(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- The central New Jersey entertainment venue Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse in Dunellen, NJ presented a punk rock-themed night on Thursday, May 31st, 2018 showcasing the bands Doc Rotten, True Will and The Fullers.
First up was Doc Rotten, a punk rock band from Trenton, NJ who was also gracious enough to provide backline for the night. Formed in 2017 by Wes Bentley (lead vocals) and A.J. Martinez (drums), in November of 2017 the band released its first EP entitled Fallout. It was immediately followed in March 2018 by its second EP called Sick and Suffering. With a sound that’s influenced by The Bouncing Souls, Street Dogs, Rancid and NOFX, they’re currently working on their third EP with Pete Steinkopf from The Bouncing Souls which will be released at the end of this summer.
This band gigs a lot and it showed in its performance. The band motored through a tight set of driving punk. Doc Rotten has gigs booked through the summer, and will be touring Japan, Europe, and North America following the release of the third EP.
Doc Rotten: Wes – guitar, vocals; Rob - bass; A.J. - drums; Andy K – guitar, vocals
Next on the bill was True Will, a three-piece punk band from Hightstown, NJ. Super tight and melodic with great stage presence, True Will roared through its set, playing with the power of The Ramones and the precision of Green Day.
True Will was formed in late 2010 by Billie Seeland (guitar, vocals) and brother Chris Seeland (bass, vocals). Drummer Mike Soto was brought in soon after. Since the band’s inception, they have performed and supported many acts in the Tristate area, toured much of the United States, and have recorded multiple releases all with the intent of evolving and exploring themselves sonically. The band is heavily influenced by punk, while incorporating elements of metal, alternative, and indie.
The band has released seven EPs and has supported national acts including The Misfits, Richie Ramone, Off With Their Heads, Argyle Goolsby & The Roving Midnight and The Cryptkeeper Five.
True Will: Billie Seeland – guitar, vocals; Chris Seeland – bass, vocals; Mike Soto – Drums
Closing out the night was the Jersey shore punk band The Fullers. The Fullers is a four-piece band but on this night they were two men down (The Half-Fullers?) and performed an acoustic set which wouldn’t be indicative of the full band’s sound.
The Fullers released its debut album Wading Through It in 2009. By 2017, the band had established itself as one of the Jersey shore's most popular punk bands and had played with major international acts, including The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, The Ataris, Guttermouth, The Mahones, Counterpunch, Black 47, The Casualties, Agent Orange, The Rumjacks, The Menzingers and The Real McKenzies.
The Fullers were founded in 2008 by three original members of the popular New Jersey punk trio Layman’s Terms. Throughout the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s, Layman’s Terms recorded three full-length albums and played with some of the nation’s biggest punk and ska bands. For more on the band visit their Facebook Page.
For information about other upcoming shows at Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse, visit www.roxyanddukes.com.
Text & photos by Bob Beucler. Bob is a lifelong a musician and fan of rock photography who lives in central New Jersey. See more of his photography at www.BobBeucler.com.
