By MICHAEL NUNES
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK – When a mad chemist injects the essence of some of the world’s best musicians into one local band, the results can be interesting.
“The idea is that we are all test subjects. We don’t really remember these things but we got the general gist from the ‘creator,'” said East Brunswick’s Matthew Makin, the lead singer of Experiment 34, who is also known as test subject number five.
“A maniacal chemist took empty vessel bodies and filled it with test subjects of past acts that have worked. … It took 34 experiments to get all the test subjects right and then [the ‘creator’] dropped us off in New Jersey and said, ‘Make it happen,'” Makin said.
The four-piece band is planning on bringing their talents to the Court Tavern in New Brunswick on March 17, where the band will also be selling its new extended play (EP) “Charismanic.”
According to Makin, the band’s eclectic style gives them appeal to a large audience.
“There’s something for everyone, that’s what I would say. There’s going to be a song of ours that you’ll like regardless of what kind of music you’re into,” Makin said, adding that he would classify the band’s music as “good, hard rock”.
Makin and Kevin Nenichka, of South River, who is known as test subject number seven, had worked together before the founding of the band last year. They met on a website called Bandmates.com and immediately hit it off.
“It was a stars align kind of situation,” Makin said, going on to say that the day they met, the pair wrote three songs together.
“Pretty much we met, wrote a couple of songs and played at an open house coffee shop three years later,” Makin said.
Johnny Zabe, the band’s bassist known as test subject nine, found the pair on Facebook after they made their first recording and later proved to be a perfect fit for the band.
“He came out of the car with a [Red Hot Chili Peppers] shirt and we were like, ‘Yea he’s probably good,'” Makin said.
The band was rounded out by the addition of drummer Jack LaMonica, who is known as test subject 13, was introduced to the band through Zabe. The four band members’ “test subject numbers” add up to 34.
For the members of Experiment 34, keeping it weird is the name of the game when it comes to their music.
“We wanted to keep it weird and strange,” Nenichka said.
For Makin and Nenichka, this band is just the next logical step after living a life so entwined with music and performing.
Makin was “bit by the performing bug” and originally sought to become in actor. He graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
“I’ve been writing poetry for years and wanted to find a way to turn that into a show and have more creative license,” he said, who labels the Red Hot Chili Peppers as his noticeable influence.
For Nenichka, music has always been a key feature in his life.
“There’s always been musical instruments around my house and I guess as I grew it just became apart of me,”Nenichka said, who said he began to play guitar at the age of 11 after listening to Jimi Hendrix.
“I played at the fifth grade talent show, that was my first ever concert. We played ‘Purple Haze’ by Jimi Hendrix and we got in trouble because we weren’t supposed to sing it,” he continued, adding that the event left a mark on him.
“I guess it shocked people because they didn’t know I was going to sing about drugs and cocaine in fifth grade,” he joked.
That experience with shocking the crowd left a mark on Nenichka, and according to Makin that is one aspect the band plays around with during shows.
“Not that we’ll do anything for shock value, but in the performance there is definitely a shock aspect to it. You definitely don’t expect to know what we are coming out with,” Makin said.
After their performance at the Court Tavern, the band is next scheduled to play April 9 at Jimmy D’s Blues Saloon in North Bergen.
“The dream is to get in front of as many people as we can and show them what we’re all about and give them a show they’re just not going to forget,” said Makin.
The Court Tavern’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash will begin at 8 p.m. on March 17 at the establishment that is located at 124 Church St., New Brunswick. Gravity Well, Nameless Victims, Stereo Joe and Murdock with Leeroy Green will also perform.
Cover charge is $8. Ages 21 and older.
Contact Michael Nunes at mnunes@gmnews.com.
