A young band out of Holmdel, NJ, was recently tossed my way. They’re called Filter Effect, and since they were tossed my way, I figured that I’d give them a listen. I was able to hear a few rough tracks like “Area 51” and “Cry Of An Angel” on the band’s MySpace page, myspace.com/filtereffect, and I felt that they had a lot of musical talent and promise. When I say promise, I mean that there’s a lot more room for them to grow as musicians and songwriters. I mean, they’re 18-years-old for crying out loud! If I was Filter Effect, I might look for an actual singer because the music sounded great, but was weakened by the vocal melodies.
Filter Effect formed back in 2006 when 14-year-old lead guitarist and singer, Bobby Hayek met rhythm guitarist Travis Fodor one day during their lunch period to discuss their new prog rock/metal band that they would call Filter Effect. After a long-winded audition process, a monstrous progressive drummer in Kyle Weaver was discovered. A little bit after Kyle joined the band, Travis left Filter Effect claiming personal reasons, but right after Travis’s departure, 18-year-old bass player, Mike Berick, joined. Mike supposedly shreds on the bass like it’s a guitar. The boys from Filter Effect just recently solidified their line-up with Travis’ replacement, Tyler Czubas.
As the boys from Filter Effect hone in on their skills, they seem to be playing some pretty well-known venues on the Jersey club circuit including spots like The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Dingbatz in Clifton, and the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.
North Jersey Notes Updates
The boys from Atom Strange finally will be releasing their long-awaited second CD, Cosmic Disturbance, this month, and they’ll be celebrating the CD’s release with a party and Industry Showcase at Live Nation’s Gramercy Theater in NYC on Tuesday, March 23. Also performing will be my bros from Diablo Royale. In other Atom Strange news, guitarist Tom Denman left the band back in December due to personal reasons leaving Atom Strange to perform as a four-piece ever since. For more info on Atom Strange and their CD Release party, log onto atomstrange.com.
Is this even possible? Steve Bello Band, round four? I just received an email from Steve himself stating exactly that! “Every time that he tries to get out, they pull him back in!” Steve Bello Band is back with a new line-up, which features Steve Bello, bassist Joe DeMott, and another old buddy of mine, Eddie Faust, on drums. Eddie is also currently playing with Ted Poley in his solo band. Steve says that this time it’s for real and to prove it, he’s even posted some new pics of their first rehearsal on myspace. You can check those out at myspace.com/stevebello.
And finally, congrats to my brothers from Black Water Rising, who recently signed a distribution deal with Giddy Up Records and Sony Red Distribution. Their self-titled debut CD hit the shelves nationwide last week. It’s no secret how big national distribution is, so a huge congrats to them! Find out more about Black Water Rising at myspace.com/blackwaterrising.
That’s all for now! If your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your 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
3/10—Charetta—Ace of Clubs, NYC
3/12—ZO2—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/12—Filter Effect—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
3/12—Black Water Rising—Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
3/13—Uncle Freak—The Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
3/13—Rahway—R Bar, NYC
3/13—ZO2—The Cherrywood Lounge, Clementon, NJ
3/13—Apathy—Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/14—A Midnight Tragedy—Velocity 17, Maywood, NJ
3/19—Our Black Friday—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/19—Lieder—Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ
3/20—A Midnight Tragedy—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/20—ZO2—The Mercury Lounge, NYC
3/21—Will Killmore—Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA
3/23—Diablo Royale/Atom Strange—Gramercy Theater, NYC
3/26—Fantazma—Sussex Tech, Sparta, NJ
3/27—Rahway—Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA
3/28—Filter Effect—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
