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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
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.
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
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
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 Lake101 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 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. 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+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
EVENT PREVIEWS
The Lovin' Spoonful to Perform in Newton
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Lovin' Spoonful will perform at The Newton Theatre on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. They were America's answer to the Beatles! The band, led by John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first 7 singles soaring onto Billboard's top-10 charts virtually overnight.
Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile
(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. Ann joined Actors' Equity with co-star Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 when she landed the plum role in The Little Foxes playing Miss Taylor's daughter on Broadway. The Little Foxes traveled the world for eighteen months including six months in London and their loving friendship lasted for the rest of Miss Taylor's life.
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on May 8th
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. EagleMania has been dazzling audiences for over a decade by spectacularly reproducing the music of the Eagles.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on May 8th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on Friday, May 8, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 7:30pm.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents Music That Tells a Story: Opera 101
(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- On Friday, May 8, 2026 at 4:00pm, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents Music That Tells a Story, a free event for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an opera star. The presentation will take place at Westrick Music Academy (231 Clarksville Road, Suite 8) in Princeton Junction.
Wellmont Theater presents The Wallflowers on May 9th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Wellmont Theater presents The Wallflowers on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band is touring in support of the 30th anniversary of their landmark album, Bringing Down the Horse. The band will perform their classic album in its entirety, in sequence.
The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford on May 9th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford in concert on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. With a legacy that spans nearly five decades, Lita Ford continues to inspire generations of musicians— solidifying even more, her place as an icon, pioneer, and true Queen of Rock.
Monmouth County Park System presents 2026 Creative Arts Festival on May 9th
(LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System is hosting its annual Creative Arts Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Thompson Park. This celebration of the arts features more than 50 specially selected artists in a variety of mediums such as pottery, painting, jewelry, and more. This family-friendly festival also includes live music, engaging art demonstrations, and children’s art-based activities.
Grunin Center presents Taylor Simon King on May 9th
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents Taylor Simon King - Celebrating Three American Troubadours on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. The show features James Gedeon, Lisa Sherman, and Alice Leon paying tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King. Limited tickets remain.
Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Robert Cray Band
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Robert Cray Band on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things – and more.
