As much as Asbury Park is known as the home of original music, the Jersey Shore is known as the home of the cover bands. Rarely do the two ever cross paths, but on Halloween night, we find it’s completely acceptable. Tonight, at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, our friends at Dark City Entertainment will be presenting the “Local Legends Halloween Bash” which features a slew of local bands performing at some of their all-time favorites.
One of the bands performing is Amy Malkoff & The Moonshines, who’ll be channeling Black Sabbath, for their performance tonight. We had the chance to see The Moonshines perform as the house band for our five-year anniversary show at Wonder Bar last month. To say we were blown away is an absolute understatement. The band has this beautifully heavy sound that’s pierced by the sonic glory of Amy Malkoff’s vocals. Perfect band to cover Black Sabbath? Perfect band to cover Black Sabbath.
We recently caught up with Amy to talk about the band, her career outside music and channeling the Ozzman.
The Moonshines Are (Band Members & Instruments They Play): Amy Malkoff (vocals/guitar), Erik Rudic (guitar), Frank Calabrese (drums), Matt Castoral (bass)
We’re based out of: Asbury Park, NJ
The Story of Our Name: I’m very fascinated with astrology, the moon and night sky…the mystery of the night and the whole vibe of it all. Ever since I was a little girl, I would always just stare at the moon, and sing stupid made-up little kid songs about the moon (laughs). I’m very nocturnal as well, and the moon just gives me a certain energy. The peace and mystery of the night intrigues me.
Any new music coming out: Yes! We actually are in the process of recording and releasing new songs, as well as a music video for each song we release. We just were in the studio on Sunday 10/19 recording a live session at Shorefire Studios in Long Branch. Joseph DeMaio is recording us, and he is great. The studio space is awesome, and he has amazing equipment. He really knows how to capture our sound, and we enjoy working with him.
You’ve seen us before [in other bands]: I always played solo since the age of 15. I also played bass in another band called Easy Tiger. Erik was in a hardcore band called Nag Hamadi when he was younger, a band called The New Volume, and another band called New York Rivals. He also currently plays with Gideon Luke and The People, which he is on a mini-tour in London, and has an opportunity to play on The Jules Holland Show. Frank was in a band called Devil’s Holiday, and Matt was in a band called Breath Eyes Memory when he was younger, as well as another band called The Miracle of You.
Our sound has been likened to: Black Sabbath, Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac, Mazzy Star, Smashing Pumpkins. This is what we have heard from people who have seen us live, but we find ourselves having a hard time really comparing our sound!
Your sound is highly unique – can you talk about the creation of it?
When the band first formed, I showed them songs I had already written as a solo artist. As we grew into the band, we also grew into our sound. I started writing a little heavier, and more riff driven since I wasn’t playing solo anymore. I’ll come up with an idea, and show it to them while we are jamming. Then, everyone throws their ideas around, ultimately creating a collaborative final product. I really love having a band now, and having everyone else throw in their creative ideas. I love how everyone writes, and our chemistry works very well as a four-piece band.
You guys will be performing this weekend as Black Sabbath for Dark City Entertainment’s Halloween Bash — now was this your choice or was this something you and Christine Feola from Dark City decided on? And why was this band you chose/was chosen for you?
All of us are huge fans of Black Sabbath, and it was our first choice to cover them for this show once we heard the idea. Christine had it in her head what bands would cover who for that night. A lot of people say they hear a Sabbath influence in our music when they see us perform, so we figured it would a solid fit.
For those who were at Pop-Break’s 5 Year Anniversary show, you guys gave us a sneak preview of your set with a cover of “Faeries Wear Boots” and it was amazing. What song of Sabbath are you looking forward to unleashing on The Wonder Bar crowd? Are there any deep cut Sabbath songs that you’ll be performing?
Thanks so much! I don’t want to give it all away! (laughs) We are playing some more well known Sabbath songs, as well as some deep cut ones, too. You’ll have to come to see for yourself!
Devil’s advocate question – Outside of music, you personally are also a make-up artist. You’ve had some high profile clients and you’ve even landed yourself on TV on a recent episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey. Now, if someone could wave a wand and give you a successful career as a make-up artist or a musician — which would you do and why?
I would say music. Although, I love doing makeup, music is my passion and I will be writing music till the day I die, regardless of what happens. But, if I could make a living and have a successful career doing so, then why the hell not haha. It’s just apart of who I’ve always been, and it’s something that will never leave me no matter what happens. I am very thankful for every opportunity I have had both with my makeup career, as well as my music career.
There are so many bands out there in the Jersey Shore scene to check out — what do you think separates you guys from everyone else?
Yes, there are so many amazing musicians and bands in the scene. Everyone is so talented, and I love that. I think what separates us, is that there really isn’t anything out right now with our sound. Being a girl fronting a heavy rock band is unique within itself, and I know that catches peoples attention when they see us live regardless the type of music we are playing. Our sound is very unique compared to what is out there right now since it has more of an edge, and we are kind of creating our own path, and not fitting into one specific genre.
If someone read this interview and never heard you before, but decided to check you out, what song would you recommend they listen to in order to understand what The Moonshines is all about?
I would say our song “Two” which we are recording in the studio now, so that will be out soon. It captures the whole mood of our band. It has the heaviness, but then also breaks into a more haunting/dreamlike essence, which shows the dynamic of our band. It’s definitely a very moody song, and makes you feel a certain way.
A bit of more broad, sweeping question — what is it that you love about being in The Moonshines?
What I love about being in The Moonshines, is the people that I play with. All of us are really great friends, and each one is so talented as a musician. We all really understand what we are trying to capture and accomplish musically. These guys are my best friends and are like family to me, and we have a great time. They understand my songwriting and capabilities, as do I with them. It’s a tight knit group we have, and it’s something special I haven’t experienced playing with other musicians through out the years.
What can the people coming out to see you guys perform expect to see from you guys in terms of a live experience?
Raw expression, no holding back, my soul poured out onto the stage, and a little head banging (laughs).
What do you have planned for the rest of 2014?
Releasing our songs we are working on in the studio, as well as some music videos. We are always writing, so some new songs to follow. Branching out of NJ, taking advantage of any opportunities that may come, and just reaching out our music to as many people as possible. Eventually tour and playing anywhere we can! Taking our band as far as it can go.
Amy Malkoff & The Moonshines perform as Black Sabbath tonight at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Tickets are $10. Other bands on the show include: Only Living Boy as Radiohead, Empire Escorts as The Doors, Des & The Swagmatics as Prince, The Battery Electric as The Misfits, Hot Blood as Minor Threat, Creeptones as The Beatles, and Pistol Chamber as The Rolling Stones.
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