Morning to open for Black Gold & Sherwood at School of Rock (NJ) 3/16

 Photo Credit: Courey Silagyi

Morning.., a 5-piece NJ rock band from the Bergen and Passaic County areas, have a show with Black Gold and Sherwood at the School of Rock in South Hackensack, NJ on March 16. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Get their early to catch Morning, who play first at 7pm. In December the band opened for pop/punk band Weston at Maxwell's. You can stream the band's EP dream it out, dream it here.

March 16, 2010
@ School of Rock East
31 Schrieffer St, South Hackensack NJ 07606
Doors @ 6:30 pm
$12 with ticket, $14 doors

7:00 - Life in the Decade
7:45 - Morning
8:30 - Reece
9:15 - Black Gold
10:00 - Sherwood

CD Review: MiniBoone brings jammy indie-rock on Big Changes

MiniBoone, Big Changes
Brooklyn, NY
Drug Front Records

For fans of: Pavement, Wolf Parade, Q and Not U, and Jukebox the Ghost

Band's should always put their best song first. MiniBoone gets it right with "Summer Jam" from their upcoming 6-song EP called Big Changes. "Tell me why I feel the way I do" goes the song. It continues, "I get chills..." Well, I did. The songs that followed, though, could easily be their best to. But to call something best, is to keep it exclusive. So for this 5-piece it's more, every song rocks. While MiniBoone isn't doing anything inventive, they do add to an ever-growing indie-rock sound that's becoming all the rage in Brooklyn. What's interesting is that three of the members play both guitar and keys, as well as sing. I wonder if they switch off on instruments during their live set.

MiniBoone's songs are jammy, fun, and make you shake you head, clap your hands, and whatever other movements you enjoy doing when you dance. The opening song “Summer Jam,” is a feel good one for all occasions. Craig sings with such passion, “and all this stuff is love,” repeating the line more times than I can count. The line ends the song, then goes nicely into “Cool Kids Cut Out of the Heart Itself.” There's also some auxiliary percussion and what sounds like a xylophone that can be heard throughout the E.P. "Rosaline Must Dance Alone" is about a 22-year old finding love. The song is really sweet and lovely. Finally it's “Funny Money” which finds Craig nearly screaming “don't look down” with a conviction in his voice, while another vocalist sings behind him all while a pair of sick, sounding guitars play. I love that you can hear all the instruments on this release and that no one instrument is more overbearing than another. Listen to some jams for yourself here.

MiniBoone is Craig Barnes, James Keary, and Doug Schrashun
on guitar, keyboard, and vocals; Sam Rich on bass and Taylor Gabriels on drums.

Big Changes will be released on Jan. 26 through Drug Front Records for $6. The band's record release show is Feb. 3 at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.

Big Changes
Tracklisting:
01. Summer Jam
02. Cool Kids Cut Out of the Heart Itself
03. Devil in Your Eyes
04. Rosalina Must Dance Alone
05. I Need
06. Funny Money

Press Photo Credit: Marielle Solan
Album Art Credit: Greatmiddlewest

The Dopamines & Be My Doppelganger Tour Dates

The Dopamines

The amazingly catchy pop-punk trio, The Dopamines from Ohio have posted tour dates for their April/March tour of the U.S. with Be My Doppelganger. The band plays Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ on March 31 with Full of Fancy (who play in New Brunswick this Friday). Photos and a review from the bands last show with them in a New Jersey basement can be seen here. The tour also comes to Tommy's Tavern in Brooklyn on April 1 with Challenged and Sandworms. The rest of the tour dates can be seen here.

Dopamines recently finished recording a full length album due out this Spring.

God Forbid announce NJ headlining gig with Kittie

For those that didn't get to catch God Forbid at the intimate space of Dingbatz last week, don't fret because they have announced a show at the Starland Ballroom on March 6 with Kittie. Though not listed yet, local act With Daggers Drawn is one of the openers. WDD have re-formed to feature former 40 Below Summer members Max Illidge and Joey D’Amico. Tickets for the show are $12 and are on-sale Friday at noon. More tour dates will be announced shortly.

God Forbid also perform with Life of Agony at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, NY on Jan. 29 for the band's 20th anniversary show. Life of Agony will again perform "River Run Reds" in its entirety. See flyer here.

Taking Back Sunday to play two exclusive acoustic sets in NYC on 12/17

Long Island's Taking Back Sunday have announced two acoustic shows on Dec.17 at Angel Orensanz, 172 Norfolk Street in NYC. The event will be the first time the band have played an entire acoustic set. The first show is at 5pm and the second is at 8:30pm. Additionally, the show will be filmed for an upcoming DVD release in the intimate 400 capacity venue. Please note there is limited seating. Tickets are available here for $30 and all ages are welcome.

Their latest album New Again was released earlier this year. This year also marks the bands 10 year anniversary.

God Loves a Challenge f/ Ben Jorgensen of Armor For Sleep perform @ Maxwell's 12/28

God Loves a Challenge featuring Ben Jorgensen of Armor For Sleep and Sierra Shardae will be playing their first show ever at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ on Dec. 28th. The group has emerged in the wake of Armor for Sleep's recent break-up. The duo bring an electronica/rock feel that features both on vocals. Their MySpace bio said:

Ranging from dancey songs about intoxicating first encounters to cinematic songs about life-crushing heart-break, each tells it's own story and has it's own voice.

Tickets are $12 in advance and available here. With Waking Alley and Night Fevers.

See below for flier.

Beat Circus acoustic this Thursday in Brooklyn

photo by Liz Linder

Beat Circus, the multi-instrumental, Americana influenced 7-piece from Boston featuring harmonica, accordion, violin, and upright bass have announced a special show this Thursday in Brooklyn. The band said the following:

Hi folks

We'll be performing a rare and mostly acoustic set this Thursday November 12th at Union Hall in Brooklyn, including many songs never performed live previously. Also on this show are our friends Larkin Grimm and Blood Warrior. Drink Up Buttercup from Philadelphia headlines the show. Hope to see you there.

Thursday Nov 12th
Union Hall
702 Union St (between Fifth and Sixth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Park Slope, Brooklyn
718-638-4400
$10 / 8p.m.

The band's latest album Boy From Black Mountain is a collection of personal songs about children, fatherhood, dreams, lost love, revenge, and redemption and is available here.

WSOU gets new web stream, blog, and Twitter

Poison the Well @ WSOU 7-10-09

Your leading New Jersey radio station for loud rock, 89.5 FM WSOU has made a few changes this summer. First, they have a new on-line stream here. Second, they have a blog for "music and absurdity." You can check out recent concert reviews of Killswitch Engage, Eagles of Death Metal, and Incubus. Finally, the station got a Twitter account filled with music news and SOU happenings any listener or loud rock fan should know. So tune in, follow the station, and read and comment the blog. The station still has giveaways all the time, so make sure to listen for your chance to win concert tickets, cd's, and much more.

The station has new music by Shadow's Fall, Five Finger Death Punch, Suicide City, Havok, Bury Your Dead, Suicide Silence, Obituary, and more so keep the requests coming for your favorite bands.

Loud Rock NJ/NYC Concert Calender:
8/12 Shai Hulud , Reign Supreme , The Carrier @ Santos Party House
8/13 CKY, ASG @ Gramercy Theatre
8/13 Through the Eyes of the Dead @ Hangar 84
8/15 Threat Signal, The Autumn Offering, The Agonist, Sybreed @ Highline Ballroom
8/16 Threat Signal, The Autumn Offering, The Agonist, Sybreed @ Chamionships
8/18 OTEP, Destrophy, Seven Year Existence @ Gramercy Theatre
8/18 CrueFest2: Motley Crue, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool @ PNC Bank Arts Center
8/19 OTEP, Destrophy, AnAka, Ashes of Your Enemy @ Starland Ballroom
8/20 hed(pe), Mushroomhead, Straight Line Stitch @ Gramercy Theatre
8/20 The Bouncing Souls, Lifetime, None More Black @ Webster Hall
8/21 The Bouncing Souls, Lifetime, Tim Barry @ Webster Hall
8/22 Nebula, The Entrance Band , Naam @ Santos Party House
8/25 Heaven & Hell, Coheed & Cambria @ WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden
8/29 Killswitch Engage, Vision of Disorder, All That Remains, Unearth @ Bay Stage at Jones Beach
8/30 Hatebreed, Chimaira, Winds of Plague @ Starland Ballroom

Kittie looking for extras for NYC video shoot 7/26

Kittie is TARA, MERCEDES, MORGAN & IVY

Canadian metal band Kittie is looking for extras for a video taping in New York City on Sunday, July 26th. The video is for the band's upcoming single, "Sorrow I Know" from the band's new album called In the Black in stores on Sept. 15. The band will release the cd on E1 Entertainment and plans to tour this fall. Details on the shoot below:

The video will be directed by David Brodsky (Suicide Silence, Gwar, The Black Dahlia Murder) and his crew at MyGoodEye in New York. From MyGoodEye producer Allison Woest: "We are shooting a ‘20s era, speakeasy/burlesque music video for KITTIE, and are looking for fans to participate!

If you would like to be in the video and have ‘20s-era nighttime social clothing to participate in the debauchery, please get in touch! It is important that you bring your own outfits.

For Women, please wear dresses. Styles can include: Cocktail style dresses, anything with fringe, lace, silk or satin, drop waist or A line dresses, even flapper style halloween costumes! For Men: Suit and tie, fedora hat if possible Males and females both welcome. The video will be shot during the day on Sunday, July 26th, in New York City. If you are interested, please send an email to: casting@mgenyc.com.

Suicide City sign with The End Records/ New Album "Frenzy" out 8/4

THE END RECORDS Signs Brooklyn's SUICIDE CITY (feat. Members of Biohazard, Kittie); Debut Full-Length 'Frenzy' Out August 4th

New Website Launched for 'Frenzy' - www.suicidecity.com/_frenzy_site/




photo by Marcos Hermes

"Street punk with a greater melodic sense!!" – ALTERNATIVE PRESS

SUICIDE CITY was first conceived when Biohazard vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei met Karl Bernholtz, vocalist of the south Florida band The Groovenics. The pair was joined by drummer Danny Lamagna, who had been recommended by members of Sworn Enemy. Soon after, Groovenics guitarist AJ Marchetta was added to the fold, and the lineup was finally rounded out by former Kittie bassist Jennifer Arroyo.

Not the type of band to just wait around for things to happen, SUICIDE CITY self-released an EP, ‘Not My Year,’ in 2005 and has since managed to sell over 7,000 copies sans label support. That year they also saw success in the form of a “Best Unsigned Band” award from East Coast Romper. In 2006 Kerrang! called them “a mesmerizing presence” and said that they had “manic wide eyed energy.” They have also self-produced and released a live DVD, entitled ‘Live From CBGB.’

The band has reputation for consistent and energetic touring, having spent time on the road with the likes of Otep, Taking Back Sunday, Gwar, Danzig, Life of Agony, Birthday Massacre, Mindless Self Indulgence, Despairs Ray, MXPX, Mushroomhead, and others.

Although the individual band members come from wildly different backgrounds, they all share a common passion for music and an unfaltering loyalty to SUICIDE CITY. As Arroyo says, “Suicide City inspires to me to reach new levels of sound and emotion.” Graziadei describes SUICIDE CITY’s sound as “punk rock, dirty rock ‘n roll with some big balls of metal and a touch of manic depression thrown in.” Lamagna’s precise percussion fury adds to the speed and aggression of the band’s sound, but is reigned in when a more melodic sound is required. The layers of Marchetta’s and Graziadei’s guitars succeed in laying down an aggressive onslaught as well as some impressive and unexpected melody while Arroyo’s bass holds down the low end of the party. Bernholtz vocalizes emotional poetry masterfully, and more than matches the music’s energy.

