MixTape FM Brought Pure Energy To Galuppi's And The Strangers Opened

By Joanie Cox Henry

Black Velvet Vocals: MixTape FM brought melodic magic to Galuppi's. Photo By Joanie Cox Henry

Some nights, a venue becomes a time machine. Friday night at Galuppi's in Pompano Beach, MixTape FM hit "play" on an evening so packed with rockin' vocals, debut riffs, and crowd-shaking joy that even the cocktail napkins seemed to be dancing. If the 80s had a greatest hits collection, MixTape FM would be the band pressing it.

But first, let's rewind a few tracks, because the night kicked off with a banger of an opening act.

Side A: The Strangers Push Play On The Night

Strangers Things: The Strangers open for MixTape FM with powerful set of covers. Photo by Joanie Cox Henry

Before MixTape FM even plugged in, The Strangers took the stage and made sure no one in the room would be standing still. This South Florida rock band, forged through the School of Rock program, is led by the formidable Anto (Antonia Albornoz) on both vocals and bass. She's holding down the low end and belting at the same time, and she makes it look effortless. She's a teenager but plays with the chops and fearless tenacity of someone decades older.

The Strangers romped through a setlist that would make any classic rock fan weep tears of joy. Black Sabbath's thunderous "War Pigs," Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," Journey's "Separate Ways" and Tears for Fears' era-defining "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," among others. These are songs that eat lesser bands for breakfast. The Strangers served them for dinner, hot and loud. Keep an eye on this group. They are going places.

Side B: MixTape Hits Play

When MixTape finally took the stage, Galuppi's was already warm and ready. The band, which consists of Lindsay Giova on lead vocals, Mike Elmore on vocals and guitar, Steve Kaminer on vocals, keys and guitar, Fernando Santomaggio on vocals and bass , and Paco Camara on drums launched into their signature blend of 80s rock and pop with the collective swagger of five people who have spent decades earning the right to sound this good.

The Upside Down: The crowd at Galuppi's goes wild as Lindsay Giova poses in her signature headstand.

Lindsay Giova is a frontwoman who commands a room with easy authority. She doesn't just sing, she entertains! Friday night she made the audience feel every lyric like a long-lost mixtape created during their best years. Her renditions of Alannah Myles' smoky classic "Black Velvet" and Melissa Etheridge's heart-wrecker "I'm the Only One" were among the night's most talked-about moments, brand new to MixTape FM's setlist and already sounding like they've been there forever. It was a steamy addition to the night! Giova and Elmore also whipped out a hot new duet with the Bryan Adams and Tina Turner banger "It's Only Love."

Steve Kaminer on guitars, keys, and vocals is the kind of musician who makes everyone around him better. His work on Friday was nimble, soulful, and deceptively effortless. Every riff had intention.

Mike Elmore stepped into the lead vocal spotlight on Live's brooding "I, Alone," a bold debut for this band who typically doesn't meander out of the decade of excess. For this moment, the DeLorean drove us to 1994. His gritty, sincere delivery gave the song the weight it deserved, and watching him command the stage with that kind of focused intensity was a genuine highlight of the night. He then brought us back to the 80s with another Bryan Adams hit "Run To You."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdJIS0t1_Fk

'Chordial' moment: Fernando Santomaggio (left) and Steve Kaminer share a playful moment on stage. Photo by Joanie Cox Henry

Fernando Santomaggio added rich depth to the song with background vocals. Santomaggio has the kind of stage presence that makes you wonder if the rest of the South Florida music scene is simply auditioning to be in his orbit. On this night he channeled the spirit of Peter Gabriel with a ferociously fun take on "Sledgehammer" that got the crowd moving in ways that probably violate a few local ordinances. Then he pivoted into the oil slicked licks of "Greased Lightning," somehow managing to be both John Travolta and himself simultaneously, which is a magic trick very few humans have pulled off. Much like the Spirit of Jazz, he's been known to set a few hats on fire. And then, just when the crowd thought they had caught their breath, he grooved through Information Society's hypnotic "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)," keeping the dance floor on simmer right through the final note. Fernando doesn't play bass. He conducts electricity through his fingers.

Paco Camara's energy on drums is infectious, packed with joy and his fills are the kind that make you turn to the stranger next to you and say "did you hear that?!" His drumming on "My Sharona" and "Cruel To Be Kind" are always crowd favorites.

The Fan Files: Your Correspondent Takes the Stage

When the band launched Joan Jett's anthem "I Love Rock and Roll," I was honored to hop on stage with MixTape FM to perform this one and to share a stage with such talent. Then we did "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" together and it was another highlight of an already perfect night for me.

MixTape FM nourished the crowd, and the crowd connected with the band, and by the end of the night, everyone was running on the same gorgeous, neon-soaked frequency.

For latest on MixTape FM, check out Mixtapebig80sradio.com.