Last week I wrote an article with a list of 10 of some of the best local bands from the Garden State. However, despite its small size, New Jersey boasts so many talented musicians and extraordinary local bands that need to be heard. Here are 10 more local NJ bands you need to check out.
1. Archie Alone
Archie Alone is a really cool band out of Montclair. With a unique band dynamic of a couple guys and a couple ladies crafting their catchy songs, this local New Jersey band has a post-hardcore, alternative rock sound. Their songs from both “Through the Door” and their split album with California band Passing Time fluently shift from melodic to heavy, which makes their live shows a lot of fun.
The Afraid Brigade has been around the local New Jersey music scene for at least five years now. The band is based out of Edison. They describe themselves as writers of “theatrical, indie-folk-rock anthems that will break your heart,” which is a perfect way to describe it. They’re an entertaining group and one you should definitely go see live.
3. Nerve Damage
This Bridgewater-based rock trio has some funky, unique tracks. Drawing from influences like the Foo Fighters, NOFX, Cage the Elephant and the Black Keys, Nerve Damage has successfully developed their own sound. These three guys have written some very catchy songs, and since their genre delves into experimental rock, you know they’ll always put on entertaining shows.
4. Save Face
Save Face is another very talented rock group based out of Central New Jersey. This four-piece band has their own distinct sound, successfully blending pleasant, inventive melodies with intense riffs, which you can hear on “Preoccupied” and their split album with Maryland band My Heart, My Anchor. They’ve been able to hit the road and travel beyond the bounds of the tri-state area, which is really exciting for an alternative rock group from the Garden State.
5. Sad Lips
New Brunswick has birthed a ton of great acts, including Sad Lips. They were only founded a year ago, but at their live shows, you can tell they’re a tight-sounding band with the kind of great chemistry that’s typically found in bands who have been playing together for longer than they have. Their melodies are also very original and creative.
This is another great New Brunswick band, but Keepin’ the Family is slightly older. They were founded back in 2012 and have been showcasing their original indie rock tracks to audiences across the tri-state area ever since. Their songs are really entertaining and their lively shows are always a lot of fun. They draw from influences like Neil Young, the Grateful Dead and New Jersey-native Wayne Shorter, which itself is bound to birth a unique sound.
This northern New Jersey indie rock trio is a very tight-sounding group from Essex County. In the past couple of years, they’ve released a bunch of really cool tracks on a couple of albums, “Poor Planning” and “Missed Connection.” Their songs are aggressive yet still melodic, which sounds good whether they’re playing on your iPod or right in front of you at a live show.
8. Local Demise
Local Demise is a hardcore group based out of Trenton. Their music extends into a few different genres, including thrash metal, but their songs always deliver the same amount of energy. This is the sort of dynamic, intense music you can listen to in any mood -- whether you are angry and are trying to get out your aggression, or in a good mood and want to listen to music with very high energy. You can just imagine how fun their live shows are.
Help Me Help You is an alternative rock group based out of the New Jersey/New York area. Their songs are very melodic, and the band is also very tight live. Back in 2013, they released “Post Stadium Era” with half a dozen original tracks, and a year later they released 4 more songs on an EP entitled “Seasons,” expanding their dynamic catalog even more.
10. GULPS
This is another indie rock trio based out of the Garden State. They’re a high-energy rock group with punk influences, making them a very entertaining band to see live. In February of 2015, they released a ton of their own original tracks on their debut self-titled album. By December of the same year, they released half a dozen more on their EP, “Bummer.”
