Invisible Lines Return to Headline Maxwell's

Keith Laviola "Touch me, I'm sick."

If it were a perfect world, a musically perfect world. All rock related shows in New Jersey would take place at Maxwell's. For me personally, there is no better place to play or experience music. Now, of course, we would have have to extend twenty four hour days to thirty six and me might have to fiddle around with that three hundred sixty five day year thingamagig. There would be work to be done. Things like turning the entire street into a "Maxwell's Only" event space with numerous areas to accommodate various stages and such. It sounds difficult; But we are talking about a perfect world. Work would have to be done. Sacrifices would have to be made. The simple truth is, the is no better club, bar, stage, sound, door man, ticket taker, bar or booking guru.
I've seen everyone from The Avengers to X
play there. It is one of the reasons I moved to Hoboken. It is the only reason I still live in Hoboken. If it were not for Maxwell's, I would be musically homeless.

On this particular Friday night I headed to Maxwell's in order to play catch up with both
Meet Pause and Invisible Lines while reintroducing myself to the band Lost Romance.
On top of that I'd get the chance to see what New York's Face the King had to offer.

Jimmy Hot Pants (Meet Pause)

If my calculations are correct, it's been about a year since I've seen those meatheads known as Meet Pause perform live. To be painfully honest,
I had almost forgotten just how good these guys really are. My last encounter was about a year ago at Jersey City's Lamp Post and though I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Seeing them wedged between the kitchen and the bars bathroom wasn't quite the way I like to experience music. This time around there would be no chicken cutlets and fries emerging from the drum set.
No dodging Blatter challenged bar goers. I was amped. I was ready.I would not be let down.
Meet Pause really fired on all cylinders. I really can't say enough about any opening band plays like a headliner. There were so many highlights to the set which covered both familiar and new tracks from their upcoming record. Though I've thought it to myself many times I may not have put it out there. Keith "Hotpocket" Laviola is one of the best guitar slinger the Jersey scene has to offer. Add to that the often effortless vocal delivery and story telling lyric style of Scott Thompson and you're just floored. On this particular night it was Erik Lindstrom and Jimmy Haidacher that really grabbed my attention. Erik, who seemed to be on his feet for the entire set doubling on drums and keys was candy for both the eyes and ears. While Jimmy Haidacher's bass lines were tighter than his skinny boy jeans. It was an exceptional set. One that defined the night for me.
Meet Pause Facebook

Face the King "This scarf's for you."

Now I won't go as far as saying I have any psychic powers but... whenever I see a group of hot young women dressed for sin gather around the stage to check out a band. There are too two things one can almost guarantee.
1. That band will most definitely suck.
2. You will not see any of those women once that sucky bands leaves the stage. Though I won't go as far as saying these guys sucked. Excellent musicianship and a big rock sound go a long way. The bands arena rock sound just didn't match the vibe of the room or the scant amount of people in attendance. After one or two songs I found myself looking for anything else to occupy my time.
Face The King Band Site

Gerry Perlinski of Lost Romance "Jersey Strong"

Lost Romance followed bringing somewhat of a breath of much needed fresh air to the room. While I've been keeping tabs on the bands steady climb through their Facebook page for some time now. I find it strange that I haven't seen the band since they played NYC's
Bowery Electric during the
CMJ festival in the fall of 2011. The New Brunswick trio have since kept very racking up their share of trophies, awards and praise from the New Jersey music press and beyond. Gerry, Tony and Amine play a style of alternative rock that often reminds me of the pre MTV Power Pop boom.
I had put seeing Lost Romance on a high priority for 2013. Getting to see them perform just a short walk from my home couldn't have made it easier.
Lost Romance Official Site

Invisible Line ; Will and Geoff match skills

Closing an already stellar night were Kearny, New Jersey favorites Invisible Lines. I first fell in love with these guys when they performed at the Brick City Sound Riot Music Festival back in 2011. Since that time they've become one of my favorite acts on the Jersey scene and beyond. The bands 2010 E.P. "Wise Up" helped in turning Killing Horse records and the Tiny Giants Artist Collective into household names here at United By... The band has been laying low as of late, writing and recording new material due for release in 2013. One can only hope we'll be hearing something sooner than later in the year. The band played a high energy, climactic set that mixed both old and new tracks. It's been quite a while since I'd seen them live and I couldn't help notice
Will Acevedo singing lead on more songs than in the past. It also cannot go without noting the addition of Geoff Bennington. Though he's been a member of Invisible Lines for over a year now; this was my first time seeing him perform live with the band. I really like his energy and he sure knows how to play that guitar.
Invisible Lines Facebook

I really enjoyed catching up with the bands and seeing so many familiar faces on this particular night. The Spring and the coming Summer are sure to bring us many shows, events and chances to quench our endless thirst for live music. I'll definitely be seeing you. Until then... James Damion

Cicada Radio Currently Streaming New Album

Cicada Radio are streaming their new album "No Fate But What We Make" as we speak. Click the link below before you order a copy at KillingHorse Records . The band is having their official "CD Release Party" with A Balance Between, Let Me Run, Meet Pause and 

The Rose Riot this Saturday December 1st at the newly reopened Court Tavern in 

New Brunswick NJ. Now, if that don't get your dick hard.... I got nothing for ya'. 

James Damion

No Fate But What We Make

Tiny Giants Showcase Invades The Meatlocker

A blueprint for a good Saturday night: get a friend and head for the comfortable dinge of the Meat Locker, especially when there's a Tiny Giant showcase on tap. We were way early, so we found a bar and sat in outdoor Montclair for a beer. Construction zones, crowded sidewalks, diesel engines - an odd recipe for a moment's peace, but that it was.
By the time we got back, opener Science was just about done setting up.

Science; Image James Damion

Science made the most of their short set, quickly justifying their band name by showing a tendency to experiment. Each of their four songs toyed around with a different style, from
four-to-the-floor indie rock to chugging post-hardcore, all done convincingly. Tying it together were their blippy keyboards, pining vocals, and a steady backdrop of churning guitar. It was brief, but this was a promising performance from a band that only seems to be scratching at its musical identity. I'll be staying tuned to see what they do next.

Reese Van Riper; Image James Damion

The next act was described by my friend as "southern sludge pouring off a hot redneck's body," and I'm guessing Reese Van Riper & company wouldn't take issue. The Ringwood-based trio played some new songs from their upcoming record, which step a bit further towards the anthemic while preserving all their grime and swagger.
The familiar tunes, meanwhile, were absolutely towering. "Pitchfork" and
"Whiskey Queen" sound arena-ready. Reese himself was on as usual, imposing and charismatic, never missing a step. If you can, catch these guys at a bar. I felt displaced without a glass of bourbon in my hand, but, at least they were offering up beer-chicken at the merch table.

Meet Pause w/ Adam Bird: Image James Damion

Meet Pause were next. Their recordings bring an earnest, expressive sort of alt-rock, upbeat but with gravity ... the performance Saturday night had a different aftertaste. Leading man Scott Thompson came through the Meat Locker PA with a newfound snarl, and the band was loose, raw, happy-go-lucky. It was my first time seeing them, so I shouldn't say whether this is their usual live sound, but it's always worth noting when a band delivers something at shows that you don't get elsewhere. The new bassist looked quite at home on stage, as the band mowed through almost-sinister sounding versions of Cluster Cascade mainstays like "Coworkers" and "(Don't) Get the Fuck Out of Jersey." Adam Bird joined onstage for the closer, a surprise Cheap Trick cover ... why not?

