Take these vices ’cause they’re so faithful to me. We’re tortured by control and we need voices to choose our wants from needs.
—From “American Junk” by NGHBRS
When the members of NGHBRS first got together in 2009, they traded records from Manchester Orchestra, As Cities Burn, RX Bandits and The Mars Volta to spark some ideas. Then the Long Island-based quartet burned some incense and started jamming to create their debut EP, “Hellomind” with Straylight Run producer Bryan Russell and Dan Gluszak. The rockers’ powerful first single, “Bodies,” released in April to much acclaim, was used for the soundtrack of the National Lacrosse League 2010 video game for Xbox.
Vocalist/keyboardist Ian Kenny, drummer Jordan Schneider, guitarist Tommy Fleischmann and bassist Eric Vivelo, all 20-somethings, were influenced by everything from Kings of Leon and Mutemath, to Esperanza Spalding and classical music. And this diversity can be heard on their high-energy debut, which incorporates elements of blues, jazz and funk. On standout track, “American Junk,” Kenny sings of vices and voices.
“People everywhere have their vices,” notes Kenny. “The beauty in things on the outside might not be the healthiest, or smartest, but they simply feel good. It’s about living in the moment and not waiting around for things. American Junk is all around us.”
And soon NGHBRS will be all around us as they continue touring, and being compared to alt-rock bands like Gatsby’s American Dream, Foo Fighters and Thrice. On Sunday, December 19th, you can catch the dynamic foursome when they play the Long Island Holiday Festival at the Peace Christian Church in Bohemia around 8pm. I Am Alaska, Harvard, Family Lumber, Tiger Riot, and Warren Franklin will also be performing and proceeds go to Angel Tree, for children who are unable to celebrate the holidays with their parents: HYPERLINK “http://www.angeltree.org” www.angeltree.org; HYPERLINK “http://holidayfestival10.wordpress.com/” http://holidayfestival10.wordpress.com/
NGHBRS will also be playing in NYC on the 23rd with the Sleeping at Gramercy Theatre, and on January 9th at Broadway Bar in Amityville. So check them out—in between songs, you may here some Sun House, Steve Vai or Death Cab for Cutie jams. For more info go to: HYPERLINK “http://www.nghbrs.com/” http://www.nghbrs.com/