Radioboxer

At first glance, the Radioboxer show might seem like a simple explosion of energy. It has been all along. And in a lot of ways, it still is. But theirs is a much more practiced hand now -- the ebb and flow of the show, the frenzy of distortion-driven songs and thundering drums, punctuated at key points with flair or moments of finessing the crowd. It's really a very far cry from the band's early days of bouncing around and lead singer Vanne Dazza abusing bandmates by clocking one of them as they tried to keep pace. (In a totally good-natured, caught-up kind of way, of course.) - http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2011/04/concert_review_radioboxer_last.php

At first glance, the Radioboxer show might seem like a simple explosion of energy. It has been all along. And in a lot of ways, it still is. But theirs is a much more practiced hand now -- the ebb and flow of the show, the frenzy of distortion-driven songs and thundering drums, punctuated at key points with flair or moments of finessing the crowd. It's really a very far cry from the band's early days of bouncing around and lead singer Vanne Dazza abusing bandmates by clocking one of them as they tried to keep pace. (In a totally good-natured, caught-up kind of way, of course.) - http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2011/04/concert_review_radioboxer_last.php

No band has risen more quickly to the top of Miami’s indie scale than Radioboxer. The relatively young group seemingly came out of nowhere in 2008 and amassed a following that would make most veterans of the local music scene jealous. With the release of its first full-length, Radio Drama, the band proved it means business by meshing electronic backbeats with ska, garage, and surf rock, a combination that has led to comparisons to another female-fronted group, No Doubt.

If you’re wary of Radioboxer’s appeal, check it out this Saturday at the Annex. Inspired by Radio Drama’s sound, the space will be outfitted with “carnies” and works by local artists, and there will even be a 1940s carnival-fashion freak show that the band promises will combine “red carpet” ambiance with the vibe of eclectic music.

The show begins promptly at 9 p.m. and is free with RSVP. - The Miami New Times

"Radioboxer performed love and released its album debut Radio Drama at The Annex. Photos by Jipsy"

http://www.nbcmiami.com/enjoy-this/Rock-Circus-53345737.html - NBC Miami Local

The circus is coming to town...the town of Hialeah, that is. At least that's what the press release accompanying my invitation to Radioboxer's presentation of their debut album Radio Drama says. Judging by the effort they put into these nifty venereal vids (why do people keep calling them that?) we posted a couple weeks back, and the resulting quality, that seems like a promise the locally-bred rock group will make good on.

The concept behind this particular show is a unique one, playing upon the recurring circus theme embarked upon at the album's onset with the kitschy "Run Away From Home and Join the Travelling Band". The atmosphere in the Annex will combine a 1940's carnival setting with some very distinctly Miamian art fixtures, including exhibits and listening stations where you can check out tunes from some local favs, like Huma Rojo, Afrobeta and Minimal.

Did we mention there will be "special carnies" on hand? Oh, and if you needed further enticing, your Reader's Choice for 2009 Best Band will be performing live, naturally. So join the travelling band yourself, in the City of Progress this Saturday for a local show that promises to be well outside the norm.

Radioboxer will be performing at the Annex (9911NW 80 Ave, Hialeah, FL, 33016) on Saturday, August 15. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is free, but you need to RSVP either by e-mailing contact@radiobrokemyheart.com or by visiting www.myspace.com/radioboxerband. - Miami New Times

Radioboxer están dispuestos a demostrar que hay talento indie también al otro lado del charco.

Esta banda, formada en 2008 en Miami por Vanne Dazza (voz), J Dazza (bajo), Gian Nicolaci (teclados), Esteban Gómez (guitarra) y Tekila 23 (batería), definen su estilo como pop/rock muy cercano al power pop. Lo cierto es que en su música podemos encontrar una curiosa (y exitosa) mezcla de punk, ritmos latinos y algo de country.

Prueba de ello son las diferencias que encontramos en temas suyos, como la potente 'G.M.V' o su particular 'Bolero', ambas incluidas en su disco debut, 'Radio Drama'.

Gracias a él ya han llamado la atención de publicaciones locales como Miami New Times o Miami Herald y de su música han dicho cosas como que son "un talentuoso paciente de manicomio con múltiples personalidades" o una mezcla de "Modest Mouse, Aterciopelados y Pink Floyd". Puedes descubrir si tienen razón escuchándoles aquí.

Nosotros de momento destacamos, por encima de todas las cosas, la potente y versátil voz de Vanessa Dazza, todo un descubrimiento. - Spinner Megazine

"Local band Radioboxer took at The Annex in Hialeah for a art-meets-music event that featured works by local artists as well as a live performance by the band"

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/slideshow/view/28199439/31
- Miami New Times

What do you get when combine the influences of bands like Modest Mouse, Aterciopelados, and Pink Floyd? The answer is Radioboxer, a feisty new group from Miami. With a moniker that describes their inclination to spar against the mainstream for space on crowded radio waves, this unsigned indie-alt rock band's persistence in boxing their way to the top is starting to pay off.

"Everybody knows that we are in a 'clubbing city,' so it's hard to compete as a live rock band; however, it's not impossible and [we offer] friends and other people with similar mentalities another option," said lead vocalist Vanne. "That's why we go berserk during our shows. If people make the effort to drive and spend their hard-earned money, they deserve our sweat and blood."

Last year, band mates Vanne, J Dazza (bass/guitar), Santos (bass/guitar) remained together after the split of their former band Falaz and added Esteban (guitar), Gian (keyboards/guitar) and Tequila 23 (drums) to the lineup. Their debut CD, Radio Drama, released in November, has already garnered a significant following and is a self-described explosion of dramatic sounds fusing punk, electronic, Latin rhythms and folk with a nostalgic European sound. Their hits, from the fast-paced "Placebo Effect" to the anguished melancholy sounds of "Radio Broke My Heart," showcase the band's wide range of styles and sounds.

"[We plan to] promote Radio Drama, record our music videos, play as many shows as we can in Florida, tour in California and New York... start recording our next album and keep it real, " said J Dazza of the groups myriad future plans. He continued with a mischievous air, "Just kidding, we'll keep it magical."

For more info on Radioboxer, visit their website at www.myspace.com/radioboxerband

Published: 1/09
- Rayme Samuels

What in hell is Radioboxer, you might be wondering, and why does it want to hurt me? Well, to answer the former, it's probably one of the coolest local bands you haven't heard of yet. The latter is just a thinly veiled play on words, but it's arguably an accurate description of the more aggressive tracks on the group's debut album, Radio Drama. Unfortunately, riffing on the whole boxer thing overlooks the melodic soundscapes painted by subtle ballads such as "Reckless Behavior" or quirky songs like "While You Wait," a brief instrumental featuring kitschy synthesizers.

Esteban Gomez
Radioboxer: Keep your ears open for these up-and-comers.
Subject(s):
Radioboxer, Miami local music, Shack North Studios, Hialeah, MedleyIt's a recent Wednesday afternoon at Shack North Studios, a 1,200-square-foot space nestled among a string of warehouses located just off the Palmetto Expressway near the Hialeah/Medley border. The group recorded its album here, and today the members have gathered to practice. Band cofounder, bassist, and, for all intents and purposes, leader, J (who uses the Spanish pronunciation, HO-tah), is partaking in Heineken with some of the others.

"We usually don't drink at practice. We just wanted to look cool [for this interview]," says keyboardist Gian, familiar green bottle in hand.

The quip is par for the course. It's clear the musicians — vocalist Vanne, bassist J, guitarists Santos and Esteban, drummer Tequila, and Gian — are all jokesters. Right off the bat, there's ribbing about which members J has kicked out and consequently let back in. He quickly replies, chuckling, that he'll kick them out again if he needs to.

Much of the interview goes that way. There are about 45 minutes of tape, only seven or eight of which are usable. The rest is mostly raucous laughter, but eventually the bandmates get around to discussing their music.

It's "electronic-driven with hints of country, straight-forward rock sounds," J says, "basically a 21st-century alternative rock band. We try not to stop any sound [from being included] under the pretext of 'it's not our sound.' We just play it."

There's even more to the stylistic intermingling than J has mentioned. Punk, ska, and 1960s garage also play lead roles. J agrees, pointing out that those are Tequila's big influences.

"Yeah," the young drummer says simply and then looks around shiftily to find all eyes on him. "Like, what else do you want me to say?" he asks to a chorus of laughter. "Um, I listen to the Libertines," he eventually continues. "I listen to Babyshambles. I just play for the love of it. I play for fun. I love playing with these guys. That's it."

That sentiment seems to be the common thread among the members, and it shines through in their music. Radio Drama kicks off with a playful instrumental composition, "Run Away from Home and Join the Traveling Band," which sounds like something you might hear at a gypsy sideshow. That somehow melds seamlessly into the second track, "G.M.V.," one of the band's popular rockers, which begins with a crash of drums and a churning guitar oozing fuzzy distortion.

Across the rest of the disc, Radioboxer revels in variety. "Radio Broke My Heart" is reminiscent of early No Doubt, featuring dramatic melodies that Vanne delivers with her expansive voice before the track breaks down into funky ska for the chorus. "The Killer" opens with vocals worthy of golden-era cabaret and then with surprising ease sweeps from a flamenco-surf hybrid to punk. Another standout, "Placebo Effect," is all New Wave and power pop, featuring catchy synth lines.

But though the album bears a nearly tangible lightness, that perception can be deceiving. It was a labor of love two years in the making, which coincided with the tumultuous existence of the band's previous incarnation, Falaz, comprising most of the same members.

"We wanted to start over," explains Santos, who left the band for a period. "Something wasn't working. At the end of Falaz, everything was going downhill. I was gone, we'd already finished the record, and they sent it to me and it sounded nice. But then when I came back and saw them again, the energy was there. Seeing Radioboxer again, with Tequila and Esteban onboard, there was just so much energy."

Like any young musicians, their dream is to live off of their music career. But in the meantime, they're content to continue making music and enjoying the communion of a band and a crowd in one of South Florida's dives.

"We're very proud of our live shows," J says. "There's a ton of energy. People usually think Vanne has multiple personalities."

Vanne nods in agreement as everyone laughs. "For me, when I sing," she says, "I get really angry, and that energy is exposed like that. So usually I try to kill Gian onstage."

Gian laughs. "It's true," he says. "Last show she slapped me and my glasses flew offstage. My ear was bleeding."

"Live shows, for us, are a release of energy," Esteban explains. "Monday through Friday you have to work. Definitely we release that energy in our shows."

And listening to the record, you feel like it couldn't be any other way. A group of young friends that enjoys making music together. A stage just a foot higher than the beer sludge-caked floor in a smoky bar. Rock 'n' roll, at once loud and melodic. What more could you want than the ass-kicking that ensues?
- Miami New Times