The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Gibraltar,” the first single and video from Central Jersey trio Defecting Grey’s latest EP, “Circuits.”
Each year-end coverage of Makin Waves features "The Dirty Jersey Dozen," a list of the 12 indie Jersey music acts that made the most waves. Two bands that likely would be on the all-time Dirty Jersey list are Gigantic, a Jersey Shore trio inspired by the primal pop of The Pixies and Nirvana, and Alternative Tentacles recording act Buzzkill, also a trio from the days when New Brunswick was the state's best music scene.
For the past few years, as well as an LP and three EPs, Defecting Grey has featured former members of both bands, as well as the fellow local super group Buzzed Meg.
Picking up where Gigantic and Buzzkill left off is “Gibraltar,” a slice from the primal pop pie that will give Husker Du fans a head rush. Culled from Defecting Grey’s latest EP, “Circuits,” the powerful tune is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Gibraltar” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 18 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
Respectively on guitar and bass, brothers CJ and Vince Grogan include on their collective resume Gigantic, The Phantom Five, The Grievous Angels, and Buzzed Meg, featuring members of The Smithereens and The Grip Weeds. On the skins is Buzzkill/Atom Driver drummer Mike Polilli.
Together since 2017, Defecting Grey also harness the melodic power of such alt-rock pioneers as The Minutemen, The Jam and Mission of Burma. They take their name from the 1968 hit by The Pretty Things.
In addition to the raucous, poppy garage-punk of “Gibraltar,” the six-song “Circuits” includes the country-tinged “Blind Country,” the super-charged “Backwards Ghost,” the haunting jangle of “Low Status Sound,” and the driving power-pop of “Flat Earth Theory” and the title track.
Expect summer live shows to be announced soon, and in the meantime, enjoy the rest of “Circuits,” as well as the trio’s other releases at https://defectinggrey.bandcamp.com/community.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
