The duo that is Twenty One Pilots – Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun – has earned widespread applause for their energetic live sets and distinctive fusion of piano-driven schizoid pop and lyrical uplift. No strangers to the road, Twenty One Pilots has built a fervent national following via their electrifying live performances at innumerable headline shows and tours. The band made its Fueled By Ramen debut with a new EP titled Three Songs released Summer 2012 and was followed by a full-length album titled Vessel available now.
SOCAVIVOR 13: International Flag Night
Hosted by Gieselle The Wassi One, Walshy Fire, DJ Smallie
Music by: Supa B, Steelie Back, Barry Hype, Redman Vibes Man, GBM, Jah Baba, Mac 10, DJ Stephen, D-Life, Pan Trin Vybz, Jester To., Cancer High Power, Bashment Kid, Jah Stream, Massive B, Steelie Bashment, Young Chow, Platinum Kids
$20 if you bring a flag before 11PM.
Rusko with Tonn Piper, RoniSize, Dynamite
Long considered one of the pioneers of mainstream UK dubstep, Rusko has remained a convincing leader in the resulting U.S. movement since its birth a few years later. Rusko’s ultra-heavy brand of reggae- and dub-inspired bass music shakes dancefloors from LA to London and brings dubstep fans out in sheer numbers rivaled by few other Djs. Rusko offered fans a lighter side of the very dark and damp sound of dubstep, which significantly boosted his following outside the immediate community. His first big hit, “Cockney Thug” appeared on lists and sets by DJs the likes of Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and others. In 2010, he released his hugely popular debut album O.M.G.! featuring huge tracks like “Hold On,” and “Woo Boost.” In 2012, he followed up with the anthemic “Somebody to Love,” the first single on his second album, Songs. The same year, Rusko embarked on a massive solo tour of 19 cities across North America and released yet another set of tracks, the KAPOW EP, this time available free for download via his site. With new material surfacing at a near-constant rate, this pattern is likely to continue and Rusko will remain on the forefront of the ever-evolving scene of electronic music.
Portugal. The Man with Crystal Fighters
There has to be some credit given for this band’s name alone — co-founder John Gourley once explained it as an attempt to create a demi-mythic entity bigger than the individual members. Formed in Wasilla, Alaska, Portugal. The Man (yes, there’s a period in the middle of their name) grew out of the ashes of Anatomy of a Ghost, a post-hardcore band whose vocalist and guitarist — Gourley and Zach Carothers, respectively — opted to continue working together. Rounding out the new band’s lineup was keyboardist/singer Wes Hubbard, himself a veteran of other Alaskan groups, and the trio eventually relocated from Alaska to Portland, Oregon. Their initial existence in the Pacific Northwest was the typical hardscrabble life of a band with few resources, but drummer Jason Sechrist (formerly of Konmai Defense System) joined to form a more stable lineup. The band’s profile received a boost from the Internet (the musicians made heavy use of MySpace and PureVolume for promotional purposes), and Portugal. The Man released an initial EP in 2005 before issuing their debut album, Waiter: You Vultures!, in early 2006. The next year, the group (whose lineup had once again reverted to three members, as Hubbard had left and was replaced by touring keyboardist Ryan Neighbors), issued Church Mouth, whose aggressive sound bore traces of Led Zeppelin and Jane’s Addiction. The bandmates then opted to finance their third record themselves, drawing upon a wealth of guest musicians — including trombonists, trumpeters, and violinists — to create the eclectic Censored Colors. In 2009 the group released The Satanic Satanist, then quickly followed up the next year with the mellower and more electronic American Ghetto. Later that year, the band signed with Atlantic Records. Guitarist Noah Gersh joined the band for their 2011 summer tour. The group recorded their major label debut album, In the Mountain in the Cloud in late 2011; it was produced by John Hill, mixed by Andy Wallace, and released in July of 2012. A month earlier, Sleep Forever, a 13-minute short directed by Michael Ragen, and shot entirely in Gourley’s hometown, premiered on the Independent Film Channel. This was the last recording for members Sechrist and Neighbors, who were replaced by drummer Kane Richotte and keyboardist Kyle O’Quin. Portugal. The Man enlisted Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) as producer for 2013′s Evil Friends; the album was released in June of 2013.
