Battle Of the Bands At the Saint

It was a morbidly metal weekend in Asbury Park starting off with a roaring crowd, multiple fog machines and a few teenagers with a common dream to become a rock star. The second round of New Jersey Shows (promotion company) ninth annual Battle of the Bands at The Saint, started off with a few bumps but quickly smoothed out.At The first show Sat. March 1, four bands advanced to the second round at Station 36 Waretown firehall. Seven hard working bands give it their all to perform and get a prime spot at the Asbury’s infamous The Saint but only one band gets to go home the winner.

The first band that was playing Enclosed Fear, the seemingly younger band had a very pulled together advanced sound that not even many of the bands that have been playing for years can pull off. Most of the crowd was still warming up during the first performance of the show, soon changed their minds when members of the band walked down into the crowd and influenced them to join in the metal fun.

Do some of these kids really know when enough is enough? Bands were yelling to the crowds to start a “mosh” pit or “crowd surf” in the small confined space, the bands who were participating in such activities did get disqualified from the battle. Voice Of The Conquered, a locally known band has been banned from The Saint forever with their audacious display on stage.
Other bands who preformed at the battle were, Bleed the Arsonist and Mystical Fudge, for some of the other bands they were steep competition. Returning, the previous three time battle winners, Morbid Visions, played a fantastic show and one of their newest songs the crowd had been chanting for during their whole performance “Hear comes Gacey” based off of John Wayne Gacey.
“I really love everything about playing music,” said Mark Henley former Morbid Visions guitarist. “I mean, what could be better than hanging out with your best friends and playing brutal metal songs”.
“A Civil Action” spicing things up with their not so much of a metal influence but a bit of rock and alternative sound.
“We want to give back what we (the band) get out of the music we listen to, New Jersey is definitely a hardcore state, and there are some great bands doing an excellent job out there fulfilling this title,” said Matt Johnson lead vocalist of Bleed the Arsonist
Bands that reached the final round of New Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands are, Morbid Visions, Bleed the Arsonist, and Mystical Fudge, they will be playing Jun. 1, 2008 at The Saint at 7pm

Jersey Bands

Well rock on Jersey Shows, this company not only helps bands promote themselves while getting their names and music out there but they also help bands sell tickets! starting a band itself is not an easy task but promotion is another obstacle to jump over. Jersey Shows aids these bands from all over NJ by hosting Band Battles and contests to see how can be the best at what they do. Being a great band is not all, but mostly about playing great music, it is also about knowing how to move around and love what you do, give your(the player's) passion to the audience that music gives to you. Jersey Bands is about the crowd pleasers and the music. it takes a great deal of courage to get up on stage and play in front of people, why not be recognized for it?

Go to:
http://www.jerseyshows.com/index.php
and click Register to really show how much you love your music!

Anchors for Arms Updates!

Anchors for Arms is keeping it close to home and playing a show at our very own Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Thursday March 20th! Doors at 8p.m. tickets are only $10! along with AFA will be playing The Mix Tape, West End Redemption and Trip South. The band is staying local for a while and "stoked" to be doing so. They have talk of some great new songs about to release at their upcoming shows and it should be rather thrilling.

Lost In Society

Alternative, punk, pop what ever it may be Lost In Society knows the sound of good music. Although sound in almost nothing like their influences Lost In Society has a fun sound that may make u want to jump around and have a good time. Last being seen at Chubby’s in Red Bank along with the “Rock n’ Roll destroyer” Zolof they have a show coming up April 27th also at Chubby’s with Kaddisfly.

With the new release of their E.P. (Extended Play) entitled “Gone” has just been released costing $7.50 by mail and $5 directly. Their song Peggae Madness, one of their best songs is inspired by some of their favorite artists such as music like The Bouncing Souls, The Ergs!, Rise Against, Bad Religion.

Every one throwing their 2 cents into a song it will come together piece by piece, once their vocalist Zach makes the lyrics, the bass line is written by Nick and from there the rest all just comes together.

