One band that really impressed the hell out of me at Summer Jam in Englishtown, NJ a couple of weeks ago was a band out of Bayonne called Scars Of Envy. I’ve seen these guys on a bunch of bills on the scene but I’ve never seen them live, and the funny thing is that I’ve been Facebook friends with singer Ethan Murphy forever. Scars Of Envy was a tasty little surprise for me filled with bone-crushing guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and a commanding screamer on songs like “Communion (In Black),” “Smear,” and my favorite track, “Bred To Conquer.” The riff on this song just kills! They kind of reminded me of Meshuggah.
Scars Of Envy was put together by guitarist Jeff Anthony and bassist Greg James, but they didn’t remain just a duo for long because they quickly solidified their lineup with the addition of Murphy and drummer Marc Ambrosy. It didn’t take long for the quartet to realize that together, they were able to create something unique and original. They didn’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel—they just needed to put together solid riffs and make them tight. The four members of Scars Of Envy are no strangers to the scene, as they’ve played around it for quite some time in other bands, but they knew their chemistry was right from the moment they stepped into a room together.
Scars Of Envy is currently playing the Jersey music scene promoting their latest CD, Forsaken Me, which I was lucky enough to get my paws on, and if you don’t have one, you’re missing out! With Forsaken Me, the band definitely makes a statement, and that statement is: “We’re here! Too fuckin’ bad!” Catch Scars Of Envy live at Dingbatz with Sirius DJ Jose Mangin tomorrow night (6/28) or give them a listen at scarsofenvy.com.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bros Killcode are on fire! They’re selling out places like The Gramercy Theatre and the Bowery Ballroom in NYC, their self-titled full-length is selling online extremely well, and most recently, their songs “Still Here,” “Skitch” and a few others were recently featured as the soundtrack for Rally TV’s coverage of Ohio’s Bike week. That is awesome! If you haven’t seen Killcode live yet, what the hell are you waiting for? Find out where they’re playing next at reverbnation.com/killcode.
My bass bro, George Pond (formerly of the band Sekond Skyn), has found a new home with Negative Sky from Asbury Park. It’s great to see George out there and playing again since Sekond Skyn has been away so long. Speaking of the boys from Sekond Skyn, they’ll be up and running again very soon! They’re currently in the studio writing some new material. If you want to check out George’s new band, Negative Sky, log onto reverbnation.com/negativeskynj.
And finally, a couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of co-emceeing an amazing event at Summer Jam with Aarius Studios owner Joe Cattano. The event was put together by Circle Of Insanity guitarist Scott Michalowski with the sole purpose of giving local bands an opportunity to perform on a big stage without selling any tickets. Unfortunately for Scott, though, while all of the bands played amazing and powerful sets, some of them didn’t really draw that well. Scott’s idea was amazing and his heart for this music scene is right there! Bands need to really bring it, not only in performance, but also in marketing themselves to make an event like this bigger and badder! The bands who participated in this first Summer Jam included Lords Of Mercy, Cashmier, Zodiac Mary, Circle Of Insanity and Scars Of Envy. The Old Bridge Metal Militia, “Metal Barbie” Christie Kane, ModelzROCK and WSOU’s Street Patrol also helped to make the day a fun one. All in all, the event was run so well that Raceway Park is giving Scott another go at it on July 14, when he brings the Monmouth School Of Rock, Xero Gravity, Lower The Veil, and many more, including JD DeServio from Black Label Society. I know I’ll be at that event too! Stay tuned!
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:
6/27—Set It Free/Breathing Blue—Jenkinson’s, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
6/27—Steve Brown—Willie McBride’s Pub, Branchburg, NJ
6/28—Mindswitch/Scars Of Envy/Syka/The 39—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
6/28—Steve Brown—Thatcher McGhee’s, Denville, NJ
6/29—Ten Foot Tall—Olive’s, Nyack, NY
6/29—A Clever Con—The Cambridge Inn, Spotswood, NJ
6/29—Mother—The Silo, Reading, PA
6/30—InDisguise—The Tattoo Shot Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
6/30—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Beachcomber Bar, Seaside Heights, NJ
6/30—Circle of Insanity/Misstallica—Paul’s Tavern and Cabin, Belmar, NJ
7/5—BoundAlive—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/6—Panzie*/Gas NYC/AUG/Rahway—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/6—Trimm/Filter—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
7/7—Set It Free/Breathing Blue—Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ
7/11—Cashmier/Ace Frehley—Best Buy Theater, NYC
7/13—Darkness Fest—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/14—Mother/Scarlet Carson—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
7/14—InDisguise—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
7/14—The Plot Thickens/BoundAlive/Fever Vein/InDisguise—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
7/15—Aurin/Spineshank/The Agonist—Championships Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
7/19—The August Infinity—Highline Ballroom, NYC
7/20—Panzie*/Anaka–The Gamercy, NYC
7/21—Killcode—Irving Plaza, NYC
