North Jersey Notes: Lethal Affection, The Compulsions, Black Flag and More!

One of the bands that performed at last weekend’s Jersey Shore Festival in Seaside Heights was New Brunswick’s own Lethal Affection. Where the hell have these guys been hiding? Musically, they are awesome! Singer Noah Simon has a great voice, but as I’m listening to songs like “Taste Of Anarchy,” “Gemini,” “Alone” and “298,” I feel like his voice might not fit the power that these songs are putting out. Does that make any sense? In other words, these songs need a vocal styling that is a bit more aggressive. Regardless, Lethal Affection is still a band to look out for on this music scene.

Lethal Affection formed back in March 2012 after the band Jade, who is a North Jersey Notes alumni, dissolved. The former members of Jade, guitarists Nick Kashmanian (who looks and play like a young Dimebag or Slash) and Joey Percario along with drummer Robbie Blank, enlisted singer Noah Simon and bassist Justin Bosch to complete the new lineup. Nick and Joey met Noah while taking a complicated music theory class at Rutgers. The two were immediately impressed by his vocal abilities. The initial plan was that Noah was only supposed to help Nick and Joey put together a demo tape in order to find a permanent singer for their new project, but the trio became a tightly knit group that the chemistry was undeniable. Noah was equally impressed with Nick and Joey’s guitar work and the work ensued.

Lethal Affection released their self-titled EP a few months after forming toward the end of 2012. The band is currently tracking new material to be released sometime in 2014. After the release, the band plans on touring to promote the upcoming release. Their old band Jade was a band to keep an eye on, but now that they have a new project, keep an eye on their new project, Lethal Affection, at lethalaffection.com. Nick and Joey are some pretty talented kids. I’m pretty curious to see how far they can go with this project.

 

NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:

The boys from The Compulsions have revamped their website, thecompulsionsnyc.com. The site is loaded with music, photos and news updates on the band. Log onto thecompulsionsnyc.com for all your latest info on NYC’s sleaziest rock band. Keep your ears peeled for the new music from The Compulsions too in the coming months.

The band made famous by Henry Rollins, Black Flag, will be making their return to the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ on June 23. No, Henry Rollins is not in this version of the band and a lawsuit that was settled last August says that Rollins will probably never be in this group again, but the legendary hardcore punk band returns in June. For more info on Black Flag, log onto blackflagofficial.com.

And finally, on a non-music level, my heart has to go out to the family and friends of Danielle Daszczyszak. Some of you might say who? But many of you who frequent our little music scene in North Jersey, namely Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, will remember Danielle as one of the friendliest and most fun-loving bartenders at the popular North Jersey rock club. Well, Danielle’s life was taken a couple of weeks ago when a drunk driver slammed into her car on Route 21 in Passaic. Danielle was only 32. Without sounding like a PSA, all I can ask is to please “drink responsibly, people!” Danielle was too young to be taken from us! We’ll see you again, Danielle.

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:

5/22—DIVE/Statik Silence/Ascending From Ashes—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

5/22—Jim Florentine—Crossroads, Garwood, NJ

5/22—Sekond Skyn/The Red Desert—McIntyre’s Pub, Toms River, NJ

5/23—Outernational/Bodega Satellite/Fauz Johnny/The Catching/Revel/Ready For Nothing/Rusty Mailbox—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ

5/23—IKILLYA/Ashes Within—The Studio at Webster Hall, NYC

5/23—Borgo Pass/John Wilkes Booth/Wormsmeat—Mr. Beerys, Bethpage, NY

5/24—Spider Rockets—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ

5/24—Dying Eyes Of Sloth/Psychoprism/Gathering After Ashes/Threatpoint/Earthbound—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

5/24—Lieder—Clash Bar, Clifton, NJ

5/25—The Murder Junkies/Half-Witted Dogs/Buzzard Wagon/Darrow Chemical Co./The Unknown—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

5/30—Paulie Z—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ

5/30—Electrx Avalanshh/Broken By Chance/Hot Pink Apocalypse/Broken Angels/Couples—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ

5/31—Insubordination/Faction Zero/Social Decay/Enrage/The 8008ies/Jackknife/Automatic 253/Skunkdaze/Last Day/Johnny 2 Strokes/Eli/The Damn Long Hairs—The Blue Room, Secaucus, NJ

5/31—Pralaya/Syka/Stelladeora/Revel 9/Archie Alone/Coversa—Tenth Street Live, Kenilworth, NJ

5/31—Goon Saloon/Starchild/Fire Inside/The World Famous Skulls—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

6/1—Born A New/Sentinels/Borderlines/STFU/The Blessing Of This Curse/In Search Of—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

6/5—Tempt/Kore Rozzik/Amatory Murder/Single Bullet Theory/Tired Wings—The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY

6/5—Audio Empire/GEARS—The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ

6/6—Chevonne And The Fuzz/The Disgraces—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

6/8—Adrenaline Mob/Aurin/Black Water Rising/New Day Dawn/Gathering After Ashes/Midnight Enternal—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ

6/13—Audio Empire—Mercury Lounge, NYC

6/14—Wrath Of Killian/Sinners/Dirty Stayouts—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