halloween

SURFER BLOOD

When you think of Palm Beach, Florida, what comes to mind? Palm trees swaying gently in the balmy breeze? Scantily-clad bikini buxom babes rollerblading down an infinite slab of coralcolored concrete? How about anthemic, bombastic, life-affirming indie pop? If the latter didn't occur to you, let us introduce you to Surfer Blood: they call West Palm Beach home and, while still in their early 20s, have penned an album worth of catchy indie songs that even the most hook-laden power pop band would rightfully be jealous of.

Comprised of members JP (dubbed 'The Mastermind' by the rest of the band), TJ, Thomas Brian and Marcos, Surfer Blood met one fateful night at an after party for Miami's Ultra Festival, though they didn't attend the festival itself ('We do not like the D'n'B,' they proclaim). After discussing music, what else, for the remainder of the night, JP decided to recruit the three other guys to perfect a couple of songs he had been working on for some time, and thus, the band was formed.

If you're wondering about the name, the band ain't got no surfer blood in them, and actually denounce the surfer kids of their youth for making their high school experience miserable. As for the moniker itself, one of the band members just randomly yelled it out over the radio in the backseat of the band's car, which is as good a naming process as any.

In January 2010, Surfer Blood released Astro Coast, their debut album, on Kanine Records. Their first single release, 'Swim (To Reach the End)', with its deliciously deafening swaths of reverb and feedback, comes across like early Orange Juice covering every song on Weezer's Blue Album at once. When the whole nation is revving up the nostalgia for the blissed-out indie vibes of the early-to-mid-?90s, expect Astro Coast to snag some serious fans.

B-LIMINAL

www.myspace.com/b-liminal

Emerging from the sun and surf of South Florida, B-Liminal has quickly become one of the most in-demand acts in the South East music scene. Defined by a unique sound and an unparalleled live show combining elements of Reggae, Surf, and Rock, B-Liminal creates a vibe of positivity and grooves that will be sure to leave you moving. B-Liminal, formed in 2007, was founded by singer, Bryce Rutkowski, former front man of the Reggae-Rock band, Boxelder. What began as a small project suddenly became a full-on band with the arrival of Michael Lyons, and Max Fraser. When Ryan "Ryngo" Weidenfeld joined the fold a few months later, the line-up was complete. In May of '09, the Jupiter natives caught the attention of local Jett Beres of the band Sister Hazel. He immediately signed them to his label, Secret 7 Records, and released the band's first full length album entitled "Shore Culture" in August of '09. Already having played and toured with various artists like, G. Love, Pepper, Pennywise, Bunny Wailer, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Authority Zero, Reel Big Fish, Arrested Development, The Expandables, Yellowman, Passafire and Fishbone, even playing on the Rock Boat X with Sister Hazel, Carbon Leaf, Blackberry Smoke and many others, B-Liminal is quickly establishing an extremely diverse and solid following of fans. The new album is full of great melodies, meaningful lyrics, and strong rock reggae grooves that is defining a unique sound, born from the "Shore Culture" of their home town.

THE RESOLVERS

www.theresolvers.com

The Resolvers play Classic Reggae with a Modern Spin - authentic island vibrations combined with Soul, Rock, Jazz, and Uplifting vocal harmonies. Formed in 2007, the quintet quickly gained the attention of South Florida music lovers by consistently delivering sincere & energetic performances everywhere they play! Ojay Smith (Lead Vocals) has Reggae Music flowing through his veins. He is the son of the legendary Jamaican Singer/Songwriter - Ernie Smith. Dean Fishback (Keyboards) is a veteran of the reggae scene. He is notoriously sought after by touring reggae stars such as Inner Circle, Sugar Minot, and Glenn Washington. Ron Eisner (Guitars), Steave Nieratka (Bass) and Nate Largent (Drums) are all schooled musicians who share a passion for reggae music and the positive message it carries. Together - The Resolvers chemistry is undeniable and music infectious to all those who come in contact.

