NJProghouse Progressive Music Series
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Who: Oblivion Sun | Mavara
http://www.oblivionsun.com | http://www.mavaraband.com
When: Monday, September 9, 2013 | 7:30PM Show | 7:00PM Doors
Where: Roxy & Dukes | 745 Bound Brook Rd, Dunellen, NJ
Cost:
Online Presale $22 (includes $2 processing fee)
Walk-ups Day of Show $30 (Cash Only)
Mavara, is Iran’s first premier progressive rock band. The name Mavara translates to “beyond everything you think” which speaks to the essence of their music. The band was formed in 2001 by composer/keyboardist Farhood Ghadiri and over the years has had a fluid line-up of members, performing extensively in Tehran and Karaj.
Currently Mavara is comprised of Ghadiri along with Ashkan Hamedi/vocals, Arash Radan/guitar, Sina Khodaiefer/bass, Anis Oveisi/keyboards and American Jim Welch/Drums
Because of their unique sound and talent, Mavara quickly gained notoriety in Iran, receiving acclaim from the Tehran Industry and Science University as “Best Rock Band at a Live Performance”. Additional honors include an invitation to perform for the internet music festival, “Teheran Avenue” in both 2003 and 2005. Their music is best described in terms of their influences, with a generous helping of Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree and Marillion being the first bands that come to mind. In other words, more on the melodic side of Progressive Rock.
Mavara began recording their first Persian language album, “Ultimate Sound” in 2003 which was released in 2005, and gained recognition in an article published on the website Zirzamin.se. Later in 2005, Mavara teamed up with the band Aavaar for a benefit show in Iran to promote the new album. It wasn’t long thereafter that the band began recording their first English language album, “Forgotten Inside”, which was released at a private concert in 2009. Among their first tour stops, was the Crescendo Music Festival in France during the summer of 2010. In 2013, Mavara released their epic third album “Season of Salvation”, on Transit Music Group Records [TMG] in the US and is currently touring and promoting the album here in the United States.
Since arriving in the American soil, the band has been the subject of television programs [NH Chronicle/ABC Television, ‘Stir It Up’ on MCTV, etc], College radio live appearances [Tufts University, etal ] and countless magazine articles, The Hippo, The Union Leader etc, and most recently were featured in Spotlight Magazine where they graced the cover of the weekly magazine. Mavara was also invited to be one of 8 bands to perform at the prestigious “ProgDay Festival 2013” the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. A recent review of the new album states: “Season of Salvation” never rests on its laurels, it is quite impressive in structure, style, and overall atmosphere”; “These guys (and gal) impress whether they are focusing on ambiance or on a great jam”; “.. a fantastic album.” Jason Spencer on Progarchives, Aug. 2013 (4 out of 5 stars).
Farhood Ghadiri – keyboards
Anis Oveisi – keyboard
Ashkan Hamedi – Vocals/Guitar
Jim Welch – Drums
Sina Khodaeifar – Bass
Arash Radan – Guitar
www.mavaraband.com
www.myspace.com/mavaramusic
www.facebook.com/Mavaraband
www.twitter.com/Mavaraband
Who: Oblivion Sun | Mavara
http://www.oblivionsun.com | http://www.mavaraband.com
When: Monday, September 9, 2013 | 7:30PM Show | 7:00PM Doors
Where: Roxy & Dukes | 745 Bound Brook Rd, Dunellen, NJ
Cost:
Online Presale $22 (includes $2 processing fee)
Walk-ups Day of Show $30 (Cash Only)
Who: Oblivion Sun | Mavara
http://www.oblivionsun.com | http://www.mavaraband.com
When: Monday, September 9, 2013 | 7:30PM Show | 7:00PM Doors
Where: Roxy & Dukes | 745 Bound Brook Rd, Dunellen, NJ
Cost:
Online Presale $22 (includes $2 processing fee)
Walk-ups Day of Show $30 (Cash Only)
Oblivion Sun is the brainchild of Frank Wyatt and Stanley Whitaker, founding members of 70’s Arista recording artists Happy The Man. HTM reformed in 1999 to headline Nearfest 2000 and they released their first CD in almost 25 years, “The Muse Awakens” in 2004. Frank and Stan recognized the difficulty in getting together to work on new HTM music due to personal schedules and proximity. They had amassed an abundance of material that they feared would never get recorded if they waited for HTM to record it. It was out of this reality that they began recording the duo project “Pedal Giant Animals”. The PGA project, with guest musicians Chris Mack and Pete Princiotto, became the seed for a new band…Oblivion Sun.
Oblivion Sun comfortably crosses many genres while staying true to their progressive roots. This is a band that’s not afraid to get downright funky at times and throw down some serious rock grooves and even improvisation. Expect a good deal of vocal content as well but fear not, this is still prog and fans of HTM’s lush arrangements will not be disappointed.
The ensemble features the compositional and performance skills of all four musicians: Stan Whitaker on guitar and vocals, Frank Wyatt on keyboards and reeds, Bill Brasso on drums, and David Hughes on bass and vocals. Together, Oblivion Sun have created a powerful, dynamic sound that is sure to satisfy all prog fans, young and old alike. The band has quickly established itself as a forerunner in the ongoing evolution of progressive music. In January of 2013, the band released their sophomore effort entitled “The High Places.” This tour-de-force maintains the band’s instrumental progressive roots while expanding their songwriting style. They plan to tour in the U.S. and are looking towards Europe in 2014. They have put together a live performance set that will combine music from both Oblivion Sun albums and some prime cuts from the Happy the Man days.
Mavara, is Iran’s first premier progressive rock band. The name Mavara translates to “beyond everything you think” which speaks to the essence of their music. The band was formed in 2001 by composer/keyboardist Farhood Ghadiri and over the years has had a fluid line-up of members, performing extensively in Tehran and Karaj.
Currently Mavara is comprised of Ghadiri along with Ashkan Hamedi/vocals, Arash Radan/guitar, Sina Khodaiefer/bass, Anis Oveisi/keyboards and American Jim Welch/Drums
Because of their unique sound and talent, Mavara quickly gained notoriety in Iran, receiving acclaim from the Tehran Industry and Science University as “Best Rock Band at a Live Performance”. Additional honors include an invitation to perform for the internet music festival, “Teheran Avenue” in both 2003 and 2005. Their music is best described in terms of their influences, with a generous helping of Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree and Marillion being the first bands that come to mind. In other words, more on the melodic side of Progressive Rock.
Mavara began recording their first Persian language album, “Ultimate Sound” in 2003 which was released in 2005, and gained recognition in an article published on the website Zirzamin.se. Later in 2005, Mavara teamed up with the band Aavaar for a benefit show in Iran to promote the new album. It wasn’t long thereafter that the band began recording their first English language album, “Forgotten Inside”, which was released at a private concert in 2009. Among their first tour stops, was the Crescendo Music Festival in France during the summer of 2010. In 2013, Mavara released their epic third album “Season of Salvation”, on Transit Music Group Records [TMG] in the US and is currently touring and promoting the album here in the United States.
Since arriving in the American soil, the band has been the subject of television programs [NH Chronicle/ABC Television, ‘Stir It Up’ on MCTV, etc], College radio live appearances [Tufts University, etal ] and countless magazine articles, The Hippo, The Union Leader etc, and most recently were featured in Spotlight Magazine where they graced the cover of the weekly magazine. Mavara was also invited to be one of 8 bands to perform at the prestigious “ProgDay Festival 2013” the longest running progressive rock festival in the world. A recent review of the new album states: “Season of Salvation” never rests on its laurels, it is quite impressive in structure, style, and overall atmosphere”; “These guys (and gal) impress whether they are focusing on ambiance or on a great jam”; “.. a fantastic album.” Jason Spencer on Progarchives, Aug. 2013 (4 out of 5 stars).
Farhood Ghadiri – keyboards
Anis Oveisi – keyboard
Ashkan Hamedi – Vocals/Guitar
Jim Welch – Drums
Sina Khodaeifar – Bass
Arash Radan – Guitar
www.mavaraband.com
www.myspace.com/mavaramusic
www.facebook.com/Mavaraband
www.twitter.com/Mavaraband
Please see the changes and updates to our schedule. We are very excited to announce that taking the stage by storm as our Sunday evening headliner will be BEARDFISH!
Also, note band start times and updated pricing.
We are looking forward to a weekend full of outstanding music!
To celebrate 15 years of live progressive music under the banners of NJ Proghouse and its previous monikers, we here at the home offices are pleased to announce:
NJ Proghouse Homecoming Weekend – October 12th and 13th, 2013
We welcome the following acts to the stage at Roxy and Duke’s in Dunellen, NJ:
Saturday, October 12th
12:30 PM: Advent
2:30 PM: The Tea Club
5:00 PM: Frogg Cafe
8:30 PM: IZZ
Sunday, October 13th
12:30 PM Tammy Scheffer’s Morning Bound
2:30 PM: Thank You Scientist
5:00 PM: District 97
8:30 PM: Beardfish
Full Weekend Tickets go on sale next Tuesday, June 18th at 10 AM on our website: www.njproghouse.com
Ticket prices are $125 for a full-weekend pass. (Single-day tickets, priced at $70, will go on sale Friday, June 21st at 10 AM, subject to availability.)
General admission seating. Weekend pass holders will be able to retain their seats for both days.
There are only 150 seats available so be prepared to buy tickets without delay.
Also, we will be accepting a limited number of NJP “supporter” ticket orders. For $200 you will have the ability to select your seat for the entire weekend with early-entrance seating—and you will also be able to enjoy that same early-entrance privilege through the end of 2014 for all NJP shows for which you purchase tickets. Please contact [email protected] for this option.
Roxy and Duke’s has a tasty selection of beer and, of course, a full arsenal of the usual bar goodies as well as a wonderful menu from their full service kitchen. So be prepared to eat, drink, and be proggy!
We will soon post a list of some decent hotels in the area for anyone looking to stay the night.
More to come, of course, but that is all for now. I hope you all are as excited as we are here at NJP!
To celebrate 15 years of live progressive music under the banners of NJ Proghouse and its previous monikers, we here at the home offices are pleased to announce:
NJ Proghouse Homecoming Weekend – October 12th and 13th, 2013
We welcome the following acts to the stage at Roxy and Duke’s in Dunellen, NJ, on Saturday, October 12th:
Opening the weekend will be:
Advent
Followed by
The Tea Club
Then, in a triumphant return to the stage for one night only:
Frogg Cafe
and to cap off the night we welcome:
IZZ
On Sunday the 13th, we will have the following acts:
To kick things off –
(Well that is just it – we don’t know just yet – but we will know before tickets are on sale)
Second will be:
Thank you Scientist
followed by
Oblivion Sun
and we will top the night off with:
District 97
Tickets go on sale next Tuesday, June 18th at 10 am at our website: www.njproghouse.com
Tickets are $65 per day or a weekend pass of $115.
GA seating. All who buy weekend seats will be able to hold their seats for both days.
There are only 150 seats available for each day so be prepared to buy tickets without delay.
Also, we will be accepting a limited number of NJP “supporters” ticket orders. For $200 you will have the ability to select your seat for the entire weekend with early entrance seating and then you will be able to enjoy that same privilege of the early entrance option through the end of 2014 for all NJP shows that you purchase tickets for. Please contact me at [email protected] for this option.
Roxy and Duke’s has a tasty selection of beer and of course a full arsenal of the usual bar goodies as well as a wonderful menu from their full service kitchen. So be prepared to eat, drink and be proggy!
Soon we will post a list of some decent hotels in the area for anyone looking to stay the night.
More to come of course but that is all for now. I hope you all are as excited as we are here at NJP!
Who: Oblivion Sun w/ 3RDegree
http://www.oblivionsun.com | http://www.3rdegreeonline.com
When: Saturday, May 11, 2013 | 7:00PM Show | 6:30PM Doors
Where: Roxy & Dukes | 745 Bound Brook Rd, Dunellen, NJ
Cost:
Online Presale $32 (includes $2 processing fee)
Walk-ups Day of Show $40 (Cash Only)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Oblivion Sun is the brainchild of Frank Wyatt and Stanley Whitaker, founding members of 70’s Arista recording artists Happy The Man. HTM reformed in 1999 to headline Nearfest 2000 and they released their first CD in almost 25 years, “The Muse Awakens” in 2004. Frank and Stan recognized the difficulty in getting together to work on new HTM music due to personal schedules and proximity. They had amassed an abundance of material that they feared would never get recorded if they waited for HTM to record it. It was out of this reality that they began recording the duo project “Pedal Giant Animals”. The PGA project, with guest musicians Chris Mack and Pete Princiotto, became the seed for a new band…Oblivion Sun.
Oblivion Sun comfortably crosses many genres while staying true to their progressive roots. This is a band that’s not afraid to get downright funky at times and throw down some serious rock grooves and even improvisation. Expect a good deal of vocal content as well but fear not, this is still prog and fans of HTM’s lush arrangements will not be disappointed.
The ensemble features the compositional and performance skills of all four musicians: Stan Whitaker on guitar and vocals, Frank Wyatt on keyboards and reeds, Bill Brasso on drums, and David Hughes on bass and vocals. Together, Oblivion Sun have created a powerful, dynamic sound that is sure to satisfy all prog fans, young and old alike. The band has quickly established itself as a forerunner in the ongoing evolution of progressive music. In January of 2013, the band released their sophomore effort entitled “The High Places.” This tour-de-force maintains the band’s instrumental progressive roots while expanding their songwriting style. They plan to tour in the U.S. and are looking towards Europe in 2014. They have put together a live performance set that will combine music from both Oblivion Sun albums and some prime cuts from the Happy the Man days.
“You’re Fooling Yourselves!”, wails 3RDegree lead singer/keyboardist George Dobbs on the band’s lead-off single from the new CD THE LONG DIVISION-their first since 2008. This song-as well as a few others on the first half of the album-flesh out the band’s 2012 political treatise: that America’s political parties (and probably those in other countries) have long divided it’s populous on the basis of color, salary, sex, age and much else, have played on their fears, and have used their accumulated powers to build up largesse to keep their supporters in the fold. Ok, it’s not always that heavy, but the album was penned in the shadow of the 2008 economic collapse that was happening right as 3RDegree were releasing their first album in 12 years: NARROW-CASTER. While that third album was a combination of fresh songs and resurrected ideas from the period just before the band’s original breakup in 1997, THE LONG DIVISION is in the shared vintage of Tea Parties, Occupy Movements, shovel-ready jobs and banks and car companies “too big to fail”.
As with the last album, Los Angeles-based Pat Kliesch (guitarist/backing vocalist) would share ideas back and forth with his two New Jersey band mates: band leader Robert James Pashman (bassist/keyboardist /backing vocalist), and the aforementioned Dobbs. Using online tools to share and with all three proficient with digital audio workstations such as ProTools, demos were created and shared with new band mates Eric Pseja (guitarist/backing vocalist who had been working with the band since their 2007 The Reunion Concerts DVD/Blu-ray) and Aaron Nobel (drummer who was added just in time for the Live At ProgDay 2009 DVD/Blu-ray-replacing the departed Rob Durham) before going into the studio to record the foundation drum tracks. Songs like the Dobbs-penned “The Socio-Economic Petri Dish” and “Memetic Pandemic” would be shared with North Carolina’s ProgDay audience in their embryonic states, but all else except the live favorite “A Work Of Art” featuring Pashman on piano with Dobbs singing beside him-and the only track resurrected from the 90’s incarnation of the band-would be arranged later on.
After the big splash in small progressive rock ponds worldwide that NARROW-CASTER had made throughout 2009 with the Dutch Progressive Rock Page (DPRP.net) reveling: “It’s not often an album as refreshing as this comes along, and we should treasure it when it does…an album that demands repeated spins, and rewards every listen with some new revelation”, 3RDegree tried writing/demoing and performing occasional shows in Brooklyn (alongside Phideaux), Connecticut’s Marprog (with Holding Pattern), outside Washington D.C and Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s ProgDay (with Ozric Tentacles), but found that doing live shows once in a while was really slowing down the process of getting another studio album together. Stretching things even further, 3RDegree found that they were working on some tracks with another theme that weren’t going to work in this collection. Good news though: perhaps the wait for a fifth album will be a shorter one than ever before!
THE LONG DIVISION carries on the mission statement created 20 years earlier by Pashman and Kliesch in the infancy of the band when they would try mixing accessible melodies with the conventions of progressive rock to a pre-internet, cover-band loving New Jersey: no need to wax poetic here. Releasing a debut cassette THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE in 1993 (with Pashman on lead vocals), 3RDegree then decided to step up their game in 1995, adding a world class lead vocalist in George Dobbs and releasing their first CD-1996’s HUMAN INTEREST STORY. After playing many live shows in the NYC area gaining little traction, the band hung it up, leaving much of a nascent NARROW-CASTER sitting on the cutting room floor. Dobbs would continue musical endeavors including solo albums, Pashman and Kliesch would work on projects together and a solo album each apart, but talk of 3RDegree was couched in the past tense until Pashman would make a video collection in 2005, putting together all the band’s music videos and performances onto DVD and arranging demo cassettes onto CDs. Discussion of the songs left behind bubbled under throughout that year until all original members met at a NYC bar after Christmas where it was agreed upon that the band would record again.
So while NARROW-CASTER felt more like a “comeback” album, THE LONG DIVISION is possibly a more impressive feat for the band: a fresh helping of tracks illustrating the band’s 20 year old formula need not be tinkered with for any perceived audiences’ expectations.