Cinema Cinema; Image James Damion

Cinema Cinema is another band I had yet to see. This is a two-piece that fills the room with sound and drags you utterly into their set until it's done. First of all, Ev Gold's guitar-playing palette never seems to tire. The moment he's through with the bottomless bag of riffs, he turns out a left-field melodic passage here, a pitch-shifted squeal and groan there... it's unpredictable and beautiful. This was a good room to see them in, too. Gold's vox were tucked neatly behind the band, fighting vigorously for the top of the mix. Occasionally, when the music settled back, he'd slip into an Ian MacKaye-esque croon before charging back up, making their peak volume hit with satisfying chest thwack. If you like a loud band that gets both your blood and your brain going, Cinema Cinema are must-see.

Feudalism; Image James Damion

The penultimate group was Feudalism, one I've been wanting to catch since hearing their EP Consonance/Dissonance. By now I have got to be late to the folk-punk train, but, whatever - count me in.
Their reckless energy and downtrodden lyrics are a marriage worth witnessing first-hand. "Venture Capitalist" stood out best to me, highlighting the accordion/trombone combo as well as the mad-genius structural turns. All goes down with a self-aware grin. There's no gimmickry here... just a spirited live set that does their excellent music justice.

Those Mockingbirds; Image James Damion

And so, the closer. Every time I think Those Mockingbirds have reached a new level as a band, they grow again.
They took the stage at 1 a.m. and treated us all to better-than-record versions of their finest earworms, such as "Don't Stray," "Honest? Honest," and recent single "The Difference Between Love + Addiction." The highlight of the whole night might have been hearing unfamiliar TMB. "Salt" sounds like fresh ground for the band, a slick groove drowned in atmosphere, while in another still-untitled tune, frontman Adam Bird insists that "maybe we're both going to hell" - as far as I'm concerned, that might be their most memorable chorus yet. I'm still jonesing to hear these again.

Six bands played this one, and no two brought the same thing to the table. If nothing else, TG made the Meat Locker a playground for music geeks, with a lineup as diverse as it was loud. A majority of these groups have new albums in the works. You're gonna want to watch out for those. Darrel Norrell


Review Darryl Norrell
Images James Damion

Sean Favre on his Departure from Meet Pause

Sean Favre's announcement he was leaving Meet Pause came as a shock to many. I was honestly saddened to hear of the announcement, mainly due the fact that Meet Pause was a band I felt I was just beginning thoroughly appreciate and enjoy. Having seen them perform at Clifton's Dingbatz just a few weeks prior I couldn't help but feel a chemistry between the band. It didn't hurt one bit that Sean seemed so sharp and focused at the time. So on the eve of his last show with the band I reached out to Sean to get some answers and insight on the reasons for his departure, his fond memories of his time with the band and what the future holds for this very talented and very likable mainstay on the New Jersey music scene. James Damion

James: You've been the trusted bass player for Meet Pause for some time now. Why the sudden departure?

Sean: I felt that, for myself, it was time for me to move on. I haven't given the band 100% for a while now. It just didn't seem fair to me or to the other guys in Meet Pause for me to continue. It has been a hard decision to fully make but I feel like it was the right one and it's what I felt was, and still is, in my best interest. I hope everyone can respect my choice.
I always tried to look at this band as a small business, which it is, but the other half is that this band is a hobby. After awhile, this hobby wasn't fun anymore . Don't get me wrong, I'm still looking forward to playing music privately and publicly. Just for now, it will not no longer be with Meet Pause.
I feel that anyone in Tiny Giant can agree that this lifestyle of playing shows and making original music doesn't bring in the paychecks. We play because we love it, and it drives us. Without that drive the train loses its steam.

James: How did the rest of the band react to your decision?

Sean: The guys in the band were very gentlemanly about it all. No name-calling or any of that petty garbage. They still remain supportive of my decision and show the utmost respect for me.
I wrote up a message that I felt was as professional as I could be for such a delicate subject and action on my part. I posted it to a private group page we use on Facebook so they would all be able to read it one spot. One of my main points to them was that just because I'm leaving this band, doesn't mean I'm leaving our friendships.

James: What made you decide to leave the band through a Facebook message? Wouldn't it have been better to just jump from the van en route to a show?

