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Monday, April 18, 2011 at 10:04 PM 
Departures is a a four piece punk-rock outfit hailing from Bayonne, New Jersey. The band formed in January 2009 out of the necessity to make honest music in a scene so badly watered
Departures, Hardcore, NJ, New Jersey, Pop Punk, Punk Rock, band, bayonne Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8:03 AM 
The show started at 11pm at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. The room was packed with a variety of new fans and old friends as they were gathered around the bright illumitated stage. Out of all shows I have been to see Big Wilson River and Average Girl, I must say the sound quality for this show was best yet. Each song that both bands performed sounded like album recording quality. There was definitely a lot of positive energy in the room for these bands. Make sure you get a chance to see these fun bands as they are continuing to make their way around the country. Might I say summer touring to a town near you?
Monday, April 4, 2011 at 9:56 PM 
People from near and far, flocked to the sold out show at the School of Rock on Saturday night to see Folly play their 3rd reunion show. This show is in a string of five total
live tagged Black Kites, Communication Redlight, Fire Still Burns, Folly, NJ, New Jersey, reunion, school of rock Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 7:26 PM 
The show at Mexicali featured local artist Darrin Bradbury along with the band Common Rotation and 90's folk singer/ songwriter Dan Bern. This concert was a reunion show for Darrin Bradbury and April Acerno, who are the founders of a band called Big Wilson River. Their act set the warm hearted folky scene and was enjoyed by various age groups in the crowd. Common Rotation spiced up the show with their variety of instruments used in their act such as xylophones and trumpets. The main act, Dan Bern, snuck onto the stage with a welcoming applause from the audience.
live tagged April Acerno, Dan Bern, Darrin Bradbury, Folk, Mexicali, New Jersey, rock Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 8:19 PM 
The venue was packed with a diverse group of fans for the solo touring artists Brandon Reilly of Nightmare of You and Vinne Caruana of the Movielife. Suzie Zeldin, the first act and the lead singer of the Narrative, really blew the crowd away
live tagged Brandon Reiilly, Maxwells, Movielife, Narrative, New Jersey, Nightmare of You, Vinnie Caruana, rock Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 11:00 PM 
Gwar, Cross-over Thrash Comedy Rockers from Richmond, VA, have had an illustrious musical career that has spanned multiple decades and has amassed thousands upon thousands of fans of many musical backgrounds.
Interviews tagged Gwar, Jersey Shore, New Jersey, Starland Ballroom Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:10 PM 
The Escape Directors held one of their last shows Friday night at Mexicali Live before leaving to work with Jim Wirt (Jacks Mannequin, The Rocket SUmmer, For The Foxes, etc.) on their new album. This was the Escape Directors' first birthday show and to celebrate The Nico Blues and Roderick opened up for them.
live tagged Brian C. Reilly, Escape Directors, Mexicali, New Jersey, Nico Blues, Roderick Jim Wirt, Teaneck, rock Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1:48 PM 
Talking about all things underground, the 83rd annual Academy Awards will be held this evening is Los Angeles, California, and may potentially be the first time where graffiti artist, Banksy, will make a public appearance.
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 5:59 PM 
The Welcome to Hell Tour made its stop at the Starland Ballroom, with the likes of the heaviest bands in modern metal. In a scene already flooded with plenty of deathcore bands, we saw the leaders of the pack destroy New Jersey’s Starland
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 5:58 PM 
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Heath Miller, long-time concert promoter, band manager, and New Jersey music enthusiast, about his career in the music industry. Heath is the founder and owner of Excess DB, a concert promotion company that books national and international touring acts throughout New Jersey and New York City. Interview below. Check out the upcoming shows that Heath is putting on and also add Excess DB on Facebook!
How did you get your start? What were the motivating factors for you to start booking concerts?
I started interning at a recording studio during highschool, and then started doing live sound. When I was doing live sound, and some point I thought “hey I can just book the shows I’m doing sound at” Overall my motivation was a love for music.
What is your current situation? ExcessDB? Where are you booking? Staff? Internships?
Our current situation is that we’re focused on smaller to mid sized venues, trying to book a little of everything musically, but a focus on new developing talent.
Venues we are actively booking are: School of Rock, The Studio At Webster Hall, Mexicali Live, Santos Party House & Maxwells. There’s also a few other random occasion venues we book.
I’m the only full time employee, everyone else is part time, a subcontractor or an intern. There’s definitely some weeks that part timers are working close to full time though!
Approximately how many concerts have you booked? Which few were your favorites and most memorable?
