Sand in the Face - Music Made to Riot New Jersey Hardcore 1982-1983

Music Made to Riot collects the very earliest recordings of Montville, NJ's Sand in the Face. Largely recorded at Boonton, NJ's Mix-O-Lydian Studios. The same studio that had already given us The Misfits "Walk Among Us".

The demos within feature the pre-LP lineup of  Pete (Aaron) Wegele,
(bass, vocals) Paul Schraft (vocals, guitar)  and Mark "Munk" Lombardi, who sadly died of cancer in 2010 on drums.

I found this to be a fun and quick listen.
A good time capsule highlighting the first wave of  NJ Hardcore (Something I believe to be criminally overlooked.) Overall the tracks are what you'd expect from a young band getting to know themselves in the early days of Hardcore. A trio of high school kids getting to know their sound while working in the studio for the first time.  Snotty, mid to fast paced teenage anthems A sound akin to such contemporaries Adrenaline O.D. and Bedlam. Music Made to Riot compiles eighteen tracks in all and detailed liner notes written by Wegele himself. His dedicating the release to his departed friend and band mate is, to say the least, touching. Limited to 600 copies. My one complaint, if any, is that this did not come with a digital download. Something that would have come in handy when compiling my New Jersey Hardcore mix tape. James Damion

http://www.matwrecords.com/

The Everymen - New Jersey Hardcore

With several EP's and a drunken live cassette under their belts; The hardest working band in show biz delivers it first full length and as far as these ears can tell, it's a mixed bag of everything worth celebrating in life.
The band has a way of covering the entire musical map without leaving any embarrassing stains along the way.
The album hits all the sweet spots, drawing inspiration and energy from everything  50's Doo Wop and 60's Phil Spector inspired heights to Springsteen meets the Ramones while getting lost on the way to the beach.
"Dance Only, Only Dance" is a perfect example of my somewhat confusing description. It covers miles of ground with Michael Ventutolo's inspiring vocals and Scott Zillitto's amazing sax play.
Zillito's inspiring play on the  Saxophone come to the fore front on a regular basis but are most noticeable and noteworthy on the track "Novocaine".  Summoning the ghost of Clarence Clemons and remembrance of "On the Dark Side" from the cult classic
"Eddie and the Cruisers" The overall vibe on this track in particular, perfectly captures that moment at the bar where you realize you've had way too much to drink four drinks ago and that, eventually, you'll have to find your way home.

Having seen the band a handful of times over the last couple of years I can say with confidence that this album really manages to capture the spirit, energy and drunken mirth that their live shows are so known for.Though the albums title "New Jersey Hardcore" may have you lacing up your boots and practicing your best version of the "Creepy Crawl" or "Picking Up Change". This album offers more than just a spin kick and a doc marten impression on the skull. "New Jersey Hardcore" is a record to celebrate and to celebrate to. Forget about inviting the Everymen to your party. The Everymen ARE the party.

.James Damion

Get it Here  KillingHorse Records

The Everymen  Facebook

The Everymen "Coney Island High" Video

The Everyman and Johnny Komar of 'Village Basement Sessions' have produced one of the funniest videos since Cicada Radio's "Oceans". It's the first single of their debut album entitled "New Jersey Hardcore". Check it out and keep check, check, checkin'. 

James Damion

Pre-Order The Everymen's - "New Jersey Hardcore"

Pre-orders are now available for The Everyman's "The Everyman Presents New Jersey Hardcore". The record release date is set for October 9th and will be released on KillingHorse Records. Pre-ordering the record allows you "The coolest kid on the block" street cred award for the first week of October and an immediate download of the lead single "Coney Island High". Pre-Order  Here

The Everymen Give Us A Taste of What's to Come

Here's a peak at the Everymen's upcoming release entitled "New Jersey Hardcore". Due out this fall on Killing Horse Records. 

Killing Horse Records