“For me it's everything (playing music). I love it. Playing shows is probably my favorite part about it though they're so much fun. We've also met alot of cool people because of it but in my opinion playing out is the best part,” said bassist Nick of Lost In Society

Picking the bands name from a prior screen name, it was between Lost In Society or Keep the Change, they made the right choice. The writings of Zach Moyle are truly what inspired the band’s lyrics his feeling that he takes from his head and puts down on paper is the where the core of their music evolves from.

This local band from Ocean Township, New Jersey is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with a whole different look upon the sound of music.

I didn't Watch the Oscars

Sitting here pondering the possibilities for a topic on New Jersey Local bands having to do with the Oscars, a difficult task at hand but not impossible. Improvising with what I did happen to find, I think turned out pretty well although he is not from New Jersey He is still in a band so I’m hoping that counts. Glen Hansard, indie rock singer gives acting a shot. Oscar winners of best song “Falling Slowly” written for the movie one were ecstatic to have found out that they won. Making a little over 9 million dollars in the box office this 2007 released musical has skyrocketed. The movie One about a street musician playing for change meets a immigrant from the Czech Republic (Marketa Irglova), the two bond over their passion for music and fall in love. The two both have very extravagant pasts, Hansard having just gotten out of a very bad relationship and Irglova being a young mother leaving her husband in her home country.

Hansard plays and sings for his band “The Frames”, he started at only the age of 13 walking the streets of Dublin to the streets of Hollywood. The public first recognized him in his first Alan Parker film The Commitments. Having regretted his last film he moved on to a television program called “Other Voices” enabling him to showcase his Irish musical talent. In April of 2006 he released a solo album entitled “The Swell Season” going over all in all satisfactory.

Little Victories

A few big accomplishments can lead to a “Little Victory”. Playing mostly instrumental psychedelic progressive rock, or what the band likes to call 'melodic noise', pulls together with an astonishing varied sound. For having an accumulation of some not so popular influences like Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Phish, Mogwai, and many others “Little Victories” has a very different tone to their music.

The “Little Victories” are an “organic creation” of chords and riffs. Playing mostly bars, the band would love to start playing more shows for all age groups, allowing the younger crowd to experience the different kind of music they have to offer. Their progressive sound rhythmic beats and melody they make produce quiet the vibrant sound. Their song “Cooking the waste” (their only song with lyrics so far) puts together a light fun sound with somewhat of a wholesome effect, “is inspired by anxiety and the dreams/nightmares that come with it.” Said band member of The Little Victories

The current Little Victory line up includes Reid and Domenick since 2003, Nardo, 2005 and Christian took over the drum chair in 2006. They are currently taking some time off and putting the finishing touches on their new debut LP. This band is a glowing example of a way to take some time, relax and enjoy the “little victories” life has to offer.

Turtle Soup

“A dark rich soup made with turtle meat and herbs, garnished with lemon slices and grated hard-boiled egg, and liberally laced with dry sherry.”

Close; but not quiet the kind of Turtle Soup I’m talking about. This kind of turtle soup is made with an original mix of rock, funk, jazz and dance music… also called “Jamband” music. This has been a great year for the band; they started with opening for Blues Traveler, won 2 Asbury Music Awards, and started to get some great reception in the Jamband festival circuit.

They have a free 2-set show at Paul’s Tavern in Belmar on February 23rd. With influences like Miles Davis and Zappa, the band has a very cultured tone.

“When my physical, mental and emotional planes are all completely aligned and I’m playing exactly what is in my head. It’s happened to me a few times and it’s an out-of-body experience. It’s like the music version of hitting a grand slam... you’re not going to get one every time at bat, but when it does, it beats any drug in the world.” Said Turtle Soup band member.


With an interesting and original sound this “Turtle Soup” is doing an outstanding job with getting out there and being heard. Stretching shows from Pennsylvania to Delaware they are really getting around. The current Turtle lineup has been together for a little over a year. They are from Central, Southern and Northern New Jersey and planning to go even further.