Originally posted on July 16, 2008
Self-proclaimed “pioneers of lungcore” Jerseyband brought their metal-with-horns to Sullivan Hall on Wednesday night. Combining the traditional guitar/bass/drums set-up with trumpet/two tenor saxophones/bari sax, all-male Jerseyband’s electric and compelling stage presence (complete with costumes—several of the band were wearing dresses) matched their highly dramatic and at times playful music.
The eleven-song set featured a range of textures, from full tilt shredding to intimate intros played only by the horns, and the audience responded enthusiastically no matter the volume level. Occasionally, a horn player or two would step up to the mic to do some screaming. The bari player introduced “Rats in Boxes” in his best Dr. Sbaitso-sounding voice.
With their surprisingly convincing sound and oddly sexy presence, Jerseyband are a breath of fresh air in the genre-commingling movement.
