I’ve been listening to a great band out of Passaic, NJ. I accidentally stumbled across their music on Facebook and after listening to a couple of songs on the band’s ReverbNation page, which I was directed to, I was hooked! The name of the band is Shift and the songs that pulled me in were the songs “End” (reminiscent of Tool), “Abe Froman” (how can you not love a song about the Sausage King of Chicago?), “The Hard Way” and “Contra.” Musically, these guys were amazing, but what really stood out for me was singer Daniel Flynn. What a set of pipes on him. Where have these guys been hiding and how did I miss them? Holy Shift! Sorry, I had to!
According to their bio, Shift formed back in 2012. Guitarist Pete Couto and singer Dan Flynn went to high school together and even played in bands together intermittently throughout the years. Around 2009, Dan played bass for a band called Run West. After Run West disbanded in 2010, Dan went looking for studio space near his apartment in Wallington, NJ, when he connected with drummer and grade school buddy, Chris Delli Santi. Chris had been the drummer for my brothers in Sixty Miles Down and retained the rehearsal space at Streets after Sixty MD went on their hiatus. Pete was pulled into the fold because he also was looking for studio space. They originally didn’t intended on starting a band, but after jamming together a few times, the trio really felt a strong chemistry. Their musical interests and song writing process really flowed like they’ve been doing it together for years. Before you knew it they were writing their CD, Molly, which they released in September 2013 and features the songs I mentioned.
Shift headed back into the studio in May after recruiting new bassist Andy Longo, who came in at the perfect time for the band. Before Andy joined Shift, the fellas were gearing up to start working on their new CD. According to Dan, Andy has had a tremendously powerful influence on the new sound of the band, an impact that has them all excited for the new material they are working on. Shift will be releasing their new recordings in the form of an EP titled The In Between. I can’t wait to hear this new stuff! Catch Shift live at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ on Aug. 20 with Ascending From Ashes, A Midnight Tragedy, and Chevonne And The Fuzz. For more info on Shift, visit Facebook.com/SHIFTBandPage.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
The legendary Zazulas, Jonny Z and Marsha, recently did something cool for the scene. They hosted a private party a couple of weeks ago to showcase the new band they’re managing, Shattered Sun, who is on this year’s Mayhem Festival. For those of you not up-to-date on your metal lore, Jonny Z, the owner of the legendary Rock’n Roll Heaven record store in East Brunswick, NJ and founder of Megaforce Records, brought us bands like Metallica, Overkill, Testament, King’s X and Anthrax! That means the future looks bright for Shattered Sun. Anyway, the private event was invite only (yes, I was invited but couldn’t make it due to my work schedule) and held on the property of John Mosher, head honcho from the band Ixion Lux. Based on the photos, the event looked amazing and was proof metal is still alive here in Jersey. You can catch the Zazulas at the Food Truck and Rock Carnival next month in Clark, NJ as they take us back in time with a Q and A. For more on Shattered Sun, visit facebook.com/ShatteredSunBand.
My bros from Lower The Veil and Brand Of Julez will be performing at a pretty amazing event at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ on Aug. 22. They’ll be taking part of the Rock Against Dystrophy event which will feature Bobby Blitz and Ron Lipnicki from Overkill, Dave “Snake” Sabo from Skid Row, Scott Metaxas from Prophet, Mark Tornillo from Accept and TT Quick, and Dawn Botti from New Day Dawn. The event is also being hosted by my bro, Tattoo Tony. For more info, visit lowertheveil.com or facebook.com/BrandofJulez.
And finally, don’t miss these shows this weekend! The debut of Jasin Cadic as the new frontman of Panzie* this Thursday night (8/6) at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC with Dead Rocking Horse, my bros from Dying Eyes of Sloth with the newly trimmed down Dave Incognito at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ on Friday night (8/7) and also on Friday night, Honor Among Thieves, Long Gone Day, The Dirty Stayouts and Empire Fallen at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ! Get out there and support the local scene! Trust me when I tell you, this music scene is where it’s at on a national level. If we don’t support, it will die and Gene Simmons will be right! Let’s not allow the Demon to be right!
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:
8/5—Harvard on the Hill/Automatic 253/For Our Lifetime—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/5—Gyspsy Eyes/The Boobies/The Diving Belles/Shy—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
8/6—Panzie*/Dead Rocking Horse—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
8/6—Harvard on the Hill/Automatic 253/For Our Lifetime/Dutch Boys—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/7—Dying Eyes of Sloth/Immortal Suffering/Know Your Enemy/Untombed/ Gathering After Ashes—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/7—Honor Among Thieves/Long Gone Day/The Dirty Stayouts/Legacy/Empire Fallen—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
8/9—Native Construct/Wings Denied/Outrun The Sun—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/11—Insomnium/Metalfier/Omnium Gatherum—The Gramercy Theatre, NYC
8/14—Killcode/Eve to Adam/Cracked Alice/Crush of Empires—The Bowery Ballroom, NYC
8/14—Flathead Sky—Church of the Nazarene, Paramus, NJ
8/15—ANAKA/Meaxic/Pralaya/Sicada—Santos House Party, NYC
8/15—Sistine/Control/Killin’it/This Is Me Looking Dangerous/Taking Meds/Original Sharks/Husbandry—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/20—SHIFT/Ascending From Ashes/A Midnight Tragedy/Chevonne and The Fuzz—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
8/21—Gears—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/21—Crescent Ave./Shattered Skin/Octobrists/Sun and Flesh/Know Your Enemy—The Backstage at Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
8/22—Stagger/VSSLS/MASS PUNISHMENT/Hawkasian/AMERICAN ANGER—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
8/29—Flowers to Flames—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY
8/29—Raven—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ
