Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch
As regular readers of this column are aware, Tune In Turn On is big into shining a light on local/regional talent that release recorded music, and perform live within this publication’s coverage area.
With this in mind, we’re here today to tell you all about Cheezy & The Crackers, who will be part of a solid three-band reggae music-flavored bill, along with LNJ Sessions and P-Funk North at The Balcony at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City this Friday, Feb. 27 starting at 7 p.m.
This is part of the ongoing Garden State Live! monthly concert series at the Hard Rock in conjunction with North to Shore.
Tickets and info: https://northtoshore.com/event/garden-state-live-7reggae-featuring-lnj-sessions-p-funk-north-and-cheezy-the-crackers/
Cheezy & The Crackers, from the Millville area, are very familiar to music lovers here at the Jersey Shore. Formed in 2005, the group’s core members are Cheezy McNasty (vocals and various instruments), Tom “TBird” Parker (drums), and Albert Trionfo (bass and vocals). The band — who’ve recorded a number of well-received albums over the years — was once the weekly house-band draw every Thursday at the old Laguna Rum Bar in Brigantine (now home to LaScala’s Beach House), where they even took the stage with the legendary reggae ensemble, The Wailers.
Cheezy & The Crackers play a mix of reggae covers, covers of rock songs and originals. We have heard their music and it’s infectious — just the right vibe for dancing and helping you dream of the warm, summer days ahead.
Oh, by the way, if you do happen to miss their show in A.C. this Friday, they will be back at Hard Rock Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7. And if you miss those shows, too, fear not: The group are regulars at Borgata Casino/Hotel’s B Bar.
Other groups of note that Cheezy & The Crackers have opened for include rapper Snoop Dogg, rock legends ZZ Top, Israeli rapper Matisyahu, roots-rockers The Avett Brothers and rockers O.A.R.
Bands are often judged by their recorded body of work. To date, C&TC have released several albums: “Put This in Your Pipe and Smoke It” (2007, full-length demo); “Don’t Talk About It, Be About It” (2011); “Cheezy McNasty for Mayor” (2012); “Goodness Gracious” (2014); “Bananas for Sasquatch” (gotta love the title!, 2014–15); “Caribbean Amphibians” (2017); and “Yes, Please!” (2020). Cheezy and the band also collaborated on “Flowers in My Room” (with Deejay Emaculate x Willis Magillis), “All I Want for Weed Is Christmas,” “Just a Lil Something” (featuring DJ Emaculate), and “Around the Way.”
Tune Ups
Two of this column’s favorite bands are also in action this weekend. Billy Walton Band performs at The Yard at Bally’s this Saturday, Feb. 28, part of the casino’s new Yard@Night concert series (9 p.m,-1 a.m.; free).
The Yard is a spacious venue with good acoustics, and we’re glad to see it back in use, with a number of other shows planned here as well. Expect a new album of original recordings from BWB in the near future.
Info: casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city/the-yard.htm
Also gigging this weekend: Blues-rock trio, Twisted Livin’, at the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton, this Friday, Feb. 27. We spoke with TL guitarist/vocalist Denny Shiffler, who confirmed a new, originals-only album will be forthcoming in the near future.
Tickets/info: https://www.lizzierosemusic.com/product-page/twisted-livin-band-fri-feb-27th-2026
Until next week, keep on rockin’ and don’t let the snowy weather get you down!
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
