New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

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.




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



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




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



EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Shemekia

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland will give a free performance as part of Tony Mart's Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series at the Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Showtime is 7:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
 



A

A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

Straight No Chaser is bringing its Summer: The '90s Part 2 Tour to State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The nine-member a cappella group originated in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington and has gone on to sell three million albums, earn two gold records, and amass over 1 billion streams on Pandora.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



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.


Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music