november 2001
issue 29
unlimited archives
Mercury
With tracks from their debut EP still in rotation on regional airwaves, Mercury are in the process of wrapping up their next disc. Fans that keep requesting “Razorblade” and “River” can expect more of the same — and then some. On the phone with Unsung Hero, dynamo frontman Justin Morris explains what they can look forward to.
“The album as a whole, we tried to hit a harder edge than our last stuff,” says the singer-rhythm guitarist-songwriter. “Not hard like Korn, but more of a heavier Live or Fuel-type deal. It has a little bit of a melodic edge, but it has fairly melodic lyrics.”
Tentatively titled Close Enough to Feel, the disc is set for an early 2002 release. Two songs from the CD have already found their way to the airwaves. Morris says that the cuts represent the band’s extremes. On one end, he says, is the distortion-driven “Paralyzed.”
“It’s one of our more uptempo, harder songs. Probably the hardest song on the CD,” says Morris. “It’s definitely a high-energy, driving, nonstop, kick-you-in-the-face type song.”
That aggressive overdrive comes from lead guitarist Armando Camillo. Bassist-backup vocalist Eric Gadrix and drummer Adam Sivitz have been in the band for just over a year now — a year that’s seen the band play The Jenny Jones Show and venture as far as Virginia and Ohio. But nothing so far, Justin says, can compare to a hometown crowd.
“You get on that stage,” explains the South Side resident. “You’re in front of a few hundred people. Cool rock club. You bring in a big light show. And it’s that chance to play like you’re a big national act, to come off sounding and looking like one.”
Mercury received another taste of national attention recently, with the title track for the national-release movie Out of the Black. The near-ballad, says Morris, represents the other side of the spectrum. As he explains it, that song is crafted to have something for everyone.
“I tend to write lyrics that they can have their own interpretation by the audience, so they can take it and make it about what they want,” says the songwriter. “Because that’s the most important thing about music. That’s when it means a lot to people. That’s when it’s a healing thing, or a make-you-feel-better thing, or you relate it to your life. And you can actually take it and say, Oh, This is just like the time that... I wrote it for them.”
>> Relevant Information:
web: www.mercuryband.com
all inquiries: info@mercuryband.com
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PITTSBURGH UNLIMITED
New Invisible Joy
The New Invisible Joy promo CD looks like the sleeve from a vintage 1980s new-music 45, and their name recalls golden-era giants. But it’s all a coincidence, says NIJ guitarist Mike Gaydos, maybe a divine coincidence.
“When John, our singer, was looking for a name for the band,” explains Gaydos. “He — supposedly — picked up a Bible, opened up to random pages, pointed his finger, and used the words that he pointed to: ‘new,’ ‘invisible,’ and ‘joy.’”
Even if the Pittsburgh band’s name strikes a chord for the wrong reasons, the songs won’t disappoint music fans looking for something evocative and moody. NIJ’s approach is just a little more basic.
“At the end of day, we’re just a rock band,” said Gaydos. “But we have aspects about us that... We’re trying to convey something more emotional, more sexual, something that may have more to it than the standard rock show at a night club.”
NIJ’s 1999 debut, Pale Blue Day, turned heads, creating a buzz in the region’s nightclubs and music conferences. The band recently cut a ten-song demo, and have picked three songs to further develop as a shopping demo.
“There’s a new song that we’re doing that’s called ‘Old’ that Evan and I had written out of a bass line that he had come up with, and he and I worked on it,” says Gaydos. “It has an upbeat chorus, but the verse and bridge are vital NIJ: atmospheric, with a melodic, vocal quality to it.”
Bassist Evan Handyside and drummer Brian Colletti drive the mix as John Schisler’s vocals and Gaydos’ guitar float around each other, sometimes lilting, sometimes jagged and aggressive. At home, the band have cultivated a growing audience, transitioning from the city’s more secluded clubs to mainstream venues, remaining welcome at both.
“We do have a heavier thing that we can do in certain places, depending on where we’re at,” says Gaydos. “We feel like we’ve found the niche that we want to be in. We’re proud to be part of New Invisible Joy. It’s a great artistic outlet.”
>> Relevant Info:
management: Rory Handyside
412.531.4348, rory@newinvisiblejoy.com
band: band@newinvisiblejoy.com
web: www.newinvisiblejoy.com
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