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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...5/14/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 05/14/2015 Without hesitation, one of the best live bands around is Honey Spot Blvd. So it only stands to reason that with the upcoming release of their much anticipated second CD titled, "Under the First Floor," that this near technically perfect four piece unit would have a release party of the same nature. Saturday, May 23, the Ivy Tavern located at 3108 South Broad Street in Hamilton, NJ is the scene of the unveiling with a "Free" show complete with buffet and a cash bar.

These four highly capable multi-instrumentalists formed circa. 2003 and call the Trenton, NJ area their home base of operations. They are extremely talented, well rounded musicians beginning with lead guitarist Bill Wieszczek (A.K.A "The Professor"), followed by rock solid bassist Terry Crawford and the group's leading lady; Jessica Paris, who plays guitar, flute and handles most of the vocal duties. Recently, the band's backbone, drummer, and recording engineer Rusty DiPasquale hand delivered the new product for review.

Upon first listen, one can't help but notice a marked difference from their first disc; the self titled Under the First Floor"Honey Spot Blvd." Gone are the brighter upbeat overtones, led by Paris and her aggressive, sexually edgy vocal styling and in its place, a more male dominated product with a laid back feel.

With four of the twelve tracks featuring either male lead or prominent vocal harmonies; this is a definite departure from their previous effort. Where as "Honey Spot Blvd." was a "Trip to Paris" where the band relied heavily on Jessica's voice; this one features Professor Wieszczek on two, DiPasquale on one and his son Salvatore making a return appearance; rapping his way onto the disc.

The collection starts off with the semi mellow guitar laden track "All Comes Down To This." This tune having a mystical quality to it; utilizes Paris's softer vocal side and is definitely an interesting first position choice.

Track number two, "Sugar on My Lips," is one of the two tracks on the CD that are vintage Paris. "Your body's like sugar..." This offering oozes with sex appeal, raunchy guitar, wailing (or should I say moaning?) harmonies completed perfectly with a little giggle at the end; listen close, it's a nice touch.

The Professor takes the vocal lead on "You're in My Way." This slice is laid back yet shows moments of almost angry like guitar riffs which crescendo in and out allowing the tune to rise and fall like a tide; never getting too high or too low.

"Roll Off My Shoulders" is another shining moment for Paris as her vocals and flute solo are supported nicely by Rusty's drum track wrapped around a well done bass line by Crawford and a nearly subliminal guitar track buried just enough in the mix to stand out perfectly. This tune has been part of their live repertoire for some time now and although well done in studio is much better witnessed live.

Number five, "Brother September," is a DiPasquale vocal spotlight; his only lead on the disc. The man who provides the beat also does a nice job when behind the microphone be it providing backing or lead vocals and this one is no exception.

The sixth cut features DiPasquale's son Salvatore providing a slow rap as a compliment to Jessica's lead giving "Refuse You" a unique style all its own.

Wieszczek returns with lead vocals on "After the Storm," a track complete with thunderous sound effects and a different feel than the other selections on this disc. Hard to put a finger on exactly where this track is going at times as it seems a bit repetitive both lyrically and musically in spots but still delivers the HSB experience.

"Sailing Around the Moon" has a neat dynamic yet a dark feel led by haunting guitar work and punctuated by Paris's seemingly almost weeping vocals.

Track nine, the eerily wonderful "Hypatia," starts off with a nifty Crawford bass riff, has a great backing flute track and makes great use of dynamics and Paris's trademark vibrato that she seems to have kept under wraps for most of this second disc.

"Move It," is one of the more up beat tunes and more like the HSB their fan base is accustomed to. This cut is well done from every angle and a nice transition after "Hypatia." "Now baby let's move..." Yeah, good stuff right there.

"Wish List" is yet another laid back offering which seems to characterize this second helping from the group. This album has a decided slower pace then their debut and this fits the mold perfectly.

Completing the disc is "My Jebus." This tongue in cheek, funked up, playful cut epitomizes the fun loving, entertaining group of players that comprise the group. With vocal improvs by Wieszczek and Paris and great work by the rhythm section; this tune percolates along and is a well placed finishing piece of the puzzle.

Overall, "Under The First Floor" is a well produced, mixed and solid second CD but it is also very different from their first offering. There appears to be a subtitle in the bottom right corner of the cover artwork which reads, "Genuine Jersey Swamp Funk." This could be referring to the the band's mix of tunes on the disc or just another example of the humor which endears them to all who catch them at a live show. A HSB live performance guarantees a good time for all, beavers, bubbles and now "Swamp Funk" will abound and brand new music that will tantalize even the most stubborn soul.

To discover more about Honey Spot Blvd.; please visit www.honeyspotblvd.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. Arnie Baird

Sun. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson

All shows 21+

Amalfi's Restaurant

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

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Songwriters Showcase Hosted by Ernie White & Lisa Bouchelle feat. Jessica Paris, Rachel Rocco, Sam Wolf, Gary Eshbaugh.

Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor

(609) 448-7144

Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites

Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D

Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro

Tues. 8 p.m. Ambiance the Duo

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

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

Thurs. 6 p.m. Hudson Whiskey Tasting

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam

The Backstage at Championship Bar

931 Chambers St. Trenton

Fri. 4:30 p.m. Cryptopsy, Disgorge, Erimha, Soreption, Morbid Visions, Subterfuge, Begat The Nephilim, (TBA). All ages, $20

Sat. 5 p.m. Dead Trains, The Wailing Kids, Desir Decir, (TBA). All ages, $10

Candlelight Lounge

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m. Duane Eubanks Trumpet Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Candleriggs

242 Burlington Street Fieldsboro

(609) 298-9403

Sat. 9 p.m. Joe Zook & Blues Deluxe

Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

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

City Streets

510 Route 130 South East Windsor

(609) 426-9400

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

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

Corner House tavern

24509 E. Main Street Columbus

Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies

Dog & Bull Brew House

810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.

(215) 788-2855

Thurs. 8 p.m. Dustin Beck

Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" w/ Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Heather Heather

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

Sun. 3 p.m. Kevin Toft and the All Star Band

Mon. 8 p.m. Larry Tritel

Tues. 8 p.m. Brian Cono

Wed. 8 p.m. Cowband in the Sand

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

Sat. 9 p.m. Lovestreet

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+

Halo Pub

9 Hulfish Street Princeton

(609) 921-1710

Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike

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 p.m. Brothers Keeper / Moonalice. Doors at 6 p.m., $15

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Schwubby Buzzer

Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000

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. Polish Nannies

Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody

Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam

All shows 21+

John & Peter's

96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Chris harford and the Band of Changes

Fri. 9 p.m. Josh Zuckerman

Sat. (3 p.m.) Pride Dance Party (9 p.m.) Weird Hot

Sun. (3 p.m.) ran tan Toon - A Jazz Trio (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim

Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen

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. Just Us

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

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

Sat. "Bordentown Street Fair" live entertainment feat. Catherine Wacha, Phil McAuliffe, The Successful Failures, Raven Rock Rounders

(8:30 p.m.) Live at the Open Arts Stage (146 US Rte. 130 South) Uncle Floyd / Les The Mentalist. All ages, doors at 8 p.m., $20 (advance)

Sun. "Bordentown Street Fair" live entertainment feat. Chris Norcross, Jerry Jones, (TBA)

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 (8:30 p.m.) The Good Company Band

All Shows 21+

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Kickback

Sat. 9 p.m. Warhammer

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. Seth Tieger Band

Sat. (2 p.m.) Christine's "Hope For Kids" Fundraiser (10 p.m.) Diablo Sandwich Band

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

Wed. 9 p.m. Oh My Snare, Assemble!, Matthew Koerner (Feeny), (TBA). $6

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.) Mike Nabinger

Sat. 9 p.m. Mary Courtney

Tues. 9 p.m. "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" hosted by Danny Coleman feat. music by Michael Nabinger

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese

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: (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. The Brummy Brothers. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Kalob Griffin Band. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Looseleaf Trio

Wed. 9 p.m. Woody Pines

All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock

All shows 21+

ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...5/14/15

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

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

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

EVENT CALENDAR

David Sedaris

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

Jake Shimabukuro

Tuesday Night Record Club - Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Livin’ It Right

Seong Jin Cho

Laughs In The Loft

Steve Hofstetter

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

Game Grumps Live: Tournament of Gamers

Lidia Bastianich

Disney Pixar's Coco in Concert

Bulrusher

George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist"

Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile

more in music

Hungarian Advisory Ministry presents The Fight for Freedom Concert at NBPAC

Westrick Music Academy Welcomes New Executive Director, Lorraine Goodman

Arts Council of Princeton to host Four on the Floor Music Festival

Foo Fighters' 2024 U.S. Stadium Tour

Geddy Lee: My Effin' Life In Conversation Comes to NYC and Philly

Broadway's Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar to perform with The American Pops Orchestra at Axelrod PAC

BlowUpRadio.com Announces 2023 Banding Together Benefit Lineup and Compilation Track List

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 10/2/23

NJPAC presents KEM and Marsha Ambrosius

bergenPAC presents Time Barrier Express with Rock Music from 1950s to 1970s

Roll into Rock's Golden Decade with Strictly 60s Band at Ocean County Library Jackson Branch

Robert Bannon to Release Live Album Recorded at Greenroom 42

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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...5/14/15

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

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

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

EVENT CALENDAR

David Sedaris

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

Jake Shimabukuro

Tuesday Night Record Club - Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Livin’ It Right

Seong Jin Cho

Laughs In The Loft

Steve Hofstetter

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

Game Grumps Live: Tournament of Gamers

Lidia Bastianich

Disney Pixar's Coco in Concert

Bulrusher

George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist"

Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile

more in music

Hungarian Advisory Ministry presents The Fight for Freedom Concert at NBPAC

Westrick Music Academy Welcomes New Executive Director, Lorraine Goodman

Arts Council of Princeton to host Four on the Floor Music Festival

Foo Fighters' 2024 U.S. Stadium Tour

Geddy Lee: My Effin' Life In Conversation Comes to NYC and Philly

Broadway's Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar to perform with The American Pops Orchestra at Axelrod PAC

BlowUpRadio.com Announces 2023 Banding Together Benefit Lineup and Compilation Track List

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 10/2/23

NJPAC presents KEM and Marsha Ambrosius

bergenPAC presents Time Barrier Express with Rock Music from 1950s to 1970s

Roll into Rock's Golden Decade with Strictly 60s Band at Ocean County Library Jackson Branch

Robert Bannon to Release Live Album Recorded at Greenroom 42