Based out of the seaside resort of Cape May, Twelve:01 have created a unique niche for themselves in a nonexistent original-music
scene while playing alongside an unending barrage of cover bands. Since having been formed at Trenton State College, Twelve:01 has released three critically-acclaimed albums and the lead singer and songwriter Eric Simonsen has said he’s played some of the finest and worst venues in the state, while enjoying a large amount of success throughout the entire mid-Atlantic region. On Friday, Jan. 5, Twelve:01 will be playing one of the state’s finest venues. They’ll be taking the stage at Maxwell’s at around 9:30 p.m.Twelve:01’s first 7-inch release, “Hero” & “Track of Time,” was featured on Vin Scelsa’s Idiot’s Delight New York radio show. The record was produced by Hoboken’s own James Mastro and released by such rock luminaries as Steve Fallon, Bob Mould, and Nick Hill.
Their first full-length CD, Magically Delicious, has recently been re-released. Recorded at Water Music in Hoboken, Magically Delicious has sold more than 2,000 copies and was also produced by Mastro. Erik Simonsen followed that release up with The Story or the Truth? in 1996, which Twelve:01 recorded at Kramer’s Noise studio in New Jersey, where it was also mixed by Mastro.
Twelve:01’s latest collection of songs, Jerkwater Town, released on Hedgehog Records in 1999, is what the band calls their most stylistically compelling and mature work to date.
“Both lyrically and musically, the album uses all the colors in a rock and roller’s palette to explore themes like the complex relationships and real life experiences inherent to growing up in small town America,” said Simonsen.
Produced by Mastro once again, and mixed at John Siket’s Mutiny Zoo studio in Hoboken, Jerkwater Town earned Twelve:01 countless rave reviews and some serious national attention.
Along with receiving excellent reviews for studio recordings, Twelve:01 has become well known for their dynamic live shows.
To date, Twelve:01 has played with artists like Jewel, Edwin McCain, Nils Lofgren, David J (of Love and Rockets), The Feelies, George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars, Yo La Tengo, Ween, and Tommy Conwell. Twelve:01 describes their sound as intelligent, heartfelt power pop, with catchy melodies. The band also takes pride in their ability to switch gears from the slower paced acoustic edged songs to the guitar driven power-pop.
Twelve:01 also recently traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the renowned EAT’M Festival (Emerging Arts Through Music). Their latest single, “7 Ways to Sunday,” appears on Underground Magazine’s compilation CD, and has received abundant radio play across the country on both college and major radio. And on television, the New Jersey Network recently featured Twelve:01 among the hottest up and coming original bands in New Jersey.