I recently got a message through The Aquarian website, theaquarian.com, from a band called A True Story asking me to give them a listen. I did, and though their music isn’t my thing, it didn’t suck! I’m sure that all of the young girls are getting their panties wet over these songs, and I am sure that these four young gents from Lyndhurst, NJ, are writing these songs for that very reason! Songs like “When You Come Home,” “The Chance,” and “Connected” are sure to win the teenage girls over! The songs are extremely poppy, but I feel like this style of music has come and is already gone. I could be wrong, though. Singer Nick Lamonica has an excellent voice that sounds very versatile, meaning that if the band needed to change with the times, I feel Nick would be the perfect singer to do that with. A True Story also gets by playing cover gigs as well as playing original sets.
A True Story hails from Lyndhurst, NJ. You can’t get anymore Northern NJ than Lyndhurst. Well, there is Mahwah. Anyway, they formed in August 2003, combining all of their influences in modern rock, pop, and post-hardcore genres, and adding catchy hooks and melodies to their songs. The high-energy stage show has helped them grow quite a following. A True Story is made up of singer Nick Lamonica, guitarist Mike Buscio, bassist Vic Giordano, and drummer Rich Davis.
They have been recognized as a strong original band rather than a cover band. With four independently released CDs, they’re currently working on their next as-yet-untitled CD and hoping for a late spring, early summer release. They’ve toured the East Coast and made appearances on multiple radio stations earning them notice with New Jersey music vet Rob Monte, whom many know from Whor Brought The Dog/Dog Voices fame. Rob and his new entertainment company can take this young band pretty far. If you want to know more about A True Story or want to find out where they are playing next, then log onto myspace.com/atruestory.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
The boys from Apathy seemed to be very appreciative of my mention about their upcoming CD, A Decade Of Violence. Singer/guitarist Pete Wells wrote me a nice email to thank me, but he also mentioned some bad news about the band. Apparently, the other guitarist, Manny, left Apathy after he was done tracking the new CD. He stated that he didn’t like performing or being away from home. Guess not everyone is cut out to be a professional musician, huh? Anyway, Pete assured me that Apathy does have a new guitarist in the works, and that he’ll let me know as soon as they do land one. Stay in touch with Apathy at myspace.com/apathymetalgods or on their new website, apathy-nj.com.
Speaking of surprise departures, while I was researching show schedules for my “concert calendar” section, I noticed that my bud, Dave Chisolm, was missing from the Charetta page. Dave is an outstanding guitar player who seemed to have a passion for the music. He’s played with Sixty Miles Down and 1000 lb. Head. He supposedly left the band to take a break from music for a little while, and says the split was a friendly one. With the passion that Dave has for this business, number one, I’m not buying it, and number two, if Dave is burnt out, he won’t be out for long! I wish him luck! If you want to check in on Charetta, log onto myspace.com/charettamusic.
And finally, my boys from Queens, NY, Eve To Adam, have finally landed a new bass player! No, it’s still not me! A cat named Thomas G. from Brooklyn landed the gig and from the looks of it, the boy can play. Catch Eve To Adam live at Sullivan Hall in NYC on Friday, May 29. If you want to hear what they sound like first, check them out at evetoadam.com or myspace.com/evetoadam.
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:
5/7—A True Story—Jimmy’s, Moonachie, NJ
5/8—Infernophonic—The County Line Pub, Pine Brook, NJ
5/8—Charetta—Sterling Hotel, Allentown, PA
5/9—Ippy and the Project—Dublin Pub, Morristown, NJ
5/9—Mercury Morning—The Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
5/9—A True Story—Butch Kowals, Rahway, NJ
5/14—Only Living Boy—Bar 46, Hackettstown, NJ
5/14—A True Story—Jimmy’s, Moonachie, NJ
5/15—Black Water Rising/Monster Magnet—The Blender Theater, NYC
5/15—Eden Star/Seeking Through Silence/End of an Era (CD Release Party)—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
5/15—Deathrash/Without End—Cranford Elks Lodge, Cranford, NJ
5/15—Kosmic Daydream—Saints and Sinners (O’Donoghue’s), Hoboken, NJ
5/16—Martyrd—Ace of Clubs, NYC
5/16—HelenaMaria—Halo Pub, Hamilton Square, NJ
5/21—A True Story—Jimmy’s, Moonachie, NJ
5/22—Atom Strange—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
5/22—A True Story—The Sea Shell, Long Beach Island, NJ
5/23—Echofission—Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ
5/28—A True Story—Jimmy’s, Moonachie, NJ
5/29—Eve To Adam—Sullivan Hall, NYC
5/29—Jet Lag Gemini—School of Rock, South Hackensack, NJ
5/29—Atom Strange—The TriTone, Philadelphia, PA
5/29—A True Story—The Fireside, Denville, NJ
5/29—Evan Toth and the Excuses—Mexicali Blues, Teaneck, NJ
5/30—Shadows Lie—Crash Mansion, NYC
5/30—Kosmic Daydream—The Cornerstone, Carlstadt, NJ
5/30—A True Story—O’Harra’s, Jersey City, NJ
5/30—Saint Caine—Saints and Sinners (O’Donoghue’s), Hoboken, NJ