The Band is currently in a period of remarkable growth and tremendous exposure as they continue to play at sold-out events and festivals in the U.S., while providing support for internationally touring acts such as The Original Wailers, Yellowman, O'Rappa, Less than Jake, and Badfish. They unveiled their first official recording - an EP named H'amsa (which literally means "5" in Arabic) that makes a strong representation of why the band has been relatively so successful in such a short period of time. Two of the songs were featured on the TV show Island Hoppers reaching over 900,000 homes for over a month's period. They also made their first overseas performance debut when they were invited to play at the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, JA. As the list of milestones goes on and on, The Resolvers are determined and focused upon nurturing the primary kingpins of their success - writing and releasing fresh material, manifesting a unique live music experience, and expanding their ever-growing grassroots following - one fan at a time.

SPAM ALLSTARS

DJ Le Spam & the Spam Allstars blend improvisational electronic elements and turntables with latin, funk, hip hop and dub to create a sound that is unique - an electronic descarga. Spam Allstars include DJ Le Spam (Andrew Yeomanson) on turntables and samplers, Adam Zimmon on guitar, Tomas Diaz on timbales and vox, Lazaro Alfonso on congas, AJ Hill and Steve Welsh on saxes, Mercedes Abal on flute, and Chad Bernstein on trombone. Spam Allstars most recent release - their first studio effort - is Spam Allstars Contra Los Roboticos Mutantes on Spamusica Records. The album was recorded at City of Progress Studio in North Miami Beach and was produced by DJ Le Spam.

In an effort to introduce their music to new fans, Spam Allstars established residencies in select markets in the US. The first residencies began in their hometown including weeklies in Little Havana, Miami, and Miami Beach. In 2002, they began a monthly residency at SOB's in New York City. Currently they continue with monthly events in NYC, Miami, and Gainesville, as well as a weekly event in Little Havana. Spam Allstars perform 200+ shows per year in the US. In the summer of 2005 the band went to Europe to tour, sharing their version of electronic funk in everything from an underground Moroccan club in London, to the prestigious Roskilde Festival in Denmark.

Spam Allstars have released four CD's to date: Spam Allstars Contra Los Roboticos Mutantes(2004); Fuacata Live!(2002); Pigs in Space(2000); Pork Scratchings(1999), and two vinyl releases - vinyl #1 & vinyl #2. Each of these titles have been released in the US independently on Spamusica Records. In addition Fuacata Live is available in Japan on Amsys Records(2004), and in the UK and France on Spamusica Records(2005) and distributed by New Note and Moradisc respectively.

Spam Allstars third album Fuacata Live was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2003. Spam Allstars were suprised and proud of this achievement considering that the album had been recorded live to a CD burner during one of their weekly shows at Hoy Como Ayer.

JACOB JEFFRIES BAND

www.myspace.com/jacobjeffriesband

2008 has been full of exciting things for the Jacob Jeffries Band. They performed showcases at the NAMM Conference for Baldwin Pianos in Anaheim, CA, at BMI's Leaf Lounge during the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, and in Austin, TX at SXSW for BMI's Acoustic Brunch and the Red Gorilla Festival. They were also named 2008's Best Live Band by the Broward New Times, and competed and won the Florida Grammy Showcase! Not bad for a four-some who are starting to forge their path in this competitive world of music

March 19th Jacob released his debut recording - the first of a series of CD's to be released independently all in 2008. This first EP, Life As An Extra, is a more intimate recording featuring Jacob's lyrics and voice. The second EP "Wonderful" was released on July 17th and is a full band recording. The third recording is a live DVD recorded and produced by staff and students of the renowned Full Sail University, which has built a reputation as one of the premier media arts schools in the world. Jacob Jeffries started playing the piano at the age of five. By ten he was writing original music, and at the age of 17, Warner Chappell offered him a publishing deal. Now 20, Jacob has spent the last year+ recording with Grammy Award-winning producers Sebastian Krys and Dan Warner, playing out live with his band and sharing his music with as many people as possible. Jacob is affiliated with BMI and sponsored by Baldwin Pianos.

THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS

www.thepeopleupstairs.com

The People UpStairs have quickly become well known across South Florida as THE quality local act with a sound audiences immediately connect with. Featuring white, African American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Italian members between 25 and 30 years old, The People UpStairs combine modern rock-funk with a groovy island touch and Latin rhythm to bridge barriers and broaden appeal. After hundreds of live shows and distributing thousands of demo CD's, the diversity of their fans has been proven to span all races and ages. Immediate reactions are immensely positive and the fans' loyalty only increases the more they listen. The ensemble includes vocals, bass guitar, lead guitar, drum set, and a plethora of auxiliary percussion. Each member has been playing music since at least the 6th grade with many receiving extensive formal training. The band formed in 2001. TPUS's members have been playing together since high school - no doubt why The People UpStairs are often told how tight their sound is.

The People UpStairs - who draw their name from their practice studio, a loft snugly sitting upstairs above a plumbing company's shop - are in demand all over Florida for their crowd-pleasing live performances. The band has traveled to Florida State's Tallahassee, the University of Florida's Gainesville, and the University of South Florida's Tampa at the venues' request (and expense) to have The People UpStairs entertain their college-town audiences. At home in South Florida, The People UpStairs (often fondly referred to as TPUS) have become advertised regulars in several venues with establishments competing to book the band on high-traffic nights. The People UpStairs released their debut album in 2005, Synchrofunkinicty, under Hoot Recordings. Hoot is an independent label that are backed by Florida Atlantic University.

The band is currently working on new material for an upcoming album. Some of that material was released as a new demo. These songs can be heard on their Myspace page, and the album is available on Itunes.

FRANSCENE

www.myspace.com/franscenelw

Blustery origins for rockers Franscene By Bill Meredith ThePalm Beach PostJune 14, 2010 Lake Worth rock trio Franscene (myspace.com/franscenelw) features three young guys from the same Lake Osborne neighborhood: David Trull (24, guitar and vocals); brother Will Trull (21, drums and vocals) and Shaun Cuddy (24, bass and vocals). For the Trull brothers, inspiration poured from the basement rehearsal studio set up by their father, veteran area bassist Dave Trull of classic rock band Midlife Crisis. Perhaps the elder Trull also rubbed off in another way, as a Franscene performance is likely to feature not only the band's reggae-tinged rock originals but also cover tunes older than the band members.

"We all have ADD, so we'll move from classic rock to country to reggae," says David Trull, the primary singer/songwriter. "That stems from our dad, who's been playing since before I can remember. We're busy recording some tracks right now, which we may release before the holiday season."

A recent show featured covers from the '70s (Roxanne by The Police), '80s (a searing rendition of the challenging Tom Sawyer by Rush), '90s (What I Got by Sublime) and '00s (a funky reading of former local band Boxelder's Love Light Affection, plus the theme from True Blood), all with unofficial band mom Lenny Trull dancing up front. Franscene actually learned much of its song list as a neighborhood quartet before tragedy struck.

"We've been together about six years, but only playing out for six months," David Trull says. "We'd infused the names of the hurricanes Frances and Jeanne to make Franscene in 2004. We thought about changing it after our bassist, Cesar Figueroa, died in a car accident in 2008. Shaun had been playing keyboards and guitar, but he switched to bass, and we decided to keep the name to honor Cesar. Goodlife, on our MySpace page, features his voice near the end."

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

www.myspace.com/thebetterladiesandgentlemen

The members of Ladies and Gentlemen have been entertaining and energizing crowds for well over a decade. Whether playing a show in a small dive bar or the main stage at a concert festival, they always leave the crowd wanting more.

Growing up together through middle school, high school and college, they matured together not only as individuals but also as musicians. Their chemistry on stage reflects the bond that they have developed over the years and the energy that they give off is contagious. Engaging a crowd comes naturally to the lead singer Smitty, who is the co-host of the Morning Buzz on 103.1.

