Florida Sound Archive Podcast

Jeff Kaiser
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Music Interviews
  • Biweekly

Explore the vibrant music scene of Florida, past and present, through in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians, and industry insiders who shaped it. From the pioneers of Florida's punk and rock scenes to the contemporary sounds of today, our podcast delves into the stories, experiences, and memories that have made the state a hub for musical innovation and creativity. Tune in for insightful interviews, fascinating anecdotes, and a journey through the Sunshine State's rich musical heritage.

  1. Oct 23

    #152 Jay Pounders, Eddie Freeze, Brad Peet, Dennis Amrbose (Crossfire Choir)

    The Story of Crossfire Choir: The Florida Years & Early History With Jay Pounders, Dennis Amrbose, Brad Peet & Eddie Freeze In this episode, Jay Pounders (vocals/guitar), Dennis Ambrose (bass), Brad Peet (drums), and Eddie Freeze (keyboards/vocals) of Crossfire Choir reunite for the first time in nearly 40 years to discuss the band's history. The conversation begins in South Florida in the late 1970s, from Jay and Eddie meeting at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach to the early bands, musicians, and local venues that shaped Crossfire Choir. They revisit the band's early-1980s experiments with keyboards, drum machines, and four-track recording, their first demo cassette, local radio airplay, and the connections that helped lead them out of Florida. After relocating to New Jersey, Crossfire Choir became part of the Northeast music scene, playing regularly at CBGB's and opening for Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Midnight Oil, Love and Rockets, Chuck Berry, and others. The band reflects on its relationship with CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal, signing with Geffen Records, traveling to England to record with producer Steve Lillywhite at RAK and the Townhouse, and touring across the United States. Along the way, the four share stories about musical influences, songwriting, life on the road, memorable performances, and the friendships that endured through the band's different eras. Their memories sometimes differ, making this reunion an opportunity to revisit the people and experiences behind Crossfire Choir's story.

    #152 Jay Pounders, Eddie Freeze, Brad Peet, Dennis Amrbose (Crossfire Choir)

  2. Oct 16

    #151 JB Corey (Good Night Moon), Mike Gentile (Anniston / Hey Monday), Matt Finan (Five Cent Wish), Patrick Bradley (Five Cent Wish)

    The Story of the 2000s West Palm Beach Pop Punk Scene with Members of Good Night Moon, Anniston, Hey Monday, and Five Cent Wish In this episode, we are joined by JB Corey of Good Night Moon, Mike Gentile of Anniston and Hey Monday, and Matt Finan and Patrick Bradley of Five Cent Wish to look back at the 2000s West Palm Beach pop punk scene. The conversation explores their early introductions to the music scene, first local shows, and the bands and venues that helped shape their experiences. Along the way, they share memories of Five Cent Wish, Good Night Moon, Anniston, Hey Monday, and a host of other West Palm Beach pop punk bands of the era, along with venues including Ray’s Downtown Blues, Spanky’s, the Kelsey Club, and other spaces throughout South Florida. The panel also discusses sharing bills with touring acts, DIY show booking and promotion, physical flyers, MySpace, recording experiences, and playing shows throughout Florida. They reflect on the music that influenced them, the growth of the local scene, and the friendships and community that surrounded it. The conversation also looks back on the impact those years had on their lives and how reconnecting years later has brought some of these musicians back together to perform and make music again.

    #151 JB Corey (Good Night Moon), Mike Gentile (Anniston / Hey Monday), Matt Finan (Five Cent Wish), Patrick Bradley (Five Cent Wish)

  3. Oct 2

    #150 Bobby Baker (Baby Robots)

    The Story of Bobby Baker: South Florida's 90s Underground Music Scene, Baby Robots, Blanket, and More In this episode, we are joined by Bobby Baker to discuss his decades-long journey through South Florida's underground music scene. From his early days in Boca Raton and formative experiences seeing local bands, Bobby reflects on projects including Blanket, Death on a Stick, Baby Robots, Cactus Eye Relief, Mr. Entertainment and the Pookiesmackers, and more. Along the way, he shares memories of venues such as Churchill's, Respectable Street, Surf Cafe, Boca Pub, and other spaces that helped shape South Florida's DIY music community. Bobby also discusses the musicians, promoters, and friends who influenced his path, including members of Postface, Dan Hosker, Rat Bastard, and many others. The conversation explores DIY recording, house shows, underground venues, the evolution of Baby Robots, and how South Florida's unique music culture continued to influence him long after relocating to Austin, Texas.

