Biography
One of the pioneering outfits on the New York City punk and new wave circuit, the Miamis delivered sharp, tight, and humorous rock performances that regularly lit up stages at CBGB, Max's Kansas City, and the Mudd Club throughout the mid- to late 1970s. They frequently appeared alongside Blondie, Talking Heads, the Ramones, Television, and the New York Dolls. Because the parameters of punk rock had not yet hardened when the group emerged, their overtly pop-driven approach later felt out of step once hardcore intensified the genre's edge, leaving the Miamis without any commercially issued recordings for decades.
Brothers James Wynbrandt and Tom Wynbrandt launched the Miamis in 1974. Both handled vocals and guitar while contributing original material that also entered the sets of Wayne County and Teenage Lust. Bassist Dale Powers, drummer George Day, and keyboardist Tommy Mandel completed the lineup, allowing the band to join the wave of underground groups then revitalizing New York rock.
Steady local gigs made the Miamis one of the scene's most popular acts and eventually drew interest from record labels. Major companies financed demo sessions produced by Craig Leon, who had overseen the Ramones' debut, and Genya Ravan, who produced Young, Loud and Snotty for the Dead Boys. Despite strong results, the group's buoyant melodies and witty lyrics placed them awkwardly between audiences: too light for the harder punk faction and too unconventional for mainstream listeners. Frustration over stalled progress led to the band's dissolution in 1979.
James Wynbrandt pursued journalism with a focus on aviation writing, while Tommy Mandel toured as a keyboardist with Dire Straits and Todd Rundgren. George Day turned to rehabilitating retired racehorses, and Tom Wynbrandt worked in advertising and marketing. The Miamis self-released a set of previously unheard 1970s studio recordings titled The Miamis in 2009. Omnivore followed in 2016 with We Deliver: The Lost Band of the CBGB Era (1974-1979), compiling rare studio cuts, demos, and live tracks captured at CBGB.
Brothers James Wynbrandt and Tom Wynbrandt launched the Miamis in 1974. Both handled vocals and guitar while contributing original material that also entered the sets of Wayne County and Teenage Lust. Bassist Dale Powers, drummer George Day, and keyboardist Tommy Mandel completed the lineup, allowing the band to join the wave of underground groups then revitalizing New York rock.
Steady local gigs made the Miamis one of the scene's most popular acts and eventually drew interest from record labels. Major companies financed demo sessions produced by Craig Leon, who had overseen the Ramones' debut, and Genya Ravan, who produced Young, Loud and Snotty for the Dead Boys. Despite strong results, the group's buoyant melodies and witty lyrics placed them awkwardly between audiences: too light for the harder punk faction and too unconventional for mainstream listeners. Frustration over stalled progress led to the band's dissolution in 1979.
James Wynbrandt pursued journalism with a focus on aviation writing, while Tommy Mandel toured as a keyboardist with Dire Straits and Todd Rundgren. George Day turned to rehabilitating retired racehorses, and Tom Wynbrandt worked in advertising and marketing. The Miamis self-released a set of previously unheard 1970s studio recordings titled The Miamis in 2009. Omnivore followed in 2016 with We Deliver: The Lost Band of the CBGB Era (1974-1979), compiling rare studio cuts, demos, and live tracks captured at CBGB.
Albums
