Wednesday, my favorite day of the week by far. Hey, you cannot blame a girl for loving to talk local music with you all. I recently saw some amazing bands live, including The Parlor Mob at The Stone Pony, who never disappoint. They had an insane opening lineup as well with bands including Ether Sunday, The Gay Blades and Wreaths, who are some of my favorites. It was so nice to see so many familiar faces all out to support one of New Jersey’s finest groups. It was almost like they never left. Then I headed on over the The Saint in Asbury Park to check out Owel, along with Zerbin, Modern Suits, and many more. That was also a great night of live music, and if you haven’t checked out Owel, I highly suggest you do so. They are seriously changing the game with their style and sound, and it’s unlike anything I have heard. Anyway, it’s safe to say I have caught a lot of great live music as of late. So, on that note, why not put another local band into the spotlight? You may have seen these guys recently in Asbury Park at The Wonder Bar, which is where I first heard of them myself. They go by the name of Trophy Scars, and they reside in Morristown, New Jersey. Let’s find out some more about them, shall we?
Trophy Scars have been together for a few years now, calling themselves “like childhood lovers, but less sober.” That is a brilliant description, and even if I had never heard of them, that alone would have sold me. The band consists of members Jerry Jones on vocals, John Ferrara on guitar and vocals, Brian Ferrara on drums and vocals, Andy Farrell on bass and vocals, and Gray Reinhard on keys and vocals. They cite some of their influences as Fear Before, This Will Destroy You and more, which is great if you ask me.
The first time I heard them, I wasn’t sure how to put them into a genre (not that I had to), but if someone asked me, it would be somewhat hard to explain. They are somewhat of a blend of psychedelic, hardcore, punk, and a little bit of blues. Does that sound weird? It should, because it is, but trust me, it really works. The first track I heard from them was called “Snake Oil,” and I was instantly hooked. The vocals straight up soar on this track, and it is certainly a heavy hitter. I found myself putting this tune on repeat several times just so I could really hear each member of the band on their own one time. The song showcases just how talented each member of the band is.
I then dipped into a song that is ironically called “Nausea,” though it is anything but sickening. It’s sick on a whole other level, and it’s one of my favorite songs they have released. This track has more of that “bluesy” vibe that I referred to earlier, since this is what some old-school rock sounds like. This one gives me hints of J. Roddy Walston with a blend of some really heavy vocals. You have to hear it for yourself to understand what I am saying. “Messengers” is 100 percent one of my favorite tracks as well, for I love the lyrics on this one. I was analyzing every word, and almost feel like it can be applied to various situations in people’s lives. I am not sure who does most of the writing in this group, but it seems like a collaborative effort, as the themes on every track are very diverse.
I think it’s safe to say they have some fans, for their Facebook page has over 10,000 likes, which is incredible for a local talent! Their music is streamable on the page as well, so be sure to check it out at facebook.com/trophyscarsband. I highly recommend you also purchase their latest EP, Holy Vacants, because it will surely blow your mind. I am not sure what their fall tour schedule looks like, but I am throwing this out there as an open invitation for them to come back so I can review their live set. They’ve also got tons of cool merchandise and are very interactive with their fans on social media, so be sure to head on over and tell them how much you like their sound. Everything this band does is cool, including their show artwork and the way they dress. When I want to learn more about a band and get to know them personally without actually meeting them, I do some exploring. They are more than just musicians; they are artists, entertainers, and a business. Combine that with talent and you’ve got a win-win situation on your hands.
I will be back next week with another hot local band of your liking. In the meantime, please show some love for Trophy Scars, for I have a feeling they are going to be that band you “saw before they blew up.” I am so confident that they are the next big thing; I’d be willing to bet on it (maybe with candy or something I enjoy that won’t burn a hole in my pocket). Please keep sending me your music submissions to maria@theaquarian.com, since I love getting new tunes! Enjoy the rest of your week, everyone! Get out to some shows!
