I recently came across an amazing North Jersey band that hosted some familiar faces within it and believe it or not, these guys and gal are doing the right thing and not becoming complacent here in the local music scene. They’ve taken their local band to a national level and that’s why I’ve never really heard anything about them until now. The band is called Chevonne And The Fuzz, and it consists of my bud Chris Bookstaver and former Sleeping Revolt singer Chris Ricci, whom I tried to steal at one point for my band Smoke Star. Anyway, the group is awesome. Singer Chevonne was actually a competitor on NBC’s The Voice as well as a back-up singer for Estelle and Lady Gaga, so she comes with a little bit of experience. I have to say after listening to the songs “Ugly Boy,” “Your Guitar” and “One More Time” off the band’s Fire At Will CD, which I am loving, I couldn’t help to notice a No Doubt similarity. Chevonne’s voice was so Gwen Stefani-ish without sounding too much like No Doubt. I thought the EP was pretty good!
The best way to describe Chevonne And The Fuzz is that they are a North Jersey-based band with a NYC-meets-L.A. flair for drama and attitude. As I mentioned earlier, the group is fronted by namesake Chevonne, who made her bones as a back-up singer for Estelle and Lady Gaga, and then as a competitor on season three of The Voice on Team Cee Lo and Team Christina. Chevonne is harmonized with the charismatic and tattoo-covered bad boy Chris Ricci, who sings right beside Chevonne, giving her that male vocal harmony the songs need. The band is rounded out by a real Jersey music pirate, guitarist Chris Bookstaver, bassist Mike Sarkissian, keyboardist Nick Potters and the thunderous drumming of Steve Sarkissian.
Chevonne And The Fuzz are currently on the road promoting their EP Fire At Will, which they released this past September. The EP is a great compliment to what this band is all about. Its seven songs are fun and catchy as hell and it doesn’t hurt that the vocals are pleasing to listen to as opposed to some singers who are out there. Chevonne And The Fuzz could be another act to look out for in 2014. Though they call Jersey home, I would look for them more on a national level. Check them out now at soundcloud.com/chevonne-and-the-fuzz or facebook.com/chevonneandthefuzz.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bros from Judge The Fallen seem to be looking for a new singer, as vocalist Mike Morgan has parted ways with the band. No reason was given, only that the group was looking for a replacement rather quickly because they don’t want to lose any momentum. If you’d like to give Judge The Fallen a listen to see if you have what it takes to sing for them, log onto reverbnation.com/judgethefallen or contact them at facebook.com/judgethefallennj.
Speaking of singers, I recently saw a post on Facebook by one of my bass playing buds, Ronnie Parkes, who’s been playing with everyone under the sun these days. Anyway, I remember Ronnie from back in the day when he played guitar in the band Cleavage. These guys used to pack the clubs back when I was a young boy on the NJ club scene. Well, singer Larry Ganci, who actually married a high school friend of mine, left the scene many, many years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. Until now, that is! Ronnie posted a video from Larry Ganci, who now calls himself Law Ganci, and in the video, Larry even acknowledges his 20-plus year absence from the music scene, but then he blesses us with an unreleased Cleavage song called “Girls Who Rock.” I have to admit that while the song sounded a little dated, it still brought me back to my Studio One days. I’m not sure where this is heading, but like I’ve told Ronnie in the past, it would be great to see a Cleavage reunion! Believe it or not, their song “15 Gets You 20” was all over WSOU back in the day. You can give “Girls Who Rock” a listen now at youtu.be/nUB6uc_RMMA.
And finally, for the past few days, I’ve been listening to the new Voodoo Terror Tribe EP, A Walk In Hell, and I know I’ve spoken about it before, but I finally received my copy. I have to say that I loved being able to watch these guys grow as musicians and songwriters. My bros Emir Erkal and Tom Comito have really come a long way. The songs “Deviancy Amplification Spiral,” “Screaming Dreams,” “Blood Soaked,” the title-track and their version of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” really sounded large and in charge. Singer Gil PZ really brought his “A” on these tracks. I felt like I was listening to a whole new band! A band that is demanding to be taken seriously! I think that Voodoo Terror Tribe might be here to make a serious statement in 2014. Look out for them! Give A Walk In Hell a listen now at vttrocks.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! Have a Merry Christmas!
Tim Louie is the Author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
12/26—Steve Brown and Friends—Prospect Tavern, Madison, NJ
12/27—Kosmic Daydream—Hat City Kitchen, Orange, NJ
12/27—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Willie McBride’s, Branchburg, NJ
12/28—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Grasshopper Off The Green, Morristown, NJ
1/31—End Of An Era—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
1/31—Lifesblood/Result Of Society/Smacking Madison/Chinga/ Meatplow/Machines Of Penalty/We Are War—Le Grand Fromage, Atlantic City, NJ
1/2—Living Colour—The Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY
1/3—Cycle Of Pain/Black Water Rising/BlackOcean/Sekond Skyn/New Theory—Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
1/3—Steve Brown—D’Jeet at The Grove, Shrewsbury, NJ
1/3—Gathering Of Ashes—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
1/6—Born A New/Revelations/Footage Of A Yeti/Sirens And Sailors/Shai Hulud/This Or The Apocalypse—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/11—Natural Born Losers/Bluesfield Drive/Useless—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/16—A Pale Horse Named Death/Borgo Pass—The Studio at Webster Hall, NYC
1/17—Eric Martin (voice of Mr. Big)—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/17—Atom Strange—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
1/18—Syka/In This Moment/Butcher Babies—Webster Theater, Hartford, CT
1/18—That Metal Show Live (Eric Martin/Metal Mike/Station/Xero Gravity/Ixion Lux)—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
1/25—Kosmic Daydream/Jaded Past—The Cup Complex, Linden, NJ
