Favorite Local Band

Out of my hometown of Morristown, NJ came the band called Trophy Scars in 2002, a 6-man cross-genre group with a sound unlike any other. Despite my typical distaste for bands with screaming lead singers, Trophy Scars was one of the few bands that were able to convince me their music was worth listening to. With their multiple EP’s and full-length albums, they are not an atypical example of a local NJ band. Their music, however, is anything but typical. Lead singer Jerry Jones has such a unique voice, the history behind which is very surprising. As a child, Jones was in countless singing competitions and had a lovely voice, until he was diagnosed with a tetanus-related disease called lockjaw. Unable to open his mouth for months, Jerry’s voice was forever altered, and became the indescribable sound we hear today. Although this would seem to have a negative impact on Trophy Scars’ music, it does the opposite. It only serves to increase the clarity of the messages and pain the band tries to convey. Never a band with such alternate and odd styles has captivated me to such a degree, and hats off to Trophy Scars for doing so.

A remarkable story of a dream crushed and then revived is when Trophy Scars’ scheduled tour in the UK was suddenly cancelled. After purchasing tickets and accommodations which basically emptied their bank accounts, Trophy Scars was shocked to learn of this, and announced an indefinite hiatus due to financial reasons. A hiatus is always bad news for bands that have not made it big and are still widely unknown, because without the time, money and effort required, the hiatus will always result in a death sentence for the band. But from the rubble emerged The Bad Luck Foundation, dedicated solely to reviving Trophy Scars and bringing them back to the music scene. In only a few months, it was clear from fan donations and Trophy Scars merchandise sales, that the band was not down and out. They would return and with pride. Planning to release a full length album entitled “Bad Luck” in the fall of 2008, and still performing in many locations on the east coast, Trophy Scars is back in business. A fascinating story of resilience, the return of Trophy Scars is such an inspirational story to tell young, faltering bands to keep up their efforts. This story only adds to my appreciation for Trophy Scars, along with their inescapable heavy guitars and heavier lyrics.

Links:

A Trophy Scars interview: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=238820
Trophy Scars Website: http://www.myspace.com/trophyscars

What is your favorite local band and why? Responses are welcome.