What makes Ladies and Gentlemen so unique today is that their sound is not limited to one genre. With a set list that includes hits from classic rock, alternative, pop, hip hop, Reggae, and songs that they have written?this group has no musical boundaries. They love playing a chart topper that everyone will recognize, but with their own unique spin on it. Wherever they play, the crowd is filled with smiling faces singing along and having a blast.

ROOTS SHAKEDOWN

www.myspace.com/rootsshakedown

Hailing from South Florida's musical melting pot with their own blend of roots, reggae, soul, and dub, is West Palm Beach's own, Roots Shakedown. Captivating listeners through dynamic live shows, Roots Shakedown can be seen at most major college towns in Florida throughout the school year. Hometown shows in South Florida have brought even the most stubborn reggae lovers out of the woodwork to come and share the feel-good vibes that ring from each and every note.

Crafting their brand new EP with South Florida reggae staple The Resolvers' Dean Fishback and Ron Eisner, Roots Shakedown is ready to spread the band's conscious message to the masses with five original new tunes.

"We want to spread a positive message without ignoring all of the hardships in front of us. Song topics range from worldwide struggle, to politics, to future generations, to musical inspiration. We're stoked to finally have something to share with all of our fans, friends, and family. This is only the beginning of the ROOTS SHAKEDOWN dynasty." -Brett Staska, Bass/Vocals

SHAWNA SWEENEY

With a sunflower-laden acoustic guitar and her African Djembe drum in tow, this charismatic songstress has a gift for capturing hearts and ears everywhere she goes. Her original songs take listeners on a ride through precocious humor, disarming self-deprecation, and the vulnerability of love.

Recently featured on the cover of CityLink MetroMix Magazine, and in The Palm Beach Post's TGIF magazine, the New England native is also known for her good-natured persona and infectious enthusiasm; "The last few years, getting to play 4, 5, 6 shows a week has been amazing. And with my band coming together and the opportunities we've had, 2010 has definitely been the best year yet."

ILLUMINATION

In a case of perfect timing, Illumination formed in 2007. Roots music singer/songwriter Suzanne Cannon was recording tracks at Elegbaland Studios in Lake Worth and engineer Marc Ward was playing music by other clients he'd recorded. When he cued up Ginny Meredith's classicallytrained (and Irish and bluegrass-influenced) violin playing, Cannon was transfixed and inquired about her. Illumination was born as a duo, and Meredith's violin and vocal harmonies proved to be the perfect compliments to Cannon's blues/pop/country compositions, voice and finger-picked guitar patterns. The two even formed an eclectic and unpredictable list of cover songs by the likes of Men at Work, the Dixie Chicks, Metallica, Sheryl Crow, Crash Test Dummies and Green Day.

The group started to grow in 2008, as Meredith's husband Bill Meredith made Illumination a trio as a percussionist/vocalist. In 2009, John Smotherman turned the trio into a quartet by adding his dobro and vocals to the mix. The two had worked together in the heralded 1990-1992 South Florida variety act, Lite-N-Up, and currently play together in Bob Dylan cover band Big Brass Bed, improvisational trio Blatant Disregard, and rock act the PowerCats (all with Meredith on drums and Smotherman on guitar). Their inclusion has resulted in additional originals by both Cannon and Smotherman, plus more diverse covers by Led Zeppelin, Beyonce, Bob Dylan and Outkast. From low-volume, all-acoustic house concerts to amplified festivals, Illumination can now brighten any musical occasion.

RIC PATTISON

British Singer/Songwriter living in Florida since 1990. With a blend of soul, folk, jazz, and pop, Two CDs released this millennium. The first CD, Eden, was released in 2000 and continues to get airplay on WLRN and The National Public Radio Station out of Miami. The second album, Beautiful World, was released in 2001 and can be found on www.cdbaby.com. In 2006 after a long layoff period Rics third album "Five Songs" arrived. In 2007 "JazzN Soul Lounge" was released soon after.






