ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...4/17/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 04/17/2015

They may be from Provo, Utah but The Fictionist's resume reads like New York City, Hollywood and Royal Albert Hall all wrapped into one. Winners of an "Independent Music Award," semi-finalists in Rolling Stone's "Do You Wanna Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" contest along with multiple song placements on various compilation discs, television shows and in festivals; the band has only begun to scratch the surface of their capabilities.

"We've been together about six years," says guitarist/vocalist and one of the band's founding members Robbie Connolly. "We started out as friends, three of us were in a band with one another since high school; we've known each other a long time. We found a new drummer and things took off from there."

"Took off," may be the understatement of the year as the band has made an appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and had been signed to Atlantic Records as well as opened for Imagine Dragons. However, as is the case with many a first shot signing; things don't always work out as planned. "Well, the short version of a long story is that we were signed to a major label a couple of years ago," explained Connolly. "It took a long time to record the disc and it was never released; neither us nor the label were very happy. So we decided to start fresh; we recorded in our bass player's basement." "With a major label, everything is big," added guitarist and sometime bassist Brandon Kitterman. "We decided to go smaller; it's kind of nice. We are working with a budget and not paying $150 an hour for a studio. We have more freedom and it's much more relaxed."

"Relaxed," is a great way to describe the band as they seem to have had that demeanor from the outset. From the naming process to the description of their sound and their upcoming tour; they seem focused yet level minded. Kitterman explained their approach with a laugh, "Well, our drummer had a dream which featured the word affectionist; I don't even know if that's a legitimate word but we liked it so we started thinking; what sounds like that? We thought novelist, no and then someone said, "Fictionist" and we kind of liked it so we said, "Why not?" We also like it because it has more than one possible meaning; we like to leave it open to interpretation."

When it comes to their sound, Kitterman had an even bigger laugh when he explained what has now become the band's pat answer when asked questions about their sound. "Incandescent shadow pop," he said very amused. "Somebody actually described us as that a while back; we thought it was funny. So whenever we are asked about our sound or style that's always our response; we think it's unique. We describe ourselves as a "Peter Gabriel garage band" and we feel that's pretty accurate."

Connolly was a bit more excited when he discussed the upcoming tour and how the summer is shaping up. "Right now we've got a little bit of time off and then we have a couple of big festivals to play and then we'll be hitting the road and going east to do some dates out there; New York, Philly. We just returned from South by South West and that was great! We're working on a few things but we'll be back out on the road soon enough!"

To find out more about Fictionist, please go to www.fictionist.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. Paul Plumeri Trio

Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

Fri. 9 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. Lonnie Youngblood

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro

Wed. 7:30 p.m. Robert Bruce

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

Fri. 10 p.m. Shaun Ruymen Trio

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

The Backstage at Championship Bar

931 Chambers St. Trenton

Thurs. 5 p.m. Dog Fashion Disco, Beebs And Her Money Makers, Idiot Boy,Epoch Failure, Jewel Eye, Imankita, The Rooftop. All ages, $12/$15

Fri. 5 p.m. Lionheart, Nasty, These Streets, Sicker Than Most, Before I Had Wings, Prospect, Choke Artist. All ages, $12/$14

Sat. 6 p.m. Beyond Dishonor (EP Release), A Wake In Providence, Proletariat, Every Minute Can Kill, The Artisan, Under The Red Hood. All ages, $10/$12

Mon. 5 p.m. Allegaeon, Product Of Hate, Prosper Or Perish, Burial Mound, Lethal Affection, Half Ton Of Humanity, (TBA). All ages, $12

Tues. 5 p.m. Every Passing dream, Invoker, Animal, Cranely Gardens, Lit By Darkness, Depreciator, Deadworld. All ages, $10/$12

Wed. 6 p.m. Post Season, Old Again, Golden Age, Civil Youth, levelhead, Catch The Break. All ages, $10/$12

Candlelight Lounge

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. "Valerie's Birthday Bash" w/ Madame Pat Tandy Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

City Streets

510 Route 130 South East Windsor

(609) 426-9400

Fri. 9 p.m. That Acoustic 80's Band

Corner House Tavern

24509 E. Main Street Columbus

Sat. 9 p.m. Never Enough

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" w/ Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Soul Custody

Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Hambone Relay

Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. the Evolution Jazz Band (3 p.m.) Dick Gratton

Mon. 8 p.m. Nick & Greg

Tues. 8 p.m. Brian (Challenge Accepted)

Wed. 8 p.m. Dick Gratton

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

116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.

(215)862-5539

Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Rusty

Sat. 8:30 p.m. se7en

Sun. (2 p.m.) Sip and Shop (6 p.m.) JB Kline Band

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends

All shows 21+

Ivy Tavern

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 10 p.m. F2 & the Anchovy Brothers

Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody

Tues. 8 p.m. Ted Z Memorial Open Jam

All shows 21+

John & Peter's

96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. The Living Deads

Fri. 9 p.m. Little Lesley & the Bloodshots

Sat. (3 p.m.) The Fermenters (9 p.m.) Redrover Revue Burlesque

Sun. 9 p.m. Chris Harford and the Band of Changes

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Lauren

Tues. 7 p.m. Jerry Feiss

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. TJ Nix Music variety Show

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Blues In Disguise

Pete's Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton

(609) 585-8008

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie

Plumstead Grill

457 Route 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 758-5552

Fri. 9 p.m. Dirty Red

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

Sat. "Record Store Day" Open 9 a.m. feat. in store show (2 p.m.) Honah Lee

Sun. 1 p.m. In store "Meet and Greet" w/ Heathens rage

RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300

Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto

Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8 p.m.) DJ Frank Oliveti (9 p.m.) Soul Cruisers

Sat. 9 p.m. "Traffic Light Dance Party" w/ DJs and Kombo Latino. $20

Sun. 7 p.m. "30th Anniversary Concert" Heathens Rage. $20 (advance) $25 (door)

All Shows 21+

Small World Coffee

14 Witherspoon Street Princeton

(609) 924-4377

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Matt Wong Group

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Pretty Baby

Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

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. Rainbow Fresh

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

Wed. 10 p.m. Heads Up / DJ Rockn Ron

The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600

Sat. 9 p.m. Future Damage, Radical Discharge, Too Late. Ages 21+, $6

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

Fri. 8 p.m. Eliot Lewis (CD Release Party)/Nalani & Sarina. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)

Sat. "Record Store Day" Opening at 9 a.m. (12 p.m.) Anker, Paper Jets, Successful Failures

The Sticky Wicket

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007

Fri. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys

The Sun National Bank Center

81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 656-3200

Check web site for upcoming events

Tir Na Nog

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 392-2554

Fri. (5 p.m.) Bill Shannon (9 p.m.) The Successful Failures

Sat. 9 p.m. Dermot McSweeney

Tues. (7 p.m.) Rock On Radio Happy Hour Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Moot Davis. (9 p.m.) Open Mic. w/ Bob Daley

All shows 21+

Trenton Buzz

702 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: "Hectic Films Double Feature"

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. Eryn Shewell & The Whiskey Devils ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Tigerman ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m.Open Jam Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Challenge Accepted

Wed. 9 p.m. Rob Clancy

All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock