Pink Floyd Cover Band Lights Up The Stage

When I hear the name Pink Floyd nothing but good things flood my mind. I grew up listening to these guys (thanks to my father) and in some weird way I feel like they've shaped my childhood.

It was 1965 and London was in the middle of its swingin' 60s era when four young men decided to put their heads together and make music only to be described as Avante-Garde. But before I go on I have to say, isn't just amazing to see bands still together after 40 years of music-making?

Anyway, I had no idea how or why they got their name but MSN music gave me the downlow. Basically, they took two first names from ancient bluesmen, PINK Anderson and FLOYD Council.

I learned that at first the music springing from their instruments wasn't exactly reminiscent of their later, more outlandish songs but instead stuck to the typical "rock and R&B material that were so common to the repertoires of mid-'60s British bands." It wasn't until they began experimenting did they find their own tune and thank God they did. I don't know what I'd do without "A Brick In The Wall" or "Dark Side of the Moon."

Unfortunately as many bands moved into the 1980s their type of music wasn't well received. For example, the 1983 release of "The Final Cut" had "little of the electronic innovation so typical of their previous work" as AOL music puts it.

As most of know however, the REAL Pink Floyd has vowed never to work together again but you can still get your fix by buying tickets to The Australian Pink Floyd show. Yes sorry to burst your bubble but trust me, these guys are actually pretty good.

Catch them December 1 in Miami at the Jackie Gleason Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets range $35 to $47.50 which isn't really that bad. If you won't go I will!

Fuel Is Coming...Don't Get Trapt!

It seems like nowadays everyone is teaming up! We see it again with Trapt and Fuel but hey, I'm not complaining!

Trapt formed in Los Gatos, CA in 1995 which was during the height of the grunge era. Remember flannel and unwashed oily hair? I've been trying to forget. However, the quad broke away from the norm and deviated towards heavy metal.

On MSN music I found that they actually opened up for such bands as Papa Roach, Dredg and Spike 1000 all before high school graduation! Unfortunately, as good little boys do they each went away to college but even with the pressures of school they managed to release their third album in 2000. Not long later though, they decided to fully pursue their musical careers and head to Los Angeles.

As fate would have it, the boys were recognized and signed by Warner Bros. after performing a 9/11 benefit concert. Bam! There ya have it! Everything fell into place and now we have such great hits from them as "Headstrong."


Now on the other hand, Fuel has been together since 1989 which makes me feel young again considering I was only three when they formed.

I grew up hearing their hits and really didn't know much about them but what I found on Yahoo! music was that they debuted in 1996 with an independent disc which sold 10,000 copies. Not too shabby for a first go if you ask me!

After getting recognized for their EP they released their second album, "Something Like Human" which had the track "Hemorrage (In My hands)" and let me tell you. That song does NOT get old! It even reached 17 on the Billboard charts!

Currently, Fuel has seen a change in the tides with the "amicable" departure of lead singer Brett Scallions but have since found a replacement. Only time will tell if their next release will be as successful as those with Scallions but I'm going to remain optimistic about this one.

If you want to see Trapt and Fuel Friday Nov. 16 this is what you need to know.

Where: Revolution in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Time: Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m.

Of course you might want to buy tickets....do it NOW!

Take A Dip With Drowning Pool

It seems as if I've been writing about bands who have struggled during their music career. But after thinking about it, doesn't a band HAVE to go through tough times in order to come out with inspirational music?



The band Drowning Pool knows what it's like to fall down and be picked back up again. In 2002 former lead singer, Dave Williams passed away due to a rare heart disease. This of course was a blow to the entire group but not once did they stop and give up on their music. Currently, close friend and singer Ryan McCombs rounds out the quad allowing Drowning Pool to come back with a vengeance. The entire article is on their website.

From the beginning it seems the bands success has been a whirlwind. I read on Yahoo! music that they formed in Dallas, Texas in the early 2000's and when a copy of their demo reached supergroup Sevendust they were invited to perform on their tour. This of course led to more exposure and even more tours.

After honing their sound on the road, Drowning Pool was signed to Windup Records and of course success followed with their first album Sinner. Yahoo! music also informed me that their single 'Bodies' was one of the most shown videos aired on Mtv by a new band at the time. I personally like the song but it's not for the faint of heart. The chorus is yelled "Let the bodies hit the floor." Hmmmm....

Here's the video!


For anyone who really enjoys heavy metal Drowning Pool would be a great show to see. They're coming to Revolution in Fort Lauderdale Thursday Nov. 15. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the tickets are only $16!

Here's the link for their MySpace page if you feel like getting a little taste of what they have to offer. Not to mention you can find tons of great pictures of them.

Hellogoodbye! Wait! Before you go...Say Anything!

Two poppy rock inspired bands are coming to the Fillmore in Miami Nov. 7 and guess who they are? That's right! Hellogoodbye and Say Anything will be sporting their cute nerd images tonight.

Hellogoodbye hails from Long Beach, CA where the sun is always shining and you can definitely feel that in their songs. I think Yahoo! music says it all when describing their music as a "playful brand of indie power pop infused with sugary sweetness, catchy dance beats, and enough energy to tire a group of five-year-olds." Yep that about does it.

If you haven't heard any of their songs I suggest you get right on it! My personal fav was a hit entitled "Here In Your Arms" and let me tell you, it definitely encompasses a mix of the 80's era...which I absolutely LOVE!

Hellogoodbye only came together in 2002 but over these past five years they have honed their sound and continue to make new fans.

On the opposite end of the spectrum Say Anything produces music with a little bit more of an edge. I personally know them as a bunch of horny teenagers but in reality...wait they kind've are.

As I read on Yahoo! music the band is kind've like Menudo in a way. Members in the past rotated in and out until about 2004 when the current line up came together.

Now consisting of six uber cute young men, Say Anything is a powerhouse of pop-punk and overcame singer/songwriter of the group, Max Bemis' downfall with bi-polar disorder. Again, Yahoo! music was my source when I found out they had to cancel two tours in 2005 to deal with the issue. Thankfully, they were able to sort things out and re-release the original album along with a bonus EP.

Again, if you haven't ever listened to them you should consider starting to. Two hits they've had are "Alive With The Glory Of Love" and "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too." I personally enjoy that second title.

I know this has been a long one but with two great bands playing in South Florida I just couldn't resist. Don't forget to buy your tickets!

Everyone Loves A Widespread Panic!

I have to say, when researching for the band 'Widespread Panic' I expected black clad middle-aged rockers but what I got were clean-cut soccer dad types. I soon realized though that clothing does not make the band.

You know, I've found that using such sites as AOL or Yahoo you can find some really useful information on your favorite artists. I was searching for info on the band who, mind you are playing at The Fillmore in Miami tonight Nov. 6, and discovered that they have been together since 1982! It's not often you find bands who can make it to 10 years let alone over two decades. But I digress.

'Widespread Panic' consists of six members but started out as a duo when vocalist John Bell and guitarist Mike Houser left college in Georgia to focus on music. From then on they've continued to release wonderful albums including their most recent, "Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999.

Sadly, founding member Mike Houser passed in 2002 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Bell told Bonaroo.com that "There’s not a day that goes by where we don’t miss Mike." "What we learned together as a band continues, with slight adjustments." Even with this huge loss the band never cancelled a show. This goes to show how dedicated they are to their fans. Finally, a band without an ego!

Catch them this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami. Tickets are on sale now!