HITS Releases Debut EP

New York based HITS (formerly Jump Into The Gospel) released their debut self-titled EP last week.

HITS is a tight piece of work.  The songs are overall more polished while the band maintains the natural charm and fun of their previous incarnation. The album is reminiscent of mid-80's dance pop and tend to get stuck in your head forcing you to put them on repeat. 

The wickedly wonderful "St. John" has been a longtime favorite from their live shows.  The recorded version is less funky and more pop but maintains its infectious dance quality and bad ass bass groove of their live performances. The catchy "Singularity" stands as the commercial appeal track and has great potential in the licensing world. 

On "Twin Peaks" first of all, is that even vocalist Louis Epstein singing?!  The vocals on the album sound strong and more confident in general.  But, on this low key, dreamy sounding track, the confidence particularly shines through in the deeper, richer tone.  Somewhere out there, teens in angst are declaring this their song.

After several listens, I have decided that "Madness" is possibly one of the sexiest songs of the summer in a geek girl love fest sort of way.  It makes me feel like I should be at this very moment lusting over some slightly odd, vaguely nerdy guy with a somewhat weird view on love. 

If I have any complaints about the EP, it would be as a fan of guitars, they're a little too tucked away in the mix for my personal tastes ... more of guitarist Ben Vescovi please and thank you.  And, a live favorite, "Start A Following" didn't crossover into their new world.

Get on board with this album and band.  They are ready to take their star turn and you don't want to be the only person to miss the boat.

GIG ALERT!!!  HITS will be at Pianos on Saturday, July 21.  They go on at 9PM and it will cost you $10.

You can listen to and buy the EP using the handy widget below.

HITS Set To Release New Record + NY Shows

Hits, the band formerly known as Jump Into The Gospel, are set to release their new self-titled EP on June 26.  I've given the track "Madness" a spin several times (listen to it at the bottom of the post).  The song is certainly the most polished I've heard them.  They sound tighter and the production more lush.  The song has a throwback sound to it that reminded me of perhaps Howard Jones... maybe a bit like Simple Minds.  I like the song.  I don't like the flashbacks it induces though.  I'd rather not be reminded of big hair, ridiculous make-up and silly clothes.  But, I'm looking forward to hearing the new album...June feels so far away.

Set for release June 26th, the self-titled EP culminates HITS' major changes, commitments, and five months of studio-time into what has become their tightest material to date. The songs form a throwback 80s electro-synth sound with a contemporary feel only the year 2012 could allow.  The new EP, produced and mixed with a little help from their friends, Cobra Starship, swings from high energy dance songs like "Veins" and "St. John" to the thoughtful musings on isolation in "Twin Peaks" and the skewed vision of love in "Madness."

GIG ALERT!!!  New York, Hits will be playing a series of shows!  Friday, May 11 they'll be at the Knitting Factory over in Brooklyn; doors are at 7PM and it'll cost you $12.  On Tuesday, May 15 they'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge; doors are at 8:30PM and it'll cost you $10.  And, on Sunday, May 27, they'll be over in Brooklyn at Cameo Gallery.  Go to a show or three and show them some love.

   MADNESS (Single) by HITSNYC

What You May Have Missed: Jump Into The Gospel at Pianos

Jump Into The Gospel: October 12 @ Pianos, New York, NY

When last I'd seen Jump Into The Gospel, they were finishing up a residency at Pianos about four months ago. Earlier this month, I was at the same LES venue to see the fellas once again. What do you get when you toss a bunch of adorable skinny guys on a stage with instruments and amplification? You get one happy me! The rest of the audience was equally happy.

In a compact set, they did what they do best, worked the crowd into a dance party that had folks wanting more. They've tightened up performance wise which gave them a bit of a harder sound, more edgy. They also look different. Body languages have changed. They look more rock star now. No, it's not the white outfits, those just make me crave ice cream. The rhythmic instrument guys, Chris Stein (drums), Erik Tonnesen (keys) and Lakis Pavlou (bass) had a laid back coolness about them and a subtle power that demanded you dance. Guitarist Ben Vescovi has stepped things up a notch. He sounded more streamlined, more precise. And visually, he has achieved that pretty, slightly vacant, 70's rock star look. Hm, he may take issue with that description! Front-man Louis Epstein is evolution. He is working the stage more and frankly, there were several moments that I got that larger than life feeling while watching him perform. At this rate, there will soon be too much Louis for the smaller stages; he'll need a grander setting. At one point, I was perched precariously on the steps beneath Epstein. I looked up, the lights were framing him and thought to myself, rising star. In all of the time I've been going to see their shows, Jump Into The Gospel have never sounded or looked so complete.

More photos HERE

Setlist (to the best of my memory)

• Flagship
• St. John
• Start A Following
• My Man
• Humvee
• 2012

Contest: Jump Into The Gospel 7" Vinyl EP

I've got goodies! I have in my quirky little hands a copy of Jump Into The Gospel's self-titled 7" vinyl EP. If you want to own this goodie, email contest@quirkynychick.com and tell me your favorite JITG song. One winner (US only) will be chosen at random on August 3, 2011.

If you're in New York, you can catch Jump Into The Gospel at Cameo over in Brooklyn this Friday, July 22. Doors are at 8PM and it'll cost you $8. You should go and show them massive amounts of love.

Upcoming: Jump Into The Gospel at Glasslands

Those funky electro rockers, Jump Into The Gospel will be at Glasslands Gallery over in Brooklyn this Sunday, July 10. Doors are at 7:30PM and it'll cost you $10. Also on the bill that night, Nightmare & The Cat, NONVIOLENCE and Little Racer. Go dance; get hot and sweaty, they like when you do that.

The band recently completed a killer residency at LES venue Pianos last week. If you missed it...

This is what they played...

And this is what they looked like...
More photos HERE

Upcoming: Jump Into The Gospel's Pianos Residency, Last Call

New York electro dance rock darlings, Jump Into The Gospel, will take the stage at Pianos on Wednesday, June 29 at 10PM. Did I mention it's FREE? You heard me correctly, free ($8 before 9PM). This is the final night of their residency at the LES venue. If you missed the previous three shows, well, you probably weren't having as much fun as those of us who were there did.

Jump Into The Gospel: June 22 @ Pianos, New York, NY


For those of you who missed the show last week...

This is what they played...

Have I mentioned how much I'm in lust with "St. John?" Well I am. Seriously, I'm going to keep saying it, I'm in lust with "St. John." Make it digital, slap it on some vinyl, hell, put it on an 8-track just make that joint available boys; that's my song!

...and this is what it looked like
More photos HERE

What You Missed & Can Still See: Jump Into The Gospel At Pianos

Jump Into The Gospel: June 15 @ Pianos, New York, NY

Where were you on Wednesday night?! Well, if you weren't at Pianos, you missed Jump Into The Gospel bring their "A" game to the stage. After that performance, I have officially dubbed them rock stars. Everyone looked to be relaxed and having fun and they were musically in the zone ... the best show I've seen them do.

Fret not folks. If you missed that show, you can catch them this coming Wednesday, June 22 at Pianos. They're on at 10PM. Joining them on the line-up that evening will be, The Rassle at 9PM and Brick + Mortar at 11PM. It'll only cost you $8!

Look what you missed this past Wednesday...

This is what they played...
More photos HERE

And, this is what it looked like...

This Wednesday: The Twee + JITG + Living Days

Check it out ... Wednesday night, June 15 at Pianos ... go have a drink and hear some good music! Living Days at 9PM, Jump Into The Gospel at 10PM and The Twees at 11PM ... all of that for only $8.

Photo Review: A Night With A Band Of Rock 'n' Roll Messiahs

Jump Into The Gospel: June 8 @ Pianos, New York, NY

This past Wednesday night, New York's own Jump Into The Gospel kicked off the first of their residency shows at LES venue Pianos. If you didn't catch them, fret not. You still have three weeks left! They'll be taking the stage at 10PM on June 15, 22 ($8) and 29 (free).

What happens when you toss five long guys on a stage, with instruments and lighting that altered between "what lighting? and a slightly trippy, seizure inducing bonanza." You get a show full of shake your ass music and a bunch of folks dancing in front of them!

The band dropped their new single "2012" recently and it seems to have garnered a lot love and attention. When they launched into it, the audience reaction, while always favorable, this time out was akin to that of fan favorites "Humvee Mansion" and "Flagship." If you like the recorded version, the live version is that and more ... it goes all extra synth(y) and guitar(y) at the end; it's the equivalent of sex on the dance floor. I vote another hot JITG song, "St. John," be released next because it needs to be on my music player of choice. But hey, that's just me.

