North Jersey Notes: I Am Heresy

One of my best buds on the scene, Mikey Driveby, from the band Civic, recently told me about this new group he’s been listening to. So, I figured if Mikey likes it, they must be good! The name of the band is I Am Heresy, and Mikey’s taste and opinion on music did not let me down. Apparently, these guys just signed to Century Media Records, but they’re from New Brunswick, NJ and they’re making a big splash on this music scene. Some of you might recognize singer Nathan Gray from the groups Boysetsfire and Casting Out. Well, his new project is just as brutal, and it always amazes me how a singer like Nathan does not blow out his voice singing, or shall I say screaming, like this.

So anyway, what happens when you’re in a band and that band falls apart and everything you worked on for years is thrown in the trash? You get back on your feet and start a new band! That’s what Nathan Gray did! Instead of sitting around and crying about his group not working out, he pushed forward and put together something completely new. The funny thing is that he didn’t have to go too far to find band members. In fact, Nathan realized that his own son, Simon Gray, and his bandmate from May Fourth Massacre, Jonah Latshaw, were both very talented musicians, after walking in on them writing new material. Before you knew it, ideas began to flow and demos were recorded. Nathan knew this was his new band. I Am Heresy was born! To complete the lineup and take things to the next level, brothers Jay and Crumbs Konieko from The Dead And Gone were added on bass and drums, respectively, and the last cog in the wheel, guitarist Gregg Kautz, rounded out the lineup.

I Am Heresy recently released their latest CD, Thy Will, through Century Media, and the only song that I was able to hear so far off the new disc was through a music video for the song “March Of Black Earth.” The song literally kicked my ass. In fact, my throat hurts just listening to those screams by Nathan Gray. For Nathan, this is just a case of one door closes and another one opens. You have to check these guys out! They are brutal! Give them a listen at iamheresy.com.

 

NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:

I know that I only mentioned these guys last week with the new addition of my bro and guitarist DC Gonzalez from Panzie*, but Killcode keep hitting me up with new info every week. This week, they told me that they’ve entered the studio to record some new material with Life Of Agony legend Joey Z behind the mixing board. The boys plan on unleashing some of this new music at DC’s debut show at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on April 5 when they perform with Ten Ton Mojo, Mother, and Long Gone Day. That’s not all! In a few weeks, Killcode will be filming their next music video for the song “The Wrong Side,” which is off their self-tilted CD! Director David Swajeski will be behind the camera again. He’s the one who filmed their video for “Still Here.” Check out Killcode at facebook.com/killcodeofficial.

One of my favorite guitar wizzes in North Jersey next to Steve Bello is none other than Angel Vivaldi. I haven’t heard from Angel since his stint with With Daggers Drawn until now. Angel released his latest EP, Away With Words Part 1, last week, and it is mind-blowing! And yes, I’m sure the misspelling of “Away” is on purpose and not a typo on my end, so relax there! And yes, it is a two-part EP! Anyway, Angel never lets you down with his shredding! If you love technical guitar instrumentals, you need to check out Angel Vivaldi if you haven’t yet. He’s at facebook.com/angelvivaldi.

And finally, my bros from Syrens Calling, better known as the former members of Scarlet Carson with Walt Figueroa singing, have been re-establishing themselves on the scene, all without any recorded material. Well, that’s about to change as the boys head into the studio to work on their debut full-length, which they hope to have out by this summer. That means if you missed Syrens Calling live, you’ll have to wait a little while until they finish the new CD. For now, you can still check them out at facebook.com/syrenscalling.

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:

3/21—Sinsanity/Ghosts Of Eden/Crash The Bear/Jolly/One Hundred Thousand/Gathering After Ashes—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ

3/21—Corners Of Sanctuary—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ

3/22—Statik Silence—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

3/22—JENNCiTY/Santino Noir/Bound by Substance/Eyes Like Cyanide/Srotakin IV/Eyes Of The Sun—Slake, NYC

3/24—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Sands Casino, Bethlehem, PA

3/25—Steve Brown—Bourbon Street, Monroe, NY

3/26—Such Gold/Slingshot Dakota/When Thieves Are About/Archie Alone/Puddle Splash—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

3/27—Ed Kowalczyk/Pete Donnelly/NRBQ/Soul Asylum—Trinity UMC, Ewing, NJ

3/28—She Said Fire/Machine Elves/Awake At Last—Slake, NYC

3/28—Borgo Pass/Stainless Leather/John Wilkes Booth/SOMA—Revolution Bar and Music Hall, Amityville, NY

3/29—Xero Gravity/Midnight Hellion/Division 1.1/Nuse/Sekond Skyn—Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ

3/29—Steve Bello Band/Ripped—Buddies Tavern, Sayreville, NJ

3/29—Kore Rozzik/Michale Graves—Blackthorn 51, Elmhurst, NY

4/1—Waking Heroes—Webster Hall, NYC

4/2—Audio Empire/Red Dragon Cartel—Mexicali Live, Teaneck, NJ

4/4—Rahway/Madysin Hatter/Cashmier/Kix—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ

4/4—Steve Brown and the Fallout—Willie McBride’s, Branchburg, NJ

4/4—Living Colour—Trinity UMC, Ewing, NJ

4/5—Killcode/Ten Ton Mojo/Mother/Long Gone Day—The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY

4/5—Dead Fish Handshake/Scott Stapp—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ

4/5—Tarpit Boogie/Silence Equals Death—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ

4/6—Hot Blood/End Of An Era/A Balance Between/Vextion/The Antics—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ

4/13—Steve Brown and Dennis Zimmer—Grasshopper, Morristown, NJ

4/18—Steve Brown—Willie McBride’s, Branchburg, NJ

4/24—Steve Brown and Terry Farley—Thatcher McGhee’s, Pompton Lakes, NJ