Plug Spark Sanjay was a Hoboken, New Jersey post-punk quartet filled with explosive melodies, math rock structure, and angst-ridden lyrics.
Members:
Joe Centeno - Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
John W. Fesken - Lead vocals, lead guitar
Michael Mixt - Bass, backing vocals
Ernie Intorrella - Drums (1998 - September 2001)
Tommy Bendel - Drums (September 2001 - )
Formed in 1998, the band first traveled around the New York area, giving off intense live sets. Finally getting into gear, the band recorded their self-produced debut LP Regular Pinto in just 24 hours that year.
The band then went on a whirlwind tour in their '85 Dodge Ram Van, nicknamed "Walter Verde," hitting 45 venues in 2 months in over 30 states. Upon returning to New Jersey, the band signed to Childlike Records, who re-released Regular Pinto and got the band studio time at the famed Electrical Audio Recording studio ran by Steve Albini. Enlisting Bob Weston (Archers Of Loaf, Chavez) to produce and mix the record, the band put in 5 sleepless nights in the studio. The result was Fuse Time For The Working Force.
Fuse Time was a musical epitome, both to this author and to many others: angry, jagged, disproportionately neurotic, it was like someone taping the end of the world right up until they too were consumed by the fire. It is a landmark recording, but very few people to this date have ever heard it - that is, really heard it.
Just 10 shows into the tour immediately following their release party, drummer Ernie Intorrella quit, and was replaced by Tommy Bendel, formerly of Prosolar Mechanics. The band toured on, their CD receiving moderate airplay on college radio. However, the band's fortunes soured due to constant touring, and they elected to call it quits in August 2002.
They will be missed.
Discography:
- Regular Pinto, Childlike, 1999
- Fuse Time For The Working Force, Childlike, 2001
Sources:
- http://www.plugsparksanjay.com
- http://www.childlikerecords.com