BlowUpRadio.com, where NJ rock lives, once again brings together some of the best local indie musicians for the 10th annual Banding Together: Benefit For The Spondylitis Association Of America.
This year Banding Together will feature five concerts happening on four Saturdays in October, with all money raised going directly to the Spondylitis Association Of America to fund research and provide the programs and services the spondylitis community has come to rely on.
Spondylitis is a genetic rheumatoid arthritic condition that causes inflammation and fusion in the vertebrae of the spine. To date, BlowUpRadio.com has raised thousands of dollars for the cause and raised awareness of the genetic disease which the Centers for Disease Control says affects more than 2.7 million adults in the U.S.
“This is a very personal benefit for me as my wife, Naomi, suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (AS),” says Lazlo, the founder of BlowUpRadio.com and the organizer of Banding Together. “I have seen the debilitating effects of this disease and the chronic pain and discomfort it causes. This benefit is the least I can do to help my wife and over two million others who suffer from AS and its associated diseases.”
The concerts will take place at several venues around the state and includes the following places: The Clash Bar (Clifton) – Saturday, October 1; Middletown Public Library (Middletown) – Saturday, October 8 (afternoon show); Dragonfly Music & Coffee Café (Somerville) – Saturday, October 8 (evening show); Espresso Joe’s (Keyport) – Saturday, October 15; Buddie’s Tavern (Parlin/Sayreville) – Saturday, October 22.
Artists scheduled to perform at Banding Together concerts include: Bruce Tunkel, Catherine Wacha, Christian Beach, Deena Shoshkes, Diego Allessandro, Frank & Bill, Friction 57, HAL, Happy Joe Canzano, Jersey Drive, Joe Schroeck, John The Gun, Jonathan Andrew, Josh Bicknell, Joshua Van Ness, Keith Monacchio, Laree Cisco, Levy & The Oaks, Melissa Anthony, Miss Ohio, Newfoundman, Peter Prasa, Sean Faust, Shotgun Bill, Son Of Dov, The Anderson Council, The Brixton Riot, The Suberterraneans, Thomas Johnston, Tony Tedesco & Gorgo, Tri-State, Vic Fraternale, and more TBA. (Artists performing are subject to change.)
In addition to the live concerts, there will be a new digital compilation an exclusive collection of songs from many of the bands performing, with all money made from the sale of it also going to the Spondylitis Association Of America. A complete track listing will be available on BlowUpRadio.com. You can purchase previous compilations to help the Spondylitis Association of America here: spondy.bandcamp.com.
“With Live365’s demise earlier this year, BlowUpRadio.com lost its internet radio station component. But I wouldn’t let that stop me from finding ways to promote good music coming out of the Garden State, as well as support the Spondylitis Association Of America,” says Lazlo. “We may not be doing our traditional webathon this year, but I am very excited that, with help from some amazing people, I am able to continue to do our annual benefit for this wonderful cause.”
The Spondylitis Association Of America (SAA) is a non-profit organization that was the first and remains the largest resource for people affected by spondylitis. Through their efforts, they help advance education, research, and treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related diseases. For more than 30 years’ SAA has dedicated all of its resources to help improve the lives of people coping with spondylitis.
BlowUpRadio.com is where NJ rock lives. For almost 16 years they have been supporting New Jersey’s local original music scene, by playing predominantly unsigned New Jersey bands.
For more information on Banding Together & BlowUpRadio.com go to BlowupRadio.com. For more information on the Spondylitis Association Of America go to spondylitis.org.
Mark Bacino – Not That Guy
An American singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist born and raised in New York City, Marl Bacino has quite an impressive bio. He goes into great detail to get his point across and his style into the hearts and minds of fans both old and new.
Enamored by the mind-blowing, one-man-band exploits of Pete Townshend and Prince, a teenaged Bacino procures a Fostex 4 track cassette recorder (X-15!). Cheap drum kits, basses, and keyboards are also purchased and experimented with. He began to realize that he might be able to sing too. Many bad songs are written and recorded as he starts to find his voice.
Bacino continues, “High school basement band is joined (Bacino: bass/bk. vocals). Rocking spiked hair and parachute pants,” Bacino “listens to ‘Surf’s Up,’ sports leather trousers and writes better songs.” Bacino seems to have found his own Jim Morrison. He tells us that, “oddly they are pretty good. Much Colt 45 is consumed, local gigs are played, a few girls are kissed. The Police, Elvis Costello, Squeeze and Cars records are wearing out the speakers. Hall & Oates too (not ashamed, love those dudes).”
“High school band becomes college band. Guitar player and Mark sets up a makeshift, eight-track, reel-to-reel, recording studio in his parent’s basement. Many records are made.” His recording partners “become the ‘Jam & Lewis’ of the neighborhood, producing local talent beneath the rumble of the A train. Studio skills are honed, cash is made, more equipment, records, and beers are bought.”
“During this time every genre of music is explored and listened to with self-absorbed intensity, from jazz to rock to classical and everything in between. College ends, band disintegrates, and ‘solo’ recordings begin to emerge.”
“Several years and three self-releases later, Bacino’s Pop Job EP gets the attention of US, independent, record label, Parasol. A 3-page contract is signed and the recording of Pop Job…the long player! is off to the races. A full-length album is released Nov. ’98. People seem to like it, press is kind. Live band is assembled, gigs are played. A Japanese company licenses the album and releases on vinyl – life is complete.”
“2003 finds the release of The Million Dollar Milkshake album on Parasol in the US and the Nippon Crown label in Japan. Expanding on the guitar-based, power pop of PJ, Milkshake adds horns, strings and things to the mix. Once again folks seem to like the record, press is kind, gigs are played.” Bacino “makes a TV commercial to promote the album referencing country singer Slim Whitman (long story).”
Mark’s bio continues, “The ensuing post-Milkshake years find me assembling a private studio, writing and producing for others, collaborating with various esteemed producers as well as composing for TV/film. Yeah, basically shilling for the man.”
As Spring 2010 begins, his new album, Queens English, “is born and released into the world on the DreamCrush label. Self-produced and two years in the making, it’s a love letter to NYC and life in its outer-boroughs. I’m pretty proud of the record and excited to get it out to everyone.”
Mark Bacino’s latest and greatest single is called “Not That Guy.” Drawn from the depths and creative annals of the ’80s, Bacino lays bare his continuing love for the East Coast and all it encompasses. The single is first in an ongoing release of continued singles, and I wanted to capture it for you now.
“Not That Guy” bounces along with piano, bass and drum treatments that come to life under the skilled ministrations of Bacino and his seasoned vocal attack. If you’re a fan of pop by bands such as Maroon 5 or Daniel Lupi you’re going to love “Not That Guy.” Melodic, well-crafted and filled with superb instrumentation, the song is also a well-arranged pop piece that hums along on the able vocalizations of Bacino. Mark’s vocal style is both powerful and agreeable, mixing his pop sensibilities with the perfect ability to blend succulent tone and knowledgeable composition.
Once again, the piano/keyboard work blends well with stark bass, drums, and electric guitar work that takes turns standing out as they put this intricate tune through its collective paces. Bacino scores well with his choice of melody and arrangement here as well. Organs whirl in all the right places as guitars lay hooky riffs in between quick-paced rhythm sections.
Mark Bacino may be new to The Aquarian Weekly, but if he continues to create memorable and addictive music along the lines of “Not That Guy,” I’m sure we’ll be hearing from him again quite soon. In the meantime, if you would like to hear more about Mark Bacino and the music that he creates, head over to iTunes and see what else he may have up his musical sleeve. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/not-that-guy-single/id1132239946.
