The weather's getting chilly but the music's warm and cozy as Paul reviews the latest from Build Us Airplanes, Palm Ghosts, Wonk Unit, and a Split LP from pop-punk vets The Prozacs and The Downstrokes. Paul also checks in on Bright Like Stars, Innocence Mission, Luna Honey, and the Ratchets. Also check out his reviews of Authority Zero, Bart & The Brats, Bottom Bracket, the Routes, Ed Ryan, and Triceratops. Paul also checks out the latest from Ghost Wolves, Hammerbombs, Night Court, Speed Circuit, Volume, and Weegee. Then check out his reviews of Corker, the Dopamines, the Dumpies, Early Riser, Four Lights, L.A. Crimes, Prime Directive, Timmy's Vulgar Genetic Armageddon, Why Bothers?, and a split EP from Half Dizzy and The Boy Detective. Paul also checks out the latest from an eclectic brew of artists, including American Motors, the Armoires, Arms & Hearts, Black Ends, Class, Death Doula, Delta Sleep, and a single from veteran punk rocker Stiff Richards. For Bandcamp Friday, .
Read Paul's column here...
Editor Jim Testa reviews catches up with Jersey legend Doug Vizthum under his new moniker as The Slugger, and checks out releases from pop diva Johanna Stahley (ex-Spredhaus,) veteran rocker David Gates, and D.W. Dunphy's Internet collective, Orbis Max. Jim also reviews a reflection on growing older but never giving up from Amy Rigby, an impressive debut from Brooklyn's Evan Dibbs, and a feisty acoustic album from Good Saint Nathanael.
.Read Jim's reviews here...
Anthrophobia, one of Jersey Beat's favorite bands over the years, returns with their seventh full-length and Prof. Quinlan approves. Rich also raves about the latest from ageless metal dudes D.A.D., as well as two bands with long histories and excellent new records, A Place To Bury Strangers and Propaganda. Then he checks out the latest from Die So Fluid and Oceans of Slumber, two metal bands that go beyond the bounds of the mundane heaviness. He also checks out the latest from Cursive and Japan's Defiles, whose new release Quinlan hails as "a masterful collection of devastating death metal." Rich also reviews the new album from longtime fave Steve Wynn as well as releases from Oh Hiroshima, Black Lava, Divine Martyr, Savage Lands, Mr. Misery, SETH, the legendary Anvil, Nyktophobia, Replacire, DVRK, Insanity Alert, Rotting Christ, along with Benighted, Paraline, the legendary Einsturzende Neubauten. Rich takes a deep dive into the Season-of-Mist Records catalog with reviews of Atrophy, Sylvaine, Vltimas, Brodequin, and Merrimack Of.
Read Rich's column here....
James Damion has been busily scouring the record racks and Bandcamp for a slew of new reviews both both new albums and more remixes, remasters, and reissues of old stuff. He reviews exciting new releases from the Linda Linda's, Last Gang, and Bambies, and seminal reissues from the Lijadu Sisters and D.C. punkrockers Black Market Baby. Memories of going to hardcore shows at the Anthrax fuel his appreciation of Scheme Records' new band Wreckage, is less than enthusiastic about a reissue from the Radicals, and absolutely loves new releases by None Shall Sleep, the groovy psychedlic OuterWorld, and Jon Snodgrass' folkie solo album (featuring some notable friends. ) James warns listeners to stay away from the collection featuring Swedish punks NYX Negative, check out the obscure band Falling Forward, and by all means dig into the new release from Cheap Cassettes.
"Gruesome Playground Injuries" at Jersey City's Art House Productions tells the story of two damaged people who reconnect from childhood to adulthood in vignettes delivered out of chronological order. A first-rate production with riveting acting and innovative staging, it's a challenging night of theater that will entertain and leave you thinking.
Jersey Beat's Deborah Draisin checks in with Chameleons UK frontman Mark Burgess on the band's storied career, their exciting new
release, and some thoughts on a lifetime in the music business.
Read Deb's interview here...
Rich Quinlan interviews Chelsea Spear, who's helping to bring the ukulele back to pop under the stage name Travels With Brindle. Chelsea talks about her career, her goals, her recordings, and what the future might bring.
Read Rich's interview here...
Sean Coulter reviews the first new album from Brooklyn's Lame Drivers in nine years, and finds it a jangle-pop throwback
to indie rock classics of yore.
James Damion interviews R.C. Sullivan, a Netherlands punk band with the true spirit of the rock 'n' roll lifer.
Read James' interview here...
Editor Jim Testa reviews "1967," Robyn Hitchcock's memoir about living through the birth of psychedelia
as a pubescent teenage boy in a British boarding school. It's totally Hitchcock - witty, urbane, and insightful, a pure joy to read. Jim also reviews "No Big Deal,"" Dean Brownrout's no-holds-barred account of his career with Big Deal Records, a little indie label that started as a labor of love but wound up swimming with the sharks in the world of corporate boardrooms and IPO's. If you're pining for the days when emo became a marketable commodity, you might enjoy "It Wasn't A Phase: The Ultimate Emo Activity Book,"" and finally, Jim reviews
"Jersey Metal," an impressive, heavily-illustrated coffee table book that covers the Jersey metal scene from the Seventies
through 1986.
Rich Quinlan interviews Dan Presland, the drummer of Vipassi, a multi-national, instrumental progressive band that's making
waves around the world. Read Rich's interview here...
Rich Quinlan interviews Brodequin, the Knoxville death metal band whose lead singer moonlights as a nuclear scientist and who,
as a musical entity, have just made an unlikely comeback from a 20-year hiatus with a powerful new album. For fans of the dark and heavy, Brodquin is a name you should know. Read Rich interview's here...
Rich Quinlan interviews Kathrine Shepard, known worldwide as the Norweign artist Sylvaine, whose fairy tale-like songs offer
gossamer melodies and passionate contemplations of nature.
Read Rich's interview here...
Jersey Beat's James Damion interviews Chris Weinblad of the hardcore/punk label and retailer Trip Machine Laboraties. Chris
discusses his long career, the nuts and bolts of DIY labels, and what to look for next.
Read James' interview here...
Jersey Beat's editors look back at their favorites of 2023.
Jersey City's Tris McCall returned to the Sugar Factory when he and his band performed his 2003 album 'Shootout At The Sugar Factory' to commemorate its 20th anniversary at Jersey City's Art House Productions. Jim Testa talked to Tris about the album, his love of Jersey City, his longtime involvement with visual art, and how those interests will come together.
Read Jim's interview here...
Everything's biggest in Texas, including the heavy metal. Rich Quinlan interviews the Lonestar State's
groundbreaking rockers Necrofier.
Read Rich's interview here.... Mark "Bort" Hughson reviews a slew of singles from 1-94 Records, including releases by Ricky Rat, Danny Zaj & The Looks, Pat Todd & The Rank Outsiders, and more. Mark also reviews the new Bouncing Souls, the comeback album from The Van Pelt, and pop punk from The Brokedowns. Also check out his reviews of the latest from Screeching Weasel, a new literary-themed EP from Vista Blue, and lots more stuff including Maladukados, Long Drag, Buglite, and a bizarre compilation of songs from a prank call website. Also, reviews of Black Midi, School Of X, John Savage's Alternate History of Electronic Music, and another comp of video game music.
Read Mark's column here...
MCRACKINS - Wake the Fun Up (mcrackins.bandcamp.com)With every passing year and with every new Mcrackins release, I feel a lot less weird screaming to anyone who will listen that a bunch of Canadians who dress like eggs (and a dog) are making some of the best pop punk since the genre began. I think their discography and longevity have long since proven that point. Wake the Fun Up, their newest full-length since 2010's It Ain't Over Easy, is 11 tracks of pop-punk sugar with an emphasis on the pop. Hooks, harmonies and melodies continue to be the Mcrackins' stock in trade and I can't name one other band who does it better! With the addition of new member AC Mcrackin on back up guitar and vocals, the Mcrackins have only doubled down on the vocal and guitar pyrotechnics they've long been known for. Still, you can listen to Wake The Fun Up and then throw on 1995's What Came First? or 2006's Bat Out of Shell and if it wasn't for a brief mention of the pandemic lockdown on the new album, you'd think they'd all been recorded on the same day!? Normally I'd chastise a band for lack of growth, but when you nail the vision your first time out, well, why mess with perfection? With the Ramones and Cheap Trick as their lodestars, Mcrackins have easily put themselves in the same canon as their idols; bands whose every song would be a number one hit in an alternate just and perfect world. That's not the world we live in but we are lucky enough to live in a world with the music of the Mcrackins. And for that, I remain eternally grateful. - Oliver Lyons
By Deb DraisinJersey Beat's Deb Draisin catches up with Chris Cain, half of the NYC duo We Are Scientists, to talk about songwriting, touring, and the band's path through covid.
Read Deb's interview here....
Jersey Beat's James Damion interviews Darin Galgano, drummer of the NYHC band At All Costs, about the recent
release of the band's influential demos.
Read James' interview here...
By Deb DraisinDeb Draisin interviews up 'n' coming singer/songwriter Julia Wolf, whose stagename Wolf has earned her worldwide exposure as one of Spotify's first Fresh Faces.
Read Deb's interview here.
"Chew A Little Ice," one of the standout tracks from Damfino's 2022 album "Skywriting By Word Of Mouth," comes
alive thanks to this animation by Wyatt O'Connell. The song is by Damfino's Joe Merklee and Joel Bachrach. Enjoy the video, then check out the album at damfino.bandcamp.com.
My Chemical Romance emerged from the fabled Jersey all-ages scene at the beginning of the 21st Century, becoming MTV fixtures and international superstars before flaming out and breaking up in 2013. Now they're back, and when their tour hit New Jersey, Jersey Beat's Deb Draisin wasn't going to miss it. Read her review and check out her photos here...
Haley & The Crushers play a vivacious brand of upbeat punk and pop with a bit of metal for crunch, and the big, bright, ebullient
personality of Haley Cain at its center. Jersey Beat's Deb Draisin sat down with Haley to dish about life, rock, and (sigh)drummers.
Read Deb's interview here...
Richard X. Heyman has been a force in the Greater New York music scene since helping to form the Doughboys back in the mid-60's. He's been a sideman to
superstars, a solo artist, and rocked with the reunited Doughboys since 2000. Now he's about to release a new album. Jersey Beat's Deb Draisin caught up with this indefatigable rock 'n' roll lifer. Read Deb's interview here...
15-year old Kjersti Long may not have a lot of experience in the dating world yet, but her catchy new single "Boys In Jersey" shows wisdom beyond her years, as well as a healthy sense of humor and a great ear for melody. Thanks to our friends at Hip Video for passing this along.
Deb Draisin interviews musician/songwriter/producer/sound engineer Paul Roessler, who was there at the beginning of the Los Angeles punk scene and continues to make important contributions to the world of indie rock.
Read Deb's interview here...
Jersey Beat's James Damion talks to Ralph Malanga about his new band Cathedral Ceilings, his other band Stuyvesant, his long association with Dromedary Records, and the ins and outs of being a staple of the Jersey rock scene for three decades.
Read James' interview here....
When Tim Sommer was a student at NYU, he hosted Noise: The Show, which turned a generation of listeners (including your editor)onto obscure early hardcore bands like Flux of Pink Indians and Even Worse. A few years later, Tim had an A&R job at Alantic Records and talked his boss into signing four South Carolina frat boys with the unlikely name Hootie & The Blowfish. Now, nearly 30 years later, Tim has written the definitive story of that band and its generation-defining album cracked rear view, along with an unsparing look at the record industry of that era.
Jersey Beat's Rich Quinlan chats with Tracy Hightop, the veteran lead guitarist of Long Island blues powerhouse Jane Lee Hooker.
Read Rich's interview here.... James Damion speaks with Michele Cruz Gonzales, the outspoken author, activist, teacher, public speaker and onetime drummer of the groundbreaking East Band band Spitboy. They talk about her music career, feminism, and much more.
Jon D'Amore is a Jersey guy who headed to Hollywood to work in music as well as television and film, but he's also the author of six books. The latest, George & Me, combines scifi with American history in a unique way. Jon talks to editor Jim Testa about his books, his process, and offers some advice for aspiring writers.Read Jim's interview here...
