Readymade Breakup has adopted an "unapologetic" approach to rock 'n' roll, while simultaneously reaffirming the existence of substantial pop music. The band stands apart with its potent, seemingly orchestral arrangements - incorporating acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. Readymade Breakup is working to reclaim the lost art of the three minute pop-rock song.
"We're not going to pretend that we're some avant-garde, head-up-our-asses indie band," guitarist/vocalist Paul Rosevear said. "We're pretty unapologetic about saying we love great choruses; we love great melodies."
When the early beginnings of the group began to materialize five years ago, the band's founding members, Rosevear and bassist/vocalist Gay Elvis, did not set out to overhaul the foundations of rock 'n' roll. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel," Gay Elvis said.
With the additions of Spicy O'Neil on drums, Matt Jaworski on keyboards and Jim Fitzgerald on guitar, the band became solidified in its lineup and outlook. The new members were likeminded, and the band quickly formed a consensus. Previous musical endeavors, and past prospects of "making it" had left members of the new lineup jaded. Readymade Breakup would be devoted toward the creation of soulful music and the fun of the process.
"Taking ourselves too seriously got us nowhere," Fitzgerald said. "It ended up souring everyone involved."
The members of Readymade Breakup certainly do not take themselves too seriously and are approachable. Gay Elvis said that the band members are not the types of musicians who "duck into a green room" after a performance. At their January record release party, held at Maxwell's in Hoboken, they were seen mingling with fans at the bar after what was a command performance. They are quick to dispute B-rate Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, point out the "nebulous" protruding from Gay Elvis's neck or discuss masterfully written b-sides, such as the ballad "Oh Starfish," which praises the regenerative abilities of the creature.
Their sense of humor, however, does not detract from the professionalism which they bring to songwriting. Their recently released record, "Isn't That What It's For?," showcases a painstakingly crafted set of 12 songs. "Isn't That What It's For?" stands out as an excellent example of the balance between rock character and pop refinement, recorded using both time-honored traditional methods and state-of-the-art digital technology. From start to finish, the creation of the record took a year, mainly as a result of constant revisions made by the perfectionists of Readymade Breakup.
"The album never would have seen an end," Gay Elvis said. "If it had been up to me, we would still be mixing it right now."
Specific stand out tracks showcase the musical abilities of each member of Readymade Breakup. However, every song has clearly been refined through collaborative songwriting. "Funeral" narrates a tale of love and loss, while enveloping the listener in an intricate harmonized melody. "Say Yes" emphasizes the strength of the band's rhythm section, featuring a melodic, Paul McCartney-esque bass line and a highly charged, galloping beat. The complementary guitar and piano fills throughout the record emphasize its underlying melodic nature.
The members of Readymade Breakup suggest that the New Jersey rock scene is both ever evolving and fickle. According to the band, there is constant talk of local "scenes" that are ready to "explode" but seldom do. Some venues yield inconsistent draws, leaving the band playing to a packed house one week, and a handful of listeners the next.
Sometimes, it seems that the spirit of the N.J. rock scene, as epitomized by 1970s Asbury Park, is long gone. Readymade Breakup certainly stands to prove otherwise, possessing both the talent and raw energy required for the reinvigoration of pop-rock and the local N.J. rock scene.
