines and crazy costumes. The music is replete with a quirkiness that was matched by their stark white attire with white specs and black berets. I described their music as The Mephiskaphales on acid, mostly due to the electric (or should I say electrified?) saxophone and bouncing beats. It's an acquired taste. Kind of like LSD. Their next show is February 16 at BBQ Bar if you want to get nerd zapped.

In a drastic shift in atmosphere, The Tenant was up next. I think Brad Register's smooth vocal delivery was about as big a juxtaposition to Yip Yip's electronic acid trip as could possibly be found, but it worked. Honestly, I am into diverse shows. I enjoy seeing bands play together that you might not always consider obvious. They had a solid set, especially considering Brad lives out in Austin, Texas now and they clearly cannot practice on a regular basis. They didn't even miss a beat when drummer Chandler Strang's kick drum had to be swapped out (yeah, I made that joke.)

Surfer Blood came up next. Pitchfork loves this band, so I am sure there are some people out there who have a preconceived notion that they are a cliché hipster band with no substance. If you are of this opinion, you are only doing your self a disservice because these kids really do bring it and it is not contrived. Phil Longo, known more for his punk rock musical background than liking the "new in thing" said it best during their set:
"I get it. It's real, you know?"
In other words, not gimmicky.
I think it took them a couple songs to hit their stride, but once they did they delivered in admirable fashion. I think frontman John Paul Pitts' affable demeanor alone probably won over some of the skeptics that were inevitably in the crowd that night, but if it didn't I think their brand of reverb laden guitar hooks had to win over quite a few others. They're playing again at Backbooth February 16 with Turbo Fruits and Holiday Shores. If you missed them Tuesday, don't miss them this time because they won't be back for quite a while. The February 16 show will be their first show of a two month long North American tour.

Monotonix. Holy shit. This show was my first time seeing them. I've heard that they were "crazy" and "put on a good live show," but holy shit. These guys aren't just musicians, they are fucking performers. The fact that Backbooth was packed out with wall to wall people only served as a greater platform for them to blow my mind. During the first song, vocalist Ami Shalev did a stage dive, and crowd surfed from the stage all the way to the opposing wall of the venue and back. What the fuck? Who does that shit? Monotonix. Like Basements of Florida, they chose to set up amongst the crowd on the floor, which is intensified when you consider the crowd was already about 400 plus by this point. Guitarist Yonatan Gat ended up standing on the banister and playing there, as it was the only safe place not on stage that he could go. Shalev even managed to climb on to the balcony above the sound booth, and ultimately led a crowd of people out the front door, where he climbed a street sign (what the fuck?) and then dove into the crowd. I can only hope that I one day see another band perform like that (and not look like douchebags) because I doubt it will happen. I should also mention that the next night, Shalev injured his leg at a show in West Palm. They cancelled one show, but plan to continue touring. What the fuck?


I'm waiting for some more pictures, so if you have any please send them my way! kyle@paraforapresents.com.
Montonix photo credit: Norrel Blair. Surfer Blood photo credit: Christopher Keith Garcia (ckgphotography.com) Yip Yip photo credit: Christopher Keith Garcia. The Tenant photo credit: Bryne Yancey

Tonight will be awesome

So awesome I'm using a picture to demonstrate:

Help!

Pretty stoked, I talked to Bryne Yancey of overheated.org and punknews.org and it looks like he is going to start working on the blog with me. It will be awesome to have another person contributing. You may even start finding it interesting.
Really excited about Casiotone for The Painfully Alone Sunday, and the Parafora Presents anniversary party Tuesday (Monotonix, Surfer Blood, The Tenant, Basements of Florida, Yip Yip,) if you plan to go I recommend buying a presale ticket, because a lot of them are being sold. Both shows are at Backbooth.

Support your friends!

I felt like this would be an appropriate post for this blog. Earlier on in the life of the blog, I interview my good friend Josh Mikel, aka Sharkguts. He is a great artist, and I just ordered two of his prints for my bare bedroom walls:



Pretty stoked on that. Also pretty stoked that his band moved to Austin, TX, because now I have a reason to visit. Which I definitely will be doing in the near future. Actually, I think I will be visiting a lot of places this year. Where should I go?
I also swear to God I am working on more interviews. I'd also like to have another contributor to the blog if anyone is interested. I want to keep it all positive, and related to independent art and music. If you're interested email me, kyle@paraforapresents.com. Also, I was wondering if anyone has a copy of Sony Acid Pro or Ableton Live they would let me "borrow".

2010!!!

