2008 Woodie Awards
Face Down Dead Trying to Live Lifelong Dream
Don Brower
Issue date: 5/3/06 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
It's showtime at the Stone Pony. The bar in Asbury Park is where artists such as Bruce Springsteen have honed their craft. On this night, it was the band Face down Dead that got their turn.
The experience was "really cool," said the band's singer, Rick Murphy.
Before the performance, "we just keep reassuring each other that it's all about having fun on stage," Murphy said, "but, if we make a mistake, we bust each other's chops."
Face down Dead, a heavy metal band, began rehearsing its original and new metal songs in the fall of 2004. The five members of the band, along with their equipment, cram into Murphy's basement every week. Rehearsing songs and coming up with new material, "Usually goes smoothly," Murphy said, "And sometimes they go quicker than others."
Murphy, a sophomore at William Paterson University, is a communication major studying voice and acting. With musical influences like Pantera and Slayer, Murphy said he has always loved music and developed an interest, playing the guitar, some bass, and singing recreationally. When he tried out for Face down Dead, "it just worked out," Murphy recalled.
Based in Bloomfield, the band performed mostly in bars and clubs in Clifton area. Murphy mentioned the importance of having "a loyal fan base" and that "the opportunity to go on tour would be really cool."
Members of the band share the responsibilities of selling tickets and CDs, and booking and scheduling shows.
"Everybody puts in a little bit everywhere," Murphy said.
In December 2005, the band started recording and released the 12 tracks off their self-titled album, "Face down Dead."
Murphy said that it was weird to hear himself for the first time because "you're always your own worst critic."
Murphy said it is all about fun, good metal music, and exposure for now, but said "if things keep going how they've been, I would like for us to eventually play Ozzfest, with great bands across the country."
The experience was "really cool," said the band's singer, Rick Murphy.
Before the performance, "we just keep reassuring each other that it's all about having fun on stage," Murphy said, "but, if we make a mistake, we bust each other's chops."
Face down Dead, a heavy metal band, began rehearsing its original and new metal songs in the fall of 2004. The five members of the band, along with their equipment, cram into Murphy's basement every week. Rehearsing songs and coming up with new material, "Usually goes smoothly," Murphy said, "And sometimes they go quicker than others."
Murphy, a sophomore at William Paterson University, is a communication major studying voice and acting. With musical influences like Pantera and Slayer, Murphy said he has always loved music and developed an interest, playing the guitar, some bass, and singing recreationally. When he tried out for Face down Dead, "it just worked out," Murphy recalled.
Based in Bloomfield, the band performed mostly in bars and clubs in Clifton area. Murphy mentioned the importance of having "a loyal fan base" and that "the opportunity to go on tour would be really cool."
Members of the band share the responsibilities of selling tickets and CDs, and booking and scheduling shows.
"Everybody puts in a little bit everywhere," Murphy said.
In December 2005, the band started recording and released the 12 tracks off their self-titled album, "Face down Dead."
Murphy said that it was weird to hear himself for the first time because "you're always your own worst critic."
Murphy said it is all about fun, good metal music, and exposure for now, but said "if things keep going how they've been, I would like for us to eventually play Ozzfest, with great bands across the country."
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