Album Notes

Back in September of 1999, Hurricane Floyd had left half the state of New Jersey in a puddle of misery.

Right in the middle of it all was Northern New Jersey rock band, 383 STROKER.

Their garage/rehearsal space/studio and haven that defined the band's spirit, heart and soul, became submerged by the heavy rains and stank of the Saddle River.

The water level rose to over five feet, leaving their gear, six months of recording and some personal belongings washed away and/or destroyed. An estimated twenty thousand dollars worth of damage, mostly irreplaceable, due to the vintage quality of most of the gear.

But at their lowest point, 383 Stroker climbed out and began to rebuild. With the help and professionalism of Alan Douches and the staff of West West Side Music,the recordings were all saved - "It's like tearing down route 46 with the top down and then turning into the Airport Hotel for a quickie or picture yourself waking up from a previous night's gig with unexplainable bruises and a bleeding throat" says bassist/ vocalist Dennis describing their new CD.

The lush landscape of northern New Jersey and all it's magical crevasses of wonder, lead you to four possible ways of life; Booze, mental illness, joining the working stiffs or forming a rock band, possibly all of the above.

If you live in Northern New Jersey and make somewhat of a conscience effort to follow the local music scene, you know about 383 Stroker or at least heard the moniker name. Forming around 1995 and releasing their critically acclaimed independent release "Kelvinator" in 1996, 383 Stroker are finally gearing up with a long awaited sophomore release entitled ... "Jersey Whore".

"Jersey Whore", not for it's prostitute sentiment, but for the four years huddled around a propane heater in a rodent infested garage, living the rock and roll dream in a place of splendor that only New Jersey can offer.

The band does not concern themselves with music formats or current trends, but to play rock and roll the way it was intended, from good ol' fashioned guts.

Like the first CD, the same DIY approach went into creating "Jersey Whore" with all four guys taking a stab at engineer/production duties, keeping "Jersey Whore" straight up and direct to the punch, no studio magic or third party interpretations of their songs. With the same heart and intensity of Dennis' raw vocals and thunderous bass, Doc's blistering guitar, and Steve's pounding drums, the obvious difference is the song writing, musicianship and addition of Jack on guitar.

"Kelvinator" captured the early raw beginnings, "Jersey Whore" is a little more mature, a little more bitter, wet in some places, but still raw and relentlessly rock and roll. Once beat by the stenches of the Saddle River, now wired up and fearless, the band continues to tread on that highway of pain and pleasure.

Living the rock and roll life style in it's true unglamorous form, not like the one's made up in New York or Hollywood. "Jersey Whore" is as much a celebration of 383 Stroker as the band is a celebration of New Jersey.

... "Roses red, the victims bled, Out comes swinging the Jersey Whore"