The Magnums: Re-cocked and Re-loaded

By BIL FACCIPONTE           

A separation of two parties is a devastating event for anyone involved. At the time, it's hard to imagine life going on at that point. For most people, this comes in the form of a romantic relationship. However, there is another type of relationship that may suffer this more than anyone else.

Many bands that have become household names do not contain the original members that started the band. Whether it be due to politics within the band, a lack of desire or a new dream coming about, band members split all the time. The biggest issue for the band is moving on from that point.

While many may quit after losing a member, Toms River band The Magnums have kept their passion for music. Drummer Phil Rusher had left the band to explore other interests. Despite the loss, The Magnums made their return to the stage on Thursday, February 6 at McIntyre's Pub in Toms River with new drummer, Drew Maltese.

Bil Facciponte: Hey guys, we're here outside McIntyre's after your first set in almost a year. How does it feel?

Nico Santo-Domingo: It feels good to be back on stage performing. We haven't been around in a little while and it almost feels like we never left. I think Drew did really well.

BF: Well let's touch on that. Drew you've only been in the band for a few months now. How does it feel to be apart of the returning Magnums tonight?

Drew Maltese: It felt pretty good, jubilant even. All in all it was great except for a broken cymbal and a leg on the floor tom. It was really cool to be a part of this. I've always been a fan of them. When I first moved (to New Jersey) I started going to a bunch of their shows. I don't normally play drums, but with this band, it just feels good and natural.

NSD: It really felt like rock and roll.

BF: Would you guys say this is the best lineup you've ever had?

NSD: I can't because we've said that every time. Tonight though, we did have a lot of people tell us Drew was exactly the drummer we needed.

BF: The biggest thing a band needs is a connection between members. How do you guys feel Drew fits with the band?

NSD: He fits real well. We all get along and that's one of the key things for us.

BF: You guys debuted a few new songs tonight. Talk a bit about the process in writing the new tunes.

Garret Bayard: It seemed effortless. Everything just kind of fell into place.

NSD: Yeah nothing seemed to really change as far as the writing process went. It did seem easier now than it ever did before.

DM: It took about five minutes to write a song and I've never been part of a band that could write so quickly. It's just something where we caught magic in the moment and just rode that groove. 

BF: In a lot of the new stuff we're starting to hear Rob doing backup vocals. You haven't done a lot of those in the past, how does it feel?

Rob Molinari: I've actually always wanted to. I enjoy doing vocals. As long as it sounds good, I'm happy.

BF: It sounded very good. In fact, the show as a whole was great.

NSD: Yeah a couple of people noticed at the beginning of our set I was nervous. I was just kind of walking awkwardly on stage but once we got into it, it fell into place.

BF: Well you guys debuted some new songs tonight and you've been spending some time in the studio. When can we expect a new album?

GB: Soon, a lot sooner. Definitely quicker than our last one.

DM: Oh I'll definitely back that. I'm so anxious to record.

NSD: Yeah, everything just feels good now. We've had six members that have come and gone with the band but like I said, several people have told has the Drew is what we needed.

GB: Nico and I talked about that earlier and we're pretty inclined to agree with those people.

BF: Well fellas, it was great to see you back on the stage and I'm sure the fans can't wait to see you again. Thank you for the interview and the best of luck to you.

NSD: Thank you for your support and remember kids, always support local music.

The Magnums are:

Nico Santo-Domingo

Garrett Bayard

Rob Molinari

Drew Maltese

End of an Era's Self-Titled Album: PICK IT UP!

There are very few times in which I hear a local band at a local bar and are impressed. It's even more rare that I'm blown away and want more. The first time I saw End of an Era at a local Toms River bar, I had to have more, and they were willing to dish it out.
I met with the Jersey music scene's favorite degenerates after their show, and in all honesty, judging by the crowd who was there to see them and there performance, I was expecting a bunch of pompous jerks. Much to my pleasant surprise, they were some of the most down to earth guys I've ever met, in the music industry or the rest of the world. Not only were they very personable, but they showed a refreshing passion for their music that the scene doesn't see often enough.
Two years later, End of an Era released their self-titled album, and they have gone far beyond my expectations. Engineered, mixed and mastered by EOAE's own Jeff Wallace at Entrolab Studios, “End of an Era” is the best work the band has done to date. Each track brings the hard, electro-rock sound and melodic vocals that EOAE fans have come to love over the years, which is partially due to re-recordings of tracks from the 2010 EP, “Final Approach.”
Now, with new guitarist Chris Matsinger and original guitarist Jeff Brogan on the album, this is by far one of the best albums released in the Jersey music scene in quite some time. Here is the breakdown:

Artist: End of an Era
Album: End of an Era

1. Reclamation – With this track, EOAE eases you into the album. Bringing more of a lighter electro-rock feel, Jeff Wallace's vocals are really the strength of this song. I like it because it's a bit of a tease as to how the rest of the album will go, and I feel it's better than the original 2010 version. 8/10

2. No Tomorrow – After hearing the first three notes of this track, you instantly recognize the vintage EOAE sound. The backing electronics and the drumming of Spags come together so perfectly that you almost get lost in the beat alone. 8/10

3. The Good, The Bad, and The Better – This song has a funny back story, as it was almost an accident of how it came together. As soon as it hits, your head will start bobbing and your toes will start tapping. Unlike the previous track, this is a pretty different sound for the band. Although they bring their traditional heart racing sound, it brings more of a pop feel to it. 9/10

4. Wait for You – This is another track that was originally released in 2010, however, I preferred the original version. The general beat keeps you moving, but the original melody of the vocals sounded better, and blended better, in the 2010 release. However, still a great track. 8/10

5. The Walking Dead – By far my favorite track on the album. Right off the bat, the trippy electronics get you grooving, and then the hard hitting instruments and vocals kick in, all with a perfect melody. - 10/10

6. 2002: A Space Tragedy – EOAE slows it down a bit with this track. The verses are very slow and sang somewhat methodically. The chorus comes in heavier while staying consistent with the rest of the song. - 8/10

7. Chaos Theory – The band brings you right back up to speed with this one. It comes in with a heavy hit and never shy’s away from that. The backing vocals of bassist Justin Mazyk and recording guitarist Jeff Brogan are an essential part of tying this song together. 10/10

8. Freak Show – You better be ready to dance with this one. EOAE displays their versatility by having an electro-dance sound throughout the track while still bringing their heavy sound their fans have come to love. - 8/10

9. Final Approach – Unlike “Wait for You,” there wasn't much change from the 2010 release to this version. With two guitarists, it is a bit heavier than the original, which I absolutely love. 10/10

10. Be All – I consider this track to be “foreplay” for the final track of the album. Lead singer Jeff Wallace is the sole artist on this song, displaying his skills on the keys, with only two cryptic lines. 8/10

11. End All – This starts exactly where “Be All” leaves off, and I mean exactly “Be All” bleeds into “End All.” The majority of the song is more melodic than it is heavy, until you get into the chorus. This is a beautiful track all around (yes, I used beautiful to describe an EOAE song) and a perfect close to the album. 9/10

Final Rating - 9/10
I recommend any music fan grab this album. The entire album is filled with great music and the production value is second to none. If End of an Era continues to make music like this, and perform with the high levels of intensity that they always bring, there is no question that this is only the beginning.

End of an Era is:
Jeff Wallace
Chris Matsinger
Justin Mazyk
Spags

Black Dinosaur Entertainment and the Matthew H. Witzgall Artist Grant present Endependence Day 3 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ on July 2.

Doors at 2PM
ALL AGES
$10 advance/$12 door
***Limited number of $25 VIP Tickets available!

Featuring Performances by:
End of an Era
Bind
Scantily Clad
Monday Night Heroes
Johnny B. Morbid
Divide and Conquer
and more!

Also....
A super BBQ with Bullfrog Barbecue!
The Mathew H. Witzgall Artist Fund Rock Star Dunk Tank!
The first annual "Miss Endependence Day" contest!
Contests and prizes! Cheap Drinks! Vendors!

This show will DEFINITELY sell out quickly...so reserve your tickets now! Send us a message to reserve yours or buy them online!

Brought to you by Motor Media, Black Dinosaur Entertainment, Mathew H. Witzgall Artist Grant, and DGenn.com!


***VIP Tickets include a special VIP laminate, Limited Edition T-Shirt, access to the VIP tent, free food and drink specials.

