A garage rock band formed by three friends who share a love for 1960s British bands and early punk bands will debut their break-out record at The Saint in Asbury Park on April 14.
The Fusions are vocalist and guitarist Tyler Partnow, 17, of Manalapan, vocalist and bassist Joe Massa, 18, of Old Bridge, and drummer Matt Ramos, 17, of East Windsor.
“We’re trying to go for a nice local aesthetic right now,” Tyler said in an interview on April 4. “Music coming out of (the Manalapan area) is lacking.”
Tyler said he and Matt met while they were attending the St. Paul School of Princeton. The duo met Joe while they were pursuing music lessons at Musician’s Workshop, Manalapan.
In 2016, the teens formed a band based on what Tyler described as a mutual love of 1960s bands such as The Beatles, The Who and The Kinks, as well as early punk groups such as The Clash, the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks.
Tyler said it was a welcome coincidence that upon meeting, the trio had similar tastes in music. He said the band has a “garage-rock” feel – a raw and energetic style of rock and roll that originated in the 1960s.
“We have been great friends from the beginning. When we started writing together and collaborating, it was awkward. This was the first time ever you were trying to defend yourself and you fight over what you are going to put in a song. Through it all, (the experience) has made us better friends,” Tyler said.
The Fusions have performed at the Brighton Bar, the Saint, House of Independents, Asbury Lanes and the Stone Pony. The Fusions played at the Relay for Life in Old Bridge, at Manalapan Day, at Manalapan Night Out, at Old Bridge Day and at the Festival of Arts in Princeton, according to a press release.
The Fusions were semifinalists in the Stone Pony’s 2017 “Rock To The Top” competition, and were nominated for Top Young Band (under 21) at the 2018 Asbury Park Music Awards.
The band members began recording their debut extended play (EP) record in November 2018 at Lakehouse Recording Studios under Moto Records, Asbury Park, with producer Evan Rudenjak.
The Fusions’ first single, “This Is Forever/Collapse,” was released on March 1. Their EP, “The Fusions,” will be released on April 14 at The Saint, 601 Main St., Asbury Park. The event will take place from 2-5 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $12 a thesaintnj.com