Whoa. 2010 has been fucking BUSY. "The day job" has picked up/gotten busier again, and has been a lot of fun. I also work part-time for Parafora Presents: and I also started working on my Master's Degree again. Doing hw is weird, and doing show work is fun. How I still find time for outdoor fun is beyond me, but I seem to be doing OK.
The holidays were amazing, got to hangout with some amazing people who don't live here anymore, like Robin, Laura, Dina, etc. Took a toll on my wallet though. Also got to have some hang time with my Grandma. She is 90, but she is still smart as a whip. Another highlight was New Years, my friend Bryan came to town from Sarasota. Love that guy. We always manage to end up singing along to Face to Face (which I couldn't get to load on the jukebox the next time I went back. I think they took it off?!)
2009 didn't necessarily end the way I wanted it. 2010 is at least starting the way I wanted it to. Swim.
Anyways, I wanted to make a post because Parafora Presents: has some interesting shows coming up, and I made a mix of some of the upcoming bands. Here is a track list:
1- Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (1.24.10)
2. An Introduction to Sunshine (1.16.10)
3. Dead Confederate (1.19.10)
4. Surfer Blood (1.26.10- Parafora Presents: 3 year anniversary)
5. Cold Cave (2.09.10)
6. Nite Jewel (2.09.10)
7. The Tenant (1.26.10- Parafora Presents: 3 year anniversary)
8. Surfer Blood (1.26.10- Parafora Presents: 3 year anniversary)
9. Monotonix (1.26.10- Parafora Presents: 3 year anniversary)
10. Warpaint. (2.19.10)
11. Evan Dando (2.13.10)
12. A Place To Bury Strangers (4.04.10)
13. Akron/Family (2.19.10)

So go listen to it. Email if you want a DL link. Maybe you will find a band you like that you haven't listened to yet.

Supposed to interview Tony Weinbender, Chris Anderson, Wayne (the sound dude at The Social) if I ever find time to write up some questions. And hopefully Davey from Of Montreal if he has time and agrees to it. Oh, and my room is a pig stye. Anybody wanna clean that shit for me? (hey, something has to give, and I hate cleaning.)
Also, I found a cool review of a show I booked over in Tampa, with Look Mexico, Mike Dunn and The Kings of New England, Andy Matchett & The Minks, and The Equines. Check it.

Upcoming shows from Parafora Presents:
1.16.10: An Introduction to Sunshine, Andy Matchett & The Minks, Lonesome City Travellers, The Equines
1.19.10: Dead Confederate, Great Deceivers, Bananafish, The Beauvilles
1.24.10: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Emily Reo, Guests
1.26.10: Parafora Presents: 3 Year Anniversary Party. Monotonix, Surfer Blood, The Tenant, Basements of Florida, Yip Yip
1.28.10: Smashing Pumpkins cover set by Mumpsy.
1.29.10: Thomas Wynn & The Believers, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, King Bee
2.09.10: Cold Cave, Nite Jewel, Technobox, Emily Reo
2.13.10: Evan Dando (of The Lemonheads), Sterling Schroeder & The Chosen Ones, Guest
2.19.10: Akron/Family, Warpaint, Queen of Spain
2.23.10: Rachel Goodrich, Bananafish, Guest
3.15.10: Leatherface, Yesterday's Ring, The Attack
4.04.10: A Place to Bury Strangers, Guests

An interview with Will Walker of Will's Pub

Will's Pub has been an institution in the Orlando music scene for a long time now, so it was only fitting that I interviewed Will. He has seen a lot of bands and a lot of people come and go, so I bribed him with sake bombs, and he agreed to let me interview him. Will's Birthday Bash is Saturday at Will's Pub. Go check it out. Thanks a lot Will!

When did you first get involved in music? How?

I was always a music fan in one way or another. Whether it was my parents listening to Motown or my own stuff growing into a teen. I tried to take some guitar lessons as a kid, and well lets just say I sucked.

What made you decide to open your own venue?

Will's wasn't a venue in the beginning. We just had some pool tables and a jukebox. . . Orlando was a different place at the time. There was a decent music scene but no where for people to play. Skinnys, Go Lounge, The Sapphire. . . that was basically it. A lot of my customers were in local bands. And well they asked, so we did it.

What was the first band to play at Will's Pub? When was that?

Jim Orourke was the first. He's still playing around town.

It sounds like you've basically learned this on the fly, over the years. What lessons have you learned (maybe even the hard way) in this time that you would pass on to someone who wanted to open a venue of their own?

Well the venue part is pretty common sense. We learn things all the time. It's usually the human element that catches you by surprise. Like some asshole stage diving to no where.

