Charlie Pickett

Combining '60s-style British Invasion rock with a raw punk energy, Charlie Pickett emerged as a leading player on the Southern Florida indie scene of the '70s and '80s. Backed by his bands the Eggs and the MC3, Pickett issued several well-regarded, if obscure albums (later compiled on 2008's Bar Band Americanus), before shifting away from music. He returned to regular activity with 2018's See You in Miami. Born in Athens, Ohio in 1953, Charlie Pickett moved with his family to Dania, Florida at age two, where an early love of Alvin & the Chipmunks eventually gave way to LPs by rock groups like Jan & Dean, the Rolling Stones, and the Kinks. He started playing guitar at age 14 and soon discovered punk rock. By the time he left high school, he was already playing locally, giving a take-no-prisoners punk and garage-rock energy to covers by British outfits like Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and Manfred Mann. In 1974 he enrolled at University of Florida, during which time he taught himself to play slide-style guitar, and formed the band Charlie Pickett & the Eggs. He built a loyal following, sharing the stage with similarly inclined acts as the Cichlids, the Eat, and the Reactions. His straight-ahead, blues- and R&B-influenced style endeared him to a cross-section of punks, new wavers, and roots rockers alike. A debut album, Live at the Button, arrived in 1982 and showcased the band's raucous sound, marked by fellow South Florida guitarist (and Psycho Daisies frontman) John Salton. Going under the name the Eggs and later the MC3, Pickett issued several highly regarded, if obscure records for Twin/Tone, including 1986's Route 33, which was produced by ex-Suicide Commando member Chris Osgood. The Wilderness, recorded in Athens, Georgia with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, arrived two years later. Over the next decade, a mix of issues including the grind of touring found Pickett heading back to school to earn his law degree. Nonetheless, he stayed active, occasionally performing live. In 2008, Bloodshot Records issued Bar Band Americanus, a compilation of Pickett's best work with his various bands. Buoyed by the attention, he amped up his live performances and in 2018 issued See You in Miami, his first studio album in a decade. Included on the album is the single "What I Like About Miami," featuring Peter Buck. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi