I was forwarded this band out of Passaic Park, NJ, called Killing the Messenger. These guys are as local as local comes, but their sound is much larger than local. That was my assessment upon hearing songs like “Fight or Flight,” the infectious “Wrong Direction,” and the epic “Living Machine” on myspace.com/killthemessengers. The songs were very well-produced and singer Missy DiSalvo sings with such attitude that this band can be pretty big once people learn who they are. But, I guess that’s why I’m here!
Killing the Messenger started out as a quintet out of Montclair State University. According to the band’s bio, they were just a bunch of punks playing shows at local bars, some they lived above, and others they just passed out in front of. After making changing drummers a couple of times and adding a sick keyboard player in Boris Ivanov, the sound of the band began to mature. The members of Killing the Messenger seem to originate from all over the globe, including Brazil, Russia, the Jersey Shore, and Brooklyn. The band feels that this diversity is what helped shape their sound. Killing the Messenger is singer Missy DiSalvo, guitarists Randy Hayes and John Hegarty, bassist Mark Hartmann, Boris Ivanov on the keys, and drummer Tim Rech.
The band released their debut CD, Life Underground, back in May and has been receiving rave reviews ever since. The CD is also currently available for digital download at killingthemessenger.net. You can also log on there to find out where they will be performing next!
North Jersey Notes Updates
The boys from Killcode just finished filming their first music video for the song “6 A.M. Again”, which appears to be a crowd-pleaser when they perform the song live. Also, Killcode is putting the finishing touches on their upcoming live DVD that was filmed at The John Varvatos Store in NYC, formerly known as the legendary CBGB’s. You can see clips of the DVD with interviews at myspace.com/killcode.
I ran into my brother, Smitty from Zenergy Entertainment, down at Aarius Studios where I have been rehearsing lately, and he filled me in on his new roster. First, his model, Danielle Darkko recently made an appearance on the reality show Jerseylicious, and she’s also being sought after to pose in Playboy magazine’s Jersey Girls issue. Yup, I’m going to have to keep you posted on that one!
The band that he manages, Sekond Skyn recently inked a deal with DirtBag Music. Then their singer jumped ship, so the boys are searching high and low for a new singer while they write their debut CD. If you think you have what it takes to sing for Sekond Skin, give them a listen at myspace.com/2ndskinnet.
And finally, my bud Lisa Riggiola, who used to book at A’s Rock and Sports Bar in Bergenfield, NJ and Dexter’s in Riverdale, NJ, recently sent me an email letting me know that she’s promoting a pretty cool event at the Pompton Lakes Elks Lodge this Saturday afternoon (8/7) called “Rockin’ the Lake 2010”. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit “Elks Camp More,” a camp for children with special needs in Haskell, NJ, and Clifton’s Cerebral Palsy Center. Admission is $10 and it will include vendors, food, and a day full of music from tribute bands and original bands like Our Black Friday, Burning Red Sun and Something Like Us. You can purchase tickets for “Rockin’ the Lake 2010” at ticketleap.com.
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 where you can also let me know where you’re 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
8/5—Infernophonic/Adler’s Appetite—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
8/7—Rockin’ the Lake 2010 (Our Black Friday/Burning Red Sun/Something Like Us)—Pompton Lakes Elks Lodge Number 1895, Pompton Lakes, NJ
8//7—Uncle Freak—One Day of Peace and Music Festival, Colonia, NJ
8/7—Borgo Pass—Café Oasis, Baldwin, NY
8/7—The Vivid Twisted/Betrayus—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
8/7—Last Red Ember—Championship Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
8/7—Filter Effect—Keansburg Rock Festival, Keansburg, NJ
8/8—The Dirty Stayouts—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
8/12—Last Red Ember—Bar Anticipation, Belmar, NJ
8/13—Bern and the Brights—Tierney’s Tavern, Montclair, NJ
8/13—Diablo Royale—The Cherrywood, Clementon, NJ
8/13—Pain of Days—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
8/13—Blue Food—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
8/14—The Meyer Rossabi Band/Christine Martucci—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
8/14—Black Water Rising—The Trocadero Balcony Bar, Philadelphia, PA
8/14—Atom Strange—Crash Mansion, NYC
8/14—Diablo Royale—Juggs N Strokers, Merrick, NY
8/20—ZO2—The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
8/21—Filter Effect—Keansburg Rock Festival, Keansburg, NJ
