NJ Proghouse Homecoming Weekend – October 11th and 12th, 2014
TICKETS:
The internet presale has ended.
Full Weekend Tickets: $150 (Cash Only) Walk-up sales day of show
Saturday or Sunday Tickets:$90 (Cash Only) Walk-up sales day of show
Homecoming Weekend 2014: Individual Band Admission Walk Up Pricing , CASH ONLY
(subject to availability, please DO NOT CALL THE BOX OFFICE FOR THESE , Admission may be purchased 30 minutes prior to the band going on)
SCHEDULE:
When: Saturday, October 11th & Sunday, October 12th, 2014
Showtime (each day) 12:00 PM | 11:30 AM Doors
Where: Roxy & Dukes | 745 Bound Brook Rd, Dunellen, NJ (map)
General admission seating.
We welcome the following acts to the stage at Roxy and Dukes Roadhouse in Dunellen, NJ:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
noon: Pinnacle
2:00 PM: Out of the Beardspace
4:00 PM: Lo-Fi Resistance
6:00 PM: Travis Larson Band
9:00 PM: The Sensational Francis Dunnery Band
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12TH
noon: Schooltree
2:15 PM: MVP (Meridian Voice Project)
4:45 PM: Heliopolis
7:30 PM: special interlude performance by (echolyn’s) Ray Weston
8:30 PM: Discipline
HOTEL INFORMATION:
A block of rooms have been reserved for October 9, 2014 – October 13, 2014 at a special discounted rate.
Please visit this link to book your room and for further information:
http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/E/EWRBRGI-NJPROG-20141009/index.jhtml
Hilton Garden Inn Bridgewater
500 Promenade Boulevard
Bridgewater, New Jersey
USA 08807
Tel: +1-732-271-9030
Fax: +1-732-271-9031
BAND INFORMATION:
Pinnacle
https://www.facebook.com/pinnacleband
Pinnacle’s roots go back to a chance meeting in 1997 between Greg Jones and Karl Eisenhart. Greg turned up at one of Karl’s acoustic gigs wearing a Steve Morse tee shirt and Karl instantly knew he had found a kindred spirit. They started working together less than a week later.
After going quickly through two different bass players and two different band names (Dread Pirate Roberts and Landslide) and playing a handful of different clubs and private parties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Karl and Greg finally found Bill Fox, a bassist/keyboard player whose musical tastes and work ethic were in close alignment with their own.
As a trio, Pinnacle recorded and released two CDs, A Man’s Reach and Meld. They also played live whenever possible, including backing Nick D’Virgilio (Tears for Fears, Spock’s Beard, Mike Keneally Band) at a mostly solo concert and opening for the legendary Spock’s Beard in 2003. In addition, they headlined two shows at the New Jersey Proghouse, played at Progday 2008 and opened for Poland’s Riverside.
Fast-forward to 2010. The band was in the final stages of writing for their third CD when they realized that their reach had actually exceeded their grasp as a trio. Karl approached one of his oldest friends, Matt Francisco. (Please note: Matt Francisco would like it known that the term “oldest” refers to a length of time and not physical age. He would also like it known that he is younger than Karl. So there.) The initial idea was to bring Matt into the band only as a lead singer. They soon found out, however, that he was also willing and extremely able to play keyboards and that he had a gift for songwriting.
In addition to adding a couple of Matt’s songs to the new CD, the band went back and broadened the scope of those they had already completed as a trio. A Blueprint for Chaos came into the world in June of 2012. The CD-release party was held as an after-party for the final installment of NEARfest in Bethlehem, PA. This provided the band the opportunity to debut the songs in front of an almost tailor made crowd. The new album showcases the change in writing focus from trio to quartet with increased keyboard presence, but it also maintains the center of influence and attention to arrangement detail that Pinnacle has always prided itself in.
In May of 2013, Pinnacle was part of a special triple-bill NJ Proghouse show which also featured 3RDegree and IZZ Lite. This has lit the fire for the band to start pursuing more opportunities to play live while still continuing to work on material for the next CD. In October, they played a special headlining show at Rascal’s in Allentown, PA, where they played a set of their own material followed by a special presentation of Marillion’s Misplaced Childhood album.
Pinnacle is featured in the Autumn 2013 issue of Progression Magazine.