Street Scene Music SURFER BLOOD When you think of Palm Beach, Florida, what comes to mind? Palm trees swaying gently in the balmy breeze? Scantily-clad bikini buxom babes rollerblading down an infinite slab of coralcolored concrete? How about anthemic, bombastic, life-affirming indie pop? If the latter didn't occur to you, let us introduce you to Surfer Blood: they call West Palm Beach home and, while still in their early 20s, have penned an album worth of catchy indie songs that even the most hook-laden power pop band would rightfully be jealous of. Comprised of members JP (dubbed 'The Mastermind' by the rest of the band), TJ, Thomas Brian and Marcos, Surfer Blood met one fateful night at an after party for Miami's Ultra Festival, though they didn't attend the festival itself ('We do not like the D'n'B,' they proclaim). After discussing music, what else, for the remainder of the night, JP decided to recruit the three other guys to perfect a couple of songs he had been working on for some time, and thus, the band was formed. If you're wondering about the name, the band ain't got no surfer blood in them, and actually denounce the surfer kids of their youth for making their high school experience miserable. As for the moniker itself, one of the band members just randomly yelled it out over the radio in the backseat of the band's car, which is as good a naming process as any. In January 2010, Surfer Blood released Astro Coast, their debut album, on Kanine Records. Their first single release, 'Swim (To Reach the End)', with its deliciously deafening swaths of reverb and feedback, comes across like early Orange Juice covering every song on Weezer's Blue Album at once. When the whole nation is revving up the nostalgia for the blissed-out indie vibes of the early-to-mid-?90s, expect Astro Coast to snag some serious fans. B-LIMINAL www.myspace.com/b-liminal Emerging from the sun and surf of South Florida, B-Liminal has quickly become one of the most in-demand acts in the South East music scene. Defined by a unique sound and an unparalleled live show combining elements of Reggae, Surf, and Rock, B-Liminal creates a vibe of positivity and grooves that will be sure to leave you moving. B-Liminal, formed in 2007, was founded by singer, Bryce Rutkowski, former front man of the Reggae-Rock band, Boxelder. What began as a small project suddenly became a full-on band with the arrival of Michael Lyons, and Max Fraser. When Ryan "Ryngo" Weidenfeld joined the fold a few months later, the line-up was complete. In May of '09, the Jupiter natives caught the attention of local Jett Beres of the band Sister Hazel. He immediately signed them to his label, Secret 7 Records, and released the band's first full length album entitled "Shore Culture" in August of '09. Already having played and toured with various artists like, G. Love, Pepper, Pennywise, Bunny Wailer, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Authority Zero, Reel Big Fish, Arrested Development, The Expandables, Yellowman, Passafire and Fishbone, even playing on the Rock Boat X with Sister Hazel, Carbon Leaf, Blackberry Smoke and many others, B-Liminal is quickly establishing an extremely diverse and solid following of fans. The new album is full of great melodies, meaningful lyrics, and strong rock reggae grooves that is defining a unique sound, born from the "Shore Culture" of their home town. THE RESOLVERS www.theresolvers.com The Resolvers play Classic Reggae with a Modern Spin - authentic island vibrations combined with Soul, Rock, Jazz, and Uplifting vocal harmonies. Formed in 2007, the quintet quickly gained the attention of South Florida music lovers by consistently delivering sincere & energetic performances everywhere they play! Ojay Smith (Lead Vocals) has Reggae Music flowing through his veins. He is the son of the legendary Jamaican Singer/Songwriter - Ernie Smith. Dean Fishback (Keyboards) is a veteran of the reggae scene. He is notoriously sought after by touring reggae stars such as Inner Circle, Sugar Minot, and Glenn Washington. Ron Eisner (Guitars), Steave Nieratka (Bass) and Nate Largent (Drums) are all schooled musicians who share a passion for reggae music and the positive message it carries. Together - The Resolvers chemistry is undeniable and music infectious to all those who come in contact. The Band is currently in a period of remarkable growth and tremendous exposure as they continue to play at sold-out events and festivals in the U.S., while providing support for internationally