Back in August, I featured a band called Elected Kings, who I really liked. I recently received an email from one of the band members, singer and guitarist Alfi Alvarez, who told me the band underwent a member change. Well, they removed a member from the band and decided to stay a three-piece and change their name to Slaves And Martyrs. Alfi asked me to give the band’s debut EP, Free, a listen, which I did, and I thought it was pretty interesting. The songs were different and I found myself having a hard time pinpointing who they sounded like. The song “Bonnie And Clyde” had this country rock feel, while my favorite track, “Black Haired Beauty,” took on this dark Southern rock feel that could’ve easily made the Sons Of Anarchy soundtrack. The songs “When I Was A Child,” “Lemons And Blister” and “Radio Man” had this Radiohead feel, while they punked things up with a song called “Look At Em Run.” This was a pretty diverse CD for a local band. Not to mention, refreshing to hear.
From the mean streets of Bergen County’s Oakland, NJ and out of the ashes of what used to be a band called Elected Kings comes a brand new band that, according to their bio, “entices people with songs that possess descriptive stories, catchy melodies, powerful rhythms and an outlandish stage show,” which I, for one, would love to see, and they call themselves Slaves And Martyrs. This brand new band is set to test the limits of music and the media around it to offer more than your ordinary rock band. Joining Alfi Alvarez in Slaves And Martyrs is bassist Kevin Petty and drummer Tim Sorbs.
On Valentine’s Day, Slaves And Martyrs released their EP, Free, and from what I’m hearing, the CD is getting some rave reviews. Unfortunately, the EP is not free. It’s just called that. But if you’d like a copy or want to hear what this new band Slaves And Martyrs sounds like, visit slavesandmartyrs.bandcamp.com, where you can also find out where the band is playing next.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bro Dave Incognito, who’s been out promoting his death metal band Dying Eyes Of Sloth, hasn’t really put his rock project, Incognito Theory, on the shelf just yet. He’s about to release a brand new single called “Draw The Line” featuring former Dropbox guitarist Lee Richards, who also has a great new project called Richards/Crane with Whitfield Crane from Ugly Kid Joe. Their new song “Black And White” is absolutely awesome! So, I’m curious to hear the magic that Lee created with Incognito Theory on “Draw The Line.” For more on Incognito Theory, visit facebook.com/incognitotheory.
My boys from Scars Of Envy are about ready to release their new CD, New Damn Nation. According to my bro and singer Ethan Murphy, the CD’s been mixed and sent out for mastering, so we should have new music from Scars Of Envy just in time for Shore Metal Madness III at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ on March 14. For more on Scars Of Envy, log onto facebook.com/scarsofenvyband.
And finally, my old bud and main vein, Anthony Coviello, from the band Long Gone Day, recently wrote and published his own book simply titled Anthony Coviello: Volume 1. It’s a book of lyrics and other fun stuff surrounding the animated Long Gone Day frontman. Yes, some of you might say, “Who?” But if you read this book, some of you might walk away saying, “Hero!” As far as Long Gone Day goes, the band will be releasing their sixth CD this month called 6. For more info on Long Gone Day and Anthony’s book, visit longgoneday.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:
3/4—SYKA/John 5—The Gramercy Theater, NYC
3/6—Don Jamieson from That Metal Show/Circuitry/Flowers to Flames/Tilted/Concrete Burial/Judgment/Hammerfight/Wolfcloak—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/7—Common Wealth/Life Thus Far/Fiakra/Vanished/Aurin—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/7—Mindswitch/Smack DMZ/From Evil/Gas NYC—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/7—Full Scale Riot EP Release Party—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ
3/7—Slaves And Martyrs/Jean Pool/Burning Red Sun/Thirteen The Band/Fever Vein/Natural Born Losers—Ironbound Rock Movement Rock/Art Fest, Harrison, NJ
3/7—Lieder—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
3/8—John Rango and Friends—The Hilltop Tavern, Lodi, NJ
3/12—J.Rad/Otherwise/Eternity Fallen/Terra Stigma—Revolution Bar and Music Hall, Amityville, NY
3/13—Killcode/Mother—Maxwell’s Tavern, Hoboken, NJ
3/13—Krown Point/Crash NY/Casey Honig/Sliver Spade—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/14—Shore Metal Madness III featuring: Stagger/Scars of Envy/Ominous/Continuum/Cyperna/Dead Wings/Through the Grey/Paralysis/The Gates of Ivory/Eye of Anubis—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/14—For the Kill/Steel Reign/Cause of Affliction/Threatpoint—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/14—Warhammer—Tavern on the Lake, Hightstown, NJ
3/21—Drowning Pool/Adrenaline Mob/Full Devil Jacket/Scottish Widows/Common Wealth/Brand of Julez/Raftree—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
3/21—Know Your Enemy/Flowers To Flames/Ocean Of Illusions/Negative Sky/Unkempt Herald/Under the Red Hood—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
3/22—J.Rad/Frank Hannon (from Tesla)—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
3/28—Thanantotic Desire—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
4/3—Reborn Divided/Circuit Of Suns/Beyond Treachery/Midnite Hellion/Bow To The Fallen/Sicada/Centralia—The Backstage at Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
4/3—Audio Empire CD Release Party/Reality Suite—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
4/3—End of an Era—The Headliner Night Club, Neptune, NJ