I really have no idea. 2010 was 189 concerts. I’d estimate it at around 1200ish total, first few years of “real” booking shows was only around 40 to 50 a year, and I’d say the last 5 years have floated in the 150 to 225 mark, usually a little under 200 seems to be my norm now.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 8:19 PM 
When I was asked to write a column about for the NJ Underground I was more than just surprised, I was ecstatic because I was writing not only about music, but the music I love, all things brutal.
My love for metal and hardcore started like many adolescents in their teenage years where I started to listen to bands like Sepultura, Cro-Mags, Pantera, and yes various nu-metal bands (I doubt there wasn’t one KoRn, Limp Bizkit, or Slipknot song we had hummed at one point). But as I grew older I began to discover music that was stylistically very different that the norm, i.e. everything out on the radio or playing on MTV.
It was because of these bands I started a band and my discovery of other heavy underground music that caught my ear and have only left me with poor hearing and many bumps and bruises from the many mosh pit excursions I’ve gone on.
I hope to expose a lot of different metal and hardcore music that you’ve might not have given a chance to listen to, or seen. I’ll also plan on talking about those few of us, who indulge in collecting vinyl and cd’s, and the best places to find such music (let this be your hitch hiker’s guide to new/used record stores).
In recent news...
Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 3:40 PM 
At this point in time, I am sure everyone who lives in New Jersey knows that Folly was planning a reunion show for April 2nd at The School of Rock - the show sold out in a matter of a few hours. Meeting the overwhelming demand of fans of all ages and from all over the United States, Excess DB has announced a second date as well, this one preceding the original date, March 26th at Maxwells in Hoboken. Tickets go one sale at 5PM sharp! It's also worth mentioning that this show will be 21+. Buy your tickets here.
03/26, Folly, Heath Miller, March 26, Maxwells, New Jersey, Sold Out, excess db, second show Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 7:39 PM Thank You Scientist (photos by Jeff Wickliffe)
HMS Revenge (photos by Jeff Wickliffe)
Review by Jessie Wickliffe
Despite the freezing temperatures and ice outside, the house was packed for a night of progressive rock at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. It was a CD release show for both Thank You Scientist and HMS Revenge with Urban Lenny and Matt Olsson as openers. Thank You Scientist is described as progressive rock, but that’s a pretty broad category. With 7 talented musicians infusing several genres of music it’s difficult to describe their sound. I’ll say powerful, melodic, soulful, even heavy at times and definitely awesome! I’ve seen front man, Sal Marrano through several bands and I think he’s finally found his perfect fit with Thank You Scientist. His voice melds flawlessly with the brass, drums, guitar, bass and violin while screaming with emotion. As soon as HMS Revenge took the stage you could feel the excitement in the crowd increase. Bassist Tom Warren’s energy abounds as he thrashes around the stage, a balance to his brother Rick’s smooth crooning. A self proclaimed “group of jump jiving scally wags who like to play music” this 4 piece band from Bergen County is definitely on the rise.
Concerts tagged HMS Revenge, Matt Olsson., Mexicali, NJ, New Jersey, Teaneck, Thank You Scientist, Urban Lenny Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM 
The NJ Underground's photographers have been hard at work for the last year, capturing images from concerts and live performances throughout the tri-state area, for your viewing pleasure. Our photographers submitted their 'top 3' photos from 2010 to be voted on by you, the reader, in early December. Several hundred votes came in, excel spreadsheets have been made, and complicated formulas were utilized to bring you, the Top 3 Photos of 2010. A lot was at stake with this contest - a sizeable purse of prizes, but more importantly, each photographer's skill and integrity. The photos that were voted on the most are as follows:
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 9:16 PM 
The contest is well underway and we have had the honors of receiving submissions from many of you! We are asking, if you have not voted yet, please go ahead and cast your vote. We will not be releasing the current standings of the contest at this time, but just to let everyone know, it's tight. Voting will end on December 31st, so please show your support.
Our photographers have been hard at work for the last year, capturing images from concerts and live performances throughout the tri-state area, for your viewing pleasure. Our photographers have each submitted their 'top 3' from 2010 to be voted on by you, the reader. The photos do not have titles or photographers tied to them - this measure was taken to eliminate any bias towards the photographer or the subject being photographed.
Please take a few minutes to review the work of the photographers that have submitted to the contest by clicking on the 'Photo Contest Gallery' link below. While opening that page, go ahead and open up the 'Photo Contest Voting Form' page to record your 'top 3' favorite photos.
