TempTed by the Fruit of Another
By Dave Iozzia
It’s Monday night, September 26, 2016. Anybody who knows me would guess I’m in front of the television. I’d be watching the first televised debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. NOT! I’d be watching Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. NOT! I’m out rocking! At the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park watching the New Jersey debut of a hard rockin’ band from New York City called TempT.
Earlier this month, I was attending a New York City concert and I ran into a friend who is a publicist. He told me about a young fresh band, TempT, mentioning the rock and roll bloodlines of some of the members, melodic hard rock, and the upcoming Asbury Park show. I was TempTed and I bit, swallowing the hook, the line, and the sinker.
TempT rocked their way over the Hudson River and rolled down the Garden State Parkway into music-rich Asbury Park. They have a full-length, fifteen song CD called “Runaway,” and it’s a follow-up to a four-song EP, “Under My Skin,” that was released in 2014. TempT played an eight-song set at The Wonder Bar.
Smack dab in the middle of the set they dedicated a song to New Jersey, a cover of Bon Jovi’s “Born to Be My Baby.” At first, I thought it was a curious choice. Yet, as the show proceeded, I heard melody-driven and riff-laden hard rock songs. I’m sure TempT would list bands like early Bon Jovi, Foreigner, and Def Leppard as big influences. TempT opened their set with a new song titled “Hideaway.” Their single, “Under My Skin,” was played third. My personal highlight of TempT’s set was the fast-tempo, high-energy “Sapphire.”
TempT is lead vocalist Zach Allen, lead guitarist Harrison Marcello, bass guitarist Max McDonald, and drummer Nick Burrows. Both guitarists add backing vocals. I love TempT’s “formula.” Zach has the pipes, the energy, the personality, and the attitude to be a hard rock frontman. Marcello, Max, and Nick are all very proficient on their chosen instruments. Their songs are well written. There’s a lot more to be written about TempT if they get seen, get heard, and catch a break or two along the way.
I’m not comparing, but I saw early Van Halen in New York City third-billed. I saw Foreigner’s second ever live show. After seeing those bands and their early shows, I knew big things were bound to happen down the road. I feel the same way about TempT, yet it’s a different musical era. Van Halen and Foreigner had big record labels and their machines pushing them, and rock radio was already on board. I hope pounding the road and working hard at social media gives TempT a fighting chance.
Speaking of Foreigner, Max McDonald is the son of Ian McDonald. He is the multi-instrumentalist that was in early King Crimson and a founding member of Foreigner. Nick Burrows is the son of Jeff Burrows, who drums for the Canadian rock band The Tea Party. Rock and roll bloodlines flow through the veins of TempT.
TempT closed their set with a rockin’ song called “Aamina,” a song about a dancer, and we’re not talking ballet or ballroom dancing. As the song was ending, Jeff pounded his drums while Zach pounded Jeff’s cymbals. Zach threw his two drumsticks into the crowd and guess who caught one? Me!
Buy their record and see a live show. You won’t be disappointed. I’ll see you there!