While my feelings about the Jersey Shore Music Festival in Lakewood a few weeks ago were ill ones, I did walk away from that day enjoying a lot of the young musical talent that New Jersey has to offer. One band that stuck out in my head was called Xenophile. These kids had that “it” factor when it came to prog metal and singer Roy Torres’ vocals were simply mind blowing and so was his stage presence alongside guitarist Ron Iglesias. Where have these kids been hiding? Apparently, Fairview, NJ!
It’s a pretty daunting task to find five young men from five different backgrounds, who share the same passion and drive for music. Yet, the boys of Xenophile made it a priority to find each other. The group formed in November 2010 by guitarists Leart Begolli and Ron Iglesias. The two guitar players, who met at New Jersey City University, formed an earlier version of Xenophile that fell apart. On their search for the right musicians for their new project, Leart came across an old high school chum in drummer Matt Pavlik in February 2012. Ron handled the singing with fill-in bass players filling the void until they found fellow NJCU student Anthony Bianco, who ended up becoming Xenophile’s permanent guy on bass. Toward the end of 2012, singer Roy Torres joined the band, winning them over with his pure yet gritty tone. Together, the five young lads have created an unbreakable bond, not only producing music together, but within their friendship.
Since forming, Xenophile have played many shows across the northern New Jersey region. They are currently creating a full-length, which I hope includes the tracks “Faceless Destiny” and “Scorching The Skies.” These kids are definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Catch Xenophile live this Saturday night (8/17) at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. If you can’t make that show, log onto facebook.com/xenophilenj to find out where they’re playing next!
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
I recently received an email with a link to Cilver’s new video and single for their song “In My Head” featuring Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal on the guitar solo. Well, wouldn’t you believe the latest Guns N’ Roses guitarist actually makes a cameo appearance in the video. The song is great and the hook has actually been “in my head” all day! Check the video out for yourself at youtu.be/e9ucomJWpoY and check Cilver out at facebook.com/cilver.
My new bud David Zeck, who co-runs Legion Promotions and manages my boys Seas Of Wake, recently sent me a link to a pretty cool video of singer-songwriter Bethany Zorn in the studio singing The Black Keys song “Lonely Boy” as “Lonely Girl.” First of all, what an amazing voice on this girl! Secondly, how about Mike Mocerino and Shaun Mason from Seas Of Wake lending their talents and their personality to the video and the cover song? Check out Bethany Zorn’s video for “Lonely Girl” at youtu.be/MNGjZUFDCWg. You can also check her out at facebook.com/bethanyzorn.
And finally, my bros from Black Water Rising have finally released their second CD, Pissed And Driven, yesterday here in the U.S. For those of you who were able to pre-order the CD, some of you were lucky enough to get the new disc on vinyl! This is the first release with new guitarist Dennis Kimak, who some may remember from my band Hostel Inc. The boys have also released new singles “Last Man Standing” and “Dance With The Devil” to coincide with Pissed And Driven’s U.S. release. Check out Black Water Rising on facebook.com/blackwaterrising.
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:
8/15—Borgo Pass—Revolution Bar and Music Hall, Amityville, NY
8/15—Cause Of Affliction/Threatpoint/Curse Of Sorrow—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/16—Seas Of Wake/Cryptodira/FXZero/Hell Mary/Gyre—The Meatlocker, Montclair, NJ
8/16—SHAT/Stitches—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
8/17—Xenophile—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
8/18—the BULLET BOYS/BaddHabbit/Grind Axis/Street Light Circus—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/18—Corrosion Of Conformity/Altar Of Dagon/Wasted Theory/Chimpgrinder/Black Mass Mafia/Meatplow—Mojo 13, Wilmington, DE
8/21—DIVE/Blameshift—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/22—Ted Poley (Danger Danger)/Enuff Z’Nuff/Bang Tango/American Angel—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/23—Killcode/Ten Ton Mojo/Bound By Substance/Mother/Brand Of Julez—The Bowery Ballroom, NYC
8/24—Audio Empire/Hyngd/Brand Of Julez—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
8/24—Julius Seizure/Seas Of Wake/Gyre/Toothgrinder—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/24—Assayer/Abandoner/One With Nothing/Meatplow—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
8/25—Aurin/Sinners/Sins Of Heaven/Xenophile—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/29—Answer Infinity/Ascending From Ashes—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
8/29—Enemy Of Everyone—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/31—Kore Rozzik/Flames Of Fury/Forsakken—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
9/3—Stardog Champion/What Comes To Life—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/6—Killer Dwarves/Modern Superstar/Jaded Past—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/6—Beyond Visible—West Side Bar and Grill, Woodland Park, NJ
9/14—Midnight Mob/Pyramada/Pocketful/Beyond Visible—Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
9/15—Hatebreed/GWAR/Iron Reagan/Dispute To Flames—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
9/19—The Devil In God/Raven/Mpire Of Evil/Midnite Hellion—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
9/20—Thank You Scientist / Ku’on / Mörglbl—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
9/21—Neologic/Tarpit Boogie/Morningside Lane—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
