In our archives, I found the May 2006 Music issue. Below are two articles written by Sam and what may be the most comprehensive list of local bands at the time.
- Update on Sam Baltrusis: He is an author, historian, and television producer best known for his work on paranormal and historic subjects, especially those related to Salem, Massachusetts. He has written more than a dozen books on the paranormal, including “Ghosts of Salem,” “Mass Murders,” and “Ghosts of the American Revolution”. Baltrusis has appeared on several national TV shows, including The Travel Channel’s “A Haunting,” “Most Terrifying Places,” “Haunted Towns,” and “Haunted USA.” He was also featured in the Discovery+ documentary The Curse of Lizzie Borden and appeared on programs like Paranormal Nightshift, Most Terrifying with Jason Hawes, Fright Club with Jack Osbourne, and Forbidden History. Check out https://sambaltrusis.com/
Band Suicide
WHY DO SO MANY LOCALS SELF-DESTRUCT?
Ray Ruddy, former drummer of the local band Emulsiphier and the current promotions director at TK101, knew his eight-year quest for rock ‘n’ roll superstardom was squelched when the group’s touring van burst into flames en route to a show in Jackson, Miss.
“It’s weird, but that weekend I pretty much decided that it was the last time I would play with the band,” Ruddy recalls.
Emulsiphier’s van burned completely down to its frame. And it’s both a literal and metaphorical fire, Ruddy says he couldn’t put out.
“While we were sitting at the gas station watching it burn, one of the guys was in tears and was like, ‘man, we tried so hard,'” the 30-year-old drummer remembers with a misty-eyed nostalgia. “It was very symbolic, actually.”
Since Emulsiphier bit the dust back in 2003, Pensacola has seen a string of promising local bands crash and burn right before they were about to hit it big—groups like 10 Pages, After The Fall, The Second Track, Six O’Clock Shadow and Suburban Shakedown.
For Ruddy, the most disappointing local band to call it quits in recent memory was hardcore act Terrific Kid, winner of the IN Music Awards “Artist of the Year” laurels in ’04.
“They had everything lined up and they were ready to rock,” he says. “They were probably the most promising band I’ve seen down here ever—my band included.”
Terrific Kid even had labels sniffing around its full-length CD “Same As It Never Was.”
“It was really disappointing,” says Ruddy. “They had a great product and they had a great name on their product.”
Locally, Terrific Kid’s story is familiar. 10 Pages was on the verge of signing to an indie label before their break. The Second Track snagged a slot on the Van’s Warped Tour stage before their split. Suburban Shakedown earned a headlining position at SpringFest only to fall apart when lead singer, Adam Roth, headed to Los Angeles.
Why do so many Pensacola music groups self-destruct when they’re on the brink of making it?
Randi Reed, author of “20 Reasons Why Musicians Get Stuck at the Local or Regional Level” on a website called www.MusicBizAdvice.com and a L.A.-based music industry veteran, says it’s commonplace for bands on the verge to break up.
MySpace or Yours?
BANDS WEIGH IN ON INTERNET JUGGERNAUT
Yes, MySpace.com is mired in controversy. And, if you listen to the mainstream press, thousands of sexual predators are flocking to the social-networking site to prey on unsuspecting youth.
But for many local and regional acts, MySpace.com continues to be the hottest website around. Or is it?
For the almost 80 million users who live, listen, lust, and learn on the Internet tour de force, they’ve reached a point where information overload supersedes the less-is-more draw of what was once the fastest-growing destination on the Web.
And worse, the nefarious group known as NewsCorp—the owners of Fox News Channel and The New York Post—purchased MySpace.com’s parent company, Intermix, last July.
Although the media giant continues to promise that they will not violate anyone’s privacy or data, several of the more experienced bands that will be featured at Saturday’s PhoenixFest have mixed feelings.
The Epoxies’ FM Static, also known as Jesse Sutherland, says MySpace lost its appeal once NewsCorp came into the picture.
“It’s clearly a powerful tool,” Sutherland says. “But it’s also owned by a huge conglomerate and subject to all that goes with that. To make MySpace your primary contact with the world at large is to give away a lot of control. To me, that’s unwise.”
Brendan B. Brown, vocalist/guitarist for Wheatus, believes that bands should offer several options.
“MySpace is a good idea at first,” he says. “But it’s better to have somewhere for people to go who are generally interested in you and not just surfing.”
Brown, known for his 1998 radio hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” says that musicians need to control their own content.
“MySpace makes for a good introduction, but it is not all Internet crack,” he adds. “Lots of MySpace people are looking for the deeper story. So, having a link to your own website is vital.”
Meanwhile, several of the locals playing Saturday’s PhoenixFest feel like it’s a cheap option for music acts trying to get their foot in the door.
“Right now, MySpace is providing bands with almost everything they need as an alternative to having an official website,” explains Reynosa’s guitarist Nathan Dillaha. “A band website usually has an annual fee and you have to go through the trouble of having someone design and maintain it.”
