United By Images; Ben Franklin

Featuring Billy Gray - Vocals/Guitar                     Eddie Garza - Vocals/Bass                                 Adam Copeland - Vocals/Guitar                               and Sarah Tomek - Vocals/Drums.

Ben Franklin were are unstoppable presence on the independent music scene from late 2008 until their break three years later in 2011. The bands fierce Killing Horse Records debut 'Urgency' and follow up 'The Optimist' helped spark the label and a resurgence of uncompromising, balls out Rock. In the two times I got to see them live
(The Brick City Sound Riot and later at the beloved Kearny Irish.) Ben Franklin pulled out all the stops performing as if it were their last days on this planet. Loud, fast, bombast with an unapologetic, in your face style that put everyone in the room on notice. Though their time together seemed short. They managed to win over the respect of fans, bands and promoters. While they are no longer. They're spirit and influence live on. You can still go to Killing Horse Records if you'd like to grab hold of 'Urgency' or 'The Optimist'. I highly recommend you do. James Damion

United By Images; Chambers (Old Love)

I was standing outside of ABC No Rio when I managed to start a conversation with Jim Testa of Jersey Beat. For whatever reason Jim seemed to know me. So when I enquired about the possibility of becoming a contributor. His response,
"We'll, I don't really cover much Hardcore."
though predictable, irked me. Looking back, I felt that somehow, a lot of people saw me as this one dimensional "Joe Hardcore" character more than twenty years after I last produced an issue of my short lived fanzine. One who was still referred to by many as James Unite. 

Regardless of any preconceived notions Jim might have had. I assured him that my interests in music lay far beyond that of any genre or sub genre labeling. Before long, my pestering paid off and Jim handed me my first assignment.
An interview with New Jersey Hardcore Metal act Chambers. While I had no prior knowledge of the band. I had their brand new album "Old Love" and two consecutive shows to help me get familiar. The first night I headed to Clifton's Dingbatz to see the band perform with the mind blowing
Tiger Flowers and a host of others.
What impressed me most about Chambers and singer Dan Pelic in particular, was how they took on the lazy son of a bitches who were too busy to leave the comfort zone of the bar. Chambers were one of the rare acts there, or anywhere else for that matter, to bring it to the crowd. Dan leaped from the comfort of the stage and got in the face of everyone while challenging those at the bar to make the price of admission worth a damn.
Before the end of the night. I had two new bands to cheer for and an interview set up for the next at Maxwells.

Aside from getting to experience some new music. The guys in Chambers were aces and the interview turned out to be the first of many collaborations with Jersey Beat and Jim Testa.
I also look at my interview with the band as a moment where my exposure to music and in particular, the NJ music scene began to broaden. Great thanks to Dan Pelic, Gregg Kautz and Vinnie Fiore for making my first assignment so enjoyable.
James Damion

United By Images; Thursday (Geoff Rickly)

I was heading towards the cashier when "Understanding in a Car Crash" came over the speakers. I remember mentioning to the cashier how it reminded me if The Smiths had gotten together with Quicksand to make a baby.  Though I don't remember the cashiers response. I picture the counter persons eyes rolling to the back of his head as he thought 

"Why me God? Why me?" I added  Full Collapse to a stack that included Johnny Cash
and Tupac Shakur and headed home.

A few weeks later I was asked by Karen at Define the Meaning (RIP) to cover Thursday,
Rise Against and Circa Survive at Atlantic City's House of Blues. That night my wife and I had a huge dinner, hit the slot machines and watched a bunch of kids go nuts over Thursday. It was a great show and our first trip to Atlantic City since moving to New Jersey.
We've since returned for weekend jaunts, music and good food. While Rise Against continues to shape and inspire me till this day. Bands like Thursday and Circa Survive quickly greyed and faded from memory. Geoff Rickly has since formed the band
United Nations while co-founding the independent record label Collect Records.

Looking back, I was just grateful to be given the opportunity to,  not only cover the show, but to test my skills at one of the larger venues. 

James Damion

Fred Hammer's 'Take the Manic Ride' Book Available for Pre-Order on RevHQ

Take the Manic Ride a title taken from Blast's well known album of the same name features the photography of Nardcore legend and hardcore/punk photographer Fred Hammer. The 8.5" X 11", 100 page perfect bound/soft cover book features 200 photographs and includes a free 18" X 24" poster and sticker. One can only imagine what memories and stories these images will inspire. Having seen Blast on that 'Take the Manic Ride' tour. I can only imagine. Go over to RevQ and pre-order to secure it's spot under the Christmas tree.
James Damion

RevHQ  Pre-order it here.