On August 4th, SUICIDE CITY releases their debut full-length effort, entitled ‘Frenzy,’ via Brooklyn label THE END RECORDS. “‘Frenzy’ is such an eclectic blend of music,” says Marchetta. “This band is unafraid and unapologetic about what we create, and because of that we have an album with a really wide musical landscape.” Graziadei points out, “In our short time together, Suicide City has achieved more on our own than most bands do in their whole career with the help of a label.” Perhaps Bernholtz sums it up best: “Suicide City thrives on making people happy and smile through our music without having to candy coat anything. Life does not ‘suck and then you die.’ Life is great, dangerous, exciting, strange, and then you die. I guess that’s what we’re trying to portray with our music.”

SUICIDE CITY is:

Kalle Bernholtz - Vocals
Jennifer "Ms.JennCity" Arroyo - Bass, Vocals
Billy Graziadei - Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals
A.J. Marchetta - Guitar
Dan Lamagna - Drums

SUICIDE CITY on the web:

www.suicidecity.com/_frenzy_site/
www.myspace.com/suicidecity

Dead Men Dreaming in NYC, tickets on-sale @ Noon, Strabismus reunion show

New York hardrock band Dead Men Dreaming will be headlining the Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza on June 20th. Also performing are Dizneyfist (54 Vision), September Morning, Anaka, and Strabismus who is playing a reunion show. Tickets are on-sale today at NOON for $15 through livenation.com

Dead Men Dreaming also performs at the Bamboozle Festival at Giants Stadium on May 3.

Royal Sons show w/ The Tosser Friday, tour w/ Trophy Scars, recording

photo by Mike Maroney


























This Friday, New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Royal Sons will play with The Tossers (Victory Records) at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. The show starts at 10pm and is $10. Advance tickets available here. Next week the band plays three shows for Trophy Scars record release tour. They’ll be hitting up NJ, PA, and NY. The band is also in the studio recording songs, to be released at a later time. For now, you can listen to the “Solid Gold” demo on their MySpace.

Royal Sons Tour Dates:

March 6 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken (w/ The Tossers)
w/ Trophy Scars
March 13 @ School of Rock, South Hackensack, NJ (plus Lady Radiator)
March 14 @ Cafe Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre, PA
March 22 @ The Underscore, New York, NY
w/ Deltf
April 3 @ Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Denise Barbarita & The Morning Papers play in Brooklyn on 2/24

Denise Barbarita & The Morning Papers


















Denise Barbarita & The Morning Papers will play at Brooklyn’s Trash Bar on Tuesday. Feb. 24. They take the stage at 8pm. The $6 cover gets you an open bar (pbr & well drinks) from 8-9pm. Also performing are To Say Nothing of the Violence, Vulgarrity, and Twisted Reality.

Barbarita will command on vocals and guitar with Rich Kulsar on drums, Jason Wallenstein on Bass and additional guitar by Kelsey Warren. She’s been hard at work with The Morning Papers recording “A Beautiful Mess.”

Denise Barbarita & The Morning Papers
Tuesday, 2-24-09
8pm, 21+
$6 cover, includes open bar!
Trash Bar
256 Grand St
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Click Read more for directions and set times.

Directions:
L -> Bedford (1 stop from manhattan)
J,M,Z -> Marcy

8:00 - DENISE BARBARITA
9:00 - TO SAY NOTHING OF THE VIOLENCE
10:00 - VULGARRITY
11:00 - TWISTED REALITY

West Gate to perform with Powerman 5000

New Jersey's alternative rock 5-piece West Gate will be performing at The Starland Ballroom this Saturday with Powerman 5000. This is the band's biggest show and it's sure to be a great one. Doors are at 4:30pm, so make sure to come out at check out all the bands performing. Last year the band released its 4 song ep Selah. The songs are available at the band's myspace page.

West Gate also have two other shows coming. March 21 at Sonar Metalfest with Soilwork and Darkest Hour in Baltimore, MD and May 1, where the band returns to Jersey with Article A at Darress Theater in Boonton.

The Champagne Charade looking for a drummer+New Song

The Champagne Charade, 2008. Photo by Charlie.





















New Jersey's rock act The Champagne Charade is searching for a drummer. Here's a statement from the band:

"Chris Crypts has decided to take a break from music and has departed The Champagne Charade. We appreciate his help and dedication over this past year, and we wish him the best. But where there is change there is growth - and we are starting the search with bright eyes!