Out of the Beardspace
A six-piece psychedelic-technical explosion of sound and color. A wide range of strong emotions captured through sound … planned sections of improvisation combined with intricate composition. Sometimes mellow and pretty with vocal harmonies—sometimes heavy and ripping with guitars, drums and synths—always grooving. The Beardly Beast that will certainly move you ’til the end.
Out of the Beardspace is a six-piece experimental rock band from South Jersey. Since their formation in the summer of 2010,they have released two EPs and a full-length album, and played all over the Philadelphia/south Jersey area at venues such as the Trocadero, the Stone Pony, the North Star Bar, Underground Arts, and Legendary Dobbs. In the summer of 2011 they moved into a house in Cherry Hill, NJ together and, in the summer of 2012 they spent six months living on a mountain farm in Linden, Virginia growing their own food, living in tents, cooking every meal over an open fire, and practicing sustainable living. Out of the Beardspace has been its most active in 2013. They kicked off the warm season with their annual festival, ‘Beardfest,’ which was the most successful edition so far.
During the summer, the band performed at about ten festvals, some of the more well-known being Progday, Camp Jam in the Pines, and Evolvefest.
Now, with the winter approaching quickly, the band is working on recordings for a new album and planning to revamp its live set for 2014.
Lo-Fi Resistance
http://www.lofiresistance.com/
http://www.facebook.com/lofiresistance
Randy McStine-Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Tom Brislin-Keyboards, Vocals
Phil McGovern-Guitar, Vocals
Michael Wu-Bass, Vocals
Ronen Gordon-Drums and Percussion
Founded in 2009, Lo-Fi Resistance is the creation of 26 year-old guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Randy McStine. Once dubbed as a “guitar prodigy,” McStine began playing guitar at the age of five and performing publicly at the age of ten. His formative years were spent playing in classic rock cover bands, while also pursuing original music. Randy’s early work was focused on guitar-driven, instrumental rock until he began to sing at the age of fifteen. McStine would spend the remainder of his teens crafting his voice and songwriting, while continuing to expand his diverse musical tastes.
Setting up a small studio in his Upstate New York apartment, McStine started writing and recording new material in 2009 with no clear agenda. As he pooled together funding from solo performances, guitar lessons, and landscaping work, a new passion and focus was evident as the unnamed project continued. Completing a new, full-length album was now McStine’s goal.
Initially performing all of the album’s instrumentation himself, Randy eventually decided to bring in outside support for the drum tracks. McStine blindly reached out to ex-Spock’s Beard drummer Nick D’Virgilio to fill the seat. D’Virgilio would not only perform on most of the songs, but also offer and accept the role of mixing the entire album. Amongst other additional musicians, McStine enlisted longtime vocal favorite and personal friend Dug Pinnick (King’s X), for the end of a song entitled “Moral Disgrace.”
As recording sessions for the new album wrapped up in late 2009, McStine named the project Lo-Fi Resistance. The debut album, A Deep Breath, was released independently on April 6th, 2010. Praised for its unique blending of Progressive Rock, Power Pop, and Singer-Songwriter influences, the album has drawn comparisons to diverse artists such as Todd Rundgren, Roger Waters, Yes, Crowded House, and The Police.
Randy began writing for a second Lo-Fi Resistance album, Chalk Lines, in April of 2011. Undoubtedly the most ambitious project of McStine’s career to date, Chalk Lines both expands on and abandons the foundations of the first album. Drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson) is featured throughout the entire album, along with bassists Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), John Giblin (Kate Bush), and Dug Pinnick (King’s X) among its roster. Dave Kerzner (Sound Of Contact, Kevin Gilbert) splits keyboard duties with McStine, along with co-writing three songs and co-producing the album.
Since the release of Chalk Lines, McStine has toured internationally as lead vocalist/co-guitarist of The Pink Floyd Experience, along with filling the live guitar role for Sound Of Contact. Lo-Fi Resistance is set to release a new record, The Age Of Entitlement, in September 2014. This collection sees McStine reaching into different musical territory once again, pulling influence from ’70s electronic music, art-pop, and more. Described as a “mini-album”, The Age Of Entitlement will be a digital-only release.
Travis Larson Band
http://www.travislarsonband.com
With six studio albums and two full-length performance DVDs, the award-winning Travis Larson Band is firmly rooted as one of instrumental music’s premiere acts, having worked on record with Steve Lukather (Toto), Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Dave LaRue (Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Dixie Dregs), Vinx (Sting, Herbie Hancock), and having shared live billing with Ted Nugent, UFO, Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs), and Ronnie Montrose, to name a few. Travis Larson Band’s recent release, Soundmind, earned accolades as Guitar Player Magazine “Editor’s Top Three” in 2011. Well-known for their live performances, the Travis Larson Band masterfully delivers full-throttle rock-fusion that soars with originality and, some say, has the power to unshackle the listener of the chains that bind them to the doldrums of day-to-day living.
The Sensational Francis Dunnery Band
http://www.francisdunnery.com/
Francis Dunnery is a Multi-Media artist. His work combines music, humor, astrology, video, literature, performance art, philosophy and blistering electric guitar.
Francis first hit the public stage back in the eighties as lead vocalist and guitarist for the progressive rock band ‘It Bites’. He has since gone on to have a very successful musical solo career spanning twenty years. During this time he has written, produced and performed music with some of the most successful artists of his time, artists such as Led Zeppelin’s singer Robert Plant, guitar legend Carlos Santana, John Mellencamp, Squeeze’s stalwart Chris Difford, Stone Roses’ singer Ian Brown, R&B superstar Lauren Hill, Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett as well as guesting with a host of bands and artists such as Yes, Asia, Hootie and the Blowfish and The Syn. Francis is accomplished in his own right, turning out ten engaging albums of original yet diverse composition and three DVD’s.
Alongside his music career, Francis is a long time student of philosophy, psychology and astrology. He has a thriving international astrological practice based upon the works of world-renowned psychologist and astrologer Dr Carl Jung. Francis was a pioneer in offering online astrology readings via Skype as early as January 2004, six months after Skype was launched, a practice that still continues successfully to this day.
Francis is also the president and founder of ‘The Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children’s Fund’, a charity he set up to honor his parents. The CKDCF is dedicated to children’s health and wellness proving grants and donations that directly benefit the children of West Cumbria, England. The CKDCF is broad in their giving; providing funds to hospitals, for beds in cancer wards and assistance to mothers and fathers whose children are affected by the disease, providing funds to schools to purchase books and music equipment, building libraries, providing sports and playground equipment to local organizations and much more. The CKDCF is an international charity sponsored by benefactors from around the globe. Every October, Francis and his friends from around the world, gather in Cumbria for a benefit concert and charity walk in support of the CKDCF.
Because of his rich diversity, Francis Dunnery is impossible to pigeonhole. A serial risk taker, in 2005 Francis broke new ground once again when he initiated his House Concerts Series, offering his fans the opportunity to host intimate evenings of music, psychology, philosophy, astrology, all topped off with his tremendous humor. The shows became so popular that Francis has performed approximately a hundred and fifty shows a year for the past eight years. He has taken these unique, inspiring and entertaining shows to front rooms throughout the world! Places as far reaching as New Zealand, Australia, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Switzerland and Germany as well as every corner of the USA and Canada. The shows have become an international phenomenon. Although his style can be brash and at times irreverent, he’s also capable of singing achingly beautiful music that penetrates the soul. Many have said Francis’ House Concerts are life changing and unlike anything they have ever experienced before.
In October 2013 Francis released his Frankenstein Monster CD as a tribute to his deceased brother Baz Dunnery who Francis considers to be the main influence on his entire musical career. You can view Francis’ online documentary about Baz and the making of Frankenstein Monster by visiting; http://www.
Francis continues to perform House Concerts throughout the world and his growing astrology practice is busier than ever! AND in the midst of all this he is thrilled to, once again, strap on his electric guitar, get back on stage and put on an amazing show with; THE SENSATIONAL FRANCIS DUNNERY BAND
For more about Francis’ work please visit www.francisdunnery.com
Schooltree
http://www.schooltreemusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/schooltreemusic
Boston-based band Schooltree’s eclectic sound picks up where progressive rock of the late ’70s left off, sometimes described as sitting at a present-day intersection of Kate Bush and early Genesis. Female-fronted, musically adventurous, and highly immersive, their music delivers classically-influenced art rock with a unique and defined voice. The effect is a vivid theater of music, using dramatic performances to spin gritty operatic odyssey—from dark lullaby of the doomed to shredding anthem of the righteous and everything in between.
