By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/16/2017
"We all met in a composition class at NYU and we wound up writing a couple of tunes together and that's where it all started," says bassist Nick Katz of the New York based band Upright Man as they prepare for their November 19 show at The Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ.
A cornucopia of influences makes up the group and they credit various genres, musicians and family members for their development as a unit. "The Beatles are the reason that I started playing guitar," says guitarist Aidan Dolan. "I had to play, "Here Comes The Sun" in the sixth grade talent show and from there I started playing more and more. I started getting into Pink Floyd, Radiohead and then mostly trying weird ways to work on different country tunes and see where that took me (Laughs)."
"My dad is a bass player," explained Katz. "As a bass player I like McCartney, Roger Waters, some of the newer British guys and thanks to my father; Little Feat is my favorite rhythm section." "For me," adds drummer Max Yassky, "Ben Folds. I used to cut class and teach myself his songs on the piano but also bands like Radiohead and Wilco."
The band formed in, "Late 2014 or early 2015," and recently put out a 10 track self-titled CD, their first, which according to the band was rather easily accomplished. "We had so many songs written that an EP wasn't an option and that was even after we cut the ones that didn't meet our final approval. We had like 20 songs written and a producer came to my home out on Long Island and we put it all together," recounted Katz.
The band's sound has been called, "Psychedelic" and they've been compared to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the aforementioned Little Feat; something they embrace but do not rest on. "We try not to be political with our music," says Yassky. "But as individuals we're all opinionated and we skirt around the issues of today." "We don't want to be provocative but we are human beings and we're not going to shy away from things going on around us," added Katz.
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Individually the trio all shares the common goal of success by creating a product that reaches a vast audience with longevity and resonance and not, "A flash in the pan" type. "All I want to do is make my livelihood off of this band," stated a confident Dolan. "I want to show up for every show with pyrotechnics shooting off of my boots (laughs) and to be at a level of really trying to be a musician, the best musician that I can be."
Katz echoed those statements, saying that he and the band are, "Striving to be renowned artists with staying power" and for him personally he says, "I want to be the best musician and songwriter that I can be and that should translate into the band."
Yassky seemingly views things a bit more traditionally perhaps than his other two band mates but none the less has the same focus. "In terms of success for this band? If we can generate interest, go outside our comfort zone and branch out into different areas and get people curious about our music, getting people we don't know to like our music and want us to come back to their home towns; I think that's successful. We need to build and continue to grow our fan base and that's how we'll grow as a band."
Katz may have summed it up perfectly when he surmised, "I don't think I or we can expect anything from anything. By doing this we are putting ourselves out there, we're vulnerable. This is the only thing that matters to us though."
Upright Man takes their name from a line in the song of the same name and promises that their show in Stanhope will be one for the ages. "Oh it's gonna be a good one," laughed Dolan. "We're not using any acoustic guitar so it will be more electrified so more rock 'n' roll for sure!."
To discover more about Upright Man, please visit www.uprightman.band.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Larry Taminini Trioi
Sun. 12 p.m. Brunch With Ottmar
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters Duo
Wed. 6 p.m. Gary Reed & Arturo Baguer
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Sat. 9 p.m. String Bean
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Cedar Gardens661 State Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Wed. 7 p.m. "Old Skool Party" feat. DJ John Rossi, Kym D, Infinity Band, Amazing Grace and the GLB. Doors at 6 p.m., $20 (Advance $25 at door includes cash bar/light dinner)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Sat. 9 p.m. Running With Scissors
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Laura Cheadle
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. The Polish Nannies
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Red & Reynolds
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Wed. 10 p.m. Out Of The Red
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Rachel Saybolt
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Brian and Mindy Cono
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale (9 p.m.) Cara Cartney
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Mikey Ragz (4 p.m.) Paul Donovan
Wed. 8 p.m. John Richards
Fran's Pub116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Gyrl Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Sixty Sense
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone
Sat. 8 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle and Ernie White
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Wed. 8 p.m. The Jim Delre Band
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8 p.m.) Dark Desert Eagles feat. Pat Badger (Eagles tribute) Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (Advance) (10:30 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) 52 Pick Up (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 3 p.m. Castle Lane
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 9:30 p.m. "Night Before Thanksgiving" DJ Party
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Vince di Mura
Fri. 6 p.m. Blues Notes
Sat. 6 p.m. Rave On
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Jazz with Thomas
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Fuzzy Side Up
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John Bastiani and Bud Belviso
Sat. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sun. 2 p.m. Audio Pilot
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sat. 9 p.m. Unleashed
Wed. 9 p.m. The Dawgs
All shows 21+
Jake's Eatery 869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Ladies Night" w/ The Danny Lynch Project
Sat. 9 p.m. The Recliners
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Bob Tomlinson
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Stand Up Comedy" w/ Mike DiAlto
Fri. 9 p.m. The Dana Gaynor Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) Moroccan Sheepherders (9 p.m.) The Fletchers
Sun. (3 p.m.) Words In Flight (9:30 p.m.) Jared Mancuso
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle, Jerry Steele, Hal Selzer
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jimmy G
Wed. 8 p.m. DJ Jimmy G (Outside) Radio Fiction (Inside)
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laurita Fall Singing Showcase" Junior Idol Semi-Finals
Fri. 6:30 p.m. The British Invasion Years
Sat. (10:30) VinoVinymasa w/ Mettamade (1 p.m.) Rick Winow
Sun. (10 a.m.) Sunday Brunch (5 p.m.) The Eastern Wind Symphony
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Fri. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir. $5 (Cover charge)
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 9 p.m. "McStews Metal Meltdown" feat, Amnivor, Eyes of the Living, Mindless Hope, & Kryptid
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Wed. 9 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. You Vandal, The Moms, Feeny, Johnny Mellor's Bastardos, Oral Support: local indie sad bois. $7
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Eaglemania. $30
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Fri. 8 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Spellbound
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Billy The Kid
Sat. 9:30 p.m. AM Mafia
Wed. 8:30 p.m. Deep Release
Princeton NJ Elks Lodge #2129354 Route 518 Blawenburg
Sat. 5:30 p.m. "Music For Moore #3" Benefits Children for Camp Moore. Doors at 5 p.m., $15
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming events
Salt Creek Grille1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Brad Mandigo
Sat. 8 p.m. Jerry Topinka
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Pretty Goats
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Ewing Sings "Our Heritage of Faith." $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Larry Siegel and Jim Queen. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Party Hardy
Sat. 10 p.m. Audio Pilot
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 10 p.m. Hybrid
Sat. 9 p.m. One Flight Up
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Ed Wall
Sat. 7 p.m. Slamm Duo
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Wed. 9:30 p.m. El Ka Bong
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. River Dogs
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
Wed. 9 p.m. Soul Custody
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Mon. 9:30 p.m. "Lipstick Monday" Drag Show
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Snake Eyes. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (Advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. ArHouse
Wed. 8 p.m. 80's Undercover
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. Rapid Pulse
Sat. 9 p.m. Phillips Head
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 9 p.m. J. Spirit Walker
The Stone Terrace by John Henry's2275 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 581-8855
Wed. 8 p.m. Boss Radio Am Gold / "Back In The Day Club Reunion" feat. DJ Anthony Bradley (Benefits the Sunshine Foundation) $15 (Advance $20 at door)
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Third State Brewing352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Sat. 7 p.m. Jim Gaven
Sun. 4 p.m. Jane and The Amnesiacs
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Successful Failures
Sat. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Black Brandt
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Challenge Accepted. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Lauren Marsh. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Wed. 10 p.m. "Thanksgiving Eve Party" w/ Sir Xerri. $10
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