If you or anyone you know thinks they would like to audition, please message us here on myspace or email thechampagnecharade@yahoo.com! We don't have many requirements, of course the more experience you have; the better - but we will give everyone a fair chance. Must be 18+ and ready & willing to tour!

Also our performances usually include some sort of 'costuming', you arent required to wear makeup but you might have to wear black pants and a cotton biker jacket...haha. (Its nothing serious, but if you refuse to wear anything but jnco's or something - dont write.) We all contribute equally to the success of this band, and if you arent super motivated to be successful then you might not make the cut."

UPDATE 1/31/09
"Testify" Acoustic with Saetia & Rob:

Music As A Weapon Tour 4- 2009 Tour Dates (Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ)

Complete dates have been announced for the "Music As A Weapon 4 Tour" featuring Disturbed headlining with support from Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil and Chimaira. The tour will hit up the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ on April 22. More dates in the "read more."

Music As A Weapon Tour 4 Tour Dates:
March 20th Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
March 21st Waterloo, IA - McCelroy Arena
March 23rd Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
March 25th Denver, CO - The Fillmore
March 28th Phoenix, AZ - Jobbing.com Arena
March 29th Albuquerque, NM - Tingley Auditorium
March 31st Dallas, TX - Nokia Theatre
April 01st Wichita, KS - Hartman Arena
April 03rd Bossier City, LA - Centurytel Center
April 04th Little Rock, AR - Riverfest Amphitheater
April 05th New Orleans, LA - Uno Lakefront Arena
April 07th Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Civic Center
April 08th Atlanta, GA - Gwinnett
April 10th Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
April 11th Orlando, FL - Amway Arena
April 13th Charlotte, NC - Bojangles Coliseum
April 14th Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
April 15th Lowell, MA - Tsongas Arena
April 17th State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center
April 18th Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
April 20th Erie, PA - Erie Civic Center
April 21st Bridgeport, CT - Arena at Harbor Yard
April 22nd East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
April 24th Fayetteville, NC - Crown Coliseum
April 25th Reading, PA - Sovereign Center
April 27th Glens Falls, NY - Glens Falls Civic Center
April 28th Pittsburgh, PA - Petersen Center
April 30th Battle Creek, MI - Kellogg Arena
May 02nd Detroit, MI - Cobo Arena
May 03rd Cleveland, OH - The Wolstein Center
May 05th Columbus,OH - Value City Arena
May 06th Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center
May 08th Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
May 09th Des Moines, IA - Balloon Classic Field
May 10th Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
May 12th Lacrosse, WI - Lacrosse Center
May 13th Evansville, IL - Roberts Stadium
May 15th Council Bluffs, IA - Mid America Center
May 16th Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion

Screaming Females New Album Artwork Posted

Photo courtesy of Riot Act Media

This morning, Don Giovanni Records posted artwork for Screaming Females debut CD/LP Power Move due out April 14, 2009. The New Brunswick trio plan to spend their spring hitting the road to support the new album. Tour dates are beginning to surface on their Myspace, keep checking back for more!

Tour dates include the Don Giovanni Records Showcase in Hoboken on Feb. 7, Valentine's Party at the Cake Shop, shows with Throwing Muses, and a record release show in NYC on April 20. The band have been playing a bunch of new songs, so check out a tour date to hear what all the buzz is about.

Pregant to release 7'' EP Feb. 7+Tour Dates

Trio punk outfit Prenant’s debut 7" EP Wanna See My Gun? is scheduled for release February 7th on Don Giovanni Records. You can listen to the songs on the bands MySpace page. The 7" EP is up for preorder on the Don Giovanni Records site . Click here for a special offer to get both the Pregnant 7" and The Groucho Marxists new LP Manifesto! for $14.

Pregnant Tour Dates:
February 7 @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ. Don Giovanni Records Showcase w/ Screaming Females, The Steinways, Cheeky, and more
February 8 @ The Charleston, Brooklyn, NY w/ Disnihil, Army of Kashyyyk, and Pala
March 6 @ America, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Mass Hysteri, Killin It, Deep Sleep, and Pysched to Die