By Roberto Miranda—
“Space meets surf!”
“The Jimi Hendrix Experience meets The Fall of Troy!”
“They just make you rock out and take you to a different world, definitely an experience.”
“Atmospheric, dark, experimental.”
These are commonly heard first reactions from listeners of Crusade, an unsigned band from Jersey City.
Crusade participated on behalf of New Jersey City University’s Sickle Cell 24/7 benefit show held Saturday October 20th in the Gilligan Student Union Building thanks to good friend and fellow student Michael Arbitblit, 21, Business Management Major from Bayonne.
Formed in spring 2012, the experimental rock band consists of members Kevin Garetz, guitar; Steven Schlatmann, drums; and NJCU Media Arts Major Daniel Busnelli on bass.
Arbitblit, is the coordinator and promoter for The Space Station, an underground music venue located in downtown Jersey City on 143 Christopher Columbus Drive. He’s on a mission to revive the local music scene by exposing such bands as Crusade and other local and national acts.
”I love putting together these shows and events for the sake of music,” says Arbitblit. “I do not do any of this for money or anything in that nature. The Space Station is a 501(c)3 or better known as a Non-for-profit. Local musicians needed a place to not only perform their music but a place to meet new people and gain new fans.”
As anyone can imagine, drawing crowds to certain events is not an easy task. According to Arbitblit’s attendance records, the Space Station averages about 70 people per show and at one point had 200 people attend over the summer, when Crusade performed with friends Triangle Fire, a touring band from Athens, Georgia.
Crusade’s performance during the NJCU Sickle Cell 24/7 benefit show demonstrated the band’s amiability. Performing as an instrumental trio, Crusade managed to capture the attention of people unfamiliar with their musical ambience, resulting in new fans and acclaim from students and staff in attendance.
Bassist Daniel Busnelli, 21, is enjoying being an active musician after years of honing his craft as a bass player.
”I honestly wasn’t too actively involved in the Hudson County music scene until the work at the Space Station started. I’ve come to learn that it’s actually a very loving and respectful community,” says Busnelli.
Citing artists such as Interpol, AFI, Radiohead, Isis, and Minus the Bear as influences and favorite artists; Busnelli fills Crusade’s three piece lineup perfectly with complimentary low end melodies to Garetz’s guitar, and invites the crowd to participate at every show, often hugging front row audience members.
“As much as we enjoy writing and working on our sound, we’re a band that truly thrives and enjoys live performance,” says Busnelli. “We play out of a genuine passion; our one true goal is to express ourselves as such so that anyone who’s willing to hear us for what we have to say, can.”
