words: Harmony Stalter
I have an addiction, a vice if you will, and it is called the local music scene. After starting the search for something to do, in my bored state of mind, almost 3 years ago I stumbled upon the music scene. Since then I can’t stop! The more bands I see the worse the
addiction gets.
The Haven is definitely one of my favorite Orlando hot spots. From Sandy’s being so kind to you when you walk in to Maria’s overall running the place you can’t go wrong playing or just watching your favorite bands play here. They have some of the best bartender’s Orlando has to offer. Whether the crowds are huge or small they are always loud and appreciative of the bands that grace that stage.
One of my favorite traveling through bands is called Say When. This rock/powerpop band from Boston, Massachusetts is Maxwell Latif; vocals, Zack Starikov aka “Breckin Meyer”; guitar, John Zaremba; guitar, Mike Marvuglio; bass and Mark McCarthy; drums. They come through this area a few times a year and I try to see them every time they make it here. From their crazy antics on stage to their stories about their touring catastrophes, their music and overall personalities, both on and off stage, are a perfect mix of a great band to be seen.
The Rise of Defiance is a brand new progressive rock/metal band from Orlando on the scene. The
members of this band are Ryan Miller; vocals, Randy Silver; guitar, Issam Pereira; keyboards, Igor Jones; bass and Mike Pinder; drums. When progressive rock is well written and played it is something that any music fan can really wrap their minds around and this band has that.
Cethkyn is a metal/punk band that makes their home in Orlando. This band consists of Travis Gilman; guitar, Adam Strickler; drums, Dan Behnke; bass, Matt Decker; vocals and Kevin Wigen; guitar. They may not look like your typical metal group but they will destroy your eardrums like one. If you like your metal hard, fast and crazy then this is the band for you.
A great place to catch some live music is DJ & Gina’s in Summerfield. This place has a sunken in bar with a great staff and the crowds are always plentiful. John, DJ, Gina and the rest of the girls that work there are always kind and courteous and they make sure their consumers are having a good time by providing top notch live musical entertainment.
Drip is a rock band that hails from Summerfield. This band’s members are Paul Hilton; vocals, Larry Blackwood; guitar, Kevin McCullough; guitar, Jason McCurry; bass and Scott Ward; drums. This band can flow from a ballad to a hard rock song with the fluidity of water.
Soulidium is a Tampa based rock/metal band. Its members include Michael McKnight; vocals, Chris Polidoro; guitars, Shadow Morte; guitars, Jadis Lucian; bass and Danny Cayocca; drums. After seeing them rock the House of Blues stage when they opened for Nonpoint and Sevendust last year I couldn’t wait for them to take the stage. From their stage presence to their music, if you enjoy the darker side of life then make sure to catch these guys at their next show.
My addiction has been fed for this month’s issue. I am thinking of starting a support group called Local Music Lovers Anonymous or LMLA for short and the meetings will be held in any venue we choose to feed our addiction in.
Be sure to check out all these bands at the sites:
Say When: myspace.com/saywhenmusic
The Rise of Defiance: myspace.com/theriseofdefiance
Cethkyn: myspace.com/cethkyn
Drip: myspace.com/yaedrip
Soulidium: myspace.com/soulidium
