New Jersey: Not Just For Cover Bands Anymore
by Jeff Raspe

Now, we've always known of all the great musical talent that comes out of the Garden State, but it appears as though the major record labels have discovered it too. And they're not looking for Bruce or Skid Row knock-offs either! (Go figure...)

Over the last handful of years, with a flourish in the last year or two, major labels are scooping up New Jersey bands (seemingly) left and right. What does all of this mean? I have no idea. Maybe the new generation of A&R people are all Jersey kids. Maybe someone realised whilst in their ivory tower in midtown Manhattan that there was a pretty much overlooked talent pool sitting just over the river. Maybe it's the success of the NJ Devils. Maybe it's The Sopranos. Whatever the reason for the sudden interest in Jersey bands, it's a good thing. Not just for all of the ones already signed, but also all of the bands that are proud to call New Jersey home. Or at least the ones who are willing to admit in public that they are from NJ.

What's also interesting is that the bands being signed are from many different genres of music, have had varying degrees of success here at home, and some have never even played a gig outside of the tri-state area.

So if the labels want to continue to mine the Garden State for bands; bands of all styles, live reputations, touring experience, sales history, and even following are going to get looked at. (One can only hope.) Because for all of the recent contracts being handed out, there are 5 times more bands worthy of being signed. We know that, we've always known that, but now maybe the rest of the country will find out.

A quick rundown of the recent New Jersey signings:
Churchills (Universal)
Darwin's Waiting Room (MCA) based in Florida, but from NJ
Dragpipe (Interscope)
Ill Nino (Roadrunner/Universal)
Ben Kweller (ATO/RCA) not from NJ, but associated with New Brunswick's Artist Amplification collective
Little T & One Track Mike (Lava/Atlantic)
Midtown (Drive Thru/MCA)
pete. (Warner Brothers)
Ours (Dreamworks)
Samhill (Epic)
Shades Apart (Universal)
Tonic (Polydor/Universal) based in LA for years, but from NJ
Pete Yorn (Columbia) based in LA, but from NJ
And there's always Bruce, Blues Traveler, Whitney Houston, members of Phish, members of Rollins Band, ...the list goes on...

©2001 Jeff Raspe