By Lazlo
originally published: 06/02/2025
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 Val Emmich, Johnny Zarfati, and Prop House. Plus a look back at "We Can See America From Here" by The Campfire Flies.
Happy Pride Month! This Friday, June 6th, Rock Against Hate Volumes 7 & 8 come out. Each compilation features over 20 previously unreleased songs, benefiting two of many organizations working to help the LGBTQ+ community get through these trying times.
Rock Against Hate Volume 7 features previously unreleased songs from Ali Zanders, Blasfemme, Blisstique, Bruce Tunkel, Chitinous Mandible, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Greg McGarvey, Jason Didner, Jill Sobule, Jon Caspi, Ken Kusama. Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mark Parker, Michael Aquino (feat. Declan Remus and Christian Davis), Orbis Max, Teen Idle, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Tommy Strazza, and Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers. The album benefits Trevor Project.
Rock Against Hate Volume 8 features previously unreleased songs from Anthony Walker, Bern Strong, Blasfemme, Bruce Donnola, Catherine Wacha, Ciara Zwicker, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Happy Joe, Hit Like A Girl, Jason Didner, Jon Caspi & Pete Jager, Kookie, Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mick Chorba, Sad About Girls, Sam Tunkel, The Delphobics, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers, and Worm's Eye View / Maravines. The album benefits No More Dysphoria.
More information at https://rockagainsthate.org and tune in all weekend to BlowUpRadio.com for a Rock Against Hate Radio Special.
Val Emmich - "Here Comes The Dark". Val Emmich's latest release, "Here Comes The Dark", is something special. I've been a fan of Val's music since even before I started BlowUpRadio.com nearly 25 years ago, and two of the things I always appreciate about his albums are heartfelt, relatable lyrics (sometimes I wish I couldn't relate to the lyrics as much, as they are not always something you want to relate to), and that he's always trying to incorporate different sounds into his music (check out "Done With The Dishes" for example), while still sounding like him.
Johnny Zarfati - "Ceasefire". "Ceasefire" is the beautiful debut single from Johnny Zarfati. A really relaxing, laid back folk tune that I have been playing on repeat for days.
Prop House - "Vector". Prop House is kind of a local music supergroup. Members of Yawn Mower, the Vansaders, The Mischeif Kids, and several other local bands comprise the band on their new EP, "Vector". If you're familiar with these acts then you know you're going to get some infectious post-punk rock. If you aren't, then you should check out all of the groups mentioned in this.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Campfire Flies - "We Can See America From Here". On January 20th, 2017 the first Rock Against Hate compilation was released, benefiting Planned Parenthood & Trevor Project. It lead off with The Campfire Flies' song, "We Can See America From Here". The Campfire Flies is something of a local supergroup featuring members of The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough, and The Thousand Pities. The combining of these musical superpowers created a rousing, upbeat anthem.
The compilation is still available at https://rockagainsthate.org
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)
EVENT PREVIEWS
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
FEATURED EVENTS
