Conspirator 2011.10.08 Culture Room Fort Laudedale, FL

Words and Photos by Adam E. Smith
Videos by Adam at Cheesehead Productions.

The rain was relentless in East Fort Lauderdale as the midnight hour approached. A line of lively youth wrapped around under a small overhang at the entrance of the Culture Room. Mostly an attempt to stay dry, but more importantly, a last minute move of haste to get inside before the band came on stage. Hours previous, the same venue played host to (more…)

The Heavy Pets Tour Report – 9/28/2011

Words by Jeff Lloyd

“Immediately following the Catskill Chill Festival, most of us headed to Philly for a few days off.  I caught up with the boys from Dopapod on Wednesday the 14th at the Blockley and was invited to sit in.  They are a smoking band and we played a raucous jam – one of the most fun sit-ins of my career.  We will be announcing a few Southeast dates with them soon.  The Pets reconvened the next evening for another throw-down at the 8X10 in Baltimore.  We have a long history with them – they gave us a chance on our very first tour (2006) and we are always pumped to get back in there.  After a particularly fiery set, we were joined by the legendary Tab Benoit and his band, who had played in town earlier that night and caught the end of our show.  They weren’t ready to stop playing for the night and neither were we, so the 8X10 graciously allowed the music to continue and kept the place open.  A mega-jam ensued, followed by a mega-hang including many drinks, and a passionate, mouthwatering discussion of New Orleans cuisine.  We drove through the night to Massachusetts, in time to get to our hotel and catch some shut-eye before our evening performance at the (more…)

Blackwater Music Festival – Preview

Blackwater Music Festival is back at the Southeast’s favorite festival venue, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. Moving to the last weekend in September (9/22-24) from last year’s mid-August dates should bode well for the body as the soul searches for musical enlightenment.

Although it’s been a longtime home to great gatherings like (more…)

Perpetual Groove’s Brock Butler Returns to South Florida For Two Intimate Evenings at the Funky Buddha

Brock Butler, the much-loved front man of Athens, GA genre-spanning band Perpetual Groove, is playing two rare solo shows at the Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery. Treating the loyal South Florida contingent of PGroove fans to an intimate experience, Butler will perform songs from his solo album Lately Here Though (2010) along with PGroove classics and a handful of crowd-pleasing covers. A departure from the full-band, improvisational sounds of PGroove, Butler will focus on reflective lyric-based selections that showcase his warm vocals, which are a defining piece of the band’s success. The guitar virtuoso will also have his looping petals, lap steel, electric guitar, melodica and other gadgets in tow. Thursday, July 7th will feature two solo sets by Brock Butler. Friday, July 8th will open with a set by South Florida’s funky electro-soul indie band Aquaphonics, followed by a solo Brock set and culminate with an improvisational set of “Broquaphonics.”
(more…)

Greenhouse Lounge RIGHT ON TIME Album Release Tour Hits Tampa and South Florida July 21st – 23rd

Jacksonville’s Greenhouse Lounge (GHL) is hitting Tampa (Crowbar) and South Florida (Tobacco Road & Pineapple Groove) for three dates, supporting the release of their new album, Right On Time. Merging dub basslines and pumping electronica beats with breakbeat dynamics and some subtle guitar axe-wizardry, GHL’s sound has been described as euphoric. Right On Time, exemplifies the different personas GHL has taken over the years while still focusing on their current style. Featuring a total of 7 songs including “Koto” and other GHL staples, the album release coincided perfectly with their impressive set at this year’s Purple Hatter’s Ball at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. While multiple genres are touched upon within the album, one theme is current throughout; high energy electronica. The album is available for free on their website and hard copies will be on sale at all of their live shows.
(more…)

The Dead Kenny G’s – Operation Long Leash

The Dead Kenny G’s are currently on a nationwide tour pimping their new release, Operation Long Leash, and supporting Primus including this Saturday June 4th at the Fillmore Auditorium at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach. They will also be tearing up the stage for their only stand alone solo performance of the tour this Sunday for the weekly BLP Rockout with your Cookout at the Hurricane Bar & Lounge. Check out BLP correspondent Adam Smith’s take on Operation Long Leash. (more…)