The Write Sound

Set It Free's New Single Brings Rock and Positivity

2012-06-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Music is all about the sound. Even with a great image and millions of dollars behind you, an artist can not succeed if the audience can't groove on their tunes.

Hailing from Brick, NJ, Set It Free has grasped their audience with their hard sound an relatable lyrics. Since forming in 2011, Set It Free has already grabbed the attention of Maria Mar, host of Jersey Rock on 95.9 The Wrat and Los Angeles record label Gas Can Music. They've shared the stage with top acts such as Senses Fail, Megadeth and Disturbed. They have also shared the stage with national rockers, Trapt, and caught the ear of bassist Pete Charell.

Charell dug Set It Free's sound so much, he produced their upcoming LP, “Don't Stand Alone,” which will be available nationwide this summer.

I've gotten a peek at a few of the new albums tracks, and I must say, they are in constant rotation now. It may be because it's the first single they released off the album, but my personal favorite track is “Lungs Bleed.”

First of all, “Lungs Bleed” has everything I look for in a Rock song. Joey DeAngelo and Mike Gurnari shred on the guitar, Patrick Dwyer slaps the hell out of the bass, Victor Pascale whales on the skins and Andrew Williams brings it all together with beautifully melodic vocals.

To me, “Lungs Bleed” is all about taking the negativity you hold inside and releasing it. The message they seem to send is that you can't fully live your life and experience the world for what it is when you're focused on everything holding you down and back.

Any fan of Rock and Roll would be foolish to not check out the new single, “Lungs Bleed.” It has the energy to get you pumped without the “vocals” of someone screaming at you through the speakers. Instead, the intense instrumentals are met with vocals you can not only understand, but appreciate for the words that they are. The rest of the album, “Don't Stand Alone,” follows in the same suit, making it one you must get.

Set It Free will be releasing their new album, “Don't Stand Alone,” at a double CD release show with fellow NJ rockers, Breathing Blue, releasing their new album “Inner Animal” on July 7 at the Asbury Lanes in Asbury, NJ.

Much like “Don't Stand Alone,” this is a show you can't afford to miss!

You can check out "Lungs Bleed" on YouTube at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGt10Ul4nRM&feature=player_embedded

Female Fronted Vextion Brings a Powerful Sound

2012-05-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Photo by Lizz Codner

Comedian Daniel Tosh once told a joke that said “Being an ugly woman is like being a man: You're going to have to work.” In certain cases, that may be true. However, regardless of looks, women more often than not have to work harder than their male counterparts. Even still, though, it can be more difficult for a woman to gain the recognition they deserve, regardless of how hard they work.

If there is one place this holds true more than any, it's in the music industry, especially in rock and roll. When most people think of women involved in music, the image of a glits and glamor pop-star comes in to mind. In the 90's, Courtney Love did help to shed that image, but her fame was mostly related to her marriage to Kurt Cobain.

Fronted by Kate Ortiz, New Jersey band Vextion is defying the odds. Coming off of their debut at this year's Seaside Music Festival in Seaside Heights, NJ, Kate and bassist Max Orozco discuss what it's like being a female-fronted band and what it's like in the music scene.

Dolla Bil Facciponte: First of all, I have to ask, how was your first performance at the Seaside Music Fest?

Kate Ortiz: It was awesome! We had a big crowd. Everyone was having a good time and really seemed to enjoy the music. I think our crowd doubled from the time we started to the middle of our set.

DB: Were you excited?

Max Orozco: Of course! Seaside is my back yard so it's always fun to play there

KO: We've been wanting to play this for like two years and we finally got on so it's awesome.

DB: Did you guys do anything different for this show than you would any other?

KO: We did a couple covers. Usually we'll only do one. Plus Seaside usually has cover bands and there's going to be a lot of drinking.

MO: It was kind of my idea. People are going to be walking by on the boardwalk and hear something they hear on the radio and they'll want to come inside.

DB: That's a very good point. I want to talk briefly about other shows you've done. You've done a lot of charity shows such as the Move for Hunger Benefit, the Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy, and a show to raise awareness for Turner's Syndrome. Why do you guys get involved in these benefit shows?

KO: We try to help people with what we do. We're not rich and famous yet, so we can't write a check, so we try to do something to help out.

MO: Yeah, we're musicians so if we can help people with our music in any way, it's a good thing.

DB: Did you guys have any personal reasons for doing these shows?

KO: We really just want to try and help.

DB: That's very commendable. Now I want to talk about your album. You released “What I Am” last summer. How was the recording process? Did you guys have a lot of fun with it?

MO: It took forever.

KO: It was a lot of fun! I actually recorded it so it was also very stressful. While we were recording it, Max had just joined the band.

MO: Yeah, I joined and they were like “You're in the band now, now let's go record all these songs you barely know.

KO: Yeah, that sounds about right. I was really happy to be done. Recording your own band is weird and stressful and you start to hate your own songs because you hear them in practice everyday, you hear them when you're recording them and then when you're mixing them and it will drive you a little insane. But, I was really happy to finally accomplish that CD.

DB: Max, how nerve racking was it for you to jump into the band and then all of a sudden you're in the studio recording?

MO: I'm pretty awesome so it wasn't that bad. But it was interesting. I've never been thrown into a situation like that. It all worked out for the best and I'm very happy with the album.

DB: Do you guys have plans to do more recording any time soon?

KO: We do. We're actually doing some scratch recording for our second CD right now. We're taking our time with this one because the last one got rushed out because we just needed something to offer so we're taking our time, getting everything perfect and then we're going to do the real recording and have an amazing sounding second CD. Hopefully we'll have another CD out by next summer. We really want to take our time with it and make it perfect because we had to rush the first one a bit more than I would have liked just so we could have something for the fans. I think we'll definitely release a single or two in the meantime, maybe in the next few months.

DB: I'm sure it helps that you guys have had some more time together to mesh as a band and figure out who plays what kind of styles and the capabilities of everyone. Now you can put a lot more collaborative effort into it.

KO: Yeah, it's going to be a lot better. When we started recording the drums, Bob was pretty new to the band. Now we know what we're playing and what everyone else [in the band] is playing so we can put it together and make it sound like one piece.

MO: Exactly. The difference between the new recordings and the ones that are out is that we wrote these songs together as opposed to just learning someone's part.

DB: Well you talk about Bob and Max being new to the band when you first recorded. All of you came from different bands and have been playing for the past five to 10 years. How did you all find each other?

KO: All different ways. I met George when we played a show together and he was with his old band and he found out we were looking for a second guitarist and a drummer. Bob actually found us on MySpace, yeah, that long ago and we also had an ad on Craigslist which he found so we tried him out and he worked really well.

MO: I found them on Craigslist.

DB: For anybody trying to come up in the music scene, it's challenging. Do you feel it's harder being a female-fronted band?

KO: Sometimes. It depends on the crowd. More times then not, they're really accepting. As long as you play good music, they're going to listen. I think every once in a while we'll get that one jerk who discriminates against us or says inappropriate things because I'm a girl, but it's not too hard to shut them up.

Photo by Lizz Codner

DB: I just heard this the other day and I really wanted to get your input on it. Halestorm is the first female fronted band to be number one on the rock charts. do you think this is going to help you guys as far as gaining credibility and respect?

KO: First off. That's really surprising that they're the first. There have been so many great female fronted bands over the years. Great for them though! As far as respect and credibility...Maybe it'll help. But honestly we haven't ran into to many road blocks with the band being female fronted. I think maybe there might be some people who will make assumptions because I'm a girl before we play...but I think we show them what's up once we hit the stage! People seems to really respond well to our sound and our energy.

DB: What would you consider the best show you ever did?

MO: This is actually funny. A family member of mine teaches middle school in Barnegat. They just did really well on their standardized tests so they asked if we'd come play. I didn't think anything of it so I made some calls and got everyone on board. So we played in the gym of this middle school and it was ridiculous.

KO: Yeah, we got to play two sets. We did one for the sixth and eighth graders, which was probably about 300 kids. Then we played for the seventh graders and that was probably another 200 kids and they went insane for us! If you had seen that, you would've thought we were the biggest band in the world. It was awesome. I don't think we've ever had a more receptive show. One girl looked like she was going to cry when I high-fived her.

DB: Is music your number one passion and if so, has it always been?

KO: For me, yes. For as long as I can remember, I always played the cheesy, cheap musical instruments, or at least tried to, and I knew I always wanted to play music.

MO: I've always loved music. I think my first memory of music is “Achey-Breaky Heart” in the back of my moms crappy Pontiac. I've just always been a fan of music. I started off with just radio hits and then I discovered rock music and thought it was awesome. Then I discovered metal and thought it was awesome. Then I discovered hip-hop and I was opened up to a whole new world.

DB: It kind of shows in your songs. You hear all the different influences from pop to rock to heavy metal. Is that everybody's collective influences?

KO: Yeah, I don't think any of us have the same taste in music in this band. There's a few bands here and there we agree on but as a whole, our tastes are opposite sides of the spectrum.

DB: I almost hate to ask the question, but out of personal curiosity, I have to know. What's the meaning behind the name?

KO: I just kind of came up with it. I've been in other bands before and the names have been just really generic. So when you go to look them up, there's 40 other bands with the same name and I just didn't want to do that again. I wanted something interesting that no one else would have. It's like the way I come up with songs, it kind of just happened.

MO: My personal favorite thing about the name is it's not a word. So if you type “Vextion” in a search engine, we're the first thing that pops up.

KO: People pay thousands of dollars for that privilege but we got it just by being weirdo's.

DB: Do you have any advice for anyone trying to make it in the music scene?

KO: Networking is the most important thing in the entire world. You could be the best band in the world but if you don't work with other people, you're going to be stuck in the same spot forever. And don't get discouraged. I've played awful shows where people didn't like us or we played to one person who was a relative in the middle of the dance floor and that was it. You have to play those crappy shows to get to the really good ones. It's a right of passage.

DB: Very well said. Thank you very much and I wish you the best of luck!

KO: Thank you!

Photo by Lizz Codner

A Criminal Risk: Finally a Real Band

2012-05-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

It isn’t too often that a band will stick with all original members their entire career. When that does happen, many times, it’s a short-lived career. Band members will come and go, but the will to move on is what fans often respect.

A Criminal Risk made their name as a punk rock trio from Toms River, NJ. However, as people grow, so does their style. Now working towards a four-piece band, ACR says they finally feel like a real band. They also realize that sometimes, people are just living to die and the only certainties in life, as they say, are death and Batman.

Dolla Bil Facciponte: Right off the bat, you guys are currently going through a lineup change. You’ve recently been working with a new bassist. How’s he working out?

Tom Kunzman: Awesome. He’s doing good. He’s actually an old friend of mine from my first band where he played bass. We kind of lost touch for a while and I realized recently he wasn’t playing with anyone so he was one of the first people I thought to call. I didn’t know how Joe was going to feel about him but the second he came over and right off the bat it was really comfortable.

DB: Well aside from him, you’ve also added a second guitarist, right?

TK: Yeah, we’re going to add a fourth member. The three-piece thing is cool. I personally love it. The majority of all my favorite bands are three pieces and the bands we mostly agree on are three pieces. When you see a three piece band pull off such an amazing sound on stage we think if they can do that, so can we. Plus, there’s less minds clashing so it’s easier to work as a three piece.

Joe Appolonia: The night we got the guitar player, Tom texted me and asked how I felt about a fourth member. I said yes and he was shocked because I’m also into three-piece bands a lot.

DB: Is it weird having a fourth member now?

TK: It feels better. He stopped by and jammed with us one weekend and he already knew the songs because he already had the album. So he just said tell me which ones we’re playing, I already know him.

JA: Yeah, he was already adding his own stuff to the songs. Even with past experiences I’ve had, people come over and what they write is terrible and you have a hard time saying it, but he came over and played stuff and I was blown away.

DB: It has to be cool that he just comes in and meshed with you guys so easily.

TK: Yeah, that’s the thing. He’s got a very open mind. He’s been in tons of different styles of bands, but that influence makes it more listener friendly, I think.

DB: Let’s talk about the original formation of the band. How did A Criminal Risk first come together?

TK: I was just coming out of a band with our first drummer. Our old band had more of a pop side to it. I had all these ideas that I wanted to write that I couldn’t put in those bands. So we wanted to do something more aggressive, a little more real and not so over-polished. Then our old bassist was looking for a band so he joined with us and that was that. We weren’t as busy then as we are now. I feel like we were waiting for the lineup we had now.

JA: Yeah, I’ve been in this band for about three years now and I haven’t had as much fun as I’m having now. We haven’t even played a show with the new guys yet and I’m already having a better time then I’ve had in a long time.

DB: You recently released your album “The Art of Dropping Names.” How was putting the album together?

TK: Awesome. It’s hard to explain how excited I was to get that CD out. A piece of it was already recorded and we weren’t happy with it at all. So we went back and re-did some of the older ones. Then we did the rest of the songs that people had been hearing live for years that we never got to record.

JA: Tom was so stoked to be putting the album out. At first, I didn’t really think much of it. Once it came out, I just thought this is great.

TK: Actually, we didn’t even know it came out. Someone called me and was made that we didn’t let them know our album was on iTunes. I was excited and it came out two weeks before the tour so it was perfect timing.

DB: You guys released that album with a former lineup. Now that the lineup has changed, do you think the sound is going to change at all?

TK: Honestly, no. The music is still the same. It’s just as busy. Guitar-wise, it’s not all my ideas. As far as the bass player goes, I like them to have their own freedom and do what they think fits. Then they’ll feel more relaxed which is exactly how they should feel. I guess our new sound isn’t what you’d expect, but it’s not the opposite of ACR.

JA: It’s also cool to have somebody else in the band that can actually sing now. He does harmonies, but it’s in a good way.

DB: So you guys are relatively young. Not many people are going to get to go on tour at a young age like you have. What kind of feeling is that?

JA: It was weird for me because I’m the youngest. The first tour was really weird because I should have been a senior in high school but I dropped out to go on tour. All my friends were graduating and wondering what they were going to do and I’m about to get in a van and go to Chicago.

TK: The last tour was kind of weird for me.

DB: Well that was also your album release tour, wasn’t it?

TK: Yeah and what was cool about it was another band was touring for their album as well. And then the headlining band, Freshman Fifteen, was touring for their single, “Anywhere but here.” Like I said though, it was a little weird only in a sense of we’re nobody at all and these guys wanted us to go on tour with them. They had another band in mind but we sent them a copy of our single “65” and when they heard that they wanted us, so that was a good feeling.

DB: You guys have been doing this music thing for a little while now. What have you learned the most?

TK: I learned how much I love the style of music I play. My first band was similar to what we do now but then I ventured out into some heavier stuff. That stuff got old quick so I got back into this style and realized this is what I love to do.

JA: I’ve learned to enjoy it all and take it all while it comes. At first all I wanted to do was just go on tour. So we got calls for tour and we were excited. Tom was the one that kept us in check and its good to have that realist in the group.

TK: Another big lesson was the cliché of when the going gets tough, the tough get going. We had $1200 worth of van troubles on tour once and we had no money. Then we had all of our regular expenses so it got tough.

DB: You guys always show your passion and how much fun you have playing music. There’s an awful scenario where bands will say this is their life plan and it doesn’t work out. What if that happens to you?

JA: Well Tom and I met at school for audio engineering while we were still in high school. After I dropped out to go on tour, I paid to go back to that class. When I got done with it I thought this was cool for a back up plan. But this is what we love, and we won’t get sick of it.

TK: That’s a tough question to answer. You never really know when it’s done. There have been times, like with our most recent situation, where I questioned if Joe and I should just start over. Even then, anything we’d ever write would be the same thing because it’s just who we are.

DB: Since you guys are living out your dream, what advice do you have for anyone else?

TK: Whatever you’re doing, just do it cause you mean it. Anything you do, say it from your heart and mind because people can tell when you’re lying, especially people who care. If you love something, you won’t get sick of it.

JA: Enjoy it. Take every day as it comes and have fun.

Breathing Blue: Names Aren't Everything

2012-04-25T08:30:00.001-07:00

A band will often times spend hours, days, even weeks coming up with the perfect name for their band. Many times they’ll even come up with a name before making music. Even more so, they want to make sure it has a hard-hitting meaning.

Hailing from Ocean County, the members of Breathing Blue went the opposite direction. Using a name that came on the fly, Breathing Blue has made a name based on their music.

Dolla Bil Facciponte: Let’s talk right away about what’s new with you guys. You’re working on the release of your first full-length album. How’s that all going?

Matt Basilotto: It’s going good. We recorded at The Pilot Studio with our friend Dave Ryan. We finished recording in February and we’re all really happy with it. We’re looking at a late spring/early summer release.

Chris Dechert: It’s all new songs that no one has ever heard. These songs were written strictly for the record and they haven’t been played out, so it’s all fresh and new.

DB: Do you have a title?

CD: Yeah, it’s called “Inner Animal.”

DB: Is this album different from your previous work?

CD: It’s a whole different ballgame.

Rob Bost: We found our new sound. Our first EP was like we were trying to find our sound. Now with the full length, we know what we want to be which is hard-hitting rock and roll.

DB: Your fans have gotten used to the sound you had when, as you said, you were trying to find your sound. Do you think they’ll accept the new album just as much?

MB: We kind of weaned them into it. We released a couple of singles so they kind of knew what to expect. We kind of frankensteined a couple of songs. We took some dead songs and brought them to the new album.

CD: A lot of the songs had hints of our new rock and roll, southern rock style. All in all, the thing of us is we’ll always have the same sound. Our singer is very different and we’re pretty particular about our tones and way we have everything sound.

DB: So now let’s talk about your past a bit. What brought you guys together to form Breathing Blue?

MB: Breathing Blue started about three years ago.

CD: Yeah, we were all in other bands, some together some separately. Our drummer was in another band and Matt, Rob and I were in a band together where I was the singer. We broke up and Matt and Rob started a new band with J.T our current singer. They called me out of the blue and said, “Hey man, why don’t you come jam and play bass?” I thought it’d be cool so I went over for our first practice, and the rest is history.

DB: Well where did the name come from?

CD: We were going to play our first show and the promoter kept hounding us because he needed a name to put on the bill. We didn’t care about a name or even try to think of one. Then for whatever reason, Rob turns around in the car and says “first band name off the top of your head.” I said Breathing Blue and we just carried on with it.

DB: Aside from the upcoming album, you’ll also be playing Bamboozle this year for the third straight year. What’s that like?

MB: It’s cool. Especially since it’s in Asbury this year, it’s probably going to be the coolest Bamboozle yet.

CD: Plus we’re all big Foo Fighters and Incubus fans, so it’s unreal for us to be playing with them in our home area. We’re pretty excited for that and a bunch of other shows we have lined up. We have a couple of small tours coming up. We’re really just trying to hit the road and play outside of Jersey. Although, we do have a big show coming up at the Starland Ballroom with Eve 6 that we’re getting ready for.

DB: Are you doing any of your new stuff at the Starland show?

CD: Since the record has been done, all we do is play new stuff. Whatever our set time is – oh we have 30 minutes, we can do the first four tracks.

DB: You guys are pretty young and have done a lot for your age. Is that a weird feeling?

MB: I think sometimes we forget, but when you put it like that it makes us stop and think, “oh damn.”

CD: It’s like if you’re a football player and you win all these trophies. After that you think, “oh I want to get into this college” or “I want to get into the NFL.” So all the other stuff is cool, but when you think about it and look at all your trophies, you think “damn” and you’re always just striving to do better and progress. We have our glory moments, but the next day we’re right back to work.

RB: It goes so fast. It’s an insane feeling. You forget about it while you’re up there, especially big shows like Grammercy Theatre. It feels like we’re up there for two seconds then it’s over.

DB: What kind of struggles have you guys gone through?

CD: Being in a band. If anyone ever thinks it’s a great idea to start a band and get a trailer and go on tour, don’t do it.

DB: Then why do you do it?

CD: We’re in too deep at this point. It’s all we know how to do.

MB: Aside from that, it’s just rough. We’ll get in several fights a day. If you could imagine a struggle between two people and then on top of that you need money and then you have a deadline for something and then you have a struggle for trying to promote stuff. Everything just adds up and it’s a struggle. Sometimes I don’t even want to tell people I’m in a band because they’ll look at me like a con-headed-ninny-mugget. Nobody knows there’s more to it than playing music.

RB: Everyone thinks it’s just fun, which it is, but it’s still a job. It’s one of the toughest jobs there is.

DB: Have you found it hard to balance the band and your personal lives?

CD: Absolutely.

MB: I think we’re getting used to it because we’ve been doing it so long, but it’s still really hard.

RB: It’s brought some problems especially with girlfriends and things like that. There were some situations where it’s torn us apart and changed us. Now it’s all back to the way it was and we have our sixth member, it was all for the better. If that didn’t happen then this stuff now probably wouldn’t have, either.

DB: You guys clearly put a lot of work into what you do and people respect it. Especially with this interview, you guys were on board right away.

RB: It gets tough because people hear we’re in a band and think, “oh there’s a million others just like you.” It doesn’t get me down because the more people tell me that the harder it makes me want to work. It’s a little discouraging but then I’ll be like “well I just played to 1500 people last night.”

MB: Sometimes I’ll laugh with them and just think “I hate you,” but it doesn’t get us down too much.

DB: Which goes to show you guys are doing this for the love rather than the glory and money.

CD: When we go on a weekend tour or do any shows, it’s like, how do you think we get six or seven hours away? We didn’t make money at the last gig. It’s about whose got money to put in the van or for a hotel. That all comes out of our pocket and it’s so worth it to me because there’s no greater feeling than that.

RB: All bands go through it when they start, you know, going on tour and trying to build a following.

DB: Some bands are fortunate to be financially back, but most aren’t, and I think the ones that aren’t get the most respect because people see bands doing it themselves.

RB: That’s the goal. Hopefully people give us more of a push because we do do it ourselves. We want to build a big family of friends and fans that’ll stick with us forever.

CD: We don’t want to have one big hit and have that be the end of it. I’d love to play to 5,000 people a night. That’d be great, but I’d be perfectly content if we went on tour and there were 60 to 100 people there if every single one of them came to the show because they love our music.

DB: In the worst-case scenario that it doesn’t work out, do you guys have a back-up plan?

CD: (Rob and I have both said) if you have a back-up plan, then maybe you don’t care that much about your plan A.

