Freedom Cage

Freedom Cage is a Rock Band from South Florida and was formed around 1986/7 by Gonzo Gutsense and Eric Babl [guitarists] and later joined by Jamie Burritt on Vocals. On Bass we had John McRay and latter Mark McGreevy and on Drums Ron Huff "Panama", Kevin "little man"and latter Kevin Alfinez. Freedom Cage was one of the opening acts for Mr. Big in the Amerifest event in Lauderdale also Quiet Riot, Pat Travers to name a few.

FREEDOM CAGE By Nicky Baldrian Eric Babl is a multi-talented musician his band Freedom Cage are just getting ready rock your worlds with the release of their fire cracking, debut album pencilled in for a September/October release on Z records. Eric was originally born in Brazil, the son of classical pianist Talita Pinto Fonseca and American born Robert Babl nephew of world renown maestro Carlos Pinto Fonseca. Eric begun his dabbling in music when he purchased "Help" by The Beatles, "The Beatles helped immersed me with the fantastic world of Rock and Roll." From then on, all the British and American bands influenced the young Eric, "Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who, Jimmy Hendrix, Queen, Yes, Uriah Heep and the whole 70's movement took a great influence in my life."explains Eric, "I began playing the acoustic guitar when I was 8 years old; I got lessons from a very attractive "hippie" girl that lived across the street at the time." he remembers fondly. Through out Eric's teenage years he played with various bands "eventually we came to the U.S. where I met Gonzo Gutsens who would later become the second guitarist of the band.The rhythm section of John McCray and "Panama"(Ron Huff)" this collaboration eventually evolved into Freedom Cage." The band then searched high and low for a singer "we scouted out Jamie Burritt a great singer from New York. The rhythm section has been a volatile molecule in the band, understandably so with great choices and musicians to fill the shoes; from John McCray "Magoo" (bass) and Kevin Parker (drums), Magoo and Ron Huff "Panama" (drums), to Mark McGreevy (bass) and Kevin Alfinez (drums) it has always been interesting and rewarding." Thus this led to a record deal with UK label Z records "First of all I would like to thank Mark Alger and Z Records for their support, but what can I say? It has been great! I guess that the most common reaction is "When is the CD going to be released"? he says with joy in his heart. Before the band had signed on the dotted line to Z records, Eric went onto explain about the band dissapointment with various labels "I would say that it was pretty much a let down. I got many letters from the big labels stating "We love your stuff but we are not signing at this point and time" Eric, Jaime and Gonzo write the majority of Freedom Cage's material "We try to encourage the other band members as well." laughs Eric. Eric is inspired by all sorts of things"Musically believe it or not, classical music, (acid)Jazz, Fusion, (those guys work so much for such little return) and as I mentioned before all the great bands from the 70's and 80's. There was an unequaled freedom of expression those days, unlike this pasteurized producer oriented music that you find nowadays. Spiritually: I guess the great writer Carlos Castaneda about Don Juan and the Toltec Indians. The teachings are very pure, primitive and in touch with some ones existence, time and the universe around you. "The Teachings of Don Juan (1968)" Freedom Cage come from Miami, Eric explains about the ares musical climate "It could be better; Miami has always taken a back seat so to speak to the rest of the nation, Ft. Lauderdale (40 miles to the north) on the other hand has traditionally done much better. Miami in the 80's experienced a "phenomena" of which almost all Rock clubs were converted into "Strip Bars". Also you have the Latin music scene to take into account. But yes, there are a lot of great bands in the South Florida scene and I only wish that Rock bands had the same kind of support that the Latin Bands enjoy, from radio, publications and TV." THE NEW ALBUM "The new Freedom Cage record "Change Of Seasons" is about a friend who lost her life in an automobile accident, I am sure that a lot of people can relate to that. We like writing songs that one can relate to, for example "Never Again" is a song written about some one that opened up completely to another only to have His/Her heart broken. The "Lonely Survivor" basically a song about people that just keeps on going no matter what, be it good or bad. "Taking for Granted" "don't take all that you have for granted"(Chorus) you know the rest, "Love will Find", don't give up on love, life without it is as empty as my beer eh he. So, we like to relate to issues that are relevant to any ones daily life." Eric explains that it's the live show that matter's to him the most " I couldn't count the shows we've done really, but the most touching was a Radio sponsored and promoted out door concert called "Amerifest" at CB Smith park (Ft. Lauderdale) to raise money for children with AIDS, great bands such as Mr. Big and many others. Our largest crowd was certainly in Brazil when I sat in with a local band. Another killer gig was with Quiet Riot in Lake Worth Florida, great crowd... also with Pat Travers, killer entertainer, these are amazing Rock veterans pouring on their "Mastery" and experience. We went to pla