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Jerseyband are a part of the self-contained "lungcore" movement? Oh, what is "lungcore" I hear you asking? It's hard to say, but this band combines their love of jazz with their love of metal, kind of a cross between Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mr. Bungle, and S.O.D.. Lung Punch Fantasy (self-released) is a ridiculously powerful album which manages to unite all of these elements with style and grace, which is funny in itself. The entire album was recorded live at SUNY, so hearing the band react with the crowd and vice versa makes for incredible listenings, yes? The live album comes off a bit like Primus's Suck On This meets Art Ensemble Of Chicago's Bap-tizum, where everyone seems to be on an incredible high, or at least on a higher level of self to where the band is the crowd, the crowd is the band, and everyone knows the secret unknown language.
How are they musically? The band know all about tonality and coloring, and it just so happens they do it with a speed metal edge, at times stopping over in Jamaica for a bit of ska. When they need to move the hips and get funky, they do it in a snap, but then rip and shred until it feels like everyone is bleeding. It's an engaging listen, and that's the thing, you have to listen, otherwise you may miss a thing. Lung Punch Fantasy, is disappointing in the sense that you want to be there to experience this jugalbandi in person and learn the secret language and handshakes. Some might hear "jazz and metal together?" and cry "joke", but while they don't take themselves seriously too much, Jerseyband is very much a serious project with the kind of spirit that relies on musicianship and the spontaniety to make it work. Oh grandma, this works!
review by John Book of www.musicforamerica.org - www.musicforamerica.org
What do you get when you mix the riff heavy elements of metal with some of the more complex aspects of jazz? Ask these guys, and they'll tell you "Lungcore," the genre that they have not only invented, but perfected. If this concept strikes you as a bit grandiose, it's supposed to. But, upon listening to the music, you'll see that they back it up, mixing distorted guitars with a four piece horn section flawlessly. Admittedly, it's not the craziest concept ever, but these guys take it in a direction that most don't dare. Complex time signatures abound, the songs are almost completely instrumental, intricate and never repetitive, with slight silences that are sparse and inevitably torn apart as quickly as they are formed. The band divides the songwriting fairly evenly, and some of these songs certainly sound like they were written as challenges for the other members. The fact that this was recorded live makes this all the more impressive, and the production is of high quality and adds to the overall sound. If you're a fan of Mr. Bungle or abstract rock in general, this is one that demands your attention. - CD BABY website (front page)
Metroland transcript:
Don’t judge a book by its cover: Despite Jerseyband’s being fronted by four horn players, they’re more metal than you’ll ever be. (That wasn’t a pun.) Neither an average jazz group, nor a run-of-the-mill metal outfit, the seven-piece Jerseyband have stumbled onto a style all their own-they call it “lungcore”. With all our combined editorial experience here at Metroland, we would be hard-pressed to come up with a more accurate description. Imagine a head-on collision of the tour buses carrying Dillinger Escape Plan and the Count Basie Orchestra. That sound-the skronk and squeal made at the instant when metal intertwines with metal—is the essence of the Jerseyband experience, a mélange of detuned electric guitars, crashing drums, and a seemingly traditional jazz-ensemble frontline. It’s totally rad, and totally loud. Bring earplugs. You’ll thank us later.
- Metroland, Albany, NY
Discography
"Jerseyband Live: Lung Punch Fantasy" (2007)
"Little Bag of Feet For Shoes" (2003)
"JAKE" (2002)
"Christmasband" (2001)
"Tragedi in the Mangky" (1999)
All Jerseyband albums have been released on Rangletorian Records.
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Bio
Jerseyband plays Lungcore - A new genre that infuses a horn-driven band with heavy metal values.
Jerseyband's sound centers around its core group of four horns; baritone saxophone, two tenor saxophones, and a trumpet. Backed by electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums, they have found a unique style of playing and writing that pulls inspiration from the genres of Metal and Jazz. Many of their compositions feature the horns orchestrated in ways which attempt to imitate the sound of gigantic guitars playing intricate power riffs.
Jerseyband formed in the summer of 1999 by a group of friends who met while enrolled at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Their first performances were in and around Cape May, New Jersey and thus their working name, JERSEYBAND. Through the following fall, winter, and spring they performed at the local coffee shop adjacent to Eastman and birthed their first CD titled, "Tragedi In The Mangky". Following the graduation of some of its members in 2000, Jerseyband became the artist-in-residency for the 2001-02 academic year at Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY. Located on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, Keuka College was an ideal setting for Jerseyband to further develop their sound, repertoire, and discography. Jerseyband's one year residency saw the creation of their 2nd and 3rd albums, "Christmasband" and "JAKE" respectively. "Christmasband" features traditional Christmas carols arranged in a non-conventional manner and "JAKE" a fourteen minute four movement suite written by Jerseyband musician, Ed RosenBerg III. After completing their residency in the spring of 2002 Jerseyband continued to do shows throughout the northeast and mid-west which included the University of Michigan's Jazz Festival, Princeton University, Tonic in NYC, the Mason City, Iowa Band Festival, SUNY Fredonia music festival, etc. In the summer of 2003 Jerseyband release a 15 minute EP titled, "Little Bag of Feet For Shoes" which featured music as diverse as Ska, Hardcore, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Rock. Last summer Jerseyband was invited by John Zorn to perform at his three day "Full Force Music Festival" held at the Tonic music room in New York City. This festival was designed to feature bands led and performed by composers who write elaborate and energetic music. This April, Jerseyband is proud to be releasing their fifth album on CD titled, "Jerseyband Live: Lung Punch Fantasy" which was recorded at a live performance on September 14, 2006 at the student union center at SUNY Purchase.
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