While working my cushy new job at SLP Concerts, I was put in charge of finding a local artist to open for Sick Puppies and 10 Years recently at the Maingate Nightclub in Allentown, PA, for this past Sunday’s show. I came across a local PA group from Scranton called Graces Downfall that I really liked and put them on the bill, but I also have to say that I’d love to see these guys play in Jersey, too! That’s why I chose to feature them this week in North Jersey Notes. I need to make you guys aware of some good music whether it’s in North Jersey, South Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Massachusetts, Los Angeles…wherever! As long as it’s good, you deserve to know about them. I think Graces Downfall are deserving of that.

Graces Downfall formed in 2010. The band is led by singer Kenneth Norton, and he’s surrounded by guitarist Mark Yanish, bassist Grant Williams and drummer Jamey Fisk. Graces Downfall have been out the past few years supporting their CDs Always The Victim and Resplendent Indignity. Their high-energy stage show has even garnered them opening slots for bands like Trapt, 10 Years, Tantric, Saliva, Candlelight Red, Mountain, Great White, Rev Theory and now Sick Puppies.

Graces Downfall are currently working on CD number three, which they are hoping to release at the end of 2013. This is one band that I’d love to see the Jersey music circuit soon. You can give the guys a listen on reverbnation.com/gracesdownfall, where you can hear songs like “Always The Victim,” “New Life” and “Lie.” Check these guys out now!

NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:

I recently received a Facebook message from former With Daggers Drawn drummer Greg Telfeian letting me know about his new project, Pralaya. Now, I’ve always known Greg as having a thunderous foot playing the WDD stuff, so hearing him play a more hard rock style was kind of exciting. He sent me a link to give Pralaya’s new CD a listen, and I have to say that songs like “Matter Of Time” and “Fugitive” really won me over. This stuff was really good! Look for a feature on these guys in an upcoming North Jersey Notes. Check out Pralaya at reverbnation.com/pralaya4.

Speaking of new stuff, my bass playing brother, George Pond, and his new band, Negative Sky, recently released their new CD, Death Of The Sun. The title-track, “Disasteroid” and “Bleed The Stone” were tracks that really tickled my fancy. They were heavy and brutal! How singer Dan Caputo isn’t bleeding from his nose after singing these songs is beyond me. Metal fans will embrace this disc. Trust me! Look for a future feature on these guys too! For now, you can check Negative Sky out at reverbnation.com/negativeskynj.

And finally, my bros from Audio Empire will be celebrating their first full year as a band this Saturday night (8/24) where it all began for them at The Blue Room in Secaucus. These Audio Empire boys have endured quite a lot in the past year from three different guitar players to having to change their name due to copyrights, but they are still standing and have become quite a force on this local music scene. Check them out this Saturday night with Brand Of Julez, Hyngd and Bluesfield Drive, the same exact bands that played Audio Empire’s first show at The Blue Room one year ago! Can’t make the show? Then check Audio Empire out at facebook.com/audioempiremusic.

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:

8/21—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/Bluesfield Drive—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

8/24—Decypher—Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ

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

9/5—End Of An Era/Sponge—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, 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