I'm sure you've learned a lot since then about running a bar that is also a venue, learned a lot about booking and promoting shows. Any words of advice you have for bands that are trying to play shows at your venue?

Be persistent but not annoying. Don't call or come to the club thinking you're going to speak with someone. Get together a couple of songs online. GO TO OTHER PEOPLE'S SHOWS. Nothing like getting an email from a band in the "407" saying "I've never been to your club but we should play there." Networking pays!

What's the story behind the old Will's being torn down, and how you decided on the current location?

Awe yeah. This is where a lot of speculation has happened. I was sub-letting from the motel next to the old local local. When the property went up for sale I was supposed to have first right of refusal to buy my parcel. Well in layman's terms, money talks and I was simply left out of the circle until it was more than I could afford. The rest is history.

What's your favorite Orlando band right now?

Really? Whatever band is playing at Will's tonight?.?.?

Any bands you miss that you wish were still around today? Any you're glad to see are no longer around?

Really? Again? I miss some of the ones I started working with. Kow, Cluj, The Hate Bombs, so many more. . . I kind of grew as a person with some bands.


Naming names about who I'm glad isn't around anymore is just a little more than I'd do while sober.

Any other ways you have been involved in the music scene over the years.

I had Will's South for about a year (fucking awesome). I built the stage they are using at Taste and booked that place for about a year. I'd like to think I've had a little to do with Orlando's music scene since I started. I've helped fund a couple of CD's and hopefully there are a few babies out there Will's Pub made happen!

You mentioned Will's South. Do you plan on opening a second location again in the future? What kind of plans do you have for the current location?

Yes, we do. It's going to be a little while but a second location is in the plans.

As far as the "new" location, it will never be done. We do want to open the back patio up. Improve the pa. Possibly work on the ventilation.

I know Tierney Tough works with you a lot, and she does a great job planning shows, and you guys were heavily involved in Orange You Glad Fest (which was great.) Do you think you guys will do more things like that in the future?

Orange You Glad is her project. I helped her with it as much as I could. I hope she wants to do it again. I definitely think a lot of people want to be involved again. I also think we learned quite a bit from the first one.

How would you compare the Orlando music scene today, to what it was say, 5, 10, 15 years ago? I've asked other people similar questions, it is always interesting to see the responses I get.

The "scene" is way bigger in terms of how much is going on. BUT it is less cohesive than ever. There are little microcosms that exist in the outskirts that aren't even known about around the rest of the city.

What do you think you would like to see more of in our local music scene? Why?

Once again people in other bands really should go see other local bands. That is how you make a scene. Then they come see you. Their friends and fans become yours and it grows from there.

Also some show sharing is really healthy. Trade some gigs with Tampa bands or Gainesville bands. It's a small drive and it enriches the whole area.

And local bands PLEASE learn how to promote your shows. If some of you were as inventive in promoting as you are in making up excuses we would all be fucking successful.

You joked about there probably being some babies out there that are a direct result of Will's Pub, ha. How many would you estimate? How many are yours?

Well, Will's is romantic. It's the lighting or something. As to how many babies we have helped conceive I couldnt tell you.


How many were mine? Yeah right.. back in the day...

Last question: which band in town would you say are the heaviest drinkers?

The old guard are still the champs. Bands like The Ludes or Shak Nasti kill it. The new guys just aren't that passionate. They'll learn.

Thanks Kyle, This was fun!

Excited (To Reach The End) of 2009? Here's one more reason! (Jon Mann CD Review)

What can be said about a band with a name like Surfer Blood? I'll admit that my first perception of the band upon hearing their name uttered by a friend was very different from what I can easily say is now my favorite band of 2009. Surfer Blood is an indie pop band from Florida's own Palm Beach and "Astro Coast" is their debut record. I haven't been able to stop listening to this album on a daily basis since the first time I heard it. The mellow melodies and soothing song writing throughout the album are unlike a lot of new music I've heard put out in recent years. I am a fan of the record as a whole, but the stand out tracks in my opinion would have to be "Take It Easy", and "Twin Peaks". "Catholic Pegasus" is also very much a righteous jam; I must say those deep/haunting vocals are very reminiscent of Why?, and they make me shiver every time I hear the song. All in all, "Astro Coast" is the must hear, must have, must love record for 2010. But don't just take my word for it, please check it out for yourself or you will all be sorry. (editor's note: is that a threat?)