“A reflection of [Lainey Schooltree’s] eclectic tastes — art rock, ’70s prog rock, Stephen Sondheim, Kate Bush.” -The Boston Phoenix
Formed in 2010, Schooltree’s music explores the human condition through the lens of composer/vaudevillian/studio engineer/genre-misfit Lainey Schooltree (The Steamy Bohemians, Jerkus Circus, Bent Wit Cabaret), whose years of songwriting chops, stage experience, and an obsession with rock music from classic to obscure all inform her leadership of the band. Membership comprises heavyweight musicians Brendan Burns (guitar), Derek Van Wormer (bass), and Tom Collins (drums), each of whom brings a singular talent and craftsmanship that shapes and defines the ensemble’s musicality. Their live show travels through musical narratives with climactic dynamic arcs, executed with tastefully restrained technical proficiency.
“Some of the most strikingly original music in the greater-Boston scene.” -Bill Copeland News
Released in 2013, their debut album, Rise, conjures elements of rock-opera in highly crafted, piano-driven, virtuosic guitar-laden symphonic rock arrangements that explore both angular riffs and ambient textural detail. The album offers a modern spin on classic Album Oriented Rock, with rich harmonic content, walls of multi-tracked guitars and acrobatic vocal harmonies, compelling lyrical content, and subtle humor. Produced and mixed by Lainey, Rise’s sonic textures are shaped as carefully as the songs were composed. With delicate spectral balance and rich, analog textures, the music has an “organic-electric” feel, evoking vintage recordings while still being informed by contemporary influence. The album is intended as a continuous listen, with a flow from song to song that creates an atmosphere of pilgrimage across diverse landscapes, juxtaposing both concept and sound.
“…nothing short of epic…” -Boston Survival Guide
“Ladytron on Broadway” -Dig Boston
MVP (Meridian Voice Project)
http://www.reverbnation.com/meridianvoice
Meridian Voice was born when founding members Paul Briscoe and Adrian McCloskey connected with keyboardist Lloyd Landesman via a Craigslist ad in 2007. After a search for the right guitarist, Randy McStine joined the group in 2008. The next two years were spent crafting their debut album, Atypical Symmetry. Released in late 2010, the album has sold well and received airplay on various stations around the country. Meridian Voice’s strength not only lies in its great musicianship, but its musical compositions. Tunes are tight and melodically to-the-point, with improvisations that key in on musical economy. Imagine Weather Report, Tribal Tech, Return To Forever, and Jeff Beck mixed together to create a powerful musical experience.
In January 2013, the band went through a personnel change with the guitar and drum chairs changing, featuring Alek Darson on guitar and Rocky Bryant on drums, performing their first show at the New Jersey Proghouse in April 2013. Since then, the band has been writing and recording new material for the next album. To reflect the member change, the band is now called MVP (Meridian Voice Project).
Individually and collectively they have worked and/or collaborated with Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Steve Khan, Marcus Miller, Will Lee, Anton Fig, Carl Perkins, Sam Moore, Lonnie Mack, Los Lobos, John Tropea, Kings X, Billy J. Kramer, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ellen Foley, Anthony Jackson, Andy Newmark, Mick Jones/Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Ian Gillan/Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Rod Stewart and The Faces, Jethro Tull, Squeeze, Michael and Randy Brecker, Lenny Pickett, Sean Pelton, Paul Shaffer, and many more.
Heliopolis
http://heliopolislaprog.wix.com/heliopolislaprog
http://www.facebook.com/heliopolislaprog
Conceived in autumn 2012, Los Angeles based Heliopolis (Greek for “City of the Sun”) set out from the start with one primary goal in mind: celebrating the uplifting power of music.
Comprised of former members of acclaimed progressive rock acts Mars Hollow, Ten Jinn, and Genesis tribute Gabble Ratchet, Heliopolis is a forward-thinking musical collective on a mission to deliver the very best in contemporary progressive rock music paired with an ultimately optimistic message.
“These days there seems to be a disproportionate emphasis on darkness,” says bassist Kerry Chicoine; “We find exploring the balance between despair and optimism a more challenging and creatively satisfying approach.”
Heliopolis compose intricately detailed long-form songs based on memorable melodies, 4-part vocal harmonies, outstanding musicianship and thought-provoking subject matter, delivered by five musician friends who share a commitment to passion, sincerity, and integrity.
