New Morning

"John Biz may just be one of the brightest unsung lights on the Bowery for those of us who share this strange fascination with all things Big Apple - or even those who don't. His latest Steve Albini-produced disc, The Happiest Days of My Life, is - if not perfect - a by and large fine addition to that exalted East Coast rock pantheon."
-Score Music Magazine - score music magazine

"The Happiest Days Of My Life"
2006
Industrial Park Records
Score: 9 (of 10)

Singer-songwriter John Biz grew up in Brooklyn, New York and was fronting bands by the age of 12. In 2003 Biz formed Industrial Park Records; the following year he released two solo albums, before a personal and financial collapse. Luckily for Biz the strength of Elephant In The Room and B-Squad Leaders led producer Steve Albini (The Pixies, Nirvana, The Breeders) to invite him to come record at Albini’s Electric Audio. Biz had three weeks to prepare without any songs written and no band; the result is The Happiest Days Of My Life.
When you read that Steve Albini is producing a record for a singer-songwriter your initial reaction is probably going to be head-scratching, but The Happiest Days Of My Life will put aside any questions you might have. Listening to this record it is obvious that John Biz is not the typical singer-songwriter; this guy’s material is not meant for coffee shops, the 11-songs on this album are raw rock tunes featuring distorted guitar and great beats. The songs are simple rockers with great melodies and a nice rawness to them.
Biz’s voice goes along perfectly with his music. Aside from the slower, lighter “Low Tide,� Biz sings with an almost punk rawness, which perfectly compliments his music. Lyrically The Happiest Days Of My Life is a bit on the simple side (“I’m only talking to the animals/ I’m only laughing over chemicals�- “Heavy Bag�), but it is quite catchy.
Overall: Not your typical singer-songwriter stuff, Biz brings the raw rock.


- Graham Bailey 12.21.2006

• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

Punk has had a pretty tough rap for the last 30 or so years. Johnny Rotten, was, well rotten, but no matter your views on the actual music, you couldn't help but pick up on their energy and sheer enthusiasm. Maybe the Sex Pistols isn't the best of punk examples, but they are at least a band that everyone looks to as the pinnacle of punk, or should that be punk as it once was. As the years passed, a more melodic form of punk emerged, the Ramones probably being one of the best examples. Whilst John Biz is not a typical example of punk, you can't but help hear those harder edged influences in his music.

There's eleven tracks on this album and they all have that raw energy, that's channeled very effectively into some great songs. Opening with "Drugs Tonight", this has all the earmarks of a good boozeup song. I can just imagine a crowd at a gig, or in a pub or bar, singing along to this one. Oasis are another band who's songs seem to be taken up as beer anthems. Ah, I've sung Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger, along with a pub full of drunks on many occasions. "Unconditional" continues with that great sound and is among my favorites on the album. "Maybe There's Away" reminds me a bit of Weezer, who were a great band of the 90's, who've just started to become popular again. "Broken Glass" continues that thumping driving beat formula to good effect. It's the middle of the album, that seems to fade or change direction. "Engine" has a very electric jazz feel to it, especially the opening drums. "Like an Ashtray of Empty Promises" is an instrumental track, that just doesn't seem to go anywhere. It almost feels like it was thrown on the album as an afterthought. "Low Tide" and "Big Car" feel very awkward on the album, compared with the rest of the energetic, electric tracks. From "Heavybag" to the end of the album, things pick up again and these are much more in keeping with the beginning of the album.

If I were to pick out my favorite tracks on the album, they would have to be "Drugs Tonight", which is just a stellar track, "Unconditional" and the track the finishes off the album "We Saved Each Others Lives", which reminds me a lot of the Smiths, always a good thing.

Conclusion : A great rock album, which has those punk over tones, with a little bit of Nirvana thrown in for good measure. A great album to test out that new stereo or MP3 player that you get for Christmas.
posted by Colin at 3:11 PM
2 Comments:
Chris E said...
John Biz's, The happiest days of my life is by far on my top ten of 2006. He will definently be recognized for his writings in 07.
7:23 PM

- Indie Launchpad Review

John Biz's “Unconditional” is filled with that straight-ahead, crunchy pop riffage that the Replacements made so popular back in the 80s. The nice thing about this song is that by the end of the song, the fuzz bass has become the focal point. Bob Mould may like to crank it up, but that’s why Husker Du never rocked as much as they droned. “Unconditional” reiterates a truth that too many rock bands forget: guitar is often secondary to the rhythm section in effective rock songs. - jezebelmusic.com

Music writers tend to receive more albums than they have time for. And when John Biz caught my contact information off of the Cityzen website, I was “just being nice” by giving my mailing address for him to send his CD. But when the CD arrived and I had a few minutes to listen – WOW!

Not only blown away by his noisy but melodic rock, but also the back-story discussed in his press kit, I immediately asked John if we could do some Q&A in lieu of an album review. Luckily, he complied.

Cityzen: What do you wish more people knew about John Biz?

John Biz: That I have a giant tomato for a head, and some other stuff: I am energetic and good with string, I care for spleefs a great deal, and I try to avoid frowners as much as possible. San Loco and Bereket are two of my favorite spots to eat in the Lower East Side, but I was recently informed that gyro is the new taco, so what the hell am I supposed to do now? I do know for a fact that “Mac & Cheese Surprise” is like heroin, except it tastes better and you can put barbeque sauce and bacon in it...

Other than that, I enjoy skinny skiing, going to bullfights on acid, and on your free time I play drug rock with my frients* (Dave Patrikios and Stephen Chopek). My mom told me I’m a genuine guy with a big heart and a delinquent with a bad attitude in the same afternoon, so I’m sort of generally confused about what to think of myself really.


CZ: What was it that led you into the punk scene as a teenager?

JB: I always wanted to believe in music and its power to change things but remember being disappointed in what I was exposed to while growing up. Finding something worth listening to on the radio in America was like finding a wet cat, and as a kid, the radio was all I had to rely on for new music. Everything I heard sounded contrived and empty. I nearly gave up hope because I felt like nothing was happening. It appeared as if music had lost its edge and become complacent. Classic rock had its moment, but it belonged to a generation that for all intents and purposes had given up hope and become submissive to what they stood against. As a result, what had started as a revolution in the 60’s had become irrelevant by the time it got to me.

The facade the mainstream media used to push its agenda created widespread disillusion within my generation, and I never forgave that. I was searching for some inspiration, for someone I could relate to, and I was frustrated because I just didn’t know where to turn. Thankfully, in high school I made frients* with people who helped me expand my horizons artistically and musically, and they loved to party too, which was a bonus.

Those people also introduced me to a small revolution in the form of a hardcore punk rock scene in Staten Island, and it really excited me because I had finally found something I believed in. The thing I loved about this music was that, like the kids who made it, it was honest and expressive and wouldn’t tolerate bullshit. While the bands that I really liked within that local scene did have a following, it seemed to me that being real was more important than being popular. Being drunk and throwing up on the kid next to you was always fun too.

CZ: Looking back, do you have fond memories of the punk rock days?

JB: I definitely do. I never thought the scene had an allegiance to punk rock or hardcore or any one particular genre; what made it special was that it was entirely made up of outcast kids taking action and inspiring each other to not be afraid to do something. The bands I was in would get wasted in local rehearsal studios and sometimes even book some recording time. I made album art and produced tapes to sell and distribute and that was the start of my first “record label,” Log Records.

Despite the gangs, meatheads and assorted ignorant assholes that gave Staten Island some grime, it always struck me as being a heavily republican, materialistic area of New York, so most of those clubs were shut down quickly.

The scene was just a bunch of kids trying to use music as a release from the bullshit that came along with our surroundings. There wasn’t exactly a feeling of comradery (actually it was more competitive than anything), but there was a sense that something was going on that we could be a part of. I think pretty much everyone involved in that scene knew that it would be more or less ignored and we gave it what we had anyway, which still really means something to me. As luck would have it, a few great bands, some of which are still active and relevant, came from strict catholic high schools… of all places.

CZ: Moving on, how would you describe your new album to someone who hasn't heard it yet?

JB: (in my posh British accent) It’s all nice voices and scary lyrics, passionate guitars and bass melodies with pounding drums. It’s very punk rock, but with a hefty dash of sour diesel on the noggin. Somebody once told me it reminded them of racing along the edge of a cliff in - www.cityzen.tv

John Biz Interview in NW Music Blog:
http://www.nwmusicblog.com/2008/05/29/nwmb-interview-with-brooklyns-john-biz/#more-949