"Swim (To Reach The End)" - Now available on iTunes

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast out on Kanine Records January 19th, 2010

Surfer Blood, Bananafish, An Introduction to Sunshine, and Great Deceivers - Live at Backbooth 12/13/09

-Jon Mann

Also, here is a link to a Kanine Records sampler. Thanks Kanine!

Looking forward to some of the Anti-Pop shows this weekend, especially hanging hard with Furious Dudes. They're playing Friday night at Uncle Lou's. If you like beer and hanging, you will like the band and the dudes.

I have some new stuff in the pipe for the blog. My roommate (Jon Mann) is going to start putting up album reviews here. Should be some good stuff. It will pretty much be all inclusive content-wise, but sounds like he is going to focus on local acts, Florida acts, and bands coming through town to play shows. But then again, who really knows.

Also, have a few interviews in the pipe: Will Walker, Tony Weinbender and also Chris Anderson. I've gotten some great stuff back from them already so I think their interviews should come out pretty well. Got some other interesting people I want to interview, if I ever get around to asking them. I should get on that.

Oh, and Municipal Waste (the few songs I saw when I wasn't working the door) was great. And, I really want to play music with people.

An interview with Richard Minino

I'm stoked I got this one back in time for Fest 8 weekend. Richard Minino is the prolific artist behind Horsebites, whose unique artwork you will see everywhere this weekend if you go to Gainesville (for good reason, it's great stuff.) He's also a pretty decent drummer (understatement) and eats more nachos than anyone I know (follow him on Twitter or read his blog, you'll see what I mean.)

When and how did you first get involved in music?

I first started playing drums in highschool when I was 17. . . I had no clue what I was doing until my neighbor (who actually got me in to punk) showed me a few basic beats and I sort of went on from there. Later I joined a band with Sam whom I'm in a band with til this day. It's kind of just second nature now and always been something fun to do. I never went in to it with aspirations of becoming some kind of rockstar or some BS like that.

You've been playing with Sam for a long ass time. Actually I guess you've been involved in music with several of the same people for a very long time. I'm sure you've had some ups and downs throughout that period. What have you learned in regards to keeping those sorts of relationships working, and keeping everybody on the same page in a band for a long time?

It definitely gets hard when you're trapped in a metal rolling closet for long periods but if you're good friends then you'll stay good friends if you don't try and stab each other in the back. Whatever we fought or bickered about was mainly about dumb things siblings would fight over. At the end of the tour we all hugged and went back to normal life. It really taught me to have patience and to not be self-absorbed.

How many bands are you even in right now?

I'm currently in 3 bands right now, Gatorface, No Friends and None More Black.

You do a lot of work as an artist, too. When and how did you first take drawing and turn it into something more than just a hobby?

It wasn't my call really. I was kind of thrown in to the whole illustration world by force. I was just doing designs for my own band (New Mexican Disaster Squad) and other bands and people started noticing and wanting me to do stuff for them. Then my friend Kyle from Tampa told me I was gonna do a shirt for a band called Fall Out Boy (at the time I never heard of them) and I said ok. Then it showed up in Hot Topic. That was when I started seeing designing as an actual career possibility.

Aside from Horsebites and the bands you are in, what other things do you do creatively or involving music in general that I may not know about.

The Black Axe which is the design firm that 4 other designer/web dudes started early this year is keeping me busy with all my art. We just started a new company Crispy Tees and it sells novelty type shirts but with a better twist on them instead of the standard funny one liner and crappy illustrated shirt. I'm also starting a new company with Heather Gabel called The Caustic Collection and it's been a little slow mainly because she's having her first child soon and I've been wicked busy. That's about it for now. HA!

This is a question I asked Josh from Sharkguts, but I'm curious to see your response to it. Is your approach to art any different from music? When you sit down to draw something, is it a total different mindset from playing drums for you, or do you draw that creativity from the same place you think?

It's completely different. Sam and Alex are usually the song writers in the bands that I'm in so they are actually pretty good at drums too. They have a rough idea of what I would probably play and write songs to usually fit that. It works out pretty well because I don't have to think that much. When it comes to art I have to get in a completely different creative zone where visual objects are what I'm looking for to inspire me.

If someone came to you tomorrow and told you that you had to pick between music and art, or have both your arms cut off, which would you choose?

Definitely art, that was my first passion and will always be my main passion. Music is great but drawing is where I feel completely in charge and open. Even if someone cut off my arms I would still draw with my feet or stick a brush up my butt and draw with that. Ain't no stopping me!

Who do you look up to as a drummer? What about artistically? Is there anyone in general that you respect as a big influence on your work and how you live and work?

