jim camacho

Long time Not Lamers - ones from the 90s - will recognize the name of the band THE GOODS. Jim Camacho was the leader of that Florida-based band. It`s a warm, familiar feeling for me listening to impassioned, piano-drive melodies on "Beachfront Defeat" as all the elements that endeared me to The Goods are here, refined by years of life going by bringing the temperance of so-called wisdom. Camacho has a rough-hewed voice that works perfecting inside his pounding (he hits `em hard like Joe Jackson) ivories. This is modern day rock that, if radio embraced veterans like Camacho, people listening to the songs on their radios would respond to. His material has always had that effect.
"Beachfront Defeat" is a culmination of all the memorable music upon which he`s built his reputation... the aching emotions, the heart-wrenching melodies, the exquisite arrangements... the things that have made him one of the most indelible performers in the indie-rock music scene. Melodic and pop-driven, Camacho`s signature allegiance to straightforward melodies is the backbone of Beachfront. Jim Camacho is all about having great pop sensibility with a serious knack for melody. The passion here is palpable, the energy and intensity riveting and enthralling. His music will grow on you. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

- Bruce Brodeen - NOT LAME

There's little down time for Jim Camacho. The South Florida native's driven, prolific career, blending rock 'n' roll with Americana alternative music, has made him a fixture on the local music scene and beyond for two decades.

Resting seems to be a luxury for Camacho, whose fast-tracked trajectory began with playing in the Goods during the 1990s alongside his brother, John. He's been on the go ever since, turning solo and churning out a diverse array of projects that include tours, contributions to movie sound tracks and composing rock operas.

His most recent effort is the new disc Beachfront Defeat. He's been promoting the full-length album — his third as a solo artist — from the moment it dropped this summer with live gigs and radio blitzes. A music video for the song Is It Me comes out in February.

Beachfront came about following Camacho's return home from the road as an opening act for Alicia Keys and John Legend. The CD's a vast departure from the strictly solitary feat he performed on his last disc, 2005's Stalker Songs.

He recruited 17 friends to join him in the studio for Beachfront, with their talents sprinkled throughout the 11 tracks. He describes the album's overall vibe as hopeful.

"Most of the songs deal with facing your own fears and taking your power back," said Camacho, a South Miami resident. "It's very optimistic."

Beachfront joins a body of work that's keeping Camacho busy. He's continually on the move, collaborating with other artists, writing new material and performing shows with his backup band featuring drummer Jordan Welch, guitarist Fritz Dorigo and bassist Tony Smith. - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

January 8, 2010

There's little down time for Jim Camacho. The South Florida native's driven, prolific career, blending rock 'n' roll with Americana alternative music, has made him a fixture on the local music scene and beyond for two decades.

Resting seems to be a luxury for Camacho, whose fast-tracked trajectory began with playing in the Goods during the 1990s alongside his brother, John. He's been on the go ever since, turning solo and churning out a diverse array of projects that include tours, contributions to movie sound tracks and composing rock operas.

His most recent effort is the new disc Beachfront Defeat. He's been promoting the full-length album — his third as a solo artist — from the moment it dropped this summer with live gigs and radio blitzes. A music video for the song Is It Me comes out in February.

Beachfront came about following Camacho's return home from the road as an opening act for Alicia Keys and John Legend. The CD's a vast departure from the strictly solitary feat he performed on his last disc, 2005's Stalker Songs.

He recruited 17 friends to join him in the studio for Beachfront, with their talents sprinkled throughout the 11 tracks. He describes the album's overall vibe as hopeful.

"Most of the songs deal with facing your own fears and taking your power back," said Camacho, a South Miami resident. "It's very optimistic."

Beachfront joins a body of work that's keeping Camacho busy. He's continually on the move, collaborating with other artists, writing new material and performing shows with his backup band featuring drummer Jordan Welch, guitarist Fritz Dorigo and bassist Tony Smith.

Listeners can catch Camacho doing his thing tonight at Luna Star Cafe, 775 NE 125th St., North Miami; lunastarcafe.com or 305-799-7123.

Camacho's also appearing Jan. 15 on a double bill with Electric Piquete at Stage 84, 9118 W. State Road 84, Davie; chocolatemoosecafe.com or 954-474-5040. A show with Camacho, Ex Norwegian and Dreaming in Stereo is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Monterey Club, 2608 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; themontereyclub.net or 954-467-1169.

For more information, go to jimcamacho.com - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jim Camacho
Beachfront Defeat (Broken Records)

Jim Camacho's latest album, Beachfront Defeat, marks the latest chapter in an ever-prolific career that stems from his initial involvement in the Goods some two decades back. His is a seemingly unstoppable trajectory, one that that's found him a fluent multitasker who's also adept in musical theater and cross-collaboration.

Indeed Beachfront Defeat was one of two new discs Camacho proffered this past year, the other being Hail Mary, the eponymous debut by Camacho and singer/songwriter Jodi Marr. Still, the ex-Goods guy has always been most proficient on his own, where his musical persona is defined by angst-rattled melodies and weary desperation. However, the album also boasts Camacho's penchant for crafting compelling choruses, and indeed, songs such as "Long Ago," "Colors," and "Beachfront Defeat" soar with their compelling refrains and performances so resounding, they cause one to wonder why Camacho hasn't burst from the beachfront and on to the national stage. - New Times Broward/Palm Beach

Jennifer Hanlon
MIAMI (CBS4) ?

Jim Camacho's latest album, Beachfront Defeat, is the perfect complement to any road trip adventure. The appropriately titled album is bursting with feel-good songs that possess soulful lyrics. His music, like the wonder and calm of the ocean, takes you on a thought-invoking journey, rousing reflection and inspiration. The album features songs about love, heartbreak, moving on, adventure and faith.

Camacho's songs, all paired with the strum of his acoustic guitar, are layered with meaningful lyrics that everyone can relate to on some level.

"Hello, The End" injects us with a dose of reality, sincerely reminding us that if we are guaranteed anything in this life, it's a change in the tide, an ending to each of the chapters in our lives. "You're my truest friend, hello the end…Out with the old, in with the new."

"Who Knows" urges the importance of doing what you really want in life: "I wanna walk on ice, never think twice…I need to take my chance today or my life will never be mine…I can't go where there is no room to grow…who knows, who knows, who knows."

"Vegas" is just a fun song that makes you want to go out and have an unpredictable, adventuresome night.

Camacho has released three albums since he went solo. His 90's band, The Goods, released five albums including the rock opera 5 Steps to Getting Signed, which won "Album of the Year" at the Florida Jammy Awards, and they were also the subject of a documentary which aired on VH1.

To learn more about The New Times' "Best Songwriter" and "Best Acoustic Performer," visit http://www.jimcamacho.com/.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
- CBS Broadcasting

BEST SONGWRITER
Jim Camacho
Camacho has been on the Miami scene for more than a decade, first as one of the voices behind the Goods, and more recently fronting his own band. He wears his allegiance to melody (Beatles comparisons are inevitable) on his sleeve, and while the Goods' songwriting prowess fluctuated, Camacho's solo work keeps getting better. His 2001 release Trouble Doll featured Big Star-style power pop. An upcoming full-length raises the ante with an early-Replacements feel just gritty enough to offset some of the pop shimmer. - Miami New Times

Jim Camacho
BEST LOCAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMER Jim Camacho Although he's years removed from major-label status (via his now-defunct band the Goods), Jim Camacho is still an ambitious performer. This past fall he released an independent album, Stalker Songs, that was beautifully packaged with a series of postcards designed by Charlie Calderin and himself, illustrating each of its fifteen songs. He mounted Fools' Paradise: A Musical of Love and War, a play set during World War II and costarring local rockers such as Derek Cintron (DC-3) and Ferny Coipel (Humbert). But Camacho is at his best when he's onstage alone. From illuminating his own tracks (which you can hear at www.myspace.com/jimcamacho) with sharp, raspy melodies to interpreting songs by the Beatles, Jim Camacho has a knack for producing indelible live performances with nothing but an acoustic guitar and his voice. - New Times

By Erica Landau

As new numbers for jobs lost come out this month, everyone is filled with anxiety, anxiety about pursuing dream jobs vs. realizing responsibilities and weathering the economic storm. But at the same time everyone maintains hope, that ever-overused word that got pounded into our subconscious with Obama's election. Musicians, however, deal with this dilemma no matter the state of the economy.

South Florida's Jim Camacho came close to major label success with his band The Goods, first with Columbia, then with Joan Jett's record company, Blackheart. Things didn't pan out, and he's now crafting his own brand of alternative rock. But it's hard not to apply the baggage of his history to the opening track of Jim Camacho's new release Beachfront Defeat.


"Is It Me" communicates Camacho's anxiety about being successful, but not necessarily as a rock star. (It's just hard not to apply Camacho's history when hearing the single.) "Is It Me" is standard-issue though carefully-crafted alternative rock containing lyrics about "losing control" and "holding too tightly." While the label adult-alternative might send you running considering all the crap that finds its way on the airwaves, Camacho is all pop sensibility with a serious knack for melody. His music will grow on you. He plays at Luna Star Cafe tomorrow and Alligator Alley Saturday.

- Miami Crossfade

Garage Rock Cowboy

By ERICA K. LANDAU

Published on June 25, 2009

Before the straw-haired singer-songwriter Jim Camacho was one of South Florida’s acoustic darlings, he fronted one of the most exciting South Florida bands, the Goods, during one of the most exciting eras of South Florida music, the early 1990s. Delivering melody-driven garage rock, the band developed a rabid fanbase almost immediately and came seriously close to major-label success, first with Columbia, then with Joan Jett’s record company Blackheart. Billboard magazine called the Goods the ultimate local band, and Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids’ first gig was opening for them at Churchill’s in 1990.

However, things didn’t pan out, and 10 years later, Camacho is delivering his own brand of carefully crafted alternative rock. He still works with former bandmates, two of whom will support him at Luna Star Cafe on Friday, celebrating the release party of his fourth and latest effort, Beachfront Defeat. From the urgency of the single “Marie” to the infectious “Cowboy Jim,” Camacho’s signature allegiance to straightforward melodies is the backbone of Beachfront. But for Jim, crafting enjoyable, accessible tunes does not come at the expense of astute and poignant lyricism. That's demonstrated, for instance, by the smooth poetics found on “Who Knows,” a song which blends funny angst (“I want to shave my head and go to bed… I want to dress up like my mom and walk around town and then I’ll be alright) with a subtle anxiety about self-preservation and the future.
- Broward New Times