buzzworthy
Verona
NO FEAR��US�FUN� W��� F�NA� ��R�S
Most of the time , it ’ s not fun to be a “ final girl ” — that is , the lone survivor who , at the end of horror films like ����o�ee� , �cre�� , and ���h���re o� ��� ��ree� , has to kill the murderous villain or be killed herself . But it looks like alot of fun to be a member of F�NA� ��R�S , arock ‘ n ’ roll-meets-horror metal band . Sofia DeMasi ( drums ), Bryanna Mendez ( vocals ) and Emily Terzano ( guitar ) connected through Verona native Sofia Albanese ( bass ). “ We are here to change the face of metal ,” says the band on its Facebook page . “ Watch out , we ’ re coming for you .”
“ They came in , everyone said ‘ That ’ s adorable .’ Then they went onstage and destroyed the place ,” says Chris Dillon , head of security for ��T ’ s , anightclub in Newark where the group played . “ People were left in awe .” Final �irls plan to release an EP in May , followed by atour in June . �ntil then , look for them in Jersey and New York City venues . � �������r�����co�
����IS �O��AN
Montclair
��E SOUND OF ���E E��E���
In Montclair resident �ASON D�DNER ’ s fourth solo collection of self-penned songs , the musician sings about some common yet unavoidable side effects — the emotional ups and downs that come with loving someone whose health is threatened . In 2015 , Didner donated akidney to his wife and writing partner , Amy , who suffered from Type Idiabetes . The donation of apancreas from adeceased donor eventually cured her diabetes , but music , ofcourse , soothes the soul . The couple co-wrote the lyrics to “ Side Effects ,” which Didner says includes power pop similar to late ’ 80s �2 , Van �alen-ish hard rock , Chicago-style blues and an “ E Street-inspired romp .” It is available as aCDand for download on Bandcamp and other platforms . Didner recently opened for Willie Nile at Outpost in the Burbs .
��IN�� S���EI�� �AN��E�
Montclair
�AN�ERNF���EADERS���
�O��� W��SON , a9-year-old girl from Caldwell , got ahero ’ s welcome mid-January in Montclair , where she was honored by New Jersey Attorney �eneral Matt Platkin , Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill , Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stevens , Police Chief Todd Conforti , and ahost of others . In October , Wilson was spraying spotted lanternflies outside her house with ahomemade solution when apolice car pulled up and two Caldwell policemen approached and questioned her . �er next-door neighbor , former councilman �ordon Lawshe , had called them toreport that a “ alittle Black woman is walking and spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees ,” which , hesaid , scared him .
The idea for the Montclair event started when Montclair Police Officer Erica Petersen approached her colleague Lt . Tyrone Williams , who is active in the Montclair ’ s Minority Officers Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives ( NOBLE ). “ She said she just wanted to contact Bobbi and her family and give them ahug ,” Williams says .” My response was , let ’ s give her ahug but on alarger scale .
����IA �A�TIN
SIE�E EFEC�� COUR�ES� OF �ASON �I�NER� FINAL�IRLS� COUR�ES� OF �EFF CRESPI� WILSON� COUR�ES� OF �O��I WILSON
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SPRING 2023 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE