One band that really caught my attention because of their classic thrash sound was a band from Long Valley, NJ. Where you say? It’s a small town between Morristown and Hackettstown. Regardless of where they’re from, their riffs had a classic thrash sound that you just don’t hear anymore. In fact, it’s a sound that might even be older than these young gents. The name of the band is Paralysis, and I’ve been following these guys for a little bit. I was able to hear a couple of older songs on the band’s ReverbNation page, reverbnation.com/paralysisnj, called “No Turning Back” and “Tensions,” which really tickled my “thrashy” fancy. The boys from Paralysis were supposed to release a full-length CD this summer, but have decided to release the CD as two separate EPs with five songs on each. One will be released in August and the second will be released sometime in September or October. Either way, they plan on getting their music to the masses!
According to their bio, the idea of Paralysis was born after singer and guitarist Jon Plemenik heard Ozzy’s “Crazy Train” blaring through the speakers of a football stadium in a YouTube video he watched. It was that moment that Jon realized his love of heavy metal. He began to plant the seeds for Paralysis in October 2010 with original bassist Jon Barrett as the two jammed in Plemenik’s basement playing cover songs night after night repeatedly as they honed their skills. Plemenik would eventually find what would become the core of Paralysis when he recruited guitarist Rhett Mattson and drummer Jeremy Grosenstein. Once the lineup came together, the band started playing open-mic nights at their local music center, where they grew tighter as a band. In December 2012, bassist Jon Barrett decided it was time for him to leave the band. Paralysis found themselves cycling through different bass players, and even sometimes playing without a bass player for some time. In April 2013, Plemenik and Mattson met their future manager, Nick Mimikos, at an Anthrax concert, of all places, in New York City. This eventually paved the way for Paralysis to break out of Long Valley.
In August 2013, Paralysis would finally find their permanent bass player in Charlie Hudzik, which led to big shows opening for bands like 40 Below Summer, Diecast, Generation Kill, Soulfly, Morbid Saint, D.R.I., Whiplash and Toxik. In June 2014, Paralysis released their first studio EP, No Turning Back, which really started to garner the band much attention and respect on the Jersey metal scene. In October 2014, drummer Jeremy Grosenstein left the band, but was quickly replaced by current drummer Nick Musto, who is a longtime friend of the band and now their permanent drummer. If you’d like to know more about Paralysis, visit them at facebook.com/paralysisnj or catch them live at the Glen Gardner VFW in Glen Gardner, NJ this Saturday night (7/11)!
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
So, for those who didn’t see the videos all over Facebook and YouTube, how about Lady Gaga jumping onstage at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC a couple of weeks ago to join her pal Tommy London and The Dirty Pearls as they ripped through sloppy and sultry versions of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” and Van Halen’s “Panama”? The sold-out Gramercy Theatre crowd was surprised and overjoyed by the unannounced appearance by The Gaga, who name checked the Dirty ones in her song “Heavy Metal Lover” on her 2011 CD, Born This Way: “Dirty Pearls and a patch for all the Rivington Rebels. Let’s raise hell in the streets drink beer and get into trouble.” The Dirty Pearls have played a bunch of Gaga’s after parties along with her DJ, DJ Lady Starlight. For more on The Dirty Pearls, visit thedirtypearls.com.
Speaking of dirty NYC rock ‘n’ roll, my bros from Panzie* are threatening to raise their ugly heads again! It turns out the boys have finally found their new frontman, but have sworn a “killcode” of silence as to who it is until they reveal him a couple of days before their return show at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC on August 6 with special guests Dead Rocking Horse. Guitarist D.C. Gonzalez promises that his return to Panzie* in no way effects his status with Killcode. In fact, D.C. said in a Facebook post that the Killcode crew has been extremely supportive of Panzie*s return. Who is their singer, though? You’ll just have to stay tuned to find out! For more on Panzie*, visit panzie.com.
And finally, has anyone seen the new Trixter music video for their song “Human Era” off of their CD with the same name? The video is a collection of home videos of the band from the early, early days till now. I have to admit, the video brought back some great memories, but it also made me feel really old. Nonetheless, you should check out the video for “Human Era.” It’s like jumping into a time machine. Check it out at youtu.be/hSlAkLTJGEU. For more on Trixter, visit trixterrocks.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:
7/8—Folding The Pages/Answer Infinity/Strive/The Clocktown Giants/Low Roads Ghost—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
7/9—Kurt Travis/In Angles/Adventurer/Varsity/Ingdorf—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/10—Scars of Envy/36 Crazyfists/The Defiled/First Decree/In This Moment—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
7/11—Bubba Grouch/The Gripes/FLAMMABLE ANIMALS/THE BUNKS/MOTHER PSYCHOSIS—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/11—Atom Strange/Spacebeard/Brand of Julez—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
7/11—Paralysis/Sector Zero/Dawn Patrol—Glen Gardener VFW, Glen Gardner, NJ
7/12—Magus Beast/Korotory/Xenophile/BOOTLEGGER/Sanitarius/Psychoprism/ Invaders/Flotsam and Jetsam/Dead By Wednesday—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
7/17—Don Jamieson/Circle Of Insanity/Rahway/Nights Of Malice/Strange Substance/Tilted—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
7/18—Corevalay/Ronin/Empire Fallen/Me With Creeps/Stereo Outlaws—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
7/18—SYKA—The Studio at Webster Hall, NYC
7/25—Dead Fish Handshake/Machine Elves/Gathering After Ashes/Answer Infinity/Palaceburn/VIV – Views Into Vastness—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
7/26—Rise Against/Killswitch Engage/LetLive/Johnny B. Morbid/Common Wealth—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
7/31—Stealing Fame/Brand of Julez/Revel 9—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/1—IKILLYA/Driven Mad/Spectral Voices/Fate Breaks Dawn/Robots and Monsters—Saint Vitus Bar, Brooklyn, NY
8/1—Subcommittee/Bubba Grouch/Till Now/Suitable For Transfer/Eli—Morris Plains VFW 3401, Morris Plains, NJ
8/1—Paralysis/Don Jamieson—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
8/1—IKILLYA/DRIVEN MAD/Spectral Voices/Fate Breaks Dawn/Robots and Monsters—Saint Vitus Bar, Brooklyn, NY
8/6—Panzie*/Dead Rocking Horse—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
8/14—Killcode/Eve to Adam/Cracked Alice/Crush of Empires—The Bowery Ballroom, NYC