Contest, NJ, New Jersey, Photo, Photo Contest, Photography Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Our photographers have been hard at work for the last year, capturing images from concerts and live performances throughout the tri-state area, for your viewing pleasure. Our photographers have each submitted their 'top 3' from 2010 to be voted on by you, the reader. The photos do not have titles or photographers tied to them - this measure was taken to eliminate any bias towards the photographer or the subject being photographed.
Please take a few minutes to review the work of the photographers that have submitted to the contest by clicking on the 'Photo Contest Gallery' link below. While opening that page, go ahead and open up the 'Photo Contest Voting Form' page to record your 'top 3' favorite photos. Voting will end on December 31st. A winner will be announced on January 1st. Thanks for taking the time to vote and enjoy!
Contest, Live, NJ, New Jersey, Photo Contest, Photography, Prizes, The NJ Underground, music, performance Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 11:31 PM Cartel (Photo by Samantha Saffer)
Hey Monday (Photo by Samantha Saffer)
Last Thursday night, Cartel and Hey Monday played for an almost-sold-out crowd at The School of Rock in Hackensack, New Jersey. Atlanta natives, Cartel, was recently in the area for a one-off at Ramapo College of New Jersey earlier in October. Supporting the bands were The Ready Set, an electronica act from Indiana and We Are In The Crowd, a power-pop outfit currently signed to Hopeless Records. Additional photos and setlist from Cartel's October 30th show in Connecticut below.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 7:33 PM The Ghost Inside (Photo by April Woronowicz)
Melodic hardcore marauders, The Ghost Inside, played at Hangar 84 in Vineland, New Jersey last Friday. New Jersey Underground's very own April Woronowicz had the chance to catch up with Jonathan Vigil of The Ghost Inside. "We haven't played in New Jersey for a very long time and were entirely blown away. By far the best show so far on this tour." During their set before performing "Shiner" Jonathan mentioned about the loss of his brother recently and dedicated that specific song to him. In the midst of that performance you felt the strength from the crowd overpower Vigil and the rest of the band. You truely felt a connection that cannot be touched by human hands. The Returners North American Tour continues on till the 13th of November with Evergreen Terrace, First Blood, Deez Nuts, A Loss for Words and Hundreth till they fly off to Europe to continue the tour and end it December 9th in London which they will switch up the line-up and pare up with For The Fallen Dreams, Suffokate and Lower Than Atlantis. The band just recently filmed a new music video for 'Chrono' so be on the look out for during the upcoming months.
Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 12:00 AM 
As previously mentioned, Saturday, October 30th will be a great night for music. "The Cult will be continuing the halloween theme down at Starland Ballroom, Automatic Loveletter will be playing Hangar 84, Blood On The Dance Floor will be at The School of Rock, and The Black Crowes will be playing at The Borgata. If you're not looking to attend a show, check out the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, where approximately 5,000 people will look to break the Guinness Book of World Records, record for most zombies in a single location".
What I forgot to mention was that Saturday is also Mischief Night, or whatever you call it, so whether you're on the offensive side of things, or the defensive, be safe and have fun. History and and name debates can be found below.
Friday, October 29, 2010 at 4:36 PM 
The Misfits will be playing alongside labelmates, Juicehead tonight at the 6th Annual Starland Ballroom Halloween Bash. Local acts performing this show include Johnny B. Morbid,The Zombie Mafia and Glass Midnight. The tour will also hit up Irving Plaza last night (October 28th). The Misfits are currently working on new material for their upcoming album and will hopefully be playing some of that this evening. Band history can be found below.
"We plan to continue as always, eclipse the past, block the sun and drag humanity by the throat into a world of darkness filled with ghouls, goblins and creatures of the night, where we are king." - The Misfits
"It started as a twisted dream"... 25 years ago in a small town in New Jersey called Lodi. It was there in April of 1977, at the dawn of the punk movement, that the Misfits were born. Taking the title of Marilyn Monroe's last movie as their name in a move to immortalize her image - singer Glenn Danzig and bassist Jerry Only set out to make an impression. They wound up making history and creating a legacy that's power has not only stood the test of time, but also transcended into an entirely new generation. Lineup changes followed and by early 1980, the band coalesced around co-founders, Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only along with guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein (Jerry's youngest brother). Throughout the span of their career, the Misfits audience has developed into an army of "fiends" (the term for die hard Misfits fans) generating more interest today than ever before.
Music tagged Danzig, Halloween, Misfits, NJ, New Jersey, Starland Ballroom, the misfits 