John Biz / Higgins - Aloha review:
sandiegopunk.com


<b>Verbicide Issue #23</b>
Spring 2008
Candy Shop: Music Section (Print)
<b>John Biz / Higgins</b>
"<i>Vida</i>" - Industrial Park - CD
If there's one thing I could say about <i>Vida</i>, the collaborated album from two Industrial Park Records artists, John Biz and Higgins, it's that its musical coverage is limited only by the album's playtime. While this album's opener, "Juicy Starfruit Young and Alive" may be a punk-ish anthem, many of the tracks such as "Lonely Girl" relax with toned-down vocals that don't resemble the first track at all. Another nice surprise was the vast inclusion of several instruments, pleasing me with an unexpected horn section in "Sweet Tooth". Several influences saturate this record from start to finish, all resembling some of the solidest bands around. Yo La Tengo melodies are found throughout the album as well as unmistakable Dinosaur Jr. distorted jam sessions. There's no argument that John Biz and Higgins are all about the music, including not one but three instrumental tracks, each with it's own sound and mood, including "The Nanas and The Tatas" with its jazzy drumming and piano. If you're in the dark about either of the bands presented here, be sure to pick up a copy of <i>Vida</i>. It is an unregrettable introduction to the artists of Industrial Park.
(Asher Ellis) (Industrial Park Records, 104 Nassau Ave #3, Brooklyn NY 11222)

The Deli Magazine

NYC artists on the rise: John Biz
Is John Biz a singer-songwriter? The singer-songwriter label has gotten some kind of awkward rep in the past decade or so. In fact, the very term itself creates an image of a guy cradling a guitar in a downtown coffee shop playing "heartfelt", probably not too exciting songs. It didn't used to be this way and New York artist John Biz is doing everything possible to shake that picture from everyone's minds. His buzzing, poppy, fun songs, which are often peppered with an undercurrent of seriousness, reflect pop music at its best. His new album, Happiest Days of My Life, is a dirty, exciting and high volume trip through one of the city's hippest minds, and as such, shouldn't dare be missed by anyone that even pretends to have their finger on the pulse of the underground music scene. The boy is gonna blow up! - Dan Berkman
Published on Mon, 12 Nov 2007


Verbicide Magazine:
Issue 21 – Print
“The Happiest Days of My Life” – Industrial Park – CD

John Biz embodies the storytelling spirit and grit of Mike Ness or Mark Lanagan combined with the humble, lo-fi stylings of Robert Pollard. The songs he creates are simple, fuzzed-out indie rock tunes that, rather than trying to be cute or quirky, are instead authentic, biographical nuggets that endear the listener to the artist. Mellower tracks settled in the middle of the album, “Low Tide” and “Engine,” or the instrumental, Sonic Youth-ish “Like An Ashtray Full Of Empty Promises,” counter nicely with bouncy bass-driven songs such as “Heavy Bag” and “Maybe There’s a Way.” Like the aforementioned Pollard’s Guided by Voices, none of the songs are too lengthy, none are too short – Biz knows how to get in and out of a song and keep it satisfying without straying into the self-indulgent. I’m a child of the ‘80s, but a music fan born in the ‘90s, and incidentally, many of the guys I came of age listening to also recorded with Steve Albini, who recorded and mixed this album. John Biz is worth a listen if you too prefer The Pixies and GbV to… well, whatever shitty band your dumb kid thinks is cool. (Jackson Ellis) (Industrial Park Records, 104 Nassau Ave #3, Brooklyn, NY 11222)

ALLMUSIC - CMJ

Industrial Park Records, the East Williamsburg-based label run by John Biz, a workhorse of a man who not only spent the entire showcase last night at the Tank — where the risers and folding chairs made the small bar seem more like rehearsal space than anything else –- introducing and promoting the artists, thanking everyone who’s been supportive of them, but also performing two sets himself. He’s certainly no one-trick pony. Besides Biz, who first appeared onstage as part of the Woodie Guthrie tribute band National Seashore and then with the punk-influenced John Biz & the Rolling Stallones, trippy duo Norris and a Bob-Dylan-esque set by Joey Weiss (aka Super Monster) both provided solid examples of what the label can do.


SUBINEV
http://subinev.com/newblog/archives/001043.php

October 11, 2007

08:24 AM - CMJ07 Recommendations
Tuesday, October 16

The Tank
7:15pm Norris
8:00pm The Bones of Davey Jones
8:45pm Super Monster
9:30pm National Seashore
10:15pm John Biz (& The Rolling Stallones)
11:00pm Higgins

STEREOACTIVENYC.COM

http://www.stereoactivenyc.com/2007/10/24/cmj-recap/

Okay, now that CMJ is good and over, let’s take a look back at a - The Deli, Verbicide, Allmusic - CMJ, Subinev.com, Stereoactivenyc.com

Comments: John Biz' new album, ironically titled The Happiest Days of My Life, is a pop rock album recorded in the key of grunge. The guitars have a dirty fuzz tone and the production is minimalistic. Arising from the simplicity comes an album full of catchy songs with a great pop feel.