DB: Finally, if you’re only remembered for one thing, what do you want it to be?

CD: That we’re all around badass. Cool dudes, cool music. I mean, think of Led Zeppelin. If you had one word to describe them, what would it be, you know?

DB: You guys do what you want to do and it works for you. You’ve found your sound and know where you want to go which is the biggest part of the battle. You definitely look like you have fun on stage and I’ve had a great time here. Do you have any final words?

Collectively: Rock and roll!

BoundAlive Sends a Positive Message with "Relive"

2012-04-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Formed with the intention of making music that relates to listeners on an intense emotional level, BoundAlive’s hard rock and metal style connects with several different audiences. You can clearly feel their 80’s thrash metal and 90’s grunge influences in all of their songs.

Staying true to their original style, BoundAlive has released their latest single, “Relive.” Like most BoundAlive songs, this song has a positive message. It’s about not reliving the same mistakes but embracing them and learning that there is hope and a choice every time.

BoundAlive said that it started out as an acoustic addictive riff and lyrics immediately followed. The first line, “This means war,” talks about the war that takes place within everyone and the battles we face with trying to make the right decisions for ourselves and loved ones.

BoundAlive may be heavy rockers, but they’re not different than anyone else. The message they try to get across is that they understand pain, heartache and the amount of control we, as individuals, have and learn that we can truly can truly shape our own destiny and rewrite our own fate.There will be times in the song where it’ll sound dark and sick but once you really hear what they have to say, you will realize the amount of power, passion and persuasion that they deliver to you.

BoundAlive is currently in the process of writing for their next album with the hope of bringing the same positive message to every song on it.

Just Kait: Not Your Average Girl

2012-04-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

Many people may never know the name of Kait DiBenedetto. However, this 19-year-old music prodigy has gained a large following as “Just Kait.” She has gained success and fame some only imagine, especially given her young age.

Kait has dedicated her life to music. Even with the amount of success she's found, she has remained true to who she's always been. She's followed her heart and made her dreams a reality.

Dolla Bil Facciponte: Have you always had an interest in making music?

Kait DiBenedetto: Definitely. When I was little, I would pretend baseball bats were guitars so I think I've always had a love for it.

DB: What was your inspiration for getting into music?

KD: My dad was a big part of it. When I was growing up, he was in bands so I'd go to his practices. I think I always just wanted to follow in his footsteps. Besides that, listening to a lot of old school pop-punk/pop rock bands made me want to play.

DB: Who were some of your favorite bands growing up?

KD: New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, basically everything that was around those days.

DB: Those are bands that have found major success in music. You've also found some success as well. How does it feel to be featured on MTV and have your music constantly used on their programming?

KD: I'm super proud and fortunate for all of that. I never thought a company as big as MTV would ever even notice my music, especially considering they don't play much music anymore but, like, its cool. Weird, but awesome.

DB: I'm sure it's also had a big part in helping boost your career.

KD: Absolutely. People who wouldn't normally listen to my music have heard of it one way or another and that's cool. Regardless of if they actually like it or not, at least they are hearing it.

DB: Have you found any difficulties in balancing life?

KD: Not really. I think the only difficult thing for me was trying to finish high school while going on a two month tour. I definitely wanted to finish school so I did a lot of school work on the bus. I also didn't want to miss prom so I made sure I flew home right after the tour ended so I could make it. I even made my mom go to the school and get the paperwork.

DB: Is there any difference between "Just Kait" the musician and "Kait DiBenedetto" the person?

KD: Not really. Who I am in real life is exactly how I am on stage. Some of the songs I write and perform as Just Kait are a little more pop then some of the stuff I actually listen to, but that's not anything that shocking. A lot of people are like that. In early interviews with Just Kait there were definitely moments where I was told to act or restrict myself in a certain way just because I've always been pretty straight forward and sometimes people or places weren't ready for that, but besides that, there's no difference.

DB: Well it certainly seems like you're able to completely be yourself. I'm sure that also helps you connect with your fans a lot better.

KD: Exactly. I got sick of people telling me what to say and what not to say. Like you said, fans understand the real me and that's something they respect. They obviously aren't going to want to look up to an artist who's fake or dishonest. They can relate to a lot of the things I say and do because of that.

DB: Is it a weird feeling to still be growing up and being looked up to?

KD: Oh yeah. It's crazy sometimes to think that people that are older then me actually look up to me. Especially because like I told you earlier, I'm always myself around them and they are more like friends to me than anything. It definitely makes me feel good though.

DB: You perform as "Just Kait," but you're often accompanied by a band. Do you prefer to perform solo or with the band?

KD: With a band for sure. Honestly, before I started "Just Kait," I wanted the whole project to be more of a band and much less a solo project but things didn't pan out that way. I've always loved live shows with big guitars and drums.

DB: You've been working on a new EP. How's that been going?

KD: Awesome! I'm so proud of the entire thing. It really means a lot to me and I'm excited to release it in the summer!

DB: What's this album going to be like compared to your previous work?

KD: Its totally different. It shows a completely different side of me. Obviously, I pour my heart and soul into all the music I write, but these are more serious songs and you can just feel the emotion in every word and riff. Some of the subjects are a lot more [relative] in one way or another.

DB: Everyday new musicians try to make it, but more fail than succeed. In the unfortunate scenario that things don't pan out for you, do you have a pack up plan?

KD: Honestly, no. That sounds terrible but I don't. I put all my time and money into this. Money I had saved for college went to my music career and I honestly don't regret it. I went all in with this. I do have interests in other things that I'd like to do like a clothing line or something along those lines, but music is my thing.

DB: I have to say, I've done quite a few interviews and it's not very often somebody shows that type of determination and certainty.

KD: Well to me its not just music. I'm not doing it to impress anyone, I do it because I love it and its what keeps me sane. If I don't put 1,000 percent into it, I feel like I'm letting myself down.

DB: Finally, Kait, if you're only remembered for one thing, what do you wish that to be?

KD: I want to be remembered for lyrics and music that touched people. Whether that's taken in a corny way or a super serious way, I don't care. Its really cliche' but if I got one person through a bad day or saved anyone’s life in anyway, that's perfect for me.

DB: Kait for as young as you are, you've accomplished so much that people most people couldn't imagine and you're only getting started. You're positive attitude makes you a great role model and you're musical skills are incredible. Thank you so much for talking to me tonight and I wish you the best of luck.

KD: Thank you so much. It mean's so much to me and you're welcome.

Be sure to check out our partners at Toms River Patch!

The Magnums: Re-cocked and Re-loaded

2012-02-28T11:34:00.000-08:00

By BIL FACCIPONTE

A separation of two parties is a devastating event for anyone involved. At the time, it's hard to imagine life going on at that point. For most people, this comes in the form of a romantic relationship. However, there is another type of relationship that may suffer this more than anyone else.

Many bands that have become household names do not contain the original members that started the band. Whether it be due to politics within the band, a lack of desire or a new dream coming about, band members split all the time. The biggest issue for the band is moving on from that point.

While many may quit after losing a member, Toms River band The Magnums have kept their passion for music. Drummer Phil Rusher had left the band to explore other interests. Despite the loss, The Magnums made their return to the stage on Thursday, February 6 at McIntyre's Pub in Toms River with new drummer, Drew Maltese.

Bil Facciponte: Hey guys, we're here outside McIntyre's after your first set in almost a year. How does it feel?

Nico Santo-Domingo: It feels good to be back on stage performing. We haven't been around in a little while and it almost feels like we never left. I think Drew did really well.

BF: Well let's touch on that. Drew you've only been in the band for a few months now. How does it feel to be apart of the returning Magnums tonight?

Drew Maltese: It felt pretty good, jubilant even. All in all it was great except for a broken cymbal and a leg on the floor tom. It was really cool to be a part of this. I've always been a fan of them. When I first moved (to New Jersey) I started going to a bunch of their shows. I don't normally play drums, but with this band, it just feels good and natural.

NSD: It really felt like rock and roll.

BF: Would you guys say this is the best lineup you've ever had?

NSD: I can't because we've said that every time. Tonight though, we did have a lot of people tell us Drew was exactly the drummer we needed.

BF: The biggest thing a band needs is a connection between members. How do you guys feel Drew fits with the band?

NSD: He fits real well. We all get along and that's one of the key things for us.

BF: You guys debuted a few new songs tonight. Talk a bit about the process in writing the new tunes.

Garret Bayard: It seemed effortless. Everything just kind of fell into place.

NSD: Yeah nothing seemed to really change as far as the writing process went. It did seem easier now than it ever did before.

DM: It took about five minutes to write a song and I've never been part of a band that could write so quickly. It's just something where we caught magic in the moment and just rode that groove.

BF: In a lot of the new stuff we're starting to hear Rob doing backup vocals. You haven't done a lot of those in the past, how does it feel?

Rob Molinari: I've actually always wanted to. I enjoy doing vocals. As long as it sounds good, I'm happy.

BF: It sounded very good. In fact, the show as a whole was great.

NSD: Yeah a couple of people noticed at the beginning of our set I was nervous. I was just kind of walking awkwardly on stage but once we got into it, it fell into place.

BF: Well you guys debuted some new songs tonight and you've been spending some time in the studio. When can we expect a new album?

GB: Soon, a lot sooner. Definitely quicker than our last one.

DM: Oh I'll definitely back that. I'm so anxious to record.

NSD: Yeah, everything just feels good now. We've had six members that have come and gone with the band but like I said, several people have told has the Drew is what we needed.

GB: Nico and I talked about that earlier and we're pretty inclined to agree with those people.

BF: Well fellas, it was great to see you back on the stage and I'm sure the fans can't wait to see you again. Thank you for the interview and the best of luck to you.

NSD: Thank you for your support and remember kids, always support local music.

The Magnums are:

Nico Santo-Domingo

Garrett Bayard

Rob Molinari

Drew Maltese

End of an Era's Self-Titled Album: PICK IT UP!

2011-06-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

There are very few times in which I hear a local band at a local bar and are impressed. It's even more rare that I'm blown away and want more. The first time I saw End of an Era at a local Toms River bar, I had to have more, and they were willing to dish it out.
I met with the Jersey music scene's favorite degenerates after their show, and in all honesty, judging by the crowd who was there to see them and there performance, I was expecting a bunch of pompous jerks. Much to my pleasant surprise, they were some of the most down to earth guys I've ever met, in the music industry or the rest of the world. Not only were they very personable, but they showed a refreshing passion for their music that the scene doesn't see often enough.
Two years later, End of an Era released their self-titled album, and they have gone far beyond my expectations. Engineered, mixed and mastered by EOAE's own Jeff Wallace at Entrolab Studios, “End of an Era” is the best work the band has done to date. Each track brings the hard, electro-rock sound and melodic vocals that EOAE fans have come to love over the years, which is partially due to re-recordings of tracks from the 2010 EP, “Final Approach.”
Now, with new guitarist Chris Matsinger and original guitarist Jeff Brogan on the album, this is by far one of the best albums released in the Jersey music scene in quite some time. Here is the breakdown:

Artist: End of an Era
Album: End of an Era

1. Reclamation – With this track, EOAE eases you into the album. Bringing more of a lighter electro-rock feel, Jeff Wallace's vocals are really the strength of this song. I like it because it's a bit of a tease as to how the rest of the album will go, and I feel it's better than the original 2010 version. 8/10

2. No Tomorrow – After hearing the first three notes of this track, you instantly recognize the vintage EOAE sound. The backing electronics and the drumming of Spags come together so perfectly that you almost get lost in the beat alone. 8/10

3. The Good, The Bad, and The Better – This song has a funny back story, as it was almost an accident of how it came together. As soon as it hits, your head will start bobbing and your toes will start tapping. Unlike the previous track, this is a pretty different sound for the band. Although they bring their traditional heart racing sound, it brings more of a pop feel to it. 9/10

4. Wait for You – This is another track that was originally released in 2010, however, I preferred the original version. The general beat keeps you moving, but the original melody of the vocals sounded better, and blended better, in the 2010 release. However, still a great track. 8/10

5. The Walking Dead – By far my favorite track on the album. Right off the bat, the trippy electronics get you grooving, and then the hard hitting instruments and vocals kick in, all with a perfect melody. - 10/10

6. 2002: A Space Tragedy – EOAE slows it down a bit with this track. The verses are very slow and sang somewhat methodically. The chorus comes in heavier while staying consistent with the rest of the song. - 8/10

7. Chaos Theory – The band brings you right back up to speed with this one. It comes in with a heavy hit and never shy’s away from that. The backing vocals of bassist Justin Mazyk and recording guitarist Jeff Brogan are an essential part of tying this song together. 10/10

8. Freak Show – You better be ready to dance with this one. EOAE displays their versatility by having an electro-dance sound throughout the track while still bringing their heavy sound their fans have come to love. - 8/10

9. Final Approach – Unlike “Wait for You,” there wasn't much change from the 2010 release to this version. With two guitarists, it is a bit heavier than the original, which I absolutely love. 10/10

10. Be All – I consider this track to be “foreplay” for the final track of the album. Lead singer Jeff Wallace is the sole artist on this song, displaying his skills on the keys, with only two cryptic lines. 8/10

11. End All – This starts exactly where “Be All” leaves off, and I mean exactly “Be All” bleeds into “End All.” The majority of the song is more melodic than it is heavy, until you get into the chorus. This is a beautiful track all around (yes, I used beautiful to describe an EOAE song) and a perfect close to the album. 9/10

Final Rating - 9/10
I recommend any music fan grab this album. The entire album is filled with great music and the production value is second to none. If End of an Era continues to make music like this, and perform with the high levels of intensity that they always bring, there is no question that this is only the beginning.

End of an Era is:
Jeff Wallace
Chris Matsinger
Justin Mazyk
Spags

Black Dinosaur Entertainment and the Matthew H. Witzgall Artist Grant present Endependence Day 3 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ on July 2.

Doors at 2PM
ALL AGES
$10 advance/$12 door
***Limited number of $25 VIP Tickets available!

Featuring Performances by:
End of an Era
Bind
Scantily Clad
Monday Night Heroes
Johnny B. Morbid
Divide and Conquer
and more!

Also....
A super BBQ with Bullfrog Barbecue!
The Mathew H. Witzgall Artist Fund Rock Star Dunk Tank!
The first annual "Miss Endependence Day" contest!
Contests and prizes! Cheap Drinks! Vendors!

This show will DEFINITELY sell out quickly...so reserve your tickets now! Send us a message to reserve yours or buy them online!

Brought to you by Motor Media, Black Dinosaur Entertainment, Mathew H. Witzgall Artist Grant, and DGenn.com!

***VIP Tickets include a special VIP laminate, Limited Edition T-Shirt, access to the VIP tent, free food and drink specials.

A New Album Brings A New Beginning For End Of An Era

2011-06-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Before End of an Era held their CD release party on February 26, 2011 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ, I sat with the fellas to discuss the process of putting their album together, what they hope it brings them and the overall direction they want to head. Here is that interview:

Working in the Jersey music scene, I’ve learned that the industry is rough. It is a very dog-eat-dog world. Everybody should stick together, but instead try to step over one another on their way to the top. The ones that do make it to the top try everything they can to get a possible advantage over the competition. Some use costumes, some use publicity stunts and some are just handed fame. Toms River rockers End Of An Era only needed to do one thing: make good music.
Since they first formed in 2005, EOAE have been one of the hardest working bands in the local music scene. Like any band, and any relationship between people for that matter, there were low points that they were forced to overcome. They’ve waded through the high and low tides, and that has brought them where they are today. The self-titled “End Of An Era,” is their first full-length album.
The entire album as a whole still gives the heavy, melodic vibe that EOAE is known for delivering. Not only can you sing along to it, but you can break your neck to it as well. The track “2002: A Space Tragedy” is very mellow and a very unfamiliar sound from these guys. However the new recording of “Final Approach” will get any listener out of their seat.
The new album is a complete collective effort of all members of the band. What they’ve done is take the “End of an Era” style that their fans have come to love, and added new elements to it. At first listen, you clearly know it’s the boys from EOAE, especially in songs like “Reclamation” to “Wait For You.” There are several tracks that were written some time ago that the band re-recorded. The new recordings are far better than the original and really reflect the new camaraderie of the band.
As the album progresses, however, you start to feel a different vibe in tracks like “The Good, The Bad and The Better” and the two-part song “Be All” and “End All.” The new tracks on the album show the complete input of each band member. Everyone brings their own style and sound, and with each song they bring all of their elements together for a sound that has never before been produced.
The band seems to have a stronger connection now than they ever have before. Not only does it show on stage, but also the album reflects it perfectly. “End Of An Era” is perfect for original fans of the band, and is undoubtedly the best recording they have ever produced.
The following interview takes place on Feb. 22, 2011.
Bil Facciponte: Jeff (Brogan), you’re back with the band doing the first recording you’ve done with them in some time, what is it like to be back?
Jeff Brogan: It was really good to get back in the studio with the rest of the guys. It felt like I never really left the band. It’s the first time we have two guitarists in the band, and it’s definitely a different experience.
BF: Well, Chris, how did you vibe with Jeff?
Chris Matsinger: When I came into this, we had talked about having a second guitar player. The first thought was always me coming in and playing with Brogan. Then it happened, and it was joyous.
JB: Its actually pretty amazing how well Chris fit with the band. When we used to play with his old band, he’d actually hang with us more than them.
Jeff Wallace: We had Chris fill in on a show years back, and at that time we had talked about brining him back.
BF: How long have you guys been working on the new album?
Jeff Spagnola: Before Brogan came back into the band, he wanted to just come down and jam a little bit. One day, me, him and Chris we’re sitting around and Brogan came up with something he wanted to jam on, something stupid to mess around on, and 20 minutes later we had a song now called “The Good, The Bad and The Better.” That was the first time we played with Brogan and Chris at the same time, and it just clicked immediately.
BF: So do each of you have a favorite song from the new album, or are you digging on all of them?
JS: We started recording in August, and just put the final touches on it in January. So I’ve been sitting on it for however many months that is, so at this point they’re all kind of my favorite.
BF: You guys had re-recorded a few of your previous tracks for the new album. Brogan, what was it like for you to come record these tracks that were done without you?
JB: There were actually a couple of tracks that I was apart of the band for, I just wasn’t involved in the recording of it. It kind of sucks though because they’re not mine. I almost felt like I was a stepfather to some of these songs.
BF: There was a brief line-up change within the band over the last year. How has that affected the band as a whole?
JW: It really changed the way we wrote as a band. We came together and saw that this was a new entity and we were all in it together. We’ve all equally contributed. Even the lyrics, I’d come up with a chorus and explain what I wanted the song to be, and then someone would come up with a crazy verse, then we’d work out the lyrics for what sounded better. For instance, there was a line that originally read “vomit on his d**k” but then got changed to “puke on his piece,” to give the listener their own interpretation.
JB: We all had a hand in writing the songs. Before “The Good, The Bad, and The Better” came to be, it was some silly pop-punk think I worked on, and then adding the bass, drums and vocals, it just made the song full. If one person didn’t write the song, they contributed to it.
JS: On one hand, if each of the members of the band is like a body part, the head, arms and legs, it’s kind of like losing a limb. That gave us the opportunity to go out and get a better, robotic leg. We got to start from scratch, which is something we haven’t done in a long time. We winded up coming out with our best material so far.
Justin Mazyk: We started a “no-no” policy, in that we didn’t shoot down any ideas. If Chris came up with an idea that Brogan and I thought was stupid, we’d try it anyway and ended up coming up with a lot of cool [stuff] that maybe didn’t sound perfect when we first put it together, but after going through it a bit, it changed the song in such a good way that we ended up keeping it.
BF: I think you guys really vibe well together, and the new album is incredible. You seem to have such a synergy on stage that it seems like this is this original line-up.
CM: That’s another big part of it, the live show. All the energy is still there that we’ve always had, but it is something different to watch. It’s not the same show anymore.
BF: With all you guys have been through, most people would give up. What makes you guys continue to do this?
JW: I’m going to get deep on this. We all have a lot to say. We’re basically disgusted by society around us and the way people treat each other. There’s a lot to say, and we have big mouths. That is the main reason I do this. I want the world to hear these guys’ mouths. I’m honored to say the things that the band feels.
CM: That’s the thing about it, we all hate the same things, but have something different to say about it. The five of us are almost very different guys, but that helps to bring us close together.
BF: Since the last time we interviewed, which was about two years ago, you guys have played a lot of shows. Which has been the most fun?
JW: The Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands at the Starland (Ballroom) was pretty fun. The expectations were high for everyone in the room, and living up to those was a really good feeling.
BF: With the new album, I’m sure you have some shows booked. What do you have lined up so far?
JS: In April we start touring through the Spring and Summer, pretty much until we either run out of money or die. We’re hoping it’s the money thing, but if it’s death, we’re just hoping its cool.

End of an Era’s self titled album is now available on iTunes or from endofanera.bandcamp.com. Find them on Facebook for upcoming show dates.
Jeff Wallace
Jeff Brogan
Chris Matsinger
Justin Mazyk
Spags

All Sync'd Up!

2011-06-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

DBMediaFunctions.com is now synced with the following:

Twitter - DollaBilMF

Facebook - Dolla Bil Facciponte (person)

Facebook - DB Media Functions (page)

What's New?

2011-06-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well folks, this website has gone through several changes. The biggest change is, well, everything. You'll notice we are now DBMediaFunctions.com and our format has changed a bit. Now, along with band interviews, we will feature album reviews and band bios. DB Media Functions also has a part in a few shows, and here you will find all the details and updates. Stay tuned for more! In the meantime, follow us on twitter @DollaBilMF

Stolen Rhodes

2010-05-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Imagine what would happen if Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews came together and had a baby. That child’s name would be Stolen Rhodes. This New Jersey/Delaware Valley based band puts on a unique performance every time they’re on stage.

Stolen Rhodes started out playing small shows along the Jersey Shore. Since the release of their EP “The Dark Side of 88,” they have yet to look back and have no intentions on doing so.

DB: You guys released “The Dark Side of 88” in May of 2009. What was that experience like?

SR: Well the dark side of 88 is a reference to a Bruce Springsteen song “Spirit in the Night.” Bruce is a big Jersey shore guy and everybody kind of knows that he’s probably one of the most famous people to ever come out of New Jersey. We hang out in Lakewood (NJ) a lot on the “dark side of route 88.” So we’re kind of just paying tribute to that song and also where we grew up. We listen to a lot of Springsteen and it’s cool that we hung out in his old stomping grounds.

