I'm always felt a little iffy about Black Box Collective. It's a great idea. For one, it's the areas always all ages place for shows since the closing of the Trapper Keeper. They also do lots of art shows, hip hop nights, graffiti galore, breakdancing contests, art functions for kids... basically anything goes on.

The tradeoffs is it's right in the middle of the downtown ghetto. It's NOT a safe location by any means. There's a homeless shelter across the street. It's not uncommon for panhandlers and questionables that wander onto the compound. It's also an extremely political correct venue. There's no alcohol served either.

This show was a little different than any show i've attended. It was some sort of festival/bbq event with all kinds of bands more geared to an older crowd. No hardcore bands- just weird psychedelic rock and ended up with hip hop. The inside was decorated with streamers and silvery things. Artists were set up around the room doing live painting. There was a food tent set up in the back with free hot dogs, burgers, vegetarian meals. It was free. So were the two kegs of beer. I've never seen beer at BB other than in the parking lot and unmarked cups. The backdrop for the stage was a posed light show with overhead projections with slide shows and liquid swirlies.

First band to play was Bobby Clocks newest band project Soda Pop. He plays in quite a few bands like Franchise, Hippy Gone Wrong and (my favorite) Detective Sandy Vagina. With Soda Pop he ventures into psychedelic folk territory with him on acoustic guitar with his girlfriend Katja Blythe adding on vocals. What I like about Bobby is you can tell he's fully into what he's doing. It adds a sense of believability. The dynamics of quiet coos and cascading delayed feedbacks were something to watch. If he were to move these batch of songs into a full band it would be an experience to behold.

Following Soda Pop was a bar rock outfit called The Unit Shifters. They started with a Nirvana cover ("About A Girl") and followed with a bunch of songs that sounded like something Stone Temple Pilots would have been proud of. This is when I noticed joints being passed around the room. So much for being strict. The Unit Shifter played for a while and it seemed like they were done but jamming had commenced. They even broke it down for a shaker solo while the bass player went for beer.

Then came new band Cotton Candy Cookies and Cream. All I have to say about them it: look out Orlando- this girl and guys have raised the bar in what to expect out of a band. CCCC is the brainchild of Jennifer Hathaway, formerly from Fantasie and Le Charm Conspiracie, who put together her band with bass and synthesizer player Jeff Nowlan (The Evidents) and Danny Feedback, whose band duty is to run a massive effects board for the rest of the band. I don't know who the drummer was- he was very good. The music is heavy and loud. They blew me away. If you ask me they are at the top of heap of active Orlando bands.

Next was a new incarnation of Vomit Pop, whose only original member was the singer/guitarist. New to the band were Hannah (The Sharp Objects, Paradise) on bass and Chuck (Troubled Children) on guitar and a new drummer who wasn't Tina (now in The Little Debbies). They started with a Pixies cover and I don't remember too much about the rest of there set other than Hannah wore a handkerchief covering her face.

Having to follow CCCC went to Room Full of Strangers. Not to be confused with Strangers from Strangers Family Band. These five dudes wear all black, including ski masks and sings songs that have to do with or in the lyrics all about being masked and/or robbing banks. I remember hearing "20th Century Boy" (T Rex), "Little Red Riding Hood" (Sam the Sham version), and one from Times Square. They definitely put thought into the concept but I didn't think they had a unique sound or style.

We didn't stay too long after they were finished. There were several bands yet to go.

Cotton Candy Cookies and Cream.

Vomit Pop.

The Unit Shifter.

Inside the Black Box Collective.

Soda Pop.

A Room Full of Strangers.

Videos:

 
Cotton Candy Cookies and Cream.

Links:
Soda Pop
Vomit Pop
Unit Shifters
A Room Full of Strangers
The Black Box Collective
Cotton Candy Cookies and Cream