My new bud Diane Lane from Lane Six Entertainment recently reached out to me about a new band from Clifton, NJ that she is managing. The name of the group is Joy Ride and for a bunch of kids, they sound like they have it together. Their sound is nothing new, but played really well. I got to hear a couple songs. One song was called “Little Did He Know” from their brand new CD, What About Tomorrow, and the other song that I heard was called “Alive.” Both tracks had a very commercial pop rock sound that might fit in an MTV reality series.
Joy Ride, who consider themselves more of a modern punk rock band, formed back in the summer of 2012. After playing a few shows together, the group liked the feedback they were receiving from their crowds, so they made a conscious decision to invade the local NJ/NYC music scene determined to win over as many fans as possible. Within a few months, fans started to take notice of Joy Ride due to their energetic stage show and electric frontman, CJ Mueller. In a matter of two years, Joy Ride have been recognized for their catchy lyrics, melodies, and insatiable ability to engage the crowd with every one of their live performances. After seeing Joy Ride once, you’ll want to take that ‘RIDE’ again. Joining Mueller are guitarists Bryan Antolos and James Pawson, bassist Ashley Philhower, and drummer Justin Caprio.
In 2012, Joy Ride released their debut EP, Turn That Frown Upside Down, which featured their “unforgettable sing-alongs” like “Alive” and “Climbing A Mountain.” They released their new CD, What About Tomorrow, only last week. This is the future of the music scene right here! Check Joy Ride out now at facebook.com/joyridenj.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My new bud Madysin Hatter’s been keeping me up-to-date with her goings on. She recently returned from L.A. after opening a sold-out show at the coveted Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip for none other than Buckcherry. So, she was really excited to share that news, and I can’t say that I blame her. It’s not every day that a local gets to play a sold-out show at the legendary Whiskey! Madysin also emailed me her latest music video for her song “Pretty Little Fool” off of her latest EP of the same name. The video gives fans a visual insight on Madysin Hatter’s live show, which you can catch on April 4 at the Starland Ballroom when she opens for Kix. Also on the bill for that show are my brothers from Rahway! For more on Madysin Hatter, log onto madysinhatter.com.
Now that they’ve conquered New York City, my bros from Killcode are looking to do the same here in Jersey! They’ve been added to an amazing bill at the Starland Ballroom opening for Stephen Pearcy from Ratt and Twisted Sister, who will be celebrating 30 years of the album that changed my life, Stay Hungry, on May 17. That should be a hell of a show! Then, I’m hearing that the Code will be invading Dingbatz on June 21 with my bros Audio Empire in tow. Killcode are coming to Jersey, so keep your eyes open and don’t miss out! Check them out at facebook.com/KillcodeOfficial.
And finally, my bros from Atom Strange seem to be looking for a new bass player. Well, that’s according to guitarist Alex Rude. The band is looking for a bassist who has chops, dedication and stage presence. Basically, you need to be the whole package. If you are the total package, contact Alex Rude with links and contact info at facebook.com/alex.rude.
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:
2/27—Governing Murphy—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
2/28—DIVE/Playground Etiquette/POC Rock Nation—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/28—Owel/Long Faces/Hey Anna/Secret Photos—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
3/1—Demon Boy—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/4—It Lies Within—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/6—Against The Grain/Buzzard Wagon/Negative Traction—Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ
3/8—Cycle Of Pain/Black Water Rising/Sekond Skyn/Bad Wolf/Flowers To Flames—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
3/8—The Dirty Stayouts/Sinners/Sardonica/SMACK formerly DMZ/Skunkdaze/Voodoo Terror Tribe—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/8—Lieder—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
3/8—House Of Thieves/Gathering After Ashes/Words Never Spoken/The Donner Party—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
3/8—XMORTUS/LICH KING/Condition Critical/Thrashole/Paralysis/Panic/Xenophile—The Backstage at Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
3/12—SYKA/The Genitorturers—Webster Hall, NYC
3/14—D.R.I./Apathy—The Studio at Webster Hall, NYC
3/14—Doghouse Swine—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/14—Mother/Tempest City/Midnight Mob/Race To Dawn/Kid Felix—Mercury Lounge, NYC
3/15—Stagger/Darkness Descends/Negative Sky/Cyperna/Gyre/Apostasy/ Eye Of Anubis/Julius Seizure/Mass Punishment/Scars Of Envy—Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/15—Beyond Fallen—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/21—Sinsanity/Ghosts Of Eden/Crash The Bear/Jolly/One Hundred Thousand/Gathering After Ashes—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
3/21—Corners Of Sanctuary—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/22—JENNCiTY/Santino Noir/Bound By Substance/Eyes Like Cyanide/Srotakin IV/Eyes Of The Sun—Slake, NYC
3/26—Such Gold/Slingshot Dakota/When Thieves Are About/Archie Alone/Puddle Splash—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/29—Xero Gravity/Midnight Hellion—Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/29—Steve Bello Band/Ripped—Buddies Tavern, Sayreville, NJ
4/2—Audio Empire/Red Dragon Cartel—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