DB: Well speaking of Bruce, one of the places he used to play was The Stone Pony in Asbury. What was it like to headline there?

SR: That was probably one of the most awesome rock and roll experiences. It was overwhelming. You step out on that stage and there’s people there that are into it. It really feels good to play a venue like that. A lot of people talk about getting nervous before big shows, but we feed off the energy.

DB: Speaking of feeding, you guys must love Surf Taco because you play a lot of shows at those locations.

SR: Well when we first got together we played a few gigs. Then we heard there was live music at Surf Taco. We gave the owner one of our demos and he enjoyed it and asked us to come play. The first time we played there, it was actually our CD release party, so it was a real nice experience. They ask us back there all the time so it’s good stuff. The audience is right there and they get into it so it’s real nice.

DB: Plus all the free Surf Taco has to be nice.

SR: Oh absolutely, we drink and eat like kings when we go out there.

DB: You guys have done a lot of travel and played a lot of shows. Do you have a particular favorite?

SR: We like The Shrine Bar in New York. That’s a really cool spot. It’s the most eclectic group of people there and it’s a real good atmosphere where everyone just comes out and has a good time. It’ll be a Wednesday at 11 p.m. and people will be anxious to see us.

DB: You play a nice combination of covers and originals. What’s your favorite song to play?

SR: Well we love to play our originals. But we all have different songs we’re into because of certain parts we get to play.

DB: Well who does most of the writing of your originals?

SR: Lately we’ve been trying to get the whole band involved and it’s been really working out. It’s definitely starting to open up new doors to our sound. We want our music to be from Stolen Rhodes since we all contribute.

DB: Where does the influence from your songs come from?

SR: It’s now gotten to the point where we talk about work and where we want our lives to go. We’ll sit at work and just think “I’d rather be playing music right now. This is something I can do for the rest of my life.” That, to us, brings up a lot of songs. A lot of our songs kind of have that working vibe to it. We’re just telling a story and to us, its real song writing because it comes from our experiences.

DB: Do you guys see this as the rest of your life? Do you see Stolen Rhodes together in 20 years?

SR: Absolutely, you just hit it right on the head. That’s exactly what we want. Any one of us could get a job as a bass board musician or a hired gun but we all want to be in a band and to make a living with music we actually care about. It’ll be great to say we can sell out huge stadiums but as long as we can make a comfortable living, that would be a big success.

End of an Era

2010-05-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well boys and girls, here it is. This is my interview with Toms River's own End of an Era broadcast from McIntyre's Pub. You can check out the print in the OCC Viking News and soon at The Riverside Signal.

In a day where the music scene mostly belongs to the “Single Ladies” who “do the Helen Keller and talk with their hips,” a band has to have an original sound to get noticed. Toms River band End of an Era bases their music on what they don’t want to sound like.

Before a brief departure in 2009, EOAE had a sound that was original to the Jersey music scene. Since their reformation in earl 2010, they found their sound had been duplicated. Now with a new guitarist, EOAE hopes to introduce their fans to a new sound they’ll like more than the original.

DB: You guys have been together for five years but took a brief absence in 2009. What’s the story behind that?

EOAE: It’s no one thing you can put your finger on. Things just came to ahead that were building over time. It was probably the healthiest thing for us because now we’re really happy.

DB: Regarding your name, End of an Era, how did you guys come up with that?

EOAE: We get this question all the time and we usually give them 20 different answers. It’s something we’ve always wanted to call a band and it was just like, ‘Hey, End of an Era, cool.”

DB: Do you guys all rock out to the same music or do you have different styles?

EOAE: Well we all have very different styles in music, but we appreciate it all.

DB: What about the influence for your songs? where does that come from?

EOAE: There’s always a lot of alcohol involved. But as a musician, what you do stems from a lot of what you listen to. We don’t necessarily go into a room and say we need a Nine Inch Nails or a Dead Kennedy’s song. A lot of it has to do with what we don’t want to sound like. That was the whole idea of End of an Era. We don’t want to fit into any one category.

DB: Which is really hard to do nowadays because every sound now has a label on it.

EOAE: That’s half of what we did when we regrouped. A lot of people caught up to the sound we we’re doing when we first started. We kind of had to go back and think about how we could make it different again.

DB: Well other than your sound, how have you changed since you first started?

EOAE: We’re five years older, five years better (and) five years more experienced. We’re not going to give you the classic answer “we grew as song writers.” From beginning to now, it’s like everything else. Things just mature on their natural base.

DB: Well I’m sure what helped you guys mature was playing in Brazil a few years back. What was that experience like?

EOAE: It was cool because people down there assumed just because we were an American band, that we were somehow a big band. They didn’t know what we were doing there but they were into us because we were Americans. And the only time they could sing perfect English was when they were singing The Ramones.

DB: You guys have been thru a lot such as new members and the break up in ’09. What has been the biggest challenge for you guys?

EOAE: Reinventing ourselves seems to be the most trouble. When we started out, we had new ideas and fresh ideas. Myspace, Facebook and all those other media forms had just started out so weren’t in a cluster of other bands. Nowadays, everyone is using those media forms. Now it’s like reinventing the wheel. And not only that, it’s trying to keep people interested. It’s a matter of keeping our fans happy.

DB: Well you guys have played Brazil, the Warped Tour, Bamboozle and a lot of other big shows. What’s next for End of an Era?

EOAE: Right now we have a five song EP we’re giving away for free, so we’re focusing and touring on that right now. We plan on having a new, full length album by the end of Summer. We haven’t done a full length since the beginning. We’re on the Tool and Nine Inch Nails regiment of one every few years or so.

Everything End of an Era has ever recorded is available for download at endofanera.bandcamp.com. More information and tour dates can be found on their Myspace and Facebook pages.

The Magnums

2010-04-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

The OCC Viking News Music Issue has finally been released. For those of you who haven't gotten enough, here is my interview with The Magnums.

Words and language are up to interpretation. If one were to travel around the United States and ask people what came to their mind when they heard the word “magnum,” there are several answers you can expect to find. In some areas you’ll hear a gun, or the wine bottle or in some cases people may remember the work of Tom Selleck in “Magnum P.I.”

However, if you ask fans of the Jersey Shore music scene, the response will more than like be “The Magnums.” Starting off as a side project involving front man Nico Santo Domingo and guitarist Garret Bayard, The Magnums have evolved into a something that puts people on their feet when they perform.

DB: How would you guys describe your sound?

TM: Sex jazz, it’s like a sex bomb in your ear.

DB: Care to elaborate?

TM: We’ve called our original music a bunch of stuff over the years. We just tend to have fun. We can be real loud at times. Sound guys are not fans of us. But we just try to have fun, drink and play music.

DB: How do you guys feel about performing cover songs?

TM: Well we’re definitely not a cover band. We wouldn’t say covers suck, but we’re an original band. When you’re at a bar, people just want to hear [stuff] they know and get drunk. But at a few shows we’ve asked if people wanted to hear a cover or original, and 99 percent of the time, they ask for originals.

DB: Do you think people are more into your originals than your covers?

TM: Oh absolutely. We hook people in with the covers, but once they hear our originals they’re like “Oh Magnums, cool,” except for the 10 drunk girls that want to hear “American Girl.”

DB: You guys are friends with the guys from Temporary Grace and you’re all representing the Jersey rock scene. How do you guys help each other out?

TM: Well you know, we share equipment or plug each other’s shows. We’ll call each other up and say we need someone to play with us and we just go help each other out.

DB: As a band you guys mesh together very well. Offstage, do you guys have the same experience?

