Joe Billy

"Here I Am, Vulnerability" is a breathtaking sonic journey that captivates listeners from the very first note of the upright bass solo. The thunderous instrumentals and wailing violin solos create an exhilarating and empowering experience, providing the ultimate outlet for self-expression. Joe's raw and emotive vocals, combined with the vivid lyrical content, paint an intensely relatable picture of self-discovery, mental health, and embracing vulnerability.
The sheer power and emotion behind the song is truly inspiring, and it's evident that Joe Billy poured his heart and soul into its creation. I applaud the fearlessness in tackling such complex and introspective themes. His unique approach to songwriting and powerful instrumentation breathes new life into the music landscape, and I eagerly anticipate what he’ll create next. - CERTIFIED BOP MAGAZINE

A blistering new single from Joe Billy hits the punk rock sweet spots and brings on a gritty and attitude riddled alt-rock backbone that thrashes with gusto and a youthful energy and seems to really come from someplace real and genuine as you hear him passionately belt out how he feels to brunching riffs and open chords that smash on.

"Piece of Mind" is a track that many can relate to as we are all looking for our piece of mind rally and it feels good to hear a song we can understand and feel where it's coming from.

We may not all be able to let it out the way Billy does, but it still feels good to be understood.

The track features killer guitars, pounding punk drums and its vocals that give off an authentic feel and it reminds me of bands like The Offspring in their earlier days.

The track hits like whiplash and has plenty of edginess and attitude but still comes off with all the heart in the world.

It's excellent to hear that come through like that. To hear a song that hits the aesthetic it was supposed to and keep its true meaning throughout the aggression of thrashing guitars.

This was quite an impactful and real song and with its release, we wanted to have a chat with Joe Billy to find out where this actually came from and what may be next for the artist.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Let's kick things off with "Piece of Mind ". This track has an outstanding hard rock feel and some punk attitude that comes with it! Where did this single come from?

So I actually wrote this song pretty quickly. I had this one day a while back where I was just having a really negative existential crisis and I felt totally lost and aggravated. So I started writing the lyrics, and it definitely felt like it needed a dark, high energy feel to it. The progression was actually one I had in my back pocket for some time now, and found I was able to use it for this one. As usual, it started on acoustic guitar, and I eventually added the other instruments.

Buzz Slayers: This single feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?

If there’s anything I’ve learned through the process of this album, it would be to trust the process and be patient. As cliche as it sounds, follow your heart and your passion, while at the same time being open to other options and possibilities; especially the possibility that it will take longer than you expect, because most of the time it does. I had this whole intricate plan for how this album was going to go, and between 2020, new release strategy suggestions, and many other hurdles, almost everything turned out different! But I’m still super happy with how it came out and how it’s going, so I really can’t be upset about it. Being true to myself, and being an open minded person, as well as supporting the people around me who also have passions for creative things, has all contributed to where I am and who I am now.

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?

Honestly, thank you. If it weren’t for people supporting me, it would be hard to keep this going. This music is important to me, and it’s my passion, and all I ever want is to create things people can connect with and be introspective with, and it means the world that people are finding something within my art. Whether you’re a new fan or have been here since my first album, thank you, and I hope you continue to find enjoyment and purpose in my music. Here’s to what’s to come! - BUZZSLAYERS

“Joe Billy” is not only my actual name, it’s also the artist name for my solo music. I am actually primarily a drummer; I started playing in 2010 and continue to work with a wide variety of bands. But, in 2016 I decided to pursue writing my own material as a solo musician.

I picked up my family’s old acoustic guitar, learned a couple chords, and started screaming my thoughts and feelings over simple progressions. Later that year I released my first album, “Censor This.” Fast forward to now, where I’ve played countless shows, matured as a person and musician, and am releasing material off my 4th full length album.

Do you remember the first artist who impressed you?

I’d say the first to “impress” me would have been Green Day. I had listened to a lot of bands as a kid, but once I heard “American Idiot” my whole life changed. I had a HUGE Green Day phase when I was like 14 haha.

They just took punk rock and made it their own thing and the way they wrote songs and got their messages across was just something I’d never heard up until that point.

"No Sympathy" sounds really great , what's the story behind it?

