REVMiami.com Presents: Rockaway Beach
It's shows like this that make me love what I do.
To be perfectly honest when I first started REVMiami.com I never intended to get back into doing shows but now that I am, I'm happy about it. And sure, sometimes it's a grind but then a show like Rockaway Beach comes around and I am seriously giddy about it.
It's no secret that the key to REVMiami shows is the combination of musicians with artists. Rockaway Beach started mainly because I wanted to do another show with Fireside Social, Furious Dudes, and MadMartigan after all three did so well at the REV Miami Launch Party.
Taking those three and running with the idea of art and music, it seemed only natural that the art would be Tattoo Art (as opposed to more traditional art pieces).
Actually, the original, original idea was to have actual tattooing going on during the show, until a friend said, "ew, that's kinda gross," and another friend said, "is that even sanitary?" Kris Huseby of Fireside Social and I were both pretty bummed that I had to nix the live tattooing, but the tattoo art installation is going to be fantastic.
Rockaway Beach has is featuring local tattoo artists from three local Miami tattoo shops: Emerson Forth's Pirate Tattoo (1405 Suite B Washington Ave, South Beach), Tattoo Gallery by Luiz Segatto (1323 Washington Ave, South Beach), and Ochoplacas (6240 SW 8th Street, Miami).
I'm fascinated by tattoos and I think it's even better that they are becoming a mainstream accepted form of art. Slowly tattoo art has worked its way into the everyday living room, with a special thanks to TLC, Discovery Channel, and tramp stamps all across America.
The biggest difference between tattoos and traditional art is the lifetime commitment that a person has to make to a piece of art. A lifetime commitment. To art. Crazy.
When I first began approaching different shops, I have to admit that there was a bit of hesitation on their part, and rightly so. These are all true artists and it would be a detriment to have their art displayed next to other pieces that didn't live up to their standards.
Thankfully the three shops showing are full of amazing artists. Collecting pictures from them was a great experience in and of itself. Stunning picture after stunning picture.
Here's a preview of a couple of pieces we're going to be displaying:
Luiz Segatto from Tattoo Gallery by Luiz Segatto
Javier Betancourt from Ochoplacas
Emerson from Emerson Forth's Pirate Tattoo
But that's not it! (I'm still in REV Miami II infomercial mode).
Part of the journey of doing shows is finding new bands and musicians to work with. Of the five bands playing three I hadn't worked with before.
Hiatus Road
Hiatus Road, from Ft. Lauderdale, was recommended to me by REVMiami Contributor Steven C. Imas (Jason, bassist for Hiatus Road is the brother of Other Bob, the guitarist in Steve's band, The Int'l Language). From what I heard on their myspace, they sound a lot like Tool, having that slow, muddy metal sound.
Next is L' Savant, who was recommended by Notorious Nastie. They actually played this past Thursday at White Room, and Alessandro (guitarist) told me that the show went really well. I'm really hoping that energy carries over to tonight.
And last is Homestretch, who are in the little circle of a developing South Miami/Kendall rock and punk rock scene - the others being Furious Dudes, MadMartigan, and Fireside Social. Unfortunately, recently John (bassist) cut off one of the most amazing beards in Miami, but at least he's sporting a pair of killer chops now. Be sure to touch them. He doesn't mind. I promise.
Goodbye amazing beard - but hello awesome chops!
Musically, they remind me a lot of former Miami bands Timescape Zero and Sound 4 Sound (two bands that were fronted by one of my favorite people in the world, Adel 156 of FeastofHateandFear.com - I actually have a 4 year old hour and a half interview with him that I've been trying to transcribe for YEARS. He's insanely intelligent and it was such a enriching interview, but it's so hard to listen to my bullshit sometimes). Hard, heavy, and aggressive.
Finally I get to the part of the post where I get to write about MadMartigan and Fireside Social. Don't get me wrong, it's cool going through the other bands to explain who they are, how I met them, etc. But these two bands (along with Furious Dudes) I have developed some serious man crushes on - especially Fireside Social, "slayer".
First of all, I'm forever into both bands because they played REV Miami I (aka the Launch Party). Secondly, if I could be in a band, these would be the kind of bands that I would want to play in.
Fireside Social is a straight up fun punk rock band. They go to shows dressed as different characters, they have fans feed them beer while they're on stage, and they just have a good time with their music.
Fireside Social. Photo by Alejandra Lemus
So many bands take themselves too seriously and Fireside Social wants to play music and have a good time. They have that Kung-Fu Records punk sound, with sing along choruses, and the daada-doop-daada-doop drumming that I grew up with. I want to see them on Hopeless Records one day, and I would one day love to pick up a copy of Hopelessly Devoted To You, or a Take Action Sampler, and see them listed.
Then MadMartigan. Jeez.
How can I even properly express this? I was talking with Michael Vincent (lead singer - and in a REAL frontman sort of way) the other night at (((Shake))) and we were talking about their music. I was saying, "you guys are punk rock", and he said, "man, I like that music a lot, and I'm happy to be part of it". 
Then I said, "well, you are also kinda garage-y", and he said, "yeah, I really like that music too."
But the truth of the matter is that MadMartigan is Rock n' Roll as rock and roll can be.
Screw genres, screw sub-divisions, screw all that.
Robert Johnson and the Delta Blues, to Eddie Cochran's 50's rock n' roll, to Led Zeppelin's 70's arena rock, etc.
It is all about Rock n' Roll.
And that's what tonight is about. Rock n' Roll music, Rock n' Roll culture, Rock n' fuckin' Roll.
See you tonight. Doors open at 9.
Black Sheep Bar is located at 721 Lincoln Lane.
LINKS
MadMartigan (www.myspace.com/iammadmartigan)
Fireside Social (www.myspace.com/firesidesocial)
Hiatus Road (www.myspace.com/hiatusroad)
L' Savant (www.myspace.com/lsavant)
Homestretch (www.myspace.com/homestretch305)
Feast of Hate and Fear (www.feastofhateandfear.com)
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- REVMiami.com Presents: Rockaway Beach - Pictures from Liz
- Show Review: Arsenal 88, Furious Dudes, and Fireside Social at Jada Coles - Jan 16 2010
- Our Launch Party!
- Liz's Photojournal of REVMiami's Launch Party
- 2009 Miami Tattoo Expo
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