James Damion interviews teacher and author Nancy Barile about her new memoir I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruised-And-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion. Nancy reminisces about coming of age in the punk and hardcore scene and how that influenced her as a person and a teacher.Read James' interview here...
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Legendary folk-rock guru Peter Stampfel illustrates the
history of pop music in the 20th Century the only way
he knows how - by picking and playing a favorite tune
from each of the century's 100 years. The project is called
Peter Stampfel's 20th Century In 100 Songs, available
now in a CD box set, digital download, or stream. Editor
Jiim Testa caught up with Peter in COVID lockdown to talk
about this magnum opus and the other many projects this
busy octagenarian has in the works.
James Damion talks with Pete Tabbot of Vision about his
life in the NJ hardcore scene, his career as an educator
and health officer, and his work on the City Gardens documentary,
Riot On The Dance Floor.
The first thing Jersey Beat's James Damion did when he
moved to Seattle several years ago was find all the good
record stores. One of his favorites is Singles Going Steady,
manned by Byron Wilson. In this interview, Byron talks
about the store, his experiences growing up near Gilman
Street, his love of cooking, and his band The Expendables.
James Damion talks to Pete Martinez, owner and proprietor
of New Jersey's only drum shop, The Drum Den in Hoboken.
Pete talks about following his passion, playing in bands,
and what you'll find at his unique store.
The Happy Fits - Calvin, Ross, and Luke - started playing
together for fun in the summer before they started college,
back in their hometown of Pittstown, New Jersey. Five
years later, these up-and-coming, tour-seasoned, full-time
musicians will be releasing their much-anticipated sophore
album, What Could Be Better, at the end of August.
Jim Testa talked to the exciting young trio about their
music, their passionate singalong fan base, their early
DIY touring, and how to be a band in 2020.
Joe Darone first grabbed Jersey Beat's attention as the
teenaged drummer of The Fiendz, but these days he's best
known for the experimentalist Suit of Lights. With a new
album on the horizon, Joe chatted with Jersey Beat's James
Damion about his long career in both music and graphic
arts, his approach to music, and what might come next.
New Jersey lost one of its finest bands when The Everymen
disbanded in 2017 and frontman Michael VM relocated to
North Carolina with his family. Jersey Beat's James Damion
catches up with Mike to talk about living in the South,
remembering the Everymen, and looking at what comes next
in his career.
Jersey Beat's Rich Quinlan was so moved by the latest
EP from Gdansk, Poland's Trupa Trupa that he contacted
the band and interviewed lead singer/guitarist Grzegorz
Kwiatkowski. Here, Kwiatkowski talks about his band's
process, his denunciation of Holocaust deniers, and the
realities of being a rock band in Poland.
Bloomfield, NJ's Joy Cleaner has been one of the happiest
surprises of 2019, emerging (with their second album, You're
So Jaded) as one of the state's most promising punk
bands. Andrew Merclean caught up with the trio to talk about
the band, the new album, and the future. Read his interview
here...
Amy Rigby has long been one of our favorite singer-songwriters.
Now she's one of our favorite authors too, with the publication
of Girl To City: A Memoir, the story of her life
from a young girl worshipping Elton John on the radio
through the tumultuous NYC club scene of the 70's, to
the release of her debut solo album in the Nineties.
Jersey Beat's James Damion interviews Steven DiLodovico,
one of the partners in DiWulf Publishing, the startup
that brought us the oral history of City Gardens. Steve
talks about other projects in the hopper, how he became
a publisher and why he loves doing it, and shares some
personal information about his battle with Crohn's Disease.
Jamie Frey interviews the legendary Mike Watt, currently
promoting the release of Ring Spiel '95, a live
album recorded on the Ball Hog?Or Tugboat tour
in 1995. Watt talks about how the album came out, the
remarkable Ring Spiel touring band (which included Eddie
Vedder, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear,) and his role in punk
rock history. This is Jersey Beat's fifth interview with
the irascible, effusive, and totally original Mike Watt,
and we can't wait till the next one. Read Jamie's interview
here... And
read Rich Quinlan's review of Mike Watt's Ring Spiel '95
here...
It's been eight years since the Ergs! disbanded and almost
ten since their last full-length album, so Mikey Erg's
first solo album Tentative Decisions arrives with with
a lot of expectations. Happily, Mikey delivers on all
fronts, with a more mature but still passionate rendering
of his trademark pop-punk, complete with crunchy sonic
guitars and punchy drums, melodic basslines and emphatic
vocals delivered in Mikey's trademark nasal yowl. Read
Jersey Beat's reviews here...
JerseyBeat.com
is an independently published music fanzine
covering punk, alternative, ska, techno and garage music,
focusing on New Jersey and the Tri-State area. For the past
30 years, the Jersey Beat music fanzine has been the authority
on the latest upcoming bands and a resource for all those
interested in rock and roll.
The weather's getting chilly but the music's warm and cozy as Paul reviews the latest from Build Us Airplanes, Palm Ghosts, Wonk Unit, and a Split LP from pop-punk vets The Prozacs and The Downstrokes. Paul also checks in on Bright Like Stars, Innocence Mission, Luna Honey, and the Ratchets. Also check out his reviews of Authority Zero, Bart & The Brats, Bottom Bracket, the Routes, Ed Ryan, and Triceratops. Paul also checks out the latest from Ghost Wolves, Hammerbombs, Night Court, Speed Circuit, Volume, and Weegee. Then check out his reviews of Corker, the Dopamines, the Dumpies, Early Riser, Four Lights, L.A. Crimes, Prime Directive, Timmy's Vulgar Genetic Armageddon, Why Bothers?, and a split EP from Half Dizzy and The Boy Detective. Paul also checks out the latest from an eclectic brew of artists, including American Motors, the Armoires, Arms & Hearts, Black Ends, Class, Death Doula, Delta Sleep, and a single from veteran punk rocker Stiff Richards. For Bandcamp Friday, .
Read Paul's column 
Rich Quinlan interviews Chelsea Spear, who's helping to bring the ukulele back to pop under the stage name Travels With Brindle. Chelsea talks about her career, her goals, her recordings, and what the future might bring.
Read Rich's interview 
Rich Quinlan interviews Dan Presland, the drummer of Vipassi, a multi-national, instrumental progressive band that's making
waves around the world. Read Rich's interview 
Jersey Beat's James Damion interviews Chris Weinblad of the hardcore/punk label and retailer Trip Machine Laboraties. Chris
discusses his long career, the nuts and bolts of DIY labels, and what to look for next.
Read James' interview 
Jersey Beat's editors look back at their favorites of 2023.
Jersey Beat's James Damion interviews Darin Galgano, drummer of the NYHC band At All Costs, about the recent
release of the band's influential demos.
Read James' interview 
By Deb DraisinDeb Draisin interviews up 'n' coming singer/songwriter Julia Wolf, whose stagename Wolf has earned her worldwide exposure as one of Spotify's first Fresh Faces.
Read Deb's interview 
My Chemical Romance emerged from the fabled Jersey all-ages scene at the beginning of the 21st Century, becoming MTV fixtures and international superstars before flaming out and breaking up in 2013. Now they're back, and when their tour hit New Jersey, Jersey Beat's Deb Draisin wasn't going to miss it. Read her review and check out her photos 
When Tim Sommer was a student at NYU, he hosted Noise: The Show, which turned a generation of listeners (including your editor)onto obscure early hardcore bands like Flux of Pink Indians and Even Worse. A few years later, Tim had an A&R job at Alantic Records and talked his boss into signing four South Carolina frat boys with the unlikely name Hootie & The Blowfish. Now, nearly 30 years later, Tim has written the definitive story of that band and its generation-defining album cracked rear view, along with an unsparing look at the record industry of that era.
Jersey Beat's Rich Quinlan chats with Tracy Hightop, the veteran lead guitarist of Long Island blues powerhouse Jane Lee Hooker.
Read Rich's interview 
James Damion speaks with Michele Cruz Gonzales, the outspoken author, activist, teacher, public speaker and onetime drummer of the groundbreaking East Band band Spitboy. They talk about her music career, feminism, and much more.
