By Danny Coleman
originally published: 08/11/2016
"We're like a government experiment that went wrong," laughed Chains Over Razors guitarist Mikey "V" Vujasin as he described how he and his band mates craft their material. "We all have ideas but we welcome opinions because we believe it's good to get an outside perspective separate from each others."
This power trio, based in two countries, is proof that with drive, talent and some modern technology; anything is possible. "Ya' know," started Mikey, "God bless technology huh? If this was the early '90's, we'd be shipping reel to reel tapes; now it's all done with e-mail. Plus, the three of us know each other so well and keep in constant touch with each other; there's no such thing as borders."
The "Three" of which he speaks are himself, his twin brother, drummer Andy Vujasin and vocalist Franco "V" Roc. The brothers, based in the Chicago, IL area and Roc in Montreal, Canada have been performing together for quite some time and in forming this current band project are utilizing that familiarity to its capacity. "My brother and I have been playing together since we were in diapers and Franco, well we've been performing together since 2007 when the three of us were in another band. We decided to do our own thing because, well; you know when you meet the right guys and just connect? That's the three of us, when we perform it's pedal to the metal let's race!"
Performances are piling up for these hard rocking metal men as they've hit the road for three consecutive nights in support of the their debut release, "Crown The Villain." An August 10 show in Elmhurst, NY, sharing the bill with Blackthorn 51, August 11 in Brooklyn, NY at Saint Vitus Bar with Metal Allegiance and a big finish on Friday August 12 when they open for Carmine and Vinny Appice at Sharkey'sSummer Stage in Liverpool, NY; the former being the producer of their release. "We were really fortunate to get Carmine Appice as our producer on this album," says Mikey V. "He came in kind of at the last minute and is the nicest guy, really down to earth and easy to work with. We're pretty old school in the process. We started writing the remainder of the disc in the studio, we started and things just developed from there and the end result was a product full of heavy metal adrenaline; a real paint peeler from tracks one through twelve. We recorded it in Paramus, NJ and the whole thing was done in pretty much a week. We really feed off of each other and this record was built on being spontaneous, being in the moment; we were able to capture the energy. The tape was always running even though it was recorded digital," he said with a large laugh."It's like a pot of stew and everyone throws in an ingredient and Carmine encouraged an open room where we all had personal freedom to have our say."
With a new disc, strong production and a serious attitude to go with the effort; Chains Over Razors are bound to slice their way into more and more bigger venues and onto larger stages. Supporting Metal Allegiance holds a special place for the trio and they look forward to their time with the band. "We love sharing the stage with those guys; they're heroes of mine. Chris Jericho and those guys are also some of the nicest guys. I remember when we were touring and sleeping in our beat up vehicle we managed to get on a bill with them and as soon as we got back stage they asked us, "Did you eat?" " We said, not in two days and they said, "Eat something now!" "They really took good care of us and we never forgot that so it's gonna be great seeing them again and we look so forward to it."
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 & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Wed. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Fri. 8 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 8 p.m. After Dark
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Deadline Tuesday, The Sulls, Brian Beckford, Josh Tyler, Broken Angels. All ages, $10
Sat. (12 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "What Is Indie Rock?" All ages, $10 (2 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "A Tribute to David Bowie." All ages, $10 (7 p.m.) "Barz All Night" Hosted by Yaya Mike, feat. NaMoney / Music by DJ TDogg
Sun. (12 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "A Tribute to David Bowie." (2 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "What Is Indie Rock?"All ages, $10
Wed. 7 p.m. Approaching Troy, A Need For Reason, Circadian Lapse, That Of A Lion, Serious Matters. All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glen McClelland 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 Andrew
Wed. 6 p.m. Eric Mintel
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Face Rickman Trumpet Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Cream Ridge Winery145 Route 539, Cream Ridge
(609) 259-9797
Sat. 2 p.m. John & Maggs
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Ghantt
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) Heather Heather
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) The Librarians
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (3 p.m.) Paul Donavan
Wed. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thus. (8 p.m.) WMGK House Band Competition (10 p.m.) "College Beat The Clock Night" DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. 8 p.m. "Celebrating the Music of The Band" w/ The Weight. Doors at 6 p.m., $45
Sun. 6 p.m. Eastern Hell Benders
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Live, Local, Unplugged" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Fri. 6 p.m. Trenton Makes Band
Sat. 6 p.m. Just Us
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat.Vince di Mura (6:30 p.m.) "Vintners Dinner" $35 (gratuity included/reservations required)
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. "Flamenco Night" w/ Victor Tarassov
Sat. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sun. 1 p.m. John & Maggs
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Live Music (TBA)
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Farm to Table" Winemakers Sunset Dinner. $99 (Reservations Required)
Sat. 1 p.m. Rick Winow
Sun. (12 p.m.) Vintage British Car Show (1 p.m.) Ben Weiner
Wed. 7 p.m. 2016 "Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Junior Tryout
Levitt Amp Trenton 2016 Music SeriesCapital Green @ 201 Barrack Street, Trenton
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Jimkata
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road, Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 9 p.m. Oni, Fatal Design, Agents of Aggression, Prosper or Perish, Geniverse
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim. $10
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Mercer County Park AmphitheaterMC Park Festival Grounds/Edinburgh Road, West Windsor
Sat. 6 p.m. "Continuing the Grateful Dead Concert Experience" w/ Dark Star Orchestra
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Music On Main15 South Main Street, Yardley, PA
Sat. 6 p.m. Ami Yares
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
No music in August
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. 8 p.m. Receptor
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Soul Fire
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 5 p.m. "Monkees-Mania Day"
Sat. 8 p.m. The Doughboys, The Sharkskins, Jet Weston & His Atomic Ranch Hands. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance) (This show is taking place at the Open Arts PAC located at 146 Rte. 130 South Bordentown)
Wed. 7:30 p.m. Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses. (This show is taking place at the Open Arts PAC located at 146 Rte. 130 South Bordentown)
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Earth, Wonder, Fire Band. $10
Sat. 10 p.m. "Leo Celebration Night Club Dance" w/ DJs William H & Bark da Ripper
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Dan Kassel
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road, Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Sat. 7 p.m. McMillan and Company. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Thurs. 9 p.m. Tyler Seton
Fri. 10 p.m. The Boys 'Round Here
Sat. 10 p.m. Black Brant
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Sneak Attack
Sat. 9 p.m. Quartet of Catast
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street, Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
The Corner House tavern24509 E. Main Street, Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Deb & Mike
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Paper Shakers
Sat. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger Band
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 Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. The Jersey Surecats
Sat. 9 p.m. Victar on Guitar
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Money Shot
Sat. 9 p.m. Blind Ugly Chicken
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 Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat 9 p.m. Diarmuis MacSuibhne
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. The Get Right Band. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Skunkmello. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)-
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
Yardley Country Club1010 Reading Avenue Yardley, PA
(215) 493-4531
Fri. 6 p.m. Ernie White, Tom Reock w/ Hal Jordon Ketofsky and Bob Demetrician
Yardley Inn82 East Afton Avenue Yardley, PA
(215) 493-3800
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk
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.
