Trans Charger Metropolis

Trans Charger Metropolis has only been around a year, but they’ve already made an impact. In fact, before they played their first show we had heard nothing about buzz about the band. And it makes perfect sense, their gritty, fun and freewheeling rock ‘n’ roll sound is the perfect soundtrack to late nights of drinking and revelry, and who can’t get behind that?

Tonight, the band performs with InCircles and The Brixton Riot at Happy Mondays at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. We caught up with Justin Normandy of Trans Charger Metropolis to talk about the band’s one-year history, becoming the Nature Boy of rock ‘n’ roll and their new album.

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Trans Charger Metropolis is: Justin Normandy, Ryan Schaefer, Jaime Hom, Rick Petrucha

We Formed in: 2012

We’re Based out of: Red Bank, NJ

Other Bands We’ve Performed In: The Loud Mouths, The Shaking Four, The Ruffs, The New Gods, Ten More

Any New Music Coming Soon? Our Second LP Haunted House Birds will be out before the end of the year.

Our Sound Is Likened to: A Post-Drunk Freakbeat Cheap Trick in KISS makeup

Famous/Awesome Band performed with before: Not really anybody, though we did play with this heavy metal Bee Gees cover band. The alternative could be worse, we could be opening for Southside Johnny.

Pop-Break: You guys performed your first show a little over a year ago at The Asbury Lanes. How do you think you guys have evolved as a band from a performance standpoint since then?

Justin Normandy: When Ryan and I made Best Idea Generation we really didn’t have any kind of pre-conception on where everything was gonna go after the record was done. When we made the decision to get a band together and do the show at the Lanes, it was really exciting. To be able to hear those songs in a live setting for the first time, it really gave them a whole new dimension. Since then we’ve really become a band in every sense of the word. Jaime and Rick are an integral part of Trans Charger now and the new tunes have greatly benefited from their presence.

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Pop-Break: Also, you’re working on a new record — how much has the music changed since you guys released your LP last summer?

Justin Normandy: The biggest change is that this record is being recorded with a full band, as opposed to Best Idea Generation which was strictly Ryan and I playing everything. My songwriting process has not really changed. Though I am always trying to move forward and push things in different directions. Sonically the record will be a step up from Best Idea.., but the whole album is still being recorded in my basement.

Pop-Break: If someone is reading this and discovering you for the first time and wants to listen to a song of yours to truly get the essence of Trans Charger Metropolis which song would it be and why?

Justin Normandy: I find most people gravitate to the opening track off the first LP, “A Less Dense Dimension.” I’d probably pick “Continue Me (Continue You).” Our most exciting songs are the new shit though. We got this song called “Witchy Chicks” which is my favorite at the moment.

Pop-Break: What can the people coming out to Happy Mondays expect to see from you guys in terms of a live experience?

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Justin Normandy: A loud, fast, beer fueled rock show. We aim to be the Naitch (“Nature Boy” Ric Flair) of rock bands. Regardless of our spot on the card, we’re the main event.

Pop-Break: The Jersey Shore scene has so many bands performing in it right now, so what makes Trans Charger Metropolis stand out — from a musical standpoint?

Justin Normandy: Not that you can really do anything that hasn’t been done before in rock ‘n’ roll, but as far as the Jersey Shore “scene” I don’t really hear anybody else writing songs like ours. Our stuff is generally short and to the point, with the focus being on melody. We don’t rehearse much, we like to keep things loose and fun. I think the spontaneity of our recordings as well as our live shows is one of our greatest strengths as a band. We just make music that we wanna listen to and we have fun doing it. I think people can pick up on those vibes. We don’t take shit too seriously.

Pop-Break: What do you have planned for the rest of 2014?

Justin Normandy: We’ll be finishing up recording our 2nd LP “Haunted House Birds” and setting a release date. Then maybe we’ll open for Southside Johnny. - Pop-Break.com

This week, I am going to write about a band that has been getting a ton of buzz, and people have been literally shoving them in my face lately. This is a good thing though, for that means people really want to get them on the radar. I really love when fans recommend bands to me, as it makes me believe that they are reading, listening, and trying to get the group that they love into the spotlight.

This band resides in Red Bank, NJ, and they go by the name of Trans Charger Metropolis. They consider themselves in the genre of “lo-fi, psych, indie, pop, and garage.” This description alone had me intrigued, for that is quite the combo for a genre. What could this fierce blend of sound possibly come out to be? Good or bad, drawn or creative? I was uncertain, as I’m sure you are as well. However, there is nothing complicated here at all.

Members of this band include Justin, Ryan, Jaime, and Rick. How did they meet? Not so sure. How long have they been musicians? Not so sure either. The beauty of this is it doesn’t matter at all what their history is, for the future is what they are focusing on, and trying to make it big. I do not know these guys personally; however, the vibe I am getting from their music suggests they seem pretty rad. Let’s proceed to break things down a little further, shall we?

When I first heard Trans Charger Metropolis, it immediately took me back to an older time of rock and roll, with no gimmicks, glam, or hype-ups. Basically, it is pure, raw talent. Their album Best Idea Generation is compacted with 20 tracks for your listening pleasure. Yes, you heard that correctly: 20 freakin’ tracks. I am not sure if this is the band’s entire catalogue put onto one disc, or if they just went nuts on this one, but there is a lot of content right here. A lot of these tracks are short, however, so the album length isn’t insanely long. It is very rare that artists can release this many tracks without some of the songs sucking, and I don’t mean this negatively at all, but it’s the reality of music. Admit it, you sometimes buy an album for some hit singles, then you come to find that you really don’t like a lot of tracks on the record, for they aren’t as good as the hype you initially expected.

I really found myself loving the song “Two Strings,” and I may be going out on a limb here, but I think this track showcases their talents perfectly. I also enjoy “Four In A Bar,” as you can really listen to each member of the group individually here. These are just two of my personal recommendations, but the beauty of this record is that each song is better than the next, and completely different from the previous. There are no duplicates here whatsoever, and fans of all genres can pick something out that they like. “The Wolves Are Out” is a very relatable song; take a listen and you’ll see what I mean.

This band is pretty much on every social media outlet that exists, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t give them a chance. However, they do it tastefully. They aren’t in your face every five seconds asking you to vote for something, to buy their record, and all of those other things we tend to get annoyed at. (Don’t worry bands, I am not knocking it. You hustle and do what you have to do, and I have all of your backs!)

Word on the street is Trans Charger Metropolis’ live set is pretty magical, and I will be in attendance at one of their shows very soon. If you want an original, talented, on-the-verge band, this is the act for you. What does the band name mean? I have no idea at all, and while I would love to learn more about them, the mystery is somewhat appealing to me. Even though their debut album was just released last year, I hope they have new material and tricks in the works to keep all of us new fans satisfied. You can find out more about them at facebook.com/transchargermetropolis. Be sure to also check their schedule for a show near you! - The Aquarian