Best New Jersey Bands Article (2013)
While some of my writings can’t be recovered via Wayback Machine, I managed to find some that I emailed to myself before having it published. This is my partially written article about my favorite bands from the New Jersey music scene back in 2013 (originally written for Fake Walls bka The NJ Underground):
Being a proud New Jerseyian, I've obviously seen numerous acts rise from the Garden State. From the emo rumblings of Saves The Day to the Americana vibe to The Gaslight Anthem, New Jersey has been the home of many great bands. Here’s a list of fantastic bands to look out for in the coming months.
1) Suburban Scum
Location: All over NJ
6131 Records
Genre: Hardcore
Hands down, Suburban Scum are New Jersey's best hardcore act right now. You've probably seen them performing at numerous festivals across the country (Sound and Fury, Rain Fest, Black N Blue Bowl) or caught them on their Canadian tour supporting Madball. The band is set to release their new full length record this year which will ignite several moshpits across the country. The band recently performed at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and have done some tour dates with Comeback Kid and The Mongoloids. The band will hit up Philly's This Is Hardcore festival as well as embarking on a Japan tour.
2)The Front Bottoms
Location: Bergen County
Bar/None Records
Genre: Indie
Rising indie act The Front Bottoms have been everywhere since the release of their 2011 self-titled debut album. National tours with acts such as Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack have garnered the duo attention from big outlets like MTV and KROQ. Their latest album Talon of the Hawk dropped in May.
3)Action Item
Location: Bergen County
Unsigned
Genre: Pop
The fact that Action Item remains unsigned in 2013 is a complete mystery. The pop band have been touring nonstop over the past few years and are currently on this summer's Vans Warped Tour. You might have seen them on the road with everyone from Socratic to Owl City. Their latest album Resolution debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at number 72.
4)Brick + Mortar
Location: Asbury Park
Photo Finish Records/ Island Def Jam
Genre: Electro/Indie
Since 2008, Brick + Mortar have been turning heads in the booming Asbury Park music scene opening for acts such as Jimmy Eat World and Awolnation. Last summer, the duo dropped their Making Moves EP via motion City Soundtrack's label The Boombox Generation. They also managed to drop one of the craziest music videos last year for their track "Bangs". Catch them performing at this summer's Lollapalooza.
5)GDP
Location: West Orange
Run for Cover Records
Genre: Rap
GDP has been one of NJ's hottest MCs since the 2007 release of Involvement on Division East Records. Since then, he's opened for acts such as Wu Tang Clan andMac Miller, signed with rising pop punk/ indie label Run For Cover Records and toured all over North America and Australia. His new EP Holla is out right now.
6)The Scandals
Location: Bayonne
Gingervitis Records
Genre: Punk
The Scandals have been one of New Jersey's top notch punk acts since they formed back in 2004. Whether they're opening for acts like The Gaslight Anthem and New Found Glory or performing at festivals such as The Bamboozle and Punk Rock Bowling, you're guaranteed to watch a killer set from the four piece band. Even though the band encountered bad luck during their first ever U.S tour back in 2011, it didn't stop them from going back on the road with acts like Guttermouth and Let Me Run.
7)Those Mockingbirds
Location: Montclair
Unsigned
Genre: Rock
It all started with the Numa Numa Guy. Back in 2010, Those Mockingbirds, led by guitarist Adam Bird and violinst/pianist Tory Anne Daines, kidnapped the Numa Numa guy in exchange for 50,000 downloads of their track "Honest? Honest." Since then, the band has seen press from Fox News, OurStage and legendary radio station WCBS. The band is working on the follow up to last year's Fa So La EP.
8)Jenny Owen Youngs
Location: Montclair
Unsigned
Genre: Folk
Montclair native Jenny Owen Youngs has been everywhere since the release of her debut album Batten the Hatches back in 2005. Her brutally honest lyrics have landed her tours with acts such as Motion City Soundtrack, Alison Weiss and Chuck Ragan. Her latest release was last year's An Unwavering Band of Light.
9)Dads
Location: New Brunswick
Flannel Gurl Records
Genre: Emo/punk
Dads are looking to be the next big act to rise from New Brunswick basements. The band recently did a two and a half month North American tour which was followed by a quick Northeast trek with Koji. Fun fact: the band's set time for last year's Fest 11 was precisely 4:20pm. Their new Pretty Good EP drops in August.
10)Com Truise
Location: Princeton
Ghostly International
Genre: Electronic
Princeton DJ Seth Hayley, b.k.a. Com Truise, is one of EDM's brightest acts. Formerly an art director, Hayley has produced many remixes (one was featured on the Tron: Legacy Reconfigured soundtrack), performed numerous tours in Europe and North America and dropped his latest album In Decay last summer. If he ever comes to your area (which he will), go see him and become entranced.
11)Candy Hearts
Location: New Jersey/ New York
Violently Happy Records/ Bridge Nine Records
Genre: Pop punk
With members spread all over New Jersey and New York, Candy Hearts' music is just as sweet as the confection they're named after. The band was lucky enough to be the first signing to Violently Happy Records, a new Bridge Nine Records imprint run by New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert. Along with opening for New Found Glory's "Sticks and Stones" tour, the band have hit the road with fellow pop punk acts State Champs and Man Overboard. The pop punk band will release their full length record this year.
12)Banquets
Location: Jersey City
Black Numbers
Genre: Punk
When you have ex-members of Outsmarting Simon, The Banner and Let Me Run in the band, it can't be anything short of kickass. Last year, the band traveled overseas to perform at the Groezrock Festival with acts such as Refused, Rancid and Gorilla Biscuits. Their brand new self titled album drops last May.
13)River City Extension
Location: Toms River
XOXO Records
Genre: Indie
Indie darlings River City Extension have been gaining buzz since the release of their debut album <em>The Unmistakable Man</em> back in 2010. Since then, the band have been touring with noticeable acts (Manchester Orchestra, The Get Up Kids, Alkaline Trio) and performed at major festivals (Bonnaroo, Soundwave Festival, Newport Folk Festival). Their latest album Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger dropped last summer.
14) PJ Bond
Location: New Brunswick
Black Numbers
Genre: Folk
PJ Bond has the kind of touring schedule that most bands dream of. Playing over 200+ shows a year all over the the world, PJ Bond has pretty much become a nomad. His latest release was a split with his brother Brian Bond entitled Brother Bones/ Baby Bones.
15)Palisades
Location: Iselin
Rise Records
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Formerly known as Marilyn Is Dead, Palisades' work ethic attracted the attention of Rise Records who signed the group at the end of 2011. The band dropped their Rise debut EP I'm Not Dying Today and toured North America with bands such as Set It Off, Our Last Night and My Ticket Home. The band will head overseas for a European tour alongside Silverstein in November. Their debut album Outcasts dropped in May.
16)Lost In Society
Location: Asbury Park
Altercation Records
Genre: Punk
The punk trio formed in 2004 and see no signs of slowing down any time soon. The band garnered opening spots performing with Strike Anywhere and fellow NJ punk acts The Misfits and The Bouncing Souls. Last year, the band hit up SXSW, Valley of the Vapers Festival and did a two week stint on Warped Tour. The band performed at SXSW again this year and hit up Canada's Pouzza Fest with fellow NJ punk acts The Scandals and Banquets. You can catch them performing at The Fest in October.
17)Athletics
Location: Asbury Park
Deep Elm Records
Genre: Post-rock
While Athletics aren't touring as much as most of the acts on this list, their drive and determination shouldn't be overlooked. The group signed with Deep Elm Records (Latterman, Nada Surf) back in 2010 and dropped their debut album <em>Why Aren't I Home?</em> which drew high praise from Absolutepunk, MTV and Stereokiller. The band recently released their follow-up Who You Are Is Not Enough for free.
18)Darkness Descends
Location:
Death Squad Records
Genre: Metal/ Hardcore
Darkness Descends have been slaying the Northeast with their powerful riffs and punishing vocals for years. The band managed to perform at the Maryland Fall Brawl and even did multiple performances at the Bamboozle Festival. If that's not enough, the band made their way to the Gathering of the Juggalos festival last summer.
19)Knuckle Up!
