Jim Camacho
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Jim Camacho

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The best kept secret in music

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"The Goods"

Billboard Magazine once called The Goods the "ultimate local band," but theSouth Florida unit is about to change all that.
Fueled by a label deal with Jack Utsick's Omega Records, The Goods are guaranteed an all-important and necessary national distribution deal. This is a major coup! -a one-hour VH-1 special built around the group. Therefore, the title of the Goods' new album becomes self-rophetic..."Good Things Are Coming. "

However, for The Goods, good things have taken their time arriving...If rock bands are supposed to pay their dues on the highway to success, The Goods may be forgiven for thinking they've been overcharged at many toll booths, and overpaid their collective share.

The Goods have been an integral part of the Miami rock scene, weathering all its highs and lows, for nearly a decade, started by Jim and John Camacho, brothers with a passion for rock and The Beatles.

"Miami is a place for music," explains Jim. "There are awesome groups around but the audiences are weaned on a different kind ofmusic to that of The Goods -the Latin thing. Gloria Estefan can sellout in two hours, but rock is a harder sell and there are not a lot ofrock clubs to play."

Adds John: "But this makes the bands better, makes them work. The most dedicated people are the rock band musicians. The Goods carry the torch of rock and roll."

The first thing The Goods did on arrival back in Miami was set up in their home yard and play, play, play...kick out the jams! There was, admittedly, some talk of giving up, disbanding, but instead they turned the pain of California into a creative project. The group self-produced a mini album, a rock opera based on their experiences, called "Five Steps To Getting Signed."

It was musical catharsis and it worked. Not only that, but it received praise from the New York Times and Spin Magazine.
- Sonic Garden


"various"

Pop Rock Wonderment!
-Scorerocks.com

puts the "Pow!" in power pop.
-Palm Beach Post

Jim Camacho voted Best Songwriter
-Miami New Times



- Blurbs


"FOOLS' PARADISE Rock Opera"

Rock and opera have always had a torrid love affair -- common elements like tragedy, urgency, and a flair for the dramatic have kept them cozy with each other. And for alternative singer-songwriter Jim Camacho, the union of the two has provided inspiration for some of his best work. This week Camacho unveils his latest opus, Fool's Paradise, starring local musicians from the four corners of the South Florida scene.

Fools' Paradise takes place in Paris, France in the summer of 1940, right before the Nazi invasion. The story revolves around a circus troupe and a love-struck mime named Poe. His heart aches for a trapeze artist named Angela who is in love with the acrobat Francois. Are you following the triangle so far? Following the invasion of Germany, the troupe disbands, and many join the resistance, which is led by Poe's twin brother. Poe watches helplessly as Angela's love for Francois grows deeper. Then tragedy strikes -- Francois is captured by the Nazis, driving Angela to despair. How will Poe help Angela recover the happiness she has lost? For that tidbit, you'll have to show up.

Screw Tommy and his pinball wizardry and Les Miserables' penchant for cruelty; a new kid is on the block. Experience Fool's Paradise on Friday, December 10, at Churchill's (5501 NE Second Ave., Little Haiti; 305-757-1807). Show starts at 11 p.m., cover is $10, and it's an 18-and-over event. Performing before and after the show are DC3, the Holy Terrors, Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Dreaming in Stereo, Arlan Feiles, the Amazing Dik Shuttle, Humbert, ESP, and Jim Camacho. For more info, go to JimCamacho.com.

-BY RENE ALVAREZ




- NEW TIMES


"Palm Beach Post"

Vocalist/guitarist Jim Camacho was once part of The Goods, a Miami band that dominated South Florida's pop scene for much of the 1990s (even attracting the attention of legendary Allman Brothers producer Tom Dowd). Camacho's new band, continues in the same vein on its debut CD, Hey Hey (Capsule Records) -- albeit with more rock power and less pop trimmings.

Camacho's blend of screams and crystalline vocal tones on the opening I Wanna Say is echoed by lead guitarist Andrew Synowiec's distortion and the rhythmic urgency of bassist Tony Oms and drummer Jordan Welch.

The bandleader's acoustic guitar dictates the melody of less manic material like The Train and the waltzing Something Is Coming, but the bulk of Hey Hey* sounds as influenced by The Who as by The Beatles.

The title track, Making My Day (Pretty), and Found It combine the influences of Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, and The Pretenders, punctuating the point Camacho made with The Goods a decade ago. The difference is that Hey Hey* puts the "pow" in power pop. (www.jimcamacho.com). - Review by Bill Meredith


"Score Magazine"

Jim, with the help of his band Waxburn has managed to impress me once again. They delve into an almost punk-like (old school, not modern neo-pop punk) vibe on "I Wanna Say" and "Don't Talk", while "Hey Hey" is pop rock wonderment! Anything that can get my waist wiggling and head bobbing while suffering through my workload is a damn pleasure! Such can also be said for "Making My Day" and "Look Up". "Found it" and "The Optimist" have a popish Counting Crows/Collective Soul edge while "Something is Coming" and "Price You Pay" are lilting yet tough and beautiful. A great rock record to add to your CD collection. - Review by Kimmie


"BEST SONGWRITER"

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


"Street Magazine"

UNDERBELLY / Local & Indie Music

StreetMiami doesn't mess around. Ever on the lookout for new, up-and-coming artists in South Florida, we and Churchill's Pub have concocted a monthly event called Street Noise to help us find new bands and let us showcase other bands we really like. It'll go something like this: Every month Street will present two unknown bands, some playing their very first show, on the Churchill's stage. Then we'll bring out two local scene veterans to close the show.

Of course, we had to make the opening showcase extra special, so we've tapped Ex-Goods vocalist Jim Camacho and his new band, Waxburn, to do the honors, as well as officially introduce their album Hey, Hey. Alterna-pop addicts will like what they hear. Suggestive of bands like the Gin Blossoms, Matchbox 20 and the Goo Goo Dolls, but with a more jagged attitude, Waxburn is probably Camacho's best vehicle since the early Goods era over a decade ago.

Street Noise debuts Saturday, May 17, at Churchill's (5501 NE Second Ave., Miami; 305-757-1807).
- Rene Alvarez


"Stalker Songs REVIEW"

Stalker Songs comes to me as a follow-up to Camacho's previously-reviewed Trouble Doll. Based on that review, when I was contacted by Camacho's publicist, I did not hesitate to have the CD and press kit forwarded. This artist (and I mean that in the literal term) pens interesting lyrics, well-crafted songs, and catchy, though generally mellow, melodies. But before delving into the music, I must first pause and give credit for the ultra-cool packaging!

It is no secret that I'm a very tactile person. I've been caught on more than one occasion "petting" boys' chests or drooling over a super-soft pair of socks. I like things I can hold, examine, and experience. So I was delighted with the contents of this CD. The cover is actually a cardboard slipcover, the size of a DVD case, which has a look of leather with embossed title and small image of a skull, harkening the idea of a treasured piece of literature. Inside the cover, enfolded in red vellum, are individual lyric cards, the front of which are covered in artwork reflective of the song content. The CD itself is snapped onto its own card, with the reverse side displaying the track list. Yes, the tactile appetite has been assuaged.

Then there is Music: every bit as beautiful as I expected it to be. The lyrics are (not surprisingly) intriguing tales, building upon Camacho's innate ability to tell a story and put feelings into words - a talent that many believe they possess, but few actually occupy. He covers disturbing subjects such as "Stalker Song", which threatens, "You can cry all you want, I'm still in love. You can run all you want, I've got a gun." His brighter side investigates positive self-transformations in "Change of Heart" ("Anger builds up in your heart so slow like a volcano. Any day now you are going to blow. Don't you know you need a change of heart.") and "Run Away" ("Run away, find yourself and who you are.") All the while messages of love and hope prevail throughout tracks like "Jump" ("When you're trying to find out what you're breathing for. Lots of things to get lost in. Lots of things to let go. Then you look and find out someone who makes it worth the pain then it's all gone again.") Rounding out the CD is a touch of religion in the faith-filled "Hail Hail Hail", which, interestingly, was included in the play "Dark Lords of the Trailer Park" (no really!) by Lee Anderson (Fringe Festival, NYC 2005). It professes, "Life beat me up and knocked me down. You kept my boots on the ground. You know I believe in you. I'll never let you down and when you feel like you're losing touch. Yes I know you'll be there for me. No greater love. You love so much."

