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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...3/8/18
By Danny Coleman
originally published: 03/12/2018
"I think all artists want to do new material and I say that including myself we always want to come up with new things or just play different grooves or new beats or whatever you can do. I mean nobody is gonna reinvent the wheel drum wise or I'm certainly not but it's fun to do different stuff and new stuff but the creative side for all of us, again, all musicians want to keep creating and come up with new stuff and in our world when this tour kicks off it'll be almost three years since we played live. So in other words, that's a big gap and you've gotta do something in that time and as a working band you're either going to be touring in that gap or make a record and in our case it was obviously the latter," says Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis as he spoke about the band's new release and upcoming tour.
"Firepower" (Epic Records) is the new CD, their first studio material in nearly four years and it lives up to its name from start to finish. "I think people will like it, it's 14 tracks and people have the leisure to listen to it if they want to and in what capacity they want to. They should live with this one for a while because it's a lot to take in at first but there is a lot of good, different stuff on there. Richie (Guitarist Faulkner) hasn't done 15 or 18 Priest records like the other guys, so he obviously has a lot of ideas and input. We re-employed Tom Allum and he produced some of the most respectable and successful Priest records, "Scream For Vengeance" and "British Steel," namely those two so he's rejoined us and is back on board and then Andy Sneap who is more of a modern producer so it is the best of both worlds and everything came together."
"Firepower" hits the masses March 9 and is part of a busy couple of weeks for the band who also released a lyric video for, "Never The Heroes" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0J3u3_800c) on March 2 and will be kicking off a tour on March 13 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. as well as hosting a meet and greet album signing on March 19 at 6 p.m. in NYC at Sony Square. "There was a big gap between the last time we toured or released a record so it's natural for people to say; hey where ya' been? We're not exactly social media stars so people wonder; hey what has the band been up to? Obviously we made a record and with this new album I can definitely say that with Richie, Glenn (Guitarist Tipton) and Rob (Vocalist Halford); it's the songwriting. We didn't specifically set out to do it any one way, I think it's the process. Making a record has stages, the songwriting and then there's the performance part of it and then the combination of the guys behind the mixes coming up with ideas of their own and helping us produce it. It is definitely a collaborative effort. So if we as a band achieve what we'd hoped, then that's what we wanted to do. A lot of bands can say they want to do something; how many actually can pull it off? The listener has to hear what we as a band tried to accomplish and it's up to them to say if it was great or it sucked but we as a band can't say what the listener should feel, think or hear; that's on them. This time around we went back to a more organic recording state. We went in a room with a guy with the guitar plugged in and a bass player plugged in and Rob in the booth doing some scratch vocals or something but we actually were playing with the guys that we were making the record with and we had gotten away from that a bit but we brought it all back with fury. There's going to be ebbs and flows with the timing and/or togetherness but rather than correct everything on a computer with "Pro Tools" where you're,"Mixing with your eyes," which is a phrase that I'd never heard. It means that you make sure everything is lined up perfectly but then it sounds like it was done by a robot. We mixed with our ears and there's nuances in there but we're gonna leave them because that's how it came across when we recorded it."
Travis grew up in a somewhat musical environment, his mother went to Julliard and performed often in New Jersey and his brother who is 10 years older exposed him to The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and Elvis through an extensive record collection. However, he bristles a bit when asked about his influences as he feels, for rock drummers they are all much the same."I was always around music growing up and I vaguely remember some things but I remember seeing a drum set and I liked the look of it, the metal and the chrome and thinking yeah that's kinda cool and then you see the actual movement of a drummer whether it be Ringo or anybody else and you see it first hand and yeah. Influences? I'm gonna answer that but I find it, well I guess everybody wants to know but it's always the same guys if you're a rock drummer. We all love Bonham and Neil Peart and Alex Van Halen, Tommy Aldridge, Ian Pace; it's always the same guys and of course Ringo. Ringo was the first commercial rock drummer, long before Tommy Lee or any of those guys. I mean that is the rock drummer who you look at and say, wow that looks like a cool gig."
