A couple of weeks ago, I was forwarded an amazing band out of Asbury Park, NJ who called themselves Radio Exile. When I was introduced to the band, I was told they had more of a classic rock sound. Um, unless I’m really old, their sound is hard rock that I would listen to every day. I gave their songs “No Pity On The Highway” and “Soulfire” off of their self-titled debut a listen and I will say, “I love this band!” Singer Chandler Mogel has such an amazing voice that I am so jealous that he’s singing in a band that I don’t play for. The main riff on “No Pity” is nice and crunchy, which makes it more hard rock than “classic” rock! Classic rock? How dare they!
When truly great musicians come together and result in a brotherhood, or sisterhood for that matter, that embraces their diversity and enables them to collaborate and reach certain boundaries, the rest of us are compelled to listen to these songs over and over again. According to their bio, when keyboardist Charlie Calv first got together with singer Chandler Mogel to write the music and lyrics for the songs on their self-titled debut CD, the two could not have anticipated what their baby songs would become…masterpieces! The two brilliant songwriters and musicians collaborated with some of the best players out there, which explains the strengths of these songs. The musicians that came together to form Radio Exile have collectively performed on stage or in the studio with the some of the most amazing artists of our time like Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Hall and Oates, Billy Idol, John Waite, members of Pink Floyd, Styx, Journey, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath. Rounding out the lineup behind Charlie on keyboards and Chandler on lead vocals are guitarist Jimmy Leahey, bassist Kenny Aaronson, and drummer Dave Anthony.
Not only are Radio Exile’s songs top-notch, but their support team is as well! To produce their self-titled debut, the band enlisted Grammy-nominated engineer and producer Steve DeAcutis, who produced acts like Vanilla Fudge, Cyndi Lauper, and Corey Glover, and veteran producer/A&R man Steve Lunt, whose resume boasts Britney Spears, ‘NSync, and Joan Jett. So, if those producers aren’t a hint as to how amazing this band sounds on CD, I’m not sure how else to sell this to you. Singer Chandler Mogel also seems like he has a Sebastian Bach-sized persona meets a Myles Kennedy-vocal ability meets a Steve Tyler-appearance live, so if that doesn’t entice you to give them a listen, I don’t know what will! Check them out now and watch their video for “No Pity On The Highway” now at RadioExile.net.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
I was chatting with Awaken The Shadow bassist Ali Hassan recently online and apparently, I got a few things wrong on the feature I wrote about the band a couple of weeks ago. This is why bands should update the bios on all of their sites. Anyway, Ali told me that Justin Walker was originally going to play drums for the band but that fell through, and lead guitarist Sean Salant is the band’s full-time guitarist. When I wrote my original feature a few weeks ago, this wasn’t clear. Sean is their man, though, and according to Ali, “With Sean in the band, we’re able to see our vision fully blossom.” And blossom it did! Ali sent me a link to listen to the new CD, Life Beyond The Curse, and songs like “The Hunter,” “Knockout,” “Broken” and “We Come Alive” really leave you itching for more. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until March to hear Life Beyond The Curse. For now, you can check them out at Facebook.com/AwakenTheShadow.
My brother Tim McMurtrie, from Murder League All-Stars and Full Scale Riot, recently inked a deal with Eulogy Recordings with distribution deals on Sony Red for the U.S. and Revelation for international for his band Full Scale Riot. The band’s debut CD will be released this September. To celebrate their new signing, Full Scale Riot recently performed a show with hardcore legends Murphy’s Law at the Lucky 13 Saloon in Brooklyn last Saturday night. For more on Full Scale Riot, visit Facebook.com/FullScaleRiot.
And finally, it’s with a heavy heart that I have to say good-bye to one of my brothers on this local Jersey music scene, Lower The Veil guitarist Chris Siano. Chris had to make his departure from the band a couple of weeks ago to relocate to Seattle, which is not a bad place to be moving, musically. He is following his heart and I wish him and his wife, Corinne, a lifetime of happiness in the next chapter of their lives. I know our paths will cross again. As for Lower The Veil, there is now a big hole to fill. No word yet on if they will be filling that hole or not, but if you’d like to inquire about it and you know a thing or two about playing guitar, reach Lower The Veil at Facebook.com/LowerTheVeil.
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:
3/2—Lauren Davidson/Manny Cabo/Viktor Kiraly—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/4—Dinasour Eyelids—Court Tavern, New Brunswick, NJ
3/4—Stereo Outlaws—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/9—FLAW/We…Our War/Maggotmouth/Palaceburn/Pyramids—The Backstage at Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
3/9—Fastride/The Not Mikes/Marc Delgado Of Wounded Knee/Fifth Street—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/10—Silvergun Superman/The Lounge Creeps—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/11—ACEY SLADE/Smash Fashion/CREEM CIRCUS/Ten Ton Mojo—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/12—“Shore Metal Madness IV”—Vision of Disorder/VSSLS/Cyperna/Scars of Envy/Stagger/We Our War/Ixion Lux/Paralysis/Eye of Anubis/Comb the Desert—Headliner Night Club, Neptune, NJ
3/12—RockitFest IV – Ogre/PRB Street Gang/Sinners/Sickness/The Dirty Stayouts—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/12—Deaf Rhino/Wild Adriatic—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
3/12—Full Scale Riot/Year of the Dragon/Ex-Mothers—Gutter Bar, Brooklyn, NY
3/13—Me With Creeps/A Boy Name John/Mothergoose/Summit/GKM—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/18—Christine Martucci Band—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/19—Four Year Strong/Light Years/Can’t Swim—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/20—Born A New/Premonitions/Sentinels/Kaonashi/Borderlines/Hot Gospel/Abhorrence/Refinement—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/24—Answer Infinity/Triple Scoop/Sinertia/Minor King/Asphalt Grey—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/25—Deaf Rhino—Bull Shooter’s Saloon, Philadelphia, PA
3/25—Danger Danger—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
3/25—Whiplash/Psychoprism/Half-Witted Dogs/Deathrash/Voidless—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
4/2—Jersey Campfire Productions Presents: Rahway/Sekond Skyn/One Hundred Thousand/Meatplow—Boneyard Bar and Grill, Atlantic City, NJ
4/2—Crash NYC/Trapped In The Shadows/Saturn’s Return/Lorie De Winter—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
4/3—Gothic Knights—Stage 48, NYC
