The Lackawanna Project

The Lackawanna Project refuses to go down with the ship!

It was "the end of the world" and the band played on with its brand of pre-apocalyptic rock while the spectators drank cheap wine and sang along to songs of post-modern despair with frenzied joy, oblivious to the world falling apart around them.

Sitting alone in his apartment on Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair, NJ with an acoustic guitar and a toy keyboard, Corey Klein began writing songs for a new yet-to-be named project. Meanwhile, his roommate, Nick Bell, was working on a visual opus. Strange paintings of zoo animals coupled with a lone astronaut began filling the apartment and a new set of songs, inspired by the paintings, led to a magnificient art show with live music from the newly-christened Lackawanna Project.

The Lackawanna Project made its live debut on Sept. 13 at Café Eclectic in Montclair with Klein on guitar and vocals and Shaun Hagen on drums. Longtime friend and music soulmate Brian Melso played keyboards at the show, where we drew over 50 patrons to the overcrowded coffee shop to help draw interest in an art show opening featuring (you guessed it) Nick Bell's apocalyptic art. Since then Melso switched to his main instrument, bass guitar, and the trio has since added Vin Mehnert on keys and have performed at the Bogey's Sports Bar in Clifton, NJ, the Updog in Pennington, NJ and a basement in Oakland, NJ. Now, armed with an hour's worth of original songs and a full lineup of talented musicians, they are seeking gigs wherever they can find them.

Their style might be best described as "post-punk," as their hearts pump punk rock through their veins but their level of songwriting and musicianship adds depth rarely seen in punk rock today. By adding a synthesizer, the Lackawanna Project adds uniqueness to its sound (think less emo, more indie rock and roll). The Lackawanna Project draws inspiration from sources ranging from the Descendents to the Hold Steady to Modest Mouse and beyond.

Klein and Melso have been playing music together since childhood and have perfected their groove. Both ex-members of ska/punk troublemakers the JKPBombs and rock destroyers the Nihilists, teamed up with drummer Shaun Hagen and saw no limit to the possibilities. The JKPBombs became a staple at backyard barbecues, basements, living rooms and VFW halls in Bergen County and beyond from 1997 until about 2005. The JKPBombs have performed at venues such as Chubby's in Red Bank, NJ, and Birch Hill Nightclub and M & M Hall, both in Old Bridge, NJ. They have shared the stage with the likes of Senses Fail, Jet Lag Gemini and Day 19 and gained a devout following who still cry out JKPBombs' song titles at Lackawanna Project performances. The Nihilists emerged from the scene "under the stairs" in New Brunswick's basements before tackling an East Coast tour.
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The Lackawanna Project refuses to go down with the ship!

It was "the end of the world" and the band played on with its brand of pre-apocalyptic rock while the spectators drank cheap wine and sang along to songs of post-modern despair with frenzied joy, oblivious to the world falling apart around them.

Sitting alone in his apartment on Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair, NJ with an acoustic guitar and a toy keyboard, Corey Klein began writing songs for a new yet-to-be named project. Meanwhile, his... (read more)