The guitarist from a new band out of Nyack, NY recently reached out to me, since his band plays a lot of North Jersey gigs. The name of the band is Elected Kings, and that guitarist’s name is Alfi Alverez. Reluctantly, I gave the band a listen three weeks after Alfi sent me his Facebook message because I forgot all about it until this week. Anyway, I gave them a listen and although their music is not something that I would typically listen to, I have to admit that I would totally listen to. Did that make any sense? In other words, Elected Kings are good! The songs “Burning Bright,” “Burn” and my favorite track, the ballad “Take Me Home,” really set the tone for what sounds to me to be something different. Alfi and pianist Andrew Greenspan share the lead vocal duties and they almost give these songs that Radiohead-feel with Billy Joel sprinkled in. The piano in these songs really separate these guys from the rest of the pack on the local scene and really gives them a different sound than what’s popular out there right now. Wait…what is popular out there right now?
These kids from New York seem to have only started their journey together at the beginning of the year. Since they started their journey, they’ve created and crafted a distinct and signature sound that pretty much has audiences intrigued from the beginning of their set to the very end. Their sets are typically infused with both heart-wrenching and uplifting lyrics with catchy melodies and sonic harmonies supported by memorable guitar and piano solos by the team’s leaders, pianist and singer Andrew Greenspan and guitarist and singer Alfi Alverez. The first song that I listened to was “Burning Bright,” and I found myself wanting to hear more. That’s how infectious these songs are. Joining Alfi and Andrew in Elected Kings are bassist Kevin Petty and drummer Tim Sorbs.
During a live performance, the Elected Kings try to bring their audience into the experience of every song. You can actually feel it with every lyric, which reminds me of The Doors a little bit, too. Jim Morrison can just lure you in with his lyrics…and his acid. Elected Kings aren’t as psychedelic, but they seem to know where their roots come from as they seem to pay homage to their influences in these songs. Check the Elected Kings out now at electedkings.com, where you can also find out where they’re playing next.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My new buds from Garfield’s Another Distraction are finally releasing their debut EP, Nothing Left To Say. I heard of couple of the tracks like “Waiting For Thunderstorms,” “Seven Years” and “Bed Of Lies” when I featured the band a couple of months back. These are some pretty good songs from a great up-and coming band and can all be heard on iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. Another Distraction will be celebrating their EP’s release with a release party at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ this Saturday night (9/6). Also performing will be A Balance Between, Owel, Sins Of Heaven and Views Into Vastness. For more on Another Distraction or their debut EP, Nothing Left To Say, log onto facebook.com/anotherdistractionmusic.
My bros from Rahway have had some luck with singers as long as I’ve known them. The singer they had when they opened for Kix at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville back in April is already gone, but they’ve been working with this new kid, Nick Hade, and so far from what I’ve heard, he sounds amazing. The band posted a rehearsal video for a new song called “Race Car” on Facebook and the song is so catchy, you’ll find yourself singing the hook for hours or even days. Guitarist Dave Cardenas says Nick’s youthful voice gives the band the modern sound they’ve been looking for. Also, look for a new side-project featuring Dave and I in the very near future. For more on Rahway, log onto rahwayband.com.
And finally, I hung out with my bros from Lower The Veil at their recent gig at Dobbs in Philly. Guitarist Chris Siano was excited to tell me that the band was about to start filming a music video for their song “Soon,” which is the title-track to their latest CD. Directing the video is none other than Chris’ girlfriend Corinne Cavallaro, who has an amazing background in the entertainment industry. The band is also looking for funding to help with the production of “Soon.” If you’d like to donate, they started an Indiegogo page at indiegogo.com/projects/soon-the-video. For more info on Lower The Veil, log onto lowertheveil.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!
Tim Louie is the Author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
9/5—The Hallowed Roots—Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park, NJ
9/5—Killcode/Twisted Sister/Adrenaline Mob—Best Buy Theater, NYC
9/6—Kore Rozzik/Saving Abel—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
9/6—Another Distraction/A Balance Between/Owel/Sins Of Heaven/Views Into Vastness—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
9/6—Loco—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
9/6—Elected Kings—Parkside Lounge, NYC
9/7—Sekond Skyn/End Of An Era/Vextion/Bobaflex—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
9/12—Saint Caine (Acoustic)—Inked Out Tattoo Convention, Meadowlands Expo Center, Secaucus, NJ
9/12— Corevalay/Civic/Gathering After Ashes/Harvest Falls—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/13—Life Of Agony—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
9/13—Goon Saloon/The Dirty Stayouts/Sinners/Ogre/The Unknown/Natural Born/Losers/Jaded Past—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/13—Dead Fish Handshake/Waking Heroes/Syrens Calling/Sins Of Heaven/Woods Of Arden/House Of Thieves—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
9/13—Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat/The Dirty Stayouts/The Battery Electric/Champagne Black—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
9/13—Dissolution From Within/MASS PUNISHMENT/Stagger/Apostrophes/Scars Of Envy/My Iron Heart/Xero Gravity/Negative Sky/False Dementia/The Scribe/Radio Destructor/Lobotomize The Leader/Absit/Vengents/Anticitizen/Mindswitch/Panic—The Washington Theater, Washington, NJ
9/19—Murder League All Stars—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/19—Don Jamieson/The Donner Party/Psychoprism/Dying Eyes Of Sloth/Scars Of Envy/Flowers To Flames/Xero Gravity/Words Never Spoken/Answer Infinity/Oceans Of Exile—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
9/23—Hail The Sun/The Venetia Fair/Stolas/Icarus The Owl/Ingdorf/Brock Landers—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
9/24—Ascending From Ashes/Chevonne And The Fuzz/Midnight Eternal/Xombie/Harvest Falls—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
9/27—Overkill—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
9/27—Elected Kings—Pianos, NYC
10/4—HYNGD/Jaded Past—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/10—Methane/Pralaya—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/16—MILLIONAIRES/LANDON TEWERS/Robbie Maxx/Monday Night Bear Claw/Brendan Starr—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
10/25—Seas Of Wake—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
