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The Camera Affect •

Silversun Pickups’ epic return to The Wellmont Theater, New Jersey 8/23/25 | Photos & Review

American rock band Silversun Pickups continue to treat New Jersey well. Stopping by what seems to be their favorite venue, the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ, remains a staple on their headlining tours!

While this tour has several different openers throughout its four-month run, NJ was lucky enough to be blessed with the rock throwbacks from Kentucky, Girl Tones!

Sister-duo Kenzie and Laila served as an incredible opener to the night. My introduction to them was their angst-ridden singl...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

3 Dollars perform in Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ – 3/28/25 - WMSC 90.3 FM

I first discovered 3 Dollars at their performance at Kudo Society in 2023 – WMSC had the pleasure of hosting them for an episode of our live music performance show WMSC Unplugged, and I had the incredible displeasure of being out of town on that date.  Disappointed, I welcomed them BACK to our studio the following year where my partner-in-musical-crime (and now music director) Amber Bintliff asked the inevitable question – Why three dollars? 
The answer to that question is one I won’t spoil – Yo...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus performs in Teaneck, NJ – 3/14/25 - WMSC 90.3 FM

If I was tasked with making an “emo essentials” playlist, there is no doubt that several songs by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus would be among the first additions. 

Listening to this band… honestly since I’ve understood music as “a thing”… I was delighted to see they were performing at a venue so close to me. What did I do to deserve this?
 
The openers of the night were incredible, setting the tone (and setting the bar) for the rest of the night– First up was Philly’s own alt-rock band Sleep Cycl...
NYS Music •

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Sound: N.J. D.I.Y on the Rise

Mixed influence rock band Ordinary People is making waves in the Northern N.J. D.I.Y. music scene with groove, grit, and glorious jams – with more music on the way.With genre influences spanning from funk, jam, to prog metal, grunge, and rap, with folk and indie lyrical inspiration, Ordinary People is, in fact, extraordinary. The group performed at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck, N.J. back in December 2024, packing the house with the largest audience of the three bands performing that evening.Th...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Alt duo MISSIO rocks Mercury Lounge in NYC - 3/12/25 - WMSC 90.3 FM

Electronic duo MISSIO never fails to impress. MISSIO announced their I Am Cinco North American Tour in late November, supporting their fifth studio album “I Am Cinco” in May 2024.  
MISSIO were one of those bands that got me through the rough parts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was a troubling time for everyone, they made sure that their fans knew that they were never alone. They released a great documentary titled “Love Me Whole” in May of 2020, giving a behind the scenes look into the pr...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

NIGHTMARE BEFORE SPINSMAS SPREADS MUSICAL CHEER ON DEBONAIR MUSIC HALL - 12/20/24 - WMSC 90.3 FM

It was like The Spins knew exactly what I needed to celebrate the end of the fall semester… 
New Jersey band The Spins celebrated the holiday season with their debut Nightmare Before Spinsmas at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck, NJ. The WMSC Unplugged alum explained that they typically have an annual Halloween show, but missed out on the chance this year – And thus, the Halloween Holiday Bash in the middle of December was born! 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The lineup was New Jersey through and through, beginn...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Cage The Elephant and Young The Giant – in Holmdel, NJ, 8/24/24 - WMSC 90.3 FM

I would see this lineup a thousand times over again if I could!
 
I listen to a lot of music (like… a lot). A question that is often asked of music enthusiasts is “what is your favorite song?” What a daunting question that is! Luckily, I have landed on an answer years ago that remains true to this day: “Cold Cold Cold” by Cage the Elephant. 
The moment the “Neon Pill” tour was announced, I knew I had to be there. If Cage the Elephant alone wasn’t enough to convince me, seeing that Young the Gian...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Totally Tubular Festival Takes On The Rooftop at Pier 17, NYC, 7/18/24 - WMSC 90.3 FM

I was repeatedly asked “Wait, how old are you? Do you really like this music?”
Of course, I like this music! Where do you think our 2020s alternative songs would be if it wasn’t for the bands that came before them?
A few months ago my mom asked me if I wanted to see the “Totally Tubular” Festival in the summer. My answer was “Duh!” Without looking at the lineup, I knew that I was in for an epic night of 80s music.
I was even more excited to find out that the show was at the Rooftop at Pier 17 wh...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

TBT: Fall Out Boy performs So Much For (Tour) Dust Leg One in Holmdel, NJ - 8/5/23 - WMSC 90.3 FM

Let’s start with a confession: When this tour was announced, I fell to the floor outside of our general manager’s office and hyperventilated. I was immediately brought back to middle school – the good part: the music. 
Now that we got that embarrassing moment out of the way… onto the show!

Fall Out Boy performed for the first leg of their So Much For (Tour) Dust at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, located just 45 minutes or so away from Montclair State’s campus.
The first act of...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Kim Dracula: America’s Gradual Decline In Morale - Irving Plaza, NYC 3/10/24 - WMSC 90.3 FM

The genre-bending metal artist dominates the New York City stage as they perform in their first-ever headline tour in the U.S. 
Alternative-metal-trap-screaming-everything-in-between artist Kim Dracula has quickly developed a following after their debut album A Gradual Decline In Morale released in July 2023. Just before, they were the opener for Avenged Sevenfold’s Life Is But A Dream Tour that same summer. 
After becoming an instant fan of this album (Unfortunately, this was just after they pl...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

TALK: Lord Of The Flies & Birds & Bees Tour 2024 - Irving Plaza NYC 3/8/24 - WMSC 90.3 FM

The family-oriented talent dominates the stage in his return to the States for his North American headline tour.
Canadian singer-songwriter TALK rose to fame for his 2021 single “Run Away To Mars,” which topped rock-alternative charts over the years – landing a spot on Sirius XM’s Alt-36 of 2023. 
He returns to the States for his first-ever headlining tour for his debut album, The Lord Of The Flies & Birds & Bees, after his 2023 tour supporting rock icons Young The Giant and Milky Chance. 
Talk...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Yungblud, The Regrettes, Games We Play - Pier 17, NYC 7/14/23 - WMSC 90.3 FM

Photos and Review by Emily McCormack
The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York City– Yungblud’s album 21st Century Liability released just a week before Warped Tour made a stop in Holmdel, NJ in 2018. I knew the album well by then, and was so ecstatic to not only see him perform, but have the chance to meet him at his merch booth. I could tell very quickly that he is not only an incredibly talented and appreciative musician, he is, above all, a genuine human being.
Since then, I haven’t missed a local Yu...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Declan McKenna & Oracle Sisters - Wellmont Theater 6/4/23 - WMSC 90.3 FM

I’ve been to a bunch of concerts, yet I still have an intense bucket list of artists that I love and have changed my life in some way or another. I believe Delcan McKenna’s album Zeros came out in 2020 for the purpose of saving alternative music-lovers like myself during the most isolating year the COVID-19 pandemic forced upon us. (Continue reading for my experience – and more photography from myself at Krizia Mae Templonuevo at the end!)
Review by Emily McCormack
The line outside for Declan Mc...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

Young The Giant, Milky Chance & TALK - Pier 17 NYC 6/3/23 - WMSC 90.3 FM

Review and photos by Emily McCormack
The first act was TALK, an up-and-coming solo artist best known for his 2022 hit “Run Away To Mars,” a single that often appeared on my rock/alternative countdown show in fall 2022. He performed his then unreleased single “A Little Bit Happy,” which is now here and is one of my favorite songs to play here at our station! He met with some of his fans and his family that came in support by the merchandise booth- He was such a sweet person to speak to, and this...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

The Happy Fits - Webster Hall 12/17/22 - WMSC 90.3 FM

A conversation between music director Jared Tauber and music librarian & web director Emily “Emol” McCormack who were both at Webster Hall on December 17, 2022 for The Happy Fit’s Under the Shade of Green Tour:
JARED: What did you like about the concert, Emol?
EMOL: I’m good, thanks for asking. And you?
JARED: Oh sorry. Yeah, I thought “Changes” was really awesome. Where did you go during the concert?
EMOL: I was actually in the photo pit taking pictures, like these:
 
EMOL (CONT’D): I really...
WMSC 90.3 FM •

The Death of an Optimist: Album and Movie Review - WMSC 90.3 FM

Two years ago I wrote this article. Two years later, my work will see the light of day. This is The Death of an Optimist: Album and Movie Review.
By Emily McCormack
Since he started his musical career in 2014, alternative singer and activist grandson finally released his debut album, “Death Of An Optimist” on December 4, 2020. While fans have enjoyed his previous singles and EPs, including his trilogy, “A Modern Tragedy,” DOAO has long been anticipated.
What fans didn’t expect was his announceme...
Indie Band Guru •

Indie Band GuruRoyal & The Serpent LIVE @ Mercury Lounge - Indie Band Guru

First let me say it has been way too long since we have been able to go to a great concert, especially in a small intimate venue. Tours are finally returning and restrictions are easing after a full 2 years of pandemic fueled shutdowns. Let’s just say we are VERY excited here at Indie Band Guru. 


On Sunday, March 27th we were able to attend what turned out to be an EPIC show on grandson’s Death of A Tour at Mercury Lounge in NYC. Accompanied by rising stars Royal & The Serpent and The Oxymorr...