A New Album Brings A New Beginning For End Of An Era

Before End of an Era held their CD release party on February 26, 2011 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ, I sat with the fellas to discuss the process of putting their album together, what they hope it brings them and the overall direction they want to head. Here is that interview:

Working in the Jersey music scene, I’ve learned that the industry is rough. It is a very dog-eat-dog world. Everybody should stick together, but instead try to step over one another on their way to the top. The ones that do make it to the top try everything they can to get a possible advantage over the competition. Some use costumes, some use publicity stunts and some are just handed fame. Toms River rockers End Of An Era only needed to do one thing: make good music.
Since they first formed in 2005, EOAE have been one of the hardest working bands in the local music scene. Like any band, and any relationship between people for that matter, there were low points that they were forced to overcome. They’ve waded through the high and low tides, and that has brought them where they are today. The self-titled “End Of An Era,” is their first full-length album.
The entire album as a whole still gives the heavy, melodic vibe that EOAE is known for delivering. Not only can you sing along to it, but you can break your neck to it as well. The track “2002: A Space Tragedy” is very mellow and a very unfamiliar sound from these guys. However the new recording of “Final Approach” will get any listener out of their seat.
The new album is a complete collective effort of all members of the band. What they’ve done is take the “End of an Era” style that their fans have come to love, and added new elements to it. At first listen, you clearly know it’s the boys from EOAE, especially in songs like “Reclamation” to “Wait For You.” There are several tracks that were written some time ago that the band re-recorded. The new recordings are far better than the original and really reflect the new camaraderie of the band.
As the album progresses, however, you start to feel a different vibe in tracks like “The Good, The Bad and The Better” and the two-part song “Be All” and “End All.” The new tracks on the album show the complete input of each band member. Everyone brings their own style and sound, and with each song they bring all of their elements together for a sound that has never before been produced.
The band seems to have a stronger connection now than they ever have before. Not only does it show on stage, but also the album reflects it perfectly. “End Of An Era” is perfect for original fans of the band, and is undoubtedly the best recording they have ever produced.
The following interview takes place on Feb. 22, 2011.
Bil Facciponte: Jeff (Brogan), you’re back with the band doing the first recording you’ve done with them in some time, what is it like to be back?
Jeff Brogan: It was really good to get back in the studio with the rest of the guys. It felt like I never really left the band. It’s the first time we have two guitarists in the band, and it’s definitely a different experience.
BF: Well, Chris, how did you vibe with Jeff?
Chris Matsinger: When I came into this, we had talked about having a second guitar player. The first thought was always me coming in and playing with Brogan. Then it happened, and it was joyous.
JB: Its actually pretty amazing how well Chris fit with the band. When we used to play with his old band, he’d actually hang with us more than them.
Jeff Wallace: We had Chris fill in on a show years back, and at that time we had talked about brining him back.
BF: How long have you guys been working on the new album?
Jeff Spagnola: Before Brogan came back into the band, he wanted to just come down and jam a little bit. One day, me, him and Chris we’re sitting around and Brogan came up with something he wanted to jam on, something stupid to mess around on, and 20 minutes later we had a song now called “The Good, The Bad and The Better.” That was the first time we played with Brogan and Chris at the same time, and it just clicked immediately.
BF: So do each of you have a favorite song from the new album, or are you digging on all of them?
JS: We started recording in August, and just put the final touches on it in January. So I’ve been sitting on it for however many months that is, so at this point they’re all kind of my favorite.
BF: You guys had re-recorded a few of your previous tracks for the new album. Brogan, what was it like for you to come record these tracks that were done without you?
JB: There were actually a couple of tracks that I was apart of the band for, I just wasn’t involved in the recording of it. It kind of sucks though because they’re not mine. I almost felt like I was a stepfather to some of these songs.
BF: There was a brief line-up change within the band over the last year. How has that affected the band as a whole?
JW: It really changed the way we wrote as a band. We came together and saw that this was a new entity and we were all in it together. We’ve all equally contributed. Even the lyrics, I’d come up with a chorus and explain what I wanted the song to be, and then someone would come up with a crazy verse, then we’d work out the lyrics for what sounded better. For instance, there was a line that originally read “vomit on his d**k” but then got changed to “puke on his piece,” to give the listener their own interpretation.
JB: We all had a hand in writing the songs. Before “The Good, The Bad, and The Better” came to be, it was some silly pop-punk think I worked on, and then adding the bass, drums and vocals, it just made the song full. If one person didn’t write the song, they contributed to it.
JS: On one hand, if each of the members of the band is like a body part, the head, arms and legs, it’s kind of like losing a limb. That gave us the opportunity to go out and get a better, robotic leg. We got to start from scratch, which is something we haven’t done in a long time. We winded up coming out with our best material so far.
Justin Mazyk: We started a “no-no” policy, in that we didn’t shoot down any ideas. If Chris came up with an idea that Brogan and I thought was stupid, we’d try it anyway and ended up coming up with a lot of cool [stuff] that maybe didn’t sound perfect when we first put it together, but after going through it a bit, it changed the song in such a good way that we ended up keeping it.
BF: I think you guys really vibe well together, and the new album is incredible. You seem to have such a synergy on stage that it seems like this is this original line-up.
CM: That’s another big part of it, the live show. All the energy is still there that we’ve always had, but it is something different to watch. It’s not the same show anymore.
BF: With all you guys have been through, most people would give up. What makes you guys continue to do this?
JW: I’m going to get deep on this. We all have a lot to say. We’re basically disgusted by society around us and the way people treat each other. There’s a lot to say, and we have big mouths. That is the main reason I do this. I want the world to hear these guys’ mouths. I’m honored to say the things that the band feels.
CM: That’s the thing about it, we all hate the same things, but have something different to say about it. The five of us are almost very different guys, but that helps to bring us close together.
BF: Since the last time we interviewed, which was about two years ago, you guys have played a lot of shows. Which has been the most fun?
JW: The Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands at the Starland (Ballroom) was pretty fun. The expectations were high for everyone in the room, and living up to those was a really good feeling.
BF: With the new album, I’m sure you have some shows booked. What do you have lined up so far?
JS: In April we start touring through the Spring and Summer, pretty much until we either run out of money or die. We’re hoping it’s the money thing, but if it’s death, we’re just hoping its cool.

