This is No Place Like Home. The point of this column is to interview bands about their hometowns and why they love where they’re from. When traveling it is always best to have a local to direct you to the spots worth spending your time and hard-earned money.
When one of our readers travels to a place that is foreign to them they will have some solid recommendations from an awesome source, one of their favorite bands!
I know I look forward to checking out some of these places and am sure that there are many others who would be interested.
Eventually, the intention is to have a full-blown travel guide here at B.G.M.!
Horns up. That classic gesture flashed by concertgoers and metal music fans has been a staple for decades. As time has gone on though is it really the same thing? I know more newborns that rock the horns up while interacting with their parents than people that use it at actual metal shows.
At this point, it is basically the hang loose or shaka sign. Any tourist that visits the Hawaiian islands is going to show their friends a photograph of them going shaka while sipping a mai tai on a pretty beach. For me, the horns up and shaka have always felt like something you are just supposed to do.
I’m sure you’re wondering what the hell I’m going on about. I know, it’s always been that way so just do it Matt. NO. It felt forced for me.
Enter Torche.
Back in 2013 I had the pleasure of watching Torche set The Gorge on fire at Sasquatch! Music Festival. They played on the Bigfoot Stage (the second largest stage in the venue). I didn’t really know the band but a buddy insisted that I get there and be in the front. It was a mid-day set and the sun was out with little cloud impediment. I got my spot against the fence with my green Gatorade squeeze water bottle (HYDRATE OR DIE!). The next 40 minutes were pure sludge pop joy. I realized that the gesture I have been searching for was not the horns. Not the shaka. It was a simple thumbs up and a big ass smile.
Torche released a new album called Admission via Relapse Records this month. With Admission, the band brings us 11 tracks that reinforce the natural reaction I had at that radical show from 2013. It makes you want to raise both arms to the sky and give this dumb beautiful world we live in two thumbs up.
Fans of the band will not be shocked by the consistency of this band. While they have had a bit of a line-up change of sorts with former bassist, Jonathan Nuñez, switching to guitars in 2017 and the band bringing in Eric Hernandez of the band Wrong to fill in on the newly vacated bass duties. This new line up has reinvigorated Torche’s already energetic music and it definitely shows throughout the entirety of Admission.
Torche continues to make heavy jams catchy. In fact, the title track made me double-check who I was listening to until the vocals came in. I thought I stumbled on some unreleased Tears For Fears or The Cure jam.
If they already get this love I apologize for being oblivious. But Torche should get the exposure they deserve. Admission should be your rock record for the summer.
The vibes transmitted through Torche’s art feel like a warm hug. The type of vibes that you get when you put your out of office notification on your work email and then head out for a vacation. Or that elevated sense of accomplishment after playing a 90-minute soccer game and sipping an ice-cold brew.
Everyone should have Torche in their life.
Rating: 5/5
Answers from Torche’s Rick Smith (Drums)
Where does Torche call home and how long have you been there?
Home for Torche is currently Miami, FL. We started in Miami in 2004 but due to members moving around a lot, our home base has also been in Atlanta, Gainesville, and Los Angeles at different times. We were all born and raised in Miami.
Are there any attractions you would consider touristy that you would are a can’t-miss for visitors?
The beach for sure! It doesn’t get more touristy than that but it’s absolutely beautiful and the water is nice most times of the year. That’s the only touristy thing I would recommend anyone do.
If you are hosting friends or family for a weekend, where would you bring people for grub?
There’s so much good food in Miami.
For the healthy, vegans and vegetarians I’d take them to Atlas Meat Free Deli off of 79th, Konata’s on 7th Ave in North Miami, or Bobby’s Meals in Opa Locka.
For Sushi, I would take them to Katana on Miami Beach in the Normandy area. I grew up going to that spot and it’s a proper Miami classic hole In the wall. There’s usually a wait.
For Cuban food, I could recommend spots all over Miami, but one that sticks out is Chug’s Diner in Coconut Grove. It’s a bit gourmet for Cuban and I mean it in the best way possible. Everything I’ve tried there is amazing.
