New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/26/22


By Lazlo

originally published: 09/26/2022

 

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by 9fm, Joe Juliano, Jon Caspi & The First Gun, Yawn Mower, Plus Tax, The Smithereens, Taser Video, and Old Smile.

9fm - "Uh Huh Yeah Okay".  "Shoulda stuck to songs for Twilight Zone," says the title track of the two new songs from 9fm, who used to solely write songs based around Twilight Zone stories. I think he is doing exactly what he need to do as, "uh huh yeah okay", may in fact be my favorite 9fm song yet, and the b-side, "Too Big a Fire", is also now amongst my favorites from Jarrod Pedone's project. Also, all proceeds from uh huh yeah okay will be donated to relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Fiona.

Joe Juliano - "Fantasies". Joe Juliano's latest single is a beautiful ballad lamenting that fantasies don't come true.

Jon Caspi & The First Gun - "The Studio 650 Sessions". Recorded live in studio, this album manages to capture the band's live energy on some of Jon Caspi & The First Gun's most rocking tunes, along with covers of The Misfits, Black Flag, and The Greg Kihn Band. Rock on!

Yawn Mower - "To Each Their Own Coat". Yawn Mover have been around 7 years, but this is somehow their first full length album. It also breaks the mold of their typical fuzz-rock sound, adding soundscapes that broaden their sound and add to their awesomeness!




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 

Plus Tax - "Plus Tax". I don't know anything about Plus Tax. Their Bandcamp page was all I could find and it had no bio or anything other than the 9 songs that make up their self-titled debut. But I do hope the band finds this review and knows how much I enjoyed this modern rock album, that I think may have been influenced by bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Screaming Trees.

The Smithereens - "The Lost Album". Look, you shouldn't need me to tell you who The Smithereens are, but in short, they are masters of Power-Pop since the 1980's. This "new" album was recorded in the fall of 1993, which means it features the late Pat DiNizio on vocals. By their own admission, "The Lost Album remains only 80 percent finished and rough mixed." Their 80 percent is better than most's 100 percent. I happily put this into my Smithereens album collection right next to their other classics.

 

Taser Video - "Kennedy" [single]. If it was the early 00's this type of indie-alt rock with hooks & background harmonies would have been a radio hit. I still love it, and it should still be a radio hit (it will be on BlowupRadio.com)! 

Old Smile - "Name" [single]. The new Old Smile single "Name", evokes (to me at least) the melancholia of a latter day Lennon/McCartney tune. it is perfect accompaniment for the colder fall season descending upon us.

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, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Jazzy

Jazzy Juneteenth with Florian Schantz Combo at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch

(JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- In honor of Juneteenth, the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch is pleased to host a performance of early African American jazz by the Florian Schantz Jazz Combo on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Showtime is 3:00pm.



Hunterdon

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents The Jersey Tenors

(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents The Jersey Tenors from June 12-14, 2025. The Jersey Tenors are the newest Opera/Rock Mash-up sensation, creating an explosive blend of iconic Opera classics alongside Rock 'N Roll greats like Queen, Elton John, and Bon Jovi – to name but a few.



David

David Wroe and NJ Festival Orchestra present "Mozart in the Garden"

(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Back by popular demand, New Jersey Festival Orchestra's highly acclaimed outdoor concert returns on Saturday, June 14, 2025 with "Mozart in the Garden," a spectacular open-air musical celebration set against the grand backdrop of one of Westfield's finest residences, made possible in part through sponsorship by Ray Catena of Mercedes-Benz, Union.



2025

2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Interview with Mike Kovacs

Al Nigrin, Executive Director & Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down with musician Mike Kovacs for an artist interview at EBTV. Mike will be performing an Audio/Visual Concert on Friday June 13, 2025 at the Festival!



This

This Week at the Cape May Music Festival

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Now celebrating its 36th year, the annual Cape May Music Festival presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), with major support by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, features more engaging music in its third week.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Balourdet

Balourdet Quartet

Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Guitarfest

Guitarfest

Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 4:00pm
Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall
215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
category: music


 

Darlene

Darlene Love

Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Chris

Chris Ruggiero: Summer Serenade

Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music


 

Almost

Almost Queen

Saturday, June 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music