I recently had the opportunity to hang out and jam with the most recent Fuel bassist, Ronny Paige, and I have to say he is one damn good musician! Just by talking to Ron I was able to tell that he knew what he was talking about when it came to songwriting, the music business, and performing. This kid is the real deal when it comes to musicians. So, anyway, Ronny is currently on hiatus vis-a-vis Fuel, but he did, however, start a new band with Rachelle Holscher and her brother/guitarist Jimi Holscher. The band is called Forever Oeuvre, and the unique thing about them is that Ronny isn’t the only rock star in the band. Their drummer is Breaking Benjamin’s drummer Chad Szeliga. Rounding out the line-up is keyboard player Ryan Sebastian. Forever Oeuvre does not currently have a bass player and are actively auditioning as we speak. Oh, by the way, Ronny isn’t playing bass in this project. He’s playing guitar.
After hearing much about Forever Oeuvre from my friend Lisa, who books at Dexter’s, I decided to give them a listen only to get a CD of the band’s 2008 EP from Ronny a couple of weeks later. Songs that really stood out for me is a song called “First Stone,” which can be heard on WDHA locally. I also couldn’t get the songs “Guilty” and “I Am” (which isn’t actually on the EP) out of my head. All of the songs were written and produced by Ronny and Kato Khandwala with lyrics and melodies written by Rachelle. Without blowing smoke up Ronny’s ass, the songs are so well written! The hooks are catchy and the choruses just really big, which are the main ingredients to writing amazing pop rock songs!
Forever Oeuvre—what does it mean? Well, “Forever” means without ever ending and “Oeuvre” means the sum of the life work of an artist, writer, or composer. It’s an interesting name for a band and they’re obviously creating quite a buzz within the industry, but it’s no wonder why. Just look who’s in the band! Forever Oeuvre recently made their big live debut at Dexter’s “Save The Rock” event a couple of weeks ago. To find out where they’re playing next or to give them a listen to hear just what I’m talking about, log onto myspace.com/foreveroeuvre.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
The boys from Beautiful Disease are hard at work in the recording studio trying to bang out their as-yet-untitled upcoming CD that they’re hoping to release this spring! It’s starting to look like there’s a lot of great music coming out this spring, so keep those ears peeled. Turns out, Beautiful Disease has been M.I.A. in 2008 due to personnel changes, but they seem to be ready to get back on the horse. For more info on the upcoming CD, log onto myspace.com/bdisease or listen in on The Randy Rogers Show next Tuesday night, Feb. 24. Google it to find out where you can listen!
Just when it seemed things were starting to go Bled For Glory’s way, the rug got pulled from underneath their legs once again. It turns out, the band’s new guitarist has quickly become their former guitarist before they were even able to unleash him on an audience. Therefore, Bled For Glory is now searching for a new lead guitarist to fill the recently vacated position. If you’re interested in trying out give the band a listen and send them a message at myspace.com/bledforglory.
And finally, I read somewhere that sometime in March, Dexter’s in Riverdale, NJ, will be playing host to a Mother’s reunion party. Some of you might be scratching your heads as to what Mother’s was. Well, back in the early to mid-’90s, there was a great rock club on route 23 in Wayne, NJ, which was not too far from Dexter’s that brought in some of the best national and cover acts at the time. Just like most Jersey clubs, Mother’s was shut down when the going was getting good! Well, Dexter’s will be hosting a reunion for those who used to work and hang out at Mother’s. Performing that night will be the Alice In Chains tribute band, Facelift, Saint Caine will mark their return to the stage, and the reunion of one of North Jersey’s favorite bands, Monroe, which features Screamin’ Ink’s Billy Monroe on vocals! I cannot wait for this show to see my bud Billy up on that stage again! For more info on this event, log onto dextersentertainment.com.
That’s all for now! And remember, if your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your demos and press kits to Arts Weekly, c/o Tim Louie P.O. Box 1140 Little Falls, NJ 07424. No cover bands, please!
Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
NJN Concert Calendar:
2/19—Black Water Rising—Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
2/19—Hybrid Dawn—Fontana’s, NYC
2/20—Charetta—The Underscore, NYC
2/20—Forever Oeuvre—Silo, Reading, PA
2/20—Hyphen-One & Daylow—Bar Saints and Sinners, Hoboken, NJ
2/20—Endall—Axis Lounge, Carlstadt, NJ
2/21—Diablo Royale/Shadows Lie—Crash Mansion, NYC
2/21—Hybrid Dawn—Judd’s Tavern, Lake George, NY
2/21—Zodiac—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
2/24—Shadows Lie (acoustic show)—Crash Mansion, NYC
2/28—Rahway—Desmond’s, NYC
2/28—Sykohed/Arch Demon Choir—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/28—Atom Strange—The Delancey, NYC
2/28—Kosmic Daydream/6to8 Mathematics—Buddies Tavern, Parlin, NJ
2/28—Echofission—The Thirsty Toad, Lodi, NJ
3/5—T.N.A./The Plot Thickens/Bullet Boys—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/13—BoundAlive CD Release Party—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
The print edition of this article implied Paige was no longer in Fuel; the band is on hiatus. Also, a co-producer credit was omitted for Kato Khandwala and an older image was used.
