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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 1/20/25


By Lazlo

originally published: 01/20/2025

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio 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 new releases by The Extensions, Psychic Wars, Synaptic Ooze, James William Eccles, and Southpaw. Plus a look back at "Are We Truly Great Again?" by Laree Cisco.

On January 20th, Rock Against Hate Volumes 5 & 6 were released, each containing 30 incredible songs to help raise money for Planned Parenthood and Kids In Need of Defense. There was a webathon with live sets from 14 acts - it counter-programing to that other event going on that day (and no I don't mean Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Rock Against Hate Volume 5 benefits Planned Parenthood and Rock Against Hate Volume 6 benefit Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) More info is at http://rockagainsthate.org 

The Extensions - "Gravitas". "Gravitas", The new EP by The Extensions, begins with what I feel is a gratuitous Intro of someone introducing the band at a concert with a lot of hype. At a live concert, an introduction like this can excite the audience, but on an album it feels unnecessary, especially since the 6 songs that follow it are so strong that they speak for themselves. It is funny to find that these songs were ones that didn't fit previous releases, because they not only fit together here as a cohesive release, but this might just be my favorite release from The Extensions so far.

Psychic Wars - "Takers". Psychic Wars' latest release is a three song EP, "Takers", inspired by the novel "Black Tongue Thief" by Christopher Buehlman. I am not familiar with the 2021 fantasy novel, but if it as good as this EP of psychedelic hard rock, then I should probably check it out.

Synaptic Ooze - "Canyon EP". Synaptic Ooze is Eric Pseja from 3rDegree, and "Canyon EP" consists of 2 versions of the title track. The new version is a fully fleshed out prog-rock song with lovely harmonies. The demo version from 2020 feels moodier and feels even more prog-jam-rock. Both versions are magnificent.




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James William Eccles - "Canterbury". If you are familiar with the doom/stoner metal that Troll Teeth are so good at making, you may be surprised to find that bassist/songwriter James William Eccles (AKA Moe) has an acoustic side he's toying with over the last few years. The culmination is, "Canterbury", an incredible album of Folk-Americana with hints of doom & stoner motifs. Ben Dallackesia & Kyle Applebaum from Troll Teeth also appear on the album to add some drums and additional guitars to the album. Don't let this one slip past you, it's a keeper!

Southpaw - "Tumbleweeds". I am not a big fan of modern country, but Southpaw is an anomaly. They are definitely modern country, but there is also a pinch of a classic country sound in there. There is also no denying the beauty of the harmonies on their new song, "Tumbleweeds", and the infectiousness of it.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

8 years ago today Rock Against Hate Volume 1 was released (and is still available at https://rockagainsthate.org), benefiting Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project.

In May of 2018 Rock Against Hate Volume 2 was released (also benefiting Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project). It contained what I think is a very fitting song for today, Laree Cisco's "Are We Truly Great Again?" it is said that here we are almost 7 years after this song originally came out, and this song seems new again.

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 be part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon and bridged on BlueSky




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FEATURED EVENTS

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38

38 Special

Thursday, February 20, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Big

Big Head Todd and the Monsters 40th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, February 20, 2025 @ 8:00pm
William Paterson University - Shea Center for Performing Arts
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
category: music


 

Marc

Marc Ribler & Friends present CSNY & Beyond

Friday, February 21, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 

Boemjae

Boemjae Kim, Flutist

Friday, February 21, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Ocean County College, Gateway Lecture Hall (Building 101)
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 

James

James Maddock

Friday, February 21, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Gloria Gaynor

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Gloria Gaynor on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:00pm. Gaynor's legendary career spans over 50 years, never losing momentum. The 2x GRAMMY® winner has achieved global stardom with hit songs in the charts in all five decades.



Annual

Annual Music Faculty Recital to be Presented at RVCC

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College's Arts & Design department will present the annual Music Faculty Recital, Sunday, March 2, 2025 in the Welpe Theatre at the College's Branchburg campus. Showtime is 2:30pm.



MPAC

MPAC presents Tony and Emmy Award Winner Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Broadway's master songman, Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, will bring his newest theatre concert Mandy Patinkin in Concert: BEING ALIVE, to Mayo Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 8:00pm. This show presents the acclaimed actor / singer / storyteller in his most electrifying role: concert performer.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Home Again - A Tribute to Carole King

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Home Again is a tribute to the multi-award winning singer-songwriter Carole King. The tribute comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 8:00pm.



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Jonas Brothers to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with JONASCON

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Jonas Brothers are pleased to announce JONASCON, a special one-day event taking place in their home state of New Jersey, on March 23, 2025.