By Lazlo
originally published: 06/20/2022

Welcome to the first "BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music." Here I (Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com) will shine a light on some of the many new releases from New Jersey based musicians.
Daredevil Pilots - "Failure Is An Animal" - "Failure Is An Animal" may be the title of Daredevil Pilots new album, but this beast of a rock album is a rousing success, not just in being 7 great rock tunes, but in being 7 great diverse sounding rock tunes!
Mark Parker - "Summer of Drunk" Mark Parker made this EP for busy people like me, 4 songs in under 11 mins, BUT, I love these pop-punk/indie rock tunes so much that when it ended I was looking to see if there were hidden tracks I missed. Or to quote Black Flag, "gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme some more"
Terminal Sunburn - "Neverwhere" & "Ghost Of Kyiv" - For 6 years Terminal Sunburn, Jason Michael's instrumental rock project, has been inactive. That changed with the release of an album ("Neverwhere") & 2 song single ("Ghost Of Kyiv" b/w "Snake Island") Both releases are full of surf rock, and other upbeat instrumental rock tunes.
Shutter - "Fade EP" According to Shutter's bio they are "a powerhouse of everything you love from the 90's. A Collective Blend of Alternative Rock, Shoegaze, and Grunge all in one package" - Maybe not "everything" I love from the 90's, but they are a damn fine alt rock band w/ a great new EP!
Out Of Service - "The Ground Beneath Me" Really enjoying the new Out of Service album. Call it alt-rock or emo-rock if you must label it. I prefer to just call it good music!
Ferocious Designs - "Now Or Never" [single] Ferocious Designs new single is lyrically an anthem against fascist threats to our democracy, wrapped in some incredibly catchy 80's synth-rock music. All proceeds from this single will be donated to gun-violence-prevention efforts. Good music for a good cause!
Aaron Smith - "Monsters" In Aaron Smith's latest single, the monsters are the members of the Supreme Court that are turning the clock backwards with a number of their draconian decisions.
That's all for this week.
Remember BlowUpRadio.com plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site and if you would like to part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com
EVENT PREVIEWS

Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.

The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.

Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

Centenary Stage Company presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts presents the Music of 1776 & Hamilton: A Revolutionary Revue
(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts presents The Music of 1776 & Hamilton: A Revolutionary Revue on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 7:00pm. They're keeping our country's 250th celebration going with inspiring songs from these two fantastic musicals sung by four incredible vocalists!
bergenPAC presents Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. Playing is the joy and satisfaction of touring, but it comes with the hard part -- travel, the endless miles on a bus. There's no dodging the wear and tear, and Little Feat has been playing for quite a while.

Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association presents A Celebration of the Silver Screen on Saturday
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association presents A Celebration of the Silver Screen on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Great Auditorium. Maestro Jason Tramm leads the 50-piece MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra in an unforgettable evening of cinematic splendor. From sweeping Hollywood epics to iconic modern classics, this symphonic celebration brings the magic of film music to life with dazzling orchestral color.Showtime is 7:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on July 26th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:30pm. Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.
FEATURED EVENTS