Danzig with Doyle, Butcher Babies, Texas Hippie Coalition, A Pale Horse Named Death
Glenn Danzig is a name that permeates, infects, and ultimately makes strong, the very soul of hard rock in the ’90s. Through the legendary punk charge of his pre-Danzig outfits Misfits and Samhain, Danzig formed the backbone of today’s mosh movement. Delve into the deep waves of the Danzig catalogue, and you’ve got a band that has created high-tension hybrids that are still being pondered and quietly adopted throughout today’s metal community. Over eight million records sold, and Danzig is about to unleash a multi-media onslaught that will once again find disciples studying the master. It is a sinister time in the tired life of one world ending, and it unmistakably a time for the destructive and redemptive powers of the next century’s man in black. Heed the warning of Danzig! It is Danzig’s soul crusher of a calling card, his coal-fired ebony heart, the siren song soundtrack of 25 years making metal scream. Confront it now and feel your lifeblood drain and subsequently replenish truer than ever. Catch their 25th Anniversary tour Live at Revolution!
HIM
The Pretty Reckless with Heaven’s Basement
It’s not surprising that Taylor Momsen channels a lot of energy on her rock-and-roll-heroine-in-the-making debut album with her band The Pretty Reckless. The songs, all written by Momsen and Ben Phillips with their producer Kato Khandwala, run the gamut of emotions, alternating at times between seething rage and a bruised vulnerability. With Momsen’s inky vocals, pummeling riffs, and swaggering attitude, it sounds a bit like what might have happened had Led Zeppelin been fronted by “a chick.” The album’s ferocity could raise an eyebrow from those expecting a pretty, blonde teenager to gravitate toward straight-up pop songwriting. “It’s heavier than people might expect from me,” says Momsen, who is best known as the actress who plays Jenny Humphrey on The CW’s Gossip Girl. “But this album is the most honest expression of who I truly am.” It is an unflinchingly honest chronicle of Momsen’s experiences, filtered through her unique point of view. “The record is about life,” she says. “It covers everything: love, death, and music itself. It’s rock and roll. It’s sex. It’s drugs. It’s religion. It’s politics.”
ZZ WARD with Wild Feathers and James Bay
By all accounts, 2012 was a banner year for up-and-coming blues-hop/soul singer ZZ Ward. Releasing the mixtape Eleven Roses in January, the Criminal EP in May and her full-length debut Til the Casket Drops in October, the reaction to ZZ’s unique blend of swampy blues and hip hop beats was palpable from both critics and fans alike. ZZ has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, Last Call with Carson Daly and Jimmy Kimmel Live. She’s also had her music featured on ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars, MTV’s Awkward and in promos for ABC’s hit series Nashville. On the touring front, ZZ and completed a 50-date headlining American tour with sold-out dates in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Denver and Nashville. Ward is still in awe of the buzz that has continued to build around her and her music this past year.
Bunji Garlin SOCA Paradise
Born in Sangre Grande and raised in the Royal Chartered Borough of Arima, Trinidad, Ian Anthony Alvarez better known as Bunji Garlin, is a Trinidadian artist and international soca royalty. He is affectionately known as “de girls dem darlin” (although now married to Faye-Ann Lyons, a fellow performer) and also “fireman” for his famous chant of “Fire!” during his performances. Garlin says he got his stage name from the bungee cord, which is flexible and Garlin is a type of gun with powerful shots. In his own words: “…no matter what they send at me, I will always bounce back.”
Both a composer and performer of soca and ragga soca, Garlin is a prolific lyricist who calls himself the Lyrics King, a title very few would dispute. Ragga is a blend of soca with dancehallmusic, a genre he adopted and made his own during his first years on the music scene. He also sings songs that blend soca with other genres such as reggae, R&B and chutney.
As the leader of his band the Godfather’s Asylum, Garlin mentors and provides a nurturing environment for soca artists who are talented but have not found a way to break into the business.
Garlin was educated at Arima Senior Comprehensive School, where he demonstrated his unique chanting skills whenever he had the opportunity. His debut in the music industry in 1998 came after Garlin made a name for himself performing at small venues and local events. He is the undisputed king of ragga soca, having won the “Ragga Soca Monarch” competition in both 2000 and 2001, the two years in which the competition was staged. Garlin won the Young King title in 2001, and captured the coveted title of International Soca Monarch in 2002, then reclaimed this title for three more years.
