Yellow #5 When voices and musical instruments combine, special things often happen. When musicians combine, special people can often be helped. Such will be the case on Saturday, May 7, when Greater Media Newspapers and Howell IceWorld present a host of musical performances for charity during “Soundstage” at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. The event is part of Greater Media’s Greater Good campaign, which has already seen employees of Greater Media’s newspaper division personally help a food pantry, an animal shelter and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization in the past few months.
This time a gala musical event at Bar A will raise funds to help people with autism and their families. Proceeds from the “Soundstage” fundraiser will benefit Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) and Our Special Place, a therapeutic learning center for children with special needs, in Matawan.
Epidemic Empire A slew of entertainers have volunteered to donate their time to perform at the “Soundstage” benefit concert and help raise funds for POAC and Our Special Place.
Performers currently slated to perform between 1 and 7 p.m. May 7 include Yellow #5, Epidemic Empire, The New Royalty, Lunch Hour Six Pack, Almost There, Us Against You, Alicia Madison with Dan Weltman, Casey Rochelle, and Hollywood Help.
DJ Gotts from Greater Media Radio’s 95.9WRAT morning show will be on hand 4-7 p.m. along with Melissa the Rat Rock Girl and the Rat Pack with lots of giveaways.
Yellow #5, a classic rock/pop/party band with tons of energy, will kick off “Soundstage” at 1 p.m. Band members Roger Wolford of Toms River on drums, Pete McGinley of Lakewood on bass, Adam Glenn of Jackson on keyboards, Paul Fosgreen of Jackson on guitar, and vocalists Amanda Thompson of Jackson and Pat Murphy of Howell have decades of experience playing all over New Jersey.
Lunch Hour SIx Pack Epidemic Empire’s band members James Parks, 13, lead vocals; Matt Kahn, 12, lead guitar; Lance Nelson, 13, rhythm guitar; Kyle Germann, 12, bass; and Andrew Rotundo, 14, drums, all from Toms River, have been playing together as a band since July. Epidemic Empire plays primarily hard rock and metal. Musical influences include Van Halen, Rush, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Green Day and Nirvana.
Lunch Hour Six Pack plays classic rock and alternative covers. According to the band’s website, the band’s goal is to play songs that most people are not used to hearing all the time, but will enjoy. Based in central New Jersey, Lunch Hour Six Pack’s members are Dominic Musolino, lead vocals; MikeComiskey, lead guitar and vocals; Rob Ussia, drums and vocals; Jon Zayle on bass and vocals; and Brian Comiskey on rhythm guitar.
Almost There Two of the members of Almost There (Zach Sicherman of Wayside on bass and vocals, and Ed Soles of Oakhurst on guitar and vocals) have been playing together since they were freshmen at Ocean Township High School in 2001. In early 2009 drummer Phill Serzan of Old Bridge became the latest addition. In 2010 the band won a national competition sponsored by MySpace Records, earning them an all-expense paid trip to record in Los Angeles. Following that, the band was crowned winners of the 95.9WRAT band search competition. The prize included opening a show at PNC BankArts Center as well as six weeks of regular airplay on 95.9. They describe their music as upbeat rock.
Us Against You has amassed an impressive local following in central New Jersey in the year the band has been together. The crowds respond positively to the band members’ quirky, energetic stage presence as well as their solid harmonies and pop punk and punk rock melodies that have people humming the tunes long after the show is over. Band members Joe Lobosco (guitar/vocals), Kyle Newins (bass/vocals) and Mikey Rosen (percussion/background vocals), all 16 years old and sophomores at Freehold Township High School, welcome any opportunity that presents itself to perform and spread their original music that often focuses on teen angst, rebellion and general confusion about the world we all live in — something to which their fans can relate. They are proud of their new EP “Warm Regards for Your Double Standards,” which has helped increase the band’s ever-expanding fan base.
Us Against You This benefit for children with autism is especially important to Us Against You because their percussionist grew up with one of his closest friend’s little sister who was diagnosed with autism at an early age and he knows firsthand how patience, love and support can help a person grow.
The New Royalty band members are lead guitarist Trevor Smith, 18, of Monroe, vocalist Bree Iafelice, 16, and rhythm guitarist Nick Iafelice, 16, both of East Brunswick, bassist Kyle Davis, 17, of Millstone Township, and drummer Ricky Joyce, 23, of Milltown. The members of the indie pop band came together as a cover band in 2008 through the vision and guidance of Paul Sallee, owner of Music University in Freehold Township. Sallee has helped the band evolve into one that performs original songs that address the joys and difficulties of their generation. They have played at many local charitable and community events, donating the proceeds of their CD release show to a local school foundation.
Alicia Madison always knew she wanted to be a singer and accepted every opportunity that came her way to sing. She could be heard singing at school, church, fundraisers and was selected to sing the national anthem at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood. She has been the front singer with several wedding bands throughout the tri-state area since she was 17 and has performed in area clubs. She received vocal training from songwriter Tina Shafer and honed her acting skills with Caroline Thomas. Her charitable work led her to the set of ABC-TV’s soap opera “All My Children,” where she was invited to play an extra in two episodes alongside Susan Lucci.
While attending Brookdale Community College, she worked as a vocal coach at Music University in Freehold Township. While working toward her bachelor of music degree at Monmouth University, Madison interned at Warner Brothers Records in New York City, where her singing talent was discovered and she was signed with Big Management in NewYork City. She was taught to write songs with the help of writers David Worby and Michael Grant, writing about life and love. Her new dance song “Superstar” will be released on iTunes on May 2 and she will perform it at the finale of the “Soundstage” benefit at Bar Anticipation. Prior to that she will perform an acoustic set with Daniel Weltman.
Alicia Madison & Daniel Weltman Self-taught musician from the age of 12, Daniel Weltman, Atlantic Highlands, attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles at age 20 and performed with several bands. He then moved to Austin, Texas, where he had the opportunity to work with and record with many accomplished artists who inspired him in his own songwriting style. He continues to write songs and to perform regularly at many venues throughout the tri-state area.
Casey Rochelle Casey Rochelle, 17, of Wall Township, returns to take part in her second Greater Media Newspapers charity fundraiser. She has been singing since she was 5 years old. Currently a junior at Wall High School, Casey studies with vocal coaches Mary Lough of Point Pleasant and Ellen Hollander at Wall High School. She enjoys singing music from a variety of genres including pop, rock, Broadway, country, and rhythm and blues. She will perform Thriving Ivory’s song “Angels on the Moon” with Hollywood Help at the “Soundstage” fundraiser.
The members of Hollywood Help are seasoned musicians in their own right, and have been performing together since December 2009 when they debuted at Greater Media’s first musical fundraiser, the Good Samaritan Holiday Bash. They have since been winning over crowds in clubs, cafes and other musical venues throughout New Jersey (including BarA) and New York City with their unique sound and relaxed stage presence that draws the audience in.
With Frank Rosania on guitar and vocals, Tim Lamb on bass guitar and vocals, both of Cedar Grove, and drummer Scott Rosen of Manalapan, Hollywood Help performs original rock tunes, paying homage to the classic rock feel while infusing their own twist that appeals to classic rock fans and listeners of today’s pop music.
Tickets to the “Soundstage” fundraiser are $15 for adults and $12 for students with ID, and include a barbecue. Tickets may be purchased at BarAnticipation on the day of the event. The first 250 tickets sold at the door will receive a gift valued at more than $20. BarAis at 703 16thAve., Lake Como. For information, call Greater Media Newspapers at 732-358-5200, ext. 8288.