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Hollywood LoveScene: Carlos Zada, Bruce Ryan, Julian Vasquez, Carlos 'Chops' Rodriguez, Joe Malmuth. (Photo by Barbara Taylor)
More: Directions to Saturday’s Delray show, nearby dining | Visit their website
Carlos Zada is trying to catch a few precious minutes of sleep as his bandmates in Hollywood LoveScene begin getting ready for a photo shoot off Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach.
The rest of the guys are talking about why the guy they call “Z” is so tired — the show they played the night before, at Delray Beach’s Hurricane Bar, was the kind bands like this dream of.
The crowd was into the show from the first note, and Hollywood LoveScene is the kind of band that has energy to burn. Combine that with Zada’s internal alarm clock going off inexplicably at 6:30 a.m., and no one blames him for sacking out.
“At a show like that, you feed off the energy of the crowd,” said guitarist Bruce Ryan. “They get things started for you.”
If everything goes according to plan, there could be more shows like that, in more places, for Hollywood LoveScene, which returns to the Hurricane on Sat., Aug. 14.
The West Palm Beach-based quintet, which is known as HLS for short and has been in its present form for three years, is putting the finishing touches on a new EP, which they hope will raise their profile.
“It’s almost like we’re being shot out of a cannon,” said bassist Joe Malmuth. “Our goal by the end of the year is to basically own all of Florida. I think we’re on our way — our fan base is like an ever-growing number of circles.”
Hollywood LoveScene, whose greatest strength is its versatility within a modern rock sound, actually boosted its profile in an interesting way last year.
They decided to record a cover — but instead of picking the usual rock standby, they went down the road less traveled: a remake of Paula Abdul’s Straight Up.
Local radio stations picked up on the amped-up version of the 1990s dance classic, and the video for their version ended up posted on the web page of Abdul’s fan club.
Now, they’re hoping their new songs help build on the success of Straight Up.
“We’re about 99 percent done with the album now,” said lead singer Julian Vasquez. “We just needed to add a ballad — one with good guitars, a real power ballad.”
One advantage Hollywood LoveScene has is the bandmates basically have their very own studio — Vasquez helps run Ear Candy Studios in Parkland, considered one of the area’s top recording spots. Combine that with the chops Vasquez has as a producer and engineer, and it’s a big step up.
“We’ve been getting in there between other people recording,” Malmuth said, “and as a result, we don’t have to deal with outside producers.”
It’s a common theme for this band — it’s a tight-knit unit of good friends. The band started five years ago when Malmuth found Zada, a guitarist, and Vasquez. Zada brought in Ryan as a second guitarist, and after their original drummer didn’t work out, Carlos “Chops” Rodriguez came aboard and learned the parts in “about 10 days”, Malmuth said.
“The great thing now is that the chemistry for us is definitely there,” Malmuth said. “We know what everyone else is thinking.”
And it shows, especially live when they get to play venues like the Hurricane. The rock bar is a big change from other places HLS used to play, where they couldn’t crank up to full volume. Can’t really play full blast when people are eating dinner, apparently.
“When we play a live show, the volume has to be incorporated into the experience,” Vasquez said. “Otherwise, it doesn’t work.”
When it does work, the energy these guys have could lift a place like the Hurricane off the ground.
“I can’t imagine a better group of guys to play with,” Vasquez said. “We’ve been on the road, and there’s bickering, but no real fighting.”
“A few of us might gang up on someone — it’s more like acting like brothers,” Malmuth added.
“If you can’t have fun dissing these guys, it ain’t worth it,” Vasquez said.
Great band, great guys. I had seen the “Straight Up” video before I got a chance to catch a show. The video is SO GOOD, it makes ya wonder if the band can produce the same effect in a live performance. The answer is “HELL YES!” Actually, they’re even better LIVE. Their original songs are well-written radio-ready hits, their take on covers is dead clever, their energy is contagious, and to top it all off, they happen to all be excellent musicians with great chemistry. Sometimes a band comes along in the South Florida music scene that really stands out among the rest. HLS is one of those bands. My advice to all of you: Catch a performance as soon as possible because pretty soon, you’ll be needing to buy a ticket!
I can still recall my first Hollywood LoveScene experience. My sister and I saw flyers posted up around our college campus that advertised an upcoming live show with a band called “Hollywood LoveScene”. The part that caught our attention was “As heard on MTV”…so naturally we HAD to check it out ;) Well, that was 2007. Since then, we have seen these guys progress into one of THE BEST bands to come out of South Florida. From catchy, well-written original pop/rock tracks to soaring ballads, along with their creative spins on classic songs, they are truly a force to be reckoned with!!
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented, hard-working band!!!
This band is really good!!!!
It is my favorite band. The guys are great! They are all very talented!
They seem like another pop boy band (even though they look like they ar in their mid 20′s) trying to act like rockers. Bands like these are a dime a dozen- nothing memorable.
Sheila- you obviously know nothing about music. welcome to 2010 and to new rock
Hollywood Lovescene isn’t your typical rock band!! They have amazing stage presence and their shows are ALWAYS guaranteed to be a good time! Don’t prejudge the band by what you see…because there is so much more to HLS. I can never describe their live performances to my friends ; they just have to witness it for themselves! Trust me when I say to give them a chance and check out a show. =) HLS fan since 2007!
PEOPLE OF SOUTH FLORIDA: I encourage you to check out HLS and experience the musicianship, poise & commitment this band pours into its shows ASAP. A more dynamic lead singer, a harder shredding lead guitarist or a more consistently solid live show does not exist. There’s a reason these guys work every weekend people – go to a show, take them in and thank me later.
First off, THANK YOU JON!!
Secondly, everyones comments, love, and support is the best feeling in the world. We love all of you!
Thirdly, to Sheila:
Here is one thing that is different about us, I am taking the time to sit here and write to you personally instead of no response or some publicist or intern writing empty words to you. I would like to extend an invitation to you. Come see us at hurricanes next month, Sept 24. We will give you a $50 bar tab. Lets you still feel we are “nothing memorable,” after that…… :)
Joe, HLS
I saw these guys last year, they have a decent sound. Seems the band has been around a while and still playing in local bars. My two cents, they need to go on a tour (outside of WPB)
Just so we are clear, that post wasn’t Hollywood Lovescene, or me. impersonation is off-hand praise I guess but don’t be fooled. Me and all of HLS would not respond in the way that comment comes across….
Hi Joe. Yeah, that seemed out of character. Hope Sheila comes to your show, NOT expecting the bar tab!
Going to be honest, just saw this band and to me – the drummer, guitarists were solid…the singer seemed a bit too “backstreet boys” for me. Sorry, being honest. Get a solid vocalist that fits your sound and you boys are solid. NSync and Rock and Roll don’t mix…Hate on me all you want but I’m sure everyone agrees! Cheers!