14 Apr Local Natives: Part 2
As promised, I have big plans to preview all Florida-grown bands in a special section I like to call, “Local Natives.” (I secretly hope the band doesn’t play Florida anytime soon to avoid confusion.)
Today I’d like to share another handful of local acts that you cannot miss this SunFest season.
Members: Damien Fagiolino (vocals/guitar), Andrew Rapier (guitar), Camran Gibson (drums), and Mike Alosa (bass)
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Listen up: If I was giving out superlatives (and I might later) FELICITY would win first place for “Most Approachable.” The band is super active on Twitter and has reached out to me a couple of times, which makes them memorable before I ever see them on the stage. Go ahead and tweet at them, I’m confident they’ll fire back.
FELICITY is a hard rock band from Central Florida, and claims to be a mix of rock, punk, and alternative flavors. Since forming in 2013, the boys have played all over our sunshine state including the Big Orlando Festival and Warped Tour. 2015 looks bright for these musicians, who are independently releasing their debut album later this year.
FELICITY’s sound is sure to be a hit with fans of Say Anything and Brand New. That’s what I’ve gathered so far. I’m definitely in favor of this rising act putting more music on YouTube. Can’t wait to catch them on Sunday, May 3.
Song: “The Importance of Precedence”
Members: Jonnie Morgan (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Matthew Mill (trumpet), Corey Paul (trombone), Jose Rojas (saxaphone), Bruno Ufret (drums), Brandon Sollins (lead guitar), and Jeremy Adams (bass guitar)
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Listen Up: Jonnie Morgan Band, or JMB as they are affectionately called by their fans, is no stranger to SunFest or my ears. Jonnie Morgan attended the University of Central Florida with me, not so-so long ago, and rocked SunFest’s Tire Kingdom stage in 2013.
Jonnie provides the pipes to this seven-piece modern rock band. I love the group’s brassy saxophone, trumpet, and trombone sounds, but their sound, as a whole, is admittedly hard to describe.
“It’s really hard to explain to people what we sound like,” Morgan said in an interview for SunFest in 2013. “We are like a jam band…We always kind of say rock and roll, infused with R&B and soul, because of our horn section.”
Since his SunFest debut, JMB finished recording a 13 track album, and toured through Texas, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. If you like to move, swing, and sway, don’t miss JMB.
Song: Check out their SunFest recap video!
Members: Rico Monaco (guitar, vocals, musical director), Carlos “Clos” Hernandez (congas, timbales), Robert Butkowski (drums), Derek Schaefer (keys, background vocals), Greg Wilkinson (lead vocals), Jeremy Birdsall (bass guitar, background vocals)
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Listen up: The Rico Monaco Band is known worldwide for their incredible live performances, awards, their original songs and fun remakes. I have not had the pleasure of seeing RMB before, but they have my attention.
This rock band with Latin roots has their own unique songs and a habit of covering popular pop songs and classic favorites. Their website boasts RMB covers an impressive range of talented artists including Maroon 5, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, and Queen.
The band will also debut a four song EP later this month, titled “We Rock You Rust.” My guess is we will be some of the first ears to hear the songs live as the release falls over SunFest!
Song: “Ciao Bella Signorina”
The Inverted
Members: Garrett Fogg (guitars, keyboard, lead vocals), Austin Newson (bass, acoustic guitar, vocals), Nick McAhren (drums, percussion), and Shelby Eisenberg (guitars, vocals)
Hometown: Jensen Beach, FL
Listen up: The Inverted is another Florida band made up entirely of superbly talented young adults. Fogg, Newson, and McAhren range from 17 to 20 years old, and have already been making music for years. They cite their influences as U2, The Killers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and The Shins. All of these bands, like The Inverted, are good in my book.
The local alternative rock band has already released an EP (Devil’s Daughter). Part of the release (according to their press release) was recorded in an abandoned house. If your ears haven’t started listening yet, the band prefers darker songs that allude to pain and angst. Hold on to those young adult feelings, boys, and don’t let them go!
You won’t want to let their sound go after Saturday, May 2, when The Inverted perform on the Tire Kingdom stage.
Song: “Devil’s Daughter”
I have one more installment of “Local Natives” headed your way! There are just too many good South Florida acts this year. Get ready to learn about Kasson, Sidereal, Leaving Haven, and more!