I really look up to Bill Stevenson (Black Flag, Descendents, ALL) and Josh Freese (The Vandals, Devo, NIN). They are amazing drummers with completely different styles. Bill has a sort of Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) style mixed with some type of Jazz influence. Hearing that in punk music blew my mind growing up. Josh is just an all around prodigy. He can play anything but what I really admire about him is his care free attitude and how really doesn't give a fuck. He wore an orange suit with a green bow tie when playing with a Perfect Circle and then he was talking on his cell phone when Carson Daly tried to interview while he was playing for No Doubt. During the show! How rad is that. What a jackass.

Artistically I really like the attitude of some of the greats like Ed Roth and Robert Williams who were extreme low brow artists doing whatever they felt like and not worrying if they would ever be accepted in the fine arts community. They also brought a real edge to that style of art. You know it makes you feel good to see your parents frown at that type of art and not get it at all. That's what made me realize what art really was growing up.

Have you discovered any new bands that you're way into? I know you listen to a lot of punk rock. What other things are you into?

I actually listen to less and less punk as I'm getting in to a lot more of 50's and 60's Rockabilly and even old Ragtime and Big Band stuff. Although I have to say a new band that knocked my socks off was the new Bronx band "Mariachi el Bronx". Love it.

I know you are pretty into nachos. So, I have to ask you- where do you get the best nachos in Orlando?

It's true. I think nachos are a vital element to my life source. The best nachos is a repeating topic that comes up between my friends and I. I guess I would say it's neck and neck between City Fish seafood nachos and the nachos from Stardust. Wooooo they are good!!

What is the absolute worst place on this planet that you have ever had to play a show in your entire life? Why?

Hmmmm, I've played so many shit holes before that it's a hard choice. I do have to say I would probably play most of them again though so this makes it hard. I guess one that I could remember is playing inside of an Electronics Boutique in a strip mall. It really wasn't a bad show it was just super surreal and made me feel awkward as hell. I mean come on a video game store!?!?!

When you are working for a client doing design work, do they usually come to you with a preconceived notion of what they want? It seems like it would be like being a tattoo artist. Some person comes in with a really douchey idea, and you have to find a way to make it into something that looks good.

I actually prefer when they give me an idea because I think any designers worst nightmare is "just do something cool". That kills me. I would way rather have them explain to me exactly what they are looking for and for them to expect that I'm gonna do it in my own style. That's what I like.

Of all the albums, shirts, etc that you have designed, which one is your favorite? Why? Also, what do you have the most fun designing?

I actually had a blast doing some snowboards for K2 recently. That was a real blast because it was in a format I rarely get to do, and to see your art printed that big is a real treat. Also, dealing with people in the X-treme sports field is nice because they really know what their demographic is and they have a hold on it. They give the best direction because of that.

I know you are a guy that prefers to hand draw things, and then convert them into a digital format after. Do you have any tips for people out there who like to draw, and just really don't know a lot about photoshop and illustrator, but would like to start doing design?

Yeah, don't do it. Honestly, if you you're not that good at drawing then stop. You're taking my nacho eating money from me.

Actually, as a veteran of playing music and being an artist in the punk scene for a good amount of time, what advice do you have for youngins that are just getting started, or want to get started?

You really have to be willing to be stepped on and really not make money for a long time. It goes the same for a band. If you have intentions of being rich or famous then you're not doing it right. Those are usually the people that fail at these type of things. If you keep your head up and just draw to please yourself and to always get better, that is the only way you're gonna be noticed. People who try too hard can succeed quickly but usually die quicker also because they don't build a strong fan base.

Tell me (us) about your cafe racer. I don't know shit about motorcycles.

HA! I actually don't own a cafe racer, my roommate Ben does. I own a Honda CB350 which can be converted into a cafe racer and is usually the japanese motorcycle that most people convert to a cafe racer. I just got in to bikes less then a year ago and have been obsessive about them since. I don't think it will wear off cause I'm looking to buy another soon. There is just something about riding with your friends and getting lost on some weird ass back roads in Florida. It's so much fun.

OK, I think this is the last question. If you were going to start a band/biker gang, and tour on motorcycles for 3 months straight, what famous people would you want in it?

Well, I would definitely want all the bikers from Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Have you seen the part where they party in the bar? Yeah, they know how to roll. I would also like to have Anna Faris because let's face it, she's hot. Um, a lot of the Scout Troopers on their speeder bikes from Return of the Jedi and I guess the last person I would like to have is Kurt Russel. Hands down. Ultimate Bad-Ass.

Thanks a lot Richard, have a great time at Fest.