Location:
Mediaskare Records
Genre: Hardcore
Since 2008, Knuckle Up! have been all over the NJ/NYC area opening for acts like A Day To Remember, Freya and Cruel Hand. Since signing with Mediaskare Records back in late 2010, the hardcore act have been touring North America with acts like Reign Supreme, Hundredth and Counterparts. The band is writing the follow-up to 2011's Motivation from Misery.
20) Panic Lift
Location: Newark
Metropolis Records
Genre: Industrial/Electronic
Panic Lift have been making a name for themselves since the release of their 2006 debut <em>Dancing Through The Ashes</em>. The act, led by vocalist/programmer James Francis, paid Germany a visit in 2009 for the Wave Gotik Treffen performing with acts such as Opeth, KMFDM, and Combichrist. Panic Lift signed to legendary electronic label Metropolis Records last summer and dropped their new album Is This Goodbye? in November. You might have seen them at Canada's Terminus Festival with Combichrist and Haujobb this year.
21) No Such Noise!
Location:
Unsigned
Genre: Ska/pop punk
Have you ever wonder what Kenny Vasoli would sound like with horns and laid back bass lines backing him? Meet No Such Noise!, a South Jersey ska band that sounds like a mix of early The Starting Line and Less Than Jake. The band has done numerous tours around the East Coast/Midwest and will probably continue the wheels fall off.
22)Night Birds
Location: New York/ New Jersey
Grave Mistake Records
Genre: Surf punk
Surf punk featuring ex-members of New Jersey bands The Ergs, For Science and Hunchback? Count us in. The band recently dropped their new album Born to Die in Suburbia via Grave Mistake and are set to hit the road full force. With past tours across North America and Europe, you can expect to catch these guys at a venue near you.
23)Bubblegum Octopus
Location: Verona
Unsigned
Genre: Chiptune
Bubblegum Octopus, whose real name is Matthew Morden, has garnered a cult following over the years with his frantic 8-bit symphonies and self-booked tours all over the country. He even composed the soundtrack for the iPhone game Cheeseman. Expect to see more Bubblegum Octopus in the spring with the release of his new album and more touring.
24)Shape
Location: Brooklyn
Unsigned
Genre: Rap
While Shape currently resides in Brookyln, New Jersey will always remain home for the young rapper. Co-founder of the New Jersey underground rap collective Slangcorp, Shape (whose real name is Ian Morrison) also runs a podcast where he interviews underground artists. It's also known that he has made emcees piss their pants in battle raps.
25)Gates
Location: New Brunswick
Unsigned
Genre: Indie
Gates have been on the move since their inception back in 2010. The band, featuring ex-members of Lydia and Bears and Bright Lights, have frequently toured the Northeast with acts such as Vasudeva and Gifts from Enola. The band also made their way overseas for a U.K. run with Fallacies.
26)Real Estate
Location: Jersey City/ Brooklyn
Domino Records
Genre: Indie
Formed in Ridgewood, New Jersey back in 2009, Real Estate hit it big with their self titled debut release which landed them high praise from publications such as Pitchfork and Sputnikmusic. Performances at Coachella, Pitchfork Festival and Primavera Sound Festival boosted the band's popularity which landed their second album Days on the Billboard charts at #52 (the record has sold over 30,000 copies). The band will be performing in London's ATP I'll Be Your Mirror Festival performing with The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Black Lips.
27)Prawn
Location: Ridgewood
Topshelf Records
Genre: Indie
Forming in 2007, indie rockers Prawn have toured the country extensively and self released a couple of EPs before signing to Topshelf Records (Defeater, Moving Mountains). Last year, the band embarked on their first ever U.K. tour with Ape Up. You can expect new material from the band coming very soon.
28) East of the Wall
Location: Keyport
Translation Loss Records
Genre: Metal
Featuring ex-members of The Postman Syndrome, East of the Wall's prog metal barrage came to full steam with with their 2009 debut album Farmer's Almanac. The band have engaged in a handful of U.S. and European tours with acts such as Black Tusk, Radare and Goes Cube. The band will be working on the follow up to the critically praised 2011 album The Apologist.
