#136 The Cravens (John and Bill Storch, Bill Meredith, and David Simone)

The Story of The Cravens: From Black Box Approach to Ata-tat and BeyondIn this episode we explore the history and evolution of The Cravens, a Lake Worth, Florida–based rock band rooted in the long-running creative partnership of brothers John and Bill Storch. Joining the conversation are drummer and percussionist Bill Meredith and guitarist David Simone.We trace John and Bill Storch’s musical beginnings in the early 1980s with Black Box Approach, a synth-driven new wave band formed during their high school years. Active from roughly 1980 to 1983, the band reflected the era’s shift from arena rock into punk, new wave, and electronic influences, earning regional attention and college radio airplay. During this time, they were also part of the broader South Florida music landscape, engaging with local venues, record stores, and a growing network of musicians shaping the scene.From there, the story follows the transition into Ata-tat, marking a move into alternative rock as the Storch brothers relocated to Boston and became part of the mid-1980s underground music scene. The group found radio success and continued strong college airplay while further developing the collaborative songwriting approach established in their earlier work.After this period, John and Bill Storch continued writing and collaborating in a variety of creative settings, including composing music for modern dance companies in Palm Beach County. Their work gradually shifted away from traditional band structures toward more experimental and instrumental compositions before reconnecting with the local music community.The episode captures the formation and evolution of The Cravens, which emerged around 2014 as an acoustic trio before expanding into a full band by 2016 alongside additional longtime collaborators from the local music scene.Note: Bassist and guitarist Dennis Ambrose was unfortunately unable to participate in the interview.