Sarasota is a booze fueled, hook driven, punk rock and roll band from Huntington, WV. Formed in the summer of 2000. Numerous Line-up changes through the years. Released 2 EP's that are impossible to find. Trust us, you're better off.
We don't have a schtick. We don't wear eyeliner. We don't wear matching outfits. We don't have matching guitars/equipment. We don't care if we sell a million records. We're just four poor motherfuckers that love our music. Plain and simple. Cut and dry. No bullshit.
Members of Sarasota were also in: Digger (Hopeless Records), The Connie Dungs (Mutant Pop Records), Out of Nowhere (Blindspot Records), No Idea (Paranoid! Records), No Heroes Here, Beer for Blood, and Lloyd Have Mercy
"...If these boys ever teamed up with Phil Spector you would get the audio equivalent to the Winchester House, if they could bring themselves to not be too creeped out by the dead girl in the closet."
-- Paul 'The Sex Viper' Weaver
Saturday, September 13, 2008
CD REVIEW: Sarasota
Boy, we really dropped the ball on this one. We had heard about the dual CD release show for Sarasota and The Dig-Its back in February, but due to our desire to get The Dig-Its "Know It All" we overlooked one of the best local punk CDs we've ever got our hands on.
Thanks to Dave Cantrell of The Concept, now we know just how hard this Huntington-based four-piece (don't call it pop) punk band rocks. The 10-song CD (nine originals, one cover) is one of the most impressive, musically coherent efforts we've listened to recently.
"All We Know" opens things up with singer-guitarist Mike Schritter "...dreaming of something a little different" than his lonely, depressing hometown. Like most of the songs on the CD, there are sing-along choruses with killer backing vocals; "Where do we go? Does anybody know? Where do we go when this is all we know."
"Boy You Never Learn" is Sarasota's apparent response to their parents' disapproval of punk rock. As Schritter sings in his gutteral, emotive style on the chorus:
"I'm too damn young to care what you think/too damn old to ever change. I hate to say, but the harder you try, the more I stay the same."
"By The Way Side" could have easily been the title for the CD; a narrative of solitude, depression and the hope of finding a new home emerges, with more great lyrics: "Staring up at the sun, from the bottom of the sea. I can't believe the clarity..." and a voice inside "screaming 'somebody throw me a line.'"
"Everything Changes" -- one of the best songs on the CD -- helps turn the corner from nihilism to hope for the future, despite "...picking back up on bad habits," (read: drinking) and a loss of self-control. Schritter sings on the chorus:
"Everything changes, so I'll wait and see. If everything changes in my life, it will be my only guarantee."
The substance abuse theme continues with the aptly titled "Cigarettes and Alcohol" with more great sing-along choruses: "If these walls could speak, they'd lock me up and throw away the key. If these walls could speak, they'd say I finally got what was coming to me."
Probably our favorite song is "Woe Say Canseco" -- not just a word play on a disgraced former MLB slugger -- but the real gem of the CD, it seems. It opens and closes with a Get Smart sample, but in the middle it's cathartic punk rock at it's best. As the band waits for "dinosaurs to die out," Schritter is "...ready to say fuck it all and dive head first into the crowd." More awesome lyrics: "I'm better than anyone I know at doing all the things the world hates the most. We're all searching for meaning, how do you describe a feeling? I don't know." The chorus is just one big "WHOAH" so yes, West Virginia, there are whoahs in the CD.
The lovelorn "Kerosene" and the acoustic, introspective "Can't Remember To Forget" round out the CD nicely.
If we'd paid $15 or $20 for this CD at an FYE or something, we'd still be satisfied. There's a NOFX song called "The Desperation's Gone" that comes to mind when hearing this band: the desperation is very much alive in Sarasota's music and lyrics.
If you ever wanted a look at what it means to be in a punk band, like punk rock, or just live around these here parts and do either of the first two, you'll find this CD easily recognizable. Musically and lyrically, Sarasota hits all the right notes on this CD.
---WVRockScene.blogspot.com
We need a Few local bands to play for free in Wheeling WV at Yesterdays With Touring Bands One Short Fall and Tit Patrol We would like to have you guys jump on this show , and if thats a yes or no do you know of any other bands in Wheeling or near that would play ? Need bands with a following or draw so we get the local crowd out . Thanks for ur time
Hey guys! I've started posting songs to The WV Scene Playlist, but need the help of all the WV Area bands to decide how the Playlists should be done. I'd really appreciate it if you took part in the poll I've posted on The WV Scene myspace page. After all this is a site meant to look after the best interests of the artists whether they be professional or just beginning. (Be sure to add our activity stream so that we can better communicate what it is we're trying to do).
Send Press kits Send Demos Send CDs Send us your music.. ASAP!!
WE BOOK BANDS AND PROMOTE ! WE HELP GET YOU ON THE RADIO!!
We are opening a club/venue/store and want to play your music over our sound system and get you heard! We will display your t-shirts, fliers, stickers, cds, buttons and any other items you wish! We will have fans filling up your inbox and demanding more!!
Lets get you heard!!
Send your music and other items to:
Justin or Heather Slieone 177 Zion Road Newburg PA 17240
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Just wanted to stop by and let you know that you can download our EP "hugs kisses deathwishes" for free from this little widget below. Just download and enjoy some horror punk goodness.
if you want to listen to other things we've been up to check out some of these links
HEY PUNK ROCKERS of the music community please come and check out the transmissions...........
September 1st at the V club time 9pm tickets available at the door September 4th at tequila rocks-time tba--event starts at 7pm as part of a 9 band showcase presented by the Tristate music scene September 5th at the russell movie gallery time 7pm -free show We play fast and fun punk rock tunes come out and give us a listen.........a good time will be had by all ROCK ON AND PUNK OUT THE TRANSMISSIONS
It's the very first episode of INTERGALACTIC and it's the first thing me and Morgan have ever acted in. It's a work in progress. I learn as I go. It's a great start though. We had a lot of fun and will be putting more stuff out soon. Maybe next time we'll have a script.
I fucking find it HILARIOUS!!!! I'm so proud of how bad it sucks. I hate introductions... I can't just start killing people. Maybe next time... maybe next time.
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