Go see them. You'll have fun! And, if you didn't see it already, check out the Q&A they did for us earlier this week. They're funny... and possibly insane which is how we here at QNYC like our musicians!

They played this...
More photos HERE

...while looking like this.
(I just noticed I didn't get any shots of Chris performing ... I hang my head in shame!)

Q & A: Jump Into The Gospel

New York based band Jump Into The Gospel have been shaking things up left, right and center. Their songs are irresistibly catchy, synth based, pop-rock ear candy. And, their shows are high energy fun. The first time I heard Jump Into The Gospel, I thought to myself, 'hm, this reminds me of when I first heard "Girls On Film" and fell in love with some little band called Duran Duran.' JITG however, are edgier and aren't slathered in make-up.

So, on the eve of their residency at Pianos (Wednesday nights in June at 10PM), I thought I'd share a little Q&A with you. I sent over some questions and got back some quirky answers thus adding to the reasons why I'm a little bit in love with them. They fit in well here in my little corner of the Internet.

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): Lame origin question everyone probably asks ... why the name Jump Into The Gospel? How did it come about?

Jump Into The Gospel (JITG): Simple. A software program called Sought Flare Slow Jam. It takes your old name and plays with the words until it comes up with something marketable without losing the rhythm of your old name. We used to be called Hump The Princess Toadstool.

Jump Into The Gospel To Take Up Residence At Pianos

Guess where all of the cool kids and people who like good bands are going to be on Wednesday's in June? They'll be at Pianos getting hot and sweaty with Jump Into The Gospel. You know how much we here at QNYC, aka Me, like them.

Beginning Wednesday, June 8 and continuing each Wednesday (6/15, 6/22 & 6/29) for the rest of the month, they'll take to the Pianos stage at 10PM. The shows will cost you $8 except for the June 29 show which is FREE, yeah that's right, I said FREE! So, you have absolutely no excuse for not seeing them at least once! Check out the hot promo video below that they put together for the occasion.

OH! Did you see? Spank me and tickle me too, another QNYC fave, Prospector, will be on the June 22nd line-up!

Jump Into The Gospel: Hot, Sweaty, Butt Shakin' Fun

Jump Into The Gospel: April 25, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Monday night I went down to Mercury Lounge to catch the charismatic Jump Into The Gospel do their thing. Each time I see them, the crowd gets a little bigger and a little louder. I wasn't much into the two bands before them and to be honest, I was a little concerned about the overall energy of the room. Maybe that was just me though; I had some lovely Tennessee refreshments so I may have been paying more attention to that more than to those two bands. That being said, any concern however, went away when JITG hit the stage. There was an amazing energy during their set and everyone, audience and band, seemed hellbent on getting their party on. See what a good time I had? I had so much fun I said 'getting their party on.' Curse you skinny, music playing boys for making me use horrid terms like that! Several times during the evening, I glanced over my shoulder and saw massive amounts of dancing.

You should really catch these guys while they're playing intimate venues. With their insanely catchy songs and 'let's have a party up in here' vibe, you'll soon have to stand in line with the masses to get into their shows. I wouldn't want anyone to miss the ass shakin' good time they offer.

Oh, btw, in case you didn't know or it for some bizarre reason slipped your mind, Jump Into The Gospel have EP out. The self-titled release can be found HERE if you're into the digital thing. It's a name your own price deal so technically, you could get it for free. But, if you want to be super cool, you could show them some monetary love. And, if that wasn't enough, and you have a fondness for vinyl, you can click HERE and buy it in that format. Whichever format you choose, you'll fall in lust ... the heavy petting kind of lust, not the slutty bathroom stall kind, that's reserved for their live performances.

More photos HERE

Good Times With JITG

Jump Into The Gospel: February 26, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Saturday night, a dark club, the LES and rock 'n' roll. Yep, sounds about perfect for a romp with my favorite musical prophets, Jump Into The Gospel.

While the night saw a bit of instrument malfunction, difficulties be damned, they still put on a fun show. There were two things I noticed during the set. Frontman Louis Epstein has become a much more animated performer now then he was when I first saw them around this time last year. The other thing I noticed, drummer Chris Stein seemed to have a heavier sound. At one point, the penultimate song I think (I'm old, senile and was too busy having a drummer brain fuck moment to remember), he went hardcore. I'm not one to complain about my mind being molested by enjoyable music.

