Locals, it’s about that time we meet again to chat about everything that is going on in the local music scene. The weather has finally broken, the warmness is in the air, and people are starting to migrate out of their houses. You know what that means: Outdoor concerts will be in full effect soon! I have seen so many bands posting about opening for some great shows at various venues, and even having some headlining showcases of their own! This is the part of the summer that I love the most, with good vibes, good music, and just all around goodness! Anyway, it’s time to get back to the topic at hand: local music.
This week, I am going to write about a band that has been getting a ton of buzz, and people have been literally shoving them in my face lately. This is a good thing though, for that means people really want to get them on the radar. I really love when fans recommend bands to me, as it makes me believe that they are reading, listening, and trying to get the group that they love into the spotlight.
This band resides in Red Bank, NJ, and they go by the name of Trans Charger Metropolis. They consider themselves in the genre of “lo-fi, psych, indie, pop, and garage.” This description alone had me intrigued, for that is quite the combo for a genre. What could this fierce blend of sound possibly come out to be? Good or bad, drawn or creative? I was uncertain, as I’m sure you are as well. However, there is nothing complicated here at all.
Members of this band include Justin, Ryan, Jaime, and Rick. How did they meet? Not so sure. How long have they been musicians? Not so sure either. The beauty of this is it doesn’t matter at all what their history is, for the future is what they are focusing on, and trying to make it big. I do not know these guys personally; however, the vibe I am getting from their music suggests they seem pretty rad. Let’s proceed to break things down a little further, shall we?
When I first heard Trans Charger Metropolis, it immediately took me back to an older time of rock and roll, with no gimmicks, glam, or hype-ups. Basically, it is pure, raw talent. Their album Best Idea Generation is compacted with 20 tracks for your listening pleasure. Yes, you heard that correctly: 20 freakin’ tracks. I am not sure if this is the band’s entire catalogue put onto one disc, or if they just went nuts on this one, but there is a lot of content right here. A lot of these tracks are short, however, so the album length isn’t insanely long. It is very rare that artists can release this many tracks without some of the songs sucking, and I don’t mean this negatively at all, but it’s the reality of music. Admit it, you sometimes buy an album for some hit singles, then you come to find that you really don’t like a lot of tracks on the record, for they aren’t as good as the hype you initially expected.
I really found myself loving the song “Two Strings,” and I may be going out on a limb here, but I think this track showcases their talents perfectly. I also enjoy “Four In A Bar,” as you can really listen to each member of the group individually here. These are just two of my personal recommendations, but the beauty of this record is that each song is better than the next, and completely different from the previous. There are no duplicates here whatsoever, and fans of all genres can pick something out that they like. “The Wolves Are Out” is a very relatable song; take a listen and you’ll see what I mean.
This band is pretty much on every social media outlet that exists, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t give them a chance. However, they do it tastefully. They aren’t in your face every five seconds asking you to vote for something, to buy their record, and all of those other things we tend to get annoyed at. (Don’t worry bands, I am not knocking it. You hustle and do what you have to do, and I have all of your backs!)
Word on the street is Trans Charger Metropolis’ live set is pretty magical, and I will be in attendance at one of their shows very soon. If you want an original, talented, on-the-verge band, this is the act for you. What does the band name mean? I have no idea at all, and while I would love to learn more about them, the mystery is somewhat appealing to me. Even though their debut album was just released last year, I hope they have new material and tricks in the works to keep all of us new fans satisfied. You can find out more about them at facebook.com/transchargermetropolis. Be sure to also check their schedule for a show near you!
I will be back next week with another local band of your liking. In the meantime, keep sending submissions, get your butts out to shows, and make some moves to keep the scene alive! So far so good on all of your suggestions, so keep up the good work, everyone! See you next week!