Jim Camacho seems to have a strong love of all forms of art and emotional expression, which really shines through in his music, his presentation, and the overall Stalker Songs experience. If this is for you, then go check out his Website which hosts clips of his songs and more information about the album and his various works and collaborations.
- Kimmie at SCORE MAGAZINE


Discography

2001 EP 'Trouble Doll'
2003 LP 'Hey Hey*'
2004 LP 'Stalker Songs'
2005 LP 'Beachfront Defeat'
2005 LP 'Fools' Paradise' (Rock Opera)

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/camacho2
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/camacho
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/waxburn

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

For singer/songwriter Jim Camacho, 2005 promises to be a banner year. The recent recipient of numerous awards, including New Times best songwriter award, Camacho has several musical surprises for his fans: the release of two new albums, an extended tour and the realization of seeing his self-composed Broadway-style Rock Opera hit the boards.

Jim’s musical career began at the age of five when he joined forces with his brother John in a group dubbed The Sunny Rainbow. The siblings later regrouped as teenagers, forming the modestly-dubbed John & Jim Camacho and Their Band of Local Heroes. Later, with Jim on bass and John on piano, they formed The Goods alongside guitarist Tony Oms and drummer Kasmir Kujawa in 1989. The Goods were one of the few bands to rise out of the Miami local scene into the major leagues.

With a pair of EPs and a penchant for self-promotion, The Goods’ following was secured from the start. After 1992’s 5 Steps To Getting Signed, the Goods released two of the most melodically endowed albums ever to bear the made-in-South Florida imprint, Mint (1995) and their major label debut for Mercury Records, Good Things Are Coming (1998), the latter produced by Tom Dowd, the legendary producer who helmed efforts by
Ray Charles, the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Cream and Lynyrd Skynyrd. (Highlights of Goods/Dowd sessions are now documented as part of the Tom Dowd & The Language of Music DVD, released by Chris Blackwell’s Palm Pictures in 2004 recently nominated for a 2005 Grammy®. )

“It was a great opportunity,” Camacho says in retrospect. “And working with Tom Dowd was one of the greatest thrills of my career.” The Goods broke up in 1999.

Endings can lead to new beginnings and in this case it led Camacho to embark on what’s been a highly productive solo sojourn.

Since going solo, his output has been remarkably prolific. It began with an EP, Trouble Doll in 2001 and an album Hey Hey* two years later ; both recorded by long time friend and former Goods’ producer, Pascal Jacquelin, the latter co-produced by Jeremy DuBois. Camacho brought an emotional resilience to his work, a blend of anguish, aptitude and sheer irresistible melody that turns each offering into a series of searing, gut-wrenching confessionals.

Recently, Camacho has accelerated his output by releasing two new albums practically at the same time; the first, released this past October, is an all-acoustic affair cryptically dubbed Stalker Songs. Produced by Miami mainstay, and national musical impresario Rat Bastard, it features Camacho alone and unaccompanied, fleshing out the songs himself on guitar and piano. That was followed in rapid succession by a full band affair, Beachfront Defeat; another Pascal Jacquelin production, a hook-filled, exuberant rock ‘n’ roll exhilaration.

Then there’s the Rock Opera Camacho has been nurturing on and off for the past five years, Fools’ Paradise, a tale about a love triangle in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War. Camacho, a trained actor, recently recorded the production live in preparation for an upcoming release, setting new attendance records for Churchill’s Hideaway in the process.

As if that flurry of activity wasn’t enough, Camacho is taking his show on the road playing solo shows in cities throughout the east coast. “I’ll get in the van and go,” Camacho promises. “I want people to hear the record.”