Jason Holstein, bassist for IN Music Awards “Artist of the Year” nominees 60 Cycles of Sound, echoes Dillaha’s enthusiasm.
Well, kinda sorta.
“MySpace makes it a lot easier for people to interact with bands as well as with each other as opposed to trying to find their own website,” he contends.
“Official websites usually have a lot more content and are pretty fancy as opposed to MySpace. I guess it depends on how accessible you want to be to your fans.”
Dillaha says it’s the accessibility of MySpace.com that has ultimately won him over.
“A large percentage of a band’s connections are one or two clicks away,” he says. “And because of the popularity of MySpace, regular websites have difficulty competing.”
“At least, until the band becomes more popular than MySpace,” Dillaha jokes.
Bands A-Z
Click on the band’s name to visit their website.
3D The teen rap trio, which includes Roy Jones Jr.’s identical twin sons and cousin, is high energy with its album “Boys Will Be Boys” scheduled to drop Tuesday, June 27.
60 Cycles of Sound The three-piece local band won the 2005 IN Music Award for “Best Pop/Rock,” with its energetic, catchy and very rock-driven sound.
A Common Hope A new hardcore/punk band that snagged a slot at Vans Warped Tour this past summer.
Acoustifunk Formed in 2003, the trio performs funk rock fused with jazz, blues, reggae and more.
American Suicide A little punk, a little blues and a lot of tried and true rock and roll are the key ingredients in their fresh sound.
Among Them Heavy rock band that won “Best Newcomer” laurels at this year’s IN Music Awards.
Analog Missionary Currently in the studio recording their third album and preparing for a 2006 tour, the experimental group features the unforgettable belly-dancing beauty, Anstrom.
Antebellum You won’t hear no girl songs from this group, which talks about God a lot. One song “Breathe In, Breathe Out” that’s from the viewpoint of someone standing in the crowd at Christ’s crucifixion.
Anxiety This metal upstart is working on their first full-length CD, “Out For Blood.” The music is chock full of melodic harmonies, insane guitar and bass riffs and story-driven lyrics.
Ba’nana Republic Bamboo Willie’s house band, includes lead vocalist Conrad Days, the group’s founding father 15 years ago and only remaining original member.
Bobby Van Deuson The jazz pianist and vocalist is part of the reason why Jack & Ron’s is having an “it” moment.
Boneface One of Body Head Entertainment’s newest members. After dropping the single “Best Kept Secret” he may not be one much longer. Official Record Company Website
Buzz Cutt Since 1995, this group has thrilled audiences along the Gulf Coast, playing a variety of new rock with a splash of classic rock.
Choppa This up-and-coming rapper with Body Head Entertainment has a yet-untitled LP hitting the stores July 18. Official Record Company Website
Cockfight The band lives up to its name with live shows that are hard-hitting and testosterone driven.
The Cripple Lilies “A cripple lily wilts in the afternoon sun and opens in the evening,” which is exactly the effect the dreamy, soothing harmonies of this group can have on you at the end of a hard day.
Darren J. Trio Newly formed blues group–with Doug “Deacon” Burger on bass, Mike Halfhill on drums and Darren J. vocals/guitar–that cites its influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The Deadly Fists of Kung Fu They posses the most entertaining music video “Shortpacked,” around, with action heroes in their likeness rocketing around the globe.
Don’t Die Cindy This four-piece indie/space rock band from Panama City takes music listeners for a ride. Join it.
DJ RAM-Z Since his debut in early ’99, Ram-Z has been dropping dub plates for the masses at large parties and clubs thoughout the Southeast. His breakaway style and seamless mixing has put him in a league of his own.
Earl’s Killer Squirrel Earl Lion and his rough modern punk band have been on the backburner of the local music scene for 12 years.
Endings Edge IN Music Awards “Best Newcomers” in 2005 boast an original post-hardcore sound that’s heavy on riffs and deeply syncopated rhythms. IN Music Awards ’06 nominees for “Artist of the Year.”
Frank Booth A hard rock band known as much for their high-energy live shows as for their catchy, sing-a-long worthy songs, like the unforgettable “Chocolate City.”
Goodfoote One of the best rock ‘n’ roll cover bands around, the group can usually be heard at the Fish House or Seville Quarter.
Holly Shelton From jazz to cabaret to bluesy torch, this sexy chanteuse can sing it all. She’s a six-foot powerhouse of flair and fishnets.
It Starts Today Veterans of last year’s Vans Warped Tour, this hardcore group is a frontrunner for IN Music Awards ’06 “Artist of the Year” laurels.
Jason Martinez The DJ started mixing in 2001, after getting tired of listening to the same old boring radio stations. He has steadily progressed and keeps getting better.
Joe Occhipinti The popular bandleader and swing dance organizer provides the sounds of a bygone era.
Kane Madness The new group sums up its music like this: funky or bluesy under the right conditions but mostly just heavy grunge.
Kathy Lyon Touring around the U.S. in a red VW bus in the 1980s and eventually performing around the world, the veteran jazz vocalist now lives in Navarre.
Kevin Larson Band A little bit rock and a little bit pop, these local boys make fun, accessible pop-rock for the co-ed party set.
Kid Picked Last It’s hard to pin down this group’s sound which ranges from classic and modern rock to emo and indie, blues, grunge and even tribal-ceremonial with a little hardcore twist.
Kitt Lough Let her smoky voice and sultry, but subtle persona capture your heart with her first note.
Luna Mantra This group featuring brother duo–Michael and Joshua Kinser–fuses the modern and traditional melodies and rhythms of tango and flamenco, jazz and groove, gypsy and bossa nova, bluegrass, Indian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern music to form an innovative, exciting and extremely danceable live performance.
Lyndsey Battle Her mellow, unobtrusive folk-funk style will ultimately win you over. Think Ani DiFranco’s voice coupled with Joni Mitchell’s lyrics and Patti Smith’s passion.
Mad Happy They push the envelope with a distinctive and edgy sound, solidly rooted in hip-hop and the blues; and intelligent lyrics promoting tolerance and individuality.
Mark Lannigan The local Glasgow import and StreetLevel resident DJ’s sound is as infectious as it is soulful. This is the best baby-making music that you can’t stop moving to.
Mike Roycroft The acoustic talent is a self-professed late bloomer, who’s found his niche as a singer and songwriter.
The Mighty Smiting A positive, positive punk band that leaves the pissed-with-the-world songs to others. It’s a unique collage of ska bass lines, alternative, indie rock, grunge guitar riffs and motorhead drums.
The Modern Eldorados Reminiscent of the George Jones and Patsy Cline era. A throwback to old-school, pure country.
The Names A group of old-timers that are HandleBar regulars and a staple in the local scene for years.
Nusense This soft-spoken master of breakbeat carries a BIG stick behind the decks.
One Day Remains Pensacola-based rock/metal band with a radio-friendly rock sound with melodic vocals.
Out of Nothing This five-piece punk-ska upstart boasts a one-man brass section and sax.
Orphic A progressive alternative rock band clearly influenced by Tool and Metallica, the group has been together about a year and recently has released its first full-length CD.
Parabellum The IN Music Awards-nominated group forges elements of early Saint Vitus/Crowbar-like sludge with a driving force similar to that of Celtic Frost along with a dose of chaos reminiscent of the legendary Acid Bath to create their own brand of swamp metal.
Piss ‘N’ Vinegar The indie/punk band has a mostly old-school sound like Black Flag, Minor Threat, The Subhumans and the Exploited.
Red Letter Consortium Emo rockers whose melancholy tunes require a whole box of Kleenex. Listen too long and you “want to crawl into a ball and kill your cat.”
Red Lipstick Letter Armed with its debut full-length release, “Here’s Your Photograph,” they boldly go where all other cute pop-punk boy bands have gone before. Still, they’re seriously good.
Redline A member of two local drum-and-bass collectives, Knightbreed and Mechanikal Element, Redline drops heart-stopping, floor-filling tracks with skillful ease.
Reynosa Digging deep into the crease where genres collide, they mesh a country twang with hard hooks and rock ‘n’ roll riffs—a combination that they make work.
Revel Jarett, Jason, John and Ben. Don’t be fooled by their cute, boy band-esque names, these guys rock, hard. Their CD, “The Colour You Bleed,” is nominted for INMA’s “Album of the Year.”
Robin Stine A Shirley Horn fan, she creates a truly unique sound infusing traditional jazz with a youthful, bluesy folk vibe.
Rocker AJ Balls-out metal, blue-collar rocker with a gritty throat, who likes to let it roll.
Roy Jones Jr. He didn’t just drop a record, he dropped a record on his very own label, Body Head Records, proving he’s more than your average athlete. Official Record Company Website
Scars and Stripes A punk rock group of four best friends who are musically doing what ever they want with as few limitations as possible.
The Selfish Gene It sounds cliché but they are an alternative rock band that, of course, is out to change the world.
Shadowyze Shawn Enfinger, aka Shadowyze, is a rap artist of Cherokee and Creek descent whose techno-laden hip-hop music has been exposing injustices to Navtive Americans since the late 1980s.
So Long DaVinci Local screamo/indie/rock group that has recently resurfaced.
Subject Zero 8 A metal band together for one year that’s serious about screaming and singing.
Swellz Formerly from the Rated PGs, Swellz is emerging as one of the top Body Head Bangerz. Official Record Company Website
This Bike is a Pipe Bomb Ohio University canceled classes and dissembled a fan’s bicycle in March when campus police took a “This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb” sticker literally. But this is actually a spirited punk-rock folk trio as the university and world found out.