Jealousy Curve

by Nick Rose, contributing writer

****

There are many elements of Jealousy Curve that need to be mentioned. First and foremost, the wonderful Jeff Buckley-like vocals that guitarist/lead vocalist Michael Leavy emotes passionately. (The opener, Bruise, is the clearest example of Leavy’s talent.)

Secondly, the guitars that are bounced between Leavy and Steven LaFashia. The lead parts, influenced most noticeably by Radiohead, swarm overtop the songs and in-between phrases, like sprinkles on a doughnut that top the already soft and chewy goodness. Finally, the band’s blend of influences, which are too great to mention in detail, are very apparent. Ideas are borrowed from acts like Rage Against The Machine and Travis, completing the important sound of Life As An Addict. - Pulse Weekly

With a new CD due out on Tuesday, the Philadelphia band will present an encore performance at the club where they were very well received a month back.

By Jim Speese
Reading Eagle Correspondent

Jealousy Curve, a band which was disarmingly well-received when they last played Reading, returns to the Silo on Saturday as part of an all-original and eclectic package.

They will appear at this all-ages show with Reading's own Not Alone, Relegate and Hierosonic, and, from MTV's Battle For Ozzfest, Final Drive.

Jealousy Curve is actually based in the Philadelphia area, but has ties to Berks County through the band's drummer, Shane Rozum.

Steve LaFashia plays guitars and keyboards and sings for the band. Michael Leavy plays guitar and sings. Mike O'Brien plays bass and sings. It's a relatively new combination, but an old one too, in a manner of speaking; all of the members have been members in another (unnamed) band at differing points in their careers. In fact, that's how LaFashia and Leavy met.

After leaving the band, “Mike and I started writing as a duo, sort of a recording entity,” LaFashia said.

It worked because the duo could pretty much handle any instrument (Leavy is an accomplished drummer as well), allowing them to overdub instruments in the studio.

“We were doing full band recordings,” LaFashia said. “We actually started to play shows as an acoustic duo around Philly. It was cool musically, but we wanted to be a full band. We wanted to be a rock band.”

So the word duly went out, leading first O'Brien and then Rozum to join the two. And then things started rolling of their own accord.

“We've been so fortunate,” LaFashia said. “We really haven't been trying that hard, but the word's gotten out, and people have been booking us and coming to the shows.

“We really need to work harder,” he added, laughing.

A case in point: the band played the Silo on Dec. 11 and, despite not being exactly a household name in Reading, made quite a few new fans.

They've recently finished an album, “Life As an Addict,” a task that took place in the duo's house, in what LaFashia describes as a “21-by-13 foot cement room,” working the way they'd always worked painstaking overdubs. That CD will be available on Tuesday. In the meantime, the band is already looking forward to the next recording.

“We're going to take the next one somewhere else,” laughed LaFashia, “and take the weight off our shoulders!”

The band's influences, meanwhile, are too many to list. But they do own up to Radiohead, Coldplay and a few others, even though their own music is different.

“We all started playing in the era of grunge,” LaFashia said, “so we love great rock music, whether it's new or old. Old Soundgarden, Guns N' Roses, Led Zeppelin, plus more obscure bands like Remy Zero and a lot of English rock.”

They do have a sort of pat answer to the questions, though.

“When people ask us what we sound like,” LaFashia said, “we say we're kind of a grunge Brit pop influenced hybrid.”

“There's so much good stuff out there,” he added. “We're students of good rock.”

And that's as good a description of Jealousy Curve as any an atmospheric and driven rock band.

And the band is not content to rest on its laurels. Each live show offers something a little different to its fans.

