As I did some online searching for a band to feature this week in North Jersey Notes, I stumbled across a band called JPT, formerly known as JustPassingThru, on reverbnation.com. Just so it’s clear, I’m really not a fan of Christian rock, but these guys were awesome! Who knew? I was only able to hear a few tracks, but what I did hear really blew me away. The song’s “Praise Adonai” (a modern rock cover of the Paul Wilbur classic), “Morning Sun,” and “Watch Yourself” were filled with great vocals, memorably-edgy guitar riffs, and grooves that just won’t quit! For me, it was just too hard to believe that these guys only sang about God! Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
The boys from JPT hail from lovely Caldwell, NJ. They’ve spent several years honing in on their skills by performing local concerts, youth events, rallies and fundraisers, which helped them evolve from a local garage band into the mature, modern hard rock group that they are today. A local newspaper even stated that JPT was one of the best kept secrets on the NJ music scene. I know that I say this a lot, but I might have to agree! Back in 2007, New York’s Christian music station, Star 99.1-FM, invited JPT to be a part of their big Autumn Blaze event at the then Continental Airlines Arena, and also a two-time Dove Award-winning producer helped the boys to complete their latest CD, Call Me Red. In 2008, JPT was given the opportunity to open for Switchfoot at Rutgers University in front of about 4,00 people at their annual Spring Blaze, and word has it, JPT let all of New Jersey know that they were here! JPT is comprised of four very talented musicians in a singer named Mooki, a guitarist named Eli Endres, a bassist named Joe Gorgolione, and drummer Ron Leejack.
JPT’s sound and live show have been compared to early Disturbed, which is not a bad band to be compared to. The band‘s version of Paul Wilbur’s “Praise Adonai” rocked the CRW indie rock charts at number three for a solid six months, and is still getting radio airplay today. JPT has a brand new CD on the way called The Burning featuring their first single, “Deeper Than.” Give JPT a listen now at justpassingthru.net.
North Jersey Notes Updates
For the first time in months, the boys from Apefight will be fighting their fight once again at the Parkside Lounge in NYC for a friend’s birthday this Friday night, Feb. 19. The Apefighters have been locked away in the studio recording their upcoming 21-song opus, Take Me To Your Beaver. They’ll be unleashing a four-song teaser CD at the Parkside Lounge show this weekend. For more info on the upcoming Apefight CD, log onto myspace.com/apefight.
My bud Pete Wells and his boys from Apathy were recently nominated and actually won “The Best Thrash Album of 2009” award for their CD, A Decade Of Violence on a website called Silence So Loud (silencesoloud.com), a website dedicated to hard rock and heavy metal. So, congrats to the boys from Apathy who beat out 20 other bands to win the coveted award. If you haven’t bought your copy of A Decade Of Violence yet, you can buy it at apathy-nj.com.
And finally, a few weeks ago, I mentioned the new super group called Murder League All Stars featuring Eddie Night from Ten Feet From Murder, Tim McMurtrie from M.O.D./Rhythm Trip/Full Scale Riot, Jeff Wood from Dillinger Escape Plan, and Bill Lester from Pave The Way. When I first heard of this new project, there was no music up. They’ve since posted two new tracks called “Murder League All Stars” and “The Choice Is Yours,” and I have to say, “Holy crap!” This stuff is really good and pretty intense for rap metal! You need to check out Murder League All Stars now at myspace.com/murderleagueallstars.
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
2/18—Steve Brown—Firehouse Eatery, Rahway, NJ
2/19—Rahway—Millennium Music Conference, Harrisburg, PA
2/19—Apefight—Parkside Lounge, NYC
2/19—Atom Strange—The Field House, Etter, PA
2/19—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
2/19—Auraborus—Ace of Clubs, NYC
2/20—Warhorse/Full Scale Riot—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/20—(Damn) This Desert Air—Eerie Trackside Manor, Port Jervis, NY
2/20—Steve Brown and the Fallout—The Grasshopper, Wayne, NJ
2/20—Fantazma—Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA
2/23—Steve Brown—The Fireside, Denville, NJ
2/24—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
2/25—Apathy—Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA
2/25—Silent Civilian—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/26—Trixter—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
2/26—Black Water Rising—Juggs-N-Strokers, Merrick, NY
2/27—Diablo Royale—Crash Mansion, NYC
2/27—(Damn) This Desert Air)—Sounds Asylum, Goshen, NY
3/5—Black Water Rising/Moth Eater/Piston Driven/Brand New Sin—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/5—ZO2/Kix—Crazy Donkey, Farmingdale, NY
3/6—With Daggers Drawn/God Forbid/Kittie—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
3/6—John Rango and Friends—The Mason Jar, Mahwah, NJ
