Lords of Mercy Ready to Rock the Brighton Bar in Long Branch

Lords of Mercy is a new band with deep roots in the legendary Old Bridge metal scene. The band, which formed in 2011 and plays traditional metal at its finest, includes scene veteran Pete Perrina on drums. Perrina is an original member of the famed Old Bridge Militia, the tight-knit group of metalheads that literally and figuratively supported up-and-coming bands who passed through the Garden State in the early 1980s. Militia members would do anything from letting then-unknown bands like Metallica, Anthrax and Anvil crash in their basements to serving as impromptu roadies and chauffeurs.

Lords of Mercy’s self-titled debut album stays true to the old school ethos yet doesn’t sound dated. Standout tracks include album opener “Your Time Is Gonna Come,” which sets the tone with groove-laden heavy riffs and gut-punching bass and drums, and the grinding stomp of “Keys to the System.”

Lords of Mercy, which also includes singer Brandon Sweeny, guitarist Danny “The Farrow” Anniello and bassist Joe Stabile, plays a hometown gig opening for Anvil on Friday, Oct. 17, at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch.

We spoke with Pete Perrina:

What is the origin of Lords of Mercy?
I’ve known Danny and Joe for 20 years but I never played in any bands with them. I saw them a few years back in another band. They did a show in Sayreville and the place was completely packed and they were really great. A couple weeks later Danny was looking to start another project. I immediately contacted him. We reminisced about the old days and put this together. Our singer came onboard a couple weeks later. We ended up finding Brandon through friends of ours, Don Jamieson (comedian, co-host of “That Metal Show”) and Jerry Gaskill, the drummer from King’s X.

How is Lords of Mercy different from other bands you’ve played in?

The musicianship and the songwriting and the energy the four of us have is pretty incredible, more so than any other band I’ve been in. We’ve gotten a fantastic response to the record. The music is old-school but new at the same time. It’s modern but vintage.

It’s good to hear bands like Lords of Mercy, pure grassroots heavy metal with spirit and energy. What do you think when you hear people saying, ‘rock is dead’?

I don’t think it’s dead at all. I think the dinosaur record companies are dead, but not the music. The music will never die and the fans will always be there no matter what age. It’s great seeing older folks bringing their kids with them to shows and turning them on to the music we grew up with. Hopefully that will allow the Lords sound to be heard by a wide age bracket.

You grew up as part of the Old Bridge Militia, a close group of extremely devoted metal fans who helped bands coming through central New Jersey in any way you could during the early and mid-Eighties, including groups like Metallica, Anthrax and Slayer. Can you tell us a bit about the old days?

I grew up in Old Bridge and would frequent Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven [the legendary heavy metal shop run by Megaforce Records founder John Zazula in the Route 18 flea market in East Brunswick]. Then I found out the Zazulas lived right around the corner from me. I would go to their home and hang out and talk music with John. When John started doing shows I was one of the first guys that said, ‘I’ll help you out in any way possible.’

I would help with security or using trucks from my family business to move equipment around, do whatever it took to help John have successful shows and for people to rally around music. I helped out Metallica in the beginning; I used to drive them around when Dave Mustaine was still in the band. I would help out Raven, Anvil, the Slayer guys, Metal Church, Anthrax and many more. We would let them stay in our homes; feed them, whatever we could do.

Now you’re going to be touring with Anvil.

I’m looking forward to it so much. I’ve known the Anvil guys for a very long time. It’s such a small circle. I still help them out when they come in the area. Since Lords of Mercy formed in 2011 they’ve given us the opportunity to play several shows with them.

Can you tell us about the Old Bridge Militia Foundation?

A couple of the original Militia members put together a non-profit, 501(c)3 foundation. We’re going to be giving back, putting on shows to help underprivileged kids in the Old Bridge area. It’s in its infancy and we’re going to start organizing some events. It’s great to give back to the community.

www.facebook.com/lordsofmercy

IF YOU GO: Lords of Mercy, opening for Anvil. Also performing: Voodoo Train, The Pride and High Octain. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. The Brighton Bar, 121 Brighton Ave., Long Branch. $18 advance, $20 day of show.732-229-9676 or www.brightonbar.com. Go to www.ticketweb.com to purchase tickets online.