bill bodkin continues the M.A.D. Wednesday series with Josh Moran, lead singer of the newly rechristened New York rock band …
New York Rivals Is: Josh Moran — lead vocals, guitar; Erik Rudic — lead guitar; Nash Breen — drums; Gianni Scalise — bass
We Formed In: August 2011
Our Music Can Be Found Online At: Spotify, Purevolume, Itunes, Amazon, Etc.
Our New Music Is Coming Out (when): We will release our debut full-length Oct. 1 during our run with The Lemonheads
Our Sound Has Been Compared To: Queens Of The Stone Age, The Killers, Joy Division
You’ve Seen Us in Other Bands Like: Armor For Sleep, Great Big Planes
Famous/Awesome Bands We’ve Performed With: This band is fairly new but performing with Blondie was one of my fondest memories.
Pop-Break: Originally, you guys were known as Wearefollower. What spurred the name change?
New York Rivals: Actually, it was just “Follower.” We were a band for about three months, and our lawyer advised us to change it because some christian band had it trademarked. So here we are
PB: And is there any sonic difference between New York Rivals and Follower?
NYR: We are really dirty and raw. We play a few of the same songs, just tweaked a little.
PB: Also, can you give us some background on the new name?
NYR: We needed a name fast and I had just gotten my bike stolen where I live in Brooklyn. I was really bummed about it, and everywhere I went I started seeing people riding bikes that looked exactly like mine. He is now my mortal enemy. So “New York Rivals” seemed fitting.
PB: How did you guys get involved with M.A.D. Wednesday?
NYR: Anthony Jude is a good friend. He asked us if we would like to play before we jet out on tour so we jumped on. Should be a really fun night.
PB: You guys are based out of Brooklyn — is this your first time playing New Jersey?
NYR: Yup.
PB: What’s on tap for NY Rivals for the rest of 2011?
NYR: We leave Oct. 1 on The Lemonheads reunion tour. When we get back we’ll be blowing the roof off CMJ and touring for the rest of the year.
