The Antics

New Jersey post-punk outfit The Antics have been steadily and consistently improving ever since their debut LP, Running Faster, dropped while they were still in high school. The promising initial effort smacked of early Arctic Monkeys, but just as the UK quartet has done over the years, The Antics have matured and delved into darker territories.

Whereas Arctic Monkeys greased back their hair and played up their sex appeal, The Antics are digging deeper into a Joy Division inspired sound with their latest single, "When I'm Alone", being released paired with a cover of "Transmission".

The Antics looked to push their sound with producer Marty Munsch (Violent Society) and producer/engineer Bob Both (James Brown) of Twain Recording for the tracks and their forthcoming EP slated for release next year. “When I’m Alone” tracks through a bleary eyed opening bass line setting up wistful acoustic strums and bandleader Luke Meisenbacher’s tender, tense croon. Stream “When I’m Alone” and look for more from The Antics soon.
Read more at http://hangout.altsounds.com/reviews/167982-review-antics-single.html#1hrIvrIrqWLDibrY.99 - ALTSOUNDS

New Jersey post-punk outfit The Antics have been steadily and consistently improving ever since their debut LP, Running Faster, dropped while they were still in high school. Now with band figurehead splitting time between the great Garden State and his collegiate home of South Carolina, the expanded worldview has bled into a weary, Joy Division inspired mature sound.

“When I’m Alone” steps down the tempo of previous singles with a clearer, Julian Casablancas style croon. The single came paired with a cover of “Transmission”.

The Antics looked to push their sound with producer Marty Munsch (Violent Society) and producer/engineer Bob Both (James Brown) of Twain Recording for the tracks and their forthcoming EP slated for release next year. Stream “When I’m Alone” and look for more from The Antics in 2015. - GroundSounds

Raising the bar higher and higher with each release the post-punk outfit, The Antics, are releasing their double-sided release, “When I’m Alone” and “Transmission” now on iTunes. With success at every corner, Music Connection Magazine has just dubbed the New Jersey rockers one of the Top 100 Unsigned Bands of 2014. This latest release serves as a thank you to their loyal fans that have helped make 2014 the best yet, and set the stage to announce their new EP, coming in 2015.

Opening with a dark spellbinding bass, leading to a buoyant guitar, “When I’m Alone” captures you from the start with its mystery and seductive vocals of lead singer, Luke Meisenbacher. With a deep voice and lyrics beyond his years, Luke sings of the future and possibilities with lines such as, “I want to go anywhere but back” and “the sounds I hear are the breath of my memories”. Luke’s low-key, calm persona is transparent in “When I’m Alone” from start to finish. Contrasting the ballad of “When I’m Alone” is the punk rock sounds of the track, “Transmission”. The Antics transform the listener into an up-tempo spacey rock vibe with a glassy guitar riff and rolling drums, with a catchy hook that seems effortlessly cool.

The band sought out help from both producer Marty Munsch (Violent Society) and producer/engineer Bob Both (James Brown) of Twain Recording for the tracks and their forthcoming EP slated for a 2015 release. Each track is carried by relatable lyrics presented by Meisenbacher’s powerful, haunting voice that is complimented by the band’s entrancing instrumentals.

The Antics’ post-punk/indie-rock sound is often accented by 60’s pop, surf and garage rock – the group is certainly capable of it all. Playing their individual instruments from an early age, each member grew up in a different part of New Jersey, yet the members manage to play like they’ve been together all their lives. The group draws inspiration from influential musicians like Joy Division, The Strokes and The Smiths. The Antics have graced the stages of many popular New Jersey and Connecticut venues such as The Space, Crossroads and The Stone Pony and are eager to take on more. They recently expanded their live act geographically to North Carolina where the played at the NODA Festival held in Charlotte as well as SXSW 2014. The cherry on top of the successful year came from the Music Connection Magazine’s announcement as one of the Top 100 Unsigned Bands of 2014.