    #150 Bobby Baker (Baby Robots)

  4. Sep 25

    #149 Jorge Cervera, Sam Gough, Charlies Pinion (Psychic Violents)

    The Story of 80s Gainesville Punks Psychic Violents: The History & Legacy With Jorge, Sam & Charles In this episode, we are joined by Jorge Cervera (bass), Sam Gough (guitar), and Charles Pinion (vocals) of Gainesville's Psychic Violents, bringing the three former bandmates together for the first time in nearly 40 years to talk about the group's history. They talk about how they each arrived in Gainesville, their early musical influences, and the local bands, venues, and friendships that helped shape the city's punk and underground music scene during the early and mid-1980s. The conversation covers the formation of Village Virus, the transition into Psychic Violents, and the band's place within Gainesville's growing DIY music community. Jorge, Sam, and Charles discuss influences ranging from Queen, Rush, Black Sabbath, Talking Heads, and the Minutemen, as well as the Gainesville punk scene, including earlier bands such as Roach Motel and contemporaries like Mutley Chix and The Doldrums. They also share stories about playing house parties, the Vatican, Churchill's, the Cameo Theater, and other venues throughout Florida. They talk about Psychic Violents' songwriting process, how quickly songs came together, and how little attention they paid to genre boundaries. They discuss their appreciation for the Minutemen and the enormous impact D. Boon's death had on them personally and on the punk community at the time. They also talk about recording their cassette releases, developing new material at a rapid pace, and the band's evolution over its relatively short lifespan. Charles discusses creating the band's visual identity through posters, flyers, shirts, and the iconic eyeball logo, along with the origins of the band's name. He also talks about his cult film Twisted Issues (1988), how it grew out of documenting the Gainesville scene, and the musicians and bands featured throughout the project. Jorge, Sam, and Charles share memories of the creative environment that existed before social media and their shared belief in making art simply because they wanted to make it. They talk about the friendships and creative connections that came out of Gainesville's music community, what happened after Psychic Violents, including Jorge and Sam's later band Big Soul and Charles' move to New York and filmmaking career, and why the music and Twisted Issues have found new audiences decades later. Nearly 40 years later, the three former bandmates sit down together and revisit the music, people, places, and experiences that shaped Psychic Violents and their lives in Gainesville.

    #149 Jorge Cervera, Sam Gough, Charlies Pinion (Psychic Violents)

  5. Sep 18

    #148 John Gardner (Faith In Physics / Barbarella)

    The Story of John Gardner: DJ an Owner of Orlando's Barbarella, Faith In Physics, Beach Club & More In this episode, we talk with longtime Orlando DJ and nightclub owner John Gardner about nearly five decades of involvement in Central Florida music and nightlife. John talks about growing up in Orlando, discovering music through his older brother's record collection, buying records, attending concerts, and visiting early record stores including Southern Music, Peaches, and East West Records. He recalls seeing bands such as Queen, KISS, America, and the Rolling Stones at the Lakeland Civic Center. John discusses getting into DJing after seeing a wedding DJ and realizing he could turn his love of records into a business. He talks about doing school dances, becoming involved with the Hague Lounge, and eventually opening Faith in Physics in 1985. He recalls working with promoter Jim Faherty and several of the touring ad local bands that performed at Faith in Physics, including Suicidal Tendencies, Circle Jerks, 10,000 Maniacs, Damage, Love Gods and Leisure Suits, Rose Shadows, and Craven A. John talks about opening Beach Club in downtown Orlando at the end of 1987, the emergence of Club Space Fish nights, and the role the venues played in Orlando's alternative music scene. He recalls performances by Smashing Pumpkins, Butthole Surfers, and the B-52s. The conversation also covers the transition from Beach Club to Barbarella and later Independent Bar, one of his favorite 1980s local bands It's All Over (IAO), changes in downtown Orlando nightlife scene, and more. He also talks about getting into pickleball and his plans to keep DJing as he approaches 50 years of DJing.

    #148 John Gardner (Faith In Physics / Barbarella)

  6. Sep 11

    #147 Joe Kiser (Slap Of Reality)

    The Story of Joe Kiser: Slap Of Reality, Tampa Scene, Touring and More In this episode of the Florida Sound Archive, we're joined by Joe Kiser to trace his musical journey from growing up in Tampa's Clair-Mel neighborhood to becoming a longtime fixture of Tampa, Florida's punk, hardcore, and alternative music scene. Joe talks about being raised in a musical family, discovering rock and metal through bands like AC/DC, KISS, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden, and later finding punk and hardcore through local radio, record stores, and bands such as DRI, Bad Brains, and Dead Kennedys. Joe discusses meeting Rob Sexton in high school and how their friendship led to the formation of Slap of Reality. He shares memories of learning to play together, recording early demos, and building the band into one of Tampa's notable melodic hardcore acts. He also reflects on Rob's recent passing and their decades-long friendship. The episode covers Tampa's music scene during the 1980s and 1990s, including venues such as the Sunset Club, Empty Keg, Generic Club, Masquerade, Tampa Armory, and many others. Joe recalls attending shows throughout Florida, traveling to places like Gainesville, Orlando, Melbourne, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Pensacola, and describes how interconnected Florida's punk and hardcore communities were during that era. Joe walks through the history of Slap of Reality, including the band's recordings, tours, record labels, and experiences on the road. He discusses the band's discography, along with stories about recording sessions, touring across the United States, and sharing stages with numerous bands. Beyond Slap of Reality, Joe talks about several other projects he has been involved with, including Balance, Paineater, Milk and Cookies, Murder-Suicide Pact, Closure, which became The Sophomore Effort, No Fraud, The Path, and Defrauded. He shares stories about touring Europe and Brazil, recording with different bands, and continuing to pursue new creative outlets rather than focusing solely on music from the past. Joe also discusses the musicians, labels, and bands that influenced him, including Dag Nasty, Government Issue, Moving Targets, Bob Mould, and Brian Baker. He explains how those influences shaped his guitar playing and songwriting while emphasizing that the DIY mindset of punk has remained a constant throughout his career.

