Time for Something Else

This will most likely be the last post you see in a long time, if not ever.. While I hate to permanently close any doors, burn any bridges or exhaust any cliques. I haven't had the energy or interest in writing about music in a long time. My music blogging batteries are burnt out and after five years of consistently posting to United By Rocket Science. I no longer have the passion to go forward.

The departure of Dave and the fact that I became the only person who seems to contribute to another co-created, co-authored music blog have led me to think that any future endeavors would almost surely be both solo and less time consuming. Something that, at this point seems unlikely.

These five years years have taught me a lot about myself and my obsessive nature. How, whenever I take on any project. I develop this compulsive desire to make it bigger, better and to ultimately involve as many creative people as possible. While not a terribly bad thing. Putting that much passion or energy into anything can more than often result in burn out. One starts to expect too much from themselves and the people he/she chooses to involve.

In recent months and years my health has been a major cause of concern. Nothing I'd like to discuss in a public forum, but bad enough that I've told my doctors that I'm getting tired of fighting. And as much as they admire my resilience. I don't know how much longer I want to fight. Obviously, I needed to change some things in my life.

It all started slowly with a change of diet. My wife and I became vegetarians.  A stricter diet,  an exercise regiment and meditation followed. I began withdrawing from the rat race and rebuilding  my greatest passion, studio photography. I've been happier. And all I really want to be is happy. Over time, I've  learned that happiness often starts when you stop trying to make others happy. That's important, because United By Rocket Science stopped being fun for me and became more about setting deadlines and trying to please others. Something Dave and me never set out to do in the first place.

In the end, I'm very proud of what Dave G. and I created and built. Grateful for the many friends we made and the one's who contributed. Hopefully, the many people who stopped in to read the reviews and interviews, enjoyed the experience. But for now, it's time for something different.

Sincerely,
- James Damion

P.S. I'll be covering two upcoming Jersey City music festivals in the coming weeks and months. Sugarfest August 12th and 13th at The Citizen and The North Jersey Indie Rock Festival Saturday September 12th at Cathedral Hall. I'll be taking lots of pictures at both events and will most likely be posting some of them here.

The Future Forecast for United By Rocket Science

Whether you've noticed or not. United By Rocket Science has, for the most part. been inactive for a few months. With Dave spending most of his spare time hauling vinyl to and from record shows and my side project Document Fanzine. There hasn't been much inspiration or initiative to work on this blog. With jobs, family, travel and just plain other things to do. United By Rocket Science has moved from the forefront to the back burner. The decision to delete our Facebook page earlier this year was mine alone and one I personally felt was a long time coming. Over time, maintaining it became a frustrating time suckage that was as frustrating as it was disappointing.

In conversations as recent as today with friend and co-creator Dave G. It seems that his time with the blog has come to a respectful end. And while I leave the door open to any future inclusion on his part. I honesty doubt there will be.  Expecting otherwise on my part would be both unrealistic and selfish. 

In December I will be heading to Japan to spend time with my extended family and hopefully have the opportunity to mentally detox. (No news, TV, Social Media, Distractions) My hope is that, when I return I will be able to make a decision on whether or not to move forward with U.B.R.S on my own. Until then, I'm not really sure I can or even want to. Until then, thanks to the many people who contributed over the years and those who supported us be reading, following, spreading the word and providing us with material to review. It's been a fun four years. James Damion

Be sure to stop in to check out a little side project I've got going called Document. With it's many features and simple layout Document is in many ways a tribute to the print fanzines many of us older kids grew up with. There are interviews, reviews, photography and lots of fun features.

Available Here

United By Images; Gillian

Gillian are a Brooklyn band featuring Geoff Bennington, Paul Demyanovich, Kym Hawkins, Paul Fedorow and Brian Yurachek. The quintet play an infectious and very danceable version of indie rock/punk. In early 2015 the band signed a publishing deal to for TV, movies and commercials. While something of that nature might not sit well with music purists.
It surely marks an improvement in each of the three markets. For me personally, I will forever appreciate Gillian's unique and rare ability to make me dance with wild abandon and boundless glee. Here's to hip shakin'.  James Damion

Gillian the Band  Facebook

Colorize Bandcamp

Freak Flag Bandcamp

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 Rocket Science Announces A New Weekly Feature; "United By Images"

Welcome to the blogs new addition, installment, feature United By... Images.
Each week I plan of featuring images from a specific artist or band I've photographed over the years. After weeks, months and even years of trying to decide what to do with the endless array of music I've shot over the years... Each week these pictures will be highlighted by band profiles, background stories and anecdotes. In the spirit of community, I'm more than willing to feature the work of fellow photographers and show goers.
Those interested in contributing can leave a reply here or email me at UnitedByJames@gmail.com

Until then, stay focused. 

James Damion

U.B.R.S. Welcomes Jordann McAlinden to the Staff

We here at United By Rocket Science would like to welcome Jordann to the U.B.R.S. family. She did her first ever band interview with

Secret Country a few weeks back and will be contributing to the blog regularly in the future. 

We can only hope that she doesn't tire of us quickly because we can use all the help we can get. Having her energy, enthusiasm and experience working with Killing Horse Records just makes us better. That and the fact that she can dance with the best of them makes us look cooler by mere association.

As the blog enters our first year of existance we hope to add more writers, photographers and music nerds to our family. Drop us a line if you're interested in contributing or submitting music, news or show reviews. 

Write us at;

UnitedByJames@gmail.com

Dave88@optonline.net