Maxi Priest to Join UB40?

A couple of months ago, we reported that Ali Campbell, long-time lead singer of British reggae band UB40 was leaving the group. They’d been together for nearly 30 years as a band and losing their lead singer was a major blow for UB40. One that could have sent them all…

A Pint-Size Plastic Lemmy

I usually never delve into the world of designer toys — oops, limited-edition figures with varying “colorways,” or whatever. But this time around someone’s obviously done their Googling and realized I’m a fan of Motörhead, and sent me a press release for this little gem. It’s definitely gone on my…

Cop to It

Click here to see a slide show of the show. In the Nineties, when the masses bought CDs by the millions in places called “record stores,” releasing an EP as your debut was the kiss of death. It was proof that the person at the record label who signed the…

Nothin’ But a Good Time

What’s more wholesome and American than the grand sport of baseball? A brightly sunlit day, a gentle breeze that carries the scent of hot dogs and the proverbial Cracker Jack, players dressed in fresh white uniforms on a radiant field — it all conjures up a simpler, better time. Cynics…

Alone Together

In today’s tough economic times, being a one-man band could be considered as much a function of financial necessity as a measure of instrumental dexterity. After all, given the ever-increasing costs of hotels, meals, and transportation, portability is a plus. Take Ben Prestage, for example. Labeled as “one of the…

Nito Mestre Does Macarena

Will you recognize me?” Argentine singer and part-time Miami resident Nito Mestre asks New Times during a phone conversation to set up a face-to-face interview. It seems like an odd question. How could we not know him? He is, after all, one of rock en español’s earliest pioneers, and this…

Rick Udler

Brazil is known for many things — its cosmopolitan ambiance, a wealth of spectacular beaches, the wildest Carnival celebration in the civilized world, and hordes of beautiful babes decked out in skimpy bikinis. Those assets aside (did we mention the babes in bikinis?), it’s also worth noting the vibrant musical…

Poppa E

Not long into our conversation, Poppa E settles into his preferred intimacy zone by dubbing me “Brother Eric. ” So take it from a brother: The 60-year-old blues guitarist — and pretty much permanent Tobacco Road fixture — is on a roll these days. A tune of his, “Terraplane,” was…

Caribou

As the irresistibly luminescent new CD Andorra demonstrates, Caribou’s Dan Snaith has come a long, long way since being legally stripped of his old Manitoba moniker. These days the same guy who once playfully goofed on post-rock’s fetid corpse (on albums such as Up in Flames and Start Breaking My…

Glamming It Up

If David Johansen had earned a dollar for each time a music journalist mentioned him or his band, the New York Dolls, he’d be richer than Croesus by now. Instead, he’s still a working musician, albeit one who has a good perspective on his past, present, and future. Check out…

Punk Bunny

A word of warning: Punk Bunny shows aren’t for the prude. In fact don’t even bother heading to this concert unless you’re superhorny and/or strong-stomached. The only thing you know for sure when you watch Punk Bunny perform is that you’re going to get figuratively — and maybe literally —…

Morning Local Jam: Deep Side – “Booty Music”

Here’s a track a friend suggested I look up, thanks to our shared love of any song using the phrase “booty music” (as opposed to the more journalistically politically correct “Miami bass”). Please start your day with this refreshing jam, “Booty Music” by Deep Side, a multiethnic, locally based quartet…

Final Night of Weirds Tonight at Churchill’s!

The monthly, completely undefinable music night at Churchill’s known as Night of the Weirds celebrates its final installment tonight. For a brief explanation in this week’s issue of the paper, click here. For an in-depth exploration of what Night of the Weirds was all about from Sasha Weisfeld, an active…

WMC Review: Nicholas Collins at Harold Golen Gallery

Handmade Electronic Music by Nicolas Collins Harold Golen Gallery, Miami Sunday, March 30, 2008 Better Than: Making music using GarageBand There’s beauty in chaos, especially when electronic hardware hacker Nicolas Collins gets his hands on some odd machines and lets his mind come up with unusual, yet stunning sounds. Long…

WMC Review: Bassnectar at Circa 28

Antidote party, featuring Bassnectar and the Freestylers Circa 28, Miami Sunday, March 30 Better than: A ripe, juicy peach on a hot summer afternoon while your boombox spills the top 40. A good amount of closing joints were poppin’ off Sunday night to see the close of WMC ’08, but…

WMC Review: Underworld at the Ultra Music Festival

Underworld at Ultra Music Festival Bicentennial Park Saturday, March 29, 2008 Even after 10 years of the Ultra Music Festival and 23 years of Winter Music Conference, it’s still sometimes difficult to fathom the onslaught this week brings to Miami. I mean, really. Pulling myself outta Moby’s set in the…

Last Night: Handsome Furs with Violens at PS14

Handsome Furs, Violens Thursday, March 27, 2008 PS14 Better Than: Fighting the WMC crowds for a taste of something electronic. While the majority of Miami pulsed to the sounds of big name DJs at Winter Music Conference, a select group of indie-minded hipsters enjoyed the electronic-infused rock show by Montreal…

Madonna’s “Four Minutes” Release Party

Michelle F. Solomon DJ Bob Sinclar livened up the party remixing the party’s name sake song. Madonna “Four Minutes” WMC Release Party Friday, March 28 Penthouse At The Raleigh Hotel, South Beach We knew Madonna wouldn’t show, but there was just a faint glimmer of hope as they dragged in…

WMC Review: Fool’s Gold Showcase at White Room

Fool’s Gold Records showcase The White Room, Miami March 28, 2008 Better Than: All the sleep you’re missing from WMC, times 10 Although most of the brouhaha was supposedly occurring Friday night over at Ultra, one seemingly underground party emerged from the woodworks of Downtown Miami. Dubbed by LA Riots…

WMC Review: Justice at Ultra Music Festival

Justice at Ultra Music Festival Bicentennial Park Friday, March 28, 2008 Better Than: Whatever X those chicks next to me were rolling face on I obviously wasn’t surprised in the slightest to see the typical ravers, rollers and ridiculous public behavior at Ultra, a fest known for its array of…

Beat Masters Klever and A-Trak Kill It At Suite/Snatch

Tracy Block A-Trak confirmed his incomparable spinning skills Thursday night at Suite, showing serious candidacy for best WMC set thus far. Last Night: “Wish You Were Here” at Suite and Snatch Better Than: A hot and fresh box of Krispy Kremes after blazing up a fatty. Although the snooty door…