The Antics are continuing their success and are looking forward to sharing their next EP in 2015. Be sure to grab the two song split, “When I’m Alone”/“Transmission” on iTunes and keep up with The Antics by visiting them on their official website www.WeAreTheAntics.com. - New Music Weekly

My love for NJ post-punk outfit The Antics is well documented on this platform. Each new release charts a growth consistent beyond their years, with a big 2015 in the cross hairs.
Now, The Antics return with a two song split, “When I’m Alone” & “Transmission”. The former is available for streaming below and the latter can be purchased on iTunes.
The Antics looked to push their sound with producer Marty Munsch (Violent Society) and producer/engineer Bob Both (James Brown) of Twain Recording for the tracks and their forthcoming EP slated for release next year.
“When I’m Alone” tracks through a weary eyed opening bass line setting up wistful acoustic strums and Luke Meisenbacher’s Alex Turner-esque croon. Stream “When I’m Alone” below and look for more from The Antics soon. - Speak Into My Good Eye

Here it is, our annual Hot 100 list of unsigned performers who delivered something special onstage this year. Contributing nominations to 2014’s list were MC staffers as well as freelance writers, club bookers, A&R reps, music attorneys and other industry pros nationwide. - Music Connection

With their new EP Send It Out The Antics step out of the light to explore the darker corners of themselves. It has been less than two years since their strong debut album Running Faster was released but the new record is a quantum leap into maturity and confidence. Send It Out finds the band a little older, a little wiser, a little tougher. The album sounds like it was made by a band that you don’t want to mess around with.
From the electrical buzz and distorted guitar intro of opener “Plenty of Time” you can tell this isn’t the Antics you’re used to. And that is exciting. This is a big and bold sound. Singer and guitarist Luke Meisenbacher warns early “Never gonna let you deal my cards again, never gonna let you in my house again.” The post-punk sound the Antics are known for is there. Only it is now enhanced with a healthy dose of distortion and attitude. A strong opening statement for sure.

“I Don’t Want To Go Back” is a sinuous rocker with slashing guitars reminiscent of Gang of Four. The Antics slow things down a bit with the alluring title track where one can hear a bit of the influence of The Doors. The last half of the song is a wall of noise with layered vocals, drums and guitars. The retooled single “Love and Roses” follows and it is a perfect mixture of upbeat melodies with jangly guitars and smooth vocals from Meisenbacher.

“When You Say” sounds the closest to the sound of Running Faster but handled with more confidence. The closer “Girls Are Troublesome” has an atmospheric intro that Robert Smith might wish he had come up with. The moody and slower paced song perfectly accentuates Luke’s deep voice here.

The Antics, now a three piece band, have come a long way in two years. Send It Out sounds like a band that has found itself, learned its strengths and knows where it wants to go.

Luke answered a few questions for us:

The new album is a bit darker than Running Faster. Was it a conscience choice to go in that direction or did you find yourself in that place?

I think there’s more to explore in darker music than there is in happy music. A lot of times when you’re feeling sad, you listen to dark music, you relate to it, and you feel better because you feel less alone. There’s only so much mileage you can get out of complete euphoria.

You experiment with some new sounds on this album including a live conversation snippet. Do you experiment a lot in the recording process?

I try to because it allows you to expand on what you already have. With zero experimentation a lot of these songs would just be oddball acoustic jams. I often write with the acoustic. But sometimes in the studio it can be hard to mess around if you don’t have carte blanche. That’s why we do most of the experimenting at home.

Your sound is influenced by 80s bands and you recently mentioned on Facebook that you have a few favorites. Who are some?

Josh and I never seem to tire of Echo and The Bunnymen. I started listening to them right after Running Faster came out in 2012, and I still listen to them. Then there are the expected ones like Joy Division, and to some extent, The Cure. You can hear some of our Gang of Four influence as well.

Does the album cover, designed by Maggie Carey, have a special meaning to you? A departure of sorts?

When I wrote most of these songs, I took the train a lot in order to commute to and from school. Girls Are Troublesome was actually written on the train with a synth plugin that I have on my computer. And “I Don’t Want to Go Back” is exactly what it means. (I transferred and now I go to a different school)

What is next for The Antics? Will you be doing some touring for Send It Out?

