Author Archives: Angie Sugrim

My home away from home, The Asbury Lanes, is having a way rad show Thursday night. Seems some musicians from across the Atlantic, Spain that is, are bringing their frantic, sexy, electro-rock, dance-frenzy-of-a-steadied-tight-rope-walk brand of madness to a venue near you. If you want to be messed with, you should probably come and have your mind blown by these guys. I mean if you’re gonna hang out on a Thursday, let’s make it interesting. Let’s roll the dice a little. And let’s just go for broke; let’s get international while we’re at it.

“Lüger is setting the Spanish scene on fire. With less than 2 years under their belt and one record that came out last April they’ve had enough time to play all over Spain and be one of the highlights at Primavera Club 2010. They’ve also played in festivals such as Space is the Place (with OM and Acid Mothers Temple) or Monkey Week (Faust, Sonic Boom, Cave, Quintron, etc…)

Ruta 66, the most influential rock magazine in Spain just crowned them best album of 2010 on their January edition and their new album should be out before winter is over. Their eponimous LP is sold out and have just been invited to play SXSW 2011.

Backed by a pounding double-headed rhythm section, the mix includes organ, synth, guitar and throbbing bass lines Lemmy would kill for. Lüger’s sound is heavily influenced by classic acts such as Hawkwind, Faust or Neu! so the music is provided with surpassing krautrock elements, however they sound less vintage, rather modern, comparable with the likes of Turzi, Holy Fuck or Wooden Shjips in a wider sense, drawing rave reviews in web forums all over the world.”

The evening will also feature Gondola, “psychedelic rock from Philly… hometown friends of Lüger,” and 117, “post-rock, pre-avant,” who hail from the Highlands in NJ.

Doors at 8pm / Bands start at 9ish / $8 cover / $10 all you can bowl
18 and up to hang, bowl, and eat
21 and up to have drinks in the lounge
More info on Facebook

Don’t be like, ‘oh I’m not going’ and then when I’m leaving change your mind. Just admit it. You want to go. You can’t help but have your interest piqued. It’s music, after all. It’s what we have in common without even trying.

XOXO

Ang

Asbury Park’s very own record shop and clothing store, Holdfast, took residence on Cookman Avenue in downtown AP in March of 2009, and they’ve been an institution since. Not only do they sell very collectible vinyl, handpicked by owner Joe Koukos, but they also offer a place in AP to get casual, urban clothing ( NOT mall junk!) for all us cool kids. They’ve got a remarkable collection of each, and as their site boasts, this is the go-to place for Vinyl LP’s and 45’s in all genres—Punk, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Dub, Hardcore and more. As if those weren’t reasons enough, Holdfast has hosted some fine local and national acts for in-store performances including The Bouncing Souls appearance this past December. Seems like there’s ALWAYS a good reason to drop by this friendly neighborhood record store.

The Bouncing Souls Perform At Holdfast This Past December

Joe’s partner Meghan Scott also owns and operates the store in conjunction with him, and she’s brought the women of the community together with with an AP chapter of “Stich&Bitch” an in-store DIY craft class hosted by area artist and designer, Joy Vay, (who fronts a very tidy 4 piece band TV Tramps that any punk rock connoisseur worth their salt will dig upon first listen). I highly recommend these fun and informative sessions which double as a nice way for the ladies to listen to some great tunes and kick it sans the boys every once in a while. These classes are just another example of how Meghan and Joe thoughtfully transformed Holdfast into not just a retail establishment, but a valued part of the community.

Local DJ Jim Curran Finds One Of His Favorites at Holdfast

This Saturday marks Holdfast’s second anniversary, and they will be celebrating in style. Tom Dunphy of area band Imaginary War will be performing, along with Joe Wilson of We Are All Broken . Both fellas are extremely talented singer/songwriters in their own right and the performances promise to be stellar. I’m especially excited to report that the party will feature some choice audio selections from DJ Pete Steinkopf of a little outfit known as The Boucing Souls, and another very special guest, none other than DJ Lamar Vannoy ( Oi Oi Oi Oi / and his name is Lamar Vannoy!) It’s cool to nerd out when you get here, p.s.— I still do!

Swing on down to Holdfast, located at 639 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park this Saturday March 12th at 3 PM for a rollicking good time, and make sure to bring a few bucks. Or else you’ll be kicking yourself after you start perusing the record section and vintage racks. Hey, I’m trying to help YOU out, ok? Do you want to live a life of regret? Didn’t think so! See you there!