“We resolved to do something different each show,” LaFashia explained. “We don't want to be one of those bands that plays the same set every show. So many big name bands do that; it becomes a job. Our show is about spontaneity. It's a rock show. We're definitely not a jam band, but we do stretch things out. It's always a new experience.” - The Reading Eagle

Overal Rating ****
Musicianship ****
Songwriting ****
Originality ****

What really jumped out at me about Jealousy Curve’s “Life as an Addict” was how pro it was: from the songwriting to the packaging to the production…the whole bit. “Life as an Addict" is stacked with good songs - whether it is the Muse-like
psychedelia of “Selfish Thing” or the Jeff Buckleyish “Appreciated” or the Coldplay-like “World is You”. Michael Leavy’s falsetto style really gives Jealousy Curve another dimension, but he can belt it out too, which is evident on my favorite track “Gravity”. “Life as an Addict” has really nice layered guitars, smooth vocal melodies and big powerful drums. It’s almost hard to believe they’re not signed already. - Local Music Network

Monday music
13 February 2006
This week, the “themed” Monday Music entry returns. For this second week of February, Vintage showcases the best of Philadelphia alternaive / indie artists. The city that gave the world Patti LaBelle, The O’Jays, Will Smith, Hall & Oates and may more has a new generation of artists that will blow your mind and your eardrums.

Jealousy Curve, given the right speakers, will blow your hair back and rattle your dishes out of the cabinets. And that’s a good thing. For all the laughs and quirks of Ween, this rock sound is serious and addictive. It demands loud speakers, a large subwoofer, and a desire to be rocked right out of your seat. And hey--the lyrics aren’t too shabby either!
Recommended songs: Don’t Lie Down, The World is You, Until We’re Free

Ween. They’re carefree, hilarious and catchy. They’re also not a 15-minutes-and-gone act, either, as they’ve been making “happy colored marbles” with “ocean [men]” for years. If you’re looking for catchy music and a good laugh, you’re looking for Ween. And if anyone I know is looking for a good concert, the guys from Ween are around often and never disappoint!
Recommended songs: Ocean Man, Freedom of ‘76, WeenRadio

Circa Survive. Probably Philadelphia’s biggest act at the moment, Circa Survive is a more ambient, experimental rock band than Jealousy Curve. Nevertheless, these guys know how to rock and do it in a way that is short of conventional--thank god. Circa Survive infuses Philadelphia’s alternative rock scene with a sound full of guitar, driving vocals, and hardcore beats.
Recommended songs: The Great Golden Baby, Act Appalled

mewithoutYou. Philadelphia’s second-biggest act and my personal favorite of the four listed here, mewithoutYou is just plain original. The band manages to mix typical alternative rock beats with choruses that sound almost like Indie Pop. This fusion of two distinct rock flavors has them coming off as a Shins-Circa Survive hybrid that’s not afraid to make catchy hooks while driving it home with guitar and drums. These guys are also charitable and give back to their native Philly--just this past weekend, mewithoutYou played a show for charity at a local Philadelphia church. All proceeds from this good concert went to a good cause. - Indie Blogs

January 28th, 2008
by: Adrienne Saia

This one is about the band Jealousy Curve, comprised of four consummate musicians and fronted by singer Michael Leavy. They are embarking on a three-week East Coast tour to promote the new stuff they’ve written and to melt faces outside of the Illadelph. Their most recent single, Black Widow, is included on Jaxon’s Local Shots Vol. 4 and is getting pretty steady airplay on 93.3 WMMR.

The kick-off show at Grape Street was incredible; props to Dave Sikorski, their bassist, for suffering through vomiting and the flu to put on a bangin’ show. Steve (or Fash) their guitarist rips through songs with a maniacal intensity without overpowering his bandmates. And as for Shane, their drummer - wait for the waterworks, the dude knows how to perform.

Jealousy Curve is straight ahead modern rock, no screamo or cheese here. The lyrics are catchy and smart. The riffs get you moving and are hard enough to satisfy your boyfriend who you dragged to the show. Leavy’s voice is stunning; their cover of Radiohead’s You shows his range from soft and melodic to raw screaming emotion. I find it hard to compare Jealousy Curve to anyone, mostly because I haven’t heard a solid group like this in a while. I would say they are part Radiohead (Pablo Honey-era), Matchbox 20 or Third Eye Blind (when they rocked… this is not up for argument, they definitely did), and Breaking Benjamin (except JCurve’s songs don’t all sound the same).