For Mexican, there’s El Carnal on Flagler or Taqueria Los Dos Amigos 2 on NW 32nd Ave in Allapattah. The food at Tacaria on 79th St is good too.
For Indian, there’s Taj Mahal Bengal in Miami Springs.
For ice cream and sweets there are a few good spots: Cream Parlor on Biscayne Blvd being one that sticks out. The brownies are amazing and they have great coffee and hot food and sandwiches too! For something more classic (and Cuban) you can always go to Vicky Bakery in Hialeah. For really amazing vegan sweets there’s L’Artisane Creative Bakery in Surfside (vegans, this is a MUST!).
For fancier pizza/Italian options there’s Harry’s in the Design District and Ironside Kitchen in the Little River area. For by the slice, late-night, classic style pizza there’s Steve’s in North Miami, Casola’s in the Gables/Grove area, East Side Pizza in Shorecrest, or the pizza window at Gramps Bar in Wynwood which is actually really good!
I could go on forever about all the little hole in the wall places worth checking out too.
A key to any hometown is a local watering hole. Any spots that you like to go for drinks? Breweries, dive bars, distilleries… whatever floats your boat.
Oh yeah! Of course! My number one spot is Churchill’s Pub in Little Haiti. Still the best! It’s a dive bar/music venue. There’s also Las Rosas which is newer but also a killer bar and venue, I venture out there if there’s live music.
Smaller dives and other typical bars which aren’t live music venues that I enjoy are Mac’s Club Deuce on South Beach, Happy’s Stork Lounge in North Bay Village, The Club on 7th Avenue in North Miami, Shuckers in North Bay Village, and Billy’s Pub Too in North Miami. Seven Seas in South Miami is good too!
For ultra-late night (past 5am), the Corner in downtown is the spot.
For nicer places to have a drink that aren’t shitty dives, you could go to the Anderson in Shorecrest which has live jazz and other kinds of music and DJ’s some nights. There’s also Lagniappe where I’ve seen some amazing jazz gigs.
For local breweries, I swing by MIA Brewery in Doral every now and then.
Music is life. What music venues should people be checking the calendars for shows to catch?
The ones you’ll have to look out for in Miami proper would be Churchill’s Pub, Las Rosas, Gramps, Space Mountain (DIY show space), and The Ground. Lots of spaces come and go as well but these are the main places to keep an eye on for sure, at least for most live music.
Getting into the world of techno and bass and other styles of electronic music or DJ’s, there’s a handful of places to go like 229 or Electric Pickle for starters. If you’re able to travel to Broward, I’d also keep an eye on Revolution Live, Culture Room, O’Malley’s Pub, and Beer Punx. If you want to get freaky, check out the Fetish Factory.
After working up a sweat at a good show are there any late-night spots to grab a bite or a nightcap?
My usuals are either Steve’s Pizza in North Miami, Epicentro 24 Cafeteria or Chico’s in Hialeah, BBQ Rib Shack in Opa Locka, or Hiro Sushi in North Miami Beach.
The morning after can be rough. Where is your go-to for breakfast and/or coffee?
I typically always do breakfast and coffee on my own but if I had to go out for it, I would do Bagel Bar in North Miami, Coral Bagels in Coral Gables, Cream Parlor on Biscayne Blvd or Frankie’s warehouse deli in Hialeah.
To get out of town life, what are the nature-based options surrounding your city? Any good hikes, camping and other fun outdoors stuff to do?
There’s the Everglades. It’s an amazing place, but can be a little harsh depending on what time of the year. It’s pretty much brutal all year. I would recommend the Keys. A day trip to the Keys can be really nice especially if you enjoy snorkeling and getting in the water. Lots of wildlife to see there. There trails you can hike and see a bunch of wild Key Deer which are specific to the islands. If staying in Miami, there are a couple of nice parks like Greynolds Park and Oleta River state park. At Oleta, you can rent kayaks and venture out to some islands in the bay. It’s a great time. I used to work there at one point!
Admission Download | Admission Vinyl – Physical
Photos – Keans Llamera