touring acts such as The Original Wailers, Yellowman, O'Rappa, Less than Jake, and Badfish. They unveiled their first official recording - an EP named H'amsa (which literally means "5" in Arabic) that makes a strong representation of why the band has been relatively so successful in such a short period of time. Two of the songs were featured on the TV show Island Hoppers reaching over 900,000 homes for over a month's period. They also made their first overseas performance debut when they were invited to play at the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, JA. As the list of milestones goes on and on, The Resolvers are determined and focused upon nurturing the primary kingpins of their success - writing and releasing fresh material, manifesting a unique live music experience, and expanding their ever-growing grassroots following - one fan at a time. SPAM ALLSTARS DJ Le Spam & the Spam Allstars blend improvisational electronic elements and turntables with latin, funk, hip hop and dub to create a sound that is unique - an electronic descarga. Spam Allstars include DJ Le Spam (Andrew Yeomanson) on turntables and samplers, Adam Zimmon on guitar, Tomas Diaz on timbales and vox, Lazaro Alfonso on congas, AJ Hill and Steve Welsh on saxes, Mercedes Abal on flute, and Chad Bernstein on trombone. Spam Allstars most recent release - their first studio effort - is Spam Allstars Contra Los Roboticos Mutantes on Spamusica Records. The album was recorded at City of Progress Studio in North Miami Beach and was produced by DJ Le Spam. In an effort to introduce their music to new fans, Spam Allstars established residencies in select markets in the US. The first residencies began in their hometown including weeklies in Little Havana, Miami, and Miami Beach. In 2002, they began a monthly residency at SOB's in New York City. Currently they continue with monthly events in NYC, Miami, and Gainesville, as well as a weekly event in Little Havana. Spam Allstars perform 200+ shows per year in the US. In the summer of 2005 the band went to Europe to tour, sharing their version of electronic funk in everything from an underground Moroccan club in London, to the prestigious Roskilde Festival in Denmark. Spam Allstars have released four CD's to date: Spam Allstars Contra Los Roboticos Mutantes(2004); Fuacata Live!(2002); Pigs in Space(2000); Pork Scratchings(1999), and two vinyl releases - vinyl #1 & vinyl #2. Each of these titles have been released in the US independently on Spamusica Records. In addition Fuacata Live is available in Japan on Amsys Records(2004), and in the UK and France on Spamusica Records(2005) and distributed by New Note and Moradisc respectively. Spam Allstars third album Fuacata Live was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2003. Spam Allstars were suprised and proud of this achievement considering that the album had been recorded live to a CD burner during one of their weekly shows at Hoy Como Ayer. JACOB JEFFRIES BAND www.myspace.com/jacobjeffriesband 2008 has been full of exciting things for the Jacob Jeffries Band. They performed showcases at the NAMM Conference for Baldwin Pianos in Anaheim, CA, at BMI's Leaf Lounge during the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, and in Austin, TX at SXSW for BMI's Acoustic Brunch and the Red Gorilla Festival. They were also named 2008's Best Live Band by the Broward New Times, and competed and won the Florida Grammy Showcase! Not bad for a four-some who are starting to forge their path in this competitive world of music March 19th Jacob released his debut recording - the first of a series of CD's to be released independently all in 2008. This first EP, Life As An Extra, is a more intimate recording featuring Jacob's lyrics and voice. The second EP "Wonderful" was released on July 17th and is a full band recording. The third recording is a live DVD recorded and produced by staff and students of the renowned Full Sail University, which has built a reputation as one of the premier media arts schools in the world. Jacob Jeffries started playing the piano at the age of five. By ten he was writing original music, and at the age of 17, Warner Chappell offered him a publishing deal. Now 20, Jacob has spent the last year+ recording with Grammy Award-winning producers Sebastian Krys and Dan Warner, playing out live with his band and sharing his music with as many people as possible. Jacob is affiliated with BMI and sponsored by Baldwin Pianos. THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS www.thepeopleupstairs.com The People UpStairs have quickly become well known across South Florida as THE quality local act with a sound audiences immediately connect with. Featuring white, African American, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Italian members between 25 and 30 years old, The People UpStairs combine modern rock-funk with a groovy island touch and Latin rhythm to bridge barriers and broaden appeal. After hundreds of live shows and distributing thousands of demo CD's, the diversity of their fans has been proven to span all races and ages. Immediate reactions are immensely positive and the fans' loyalty only increases the more they listen. The ensemble includes vocals, bass guitar, lead guitar, drum set, and a plethora of auxiliary percussion. Each member has been playing music since at least the 6th grade with many receiving extensive formal training. The band formed in 2001. TPUS's members have been playing together since high school - no doubt why The People UpStairs are often told how tight their sound is. The People UpStairs - who draw their name from their practice studio, a loft snugly sitting upstairs above a plumbing company's shop - are in demand all over Florida for their crowd-pleasing live performances. The band has traveled to Florida State's Tallahassee, the University of Florida's Gainesville, and the University of South Florida's Tampa at the venues' request (and expense) to have The People UpStairs entertain their college-town audiences. At home in South Florida, The People UpStairs (often fondly referred to as TPUS) have become advertised regulars in several venues with establishments competing to book the band on high-traffic nights. The People UpStairs released their debut album in 2005, Synchrofunkinicty, under Hoot Recordings. Hoot is an independent label that are backed by Florida Atlantic University. The band is currently working on new material for an upcoming album. Some of that material was released as a new demo. These songs can be heard on their Myspace page, and the album is available on Itunes. FRANSCENE www.myspace.com/franscenelw Blustery origins for rockers Franscene By Bill Meredith ThePalm Beach PostJune 14, 2010 Lake Worth rock trio Franscene (myspace.com/franscenelw) features three young guys from the same Lake Osborne neighborhood: David Trull (24, guitar and vocals); brother Will Trull (21, drums and vocals) and Shaun Cuddy (24, bass and vocals). For the Trull brothers, inspiration poured from the basement rehearsal studio set up by their father, veteran area bassist Dave Trull of classic rock band Midlife Crisis. Perhaps the elder Trull also rubbed off in another way, as a Franscene performance is likely to feature not only the band's reggae-tinged rock originals but also cover tunes older than the band members. "We all have ADD, so we'll move from classic rock to country to reggae," says David Trull, the primary singer/songwriter. "That stems from our dad, who's been playing since before I can remember. We're busy recording some tracks right now, which we may release before the holiday season." A recent show featured covers from the '70s (Roxanne by The Police), '80s (a searing rendition of the challenging Tom Sawyer by Rush), '90s (What I Got by Sublime) and '00s (a funky reading of former local band Boxelder's Love Light Affection, plus the theme from True Blood), all with unofficial band mom Lenny Trull dancing up front. Franscene actually learned much of its song list as a neighborhood quartet before tragedy struck. "We've been together about six years, but only playing out for six months," David Trull says. "We'd infused the names of the hurricanes Frances and Jeanne to make Franscene in 2004. We thought about changing it after our bassist, Cesar Figueroa, died in a car accident in 2008. Shaun had been playing keyboards and guitar, but he switched to bass, and we decided to keep the name to honor Cesar. Goodlife, on our MySpace page, features his voice near the end." LADIES & GENTLEMEN www.myspace.com/thebetterladiesandgentlemen The members of Ladies and Gentlemen have been entertaining and energizing crowds for well over a decade. Whether playing a show in a small dive bar or the main stage at a concert festival, they always leave the crowd wanting more. Growing up together through middle school, high school and college, they matured together not only as individuals but also as musicians. Their chemistry on stage reflects the bond that they have