Sean: I had spoken to Keith beforehand the previous day on the phone about it. I had a lengthy conversation the week prior after one of my shows with Keith and Graeme about a lot of the things going on too. Maybe some may think it's cowardly to send a Facebook message, but I felt it was the best choice so I could take my time with writing what I wanted to exactly say in one go, rather than calling each of them up individually and saying a paraphrased version to all three bandmates at three separate times. Plus, I wanted to get it out there rather than sit on my decision because I wasn't going to see those guys for another 4 to 5 days. I included in the message that if they wanted to call me to talk about it, then I would gladly fill them in on the details.
The "Van tuck-and-roll" was definitely an option, but it may have turned into an extended hospital stay...for Scott. (Evil laugh echoes in the night)

James: Did you get your FB message signed by a Notary Public to make it strictly legit?

Sean: The Notary Public wouldn't get back to me in time. I'm trying to have a break-up/suicide note published as an ebook exclusively on Kindle through Amazon. Just waiting on the details due to copyright and publishing restrictions.

James: Where are you heading from here?

Sean: There willy always be different directions I'll be go in. This isn't the last time anyone is going to be hearing from me, "The ole' mighty Sean Favre!". Not many people know that I'm actually a guitar player, as well as a drummer and bass player. I've wanted to play guitar more in a band for some time now and this is my opportunity to write and perform the music that I've wanted to express from my own creativity.

I know how to play guitar, bass, drums, I want to see what I can do with recording all parts with my own vocals over top. Maybe I'll take the Everymen approach having a bunch of my friends be revolving members to play shows with. Maybe I'll find some other musicians/friends to play full-time with. Who knows just yet? I have plenty of time to put things in order, keep contributing to Tiny Giant, and have a good time otherwise.

I'm not fully set on what genre I'm looking at, but I'm sure it will incorporate something with my musical taste in rockabilly, folk, punk, and maybe some of the instrumental side of playing I love. Maybe I'll finally get that one-man Tom Waits tribute band off the ground like I've always dreamed of. (wink,wink)

James: What's the fondest memory of your time in Meet Pause?

Sean: My fondest memory with Meet Pause was when we played the basement of Lucky Cheng's in the city, which is a drag queen bar, and having an almost 7 foot tall drag queen that looked like Lady Gaga walk in.

James: So what transpired when the Drag Queen walked in? Was it love at first sight?

Sean: I was very joyful. It seriously made the night! It's a moment that made time stop. Any lovebird knows that feeling like that moment will last forever, or when he takes the wig off and goes back to being a beautiful man.

James: If you had a choice in the matter who would you like your replacement to be?

Sean: For a replacement, I would hope the ghost of John Candy would fill my spot in Meet Pause. If that's not possible, then I would gladly like to see Adam Copeland (Black Water/Warface) in there so he could say he's in three bands now.
(I couldn't bare to tell him John Candy is dead. Mums the word on that one…)

James: In ten words or less, Keith Hotpockets is a ......

Sean: "…pleasure to have in class, a true delight."

James: Being that we're finalizing this after your last show. What do you think you came away with? Was it an emotional night?

Sean: I think I came away with a great foundation for future projects and some enduring friendships, not only with Keith, Graeme and Scott, but with all the people that I know in the audience. It wasn't too emotional, even though I must admit right before doing "Hybrid Moments" my heart was racing a bit and I even added an extra two lines in the chorus because I couldn't remember the first line of the next verse.

I think it was a good send-off for me with the guys in Meet Pause. Like anything that ends, there is always the oppurtunity for something else that comes along the way. I'm at a point where I can do anything I want musically, or maybe I'll take a break for a few months to finish up my schooling and analyze Nirvana songs to figure out how to write the perfect pop song. Anything could happen!

I didn't pop a kidney because then I would've only been down to one. I didn't like the idea of being a freak living with one kidney. I know people wouldn't be able to see it, but it's the emotional hurt I couldn't stand, knowing one of my organs is missing from my body.