Rye Coalition: The Story of The Hard Luck Five Documentary Premeire

RYE COALITION: THE STORY OF THE HARD LUCK 5 

Documentary Premiere 

An intimate and fiery rock documentary tracing the rise and fall of Rye Coalition

Premieres May 30, 2014 at the New Jersey Film Festival & June 8 in NYC

     When they signed with one of the world’s biggest record labels, Rye Coalition was primed to finally get their glory, or so it seemed. Like countless rockers before them, childhood best friends started a band in a basement with a couple simple goals in mind: have fun and play good music. As one of the first bands to develop the new “emo” sound, they were at the forefront of a movement that included Shellac, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker and Karp (with whom they later recorded a legendary 12" split). Rye Coalition’s first recording was a demo cassette tape (1994's "Dancing Man", self-released), backed by an East Coast tour in a beat up schoolbus long before most of them had their driver's license. As their talent and fan base grew, they released albums on indie labels and toured the country for over ten years on bigger and bigger bills: (Mars Volta, Queens of the Stone Age,
Foo Fighters). After gaining momentum from 2002′s “On Top” LP, engineered by
Steve Albini, they were signed to Dreamworks Records and none other than Dave Grohl (Nirvana) came on as their producer. Then, it all imploded.

     The filmmaker has continuously documented these singular rockers for over a decade, brazenly chronicling choice moments with Rye Coalition (and those who know them well)
on tour, at home and in the studio. Although the band was praised by critics and supported by an absurdly dedicated grassroots fan base, somehow these Jersey rockers never got their due. Until now.  Dir: Jenni Matz, 2014; 77  minutes.
Featuring: Steve Albini (Shellac), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Tim Green (Nation of Ulysses),  Jon Theodore (Mars Volta), Jared Warren (Melvins).

Documentary World Premiere: May 30, 2014

New Jersey Film Festival in New Brunswick, NJ at Vorhees Hall.

Tickets available day of show $10, advance tickets available via Paypal email NJMAC@gmail.com for information.
http://www.njfilmfest.com/screening.html

Documentary NYC Premiere: June 8, 2014
New York Premiere in Brooklyn, NY at the Knitting Factory 361 Metropolitan Ave
2pm doors $5 at door or available at:
http://tinyurl.com/RyeCoalitionNYPremiere


For more information, please contact:
Jenni Matz @ theryecoalition@gmail.com
ryecoalitionthemovie.com
facebook.com/RyeCoalition
Trailer at : http://vimeo.com/ryecoalition/trailer

Holy City Zoo - Grandview Terrace

Holy City Zoo's latest single 'Grandview Terrace' is now available on Bandcamp for a 

"name your price" option.
The single is also available through the band as a limited 

Compact Disc. Packing of the CD hand cut, hand/computer printed and wrapped. 

As an added bonus, each CD contains a unique "Zoo Fact." Mine was Zoo fact #17 

"Soap is not overrated. Shampoo, maybe." 

You know what they say, "Knowledge is Power."

James Damion

Grandview Terrace

Cold Fur -Blouses of the Holy / 667 The Neighbor of the Beast

On their second EP to date Jersey City hell raisers
Cold Fur continue to take a blowtorch and chainsaw to what has become accepted as
Rock & Roll in many circles these days. Bringing a mix of abusive Stoner and Hard Rock to abusive levels of debauchery

Like a dark and heavy cloud descending on a small town, Cold Fur come heavy and loud. Offering unapologetic, balls out, tongue firmly placed in cheek rock at it's very best.
Killing Horse records should hire a tour bus to carry this bands cojones from show to show. Though the band,
it's personnel and sound will always share a connection with and ultimately be compared to The Rye Coalition  I don't think that's in any way a bad thing. Depending on your positioning, 'Blouses of the Holy' and '667 Neighbor of the Beast' will either keep you on your toes or knock you on your ass. Go get some. James Damion

KillingHorse Records  Get it Here

Cold Fur - Altamont Every Night

The highly anticipated debut has finally landed and damn, it sure is good. For those living outside of Jersey Nation, Cold Fur brings together members of Rye Coalition (Ralph Cuseglio, Dave Leto) and The Want (Adam Valk,Jeff Mackey).

"Altamont Every Night", which was engineered by the legendary Steve Albini delivers eleven songs of 70's Rock N' Roll excess and swagger, featuring
Ralph Cuseglio's signature screams, and  some nice dirty guitar work from  a louder than fuck rhythm section that would impress even the most dedicated Sabbath fan. Not only is it noteworthy, it's bastard sound is flat out praiseworthy.

Tracks like "Bro'd to Death" and "Just Like Brian Jones"deliver rock n roll genius with absolute savagery. While "Fat Vampires From Planet Wolf" drown the listener with its slow stoner pace and slutty guitar. Each song perfectly personifies the embodiment of the records title, with its tight jeans and big mustache imagery you'll feel as if your speeding down a dirty dusty road in search of those elusive Kiss tickets.

Fans of Rye Coalition will not be the least disappointed with this gem. While those seeking a departure from the sound that band delivered might be disappointed. Nevertheless, "Altamont Every Night" goes a long way to live up to its title. Providing everything you would ask for from a Rock N' Roll record and band. Get it. Live it. Let it kill you. James Damion

Get it Here  Bandcamp

Holy City Zoo - Everybody Sells For More

New Brunswick, NJ maniacs Holly City Zoo follow up their 2012 EP "Nobody Sells for Less" with the aptly titles "Everybody Sells for More"

The EP offers six songs (two of them instrumentals) of absolute dissonance. Songs like
"Givin' Him the Business" "Karmatosed" and the instrumental
"That Was Mos Def
(not a pinch of salt)" offer some of the best 90's inspired Punk/Screamo power and aggression. Often giving the listener a front row view of what it's like to be inside a schizophrenic's head.
However, it's on "Hello, I'm Awful", by far the most cohesive track, when the band shows it's true ability to grow and mature as both a unit and individually as musicians.
I'd personally like to see more of that in the future.
This is my favorite release by the band to date. Though I really enjoyed the record.
It was the fact that I was finally able to connect the dots on why I like these guys so much. It further made me see what I feel they're capable of. My best description of Holy City Zoo would be "What if Rye Coalition and the Foo Fighters had an unhinged punk rock love child on their 2006 European Tour?" These six songs are available for download and cassette. Maybe if we wait long enough they'll put it on wax.
James Damion

Everybody Sells For More Get it Here

Belt of Vapor - Buck 7 Inch EP

Spokane Washington's three piece Belt of Vapor have been playing together for eight years with two self released full lengths (Playing God and     The Complex Mating Game of Giants) and a five song self-titled live EP. Prior to receiving this I was completely unaware of the bands existence . Thanks to Jason at
"Whoa Boat Records" I now have yet another band to fully investigate and celebrate.

The opening track and records title "Buck" is a mid paced stunner with it's screamed anthemic vocals, spiraling guitar and crashing drums.
I felt an immediate Rye Coalition vibe on this one. One can't help but give in to the spirit and venom of the tune. Genius/Failure attacks the senses like a pitbull out for vengeance with it's Hard Rock bombast, swirling angular guitar and stand out bass lines. The track opens at a frantic pace that begins to spiral into a slow torturous descent into hellish territories
(I mean that in the highest form of praise) a little less than its half way point.

The 7 inch is available on green (100 copies) and black (200 copies) vinyl.
What happens after that is unknown. I'd highly suggest you get your hands on it while you can. Belt of Vapor is a band that definitely warrants further investigation.
I can't wait to hear more.  James Damion

Get it Here

Bandcamp

Rye Coalition - Live & in Person DVD

Back in January of 2010  I was already writing for Jersey Beat covering local shows, writing and above all taking lots and lots of pictures for the site.

One day I got an email from Jim asking if I'd like to cover Rye Coalitions one off reunion and 70th Birthday celebration of David and
Gregg Leto's Dad Jack. 

I was already dead set on going but had once again forgotten to get tickets. Covering the show meant I didn't need to hustle for one prior to the show. "Fuck Yeah" The band hadn't played in five years but truthfully 

I hadn't seen them since the 90's. That night at Maxwells was by far one of, if not the, most incredible shows I had been to in my life. Now, for the first time since we're able to experience it through more than some random memories and about a hundred or so photos.

"Live & in Person" features the entire set from that February 19th 2011 set. The footage is exceptional, capturing the energy, enthusiasm and raw intensity of the bands performance. As I watched it I felt the same chills I experienced that night. Though I have to admit it was a little more comfortable watching from home than being front center. Not having Ralph Cuseglio's sweat dripping all over my camera was a big plus. Bonus features include interviews with Maxwells booking guru Tod Abramson and a very animated Alap Momin (Dälek). There's also a trailer for the upcoming Rye documentary
"Story of the Hard Luck Five". The trailer itself is, for lack of a better description,
hair raising. If this doesn't make you wet….. I don't know what will. Whether you're a long time or casual fan of the band, this is a must….    James Damion


Buy it Here!