To enjoy the goodness that is JITG, head on over to Brooklyn Bowl on March 21, where they'll be supporting The London Souls ... that's who they were on the bill with when I first saw them. It's a guaranteed night of bad ass music. It'll cost you $5 and you'll have no regrets.

More photos HERE.

Jump Into The Gospel Release EP

If you've been keeping up with my little corner of the blog world, then you'll be familiar with the fact that I like Jump Into The Gospel. Well, great news, they've released a four song self-titled EP! The EP can be downloaded HERE.

The insanely catchy "Humvee Mansion" kicks things off setting things up for a fun but much too quick musical romp. "Photovoltaic," the EP's second track takes me back to the days when I wore fingerless lace gloves and neon colored spandex. While I don't wish to re-live the fashion faux pas' of my youth, I relish the synth pop sound that made and still makes me bop around with my head phones on, music blaring.

Jump Into The Gospel are a fun treat. The band, Ben Vescovi (guitar), Chris Stein (drums) and Erik Tonnesen (keyboards) lay down a precise foundation full of ear pleasing melodies and rhythms to get you up and wiggling your ass. Super skinny, wild haired frontman Louis Epstein rounds things out with hypnotic vocals that are one minute reserved and sometimes mysterious, while the next minute he's a wailing falsetto.

Four tracks isn't nearly enough but, it'll do ... for now.

Gig Alert! They'll be at Mercury Lounge on Saturday, February 26. Doors open at 7:30PM and it'll cost you $10. Swing by and show them some love.

Video Of The Day: JITG's "Humvee Mansion" + Gig Alert

For some unexplained reason, I have at this very moment, stuck in my head, "Humvee Mansion" by NY band Jump Into The Gospel. It's a deliciously catchy song and I seriously adore the video. So, for your viewing pleasure, I've conveniently embedded the video at the bottom of the post and declaring it my video of the day.

Gig alert! Should you be in the general vicinity of NYC, you can go love them live. They like when you love them. On February 12, they'll be at The Studio at Webster Hall (tickets HERE). Then, because you'll be so in love with them afterward, you'll go see them at Mercury Lounge on February 26 (tickets HERE). And, because you'll still be caught up in your hot and heavy romance with JITG, you'll go love them some more at Pianos on March 22.

And On The Third Day … Jump Into The Gospel

Jump Into The Gospel: December 29 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

As the year comes to a close, I've realized that I’m ending my music year pretty much the same as it began … at Mercury Lounge, in front of the stage, with camera in hand.

I climbed mountains of snow, trudged through un-plowed streets and walked through slushy puddles. As I did so, I pondered a question. What does $5 and subway fare get you on a Wednesday night on the LES? The answer, it gets you some damn good music!

The damn good music on this particular night was New York band Jump Into The Gospel. Back in February, I had the pleasure of seeing the band perform. I had heard of them but hadn’t actually heard any of their music. That all changed when they hit the stage. One song in and I was smitten. I walked away that night totally digging their sound. Nearly a year later I’m at the same venue to see them again.

After missing several of their gigs this year, I made it a point to catch this Jump Into The Gospel show. I decided it was the perfect way to end the year, concert wise, that is. For those who haven’t joined the JITG congregation, they’re indie electro-pop. I do so hate trying to put labels on stuff. How about we just call it really good music?

They kicked things off with the infectious “Humvee Mansion.” From there, JITG rocked their way through a catchy nine song set of old and new. I’m partial to “Flagship” and “St. John.” They’ll be releasing a record in the upcoming months so that’s something to look forward to my fellow quirky people. Photography and catchy, danceable songs don’t mix by the way, but, you can get a taste of what you missed (if you weren’t there or want to re-live) below in video and photos.

The bands’ following has grown since I last saw them and deservingly so. They put on a great live set. At one point, I turned around for a moment to get a gander of my fellow audience members and saw a whole passel of folks smiling and dancing along to the music.

Keep an eye on these guys and definitely check them out live. Speaking of live, they’ll be at Pianos on January 15. It’ll cost you $10. Swing by and show 'em some love.

“Humvee Mansion”