Live in JC: JC Fridays at Groove on Grove and 58 Gallery
By Zac Clark • Sep 18th, 2009 • Category: Arts, FeaturedAnother Rainy Jersey City Friday: It seems the elements themselves conspire against us each time the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District throws an event, and the latest JC Fridays special Groove on Grove last Friday was no exception. But this is Jersey City, and there’s not much short of a flash flood that could stop the citizens from getting out to celebrate the arts and music. So, Thor Zeus and Adam Duritz (yes, of Counting Crows, he is the Rain King after all) be damned, there will be Groove on Grove!
Overlord took the stage, and this uppity crew quickly had the crowd rockin’ along. They revved up with “Mechanical Heart,” a fitting song title for a band called Overlord. Sarah Brockett’s bass and Tris McCall’s keys really stood out for me here, but Kerry Kennedy’s guitar, George Pasles’ guitar and vocals and Matt Houser’s drums were not chump change either. The thematic lyrics and song titles were also a catch, and they further made the basslines sound like a chase scene out of a spy novel. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Overlord.
Jody Porter and the Men’s Magazines set up and started to play after Overlord. I knew the lead singer’s face from somewhere, but I couldn’t place him. Finally someone pointed out that it was the cat from Fountains Of Wayne. The band started with a sort of Verve style jam out, then moved into a more rock style as the set progressed. I’m not sure if he was trying to lighten the mood or he was taking serious jabs at the crowd, but his jokes about “Welcome Commuters” and “Where are we, New Jersey?” were brave and brilliant commentary of a state that rarely receives any sort negative comedic attention.
How can I explain Jersey City’s the Milwaukees? Well first thing, give drummer Patrick Fusco a spirit award — this dude is the most enthusiastic person in the music industry. Dylan St. Clark’s vocals are pleading, his and Jeff Nordstedt’s guitar is pure rock and the rhythm section of Fusco and Donovon Cain on the bass is undeniably the glue that holds this thing together. It’s like George Throrogood meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers circa Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Quite simply, the Milwaukees are a must see live act in town, they are super fun solidly rock and a swell bunch of characters besides.
After Groove on Grove closed up shop for the night, I bolted across town to 58 Gallery to see the Frozen Gentlemen. Fans of these funk/rock fusers have a saying when they hit the scene: The streets are safe! I’m not entirely sure why the streets are safe, but I know that when the Gents are rocking out there’s no need to fear for your safety. Mido Santantos (vocals, keys), Quan James (vocals, guitar) Jackie Meyer (vocals, bass) and Linden Charter (drums) have mastered a truly unique sound, like a funk version of a mini-boss fight on Double Dragon. You can’t help but feel like it’s time to shake it down during their live performances. At 58, they played most of the songs off of their eponymous album and then threw in a new song, “The Streets are Safe.” I was tickled pink — of course, I got it on video. After the set, the Gents and some new fans headed to Lucky 7 and drank their fill.
It was a pretty active night despite the rain. I think the city thrives under these kind of circumstances. Everyone tries to get out there to support the scene. It’s hard not to love this place.
VIDEOS:
Overlord
Jody Porter and the Men’s Magazines
The Milwaukees
The Frozen Gentlemen
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Zac Clark is Jersey City's rogue rock writer. He is an avid blogger/indie music junkie and founder of rockertycoon.wordpress.com as well as an award-winning photographer, specializing in rock, fashion and weddings.
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Jody Porter’s snarky comment to the contrary, this Groove on Grove was the first time I got the feeling that a lot of people really turned out to see the music, and weren’t just stopping on their way home from work. Maybe that’s the advantage of doing it on a Friday? Whatever, it was a terrific bill, all of the tech support people performed nobly under dire circumstances,and I really enjoyed all the music.
i want to add that rebeca vallejo’s set was pretty brilliant. just rebeca, some percussion, and a guitar player. she did a vocal version of “a night in tunisia” and an interpretation of a chick corea tune *and* some very convincing flamenco finger-snaps. her singing keeps getting better and better, too. she was on before overlord, so her audience wasn’t quite as big as it should have been.
also, that overlord piano player has a big nose.
sorry, but i just have to state the obvious…
jody was saying hello to the commuters getting OFF OF THE PATH TRAIN… jeeze guys, please try to understand what someone is talking about before trying to defame them due to a lack of thought on your part..that goes for you to jim…
also, jody lives in jersey city, so assuming he was being snarky about his own town again requires a little more thought.
overlord was amazing.