Rocky & the Chapter
Rocky & the Chapter | |
|---|---|
 Rocky & the Chapter at the 2017 North Jersey Indie Rock Festival. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 2014–current |
| Labels | Sniffling Indie Kids, Sixth Ward Sound |
| Associated acts | Mercy Union |
| Members | Matt Balog Rocky Catanese Chris Grzan Joe Lanza Trevor Reddell |
Rocky & the Chapter are an American rock band from New Jersey.
History[edit]
Rocky & the Chapter are an alternative rock band New Brunswick, New Jersey. Vocalist and guitarist Rocky Catanese grew up in New Brunswick, and played in the band Let Me Run. After Let Me Run disbanded in 2013, Catanese began working on songs for a solo project, however he soon was collaborating with former bandmate and drummer Trevor Reddell. Shortly after, bassist Matt Balog, and guitarists Chris Grzan and Joe Lanza joined the band, which was named Rocky & the Chapter.[1] The band cites musical influence from Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Jawbox, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Tegan and Sara, and they draw comparison to the music of Motion City Soundtrack, Jimmy Eat World, and the Gaslight Anthem.[2][3] On their live performances, Jim Testa calls Rocky & the Chapter "a muscular example of Hub City rock," and Speak Into My Good Eye editor Phil Shepard says "I get the hype[,] these guys bring it with great energy and feeling."[4][5]
Sniffling Indie Kids[edit]
Rocky & the Chapter's first release is the single "Sun Goes Down," on 13 January 2015. Their debut six-track album New Day / Old Night was released with Sniffling Indie Kids, on 7 August 2015, and in an interview with The Pop Break, Cantonese explains the songs "are all rooted in some emotional times I've had over the last few years with friends and loved ones." He opened as a solo performer for the Gaslight Anthem lead singer and guitarist Brian Fallon, in December 2015.[2] They released the singles "Where You Are" and "Bitter," on 1 July 2016. Rocky & the Chapter performed at the 2016 North Jersey Indie Rock Festival. The four-track EP, entitled Aye, was released on 28 October 2016. The four-track EP You Are Not Mine is described as jangly indie rock, and was released on 24 January 2017.[6] A review by James Damion in Jersey Beat says the EP "offers a crisp Pop sound with enough kicked up guitar riffs to give it an undeniable rock edge," adding that "Rocky's voice has a special pull that draws that the listener close enough to the song to make them feel as if they're a part of it."[7] The single "Overthinking" was released on 9 June 2017. They also performed at the North Jersey Indie Rock Festival on 23 September 2017. Rocky & the Chapter released the four-track EP They're Not Supposed to Care About Us, on 29 September 2017.
In 2018, Catanese joined the group Mercy Union, as a guitarist and vocalist, along with guitarist and vocalist Jared Hart, drummer Benny Horowitz and bassist and vocalist Nick Jorgensen.[8]
Members[edit]
- Matt Balog – bass
- Rocky Catanese – vocals and guitar
- Chris Grzan – guitar
- Joe Lanza – guitar
- Trevor Reddell – drums and percussion
Discography[edit]
- Albums
- New Day / Old Night (2015)
- EPs
- Aye (2016)
- You Are Not Mine (2017)
- They're Not Supposed to Care About Us (2017)
- Singles
- "Sun Goes Down" (2015)
- "Where You Are / Bitter" (2015)
- "Overthinking" (2017)
References[edit]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Appio, Jim (20 February 2017), "Premiere: New Single from Rocky and The Chapter. EP out 2/24.", CoolDad Music, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Curry, Laura (28 March 2016), "Interview: Rocky and The Chapter", The Pop Break, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Damion, James (2017), "Rocky & the Chapter – You Are Not Mine", Jersey Beat, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Payne, Chris (27 September 2018), "New Jersey Rockers Mercy Union Premiere Tom Petty-Influenced Jam 'Silver Dollars': Exclusive", Billboard, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Pirate! Staff (9 January 2018), "Rocky & the Chapter - They're Not Supposed to Care About Us", Pirate!, retrieved 23 March 2019
- Sheperd, Phil (30 March 2016), "SIMGE On The Scene: Jesse Elliot Band, Rocky and the Chapter & Rose Boulevard Played Happy Mondays", Speak Into My Good Eye, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Testa, Jim (20 April 2016a), "Rocky & The Chapter bringing the rock 'n' roll sound of New Brunswick to Jersey City", The Jersey Journal, retrieved 22 March 2019
- Testa, Jim (2016b), "North Jersey Indie Rock Fest Showcases bands and new venue", Jersey Beat, retrieved 22 March 2019
