The Black Clouds

**The Black Clouds** were a New Jersey-based alternative rock trio known for their gritty, ’90s-inspired sound blending grunge, shoegaze, and melodic alt-rock. Formed in the mid-2000s, the band featured Gary Moses (vocals/guitar), Dave Leto (bass), and Mike Toy (drums), delivering raw, riff-driven tracks like “Wishing Well” and “Better Days” that channeled the spirit of acts like Dinosaur Jr. and The Smashing Pumpkins. They gained a loyal underground following with their DIY ethos, releasing albums such as *After All* (2010) and playing shows with bands like Local H and The Jesus and Mary Chain before disbanding in 2014. While their music often leaned into themes of disillusionment and resilience, tracks like “Dead Flowers” showcased their knack for balancing moody lyricism with hook-heavy energy. Though short-lived, The Black Clouds left a scrappy, passionate mark on the indie rock scene.