Resident Stone Rocks Le Grand Fromage

South Jersey is perhaps not a typical progenitor of great mainstream rock music.  However, in recent months, many believe the birth of the next Guns ‘N Roses has taken place on its shores.

On Saturday night, Resident Stone, a five-piece Galloway-based rock band returned to Le Grand Fromage in Atlantic City.

During the show, fans making up the group’s local following stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other seasoned rockers—regulars of Le Grand Fromage—on the club’s upper floor, periodically erupting into a flurry of vigorous and aggressive dance movements, otherwise known as “slam dancing.”

Among fans and familiar faces of the local rock scene in AC were publicity staff members of two record labels, including New York City based label, Goldheart Records—which has recently signed Resident Stone to a recording contract—and Toil Records, an independent, Philadelphia-based record company.

Resident Stone’s career has been recently amplified by its nascent affiliation with Goldheart and is planning a forthcoming East Coast tour in April.

The band is made up of lead singer Rob Dief, lead guitarist Rick Land, drummer Andrew Clark, rhythm guitarist Rebel Somers and bass player Sam Ross.

Other bands appearing on the bill on Saturday night included Rebel Inc., Boss 302 and Black Ocean.

Many in the audience enjoyed Resident Stone’s performance, and compared the band to groups like Guns ‘N Roses and Van Halen.

While band members are flattered by these comparisons, they claim their sound is essentially their own.

“We try to sound like ourselves,” Dief said. “We aren’t trying to sound like our influences.”

Being compared to figures, such as Axl Rose—the front man of Guns 'N Roses—is, of course, “awesome,” he added.

“I’m really excited to be involved with the group,” said Galloway resident Ava Holly Lewis, Resident Stone’s manager. “We’re going to try to keep our ‘positive momentum’ going with the upcoming tour.”

In addition to the tour, Lewis said Resident Stone will be recording its first album, which will hopefully be released in the next few months.