Ferocious Designs Releases Power-Pop Single "Crossing the Finish Line"
originally published: 11/20/2024
Ferocious Designs, the music project of Central New Jersey-based songwriter Brian Kelley, has released "Crossing the Finish Line," a rumination on mortality set to power pop that serves as the first single from the Off You Pop EP due out in 2025. A lyric video for the single has also been released.
"Crossing the Finish Line" can be streamed/downloaded from multiple sites and services at FerociousDesigns.com.
Although Kelley’s work as Ferocious Designs has been heavily reliant on keyboards and synthesizers, their use is minimal on “Crossing the Finish Line” and the Off You Pop EP as he has instead opted to make it a guitar-oriented collection — despite near-zero skill as a guitar player.
“After power-pop legend Dwight Twilley passed away in October 2023, I found myself listening to that genre again,” said Kelley. “I was jealous of that sound so I wanted to see if I could create my own version of it despite my limitations on guitar.”
As a result of those limitations, the process for recording the songs for Off You Pop has been arduous for Kelley. “I’m basically recording the guitar parts in 1-4 bar segments,” he said.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Kelley decided to release “Crossing the Finish Line” well ahead of the Off You Pop EP because he is running in his fifth — and, possibly, final — Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 24, 2024. “Much of the song was written in my head during a very challenging final 8.2 miles of last year’s race,” said Kelley. “I experienced a potentially life-threatening medical crisis in May 2023 and that led to some issues with my lower left leg.
“I’m going to give the marathon another shot, but this might be the last one,” added Kelley, who has completed six marathons and three Olympic-distance triathlons between 2014 and 2023. Many of the finisher medals from those events — and more — can be seen in the single's artwork and lyric video.
Kelley said he expects the Off You Pop EP to be available during the first half of 2025.
Ferocious Designs is the DIY music project of central New Jersey-based songwriter Brian Kelley. Although he has spent most of the past 30-plus years as a songwriting hobbyist, Kelley is not a complete stranger to the New Jersey music scene. He is a longtime collaborator with singer-songwriter Christian Beach, spending time with him during the late 1980s and early 90s in a band that played the much-loved and long-gone Green Parrot Rock Club in Neptune, NJ, multiple times. Kelley has played keyboards, accordion and percussion in Beach's backing band since 2007, and has recorded with him as well. The project name is borrowed from the lyrics of “Cover My Eyes (Pain and Heaven)” by Marillion. The debut, five-song EP from Ferocious Designs, A Matter of Time, was released on July 16, 2021. That same day, the project’s debut single, “Lay It on the Line,” was named Makin Waves Song of the Week by longtime New Jersey music journalist Bob Makin. Looking for the Light, the debut album from Ferocious Designs, was released March 10, 2023.
In 1978, I relocated to Southern California, but by 1989 my first husband and I separated then divorced. After a trip back to New Jersey to attend a childhood friend's wedding, I made the decision to stay in New Jersey to raise my 6 year old daughter and my one and 1/2 year old son. There was something special about raising my children where I grew up and surrounding them with my parents and family. After four years in New Jersey, I reacquainted with a school friend, who had always had a crush on me. We were married in 1993. Finally I was back home!
(MADISON, NJ) -- Feel the romance and nostalgia at Drew University's Concert Hall on Saturday, February 15, 2025 as NJ's premier Billy Joel tribute band, We May Be Right brings the electrifying music of the "Piano Man" to life with incredible authenticity. From hit after hit to some of Billy's best deep cuts, We May Be Right will have you on your feet, singing along to all the classics and timeless love songs like "Just the Way You Are," "She's Got a Way," "Honesty," and "The Longest Time." Showtime is 8:00pm.
(NEWARK, NJ) -- This Fall, AG Touring and Mammoth, Inc. proudly present the Rod Wave - Last Lap Tour. This large-scale multi-city outing will feature Rod Wave headlining 36 of North America's top arenas coast-to-coast. The tour will kick off on October 19 at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, AZ visiting major markets across the country, including Newark’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 with special guests Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic.
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
![Ferocious Designs Releases Power-Pop Single "Crossing the Finish Line"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2024/fdesign-Nov20.jpg "Ferocious Designs Releases Power-Pop Single "Crossing the Finish Line"")