I’ll post their schedule below, but also check out their MySpace and give them a listen! If you get to one of their shows, don’t be afraid to say hi to them afterward. On top of being kickass musicians, they’re also pretty sweet dudes. - www.randomn3ss.com

As if the night wasn’t great already they had to go and save the best band for last – Jealousy Curve. Over the last several years I’ve seen Jealousy Curve far more times than I can keep track of in many different venues and on quite a range of different sized stages but I’ve always envisioned Jealousy Curve delivering killer performances on big stages like they did last night at the TLA. There are just some bands that never cease to amaze you with their live performances and Jealousy Curve is definitely one of those bands. Steven LaFashia, Michael Leavy, Shane Rozum, David Sikorski all unite as one to create some of the most incredible music. Their live energy radiates from them and there isn’t anyone in the venue that can’t see, feel, or hear what true greatness really is. Jealousy Curve is hands down, without a doubt, one of the best bands around. Oh my, that was such a great show!

- www.foreverlostinasong.blogspot.com

Posted by Craig Wettner at 6/29/2008 8:06 PM and is filed under Jealousy Curve

Jealousy Curve is a local Philadelphia band that has been on the rise for several years now. They have taken the local rock scene by the balls and never released their grip. With their interactive live shows and instantly catchy songs, they are probably going to be a major player in the Philadelphia scene for a long time.

BnR recently talked with Steven from Jealousy Curve and asked him a few questions. The interview is below:

BnR: What is your outlook on the music industry? Do you feel it is adapting to today's changing music scene (online social networking, file sharing, etc)

JC: I think the industry is trying to adapt to changing trends and consumer tastes to stay viable. It is no secret the traditional model is not working. That being said, there is no better time to be an independent band. The internet has made distribution global and touring has never been easier.

BnR: The Philadelphia rock scene is a tough scene to break into. How have you been able to stand apart from the great Philadelphia bands?

JC: We have been really fortunate. We try to tour as much as possible and when we do play at home we try to make each show an event. It has been a slow process, as we started writing together five years ago. It has been gratifying to see things now.

BnR: Speaking of every show an event, for those readers who haven't seen Jealousy Curve live, can you describe the experience?

JC: We try to make the shows interactive, and we try to make each one different. We always try to play every show like it is our last and put everything out there. We are a rock band and there aren't a ton of theatrics or gimmicks. We simply try to rock the songs.

BnR: About those songs, This is for your own destruction is a great album. How have the songs been received live?

JC: Thank you for the compliments on the EP. The songs have been received very well. The record is very raw and we did it very quickly, in just three weeks, and the audience appreciates that immediacy. Our live set typically has all seven (7) songs on the EP and we enjoy playing them.

BnR: What was the inspiration behind, This is for your own destruction?

JC: Our singer Michael came up with the title. Kind of a twist on authority figures, parents, warning labels etc. and the saying "This is for your own protection."

BnR: You have gotten great exposure through Zippo and WMMR, I am sure you have had offers to sign with a major label. Why haven't you?

JC: We have seen so many of our friends' bands go through the major label ringer...getting signed, taking years to get their record out, only to be dropped. We have been fortunate to make two records on our own with success and are looking forward to making the third.

BnR: You are friends with Jaxon on WMMR. He has a great radio voice. It is deep, sultry, and highly romantic. Has he ever done voice work as Optimus Prime?

JC: [laughs] Jaxon does have a great radio voice. He should be cast in the Transformers sequel. I wish mine sounded like that on mic. He is a great guy and ardent supporter of Philly music. WMMR has been so kind and it really blows us away.

BnR: What band has been the coolest band to tour with so far? Is there a band you want to tour with, but haven't?

JC: We have toured with some great bands, but our favorite band to play with is The Underwater from York, PA. Great friends and an amazing band. Their new record Forces is out on Megaforce now. We'd love to tour with Muse one day or Queens of the Stone Age.

Thank you Jealousy Curve for taking time out of your schedule to answer our questions. If you want to hear a sampling of Jealousy Curve's music, visit their MySpace site at (http://www.myspace.com/jealousycurve). You can also purchase the EP This is for your own destruction directly from the MySpace site.

If you want to check out Jealousy Curve live, which we suggest you do, here are their tour dates:

06.28.08 - Pittsburgh, PA - Gravity
07.04.08 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest with Seether
07.31.08 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
08.16.08 - Reading, PA - The Silo

All information is easily available at the band's MySpace site. - www.blogsnroses.com