Baker Act
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Baker Act was a ska-punk band from Gainesville, Florida from 1994 until 2002. During that time, they released several low-budget production as well as songs on local, Florida, and national ska-punk compilations. Fiercly DIY and often comically low budget, they once continued on tour after duct tapping their bumber back onto their van.
The band took its name from a Florida law allowing for the temporary institutionalization of youth by police officers. The law is controversial because it gives institutionalizing power to the police beyond arrest without need for a doctor’s diagnosis. Originally, the band chose the name after “baker act’ing” a suicidal family member. Over the years, they met dozens of youths who had been abused by the law. At times members of the band were squatting or homeless. This struck a chord between the band and influential bands Crimpshrine and Fifteen. Struggle was the common theme in each person’s life and song topics included coming of age, suicide, depression, authority, tradition, and inter-personal relationships. Band members were active over the years in Gainesville Food Not Bombs, United Students Against Sweatshop Labor, SOA protests, 2000 Innaguration protests, and homelessness outreach.
Line-up
The band featured Matt Camaratta on guitars and vocals, Jon Decarmine (jon doesn’tcount) on bass and vocals, Rob van Hoose (rob redbeard, rob baker) on drums, David Fuss on trombone, Ken Lewis on trumpet and vocals, and Louis Rosen on tenor saxophone. Baker Act’s music was unusually diverse, a result of having four strong lyricists in Camaratta, Decarmine, Lewis, and Fuss; as well as song contributions from all members.
The band took its name from a Florida law allowing for the temporary institutionalization of youth by police officers. The law is controversial because it gives institutionalizing power to the police beyond arrest without need for a doctor’s diagnosis. Originally, the band chose the name after “baker act’ing” a suicidal family member. Over the years, they met dozens of youths who had been abused by the law. At times members of the band were squatting or homeless. This struck a chord between the band and influential bands Crimpshrine and Fifteen. Struggle was the common theme in each person’s life and song topics included coming of age, suicide, depression, authority, tradition, and inter-personal relationships. Band members were active over the years in Gainesville Food Not Bombs, United Students Against Sweatshop Labor, SOA protests, 2000 Innaguration protests, and homelessness outreach.
Line-up
The band featured Matt Camaratta on guitars and vocals, Jon Decarmine (jon doesn’tcount) on bass and vocals, Rob van Hoose (rob redbeard, rob baker) on drums, David Fuss on trombone, Ken Lewis on trumpet and vocals, and Louis Rosen on tenor saxophone. Baker Act’s music was unusually diverse, a result of having four strong lyricists in Camaratta, Decarmine, Lewis, and Fuss; as well as song contributions from all members.
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Top Albums
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Jaded Youth
Baker Act
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Ska, Punk, and Disorderly
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Closer Than You - Florida Ska Vol. 2
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In Come The Sheep
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Shoutbox
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RobRedbeard wrote:
An interesting bit of trivia about the recent all-female band in Jacksonville that used the same name: their record was recorded by Roger Manganelli, who also recorded "In Come The Sheep" approximately 10 years earlier. His sister also played in the recent namesake.
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Semutahed wrote:
FYI Baker Act is the law in Florida where you can have people evaluated for mental health issues without their consent; it was also an all-female band in Jacksonville, FL
News
Freebird Live
4 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/wearebakeract
March 25, at Freebird Live at 8pm. The last band standing,
ten bands, top one moves on. We need your support, tix $15.
We need your help to move on to the next level. Please feel free to
…
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27 Aug 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/wearebakeract -
23 Jun 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/wearebakeract -
23 Jun 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/wearebakeract
Recent Activity
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SickDeathCity added Baker Act to SickDeathCity’s library. December 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘Pics from the Pit’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘From Lickalotta Festival 2009’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘Freebird Live’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘guitarist needed’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘Lickalottafest 2009 Commercial’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘Watch us tonight (10/7/08) LIVE!!!’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘New CD Available Now!!’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘BATTLE FOR PLANET FEST’. November 2011
- Baker Act posted a news item ‘Watch us TONIGHT (10/3/08) LIVE!!!’. November 2011
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