Back in June, I embarked on a martial arts journey that has really helped me focus on myself in so many ways today. Not to mention, I might be in the best shape of my life because of it. Anyway, one of my classmates, Brian Nuge, this tall Asian kid with long hair, told me he played guitar. Hmm… sound like anyone you know? Anyway, I liked Brian immediately. We even joked about starting our all-Asian cover band Morrey Clue, where we rocked ’80s hair metal songs with an Asian accent. It would be hilarious! All joking aside, Brian is now playing guitar in a new band out of Toms River, NJ called Zorigami, and they’re not that bad. They have this Linkin Park thing going on with their electronic keys and Chester Bennington-type vocals. I bust Brian’s balls all the time about disliking it, but it really is pretty good. Their only obstacle is competing with the fact that there already is a Linkin Park.
According to their bio, Zorigami was originally formed as a five-piece in 2014 by singer and keyboardist Devin Santi and electronic god, Destin Perry, who sought out to form a high-energy electronic rock band. Together, Santi and Perry strived to bridge the gap between two genres by blending modern rock with electronic music. In their short existence, Zorigami has already developed a pretty strong following while hitting the hottest rock clubs spanning across the Tri-State Area over the last few months with a live show that is energetic, promotes amazing and positive vibes, and high enthusiasm. The live version of Zorigami is led by songwriter and composer Devin Santi on lead vox, keyboards and electronic, bassist Sal Guazzo, guitarists Niki Cohen and my bro, Brian Nuge, and drummer Jeremy Huhn.
Zorigami are currently in the studio working on their debut self-titled EP, which they are self-producing, and is targeted to be released in early 2016. If the songs that I heard on their website, “New World Vultures,” “Fire In The Ashes” and “Prize” are any indication, this is going to be a great EP. Give these guys a listen at soundcloud.com/zorigami. To find out where Zorigami are playing next or to learn more about them, visit facebook.com/ZorigamiMusic.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
Back in October, my buds from Charetta parted ways with guitarist Chris Fullam after five years. Chris played a major role in the songwriting department for Charetta. A few weeks ago, the band announced the welcoming of guitarist Jafar Mahmud, or Jaf, to the Charetta family. According to their Facebook post, Jaf says he listens to “everything from The Beatles to Sabbath to Blondie to STP to Mars Volta and many more!” He also labeled the legendary Randy Rhoads as his favorite guitarist. It sounds like Charetta might have found a hell of a replacement. The band promises to have new music out in 2016. For more on Charetta, visit Charetta.com.
My girls from Flowers To Flames, Donna and Nicky Unverricht, have combined their musical powers with the remaining members of Xero Gravity, guitarist Alex Peragine and drummer Steven Rago, to form Baelfire. They are threatening to make a big splash with some energetic shows and new music in 2016. For more on Baelfire, visit Facebook.com/Baelfire-1530870747231856.
And finally, a show not to be missed this Saturday night (12/16) since it sounds more like a family reunion at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, is That Metal Show’s Holiday Bash hosted by my bros Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine from VH-1 Classic’s That Metal Show. This is always an awesome night every year, but performing this year will be Caustic Audio featuring my brother and former drummer Scotty O’Ferrall, the lovely Madysin Hatter, newcomers Flathead Sky, Sickness: The Black Sabbath Tribute, Lethal Affection, my bros from Voodoo Terror Tribe, and PSSR Frank Ferrer featuring Frankie Ferrer from Guns N’ Roses. This is going to be a power-packed show. For more info, visit dingbatznj.com.
That’s all for now! Have a Safe and Merry Christmas! 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:
12/26—Patent Pending—Revolution Music Hall, Amityville, NY
12/26—THAT METAL SHOW’s HOLIDAY BASH feat. Caustic Audio/Madysin Hatter/Flathead Sky/Sickness: Black Sabbath Tribute/Lethal Affection/PSSR Frank Ferrer (GnR/PSSR)/Voodoo Terror Tribe—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
12/26—John Rango/Mike Manuele/Vincent Livolsi—Hilltop Tavern, Lodi, NJ
12/26—Steve Brown—Willie McBride’s, Branchburg, NJ
1/6/2016—ENFORCER/WARBRINGER/CAULDRON/EXMORTUS/Midnite Hellion/Thrashole/Fiakra—Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
1/7/2016—Those Mockingbirds—The Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
1/8/2016—End of an Era/ORGY/Bobaflex—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
1/8/2016—Those Mockingbirds—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
1/8/216—Without Reason—Rocky’s Bar and Grill, Rahway, NJ
1/8/2016—Forget the Whale/Noble Giants—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/9/2016—Bastard Clan/The Breaking Ground/Prime Prophecy/One of Seven/Blood Feast—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/10/2016—Hookers N Blow/Lyken 21/Half-Witted Dogs/Stereo Jo/The Clocktown Giants/Owl Kill/Soul Sword—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/15/2016—Those Mockingbirds—Piano’s, NYC
1/16/2016—Cycle of Pain/Ashes of Your Enemy/Lower the Veil/Common Wealth—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
1/16/2016—Jersey Campfires Production Presents: MindMaze/Flowers To Flames/Callout/Arc’d Angel/Brenyama—Roxy and Duke’s Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
1/22/2016—Queensryche/Meytal/Halcyon/Psychoprism/Cashmier/Ixion Lux—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
1/23/2016—Barren/Gathering After Ashes/TRNZPRNT/Soraia— Roxy and Duke’s Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
1/23/2016—Jersey Campfires Production Presents: Strive’s CD Release Show/Ascending From Ashes/Chevonne and The Fuzz/Our Fears/Low Roads Ghost—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
1/23/2016—Jaded Past/Trapped In The Shadows/Cara Crash/The Test Band—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/24/2016—Whiplash/Pychoprism/Half-Witted Dogs/Death Thrash/Black Mass/Paralysis—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
1/29/2016—Trixter/Eric Martin/Long Gone Day/Reality Suite—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