We’re working on another EP/half album. We probably won’t be doing any live stuff until after that one is out.

You can pick up Send It Out on Bandcamp and iTunes.

Copyright, You Don’t Know Jersey, LLC (2010-2015) - You Don't Know Jersey

New Jersey based band, The Antics, have released their new EP, Send It Out. Send It Out is the follow up to the group’s debut album Running Faster, released in November of 2012. As they settle into their unique, mature sound, the post-punk/indie-rock group will have fans excited about their delightfully evolved sound. Send It Out is available for download on iTunes.

Luke Meisenbacher (vocals/guitar), Derek Rosengarth (guitar), Josh Reitan (drums) are the fun-loving men that make-up The Antics. “I don’t write music that sounds exactly like something else or things that don’t matter to me,” Meisenbacher said about his writing style. The new tracks showcase the perfect balance Meisenbacher’s clear and strong vocals while also illuminating the texture of each instrument. Recorded at Woodstock Studios in Raritan, NJ, “Love and Roses” was the first track recorded for the EP. Upon hearing the finished version, Meisenbacher took time off to write the rest of the tracks featured on the EP due to his newfound inspiration. The band then sought out help from producer Marty Munsch (Violent Society) and engineer Bob Both (James Brown) of Twain Recording to finish the remainder of the record. The EP features six new dynamic songs. Each track is carried by relatable lyrics presented by Meisenbacher’s powerful, haunting voice that is complimented by the band’s entrancing instrumentals of rolling drums and stellar guitar licks. The Antics have a thick sound with a density that varies from song to song. The EP jumps from a heavy, darker track like “Send It Out” to lighter numbers both instrumentally and lyrically such as “Love and Roses”.

The Antics’ post-punk/indie-rock sound is often accented by 60’s pop, surf and garage rock – the group is certainly capable of it all. Playing their individual instruments from an early age, each member grew up in a different part of New Jersey yet the members manage to play like they’ve been together all their lives. The band has been growing together for three years, and through the trials and tribulations; their brotherly bond has allowed them to develop a unique sound that speaks to their vibrant personalities. The group draws inspiration from influential musicians like Joy Division, The Strokes and The Smiths. The Antics have graced the stages of many popular New Jersey and Connecticut venues such as The Space, Crossroads and The Stone Pony and are eager to take on more. They recently expanded their live act geographically to North Carolina where the played at the NODA Festival held in Charlotte as well as SXSW 2014.

The Antics are continuing their success since Running Faster with this EP, and it is clear they are a force to be reckoned with. Be sure to check out Send It Out on iTunes and keep up with The Antics by visiting them on their official website www.wearetheantics.com. - Music News Nashville

It doesn’t seem like all that long ago we were featuring NJ post-punk outfit The Antics’ LP Running Faster. Actually, it’s only been a little over a year. It’s been a treat watching these prodigiously talented rockers hit the scene running with a rigorous, workmanlike approach to touring with a deft eye for landing in the right spots for rapid audience expansion.
But as far as their overall sound is concerned, whoa have things developed quickly. With a tease evident in their cover of Joy Division’s “Iceage”, SIMGE weighed in back in February that “this on the cusp outfit has proven that they’re always on the pulse and one step ahead in terms of repetition or stagnation.”
On Tuesday, August 26th, The Antics are set to drop the six song Send It Out, their first extended since narrowing down to a power trio. Whereas Running Faster showed flashes of traditional indie-rock promise, the latest crop of songs drips with a matured sense of lovelorn desperation as Luke Meisenbacher’s vocal delivery and songwriting strike a deliciously darker tone.
Speak Into My Good Eye is proud to offer up the exclusive debut of single “I Don’t Want To Go Back” which serves as the perfect entry point towards The Antics’ updated sound for those familiar and otherwise. Stream “I Don’t Want To Go Back” below and pre-order your copy of Send It Out here. - Speak Into My Good Eye

The Antics are a post-punk, garage indie band out of Skillman NJ who blend a number of influences to make their own compelling sound. However, that doesn’t really describe the music or do them justice. You can use these terms to describe any number of bands. The Antics infuse this sound with a healthy dose of alternative 70s and 80s. They also use elements of late 60s rock and surf music. These guys know their musical roots and use them in a way that sounds fresh and exciting.

The band started in 2009 as Swimming With Piranhas when Luke Meisenbacher (vocals/guitar) and Josh Reitan (drums) first started playing music together. After the original lead guitarist and bassist left the spots were filled by Derek Rosengarth (guitar) and Kyle Hammerschmidt (bass). In 2011 they changed the band name and The Antics were born.

Their strong debut album Running Faster, was released last November and is an intriguing listen. A raw, minimalist sound with slashing guitars and streamlined bass is what stand out. The influences are immediate. Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen come to mind. Luke’s voice is confident and works well with the music. From the strong opener “Touch the Sky” with straight ahead rock and roll to the closer “Take Your Passport (Let’s Get it On)” with great guitars and slinky bass line there is really not a weak track on the album. “Payday” is a standout track with guitar that sounds like early Clash.

Their new single “Love and Roses” is a step forward musically for the band. It is a Strokes like tune that is a bit smoother than the songs on Running Faster. If this is any indication the new material to follow the next album is going to be awesome.

The Antics will be an interesting band to follow and we are excited for their future.

Luke took some time to answer a few questions for us;

How did you guys get together? How did the name come about?

Josh and I were actually in the same physics class our freshman year in high school. We were good friends and since he was a drummer and I needed one we started jamming. We eventually filled in lead guitar and bass, but those original members left and that’s where my cousin Derek and his stepbrother Kyle joined. The name “The Antics” comes from when we would make short films of ourselves during band practice when we first started.

Your debut album Running Faster came out late last year. How has the feedback been?

The feedback was sort of slow at first but it’s been ramping up more and more. We love hearing what people think of our music, so the increase in feedback has definitely been welcome. Running Faster was very DIY in terms of recording and marketing and we were afraid that it would be overlooked, but that’s not really much of a problem anymore.

You are set to release the awesome new song Love and Roses on September 2nd. The sound seems like a step forward musically for the band. Would you say your sound is always evolving?

Yes of course because it’s easy to get bored of things. We’re always adding and tweaking little things like tone, playing styles, and effects. There’s never really a shortage of ideas because there’s just so much stuff to mess around with.

We’ve read you are writing new material for an EP. How is the recording process coming along? Excited about releasing new material?

We have a bunch of almost finished songs but haven’t started to record them yet, not counting the demos that I made when I wrote them. I’m hoping it will run smoothly when we do start recording because sometimes it can be a bit stressful, especially when you’ve painted a very vivid picture in your head and you have to communicate that to others. It isn’t easy to describe color through words just as it isn’t easy to describe sound that way.

Do you like living in New Jersey? What do you think of the Jersey music scene these days?

It’s easy to complain about New Jersey for a lot of things but it can be very exciting. There are a lot of cool places to play and I think the scene is evolving. There are more bands trying to do their own thing nowadays, which is very important in keeping things fresh.

Five words to describe The Antics?

The Antics are a band.

Running Faster and the new single “Love and Roses” are both available on iTunes.

Copyright, You Don’t Know Jersey, LLC (2010-2015) - You Don't Know Jersey

In 1975 The Captain & Tennille made famous a tune titled “Love Will Keep Us Together”, popularizing the Neil Sedaka composition on a worldwide scale. In 1979, ever the ironic penman that he was, Joy Division’s Ian Curtis cut a single named “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, a warning issued to listeners about the pains attached to romantic accords…and issued by a man experienced in intimacy gone awry.
On Tuesday, September 2nd, Skillman, NJ’s The Antics will, intentionally or unintentionally (we don’t know), unveil the next chapter in this music book with “Love & Roses”, a new stand alone single discussing life in a confusing and confining relationship.
The Antics present this play-by-play on a bed of Brit-Rock inspired guitar flourishes, jangling into each unassured offering as frontman Luke Meisenbacher opines about the game of love, a place where “senses go to die” and your left with questions for your partner like “what are you trying to do to me?” and “why are you trying to make me forget everyone you adhere too?” - Speak Into My Good Eye

