MDC Student Bands Rock Out

The Miami local band scene is a vast one, ranging from diverse neighborhoods in Miami and including people from different walks of life. Here are three such bands:

Mahogany Purple

Mahogany Purple is one of those bands that have emerged onto the scene. They followed their guitarist, Gabe Garcia, 20, after his solo artist career. The primary trait that stands out about Mahogany Purple is that they have a brass section. Their trombonist Alam Monsivaiz, 20, an economics major, and his jazzy input adds a special tone that fans are shocked to hear in Miami’s rock-heavy and alternative-heavy music genre.

Garcia, who finished his associate’s in arts degree in music the past spring, is now seeking his associate’s in science degree in music business to get more experience as his band grows in popularity.

Each member of the band has their role in handling each performance. They all know how to control a crowd.

Within their unique alternative style, they have found a way to make their sound completely different from other Miami bands. Their constant construction of new ideas and various experimentation is what gives them a fresh feel in the industry.

REMYZ

REMYZ has been around a bit longer than other bands. They started out as a group of friends who went to Miami Palmetto Senior High School. Their guitarist Oscar Familia, 23, bassist Chris Martinez, 23, and guitarist Christian Rolon, 22, went on to study at Miami Dade College.

For the past four years, not only has this band grown and learned how to compose music and record themselves, but they have become high-end names in the Miami band scene.

After playing gigs at The Falls for two years every weekend, REMYZ started to set up their own gigs and gain connections with open mic nights, hosting at different venues, and performing at various festivals. They now perform all over Miami and are regulars at Wynwood Yard.

“Playing for four years has taught me how to almost control a crowd and feel out situations,” Rolon said. “Variables such as race, age, amount of people in the audience are all something we take note of on stage in order to adapt and appeal to them more that specific moment.”

During the past four years, they have evolved from a high school band to a buzzing name that brings fans to a euphoric state. Fans dance along to their hit song Sunshine,which features the smooth and voluminous voice of Avery Davis, 21,  the beat of drummer Justin Godbolt, 23, and an engaging treble-filled guitar sound.

Tongue Tied

Tongue Tied is a relatively young band that recently made its way into the Miami band scene and, despite being a band for only two years, they have made quite an impression.

Walking into one of their shows, the audience have their jaws dropped while witnessing Danny Collazo, 16, shredding his guitar with ease. Meanwhile, Alex Alfonso, 19, engages the crowd with her grunge-like persona.

Alfonso, while majoring in music business, takes advantage of all the tactics she has learned in her classes, immediately reflecting onto her band.

“With this band, it feels like there are no pieces that are missing,” Alfonso said. “Our music taste and symmetry when we play on stage is overall very happy and we want it to make people feel genuine and also make them actually enjoy themselves.”

In two years, this band’s unity has brought them into an entirely different place in the local community. They not only represent the younger generation of music, but they also show that friendship and communication are the key ingredients.