THE NEW BLACK—New York City
Last month when I attended Scarlet Carson’s CD release party at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, one of their many supports acts that really caught my attention was a band from NYC called The New Black. What made them pretty unique, besides the fact that they rocked their asses off, was that their lead guitarist Gabe, had recently lost his eye sight. Watching this kid shred the way that he did was simply mind-blowing! At first, I didn’t realize that Gabe was blind because it seemed he was setting everything up on his own. This kid was good!
The New Black, who are known for their energetic live sets in and around NYC, has become an innovative original rock band, who seems to keeping fighting uphill battles. First, fighting the adversity of the New York City music scene and getting lost in the plethora of different rock bands, but second, having to work around a tragic car accident that caused Gabe to lose his eye sight. Still, the band encouraged him to continue to play for them and they’ve made a name for themselves! The band’s memorable melodies, catchy rhythms and amazing guitar work on songs like “One True Lie” and “Scream at the Sun” really give you that itch to hear more of The New Black, who consists of singer Dan, lead guitarist Gabe, guitarist LJ, bassist Daryl and Jay the drummer.
The New Black released their debut EP, Within A Dream, back in 2008, and their song “The Light” earned them national media attention on radio and TV, which led to some national touring. The New Black is currently in the studio working on some new material, but you can learn more about these guys on their ReverbNation page, reverbnation.com/thenewblacknyc, or you can catch them live this Friday night (Nov. 11) at Architekt Studios in Butler, NJ. Trust me, you’ll love this band!
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My bro Gareth from the band Endall recently sent me a message on Facebook to let me know that the band has a brand new singer. The new guy is actually from Massachusetts and is moving to New Jersey to be in the band. Now, that’s dedication! Gareth didn’t release a name to me at the time of this writing, but he did say that Endall is in the studio recording some new material for their next CD with their new singer, and we’ll be seeing them on the stage again very soon! Stay tuned to all of your Endall news on facebook.com/endallnj.
I haven’t written about my bud Scott Williams and his band Our Black Friday in a while because I haven’t really heard from them, but apparently, some pretty big changes have been made within the band, and it seems to be paying off. It turns out, Scott has put the guitar down for now and is fronting the band. After a gig with reality show boys ZO2 at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ, ZO2’s manager approached the band wanting to get involved with them. That’s some pretty big news! Scott and Our Black Friday seem to be picking up some momentum, so check them out now while you can! Find out where Our Black Friday is playing next by logging onto reverbnation.com/ourblackfriday.
And finally, my boy Vince Albano and his band Cashmier will be opening for singer Sebastian Bach this Thursday night (Nov. 10) at Irving Plaza in NYC. Baz will be tearing through new songs off of his brand new hit CD, Kicking And Screaming, along with a handful of Skid Row classics. If you need tickets to this show, log onto facebook.com/cashmierNY and contact the band.
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, or you can email me at tim@theaquarian.com, where you can also let me know where you’re performing next!
Just remember: We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
Tim Louie is the author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
11/10—Sebastian Bach/ Cashmier—Irving Plaza, NYC
11/11—Dead Fish Handshake—The Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
11/11—Venus Vegas/Hope Kills Fear—Connolly’s Klub 45, NYC
11/11—The New Black—Architekt Studios Live, Butler, NJ
11/12—Borgo Pass—McBeery’s, Bethpage, NY
11/12—Midnight Mosaic—Kenny’s Castaways, NYC
11/12—Banding Together Benefit—Buddie’s Tavern, Parlin, NJ
11/16—Mercury Morning/Kosmic Daydream—Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
11/18—Sundown Conspiracy/Vooodoo Terror Tribe/Seas of Wake—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
11/19—Ashes of Your Enemy—The Backstage @ Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
11/19—Sundown Cosnpiracy—Canvas Clash, Boonton, NJ
11/20—The Zombie Mafia—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
11/23—Mother—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
11/23—Sundown Cosnpiracy—At Da Game, Staten Island, NY
11/27—Doomsday Prophecy—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
12/3—Jaded Past/Ted Poley—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
12/3—Sundown Conspiracy—The Loop Lounge, Passaic Park, NJ
12/4—Our Black Friday—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ
