One band that really caught my attention at Raceway Park’s Summer Jam was a band called Ixion Lux. I’ve never heard of these guys before, and they rocked my socks off! Singer John Mosher unleashed these screams that were reminiscent of King Diamond meets Geoff Tate (ex-Queensrÿche). And the musicianship was just insane! These guys looked like they were here to party but on stage, they were all business! I had to get myself a copy of their self-titled CD, which featured the old-school Metallica-esque “Owned,” “Sanatorium Rd.,” and my favorite track, “Torched.” The kick drums in these songs even made me tired!
First of all, what is an Ixion Lux? According to their bio, Ixion Lux is a Greek term, which means to bring light to something that is damned. The word Ixion, in Greek mythology, was a demigod who dared to seduce Zeus’ wife. Zeus, in turn, sentenced Ixion to an eternity of torture via a burning wheel of fire. The word lux simply means “light.” Put the words together and there you go! The band’s founder, singer, and rhythm guitarist, Mosher originally started Ixion Lux in the ‘80s with his long-time friend, Mike Trani. Eventually, the two would part ways and the group was on hiatus; but in 2005, Mosher started writing music again. Mosher would add lead guitarist Mike Wilday, formerly of the ‘90s thrash band Spin PsyKill, drummer Dave Rucci, who is actually the brother of original Ixion Lux drummer Phil Rucci, and bassist Wayne Cordiner to complete the live lineup of Ixion Lux. The band will be releasing their first full-length CD, Sanatorium Rd., in early 2013.
Besides performing at every Summer Jam in Englishtown, the band has spent this summer hosting free backyard BBQ concerts while attempting to get fans out from in front of their computer screens by interacting with humans and listening to great music . And that is just awesome if they can accomplish that. To find out where Ixion Lux is performing next or to give them a listen, log onto reverbnation.com/ixionlux.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
The boys from Killcode have unleashed their new mobile app for all smartphones. The app includes songs, photos, videos, news, upcoming shows, and band info from Killcode. What a great way to stay in touch with your favorite local band! To download the Killcode app, log onto reverbnation.com/killcode.
My boys from Life Without Warning have recently released a new video for their song “Saints And Sinners” off of their latest EP of the same name. The song totally kicks ass and shows maturity in the band from when I first wrote about them years ago. The video is now available on YouTube. For more info on Life Without Warning, log onto facebook.com/njlww.
And finally, Nolenz Volenz, the anonymous artist and post-modern musician who released his debut CD West End Angels And The Selfish Saints last year, will be exhibiting a number of his art pieces at the Blast Art Gallery And Coffee Bar in Teaneck this Saturday, July 21. The art of Nolenz Volenz was brought to Blast by Mucky Pup singer and founder, Chris Milnes, who will also be serving as guest curator for this art show. It will be an amazing event to see some art by Nolenz Volenz. The gallery is located at 445 Cedar Lane and for more info, log onto blastgallery.com or nolenz.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, 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:
7/19—The August Infinity—Highline Ballroom, NYC
7/19—Atom Strange—The Whiskey Bar, Hoboken, NJ
7/20—Z02—Dublin Pub, New Hyde Park, NY
7/20—Panzie*/Anaka–The Gamercy, NYC
7/20—Ashes Of Ember/Long Gone Day/This Dark Day—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
7/21—Killcode—Irving Plaza, NYC
7/21—Seas Of Wake/ Sundown Conspiracy/Through The Flood/Fate Strikes Twice/Aurin—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/21—Borgo Pass—Fins Pub, Oakdale, NY
7/27—Thanatotic Desire—Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
7/27—Adema/Fever Vein—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/28—Scarlet Carson/Life Without Warning/Set It Free—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
7/28—Panzie*–The Hampton Bowl, Hampton, NY
8/2—Julius Seizure/Thanatotic Desire—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/4—Black Water Rising/Kix/Our Black Friday—Rockin’ The Lake Summer Festival, Pompton Lakes, NJ
8/11—Panzie*–The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
8/16—Scarlet Carson—The Delancey, NYC
8/16—Steel Panther/The Bad News—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
8/17—InDisguise—Le Grande Fromage, Atlantic City, NJ
8/18—John Rango and Friends—The Canal Day Festival, Wharton, NJ
