LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

Alchemist & Barrister

Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor (609) 448-7144 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie Fri. 8 p.m. The Gyrl Band Sat. 7:30 p.m. The Mark Giovi Band Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold’em

“It’s a bummer when you write a song at 16 and people are still requesting it at age 24; nothing against Hanson, but those doors get closed and you have to start fresh.” Those are the words of Brandon Phillips, guitarist and vocalist of Kansas City, Mo. based band The Architects.

Formed from the ashes of their first band The Gadjits, The Architects are a four piece punk rock band with classic rock influences such as The Who and Bruce Springsteen. Three brothers comprise the core of the group which began as a Ska band. “When we killed The Gadjits,” says Phillips, “We killed it because our band and sound had transformed. We had to move on to something easier to deal with long term. So we were like, let’s just have a rock band, we can go in lots of different directions that way, so it should always be fun. When we were a Ska band, we fit into hyphenated genres and as a group we are against being labeled that way.”

Touring in support of their latest disc “Border Wars,” the band is doing something so unique that even they marvel at what they’re accomplishing. “We reached a point where we were tired. We were feeling intuitively that we were not doing ourselves justice.” This thought process evoked an idea that was both bold and intensely creative. Phillips recalls exactly when the concept came to be, “As a band, we were tired of putting out four song CDs. I suggested on the last tour that since our songs are more narrative, that we should try something different. Since we have no money for a movie (laughing), we decided to package our material into a comic book; a graphic novel. We gave the story to (illustrator) Mallory Dorn and said, ‘Do it your way, not somebody else’s and she’s just fantastic! She is doing an amazing job.’ It’s been preposterously challenging, because the logistics have been overwhelming, but it’s been so rewarding.”

“Border Wars” is a series of five “connected episodes, told through a collection of comic book stories and accompanying soundtrack releases.” The band is hoping to create a different concept and interest in their music through this new method and so far they have been quite successful. They are about to launch a small tour to test the waters beyond their hometown.”

The Philly show is November 20 at Milk Boy located at 1100 Chestnut Street and promises to be a hard driving night of rock. Death Spells and The Scandals are also on the bill. This is an age 21+ event. Ticket costs are $10/$12 and available at www.milkboyphilly.com . Show time is 8 p.m. To find out more about The Architects, go to www. facebook.com/THE-ARCHITECTS.

I just received word of a new venue that’s hosting live music every Wednesday evening. Star Subs Café is having an Acoustic Open Mic. Night starting at 7 p.m. Located at 621 Rte. 130 in the Buckley Plaza, Hamilton, this coffee house/eatery is BYOB friendly and supporting local musicians. The evening is hosted by American Idol competitor Bri LoBue and sign ups begin at 6:30 p.m. 28 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-5555 Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Thurs. 10 p.m. Catmoondaddy All shows 21+

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Rte. 33 Hamilton (609) 245-8887 Sat. 9 p.m. The Polish Nannies Tues. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke Wed. 7 p.m. Meg Hanson All shows 21+

Candlelight Lounge

24 Passaic St. Trenton (609) 695-9612 Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Web T Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Cedar Gardens Pub

661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton (609) 587-0930 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Dick Gratton All shows 21+ Fri. 9 p.m. Phil McCullough/Ernie White & Friends Sat. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Star Band

Centro Bar And Grille

2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville (609) 208-9300 Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Jim Gaven

Chambers Walk Cafe

2667 Main St. Lawrenceville (609) 896-5995 Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar

931 Chambers St. Trenton (609) 394-7437 Fri. 7 p.m. Spectrums, Despite My Pride, Put Under, Endless Sacrifice, (TBA). All ages, $10

Sat. 5:30 p.m. Toxic Holocaust, Ramming Speed, In Defence, Midnite Hellion, Paralysis, Valacar. All ages, $15

Dubh Linn Square

167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown (609) 298-7100 Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O’Neal

Erini Restaurant

1140 River Rd. Ewing (609) 882-0303 Sat. 8:30 p.m. Deb & Mike

Halo Pub

4617 Nottingham way Hamilton Square (609) 586-1811 Sat. 7 p.m. BSC

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-9897 Thurs. 10 p.m. Beat The Clock Dance Party Fri. 8 p.m. The Outlaws / Waylon Speed. $45 (general admission) Sat. 8 p.m. Rusted Root w/ Von Grey. $35 (general admission) Mon. 10 p.m. Karoake w/ Rockin’ Ron Wed. 8 p.m. Local Original Music Night All shows 21+

Ivy Tavern

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton Fri. 10 p.m. Kindred Spirit Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21+

John & Peter’s

(609) 888-1435 96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-5981 Thurs. 9 p.m. Root Glen Fri. 9 p.m. Dinosaur Eyelids Sat. (3 p.m.) Gleason’s Drift (9:30 p.m.) The Hide w/ The Burgeoning Sun. 3 p.m. 3 Stories High Mon. Open Mic. Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter’s House Band) All shows 21+

JoJo’s Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-2678 Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke

Palermo’s Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton (609) 838-7979 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke Sat. 9:30 p.m. Alright Alright Tues. Trivia Night All shows 21+

Patriot’s Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville (609) 737-2780 Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Bross & Friends Sat. 7 p.m. Blues In Disguise

Pete’s Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton Fri. 9:30 p.m. Sonny Ken Band Sat. 9:30 p.m. Phaze

RHO Waterfront

(609) 585-8008 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour w/ Dennis Rogers feat. Nico Gian-Grasso (8 p.m.) The Temporaries (11 p.m.) DJ Randy. $10 (cover charge includes buffet, bands and DJs)

Sat. 9 p.m. RHO Nightlife Dance Party w/ DJ Ralph “DJ Noize” Colon All Shows 21+

Spigola Ristorante

3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton Fri. 8:30 p.m. DJ Mark Sat. 8:30 p.m. After Dark

Star Subs Café

621 Rte. 130 Buckley Plaza Hamilton (609) 333-1230 Wed. 7 p.m. Acoustic Open Mic. Night

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown (609) 426-9345 Fri. (8 p.m.) Sarcasm Comedy Night (9 p.m.) Whiskey Fueled Sat. 9 p.m. Dragonfly Tues. 6 p.m. Tap Takeover-Bolero Snort Wed. Karaoke Night

The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo Fri. 9 p.m. Beatles Karaoke w/ Cowboy Bob Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown (609) 324-0880 Fri. 8 p.m. 1st Annual Record Collector Cigar Box Guitar Festival. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)

Sat.8 p.m. Frank Viele Band w/ Holly Would Band. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance).

The Sticky Wicket

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton (609) 439-0007 Fri. 9 p.m. Empty Fossil All shows 21+

Tir Na Nog

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 392-2554 Fri. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover Sat. 9 p.m. John Patrick

Trenton Social

All shows 21+ 449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 www.trentonsocial.com Thurs. 7 p.m. Social Thursdays w/ DJ Tangency Fri. 7 p.m. Social First Fridays Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-JayKountree Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa.)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 www.triumphbrewing.com Thurs. 10 p.m. Peanut Butter Lovesicle Fri. 10 p.m. Sturgill Simpson. $5 (coverage) Sat. 10 p.m. Splintered Sunlight. $5 (cover charge) Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night Wed. 9:30 p.m. Ian Thomas All shows 21+

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington www.wildflowersinnrestaurant.com Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21+