PIllmagnet was a fun, sloppy, drunken, do it yourself mess of a band from Fort Lauderdale Florida who put out some great music despite themselves. Their influences varied from early Marine Girls and Raincoats records to screaming toungue in cheek punk rock. The bands name was a word they made up when speaking about the characters in their favorite book and film 'Valley Of The Dolls' (required reading for all band members). Playing their first show
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PIllmagnet was a fun, sloppy, drunken, do it yourself mess of a band from Fort Lauderdale Florida who put out some great music despite themselves. Their influences varied from early Marine Girls and Raincoats records to screaming toungue in cheek punk rock. The bands name was a word they made up when speaking about the characters in their favorite book and film 'Valley Of The Dolls' (required reading for all band members). Playing their first show at Churchills Hideaway (Miami's version of CBGB's) as so many of South Florida's super stars did ( The Eat, Charlie Pickett, Screamin' Sneakers, Marilyn Manson, Harry Pussy, Jack off Jill, Trash Monkeys to name a few) Pillmagnet started playing in spring 1996 and continued all around the south for the next 6 years. Guitarist, painter and singer Libby Bentley, (a member of Fort Lauderdale's unforgettable all girl band Morbid Opera) and Mike Szymanski,(bass), her long time friend and occasional room mate wanted to be in a band together, so in early 1996 Mike and Libby joined forces with the fledgling Justin McNeal (who played guitar based on a coin toss between him and Mike) and the far more seasoned Lauracet Simpson(drums, fresh off Jack off Jill 's tour with Lords of Acid ), and from day one they knew they had something special, writing 6 songs that night. Not only that, they had a blast together. From then on you rarely saw one band member out in the clubs at night without the other. They played gig after gig opening for their friends bands like close friends and South Florida staplesThe Livid Kittens eventually opening for national acts likeJoydrop. That show was a turning point for the band as the club filled to the rafters during Pillmagnet's set only to clear out for the headlining Joydrop. Club owners took notice. If ticket sales were low for a touring act they turned to Pillmagnet as an opening act to bring in the party crowd. From drag queens to drunks, club owners loved the liquor sales. The band self released a 'cassette only' called "Eww Gross It's The Pillmagnets" which they sold at shows and got them some local air play. In 1998 they tried to record a 'proper' debut CD and "Love Potion #69" was the result of that effort; produced patiently by ex-Frankie Goes To Hollywood bassist Mark O'Toole In between these releases the band recorded at the famed Miami Beach recording studio Synch Studio's. Produced by Miami's first man of punk rock;Rat Bastard (Laundry Room Squelchers, Rat Cafeteria Rat wanted a 'live' recording of the band so in the fall of 1997 "Live At Synch" was recorded with Rat at the board. "Live at Synch" gives you a pretty good idea of what Pillmagnetsounded like out in the clubs, on a good night, maybe. Just add beer and the drunken sounds of a loyal following. The band stayed together till 2002 and were voted the best worst band to break up in South Florida said The Sun Sentinel in their Best and Worst issue of City Link that year.
