I recently came across a great band out of Great Neck, NY and I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that the frontwoman didn’t catch my attention, but it did. The name of the band was Blameshift, and they seriously rocked. I sat down and listened to a few tracks on their ReverbNation page and actually watched their music video for their song “Secrets” from beginning to end. I was impressed! Yes, singer Jenny Mann might sound like In This Moment’s Maria Brink or Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale or Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless or even Angelina DelCarmen from NYC’s Charetta, but is she trying to really reinvent the wheel? No, she’s kicking ass doing what the women before her did and there’s nothing wrong with that as long as she rocks doing it. Her voice is killer and the music supporting her is just as ass-kicking. A few songs that deserve some attention include “Destroy Your Masquerade,” “Revolution,” “Let Go” and “Secrets.”
Blameshift have been making a name for themselves since 2009, logging well over 200,000 miles of touring under their belt. Within that time, the gang from Blameshift claims they could have “easily taught a collegiate level course on band survival.” In a short amount of time, the band nurtured a high-powered list of sponsors, made their music a full-time job and even built their very own tour bus, which they used to travel from NYC to L.A. in late 2012 to finish their latest CD, Secrets, with producer Erik Ron, who’s known for his work with Good Charlotte and Panic! At The Disco. The hype surrounding Blameshift began around 2012 when they released their debut EP, The Black Rose. Over 75 related music media outlets, including companies like Taco Bell and Sullen Clothing, supported the band’s music, which nearly tripled the band’s following. Blameshift have since developed into a well-oiled touring machine with the help of their trusted tour bus. They’ve been on the road nonstop opening for groups like 12 Stones, Digital Summer and Black Stone Cherry. Joining singer Jenny Mann in Blameshift is guitarist Tim Barbour, who is actually a Wayne, NJ boy, bassist Mike Sarkissian, and drummer Dan Scofield.
Now, after selling over 10,000 copies of their EP, Black Rose, all on their own, Blameshift spent the rest of 2013 in support of their new CD, Secrets. Blameshift continue to tour in support of the CD, which makes them sound like one of the hardest working bands in the business. You can actually catch Blameshift live at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ in a few weeks on July 17 with Dive. If you can’t make this show, find out where they’re playing next at blameshiftmusic.net.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My buds from Mass Punishment have finally released their long-awaited CD, Proving Grounds, Volume 1, on iTunes. The CD really is not due to hit stores until July 4, but the boys were so excited for the CD release that they’ve put it on iTunes to be available by pre-order. For more on Mass Punishment, log onto MassPunishment.com.
I just learned that Statik Silence parted ways with guitarist Danny Begley back in April, which comes as a shock to me because I thought that Danny was a staple to this band. I always thought that he was the Richie Sambora to singer Dave Marin’s Jon Bon Jovi. So, I’m sure Danny’s presence will be missed in this band. Statik Silence, however, have been using Stone from Syrens Calling in the interim until they find a replacement for Danny. If you think that you have what it takes, contact Statik Silence on Facebook at facebook.com/statiksilence.
And finally, one show that you might not want to miss in North Jersey this weekend is the return of Saint Caine at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ on June 28. It’s been a while since they’ve played one of North Jersey’s more popular rock venues, but Dingbatz was, at one time, a place that some members of Saint Caine called home. This should be a packed house especially since it’s sort of a homecoming show and Saint Caine are hot off of their most recent tour with Godsmack. Also performing that night will be my bros from Audio Empire, Mother and Jaded Past. For more info on this show, log onto facebook.com/saintcaine.
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:
6/26–Darrow Chemical Co./Johnny B. Morbid/Thanatotic Desire—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
6/27—Meatplow/We Our War/Lifesblood—Shady Katie’s, Somerdale, NJ
6/27—Hyngd/Saliva—The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
6/27—Arch Demon—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
6/28—Saint Caine/Mother/Jaded Past/Audio Empire—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
6/28—Srotakin IV/Brand Of Julez /Race To Dawn/Off The Turnpike—Slake, NYC
6/29—The Stationary Set/Fire And The Romance/Like KENYA/Weirdface/Ready For Nothing—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
6/30—Day In Day Out/Meridian/North Runner/Adversities/Save Face—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/4—Hoobastank/End Of An Era/Donovan’s Devils/Beyond Visible—Fubar, Bayville , NJ
7/5—Morningside Lane—The Bitter End, NYC
7/6—Lost Years/Transfer Switch/Over The Years—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/11—Starcazt/Murder League All Stars/Off Top/Loc Ness/This Time Counts/Phillo$ophy—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
7/13—Farewell My Love/Jamie’s Elsewhere/Famous Last Words/Lionfight/The Blessing Of This Curse/That Of A Lion/My Finest Regards—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/13—Coldsteel/Gothic Knights/Sanitarius/Shitkill—The Emporium, Patchogue, NY
7/16—Blacklite District/Another Lost Day/Lullwater—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/17—Blameshift/Dive/Brendan Starr—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/18—Another Distraction/Spider Rockets/Audio Empire/Modern Suits/Local Hero/VIV – Views Into Vastness—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
7/18—Blameshift/Dive—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
7/19—Dr. Chud X-Ward/Sinners/Sonic Creeps—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/25—Deadfish Handshake/Scottish Widows/Knucklebone—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/29—Counterparts/Young Graves/Years End/Illusionist/Provenance—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/31—Dying Eyes Of Sloth/Cannibal Corpse—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
