The Southbound Suspects

Kids have dreams, adults have mortgages. So even though the six members of The Southbound Suspects all had youthful plans of being rock stars — marriages, kids, school loans, and careers all got in the way. Or, as John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”
Along the way, the members found different ways to soothe their musical jones. Phil Allen played his guitar in bars to pay for law school. Burt Bruton built a professional-grade studio in his house. Bruce Turkel played trumpet in a salsa band and harmonica in a blues band. Andy Waks filled notebooks with original music. Joe Arencibia worked as a drummer for hire. Mary Coureaux developed her chanteuse chops in different garage bands.
One day, about 30 years after they had started other careers, a few of the future Suspects were sitting around playing their songs when Andy had the idea of forming a band. “We all write music,” he said, “Why don’t we start a band to play them?”
“Who’ll be in it?” someone else asked.
Phil answered, “You know, the usual suspects.”
And the band was born.
Over the next few years, The Southbound Suspects played at bars and festivals in South Florida, crafted their songs, and built a small but growing fan base. Once they’d honed about 50 original songs, the next undertaking was to record a CD. Even though the arrangements had been refined over years of late night gigs, the recording still took time thanks to the members’ commitments to families, work, trips, and life.
According to guitarist and keyboard player Andy Waks, “Our lives fuel our songs. They’re all about the things our generation is experiencing… love and loss, nostalgia and new experiences, successes and disappointments.”
After two years of hard work, late nights, and at least one case of Jack Daniels, the CD is complete and the dream keeps unrolling.