STRANGERS PASS—Rahway, NJ
I finally had a chance to listen to a CD that was mailed to me this year. The CD is a self-titled EP from a band called Strangers Pass out of Rahway, NJ, and I actually thought it was pretty good. There was nothing mind-blowing about these guys, and they aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. They’re just a solid, clear-cut rock band. I really liked the way singer Robert Sadowski commanded the track “Take You Down” and “To Be Loved,” but on the ballad, “Move On,” he was simply masterful. This was a pretty strong EP for a bunch of unknowns.
Strangers Pass is a power-trio that formed through an impromptu jam session back in August 2008, which was supposed to be for fun, but the chemistry was so undeniable, the trio decided to take it a bit more seriously. In 2009, they released their debut self-titled EP. Joining singer and guitarist, Robert Sadowski in Strangers Pass is drummer Frank Gattuso and bassist Daniel Karthak.
Now, like I said, I only listened to this EP recently. I have since been to the band’s ReverbNation page, reverbnation.com/strangerspass, and bass player Daniel Karthak might not even be with the band anymore. Then again, I’m not even sure that this page has been updated recently. I’ve had no contact with Strangers Pass other than their CD, which I enjoyed! Give these guys a listen now at reverbnation.com/strangerspass, where you can also find out where they’re playing next!
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bros from Killcode are putting the finishing touches on their self-titled first full-length CD, which will help them kick off 2012 after its release. Killcode plans on celebrating with a huge show at Mercury Lounge in NYC on Jan. 27 with The Compulsions, Star Killer, Stoned Fire and Vajra, but to make the show extra special, the Killcode boys will be giving an advanced copy of their CD to the first 75 people that walk through the door to see them. Until then, Killcode’s been out filming a music video for an acoustic version of their song “Breaking Away.” For more Killcode news, log onto reverbnation.com/killcode.
I recently ran into my brothers from someone else’s mother, Anthony Coviello and Anthony Coppola from Long Gone Day at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, when they came to see me perform a couple of weeks ago. It’s been a pretty long time, so it was great to see these guys! It was also good to hear that Long Gone Day is still up and running full-steam ahead. Coviello handed me the band’s latest single “Eastwood, Cash, And The Clash,” and besides being one of the shortest songs in the universe, it was one of those fun punk songs that can only mean one thing; it was written by Long Gone Day! Check out Long Gone Day at reverbnation.com/longgoneday.
And finally, if you’re looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve, ring in the New Year with the dirtiest party band in North Jersey, The Dirty Stayouts at Dingbatz! You can’t go wrong when my bros Anthony Sidoti, Bob Bobal, Jen Bobal and Pete Zest throw a party! For more info on this wild New Year’s Eve party, log onto dingbatznj.com or facebook.com/thedirtystayouts.
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! Anyway, have a safe and Happy New Year!
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:
12/28—Steve Brown and Dennis Zimmer—Sands Casino/St. James Gate, Bethlehem, PA
12/29—Brian St. John Quartet/Randy Morning Band/The Grifters—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
12/30—Mother—The Grape Room, Philadelphia, PA
12/30—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Elm Street Grill, Oakland, NJ
12/30—Damian Calcagne Band/The Hungry Monks—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
12/31—Milo Z—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
12/31—The Dirty Stayouts—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/2/12—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Sands Casino/Molten Lounge, Bethlehem, PA
1/6/12—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Willie McBride’s II, Branchburgh, NJ
1/7/12—Youngblood and Co./Shadetree Mechanics—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
1/7/12—Shadowplay—Fusion, Cherry Hill, NJ
1/7/12—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Blackthorn Pub, Parsippany, NJ
1/11/12—Sanitarius/Sanctuary—Gramercy Theatre, NYC
1/12/12—Shadowplay—Sweeney’s Saloon, Philadelphia, PA
1/13/12—Darkness Descends—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/14/12—Monster Magnet/Black Ocean/Life Without Warning/Lords of Mercy/Ladykiller—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
1/14/12—Darkness Descends—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/14/12—Filter Effect—Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg, PA
