One band that I’ve noticed landing some pretty cool gigs on the Jersey scene, including their debut show opening for Sebastian Bach at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ back in 2014, is a band called Flowers To Flames. I was actually familiar with singer Donna Unverricht already because I saw her when she was singing with School of Rock when I co-hosted an outdoor music festival at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ in 2012. There were a few kids in her group that I thought were super-talented and Donna was definitely one of them. Little did I know, she had a twin sister named Nicky, who played bass.
According to their bio, Flowers To Flames are a charismatic and talented group of young musicians who are based in lovely Old Bridge, NJ (home of my in-laws). They were formed by identical twin sisters, singer Donna and bassist Nicky Unverricht, in 2013. In 2014 and at the ripe young age of 14, Flowers To Flames made their debut opening for Sebastian Bach at Starland Ballroom. In 2015, the Unverrichts rounded out their Flowers To Flames lineup by adding two brothers from Bergen County, lead guitarist Max and drummer Ethan Boras. Their chemistry was undeniable and Flowers To Flames was off and running. With the powerhouse drumming style of Keith Moon from Ethan along with his brother Max, who is a classically trained guitarist from The Manhattan School of Music, the vocal prowess of Donna and the Geezer Butler-inspired bass techniques of Nicky have really caught the attention of fans from the Jersey music scene thirsting for new music. The band’s also become known for their cover of the Heart classic “Crazy On You,” which makes sense since the Wilson sisters were rockin’ sisters as well. Who knows? Flowers To Flames could be the next Heart!
Flowers To Flames are currently working diligently on their debut EP, but will continue to play shows throughout New York and New Jersey while they work on the EP. For now, you can check out the songs “Red Death,” “Neverland,” “Wicked” and “Fortune’s Fool,” which sounded like live recordings, but they give you an idea of what Flowers To Flames sound like. Donna’s got a hell of a voice on her and those basslines from Nicky are certainly tasty! Check out Flowers To Flames at facebook.com/FlowerstoFlames to give them a listen and to find out where they’re playing next!
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bro Rob Ferreira from Dead Fish Handshake recently sent me the brand new song from his newly reunited old band, Downshallow, which is how Rob and I became friends. The song is called “Psyche” and the band released it last Tuesday. If you haven’t heard it yet, let me just say…Downshallow are back! The opening riff will be stuck in my head for the next few days and singer Alex Shaddix sounded the best I’ve ever heard him sound. You can tell that these guys have matured, not only as musicians, but also as songwriters. Do yourself a favor and check out Downshallow’s new song “Psyche” even if you have to pay to download it. It’s so worth it! Plus, you’ll be supporting the local scene. Check it out at facebook.com/Downshallow.
Speaking of maturing as songwriters; my bros from Civic have released some brand new music in the form of an EP called Faded Grey, and I love these songs! I got to catch the band live a few weeks ago in Philly at the Pancakes And Booze Art Show. Civic bassist and my bass brother, Mikey Ferreira (no relation to Rob from above that I know of), invited my wife and I to the show, but we had no idea Civic were playing. They were awesome! It’s no wonder I loved these new songs off the Faded Grey EP, “Antiseptic,” “Tortoise Kind” and “In The Blind.” The songs blasted a large alt-rock feel that we haven’t felt in quite some time. I’m definitely a Civic fan and hope you’ll become one too after giving them a quick listen at reverbnation.com/civic.
And finally, has anyone besides myself been stalking John Kosco and the Saint Caine camp while they record their new CD? Holy crap! You should be! The stars keep rolling in to sing guest vocals on this CD, not that John needs any help, but sweet Jesus! First, a couple of weeks ago, Mastodon bassist and singer Troy Sanders joined Saint Caine in the studio to do some backing vocals. Second, most recently, my bro and Saint Caine drummer Chris Hamilton brought his bud Kirk Windstein from Crowbar and formerly of Down into the studio to also do some backups. With star power like this, I have to admit, I’m pretty curious to hear what this CD is going to sound like! Hurry up already, Johnny! For more on Saint Caine, log onto facebook.com/SaintCaine.
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:
7/16—Joyride/Archie Alone/Feeny/Darkwing—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/17—Don Jamieson/Circle Of Insanity/Rahway/Nights Of Malice/Strange Substance/Tilted—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
7/17—In The Presence Of Wolves/Five Of The Eyes/With Our Teeth/Skobo/Jack Nimbus—Bull Shooter’s Saloon, Philadelphia, PA
7/17—Todd Barry—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
7/17—Sickness (Black Sabbath Tribute)/Whiskey Time Machine (Metal covers)/LETHAL AFFECTION/Regalia—Dingbatz, Clifton, 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
7/18—Robots And Monsters/KARMA TO BURN—Black Bear Bar, Brooklyn, NY
7/18—LITTLE LESLEY AND THE BLOODSHOTS/Blackout Stereo—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/23—Ocean Of Illusions/I Plead Insanity/Borderlines/Carved In Oak—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/24—Faith or Fear/FLESH ENGINE/Acts of Violence/Deathwatch/
DESCENDENCY—JB McGuinnes, New Castle, DE
7/25—Dead Fish Handshake/Machine Elves/Gathering After Ashes/Answer Infinity/Palaceburn/VIV – Views Into Vastness—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
7/25—Mister Monster/Argyle Goolsby and the Roving Midnight/The BrickBats/The Cryptkeeper Five/Darrow Chemical Company/Shadow Windhawk & The Morticians/The American Warewolves—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/26—Rise Against/Killswitch Engage/LetLive/Johnny B. Morbid/Common Wealth—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
7/26—That Of A Lion/Dead Pool/I Am The Trireme/Ashes of Your Enemy/Open The Nile/Canopy Veil/Gyre/Map the Mind/Sleepless Empire /Gorgonite Scum—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/30—Furnace Head/Franchise/Monument of a Memory/Please Exist—Dingbatz, Clifton, 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/Flowers to Flames—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
8/1—End of an Era/Daughter Vision/Dissension Rising/Pool Of Thorns—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
8/3—The Last Ten Seconds of Life/Barrier/Left Behind/Towers/Castor’s Hollow/Depreciator/Born A New—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/5—Harvard on the Hill/Automatic 253/For Our Lifetime—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/6—Panzie*/Dead Rocking Horse—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
8/7—Dying Eyes of Sloth/Immortal Suffering/Know Your Enemy/Untombed/ Gathering After Ashes—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/14—Killcode/Eve to Adam/Cracked Alice/Crush of Empires—The Bowery Ballroom, NYC
8/15—ANAKA/Meaxic/Pralaya/Sicada—Santos House Party, NYC
8/22—Stagger/VSSLS/MASS PUNISHMENT/Hawkasian/AMERICAN ANGER—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
8/29—Flowers to Flames—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
