Whoever thought that there was still rock in Old Bridge, NJ since the demise of the Birch Hill Nightclub back in 2003? Well, apparently there is still rock there in the name of these young lads in the band Donovan’s Devils. I stumbled across them when I noticed that they were one of the opening acts opening for Hoobastank this Friday night, July Fourth, at Fubar in Bayville, NJ. Since I’ve already featured the other openers, End Of An Era and Beyond Visible, in this column, I figured I’d give Donovan’s Devils a quick listen and after listening to the songs “Find A Way” and “What Dreams May Come,” I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t surprised that they were a good band. I was more surprised that I liked them. They’re not hard and heavy, but their music is tasteful and enjoyable.
Donovan’s Devils have only been around since 2011 and were named in memory of James Inglima, who is the grandfather of singer/guitarist Teddy Venezia. During World War II, Mr. Inglima was a member of the Office of Strategic Services, which was one of the most elite teams to fight in the war. His unit fought under General William J. “Wild Bill” Donovan’s command and were called “Donovan’s Devils,” hence the band name. The band felt that the name would prove strong and help them battle through the war of the NJ music scene. Joining singer/guitarist Teddy Venezia in Donovan’s Devils is guitarist Austin Martinez, bassist TJ Bernhard and drummer Michael Gangino.
Donovan’s Devils are currently playing as many local gigs as they can to get their name out there. Having the opportunity to open for a band like Hoobastank on July Fourth weekend is definitely a great notch on the old proverbial belt. Now they just have to get out there and kick some ass to prove they belong on stages like that one. For more info on Donovan’s Devils and their upcoming gig opening for Hoobastank at Fubar in Bayville, NJ this Friday, log onto facebook.com/DonovansDevils.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
Congrats to my bros from Audio Empire, who won $1,250 at the Clash For Cash at the Meadowlands Racetrack a few weekends back. The boys had to beat out bands like Cracked Alice, Waking Heroes and New Theory. The event was hosted by WDHA and my bud, Lindsay Klein, and from what I hear, it was an amazing event. Each band walked away with cash, but Audio Empire walked away with the jackpot. So, again, a big congrats to those guys! For more on Audio Empire, log onto audioempireband.com.
Speaking of some of my bros, Casey Ferry, drummer for Lower The Veil, recently had to have neck surgery that put him out of action for a little while with New Theory and Negative Sky drummer Tommy Fitzgibbon filling in on any shows Casey couldn’t play. You have to love a music scene that is willing to help each other out rather than bands that are jealous of each other. I just heard that Casey has been since cleared to play again, so get out there to see Lower The Veil live and give Casey a hug and welcome him back! To find out where Lower The Veil are playing next, log onto facebook.com/lowertheveil.
And finally, I haven’t written about this dude in a while, but Santino Noir, former singer of Scarlet Carson, has been making quite the name for himself as a solo artist, and no, he’s not singing the rock anymore. He recently released a brand new music video for his song “Mainstream Misfits” on YouTube, which you can see at youtu.be/LeqAFkWIZDs, and he also recently released a brand new song called “Gettin Lucky” featuring none other than Daft Punk. The song is available for free download on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/santinonoir/gettin-lucky. For more info on Santino Noir, log onto facebook.com/OfficialSantinoNoir.
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:
7/4—Hoobastank/End Of An Era/Donovan’s Devils/Beyond Visible—Fubar, Bayville , NJ
7/5—Morningside Lane—The Bitter End, NYC
7/5—Goodbye Tiger/Tour De Force/Civic—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
7/5—Losing September—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/6—Lost Years/Transfer Switch/Over The Years/23 Missed Calls/Transfer Switch/Halogens —Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/8—Ascending From Ashes/Aurin/REALITY SUITE/Pyramada/ Corevalay/Ryan Flannery—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
7/8—Breathing Theory/Mesmeria—Championship Sports Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
7/11—Starcazt/Murder League All Stars/Off Top/Loc Ness/This Time Counts/Phillo$ophy—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
7/11—October 31/RattleheaD/Solace Of Requiem/Midnite Hellion/Paralysis/We…Our War— Championship Sports Bar and Grill, Trenton, 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/Coreplay—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