Thank you! So I think the origin of this song came from me listening to a lot of Anti-Flag one day. I got home and was just feeling all this anger and frustration about the system we live under in the US and how it has basically been set up from the beginning to keep marginalized people in poverty.

And on top of that, how it’s gotten to a point where not only the people in power, but many average citizens as well, just look at poor folk as pathetic and unworthy of assistance or aid. As if there’s no sympathy, humanity or empathy left.

What can our readers expect from your upcoming Album "Fissure"?

First off, Fissure is honestly the best material I’ve written yet. I love every song on this album, and I’ve branched out quite a bit with this one, so I hope folks dig it.

The album has an overarching theme of the various ways we can experience division, conflict, and the like. From society, to politics, to communities, to personal connections, to inner struggles; this album is hard hitting, loud, emotional, thought provoking, and intense.

I’d say if you’re fans of Flogging Molly, Frank Turner, Against Me, Anti-Flag, and bands like that, then this album will have something for you.

How would you describe the Indie Scene in your Hometown?

There’s actually A LOT of music happening in northern New Jersey. There are so many musicians, and always shows happening somewhere, and so many awesome bands and artists.

We honestly have musicians and acts of all shapes and sizes and genres, it’s pretty diverse over here. Very supportive too; I love playing shows and meeting new friends and helping each other out with shows and stuff, it’s great. Very strong DIY ethic too.

Your most listened song at the moment is ...?

Oh boy, there’s so many! This is totally out of left field, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Slipknot again. I was a big fan as a kid, and got inspired recently to listen to more of their discography, and one song I keep getting stuck in my head is “Psychosocial.” That song slaps.

What's next for you?

Well, currently, I am releasing a new single every 3 weeks, which will ultimately culminate into my new album, “Fissure.” The singles are releasing on streaming platforms, but the album won’t be fully released until February 2023.

HOWEVER, for those who really want the album for themselves, they can purchase it for only $10 on my website for download!

Aside from that, I’m always playing shows, and I’m rolling out new merchandise little by little. I just dropped new t-shirts for the “Fissure” album artwork and I’m super happy with them!

For anyone who wants to stay updated on things I do, you can follow me on streaming platforms, my social medias are all @joebillymusic, and you can join my email list through my website joebillymusic.com. Thanks so much! - NENESBUTLER

A new single from Joe Billy comes through as a stripped down and very honest feel that bares all and starts off as a sullen but meaningful undertone until it explodes into a pop punk soundscape with a full band and electric guitars and all the while the emotions are still high and the drive is always there.

"2am" is a message for someone. Someone important and it's a truthful and beautiful message that is portrayed in the form of this living breathing pop song that bounces from acoustic and vocals alone, into bursts of those rock sections and it all has this swagger that becomes pretty addictive really.

It's the honesty in the words "all I wanna feel is like I'm doing something right".

That line among many others that really gets you. It's relatable and a song like this is designed to get things off your chest. Maybe this is the way Joe Billy does it. He has to sing about it. Not a lot of us have that option of course but it's great because a song like this makes us feel like we're not alone in whatever struggle we are in really.

We all feel this way sometimes. At one point or another we all understand this song more than we want to even if we don’t want to admit it.

I think that's where this single gets so addictive. It's an infectious form of truth. Being able to shout it out like that. Sing it for everyone to hear.

This release shows a brilliant songwriting style that lets a song breathe. It gets quiet and stripped down, then it comes into these shout out loud pop punk parts and it all makes perfect sense.

By the end you see the charm of it all. - THE SOUNDS WON’T STOP

In 2023 my family went to Debonair Music Hall to see one of our favorites, The Tossers, for their 30th anniversary show. Joe was a supporting act, and although at that point we weren’t familiar with him or his band, we left fans. The energy he and the Collective played with was incredible - we could tell they loved what they were doing. There is a real honesty and earnestness that comes through in his performance. Complete lack of pretension and a connection to the audience. Throw in a Flogging Molly cover and all was right in the world.

Immediately after his set I went to the merch table and he kindly spoke to me and my younger daughter for quite some time. Just a very genuine, appreciative dude from start to finish. - Christopher Young