PUNK UNDER THE SUN Celebrates South Florida Punk Icon CHARLIE PICKETT
Punk Under the Sun Celebrates South Florida Punk Icon Charlie Pickett
Miami, FL – May 30, 2025 – Reprobate Media proudly presents its weekly Punk Under the Sun spotlight, shining a light on the electrifying legacy of Charlie Pickett, the unapologetic frontman of Charlie Pickett and The Eggs, who defined South Florida’s 1980s punk scene. This series, inspired by the acclaimed book Punk Under the Sun: ’80s Punk and New Wave in South Florida by Joey Seeman and Chris Potash, celebrates the rebels, musicians, artists, and sounds that shaped Miami’s underground music culture.
Charlie Pickett stormed the scene with a sound that roared like a Miami hurricane, blending Johnny Thunders’ raw menace with Sun Records’ twangy soul. His gravelly, howling vocals and razor-sharp guitars fueled anthems like “Overtown” and “If This Is Love, Can I Get My Money Back?,” capturing the gritty pulse of Miami’s streets, dive bars, and underground culture. Backed by The Eggs, Charlie’s sound was defined by Johnny Salton’s blistering slide guitar work, Dave Froshnider’s songwriting, and the ferocious primal backbeat of John “Stix” Galway (who later went on to join The Silos). Pickett’s live performances were chaotic, sweat-soaked spectacles, transforming cramped venues into frenzied celebrations of punk’s DIY ethos. Albums Live at the Button (1982) and Cowboy Junkie Au-Go-Go (1984) earned praise from Melody Maker and The Village Voice, flirting with national fame that only amplified his cult-hero status.
Charlie’s music not only served as a lynchpin of the South Florida scene, but its influence was felt far beyond. REM’s Peter Buck was so impressed by Charlie and John Salton that he produced Charlie’s The Wilderness album (1988). Buck and Pickett worked together again on Charlie’s That’s What I Like About Miami album (2017).
Join Reprobate Media every week this month as Punk Under the Sun spotlights the artists who defined an era. For the full story of Pickett and South Florida’s vibrant 1980s scene, grab Punk Under the Sun: ’80s Punk and New Wave in South Florida, available now.
Available at Neon Books
ISBN: 979-8-218-51568-3
240 pages, softcover, full color, 8 x 10 inches
Experience the unfiltered energy of a South Florida subculture that left an indelible mark on music history!
For interviews, contact the authors at Contact – Punk Under the Sun