By Danny Coleman
originally published: 05/28/2015
I just want to say that we're having a blast on this tour and we want to thank everyone; I mean everyone. We are really happy with the way it's going and it's a great combo of bands," says Justin Symbol of the band that bears his name as they have joined forces with Requiem and William Control and the Neuromantic Boys on their most recent tour.
"How great is this tour going? I was annoyed to be home yesterday," he said with a laugh. "The fact that it sucked so much having a day off is an indication of how good this tour is; the other bands are great! Requiem and William are treating us, well let's say, there's a lot of mutual respect."
Respect in the music biz isn't always easy to come by; many artists are haunted by demons, addictions, self-destructive behavior and poor choices. Symbol toiled in local New York City bars and clubs doing a solo act, playing a mix of typical generic cover tunes interspersed by his original work; yet he longed for more. Dubbing himself the "King of Negativity," he found his desire to create, if even from a very dark realm, was the driving force behind what would eventually become his band. "I guess you can say that this whole project started on Halloween 2014 with the release of "VOIDHEAD," he explained. "I had material and put together a band prior to releasing the disc but that other band wasn't as serious as I liked. I asked our drummer Will E. Vill and bassist Fox to join along with guitarist Soda and we morphed into a rock band; it was really cool how it just kind of happened. During the making of "VOIDHEAD" I was bottoming out with drug and alcohol addiction and dark was the only mood I was able to convey. There are a few songs on the album that are upbeat but with psychotic dark lyrics. The night we did the video for "Purgatory" I got arrested; it wasn't my best moment."
Marilyn Manson co-founder and guitarist Daisy Berkowitz contributed heavily to the making of "VOIDHEAD" and helped garner the aforementioned respect that artists crave. Symbol speaks fondly of his working relationship with Berkowitz; explaining the connection came through a mutual friend. "Yeah, Daisy and I had a mutual friend, he was an older dude and he was kind of eccentric; he may even be dead by now. This guy told me about an audition that was taking place for a band that he thought I would fit and when I got to this hotel where the auditions were being held; there was Daisy. We hit it off and we've been kind of working together ever since."
Berkowitz's crisp yet haunting guitar work lends to the over all tone of the disc; furthering Symbol's image of a dark and brooding tormented soul. On the road of course, the guitar work is left up to Soda and the rest of the band to recreate the studio sound and for the moment; Justin's compositions. " Yeah, I would say that I am the principal songwriter; definitely of the latest disc and our re-mix album but that may or will all change. Now that I'm working with this great band, our next album is definitely going to be more band driven; we'll do it together."
Even though the band is having a blast, touring can cost some serious cash. Justin and the group have taken to using an Indie Go-Go campaign as a way to fund their road trip. "Touring is expensive," said Symbol with a laugh. "We love being on the road and as I said this tour is going great but the fact is; we need money to eat and put gas in the vehicle. So we figured we would go this route and so far we are doing good with it."
The route they are now on is taking them to the west coast and three shows in California before heading home. Shows in Anaheim (June 5), Fresno (June 7) and Oakland (June 8) round out their portion of the tour which officially comes to a close on June 11.
Symbol seems to finally have made peace with himself, accepting his demons and addictions; staying strong and positive in total contrast to his on stage persona. His open honesty was both refreshing and a pleasant surprise; not holding back both positive and negative thoughts. To support the band's tour and Indie Go Go campaign, please go here, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/justin-symbol-u-s-punishment-tour/x/10621509 or to learn more about Justin Symbol please visit www.justinsymbol.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. The Beagles
Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham
All shows 21+
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Amalfi's Restaurant
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites
Fri. 8 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds of the Street
Tues. 8 p.m. Ambiance the Duo
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. The Afraid Brigade, Skysleeper, Above The Mendoza, Crash Landing, Old City Revival. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Electric Puke, Action Man, A Crisis Of Confidence, Cut The Act, Tripping For Life, Government Of Sheep, The Brandon Smith Band. All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. James Stewart Tenor Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Thurs. 9 p.m. Lip-sync Contest
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Twin Ghost
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) CP Duo
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Dave Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Big Soul Chicken
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (3 p.m.) Mike Ghantt
Mon. 8 p.m. The Keith Lesnik Trio
Tues. 8 p.m. Nytrous
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Thurs. Ladies Night
Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions
Mon. Military Day
Fran's Pub
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call
Fri. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Joe Zook & Paul Plumeri
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8 p.m. Anna Nalick. Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (reserved seating)
Fri. 8 p.m. Jah People (CD Release Party). Ages 21+, doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Coast 2 Coast
Sun. 4 p.m. Rocky and Heather and Their Friends
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke
Sat. 10 p.m. The Dawgs
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Jerry Feiss
Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition
Sat. (3 p.m.) Kelly Zullo (9 p.m.) Jason Ager & Blackrue
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin Presents: A Drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.)Patrick Sweany w/ The Silks
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/Tim
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Paint the Roses Tea and Café
37 West Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-8200
Sat. 11 a.m. Bryan Hill
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Danielle Stewart
Sat. 7:30 p.m. McMillan & Company
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check site for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. College Night Dance party w/ DJ Wessy Wes
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Black Frost
All Shows 21+
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. ArHouse
Sat. 9 p.m. Steve The Band
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 8:30 p.m. Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
The Millhill Basement
300 South Broad St Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Check web page for upcoming shows
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Reach Around Rodeo Clowns / Crash Gordon & Debra Dynamite. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. D*Luxe the Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Drunk Monkeys
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tilted Kilt
557 US Hwy. 130 North, Hamilton
(609) 585-1800
Fri. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 5 p.m. Ed Wilson
Tues. 9 p.m. Bob Daley
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Levee Drivers. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Cold Roses. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
LATEST NEWS
Ocean Casino Resort presents Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Ocean Casino Resort presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Ovation Hall. In a pop culture world defined by its perpetual changes, the partnership of singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo has been a potent, steadfast union that has soared to the top of the charts and into fans' hearts on their own terms. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Princeton Folk Music Society to Celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy with Professor Allan Winkler
State Theatre New Jersey presents One Night of Queen
The Adelphi Orchestra Presents "Complexity & Simplicity" with SoHyun Ko
Click here for more event previews
New Jersey Stage
© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com
Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!