End of an Era’s self titled album is now available on iTunes or from endofanera.bandcamp.com. Find them on Facebook for upcoming show dates.
Jeff Wallace
Jeff Brogan
Chris Matsinger
Justin Mazyk
Spags

All Sync'd Up!

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What's New?

Well folks, this website has gone through several changes. The biggest change is, well, everything. You'll notice we are now DBMediaFunctions.com and our format has changed a bit. Now, along with band interviews, we will feature album reviews and band bios. DB Media Functions also has a part in a few shows, and here you will find all the details and updates. Stay tuned for more! In the meantime, follow us on twitter @DollaBilMF

Stolen Rhodes

            Imagine what would happen if Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews came together and had a baby. That child’s name would be Stolen Rhodes. This New Jersey/Delaware Valley based band puts on a unique performance every time they’re on stage.

            Stolen Rhodes started out playing small shows along the Jersey Shore. Since the release of their EP “The Dark Side of 88,” they have yet to look back and have no intentions on doing so.

DB: You guys released “The Dark Side of 88” in May of 2009. What was that experience like?

SR: Well the dark side of 88 is a reference to a Bruce Springsteen song “Spirit in the Night.” Bruce is a big Jersey shore guy and everybody kind of knows that he’s probably one of the most famous people to ever come out of New Jersey. We hang out in Lakewood (NJ) a lot on the “dark side of route 88.” So we’re kind of just paying tribute to that song and also where we grew up. We listen to a lot of Springsteen and it’s cool that we hung out in his old stomping grounds.

DB: Well speaking of Bruce, one of the places he used to play was The Stone Pony in Asbury. What was it like to headline there?

SR: That was probably one of the most awesome rock and roll experiences. It was overwhelming. You step out on that stage and there’s people there that are into it. It really feels good to play a venue like that. A lot of people talk about getting nervous before big shows, but we feed off the energy.

DB: Speaking of feeding, you guys must love Surf Taco because you play a lot of shows at those locations.

SR: Well when we first got together we played a few gigs. Then we heard there was live music at Surf Taco. We gave the owner one of our demos and he enjoyed it and asked us to come play. The first time we played there, it was actually our CD release party, so it was a real nice experience. They ask us back there all the time so it’s good stuff. The audience is right there and they get into it so it’s real nice.

DB: Plus all the free Surf Taco has to be nice.

SR: Oh absolutely, we drink and eat like kings when we go out there.

DB: You guys have done a lot of travel and played a lot of shows. Do you have a particular favorite?

SR: We like The Shrine Bar in New York. That’s a really cool spot. It’s the most eclectic group of people there and it’s a real good atmosphere where everyone just comes out and has a good time. It’ll be a Wednesday at 11 p.m. and people will be anxious to see us.

DB: You play a nice combination of covers and originals. What’s your favorite song to play?

SR: Well we love to play our originals. But we all have different songs we’re into because of certain parts we get to play.

DB: Well who does most of the writing of your originals?

SR: Lately we’ve been trying to get the whole band involved and it’s been really working out. It’s definitely starting to open up new doors to our sound. We want our music to be from Stolen Rhodes since we all contribute.

DB: Where does the influence from your songs come from?

SR: It’s now gotten to the point where we talk about work and where we want our lives to go. We’ll sit at work and just think “I’d rather be playing music right now. This is something I can do for the rest of my life.” That, to us, brings up a lot of songs. A lot of our songs kind of have that working vibe to it. We’re just telling a story and to us, its real song writing because it comes from our experiences.

DB: Do you guys see this as the rest of your life? Do you see Stolen Rhodes together in 20 years?

SR: Absolutely, you just hit it right on the head. That’s exactly what we want. Any one of us could get a job as a bass board musician or a hired gun but we all want to be in a band and to make a living with music we actually care about. It’ll be great to say we can sell out huge stadiums but as long as we can make a comfortable living, that would be a big success. 

End of an Era

Well boys and girls, here it is. This is my interview with Toms River's own End of an Era broadcast from McIntyre's Pub. You can check out the print in the OCC Viking News and soon at The Riverside Signal.

            

            In a day where the music scene mostly belongs to the “Single Ladies” who “do the Helen Keller and talk with their hips,” a band has to have an original sound to get noticed. Toms River band End of an Era bases their music on what they don’t want to sound like.

            Before a brief departure in 2009, EOAE had a sound that was original to the Jersey music scene. Since their reformation in earl 2010, they found their sound had been duplicated. Now with a new guitarist, EOAE hopes to introduce their fans to a new sound they’ll like more than the original.

DB: You guys have been together for five years but took a brief absence in 2009. What’s the story behind that?

EOAE: It’s no one thing you can put your finger on. Things just came to ahead that were building over time. It was probably the healthiest thing for us because now we’re really happy.

DB: Regarding your name, End of an Era, how did you guys come up with that?

EOAE: We get this question all the time and we usually give them 20 different answers. It’s something we’ve always wanted to call a band and it was just like, ‘Hey, End of an Era, cool.”

DB: Do you guys all rock out to the same music or do you have different styles?

EOAE: Well we all have very different styles in music, but we appreciate it all.

DB: What about the influence for your songs? where does that come from?

EOAE:  There’s always a lot of alcohol involved. But as a musician, what you do stems from a lot of what you listen to. We don’t necessarily go into a room and say we need a Nine Inch Nails or a Dead Kennedy’s song. A lot of it has to do with what we don’t want to sound like. That was the whole idea of End of an Era. We don’t want to fit into any one category.

DB: Which is really hard to do nowadays because every sound now has a label on it.

EOAE: That’s half of what we did when we regrouped. A lot of people caught up to the sound we we’re doing when we first started. We kind of had to go back and think about how we could make it different again.

DB: Well other than your sound, how have you changed since you first started?

EOAE: We’re five years older, five years better (and) five years more experienced. We’re not going to give you the classic answer “we grew as song writers.” From beginning to now, it’s like everything else. Things just mature on their natural base.

DB: Well I’m sure what helped you guys mature was playing in Brazil a few years back. What was that experience like?

EOAE: It was cool because people down there assumed just because we were an American band, that we were somehow a big band. They didn’t know what we were doing there but they were into us because we were Americans. And the only time they could sing perfect English was when they were singing The Ramones.

DB: You guys have been thru a lot such as new members and the break up in ’09. What has been the biggest challenge for you guys?

EOAE: Reinventing ourselves seems to be the most trouble. When we started out, we had new ideas and fresh ideas. Myspace, Facebook and all those other media forms had just started out so weren’t in a cluster of other bands. Nowadays, everyone is using those media forms. Now it’s like reinventing the wheel. And not only that, it’s trying to keep people interested. It’s a matter of keeping our fans happy.

DB: Well you guys have played Brazil, the Warped Tour, Bamboozle and a lot of other big shows. What’s next for End of an Era?

EOAE: Right now we have a five song EP we’re giving away for free, so we’re focusing and touring on that right now. We plan on having a new, full length album by the end of Summer. We haven’t done a full length since the beginning. We’re on the Tool and Nine Inch Nails regiment of one every few years or so.

            Everything End of an Era has ever recorded is available for download at endofanera.bandcamp.com. More information and tour dates can be found on their Myspace and Facebook pages.