developed over the years and the energy that they give off is contagious. Engaging a crowd comes naturally to the lead singer Smitty, who is the co-host of the Morning Buzz on 103.1. What makes Ladies and Gentlemen so unique today is that their sound is not limited to one genre. With a set list that includes hits from classic rock, alternative, pop, hip hop, Reggae, and songs that they have written?this group has no musical boundaries. They love playing a chart topper that everyone will recognize, but with their own unique spin on it. Wherever they play, the crowd is filled with smiling faces singing along and having a blast. ROOTS SHAKEDOWN www.myspace.com/rootsshakedown Hailing from South Florida's musical melting pot with their own blend of roots, reggae, soul, and dub, is West Palm Beach's own, Roots Shakedown. Captivating listeners through dynamic live shows, Roots Shakedown can be seen at most major college towns in Florida throughout the school year. Hometown shows in South Florida have brought even the most stubborn reggae lovers out of the woodwork to come and share the feel-good vibes that ring from each and every note. Crafting their brand new EP with South Florida reggae staple The Resolvers' Dean Fishback and Ron Eisner, Roots Shakedown is ready to spread the band's conscious message to the masses with five original new tunes. "We want to spread a positive message without ignoring all of the hardships in front of us. Song topics range from worldwide struggle, to politics, to future generations, to musical inspiration. We're stoked to finally have something to share with all of our fans, friends, and family. This is only the beginning of the ROOTS SHAKEDOWN dynasty." -Brett Staska, Bass/Vocals SHAWNA SWEENEY With a sunflower-laden acoustic guitar and her African Djembe drum in tow, this charismatic songstress has a gift for capturing hearts and ears everywhere she goes. Her original songs take listeners on a ride through precocious humor, disarming self-deprecation, and the vulnerability of love. Recently featured on the cover of CityLink MetroMix Magazine, and in The Palm Beach Post's TGIF magazine, the New England native is also known for her good-natured persona and infectious enthusiasm; "The last few years, getting to play 4, 5, 6 shows a week has been amazing. And with my band coming together and the opportunities we've had, 2010 has definitely been the best year yet." ILLUMINATION In a case of perfect timing, Illumination formed in 2007. Roots music singer/songwriter Suzanne Cannon was recording tracks at Elegbaland Studios in Lake Worth and engineer Marc Ward was playing music by other clients he'd recorded. When he cued up Ginny Meredith's classicallytrained (and Irish and bluegrass-influenced) violin playing, Cannon was transfixed and inquired about her. Illumination was born as a duo, and Meredith's violin and vocal harmonies proved to be the perfect compliments to Cannon's blues/pop/country compositions, voice and finger-picked guitar patterns. The two even formed an eclectic and unpredictable list of cover songs by the likes of Men at Work, the Dixie Chicks, Metallica, Sheryl Crow, Crash Test Dummies and Green Day. The group started to grow in 2008, as Meredith's husband Bill Meredith made Illumination a trio as a percussionist/vocalist. In 2009, John Smotherman turned the trio into a quartet by adding his dobro and vocals to the mix. The two had worked together in the heralded 1990-1992 South Florida variety act, Lite-N-Up, and currently play together in Bob Dylan cover band Big Brass Bed, improvisational trio Blatant Disregard, and rock act the PowerCats (all with Meredith on drums and Smotherman on guitar). Their inclusion has resulted in additional originals by both Cannon and Smotherman, plus more diverse covers by Led Zeppelin, Beyonce, Bob Dylan and Outkast. From low-volume, all-acoustic house concerts to amplified festivals, Illumination can now brighten any musical occasion. RIC PATTISON British Singer/Songwriter living in Florida since 1990. With a blend of soul, folk, jazz, and pop, Two CDs released this millennium. The first CD, Eden, was released in 2000 and continues to get airplay on WLRN and The National Public Radio Station out of Miami. The second album, Beautiful World, was released in 2001 and can be found on www.cdbaby.com. In 2006 after a long layoff period Rics third album "Five Songs" arrived. In 2007 "JazzN Soul Lounge" was released soon after.

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