A while back I featured a band called In.Spite.Of here in North Jersey Notes, and I thought that they were pretty good. Bassist Raj Narayanan and I have been in and out of touch the past few years, but he recently sent me an email to check out he and singer Davin Alson’s new project Leaving Sideways. The new project is pretty damn good! I thought that the song “No Lies,” which the band just shot a video for, was a catchy song that I can see being heard on a station like WRXP. The other tracks that I heard, “A New Beginning” and “Step Back,” were also very hooky. The music is very radio friendly and Davin’s voice is very marketable; especially in a marketplace seeking a good alternative rock band to follow. Leaving Sideways has arrived!
Leaving Sideways is a Central Jersey alternative rock band filled with pockets of hooks and catchy melodies. Singer Davin Alson and Bassist Raj Narayanan left their previous band In.Spite.Of to pursue their own opportunity with drummer Chris Kurdes, and in April of 2008, Leaving Sideways made their live debut in legendary Asbury Park, New Jersey. Glowing from positive feedback from that show, the guys from Leaving Sideways continued to write and perform to see where it took them. In their short time together they caught the attention of my brother and producer, Tim Gilles, from Big Blue Meenie Studios in Jersey City, NJ. Tim helped Leaving Sideways record a new three-song demo, which was later mastered by Alan Douches (Ben Folds Five, Mastodon) from West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.
In October of 2009, Leaving Sideways and their three-song demo caught the attention of producer and songwriter Tomas Costanza, whose songwriting credits include soundtracks to movies like Mission Impossible: 2 and Freaky Friday. He’s also worked with Faith Hill and Lil Wayne. You get the idea! This was huge! In March 2010, Leaving Sideways will be heading to Hollywood, CA, to work with Tomas on some new material. Their debut full-length is set for a spring 2010 release. For more info, log onto myspace.com/leavingsideways.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES
Big news! North Jersey’s favorite local hair band, Trixter, made their triumphant return last year with the original line-up and a lot less hair at a sold out Dexter’s in Riverdale, NJ. On Feb. 26, Trixter is back for another run at a smaller venue in Teaneck, NJ, called Mexicali Live. This show is a sure sell out, so get your tickets now at ticketweb.com. In other Trixter news, my bro Steve Brown recently released a brand new Christmas song on iTunes just in time for the holidays! The song is called “Rockin’ Christmas Time” and is simply vintage Steve Brown with a little bit of holiday spirit sprinkled in. It fits right in with holiday classics like “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”! Check it out for yourself on iTunes.com or stevebrownmusic.biz. Catch Steve Brown live tonight, Dec. 16, at The Copper Bottom in Florida, NY. The Copper Bottom is coincidentally owned by Trixter drummer Marc “Gus” Scott!
My boys from Anaka have a new CD out! It’s called The Glorified Crusade and the first single, “Erase,” really rocks! Singer Jimmy Pallis sounds better than I’ve ever heard him sing. You can see the video for “Erase” on myspace.com/anaka, where you can also buy their CD,The Glorified Crusade.
And finally, I got a text from my bud, Marc Rizzo from Soulfly, he told me that he was currently in L.A. recording the upcoming Soulfly CD, Omen, which features Max Cavalera’s sons, Igor and Zyon, playing drums on a few songs. Marc Rizzo, on the other hand, has an as-yet-untitled solo CD coming out for the New Year. He looks to get an early jump on promoting his solo material with a couple local shows this weekend. Friday night, Dec. 18, Marc Rizzo will be at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ, with special guests Among Us, and on Saturday night, Dec. 19, he will be performing at Popeye’s Pub in Courtlandt Manor, NY. To find out more about Marc Rizzo and Soulfly, log onto myspace.com/marcrizzo. Another note, Marc will be on WSOU on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. to give away tickets to his shows.
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 or if you want me to check out your band or a band that you think could use some exposure email me at chigger273@aol.com and let me know where your performing next. 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:
12/16—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
12/18—Black Water Rising—Station 58, Syracuse, NY
12/18—Marc Rizzo Band—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
12/18—Steve Brown—Grand Cascade, Hardystown, NJ
12/19—Christine Martucci—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
12/19—Black Water Rising—Monty’s Krown, Rochester, NY
12/19—Sekond Skyn—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
12/19—Marc Rizzo Band—Popeye’s Pub, Courtlandt Manor, NY
12/19—Steve Brown—River Palm Terrace, Mahwah, NJ
12/20—Black Water Rising—The Lost Horizon, Syracuse, NY
12/22—Sekond Skyn—The Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
12/23—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
12/26—Sekond Skyn—High Velocity, Beachwood, NJ
12/26—Steve Brown and the Fallout—The Grasshopper, Morristown, NJ
12/30—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Blend, Ridgewood, NJ
1/8/10—Christine Marctucci—Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
1/8/10—Marc Rizzo Band—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
