Twine is back together. That loud experimental metal band that called it quits after five years together back in 2002, reunited last year. Louder and more mature, and with new bassist Jim Chorman, even if you arent a fan of this music, you cant deny the contageous energy that the two lead singers, Rick Carr and Ryan Edgar, bring to the stage.

"We respect one another more now, and as musicians we brought a lot of different things to the table. There is a different level of respect and a higher level of sobriety that comes with all that time off. The beauty is that we really are all on the same level. When you see us at that show the passion and the honesty really comes out; it comes out to the point that i might have to go to the hospital," said singer Rick Carr.

I remember these guys when they started back in 1997. I knew they were talented back then, but young. I went to see them for the first time since they'd gotten back together, two months ago at The Saint, and what practice and life experiences had done to their dynamic was mind blowing.

Last week they played The Saint again, at a show sponsored by Jamroom recording studio from Howell. This Saturday, March 5th they will be opening up for Powerman 5000 at the Starland Ballroom. This is their first time playing at Starland, and they hope to start touring up and down the east coast this summer.

Having two lead singers is new to me, but according to Carr, it has become more popular in the underground metal scene, he calls it, "a dynamic that caught on because it leaves so much room for more vocals and more music. Music has becomes more scizophrenic; its less one dimensional than it used to be. Jersey bands Anon and Strength in Numbers do it too and they are both awesome bands."

Twine plans to release a new EP this March, which can be preordered from their webpage,
http://www.myspace.com/twinemusic.
 

Jersey Shore’s own Bobby Strange recently completed a UK tour with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, followed by a spot on the Light of Day West show at House of Blues Hollywood, where Bobby shared the bill with Jakob Dylan and Lucinda Williams. This was Bobby’s fifth tour this year.

 NJcoast editor Joe and I, met Bobby and his wife at the Pour House to talk about his recent tour. I met Bobby when I was fourteen and he was running the open mic at the now defunct Josie’s Coffee House, and then when the open mic was moved to the Internet Café, Bobby often let me be his co-host, so getting to talk to him about his career was particularly exciting. He told us why he enjoyed his tours in England so much, saying, “Everything in show business is based on people knowing who you are. In America I’m not well known, but in England they treat you more continued on page 6