TM: We really fit. We call each other to hang out as opposed to the past where it was more like a business relationship with our original line-up.

DB: What can you guys tell us as far as your studio work?

TM: We had our first six track album called “Big Things” back in 2007. Right now we have a full length album coming out called “Midnight Stealth.” It may be the best recording we’ve done and the artwork is incredible. We put a lot of work into it.

DB: Do you guys see this going far or is it just something to do for fun?

TM: We definitely do it for fun. If something were to happen then cool, but if not we all have other things going on.

DB: What’s next?

TM: Promote the hell out of the album. We’ve never really pushed our albums. We just kind of let them flub out. But this time we’re really going to push it and step out of our [Toms River] domain a little bit.

Scarlet Carson

2010-04-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

There’s no mystery as to how bad the economy is these days. In fact, over nine percent of the population is currently out of work. New Jersey is certainly a difficult state to live in, but according to Scarlet Carson front man Santino a.k.a. Hollywood, their biggest challenge has been the Jersey music scene.

After playing at shows such as the Warped Tour, Cruefest and Bamboozle, the fame has not gone to their heads at all. As front man, Santino Hollywood, lead guitarist, Stone and rhythm guitarist/backup vocalist Tommy Licore describe, it isn’t about the money or the fame, it’s about the love of the music. They believe in themselves, which they know, is the number one key to making it.

DB: Let’s start off talking about The Break Contest. Last year, you guys came in second. This year, you won the finals but they added another round with the final six bands to see who plays the main stage at Bamboozle. What are your feelings on that?

SH: It feels great man. It’d be easier if the winner of the The Break Contest Finals went to the main stage right away like last year. But hey, nothing worthwhile comes easy, right?

DB: Absolutely. Now that there’s an added round, do you feel added pressure?

SH: It’s just the name of the game. Everything we do in this industry is a new challenge. We’re going to go in there and do what we do best. We’re confident that we have what it takes to win this whole damn contest.

DB: Honestly, are you guys going to win?

SH: You bet your ass. Regardless of the outcome though, it’s just a contest. If we win great, if not, whatever. We’ve still got a bunch of things happening, amazing fans and it’ll be nothing but another notch in the bedpost.

DB: Your new album, “Burn It All” is available. How would you describe the album and what was the process like?

TL: Totally awesome album.

SH: It’s a little heavier than the first, so we took a little bit of a different approach. We decided to amp it up a little bit and the next album is expected to be a combination of the first two. [Making this album] was less complicated than the last one. The mastering process didn’t go the way we wanted it to. We’re upset we didn’t get to work with [who we wanted to] but with time constraints with the CD release party we couldn’t do it.

DB: The album sounds great, still. Who did most of the song writing for the album?

SH: The main two would be Stone and myself. It’s a group effort. The whole band does write and contribute. As of late though, Mr. Tommy over here is becoming a more integral part with some of the writing, especially with the guitar.

TL: So watch out for the next album because it’s totally going to show.

DB: What would you say is your favorite song off of the new album?

SH: Well the single we’re pushing right now is “West Coast Dreamer.” We feel it’s the strongest song on the album. “The Drinking Song” we feel is pretty strong too. “Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll” is one of my favorites. The end of that song is real fun to sing. “Cherry’s On Top” is fun to sing too. I don’t know man, that’s a real tough question. I don’t have one favorite. I love different sections of different songs.

DB: Well let’s talk about the name Scarlet Carson. Did you guys get it from the film “V For Vendetta?”

SH: Sure did. We were kind of going for the slightly ominous thing, nothing to blunt and obvious. No one really knows what “Scarlet Carson” is. People think it’s a girl’s named which worked our favor when we were calling ourselves “stripper rock’ back in the day. But it’s personally one of my favorite movies. I just thought it was a cool detail that was exclusive to just the movie, not even the comic. I just think it’s pretty random.

DB: That it is. How did Scarlet Carson come to be?

Stone: I answered an Ad. I never did that before. I always thought they were kind of lame but I was out of bands for a few years so I decided to do it.

SH: I actually tried putting this together in Florida but I just couldn’t get it together. I came up here….and just from recommendation by other people it came together. I definitely think this is the best line-up we’ve ever had.

DB: I think it’s great that you guys are fans of your own music. You play what you like and not just what the people want to hear.

TL: If you’re not making music you enjoy, you’re just cheating it and cheating you’re fans.

SH: I think a lot of people play what they like, but I also think they just play what they’re capable of. They don’t try to push it to stuff they normally wouldn’t do. The new album was more technical (than the first) but we pushed ourselves and plan on doing it for the next one too.

DB: You guys have done a lot in the short time you’ve been together. What have you found to be your biggest challenge?

SH: Being in the Jersey scene. It is really rough here man. We’ve played in front of a lot of people and have done a lot of great things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful. It’s like every big show, where we have to move tickets, it’s as if we’ve never done it before. It’s a whole new ball of stress every time.

DB: Do you guys see this as you’re future?

TL: Scarlet Carson is the future. Music in general, but this is doing so.

Stone: I think most of us have adjusted our lives to make it happen and do a lot of things we don’t want to do, but we’ll do it to play music.

Temporary Grace

2010-04-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well folks as promised, here is my interview with Temporary Grace

It’s not far off to say that the world has one similar question that may never be answered. People want to know the meaning of life. As Temporary Grace guitarist Chuck Epperly describes, life is simply a moment in time.

Local New Jersey band Temporary Grace has a seven-year history together. This history includes traveling the East Coast, CD releases and the coming together of a family to create one band that rocks the Jersey Shore. With a passion for music and entertaining the fans, Temporary Grace is all about the love of the music.

DB: Here with Temporary Grace, also formally known as Grand Theft Audio, why did you guys combine the two bands?

Rob Eelman: We’ve been Temporary Grace for seven years and we just did Grand Theft Audio as a side project to get my brother jamming with us. We decided to keep it in the family and make one big happy band, Temporary Grace, and keep the name out there.

DB: What is it like to have guys rotating instruments?

RE: It’s something new we’re trying. We’ve had Greg Forney with us for the last seven years and our bass player Jay Cagna was playing drums. Now we got Justin Grover on the drum set so we’re just trying to mix it up and get people out to have some fun.

DB: Now, you guys, like most bands, play your covers and your originals. Which are you guys more into?

RE: We were doing originals for five years in the (Jersey) shore here and a couple people kind of coaxed us into being a cover band for the last couple years to build a fan base.

Chuck Epperly: It got to the point where we weren’t making any money and we wanted to make a little extra cash while doing what we were doing. (Covers) get people into us that normally wouldn’t give us the time of day. The best thing about it is we can play [songs they’re used to] to get them into us then throw in a couple originals and get their attention that way.

DB: When it comes to playing covers, you guys do a lot of different styles. Does that come from your own personal influences?

CE: It depends on the crowd. When we first started, a lot of the songs we picked, don’t go over well with a lot of people. We don’t listen to a lot of the music we play. We want to do what makes people happy. (McIntyre’s) is fun. We get to do whatever we want and people love it.

DB: What have you guys done lately as far as studio work goes?

RE: We just put out a new single “Close To Me.” We got a free download online with that. We’re waiting for something to break with our original music, the right person to come along and some kind of sign to say let’s keep pushing along.

DB: What’s in store next for Temporary Grace?

RE: Show wise, this summer, we’re gearing up for the four or five shows a week on the shore here from Atlantic City up to Hoboken, Maryland up to Vermont.

Original songs by Temporary Grace are available for download at TemporaryGrace.com. They can be seen every other Monday night at McIntyre’s Pub.