North Jersey Notes: Salvage, Montvale, NJ

I was recently told about this band out of Montvale, NJ, called Salvage. So, I had to give them a listen, and to be brutally honest, I have no idea what I feel about this band. They’re not bad, but I also would not be rushing out to buy their CD either. I logged onto myspace.com/salvagenj, to give their music a listen, and I liked “Fortify Your Mind” and “There’s A Line”, but like I said, I wasn’t blown away. Singer Kristie Coppola’s vocals sounded too doubled making it sound like very demo-y, if that’s even a word. The music was worth the listen though!

Salvage was born out of passion for music with its four members seeking a place to create new music without the shortcomings of their previous projects. Their vision included a blues-metal sound mixed with strong riffs with a dominant female singer. The members of Salvage are no strangers to performing. Singer Kristie Coppola comes from musical theatre, but has also performed with numerous rock and acoustic bands, guitarist Chris Chandusse was with his last band for a very long time, bassist Dean worked in a multitude of projects performing, writing, composing, recording, and mixing, and drummer Jared Wilmot came from a few metal and black metal bands that were pretty well known on the Jersey scene. Each member of Salvage brings their own strengths to the band giving them a unique final product.

Currently, Salvage completed their first 5-song demo, which they distribute at shows, and now they’re working on some new songs to include on their debut CD. Catch Salvage live this Saturday night (June 26) at The Clash Bar in Clifton, NJ.

North Jersey Notes Updates

This new version of With Daggers Drawn with Max Illidge on vocals has been extremely busy as late. They recently posted two new explosive tracks on myspace.com/withdaggersdrawn for free download. The songs “Amnesiac” and “Behind A Faded Star” sound amazing, and drummer Greg Telfeian’s foot is thunderous! Check it out for yourself or catch With Daggers Drawn live at Ding Batz in Clifton, NJ on July 23.

Tim McMurtrie and my boy, Eddie Night’s new project Murder League All-Stars is making some waves in the industry. Their cover version of the Black Sheep classic “The Choice Is Yours” was recently remixed by renowned producer, Mike Rogers. They’re also in the middle of putting the finishing touches on their latest opus, “Jersey Anthem,” which kicks some major ass! You can give these songs a listen at myspace.com/murderleagueallstars or catch Murder League All-Stars live at the Whiskey Bar in Hoboken, NJ June 23 at 8:30 pm sharp with the boys from Apathy.

And finally, Dave Incognito is at it again! He’s put Dying Eyes of Sloth on the backburner, and has revived Incognito Theory. I swear! He recently posted a couple of new songs, “This Present” and “Nine Ways Sideways”, on myspace.com/incognitotheory, which will be featured on the upcoming Incognito Theory CD, Still Life, coming out this fall.

That’s all for now! If your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your press kits to Arts Weekly, c/o Tim Louie P.O. Box 1140 Little Falls, NJ 07424 where you can also let me know where you’re performing next. No cover bands, please! Also, if you haven’t checked out my podcast yet, do it now at northjerseynotes.mypodcast.com!

Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!

NJN Concert Calendar

6/23—Steve Brown—The Copper Bottom, Florida, NY
6/23—Apathy/Murder League All-Stars—The Whiskey Bar, Hoboken, NJ
6/24—Blue Food—Tommy Fox’s, Bergenfield, NJ
6/24—Kosmic Daydream—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
6/25—Steve Brown and the Fallout—The Beachcomber Bar, Seaside Heights, NJ
6/25—Thank You Scientist/World Sound Traveler—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
6/26—Bern and the Brights—Crash Mansion, NYC
6/26—Filter Effect—Ding Batz, Clifton, NJ
6/26—Salvage—The Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ
6/26—Shutterstone—The Pennant East, Bellmawr, NJ
7/6—Filter Effect—The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
7/8—Bern and the Brights—Bowery Electric, NYC
7/9—Ender—Willims Center for the Arts, Rutherford, NJ
7/10—With Daggers Drawn—Traxx, Ronkonkoma, NY
7/10—Ender—Jefferson Township High School, Oak Ridge, NJ
7/10—The Dirty Stayouts—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
7/10—Filter Effect—Jackson Festival, Jackson, NJ