Orlando Music Blog

Gasoline Heart releases debut on August 1

Explosive trad-rockers Gasoline Heart will be releasing their Steve Albini-produced debut album next Tuesday on Mono Vs. Stereo Records. Look for my review of it posting that day. But I will say that it's a very strong record.

Also very cool is that it, like some new young talents, is filled with lots of Orlando pride. Now THAT'S what I like to see.

If you wanna see this city's scene at its confident best, go to the CD Release Party next Tuesday at BackBooth. You'll also be treated to opening sets by outstanding locals like New Roman Times and Mike Dunn & the Kings of New England.

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Become an informed hipster in one $5 session

Trying to keep up with the Joneses can be intimidating business, I know. Especially if they're regular fixtures at Bar-BQ-Bar. Sure, you could go out and drop $150 on girl's jeans and $70 for a complicated retro haircut, but my way will only cost you $5. I know, I know, I love you too but d'you wanna hear it or what?

Okay, there's a show at BackBooth tonight that is obscenely loaded with bands that are respected by respected people (i.e. me). Five total bands (one measly dollar for each band!!!).

1. Inkwell
2. Kingsbury
3. Dear & Glorious Physician
4. History
5. Watch Me Disappear

After this night, you'll walk out educated, rocked and, god willing, drunk. Sweet.

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Derek Lyn Plastic Record Release Party

Art-damaged punk rockers Derek Lyn Plastic are holding their record (they literally mean wax) release party this Saturday at Will's Pub. Also playing is Recycled Ruins and The Courtneys.

Actually, this entire weekend is a Florida's Dying birthday bender for front-man Dunx. Friday is the the birthday bash at their new home-base Uncle Lou's Entertainment Hall across Mills from Wally's (whose location any self-respecting soak will know). That night's bill includes my personal favorite local punk rock band Fashion! Fashion! and the Image Boys and Jeanie & the Tits.

Happy birthday, Dunx.

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Don't call it a comeback...

Ok, remember that Rock-Crit DJ Battle I won against Jason Ferguson early this month? At his pleading, I've decided to grant the poor wretch a rematch, even though it's not really a true rematch because he's really just fighting for the pieces of his dignity.

Again, it'll be at Redlight Redlight on Friday, August 11. Despite all your seemingly genuine assurances, hardly any of you bothered to show up to support me. Thanks, by the way. I know I won without you but I'm really gonna need you this time because he's mobilizing his cronies as we speak. And I'm thinkin' he's desperate enough to pay people to cheer. So, fer chrissakes, man, don't make me beg........ okay, pretty please with all the fixins.

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Wanna hear your music in a club?

Alright kids, DJ Smilin Dan has asked your favorite music critic (me, stupid) to spin with him this Saturday at BackBooth. If you haven't heard of him then you obviously don't listen to 91.5 WPRK or stepped foot inside Independent Bar or Southern Nights. He's only the most influential indie DJ in town, duhhh.

Anyway, we'll be playing all that really great stuff that never gets played. We'll also play all the best new releases and some yet-to-be-released stuff. And all you local musicians, you'll also hear some of your very own, toiled-over tunes in the mix. That is, unless your band sucks, in which case your "product" will be used for beer coasters.

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Hip to be square

I know this is probably the completely wrong audience to direct this announcement to (yeah, I know how you guys are), but I do wanna tip you about the D.A.R.E. National Convention occurring at Disney's Coronado Springs July 25-27.

For those of you who haven't already walked out of the room, there will be some musical entertainment in the form of... errr... dope?... hip-hop act JammX Kids. They're nine kids who encourage children to get active and stay fit through song, dance and rap. Pretty sweet, huh? Well, Shaquille O'Neal and Randy Jackson think so since they're two of the group's celebrity backers.

I'm pretty sure I know what that "X" doesn't stand for.

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The taste of sweet victory

Remember that DJ battle I had against the Weekly's Jason Ferguson? Well, your face will probably be as completely wooden with a total lack of surprise as mine is when I tell you that I won. Read tomorrow's column for my analysis on how his game was systematically demolished by me.

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Florida Music Television

On July 8th, Florida Music Television aired its premiere episode on Brighthouse channel 21. This weekly music video show focuses on Central Florida artists and will air every Saturday at 12:30 pm, which is right about the time you should be waking up if you boozed it up Friday night. FMTV is accepting video submissions at www.floridamusictelevision.com. To prevent this from ending up like a community-access channel for lame metal bands, I implore all the good bands out there to submit your videos. Make this worth watching.

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Rock Crit DJ Battle... FRIDAY

Alright, children. The wait for the BIGGEST HEAD-TO-HEAD this year is almost up. Tomorrow beginning at 8pm will be the DJ battle between me and Jason Ferguson at Redlight Redlight. No cover and great music, at least on my side. And vociferous crowd response is not only welcome but it's the metric by which the competition will be judged. So let him have it!

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