With Valentines Day just thirteen days away, for those who are single the hunt is on to find the perfect date for V-Day. For all the single ladies out there, New Jersey’s own The Antics shares why you should be seeking out a Jersey boy as a date for not only V-Day but any day. For it seems Jersey boys know the way to treat a girl to a delicious Valentines Day breakfast or the day after. Plus who wouldn’t want to catch a glimpse of a deer or fox?
1. Nature: New Jersey is quite a site in regards to nature. The wildlife is outrageous! When on a date with a Jersey boy, you may experience the viewing of squirrels, raccoons, deer, skunks, and maybe a fox or two, if you’re lucky. If tigers are your thing, you can go on a date to Six Flags Great Adventure theme park!
2. Bars: The bars in New Jersey are astounding. If you are a female looking for a hot date, just walk into a bar and a flock of blokes will come right up to you with warm welcomes and smiles! However, if that whole shebang isn’t your cup of tea, you can always turn to the stage and watch The Antics rockin’ it out like the hunks of burning love they have proven to be! If you play cards right, maybe you’ll get lucky and end up goin’ steady with an Antic!
3. Beaches: If one is into beautiful beaches, oceans, or water in any form, one could take a date on an excursion down to the renowned Jersey shore, for a nice extravaganza in the sun! But be careful not to let the seagulls eat your hot pretzel as you stroll down the boardwalk! Basking in the sun and digging for sand crabs will really help you and your Jersey boy form a lasting bond as strong as steel.
4. More Car Time: Not having to pump our own gas is something that us Jersey men take great pride in. Imagine. You and your lad are getting ready to take the party back to his crib, when you realize the gas tank is on E. Oh no! But don’t be alarmed, a gas station is right ahead, and your man doesn’t even have to get out of the car to fill the tank. That’s right! In New Jersey we have no knowledge of how to fuel our vehicles, which means more quality time to mingle at the pump.
5. Bagels: It’s known that girls love bagels, and Jersey boys have just that. New Jersey bagels are known for being big in size, fresh, and just the perfect consistency! Every good Jersey boy will know to take his date out for breakfast at the best bagel place in the area, for a fine morning time date. However, if you don’t want to sit down in a way to small, overcrowded establishment, bring a dozen home and stick ‘em in the freezer!
6. Us: The Antics are located right near Princeton, which is a plus for all you ivy leaguers! Take one of us out on a date and we’ll be sure to take you to the art museum, the two theater cinema, the record exchange, and maybe even stop for some hot wings at Chuck’s Café! Give us a call at 867-5309! - The Sound Alarm

The band of the week top 5 is dominated by bands from the USA other than the number one spot which goes to 12:27 from England. - Indie Band Blog

First and foremost, I want to touch on a band called The Antics from Skillman, NJ. I don’t know the history or background of this band, so I cannot provide you a lengthy bio on them, but hell, we all like shortened versions, right? Anyway, I was sent their stuff from a good photographer friend of mine named Jeff Crespi, and I haven’t looked back since. They have that old school, raw, raucous, garage sound. The Antics are Luke, Derek, Kyle, and Josh, a four-piece not to be messed with. The band’s unadorned, slop rock niche yielded them an album called Running Faster, and it’s compacted with hit after hit and no filler. Let me just say that after 15 listens, I love it. The album as a whole is impressive; they have used several broad brushes to paint one of the most unified yet dissimilar records I have heard in quite some time. It’s totally refreshing to hear music and records that do not sound overproduced, auto tuned, or insanely tweaked. My favorite track is “Payday,” as it has somewhat of a grandiose feel that is best served leisurely and consciously. Other standout tracks consist of “In The Night,” and “Touch The Sky.” The Antics back their rebellious stance with music that sears with energy and volume. I have yet to see them live, and I am more than excited to get out on the road and cheer them on. Be sure to check out their social media sites to find out where they are stopping next, so you can join me as well. Trust me when I say that this is a band you want to get to know! - The Aquarian Weekly