Here is where the irony lies. John craftily writes dark lyrics and puts them over major chords, fooling the average listener into thinking "these are great happy songs!" There's even a great "doot doot doot" section in "Broken Glass" and a few "bop-badas" in "Big Car." It's great! You can sing along and bob your head while you slit your wrists. O.K., it's not that dark.

The album was recorded in four days with the majority of each song being recorded in one take, which if you're familiar with the recording process, is an amazing feat considering the sound John gets on this album. If you're used to the "wall of sound" production that many of the bands have these days, you're going to be disappointed in Happiest Days. This album is similar to the Whigs in terms of production.

It's tough to pinpoint John's sound. Vocally, at times he sounds just a little bit like a darker version of John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. Occasionally, he has an Eddie Money sound. But he also has his own distinct sound. Musically, he sounds a little bit like Husker Du or the Whigs.

"Drugs Tonight" is an excellent start to the album. The lyrics paint an interesting, colorful picture, even if they leave plenty of room for interpretation. Musically, it has a great vibe and builds very well. John's voice sounds a little bit like Eddie Money on this chorus--just for an instant.

"Low Tide" is real gem about wanting a simple, happy life at the same time being thankful for what you have. It's got a nice mellow but the production has a distinctive Hawaiian feel that makes you feel warm inside and drowsy all at the same time. It also provides a nice sonic break in the album. Don't skip over this one.

John wanted Happiest Days Of My Life to stand on the strength of the songs alone. Amazingly, in this day of "production-or-crap" mentality, The Happiest Days of My Life has the strength to stand up on Jupiter (gravity reference there for you brainy types).
Bottom line: If you're tired of the same crap that gets rammed down your throat every day, month after month, year after year, then The Happiest Days of My Life will be a breath of fresh air.
Track Listing:
1. Drugs Tonight
2. Unconditional
3. Maybe There's a Way
4. Broken Glass
5. Engine
6. Like an Ashtray Full of EMTY Promises (but we're still all rootin' for the kid)
7. Low Tide
8. Big Car
9. Heavy Bag
10. Alcohol Today
11. We Saved Each Others Lives
HRH Rating: 7.9/10
- hard rock haven - by Curt Hauff

JOHN BIZ
The Happiest Days of My Life
Industrial Park Records

I love when someone like John Biz comes along and creates music like he has on “The Happiest Days of My Life.� Raw, energetic, and bouncy for the most part are what I would use to describe this album. There is quite a bit of bounce to a majority of the tracks that make up this record and overall I am reminded a lot of what Lookout Records was putting out back when they were good. This isn’t a punk rock record, but musically this would work next to the likes of Squirtgun, Mr. T Experience, etc… The vocals are crisp and clean and draw you into this album. They almost remind me of the hush, whispery style of bands from the mid 90’s like the Primitive Radio Gods. As the bio states, a majority of these songs were the first take, which explains the rawness of them, but then again that’s what makes this music so great. The slight flaws, the rawness, and the overall feeling of passion you get from these bouncy songs without this being emo. Solid record from start to finish and a must listen for any fan of rock music. (JK)
- all ages zine

JOHN BIZ
The Happiest Days of My Life
Industrial Park Records 2006
"Clearly the happiest days of John’s life revolve around sex, drugs, and rock and roll. For this husky-voiced rocker, that’s not a bad thing. The raw rhythms and to-the-point lyrics take a little warming up to, but in the end Biz delivers one gritty hard rock album." (G.D.)
4 out of 5
- rock is life

John Biz - The Happiest Days of My Life
Grade: B+

Even though The Lemonheads were all over college radio in the 90's, they really didn't inspire many bands to create music in a similar power-pop vein. But upon listening to the first couple of tracks on John Biz's new CD, The Happiest Days of My Life, it's hard not to think that Biz was true fan of Evan Dando and friends. Packed with 11 fun guitar/bass/drum/vocal tracks, Happiest Days is a fun and lite romp. Biz has a great voice, and the songs pack a decent punch, especially on tracks like the rocker "Heavy Bag. Sometimes Biz echos a bit of Weezer ("Maybe There's a Way"), and he's not afraid to try the odd rock instrumental track ("We Saved Each Other's Lives"). This album is expertly recorded and stands up to repeated listening.
- Hit Session