Five New Jersey Bands to See at Bamboozle

With infectuous melodies and a strong pop sensibility, Bergen County's Action Item are a young band set to take the world by storm. Drawing comparisons to bands like One Republic and Coldplay, Action Item has earned their touring chops supporting big name acts like Hot Chelle Rae. Their newest single "Marching Band" may be the song that puts them over the top.

Although the moved to Los Angeles shortly after the release of their first single "Anything, Anything" in 1985, Dramarama was a New Jersey band first. They got their access on local TV in North Jersey, appearing on the legendary Uncle Floyd Show and numerous hits including "Last Cigarette" and "Work for Food." The band broke up in the mid-90's but saw a resurgence in popularity after an appearance on the VH1 reality show Bands Reunited in 2004.

Making a one-time reunion for this year's festival is Armor for Sleep, a New Jersey band whose ambient alternative rock sound and saw them make the jump from the indie scene to the mainstream with their signing to Warner Brothers in 2007. They disbanded in 2009, but never gave fans a formal sendoff. Their Bamboozle performance will act as that goodbye.

The award for least distance traveled to play the Bamboozle this year will go to New Jersey punk rock veterans The Bouncing Souls. The group will perform just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Fourth Avenue Asbury Park headquarters, a large Victorian style home known as Little Eden, which houses not only the band's rehearsal space and recording studio, but also the headquarters of their independent record label, Chunksaah Records. The Souls originally formed in New Brunswick over 20 years ago and continue to tour the globe today.

Since the release of their 1998 album Keasbey Nights, Catch 22 has established themselves firmly as New Jersey's premiere ska punk band. Their horn-infused sound is a blend of Jamaican ska and reggae rhythms with good old fashioned American punk rock. Through numerous line-up changes the band has spent the last 14 years touring the world.