ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...3/23/17

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 03/23/2017

"Struggling musician? Yeah, for the most part it's definitely a struggle but it's a struggle that's worth it. This is far better than working the corporate life, you can't put a price on doing what you love."

Those are the words of professional drummer Chris Hornbrook as he discusses life on the road and his current "Roll" on tour with Senses Fail. "We're best described as a kind of punk hard core band," he stated as he spoke about his time with the band. "I was approached by the band because their other drummers were not working out and since I was available I decided to join up and it has been a great ride so far."

Chris began playing the drums as a preteen, in part due to the musical influence of his bass playing father and quickly discovered that he'd found his niche in life. Performing locally in his home town area of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL, Chris found himself at the age of 18, being asked to tour the country with the band Poison The Well, which included his friend and bass player Ryan Primack. Chris accepted the offer and while still in high school toured the U.S. which led to the band releasing eight albums and touring from 1998 until they're current hiatus which began in 2010.

"I started playing when I was 12 and I'm predominantly self taught. I took lessons here and there when I felt that I needed to learn but I gravitated toward other musicians who I felt that I could learn from. Poison The Well is basically the same type of band as Senses Fail, they're both hard rockin' bands so sliding from one into another wasn't much different. Playing with Big Black Delta is totally different as they are more progressive with somewhat of a techno type sound but it was a nice change," he explained.

Influenced by hard driving heavy hitters like Dave Grohl, Matt Cameron and Tool's Danny Carey, he also loved the style of the legendary Billy Cobham. "It's always been the big dudes for me," he stated confidently. "Those guys play so well and yet are aggressive. Then as I started getting more into the progressive side of things I started getting into guys like Billy and kind of went from there."

This current tour has offered very little time in between shows which is something that Chris doesn't mind; crisscrossing the country with a show just about every night. "So far the tour has been great, I've got no complaints. Sometimes it falls that way due to economics and logistics dictating the situation but the main thing is to be consistent for the audiences on a nightly basis."

Playing in various venues can also be tough with so little time to adjust but he feels that there are benefits to performing in both large and smaller rooms. "The Equipment is always the same," he explained. "Smaller spaces, say 500 to 1,000 capacity are definitely more comfortable, I prefer smaller. There can be problems in the bigger more cavernous rooms but the bigger ones fit more people which means that the crowds are louder and it helps pump the band up more which is always good."

A show in Millvale, PA on March 21 is followed by one the next night at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, followed by a March 23 appearance at the Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, NJ. They don't stop there, exiting the U.S. for a March 24 show in Toronto, Canada and a March 25 offering in Detroit; then March 26 in Cleveland at the House of Blues.

With a schedule that intense, one may wonder when the band finds time to create or what the future holds in terms of new music but not Hornbrook, he's all in when it comes to his current situation. "My other bands are on the back burner at the moment, the others have things going on so Senses Fail is definitely my main thing right now. We have plans for another Senses Fail record and then some bigger gigs like festivals this summer; I'll definitely be keeping busy."

To find out more about Chris Hornbrook and Senses Fail, please visit www.chrishornbrook.com.

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

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

Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Casual Friday, True Will, Still Sad, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. A war Within, Polarity, Alteras, The Few, Mindless Hope, Ashes Of My Regrets, Across The White Water Tower. All ages, $10
Wed. 6 p.m. Archspire, Arkaik, Exovoid, (TBA). All ages, $15

Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+

Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen

Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Long
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo

Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Joe Ford (Sax) Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)

Chickie's & Pete's
183 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
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval

COARadio.com
Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Check Web Site for Programming

Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. "Dadz Fest" feat. Dethroned, Prevailer, Armory Infirmary
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Dave & Donna Weber
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment

Dempster's Pub
437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris

Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Stays In Vegas
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Keli Vale & Nick Bucci (9 p.m.) Carl Gandalf
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) New Pony
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale (4 p.m.) Jeff Selby

Fedora Cafe
2633 Main Street Lawrenceville
(609) 895-0844
Wed. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk

Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Orban & The Mojo Gypsies
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala

Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Sat. 7 p.m. 3-26 Rodney & Eva

Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. "A Tribute To Neil Young" w/ Broken Arrow. Ages 21+, Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Jump Off Band
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran

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

Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.

Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Darla & Rich
Fri. 6 p.m. Catmoondaddy
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. (TBA)

Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 8 p.m. Billy the Kid
Sat. 9 p.m. Whiskey Grin
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala
Sat. 2 p.m. Lefty Mann
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob O & Jess

Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
All shows 21+

John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Justin Pope
Fri. 9 p.m. The Chris Aguayo Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mr. Chris & The Alley Band (9:30 p.m.) The Nazerene
Sun. (3 p.m.) "Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show" (9:30 p.m.) Blumntl
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Tim
Tues. 9 p.m. Nothing Is Happening
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Joe Chianes & Mike Nabinger

Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Wine Barrel Cake Decorating Class
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing
Sat. 7 p.m. Awesome 80's Dance Party
Sun. 4 p.m. Central Jersey Wind Ensemble

Legend's Tap
318 High Street Burlington City
(609) 386-3001
Sat. 7 p.m. Kim Yarson, Joey, Dori Sabella

Logan Inn
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Colleen Ryan
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Jager Soprano
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Jazz brunch" feat. David Dales Trio

Mamma Rosa's
572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider

McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Fav Fridays" feat. favorite DJ Entertainment
Sat. 10 p.m. Knock One Back
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike

Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase

New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. The Machine "Acoustic" performing Pink Floyd. Doors at 7 p.m., $39
Sat. 8 p.m. Bobby Caldwell. Doors at 7 p.m., $50

Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics

Olde Liberty Tavern
2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night

Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +

PANJ Radio
Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Laura Cheadle

Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9:30 p.m. 80's Undercover

Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming events

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

Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. McMillan & Co.

South Rio
120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"

1867 Sanctuary
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Fourth Friday Open Mic
Sat. 8 p.m. Blue Jersey Band. $20

Tara's Tavern
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Bent Mushroom
Sat. 10 p.m. Penque-Diomede Band

Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 8 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. War Hammer
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open session w/ Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Triplets
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Maggs
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan & Friends

The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Boys Round Here

The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Gerry Timlin
Sat. 8 p.m. Celtic Connection
Mon. 7 p.m. "Monday Night Session"

The HOB Tavern
146 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 Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 10 p.m. John Savage
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 Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Soul Custody Trio

The Raven
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Mon. 7 p.m. Ghosha
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood

The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle & Ernie White w/ Tom Reock. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Twitch

The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Branded Ink Society
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke

The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events

Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Tues. (7 p.m.) "One More Rockin' Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. The Williamsboy (9 p.m.) Open Mic Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+

Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.

Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
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. Apache Trails. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Maradeen. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+

Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. The Outcrops
sat. 10 p.m. Essie & The Big Chill
All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
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 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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