|
"Self-Titled"
(CD EP)
amBiguous CITY! Records
(Coming Spring 2003)
Split with
Hope, Star & Browning (7")
Low City Records
2002
|
BIOGRAPHY
Ralph Nicastro - Guitar, Vocals
Johnny Sex - Guitar, Vocals
James Daly- Bass
John Crocco -Drums
Jesse Rudner- Synth and Organ
Stephan Ethan - Samples
Sparks Fly From A Kiss is the collaborative
effort of six guys in their mid-twenties hailing from New Brunswick,
New Jersey, a breeding ground for inspired and innovative musicians
(yes, believe it or not). Their approach to create original rock
music, filled with up-tempo beats and memorable hooks, has gained
them a considerable, local underground following and buzz throughout
Jersey's musical establishments. Unlike most contemporary rock
groups, Sparks Fly tend to break away from the conventional mold
of a four-piece band by introducing samples, synth and organ,
granting them the opportunity to define and craft their music
in a whole other dimension. The rich layers of harmony created
through the shotgun marriage of raw vocals and compelling backup
rhythms, are bound to settle any listener into a hypnotic state
of mind, complete with a satisfied grin from ear to ear. Brace
yourselves. Finally, an inspirational band is here to thrive amongst
the relentless competition by offering an innovative sound that
is both cutting-edge yet reminiscent of old-school influences.
With Sparks Fly, one will witness a
riveting performance fully equipped with all the required elements
of an eclectic rock group. Heavily influenced by a diverse mix
of bands such as Spiritualized, The Rolling Stones, Modest Mouse
and The Beatles, has consequently led them to develop a unique
sound representing a wide variety of styles and techniques. Songs
like "Big Day Squad" deliver an unforgettable chorus
with vigorous drumbeats and aggressive guitars, while more hypnotic
tunes like, "I can't sleep", offer an atmospheric quality
designed to transport listeners to an entirely different place.
With such a vast knowledge of different genres, Sparks Fly is
able to deliver tunes that represent every facet of the music
spectrum, resulting in an eclectic and original finished product.
But hey, don't take our word for it. Check them out yourself!
REVIEWS:
Six song EP’s from bands I never heard of don’t
tend to grab my attention… usually. I don’t know what
it was about this release that did. Maybe the oversized press
kit (which included a kick ass matchbook), or maybe it was just
the name of the band itself. Whatever it was, it worked, because
I popped this right in the stereo when it arrived at Indie Workshop
HQ.
This six piece hails from New Brunswick NJ, not
necessarily the hot bed of new music, but sometimes, that’s
exactly what a band needs. Actually, I think most bands would
be better served to be held up on some deserted island. I’ve
had enough of incestuous scenes; I’ve had enough of member
and style swapping… Sparks are my breath of fresh air.
So, I guess you would like a little bit of enlightenment
as to what the hell they sound like huh? Ok, here goes. Think
of epic sounds on a small scale. Or maybe, monumental music on
a shoestring budget. I tend to think of Spirtualized meets Ivy,
but add attitude and rock and roll swagger, and of course the
lo-fi aesthetic. They know when to turn up the guitars and give
you a pop inspired gem a la Grandaddy, as is the case with track
3, “Big Day Squad”. But, adversely, know when to lull
you away to dreamland with reverbed guitars and sonic swells like
on the very next song, “My Baby’s All Gone, Your Baby’s
All Gone”, which makes me think of both Luna and Stratford
4.
For a virtual unknown, Sparks Fly From A Kiss come
onto the scene like a lion. I think most people will be stunned
by the maturity displayed on this album. But don’t be fooled,
these guys aren’t young pups but rather seasoned veterans.
Just because you haven’t been in a “big press”
band doesn’t mean you haven’t picked up a few tips and
learned a few things along the way. It’s all most like this
is a culmination of years of “unknown-ness”.
Well, they have taken their years of experience
to heart and channeled it into a great piece of work. The result
is an album that could make a few waves if the right people were
to hear it. I expect more good things from this band… maybe
someday, great things
– Indie Workshop.com
There's an interesting tug-of-war going on in the
NJ indie scene right now. On the one hand, there's a new generation
of Jersey bands returning to the old bash 'n' pop sensibility
of Bionic Rhoda and Boss Jim Gettys, bands whose only real ambition
is to rock hard, like Dibs, Copperpot, and Clever Hans. But there's
also an undercurrent of groups going for a far more subtle approach,
bands like American Altitude, Hope Star & Browning, Brunfussites-turned-Philadelphians
Like Flying Insects, and to that list I would add New Brunswick's
Sparks Fly From A Kiss. "Subtle" is the last word anyone
would've have used to describe singer/guitarist and principal
songwriter Ralph Nicastro's last band, freewheelin' sonic-skronkers
Aviso'Hara. But with Sparks Fly, Nicastro uses his high, thin,
always almost-out-of-his-range vocals as filigree on top of a
delicate latticework of sounds cobbled out of keyboards, samples,
melodic bass, and very subdued electric guitars. For a New Brunswick
band - a town that's always liked its rock as loud and dumb as
possible - this is a brave and definitely new approach; there's
a lot more Brian Eno than Brian Bruden in what Sparks Fly is doing,
and it works beautifully. This is music that's soft, soothing,
meditative, tranquil, and yet retains just enough of a sonic edge
to hold your attention. Kudos also to guitarist Johnny Sex, who
wrote two of the six songs here, and whose delicate guitar parts
(along with Nicastro's) perfectly accentuate the melodies without
running roughshod over the electric piano, organ, and synthesizer
sounds that form the base of Spark Fly's sound.
– Jim Testa, Jersey Beat
There's something new burbling up out of the New
Jersey swamplands, and this time it's not vinyl chloride. Sparks
Fly From a Kiss's home state has typically preferred its rock
served short, fast and chippy, thankyaverymuch, which may make
the group's delicate power-pop a hard sell at home. Singer/guitarist
Ralph Nicastro, formerly of local favorites Aviso'Hara, alternates
between a Jeremy Enigk-like coo ("Engaged") and a pinched,
emo-friendly howl ("Beat the Artist", "Big Day
Squad"), but the Sunny Day Real Estate comparisons don't
end there. The sextet's self-titled debut shimmers like a handful
of reigned-in Rising Tide outtakes, glistening with twinkling
guitars and atmospheric dissonance. The set peaks in the six-minute
space-pop suite "My Baby's All Gone, Your Baby's All Gone",
which drowsily canters along before transmuting into a crashing
indie-rock answer to Pink Floyd's "Eclipse", minus the
gospel choir. For mousy Rutgers students tired of getting the
shit kicked out of them at Stuntcock shows, Sparks... is music
to nurse your wounds by.
– SplendidEZine.com
GET IN TOUCH
sparksflyfromakiss@hotmail.com
www.sparksflyfromakiss.com
Management/Booking:
Mahatta Management
management@mahattarecords.com
www.mahattarecords.com
|
