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REVIEW: SAWCE's Debut EP

By Bob Colyard

originally published: 12/16/2017


SAWCE is an instrumental progressive/math rock band from New Jersey. Their sound is influenced by many artists such as CHON, Polyphia, Vasudeva, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, The Fall of Troy, The Contortionist and countless others. According to their bio, SAWCE just wants to have fun and make fun music.  The band consists of Adam Dabee on guitar and Dom Portera on bass.

The band's debut EP is available at Bandcamp. The EP is pretty straight ahead Math Rock and not bad for a first EP.  A lot of math rock can sometimes all sound the same with the more experienced players usually forging  ahead developing their own sound.  The Ep sounds a little like the more mature "Via Luna" or New Jersey based "Vasudeva" yet moving along with good knowledge and playing ability to traverse  the basic math rock genre in their own way. The band doesn't really cover any new ground in the Math Rock community, but they know what they are doing and sound good doing it.  

Some of the better tracks on the EP are, "School", "Puggle", and "Comfort". The last track on the EP, "Comfort", is a great example of American math rock with its typical, reverse philosophical irony and lyrics mixed with mathy guitar work.  

New Jersey is not a quite the hot bed for Math Rock so any local addition to this genre is very much invited.  I would look forward to hearing more from this band as they progress in the development of their own sound.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.

CarteretPAC presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vitamin String Quartet & Girl Named Tom: The Crazy Ordinary World Tour

Thursday, October 15, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Viaje Tropical

Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ


Curtis Salgado - The Original Blues Brother

Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Denise Miller & Son And Friends

Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Tusk

Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ



 

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