Bunji Garlin performs both in his home country and abroad, where he spends the major part of the year after Carnival season ends in Trinidad. His performance reviews are usually glowing, as crowds always respond well to his high-energy performances, as well as his lyrical confidence and eloquence evidenced in his amazing ability to perform freestyle lyrics with an ease which most performers could only aspire to.
2nd Annual United Way of Broward County’s “Rock United”
Mission
To focus and unite our entire community to create significant lasting change in the community impact areas of Education, Income and Health – the building blocks for a better life – which positively impacts people’s lives.
Vision
United Way of Broward County will be the catalyst for change and convener of partnerships that unite hearts, minds and resources within our community.
Values
Our Values are the foundation of our culture; guiding all we do with each other and the community we serve; fostering togetherness, collaboration and responsiveness.
Integrity
Candid and consistent in our words and actions.
Inclusiveness
Honor and embrace the diversity of our backgrounds, talents and ideas.
Compassion
Care about each other, sharing a commitment to improve our community.
Inspiration
Instill hope and the ability to change lives.
Creativity
Authentic and innovative in developing ideas and solutions.
Responsibility
Accountable to each other and conduct our work with transparency.
Yo Gotti with YG and Ca$h Out
Yo Gotti is a rap artist born on May 19th 1982 as Mario Mims, in Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up in Memphis, Yo Gotti quickly learned about recognizing reality. When he was in the third grade, Federal Agents raided his family’s residence. His mother and his aunts were indicted and sent to serve 10 to 15 years because they refused to snitch. No wonder he feels as though he was virtually born into street life. “That’s the bloodline I come from,” he boasts. “I’ve got women that are realer than the dudes out here.”
Brass Knuckles
“We don’t look at ourselves like a DJ group,” declares Danny D’Brito of Brass Knuckles. “We look at this as a band.”
Truthfully, the Miami trio—D’Brito, Tony Livadas, and Anthony Pisano—is unlike any other outfit in electronic dance music right now. Fusing together elements of traditional house, electro, pop, nu disco, and even a little rock, they come out of the gate swinging with irresistible vocal hooks, staggering drops, and live instrumentation. Once Brass Knuckles hits, you’ll feel it.
After years of playing in bands together and collaborating on a myriad of musical projects, D’Brito and Livadas hooked up with Pisano in 2009. Instantly bonding, the three musicians decided to start laying down original material in addition to doing a bevy of remixes including Michael Jackson’s celebrated “Get On The Floor”. They turned heads across the blog-o-sphere and in clubs worldwide when they dropped “Lie to You” in 2011 though. Highly successful global touring followed with a full jaunt through Asia and Europe including a Croatia gig in front of 10,000 people supporting genre legend Fatboy Slim. However, their debut EP for Ultra Music immensely ups the ante across the board.
First single, “Bad Habits”, careens from propulsive handclaps and bombastic guitar into an instantly unforgettable refrain from singer John Ryan about something we all share in common.
“Absolutely everybody out there has bad habits,” smiles Pisano. “That’s why people can relate to the track almost immediately. It catches their ear, and that’s what we hope every song does.”
Further separating themselves from the pack, live piano drives the soulful and sexy “Alive”, while a tribal stomp fuels the torrential energy of “Hurricane”. Pisano goes on, “We did a show in Missouri in front 5,000 people. The next day, Danny and I were on the plane and we wanted to come up with a concept that would work for a large audience. We got the idea for ‘Hurricane’ on the plane.
Livadas explains, “We’re three different people, and we bring more of a party and a bigger energy than just one DJ might. We like to incorporate as many of our influences as possible. There aren’t any boundaries to what we do. A good song is a good song.”
In some ways, their impact remains encapsulated in their very moniker. One day, Pisano was wearing a shirt with Brass Knuckles on it, and the image just clicked for D’Brito. “I’m thrilled Anthony wore that shirt on that particular day,” he laughs. “The name represents us so well. The music is often tough and in-your-face. It makes an impression.”
That impression will stick with listeners for a long time to come to, whether they hear the band live or on tape. D’Brito concludes, “We want people to relate to our music, understand it, love it, and be able to party to it. We want them to feel good. Hopefully, they can escape from reality and get lost in it.”