My old friends Tasting Grace are currently in the studio working on their new EP, Alter Ego. In fact, singer Jenna Milano at the time of this writing is still recording her vocal tracks. You can get a “taste” of Tasting Grace’s new song “Outcast,” performed live on YouTube, at youtube.com/tastinggrace. To find out more about the new Tasting Grace EP, Alter Ego, log onto myspace.com/tastinggrace.
Speaking of new EPs, the boys from the metal band Endall have been in the studio working their tails off on their upcoming as-yet-untitled EP. The songs on the EP, “Time To Shine,” “Arise,” “For You,” “Broken Roads,” and “Inside Me,” are all brand new songs that the band hasn’t really played much live yet. Singer Mike says that this EP will be the most brutally heavy and abrasive CD that the band has ever released. To find out more about the upcoming Endall EP and to buy any of their new merch, log onto myspace.com/endallnj.
After following their Twitter messages for a few weeks, it seems that the on-again, off-again love fest that my boys from Lowbuz are having with the North Jersey music scene is apparently on-again. Though, there are no real plans for any live shows to happen, the boys plan on keeping the band alive through the Internet and recordings. In fact, they’ve been down at guitarist Mike Koenig’s Crystal Studios, writing and recording their upcoming CD. So, be on the lookout for any new material from Lowbuz at myspace.com/lowbuz. What’s next, a reunion of my old band, Smoke Star? Stranger things have happened!
And finally, speaking of me, which is my favorite topic, if you were at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, last week to see Rainbow, and you saw the opening band Mean Venus, yes, that was me playing bass. That was my first show with the band. I don’t know yet if it will be a permanent thing or not, but these guys are great musicians and I do hope to play more shows with them in the future. In fact, they’ll be playing at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA, on Aug. 2 opening for Ratt, who will be playing Out Of The Cellar from front to back to celebrate the CD’s 25th Anniversary, and Extreme will also be playing. For more info on Mean Venus or to hear what they sound like, log onto myspace.com/wwwmeanvenuscom. Give “Crazy Ass American” a listen! The song kicks major ass!
That’s all for now! And remember, if your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your demos and press kits to Arts Weekly, c/o Tim Louie P.O. Box 1140 Little Falls, NJ 07424. No cover bands, please!
Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
NJN Concert Calendar:
7/16—Life Without Warning—Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
7/16—Steve Brown—The Forge, Ringwood, NJ
7/17—Will Killmore—Olives, Nyack, NY
7/17—Long Gone Day—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
7/17—Atom Strange—Poisson Rouge 158, NYC
7/18—A True Story—Texas Arizona, Hoboken, NJ
7/18—Steve Brown and the Fallout—The Beachcomber Bar, Seaside Heights, NJ
7/18—Borgo Pass/Lo Pan—Mr. Beery’s, Bethpage, NY
7/18—Knollwood—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
7/18—Endall—Coney Island Boardwalk, Brooklyn, NJ
7/18—Atom Strange—Up On The Rocks, Hartford, CT
7/18—Kindred Souls (CD Release Party)—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
7/18—Echofission—Tierney’s Tavern, Montclair, NJ
7/18—The Compulsions/Killcode/Honor Among Thieves—The Trash Bar, Brooklyn, NY
7/19—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Bally’s Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ
7/20—Diablo Royale—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
7/22—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
7/23—Steve Brown—Firehouse, Rahway, NJ
7/23—DJ Cloak Dagger/Marc Rizzo—Fat Baby, NYC
7/25—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Shannon Rose, Clifton, NJ
7/25—Diablo Royale—Dublin Pub, New Hyde Park, NY
7/25—A True Story—Grasshopper Off the Green, Morristown, NJ
7/27—Diablo Royale—Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
7/29—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
7/30—DJ Cloak Dagger/Marc Rizzo—Fat Baby, NYC
7/30—Steve Brown—The Forge, Ringwood, NJ
8/1—Echofission—Crash Mansion, NYC
8/1—Charetta—Six Flags Geat Adventure, Jackson, NJ
8/1—With Daggers Drawn—Fontana’s, NYC
8/1—Joey Belladonna/Infernophonic—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
8/1—Anaka—Ace of Clubs, NYC
8/1—Will Killmore—North Brunswick American Legion, North Brunswick, NJ
8/2—Diablo Royale—Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
8/2—Mean Venus/Ratt/Extreme—Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA
