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Live Review: Moth Eater in Jersey, 03.05.10

For those who’ve never been to Clifton, New Jersey‘s Dingbatz venue, it’s probably safe to say you have someplace like it near where you are. It is North Jersey‘s metal bar. Not to be confused with the sundry rock bars, sports bars or nudie bars. There are certainly plenty of those around, and there’s even a punk bar, but there’s only one metal bar, and that’s Dingbatz.

Their regular roster of bands generally includes a host of locals, C-level touring acts and bands who’ve been around long enough to know better but keep playing shows anyway. The clientele are cliquey but harmless leather jacket types who like to drink and rock out. Like the bands and even the Dingbatz staff, they’re not hurting anyone. Since the last time I was there, they started crafting the ‘Batz Brew, which wasn’t terrible.

Also on the bill were Piston Driven, Black Water Rising and Brand New Sin, but I was there for Moth Eater and true to my northeast dickery, I stayed while they played and was splitsville shortly thereafter. Not that I wasn’t interested in learning about the other bands — I knew the deal — but had an early morning Saturday to consider. In-law birthdays trump recycled Black Label Society riffs. It’s a fact of life.

But Moth Eater, whom I’ve not seen since a show with Negative Reaction on their native Long Island, NY, did not disappoint. Their singer, John Alaia, who was playing his first gig with the band last time, was far more integrated and far more comfortable in the lineup, to the point of clowning around on stage with bassist Steve “Buckshot” Seabury while guitarist John Conley kicked out a heavily wah’ed solo.

Conley cut his teeth in New York mayhem-makers Scar Culture, and some of the technicality required to play that style of heavy/grinding metal comes out in his solo work, but Moth Eater is more about the overall feel of the songs than the wizardry that may or may not go into making them. The work of drummer/backing vocalist Dave Ardolina (who, like Seabury, comes formerly of rockers Dirty Rig) helps greatly to ground the riffs and keep the material accessible to the crowd, which at Dingbatz, grew steadily as the set progressed.

Other than “Motha Chunga” and “The Aftermath,” the former which I remembered because of its name and the latter because it’s the first demo with vocals Moth Eater have put on their MySpace (and because it’s quite catchy), I don’t know song titles, but suffice it to say each didn’t sound precisely like the one before it, and it’s probably safe to assume that between their experience in bands and in the industry, when these guys decide to do some recording in earnest — either for an EP, full-length or whathaveyou — they’ll be working from a solid foundation established at these shows. Dingbatz isn’t The Ritz by any means, but it is a great place for a band to figure out who they want to be on stage. The more I see them, the more it seems Moth Eater have the issue worked out.

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9 Responses to “Live Review: Moth Eater in Jersey, 03.05.10”

  1. Vince says:

    Saw these guys at Phins Pub in Long Island….drummer was good but band sucked…no songs.

    NEXT

  2. TwothumbedBilly says:

    I’ve seen Moth Eater twice at the Ace of Clubs. They were great the first time and even better the second. From the sound of things theyre really starting to gel as a band. I cannot wait for a release from these guys and the mp3 on their myspace is such a tease!

    Come on Moth Eater give me something to buy!!!

  3. Jim says:

    I never seen these guys and a friend told me to check out their myspace page. To be honest I think these guys are going to be on the up.

    That song Aftermath is sick. Its heavy and the hook is awesome. I dont know what kind of instrument that is in the intro and in the song but it makes me want to jump into the pit for a battle.

    Moth Eater you have a new fan here in MI. Look forward to the CD and the tour.

  4. SistasWig says:

    Been a fan of L.O.G. / Mastadon and others for years…friend of mine int he city knows bucksot and told me to check them out…..Disappoined to tell you the truth…..average at best recycled guitar riffs that we heard a million times before. Not much here, sorry to say.

  5. Talisman666 says:

    A bunch of old and boring posers who cant play worth a sh#t…go back to beer swelling poser music, losers!

    Talisman666

    Mancipium Monument is a killer tune.

    Black Skies RULE http://www.myspace.com/losblackskies

  6. jerseygirl says:

    Used to go see Dirty Rig at Ding Batz when Kory Clarke was in the band. He always said Buckshot was an assh%le, but he was ok to me. Checked out Moth Eater at Dingbatz and sorry to say they were boring screamo metal and the sound sucked for them. Black Water Rising blew them off the stage IMO.

    Jerseygirl
    xxoo
    muah!

  7. Eric says:

    I think you people are nuts. I was at this show at Dingbatz and although Moth Eater was very different from the others that played, they were very entertaining.

    Their music is heavy, yet still retains a form of groove and all the while the guys look to me as if they’re still having fun with playing. I found myself humming a few of the tunes later on in the night, I don’t remember the names though :(

    I was by the bar while they were playing and I thought the sound, albeit a tad loud, was pretty well balanced. The crowd around me looked to be digging them as well. My buddies all thought they were great.

    I’d say if this is your first time hearing of this band, you should check them out for yourself and see what you think. It’s sad when you find a band that doesn’t sound like another AC/DC rip off or a band that isn’t trying to win you over by playing recycled shit get crapped on by people who just might not enjoy their style of music.

    My opinon, Moth Eater is a great band with a lot of potential. Give em a listen and see what you think.

    (Great site btw)

  8. S.O.L says:

    I have been playing the local circuit for years and went with my sister Laurieanne to see Moth Eater Last night at Trash Bar (we were actually there to see another band on the bill)……although there was a smaller crowd than most bands we go see they seemed to be really into their music. Very straight up riffs tha have been played before with screaming vocals…..nothing special but nothing too bad either…..not really a fan and wouldnt go see em again, but hey if screaming over basic detuned riffs is your thing,,,,,,,enjoy.

    SOL

  9. Wow says:

    It’s amazing how many “people” come out of the woodwork to slam a band.

    Somebody’s trolling.

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