One of the biggest reasons I moved to Asbury Park was because I ended up spending many, many a night at the town’s beloved Alternative venue, The Asbury Lanes. Once a bowling alley, the venue is now outfitted with a full stage, revolving art exhibitions and is owned and operated by pretty much the nicest women you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting, Juicy Jenn and Layney Lanes, as well as their kick@$$ staff of music and art loving supercool weirdoes. It’s ‘Cheers’ for punk rock kids, pretty much. And in addition to hosting independent musical acts from all over the country, they also bring great burlesque and unique performance acts to Asbury Park, so I don’t have to go all the way to Brooklyn to see say, The Pontani Sisters for example. Plus you can still bowl there, and eat tasty snacks like BBQ Tofu Grilled Cheese or a healthy helping of Nacho-Style Tater Tots. So yeah, that’s why I practically live there.

Tonight The Lanes is holding a historic show. It will be the last live performance from Full of Fancy, a New Brunswick based pop rock(s) group who has amassed a very tidy following in the few years they’ve been together. It will be bittersweet to see the gang take the stage for the last time, but the stellar line-up of bands, including the hot-like-fire group, Screaming Females, will help ease the pain. Get there early, because I’m pretty sure this one’s gonna sell out! See you there!

XOXO

Ang

Lost in Society is an Alternative/Pop Punk band based in the Asbury Park area of NJ. The band was founded in October of 2004 and is currently comprised of Zach Moyle on guitar and lead vocals, Nick Ruroede on bass and backup vocals and Hector Bonora on drums. The group got started as any band does; covering songs of bands they grew up on, including punk/pop acts like Green Day.

Within a few months of being formed, the guys knew they meant business. They quickly got a live show together and hit all the staple area clubs: The Stone Pony, The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ, Chubby’s in Red Bank, NJ and Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.

In September of 2006 the guys were introduced to Jon Leidersdorff of Lakehouse Music, who agreed to produce and record their first EP, titled “Gone”. Following that, in 2007 Lost in Society was nominated for an Asbury Music Award in the Best Young Band category. For the 2008 Asbury Music Awards they were nominated again for Best Young Band and added a nomination for Best Punk/Reggae Band. In addition to being nominated, the guys kicked off the show with a stellar live performance.

LIS is currently booking out of state and organizing an East Coast Tour. You can hear them on local college radio stations such as Monmouth University 88.9, Brookdale’s 90.5 The Night, and Seton Hall’s WSOU 89.5.

These hard working fellas are keeping a forward momentum that shows no signs of slowing. They’re currently wrapping up recording a forthcoming album, “Give Me Hope”, recorded by The Pete of The Bouncing Souls. Tonight the guys play at The Brighton Bar for the Metromix Breakthru Band Competition Finals! The fellas hit the stage circa 8 PM. Come check them out at this FREE show—the grand prize winner will have all of their rock-and-roll dreams funded with a very respectable cash prize. Because everyone who’s ever taken Rock Star 101 knows that being broke is pretty much a given condition of being a musician. If you knew how much it costs to even just put a song out, you wouldn’t make fun of us for eating ramen every night anymore. 😉

XOXO
Ang + Lost In Society

Since I’ve started posting, quite a few folks have been asking me to expound on my various allusions to being in a band. Turns out that if I don’t strap on my guitar on the regular I sort of tend to lose it a little, so I found 3 fellas who feel the same way about their respective instruments and together we are The Obvious. We play because we have to; we can’t help it. Believe me, if any of you out there are thinking of starting a band, don’t do it! It’s a roller coaster of emotion best left unridden! No! Instead, get a paper pushing job, enter a loveless marriage, buy things you don’t need, raise 2.5 children, and above all else, suffocate anything real and true in your heart in the name of listless conformity! Otherwise you’re going to find yourself described as follows! Hey–you’ve been warned. 