    #147 Joe Kiser (Slap Of Reality)

  7. Sep 4

    #146 MIke Marsh (The Agency / Dashboard Confessional)

    The Story of Mike Marsh: The Agency, Dashboard Confessional, Touring & More In this episode of the Florida Sound Archive Podcast, we're joined by Mike Marsh, whose journey from the South Florida punk scene eventually led him to Dashboard Confessional, The Avett Brothers, and some of the biggest stages in music. This is one of the deepest dives Mike has taken into his story, covering more than three decades of music, touring, friendships, success, addiction, recovery, and everything in between. Mike looks back at growing up in Kendall, discovering punk rock and drumming, and finding his place in the South Florida music and skateboarding scene of the 1990s. From there, we get into The Agency, its origins, recordings, and more. The story then moves into Dashboard Confessional, with founder Chris Carrabba and bassist Dan Bonebrake, and Mike's role in helping take Dashboard from its South Florida roots to MTV, MTV Unplugged, Madison Square Garden, David Letterman, and beyond. Mike also talks openly about what came with that success, including addiction, touring, and the realities of life in a rapidly changing music industry. He also touches on his time in Denny's Unit and Seville, who would later tour with Dashboard Confessional. Later, Mike shares how a move to Nashville eventually led to recording with Scott and Seth Avett, meeting Rick Rubin, and becoming part of The Avett Brothers. He also talks about sobriety, recovery, rebuilding relationships, reconnecting with old friends and bandmates, and continuing to make music with both The Agency and The Avett Brothers. It's a conversation that covers a lot of ground, but at its heart, it's Mike telling his story in his own words. From South Florida clubs and skateparks to some of the biggest stages in the country, there are plenty of stories along the way.

    #146 MIke Marsh (The Agency / Dashboard Confessional)

  8. Aug 21

    #145 Chris Garbage & Michael Rizzo (Declared Ungovernable)

    The Story of Declared Ungovernable: Chris Garbage & Michael Rizzo on the History of the Winter Park Florida Punks, 80s Scene, and More In this episode, we're joined by Chris Garbage and Michael Rizzo, founding members of Winter Park hardcore punk band Declared Ungovernable, for a deep dive into the band's origins, Florida's 1980s punk scene, and eventual reunion decades later. Chris and Michael trace their friendship back to middle school, where they bonded as outsiders and discovered punk rock after seeing Minor Threat in Winter Park. What began as a teenage band called Florida's Unwanted Children eventually evolved into Declared Ungovernable, a name inspired by Chris's personal experiences and the rebellious spirit that fueled the group. The conversation explores the DIY world that shaped the band, from recording sessions, homemade merchandise, skate contests, house parties, and shows across Orlando, Tampa, Cocoa Beach, Miami, and beyond. Chris and Michael share memories of playing with bands including RKL and The Meatmen, along with stories about the musicians, promoters, artists, friends, and family who helped support them. Chris also discusses the difficult home life that influenced many of the band's songs, while both reflect on building a following without the internet, social media, or industry connections. Chris and Michael also discuss the musical differences that eventually led to Declared Ungovernable's breakup, the band's music continuing to resonate with fans over the decades, and the reunion performances that followed. They reflect on what they accomplished as teenagers, the surprising longevity of the band's legacy, and the friendships that have survived nearly forty years since those first rehearsals in Winter Park.

    #145 Chris Garbage & Michael Rizzo (Declared Ungovernable)
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Explore the vibrant music scene of Florida, past and present, through in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians, and industry insiders who shaped it. From the pioneers of Florida's punk and rock scenes to the contemporary sounds of today, our podcast delves into the stories, experiences, and memories that have made the state a hub for musical innovation and creativity. Tune in for insightful interviews, fascinating anecdotes, and a journey through the Sunshine State's rich musical heritage.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Kaiser
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Kaiser/Florida Sound Archive 2024
  • Show Website
    Florida Sound Archive Podcast

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