The Jaws

There's something satisfying about the music that The Jaws make. It's so straightforward, with
punchy chords, smacking drums and harmonic-to-howling vocals. It goes down like that first
shot of tequila on a wild night out--warm with a quick afterbite. Listening to their five-track
demo, it's a wonder more bands don't seem to get this. The simple combination of elements that
makes music singe. Guitar solos, courtesy of Dan Stenson , whip out without lingering too long.
In fact, every song wraps up quick and tight, leaving a shimmer of energy behind. By the last
song, "The Hole," it's moved from southern garage rock to pop-punk with an immensely catchy
chorus "Won't you take me hoooome," that just seems designed for bouncing around a room in a
way Phish never intended. What separates The Jaws from angst-ridden youth rock is Nick
Sproviero 's harmonic in-control voice, at times reminiscent of the Black Crowes' Chris
Robinson. On "Waking Up," he switches easily between deep registers and high and even the
yells are on-key.
The four-man group, which includes Mike Symogyi on bass and Stu Ploss on drums, formed in
2001 playing alongside punk bands in Port Chester. Sproviero says the local scene has "been
pretty good to us. I guess in a way it's up to the band or artist to try to give people a good
reason to come out to the show." On March 6, local music fans have at least four good reasons
when The Jaws play the first ever Palapalooza at Stamford's brand-new Palace Theater
alongside M.Headphone , NYC's Quintus and funk headliners The Bomb Squad . The night
should run the gamut of sounds, with The Jaws' gutsy originals perhaps making the loudest
noise. While they could probably blow an audience to the back walls if they wanted to, The
Jaws sound far too skilled for that. When asked their aspirations, Sproviero's response is "try
not to clear a room." Chances are, by the time they've got the audience good and tipsy,
everything's bound to sound better.
- The Fairfield Weekly