HEROES OF TOOLIK—West Orange, NJ
I recently received an email from Heroes Of Toolik singer and guitarist Arad Evans asking me to check out his band and help them promote their Friday night (Oct. 21) gig at the Clash Bar in Clifton, NJ. So I logged onto heroesoftoolik.com to give them a listen. And though it’s not really in line with my taste in music, I see where they’re trying to go with it. It’s just total avant-garde style classic rock. Meaning it’s a little too artsy-fartsy for me, but still very well done. Their songs “Bottle Of Wine,” “Yellow-Haired Sea,” “Two Humans” and “Crazy Old Broad” really showcase what Heroes Of Toolik is all about.
Heroes of Toolik formed less than a year ago, but have been winning over the ears of music enthusiasts across Brooklyn and Manhattan. The members are veterans to the music scene, too! Trombone player Peter Zummo performed with the Lounge Lizards and Arthur Russell, guitarist and singer Arad Evans spent over 20 years with the Glenn Branca Ensemble, bassist Matt Hunter released nine albums with New Radiant Storm Kings, and then there’s Ted Ferguson on the accordion and drummer Trip Kyle. Together these music vets have created a sound so unique that it will at least set them apart from other bands.
The Heroes Of Toolik have a debut CD in the works for an early 2012 release to be produced by Wharton Tiers, who’s known for his work with bands like Sonic Youth and Helmet. This Friday night, the band bring their unique stew of riffs to the Garden State for the first time as they visit Clifton’s Clash Bar. Since two of its members call West Orange, NJ, home, it was only natural to make the burgeoning Jersey music scene the logical next stop. Give Heroes of Toolik a listen now at heroesoftoolik.com.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
I have some more news from The Compulsions camp! Apparently their fans have been asking for physical copies of some old Compulsions material, and the band has responded with a CD called The Bad Ol’ Daze: Baddest Hits 2002-2009, which will feature 11 of The Compulsions’ heaviest classics, like “Down On The Tracks,” a cover of the Eric Clapton cover song “Cocaine,” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll Johnny.” The CD is on sale exclusively through the band’s ReverbNation page, reverbnation.com/thecompulsions, for just $10.99! Here’s the catch, The Bad Ol’ Daze is only available until Halloween, so act now if you want your physical copy of some old school Compulsions.
The gang from Jersey City’s Hoodless had something pretty exciting happen to them recently. The AOL music site Noisecreep premiered the band’s brand new music video for their song “Waiting,” which is off of the band’s latest CD, Music For Jerks.
And finally, speaking of music videos, my bros from Black Water Rising finally released their long-awaited music video for their song “No Halos” via YouTube. “No Halos” is on the band’s debut self-titled CD, which is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, etc. The video for “No Halos,” which stars Oz star Jose Hernandez Jr., and marks the return of director Noah Shulman, who also worked with the band on their “Brother Go On” video, depicts religion as a cult that uses media as a brainwashing tool with Jose playing the madman preacher.
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, or you can email me at tim@theaquarian.com, where you can also let me know where you’re performing next!
Just remember: We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
Tim Louie is the author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
10/21—Steve Brown and The Fallout—Willie McBride’s, Branchburg, NJ
10/21—Heroes of Toolik—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
10/22—Borgo Pass—Whoville, Bethpage, NY
10/26—Steve Brown—Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
10/28—Don Jamieson’s Gunfire-N-Sodomy—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/28—The Misfits/King Kelly—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
10/28—Panzie*/Ghosts of Eden/Beta Plus Embryo—The Mercury Lounge, NYC
10/29—Scarlet Carson—Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
10/29—Voodoo Terror Tribe/Sardonica—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/29—Steve Brown—Beachcomber Bar, Seaside Heights, NJ
10/30—Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy/Spider/Juliet’s Vice/DB Sleeze—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/30—Black Water Rising/Ace Frehley—Mulcahy’s, Centereach, NY
11/3—Will Killmore/Betrayus—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
11/4—Deathrash/Generation Kill/Hostile Rage—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
11/5—Long Gone Day—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
11/5—Sebastian Bach/Natasha Komis/Knucklebone—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
11/12—Borgo Pass—McBeery’s, Bethpage, NY
