John the Gun

John The Gun is a band for fans of indie rock with a flair for adventure. The guitar playing on “Ghost” conjures the artistry of Coheed and Cambria or The Mars Volta. Dense and punishing, Tread Eternal is not an easy listen but it is worth the effort, as “Unilateral” and “Please Advise” attest. The songs are driven by complex arrangements and tempo shifts that are intricate but not convoluted, which is the strength of the band. Skilled musicians will identify the sophistication of the playing and appreciate the wealth of talent, but those of us without a shred of ability will also be able to allow the force of “Sticky Ninjas” or “Renaissance” to wash over us. These two pieces are tightly wound tracks of hair-trigger guitar force and shockingly nimble arrangements. The sullen and delicate “Whiskey Water” and “Emilia” unveils yet another facet of the aptitude found within the ranks of John the Gun. The band sounds much larger than a trio and the ten songs on Tread Eternal feature a broad range of emotions and lyrical cleverness. John the Gun is a thunderous act that also has the talent to deliver “Lunar”, the warm, richly harmonious conclusion. Erudite, well produced, and intriguing, John the Gun is a band bringing elevated skill to the often-uniform world of indie rock. - Jersey Beat Magazine

Greetings my local friends and family, what is good? As I sit here, doing some research on some talent to provide all of you, I am looking ahead at the fall show schedules, and all I can say is, “Wow!” Between Thanksgiving weekend at Starland Ballroom being compiled of The Wonder Years, Motion City Soundtrack and Circa Survive, plus an epic lineup of local shows that I have been seeing, it’s making me less upset to see the summer upon exit. This summer has been compacted with an epic schedule; however, I have a feeling the fall is going to showcase itself, upgrading from 2014. So much to look forward to!

That being said, I want to give a shout out to all of the local bands who toured this summer, released records, and really got the grounds cleared for their path to stardom. I must say I have had fun featuring a lot of you this season. So, in true Local Radar fashion, let’s keep the streak going.

This week, I am going to talk about a band that is just getting started out, but I have a feeling they have a very bright future ahead of them. This band goes by the name of John The Gun. What’s the meaning behind the band name, you ask? Well, that’s all still up in the air to me, but we will eventually find out. It’s OK if you’re unfamiliar, because I am just hopping on board as well, so we can dive in together. Let’s go, starting now. I almost enjoy spotlighting bands that I am not completely familiar with, because it allows me to base my thoughts and views solely on what matters most about musicians: their music.

John The Gun is an up-and-coming rock trio from Nutley, New Jersey. Members of this band feature John Cusumano, Dan Jernick, and Corrado Rizzi. They recently released their debut full-length record to a lot of buzz and praise, and I must say, it’s well deserved. The record is called Tread Eternal, and you can listen on Spotify now.

The band recently stated, “Our record was recorded at Backroom Studios in Rockaway with our incredible producer/engineer, Kevin Antreassian.” They also stated that “their music spans across several genres,” and I can really tell that in their sound. However, I see most of the influence from post-hardcore, and I can almost compare their sound to bands like Thrice and Receiving End Of Sirens (not sitting here saying they are jacking their style, but if you asked me, that’s who I’d say). At the same time, I do hear a little indie vibe mixed in, making for a very eclectic sound and groove. On the contrary, their style is their own, and I am really digging this record. It’s rare to find a band that is upcoming have enough solid material to release a full-length and have the whole thing be killer, for most acts release a few EPs along the way before they have enough elements to compile into the final piece. John The Gun, however, does things differently.

The first track I checked out on this record is called “Ghost,” and it’s the album opener. It’s compacted with contagious energy, and was definitely the right choice to set the tone for the release. I personally love everything about this track, from the guitars to the vocals. However, the song that seems to be getting the most buzz currently is called “Lunar.” Immediate thoughts on this title; it resembles the moon. I guess that could be true, as the song is high above everything else I have heard lately. The track starts off a little slower, and then gradually rumbles into an infectious chorus, with irresistible drumming. I can see why they chose to post this track, for it definitely defines their sound as a whole.

I was very excited to have an email in my inbox about this band, and I listened to their stuff without hesitation. Sometimes when a band describes their sound with a few words like “Sounds like Circa Survive,” there would be no reason at all for me to not pick up that record. Other noteworthy tracks that I haven’t been able to stop spinning include “Relevant Element,” “Please Advise,” and “Navigator.” I honestly think this record has a little something for everyone; take my word for it and find your piece. There is a strong crossover of various genres here, so the peg is bound to hit a post that you like.

If you want to learn more about John The Gun, access their music, tour dates, photos, videos, and more, be sure to check out their official Facebook page at facebook.com/JohntheGunmusic. They also have their music on Spotify and much more. Definitely check out those tour dates, because I have feeling they put on a live set that you do not want to miss.

I will be back next week with another band of your liking. In the meantime, be sure to show John The Gun some love, and keep on sending in those submissions. Until next week, my friends! - The Aquarian Weekly