Local Secaucus Band Ready To Rock This Saturday In Monarch Park

SECAUCUS, NJ — This Saturday night, June 15, come out to Monarch Park to see a rock band made up of all local Secaucus-ites: PsychOdelic Angel, a band formed right here in town that has been steadily growing by name in the local Hudson County bar and live music scene.

The show starts at 7 p.m. in Monarch Park; bring lawn chairs, wear tie-dye and be ready to dance.

The group plays hits from the '60s and '70s. Think The Beatles, The Doors, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt and more classic hits from the era. Lead singers Dara Gwinnett and Gina Simpson pour everything they've got out on stage, and it pays off: The energy this band gives off is contagious and welcoming.

And the women aren't the only ones who work up a sweat during a performance: All the band members — Frank Handlowich on guitar, Paul Bartlett on drums, John Forsdahl on keyboard, and bassist Mike Gatton — show up ready to deliver for an audience when they play live, putting their hearts into every show.

They all live right in here in town, with the exception of Gatton, who hails from Bayonne - "But he was allowed in because he's so talented and extremely handsome," said guitarist Handlowich. Handlowich himself, while he doesn't sing — yet? — has a natural stage presence and gives off a charismatic Freddie Mercury-meets-Iggy Pop-vibe.

"We've all known each other just from growing up and living in town; most of us have known each other for the past 40 years," said Handlowich. "About a year and a half ago we got together to play, and we realized we were having a lot of fun and got along really well. It's as simple as that."

PsychOdelic Angel used to practice out of an old garage on 9th Street, but now they rent studio space in Union City.

"We do all the hits from the '60s and '70s because it reminds us of the music we used to hear on the radio as kids. It makes you feel good," said Handlowich. "Look, I love Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and KISS, but we always say: We're a family band. We want to get the kids and the old folks out there dancing."

"Plus, my eardrums just can't take it," he adds, jokingly.

"When we play at Al Di La (across the river in East Rutheford) and I see someone in their 70s eating dinner, I know they want relaxing, classic music," he said. "That's what we do."

And they've been busy: So far, PsychOdelic Angel has played live at The Crow's Nest on Rt. 17, Rivara's in Fairfield, Paulie's Brickhouse and the FM Bar in Jersey City, Rocky's in Rahway — "we love that place" — as well as Hoboken's and Linden's summer concert series.

This Saturday night will actually be their very first performance in the place where it all began - Secaucus. Next week they'll be at Blackjack Mulligan's in Secaucus, and after that Core's Tavern in Bloomfield.

"I would book us every weekend if I could," said Handlowich. "We just love what we're doing."