The band Off 537 was founded in 2004 and has been going nonstop ever since. Off 537 was formed out of boredom and became much more than that for its members. Drawing influence from bands such as Rancid, Sublime, and the Bouncing Souls, Off 537 plays punk with a splash of ska and reggae added in. Off 537 has played all throughout New Jersey and hopes to expand their range of listeners. With their first release Lies Lies Lies under their belt Off 537 has continued to write much more complicated and different sounding songs. Their sophomore album which is not yet titled, features songs ranging from upbeat songs to skank in the pit, chilled out reggae songs, and some more in your face punk. The second album which took much longer to write than the first is expected to take people by surprise with the good songs placed on it. Off 537 will continue to make music and play shows anywhere and everywhere that they can. The four piece band consisting of Joe on guitar and vocals, Mike on guitar and vocals, Chuck on bass and vocals, and Kevin on drums, plans to play anywhere possible.
Off 537 first started playing together back in 2004 out of boredom and the band has become much more than that for them now. They played their first show at the Hamilton Street Café on May 14th, 2006. Off 537 has progressed a lot since then with a lot more complex songs and playing many more venues. They have played places ranging from Chubbys, a small bar in red bank, to the Monmouth county fair, all the way to playing a CBGB’s venue before the closing.
Off 537 first began recording in early 2006 in guitarist Joe’s basement. Joe produced about 7 or 8 songs for the band ranging between a few months. Joe also produced the first recordings, Off 537’s friends, the creetons, first recordings. Off 537 has since then recorded their first release, an 8 song ep, entitled Lies! Lies! Lies!, at Decandance Studios. Off 537 has always been a diy type of band and continues to show that work ethic, booking their own shows, and recording demos. They just released their second ep called songs and stories. They plan to be recording a lot of singles this year and release them every month or so. Keep on the lookout for more.
JERSEY BEAT REVIEW
Off 537 is a punk band with smirk and a garage-rock snarl. That was going be how I ended this review, but I wanted you to know that right from the get-go! Joe - vocals/guitar, Mike - guitar/vocals, Chuck - vocals bass, and Kevin- drums carry on in the tradition of The Bouncing Souls and Sublime, while displaying a nifty melodic sound of their own creation.
Off 537 wins brownie points by resisting the temptation to add what would be trendy, superfluous hardcore punk rock noise. Instead they give songs like the opening cut “Everyone’s Here” and the closer “Cheers” a strong vocal personality: the band’s three singers underpin the dynamic, full-throttled arrangements with gang vocals and a search-and-destroy rhythm section.
“Break,” “Vulgar,” and “Possesions” all show a real intuitive sense for what makes a good punk song memorable. All the songs, including “Elsieidy” hit the same sublime high points, and the band puts a bold, energetic face on this EP.
- Phil Rainone
