The Jersey City Independent"

It’s been a wild few weeks, running from show to show, meeting with bands, talking with locals and promoters. Oh, and I moved too. Needless to say, it’s been hard to just get a minute to reflect on everything. But a few weeks back I split my time up between IM Automata Chino and O’Hara’s Downtown to see two different local female-fronted bands: The Swigs and Bern & the Brights.

Let’s start with The Swigs. Pamela Gallagher sings, Dan Roorda tackles the bass, Glen Minasian bangs the drum, and newcomer Bret Walston wails it out on the six string. I’ve known Pam and Dan for a little over a year from around Jersey City, but this is the first time seeing them play, so I was pretty excited to get out. I figured that if Pam is half the entertainer on stage as she is just hanging out, the show would be off the chain!

I arrived at O’Hara’s at around 8:30 pm to meet with the band. Dan greeted me at the bar — we talked about the weather and his old band Buzzkill for a bit, then he excused himself to set up some equipment and sound check. Just about then, Pam sauntered over. Now, it should be known that Pam dresses up for her shows; that is to say, Pam likes to get into character. On this night, she was rocking this Strawberry Shortcake outfit (check out the pics, you’ll not regret it!) She told me in a whisper (her whispers are a touch louder than the average girl’s) that after the nine or ten years she’s been performing she still gets a little nervous. She said she just channels all the excitement back at the crowd and into her on-stage persona.

Talking is all well and good, but what really counts is the music. And The Swigs put on quite a show that night, with Pam hearkening Jessica Rabbit, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin simultaneously. Bret’s guitar work was something otherworldly, and it was all held down by Glen pounding out sturdy beats as Dan brought the funky groove.

I rarely use the term “card,” but if I had to call a spade a spade The Swigs are aces in my book. I’d have stayed the whole night, but I was bound for IMAC to see Bern & the Brights play that night as well.

It was a Who’s Who of Montclair rock as I entered IMAC. Members of Deivito, The McMickle Brothers and the One and Nines were all on hand, along with countless others from the local rock scene out to show their support. Bern & the Brights are Bernadette Malavarca (lead gtr/vox/percussion) Catherine McGowan (acoustic guitar/vox) Nicole Scorsone (violin) Shawn Fafara (bass) Jose Ulloa (drums).

I’ve seen the band at least 10 times so it’s a really crime that I haven’t written about them until now — their sound is something all their own. Bernadette, Catherine and the rest of the Brights have been making serious waves in the indie world. Recently they played at NYC’s Webster Hall and opened for Nicole Atkins and Mike Doughty at the Stone Pony. Musical evidence via video (see below) is the best description I can offer. It’s official: They are on my list of top ten local bands that you must see live.

The Swigs: Bicycle

Bern & The Brights: Sangria Peaches