With the start of the tour looming just days away, Travis is chomping at the proverbial bit to get back out on the road; something he very much enjoys. "I can't speak for the other guys but I can't wait to get back on the road," he said with enthusiasm. "I don't know if you'll get this emphatic answer from the rest of the band but nobody's getting younger in any capacity and it's almost three years since we've toured and touring is where it is. I like the travel, like seeing the fans reaction and that's what we live for. That's why you started playing drums at the age of 13 for nothing! It wasn't for chicks or money or whatever or you were thinking you're going to buy a boat or something; it was because you liked to play. Then the next natural progression is to play in front of people, whether its three people or 10 people at a keg party, I've done that a hundred times (Laughs) or a high school talent show, I did that too and everything in between and you do it because that's what you do. My first gig was a middle aged women's fashion show; she was my neighbor, this was bizarre. My neighbor would hear me practice so she knew I played the drums, I was 14 years old. This was not a Victoria's Secret fashion show with 20 year old models, this was a middle aged woman's fashion show at a country club and she asked me to play the intermission to liven the event up so she knew it was going to be boring. So she literally had me on stage, on a piece of carpet just to do a little drum solo. They opened those big red velvet curtains and here I just started playing and I played for four or five minutes and that was it. I literally played to wake people up at a women's fashion show; didn't get paid, didn't care. So, yeah, me personally; I like being on the road."
Travis feels that when the band does go on the road, they need to satisfy both old and new tastes; walking that line between the classic hits versus the new material.
"On tour it's a fine line to walk because you should play the classics and of course if you have a new record you want to play some of that; you need to satisfy everyone as much as possible."
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To discover more about Judas Priest, their upcoming release, the tour and/or the album signing, please go to www.judaspriest.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
Alchemist & Barrister 28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA)
Arts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-8777
Please check web page for upcoming events
Bill's Olde Tavern 2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro 911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
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. Glen McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch w/ Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. The Fermenters Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Soul Custody
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room 19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-356
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ K-Fry
Bung's Tavern 2031 Route 130 South Burlington
(609) 499-1355
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
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)
Championship Bar931 Chambers Street Trenton
(609) 396-5457
Fri. 7 p.m. Buzzard Canyon, Banth, Thunderbird Divine, (TBA). All ages, $10
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"
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com 125 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Paula Alderelli and Friends
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Billy Walton Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Tues. 5 p.m. "Twilight Tuesdays-Sounds of the Oldies" w/ J-Dubbs Music
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Christine Smith
Diamond's of Hamilton 661 Route 33 Hamilton
(609) 981-7900
Fri. 9 p.m. Joanna Noelle Caruso
Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. "Pre and Post St. Patrick's Day Parade Party" feat. 80's Undercover (9 p.m.) DJ Ron Meisner
Wed. 7 p.m. "Dine and Dance" w/ Radio Personality Bob Pantano.
Dog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cecil Middleton
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Faraway Guys
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Soul Fanatics
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Jazz Brunch" feat. Keli Vale (4 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night Hosted by Dana Collins
Freddies Tavern 12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone
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
Havana New Hope 105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 9 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night"
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) The Loop (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Jumper (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 8 p.m. Stu Hamm. Doors at 6 p.m., $20 (Advance)
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Showcase" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Theater 5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell
(609) 466-1964
Check web page for upcoming events
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn 15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Thurs. 6 p.m. Akiko Tsuruga Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. James Popik and Friends
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Christine Havrilla
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Chris from Rave On
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hazelrigg Brothers
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill 7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Fri. (6 p.m.) Mike Ghant (9:30 p.m.) DJ Jimmy Jam
Sat. "Parade After Party" w/ Spare Parts (9:30 p.m.) DJ Trubblemaker
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Iron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 2 p.m. JoeVadala
Sun. 1 p.m. Spoondrift
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Unleashed
Sat. 9 p.m. Papa DLux
All shows 21+
Jake's Eatery 869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Ladies Night" w/ Bob Tomlinson
Sat. 9 p.m. John Austin
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Bob Tomlinson
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 8 p.m. Joseph Alton Miller
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mr Chris & The Alley Band (9:30 p.m.) New Pony
Sun.(3 p.m.) Jake Bracey (9:30 p.m.) Psychadelic Elders
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 9 p.m. Grouser Girls
Sat. 2 p.m. "St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party" feat. Bantry Boys (3 p.m.) Billy O'Neal (6 p.m.) Successful Failures (10 p.m.) Some Assembly Required
Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out
Fri. 6 p.m. "Roaring 20's Murder Mystery Show"
Sat. "Laurita Shamrock Festival' (12 p.m.) Tom Brett and the Bog Boys (4:30 p.m.) Dave Anderson & Ellen (Six Mile Cross)
Sun. "Laurita Shamrock Festival' (12 p.m.) Ballyhaunis (4 p.m.) Sons Of Wexford
Logan Inn 10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Brian Filone
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Ian Lander
Sun. 11 am "Jazz Brunch" feat. Dave Dales Trio
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
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. 9 p.m. "No One Likes Us We Don't Care" Comedy Show Hosted by Jim Willig feat. Kevin DeeKay Francois, Chris Smith. $10
Sat. 9 p.m. Altar Of Dragons, Night Mission, Eyes of the Living, Ashes of Mankind. Ages 21+, $5
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Kirchner Entertainment
Millhill Basement 300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. 9 p.m. Dinosaur Eyelids, The Warhawks, Tiny Vices, Breaklite. $8
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Mojito Cuba Caribe 90 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(267) 740-2900
Fri. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Chris
New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Bucks Fever" Talent Show Hosted by Craig Wohl. $12 (Advance $15 Door) $20 VIP (Includes light fare and wine)
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
Nottingham Tavern 9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Fri. 9 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Sat. "Parade Day" feat. Clancy's Pistol (9 p.m.) Drunk Monkeys
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Old Town Pub 135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 291-9232
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Palermo's Of Hamilton 310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
All shows 21 +
Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sat. 8 p.m. Sweet Tooth
Parx Casino (360 Bar) 2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA
(888) 588-7299
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Latin Night" w/ DJ George Dennis
Fri. (5 p.m.) High Noon (9:30 p.m.) Lima Bean Riot (10 p.m.) DJ Paul Desisto
Sat. (5 p.m) Stem Live (9:30 p.m.) Don't Call Me Francis (10 p.m.) DJ Capps
Sun. 5 p.m. "Through The Years" A Tribute to Elvis
Wed. 8 p.m. Richle Minervini
Pete's Steak House 523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Trucking Company
Sat. 9:30 p.m. El Ka Bong
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Princeton Public Library65 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-9529
Sat. 4 p.m. "Ceol agus Cairde" feat. Shenanigans
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Man Cave 5th Anniversary" w/ Neil Innes
Rossi's Bar & Grill 2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004
Thurs. 7 p.m. (TBA)
Salt Creek Grille 1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Carol Selick
Sat. 8 p.m. Charles Clark
Small World Coffee 14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Eugene Tyler Band
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. "A Tribute to Cole Porter" feat. Alex Hiele Paris jazz Combo w/ Michelle Lordi. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Letitia Van Sant / Sonofdov. $20
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Magnolia Street String Band. $20
Tara's Tavern1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits
Tavern On The Lake 101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Pretty Baby
Sat. 9 p.m. After The Flood
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Craig Leiboff
Sat. 7 p.m. Christopher Dean
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly
Wed. 7 p.m. Jazz w/ John Sheridan
The Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The HOB Tavern 146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
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. Paper Shakers
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius the 1st
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
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (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. 10 p.m. "Ladies Night" All Male Revue
Tues. 8 p.m. Bearlesque
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Please check web page for upcoming events.
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The Alternators
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Cure Insurance Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Sycamore Grill 255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jamie Stem
Fri. 8 p.m. Jagged Blue Band
Sat. 8 p.m. DJ Todd
Third State Brewing 352 High Street Burlington
(609) 3871620
Sat. 7 p.m. Jon Pheasant
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. "Pre-parade Party" w/ The Shantys
Sat. "Post Parade Party" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Wed. (7 p.m.) 'What's Next? A Rockin' Happy Hour!" Hosted by Danny Coleman (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.
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" w/ Bockman
Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. The Outcroups . $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Rich Scanella Group. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night. (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn 2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wall
Working Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Sat. 1 p.m. John Bastiani
Yardley Country Club1010 Reading Avenue Yardley, PA
(215) 493-4531
Fri. 6 p.m. Ernie White & Friends

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