Just when I thought that I ran out of bands to write about, I got an email from Mezzy of the band Warhorse. Apparently, Warhorse is a brand new metal band out of Rockaway, NJ, who recently made their debut at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, opening for Slapjaw and Fistacuffs. I had to give them a listen since I do like to give all new bands at least a chance and what I heard was simply bone crushing! It was old school metal riffs at their finest with singer Billy C. laying down some brutal vocals on songs like “Ghost Profiteer,” “Numbers Of Society,” and “Blood On Your Hands,” whose intro reminded me of Metallica’s “Four Horsemen” a little. Warhorse is here and they are no joke!
Warhorse, who used to be known as LockJaw, is a brand new thrash metal band hailing from the Northwestern part of Dirty Jersey. Their music combines aggressive speed metal-esque riffs with actual melodies and hooks that you will not be able to get out of your head for hours. The band is a quintet made of five New Jersey natives and each member brings their own unique style and playing ability to the table. Singer Billy C., who used to sing for the one of Jersey’s original thash core bands, Condemned, is a true vet to the music biz. He’s spent years touring with various national acts and has even had the pleasure of performing at some of the world’s finest venues. Guitarists Mike Hufnagel and a guy simply named Mezzy add their own classic styles of writing to Warhorse’s fast and heavy sound. Rounding out the line-up are newcomers Brendan Seigel on bass and Ricky Montgomery on the drums. Both Rick and Brendan did get to perform on Warhorse’s current three-song demo.
Recently, Warhorse recorded their first demo CD at the legendary Trax East Studios in South River, NJ. The three-song demo was produced by M.O.D. legend, Tim McMurtrie, and his Trip Squad Productions and was co-produced by Eric Kvortek, who’s known for his work with God Forbid. True metalheads will love this band! Check out Warhorse now at myspace.com/warhorsethrash or catch them live this Saturday night, Dec. 5, at The Blue Room in Secaucus, NJ, with Slapjaw and Will Killmore.
North Jersey Notes Updates
Acclaimed North Jersey singer and songwriter Christine Martucci has been tapped to open this year’s OUTMusic Awards at Webster Hall in NYC next Tuesday night, Dec. 8. OUTMusic is the premier non-profit organization that is dedicated to honoring, supporting, and advocating openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender recording artists and performers. The organization was founded over 18 years ago and Christine Martucci says that she is honored to be opening the awards ceremony and is honored to be a part of such a diverse and talented community. Martucci is currently completing her run as the star of the rock musical Breakfast With Janis, and is also planning a NYC theatrical debut; she’s also in the studio recording her new CD, Government Disease, which is set for a spring release. For more info on Christine Martucci log onto myspace.com/christinemartucci.
My bros from Rahway were recently asked to perform at next year’s coveted 14th Annual Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA, on Feb. 19. The conference features music biz keynote speakers and panels, clinics, workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and demo listening by record execs. There also 25 showcase venues in and around Harrisburg, PA, and hundreds of performers. Rahway, who is currently in the studio recording new material, also just signed an endorsement deal with Dirt Bag Clothing. So it seems that big things are happening for the boys! Keep an eye on myspace.com/rahway for more news on Rahway!
And finally, my Mean Venus cohort, Adrian Freyre, is reuniting with his former band TRIMM for a couple of shows only. TRIMM was a very popular local original band that turned into a very popular cover band after Adrian’s departure. Adrian will be reuniting with another one of my bros, Gerard DiNola, and the original TRIMM line-up to open for KIX at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, on Dec. 12 and at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, on Jan. 23, 2010. Don’t miss these shows because it might be your last chance to see the original TRIMM line-up playing the classic TRIMM tunes!
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! Also, if you haven’t checked out my podcast yet, do it now at northjerseynotes.mypodcast.com.
Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
NJN Concert Calendar
12/4—Audacity—South Brunswick High School, South Brunswick, NJ
12/4—Kosmic Daydream—BLVD Bar and Grill, Elmwood, Park, NJ
12/4—Long Gone Day/9 Circles—Krogh’s, Sparta, NJ
12/5—Christine Martucci—Tiki Stadium, Keansburg, NJ
12/5—Bled For Glory/Auraborus—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
12/5—Will Killmore/—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
12/5—Diablo Royale/Atom Strange/Eve to Adam—Crash Mansion, NYC
12/8—Evan Toth—Ars Nova, NYC
12/8—Chrsitine Martucci—Webster Hall, NYC (OutMusic Awards 2009)
12/11—Black Water Rising/Sekond Skyn—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
12/11—Serotonen—Alphabet Lounge, NYC
12/11—The Doughboys—Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ
12/11—Borgo Pass/BioHazard—Crazy Donkey, Farmingdale, NY
12/12—Beatrix Kiddo—7 Day’s Bar, Union Beach, NJ
12/12—Lieder—Otto’s Shrunken Head, NYC
12/12—Killcode/The Dirty Pearls—Gramercy Theater, NYC
12/12—Kix/Z02/Lyken 21/TRIMM—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
12/12—Black Water Rising—Jugs-N-Strokers, Merrick, NY
12/12—BlankFest—Bruxelle’s Restaurant, Nyack, NY
12/12—Audacity—Post 282, Harrison, NJ
Photo Credit: Amanda Guididas