If you’re a saint with the heart of a sinner, The Obvious has got your salvation right here. Armed with their signature brand of damned, dirty, gravel-slinging, sing-along Rock, the band has been steadily collecting converts with it’s frothing live show– a sight which burns with the energy of tent-revival healing. The unique mash up of dark humor, social commentary, and the artful ripping off of the right 70’s punk and 90’s alternative influences all combine to produce a unique sound praised by Indie Rock champions near and far, including Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls. Steinkopf recorded the foursome at the Souls’ own Little Eden Studios in Spring of 2010, producing their first EP, Bringing Wreck. He praises The Obvious for their fervent energy, crafted songwriting, and watertight musicianship: “Angie has a Devil inside. The Obvious are exactly what rock and roll needs at this moment, and this band is absolutely on FIRE”.

Currently rollicking through live performances in the greater NY/ NJ area, The Obvious is on a mission of informing the next generation via a sharp and uniquely aware perspective and steadfast worship at the altar of refined, hard-hitting, power chord punk. The original child of guitarist Dan Astorri and singer Angie Sugrim, the band formed when the two friends started cutting class together in order to get to their real education of writing songs. The band’s current and final outfit features “the tightest rhythm section in the biz” according to The Aquarian Weekly. Kevin Conroy, a veteran of The Bouncing Souls own label Chunksaah Records, wails with abandon on drums, and the dangerously accurate Mike Smith on rounds it out on bass. A tireless commitment to regional domination of the Northeast keeps The Obvious very busy these days. Take a listen to us today and find out what’s been missing from your life!

We’re beyond the beyonds pleased to announce that today, Tuesday 3/1, we’ll be featured on DJ John Kelly’s Radio show at 1pm EST 94.9 FM Hudson Valley, NY. You can listen to this fine Rock&Roll programming via the net on Party934.com 

Thanks for listening! We know you’ll love it! But please, keep the stalking to a minimum. It’s getting to be so that we can’t even walk down the street with our bodyguards and entourage without people staring. 😉

XOXO

Ang

“Once upon a time, there were broken hearted boys. Then came words, then in came a beat, and The Amboys were born. Born of willingness to try. Trying to give meaningless its due. Doing this the best they can. Caring for you and only you. You should know better. Better knowing that you don’t. So kick off your boots, and prepare to shake your booties.”

So is the declaration from Asbury Park’s own Alt-Country-Rock foursome, The Amboys.  C.M. Smith (Vox/Guitar), Manny Castanon (Bass/Vox), and brothers Connor Effenberger (Drums) and Daniel Effenberger (Lead Guitar) recently released the album Everything Between The Moon And The Sun, and the effort has received some pretty rave reviews, like this one from The Asbury Park Press:

“Everything Between the Moon & the Sun is a brassy, rousing collection of scrappy, country-fired rock ‘n’ roll. On the album, the ‘boys capture the dusty drawl of classic soul-driven Memphis rock ‘n’ roll better than any group of East Coast guys who’ve never done time should ever have the right to, fusing a gamut of sounds ranging from Johnny Cash to the Stax/Volt Collection.” Steve Bove-APP

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If you go to Back Wine’s Facebook page, they sum themselves up better than I ever could: “We were/are in other bands, now we’re in this one.”

One listen and you’ll know why this powerful trio sells out shows without even really trying. Miranda (Drums/ Vox), Jeff ( Vox/ Guitar) and Jay ( Bass/ Vox) are local favorites with more street cred than their affable personalities and easy dispositions belie. Hip without being hipsters, the group pulls of being a trio with ease. Any musician worth their salt knows that having 3 people on stage leaves little room to miss a chord, skew a note or skitter on a beat, and the musicianship found in Black Wine is second to none. Representing the orphaned children of Dinosaur Jr. (who visit Sebadoh on weekends and holidays), the sound the band creates shows why listening to good music in your formative years is so very important for songwriting.

And while they wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, they are anything but derivative. Black Wine taste like good run-around-the-yard-in-bare-feet-in-the-summer-sun-fun with notes of starry-eyed whimsical alternative 90’s nostalgia and pleasantly sweet distortion layered throughout. Check out their latest release, a 7” entitled “Dark Energy,” issued on Don Giovanni Records. It’s sticky sweet and will stain your lips before going right to your head.

You can come with me to SEE THEM TONIGHT at my favorite venue dedicated to original Alternative/ Rockabilly/ and Punk bands, The Asbury Lanes. And don’t pretend like you’re all fancy and pull a wine glass out of the cupboard. You’re gonna want one of those oversized mugs you usually use for tea when you pour yourself some of this fine Black Wine. Drink up!

XOXO
Ang