“At the end of the day, we believe in the greater good,” says lead vocalist Scott Jones, “and our focus is creating musical landscapes reflective of our shared outlook.”
In 2013, the band wasted no time writing and recording their debut album “City of the Sun” while simultaneously undertaking a string of well-received performances on the West Coast (Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Mateo and Santa Monica, California as well as Mexicali, Mexico); in so doing, the band proved their viability and commitment to excellence onstage, wowing audiences with their intensity and enthusiasm.
“City of the Sun” (scheduled for release in August, 2014) confidently delivers a cohesive and imaginative musical statement recalling classic albums from the golden era of progressive rock while remaining firmly grounded in the present.
“We enjoy mixing our influences, putting ideas in a blender and, hopefully, surprising ourselves with the results,” says keyboardist Matt Brown; “There are no limitations,” continues guitarist Mike Matier.
Heliopolis is honored to perform at the renowned NJ Proghouse’s 2014 Homecoming Weekend.
“The commitment NJ Proghouse has shown in supporting cutting edge artists is highly commendable,” says drummer Jerry Beller; “To perform alongside some of today’s most innovative and progressive artists is very humbling.”
Heliopolis is Jerry Beller (drums and vocals), Matt Brown (keyboards and vocals), Kerry Chicoine (bass and vocals), Mike Matier (guitars) and Scott Jones (voice).
The journey’s about to unfold…
Discipline
http://www.strungoutrecords.com
Discipline are an independent rock band from Detroit (not to be confused with the moniker that Robert Fripp used pre-Discipline with King Crimson). Since forming in 1987, the band (formed by lead singer and keybordist Matthew Parmenter) have performed and recorded together in a strictly DIY fashion via their indie label, Strung Out Records. The band’s debut album, 1988’s Chaos Out Of Order saw the band (with Parmenter and guitarist Jon Preston Bouda) laying down the foundation for the sound that would be at their peak with both their 1993 CD, Push & Profit, and 1997’s Unfolded Like Staircase. These albums, with members Mathew Kennedy on bass and Paul Dzendzel on drums, reached an international audience, allowing the band to perform not only at many US-based progressive rock festivals but countries outside the USA, including Norway.
Discipline’s now-legendary live shows were memorable for unusual theatrics, with lead singer Matthew Parmenter (a.k.a. the Magic Acid Mime) made-up in mime face and wearing different costumes for songs. Following the band’s fracture in 2001, Parmenter began a solo career. Although Parmenter’s Astray and Horror Express have hints of the old-school Discipline sound, they didn’t capture the magic of the full-band format.
After nearly ten years of silence, Discipline came back to perform at NEARfest 2008 (the Northeast Art Rock Festival). Discipline also performed at RsSfest 2012 (the Rites of Spring progressive rock festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania).
With some songs from the old days still in the band’s closet, the four-piece decided to dust those tunes off along with some brand new songs. Released in October of 2011, To Shatter All Accord hints back to the band’s most famous album, Unfolded Like Staircase. The ’90s-era tunes (“Circuitry” and “When the Walls are Down”) showcase the band’s style but do so in a much more mature way. The three new songs (“Dead City,” “When She Dreams She Dreams in Color,” and “Rogue”) present not only Parmenter’s Hammill-esque vocals but, perhaps even more so, the band’s instrumental prowess.
The band isn’t interested in flashy solos; the song is the most important thing—not too much, not too little. There’s not one band member who doesn’t bring out the best in the others. Bouda’s guitar playing enhances Kennedy’s bass, which influences Dzendzel’s drums, which only strengthens Parmenter’s keyboards and vocals. For a band to return after 10+ years with an effort this strong is a rarity. To find a band firing on all cylinders, almost like they never broke up, is nothing short of amazing. To Shatter All Accord not only matches the band’s previous effort, but with Parmenter’s engineering skills improving substantially since Horror Express in 2008, this may be Discipline’s greatest statement yet.
In 2014, Discipline released its first full-length live recording, This One’s For England. Recorded live on May 5, 2012 at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (RoSfest 2012), This One’s For England presents some of Discipline’s best-known progressive art-rock epics in a two-disc set.
Chris Herin, founder of the progressive rock band Tiles, will support Discipline on guitar during its 2014 shows.