If there’s one thing that makes a sunny day with friends, good food, and drinks even better, it’s live music. That unbeatable combination defines summer, and here in South Jersey, we’re lucky to have an endless lineup of local bands bringing energy to our favorite pubs, beach bars, and neighborhood parties. One group taking that vibe to the next level is the Going Rogue Band, which has been making waves with its unique sound and contagious enthusiasm all summer long.
Formed during the quiet days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Going Rogue began as a way for a group of longtime friends to stay connected and creative. “Initially, it started during COVID,” they explained. “We were all looking for ways to connect with friends and have an outlet for creativity, and we started meeting up to jam outside at each other’s houses.”
What began as casual backyard sessions soon grew into neighborhood block parties and eventually regular shows at local venues starting in 2024. Now, in 2025, the group continues to perform all over town.
The band’s name, Going Rogue, has its own playful origin. During those early jam sessions, the members would occasionally get so caught up in the moment that one of them would lose track of the song entirely. “We’d laugh and joke that whoever it was was ‘going rogue,’ and the name was born from that,” they said.
Going Rogue’s setlists are designed to feel like one big party, with covers ranging from classic rock to ’90s alternative, reggae, hip-hop, and even a bit of country. “Our goal every show is to throw a big party with a soundtrack everyone enjoys,” they said. “It feels cliché to say we’ve got something for everyone, but we’re not sure you’re going to find another band that covers everything from Tom Petty to Stick Figure to Zach Bryan to Outkast and Biz Markie.”
Their passion for music shines through in every performance, and their influences are just as varied. “We draw inspiration from everyone — from the Stones and Zeppelin to Bad Religion, the Gaslight Anthem, the Bouncing Souls, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, ’90s hip-hop, and newer reggae artists like Stick Figure,” they said. “If it sounds like we’re all over the place, we are.”
While the band currently focuses on covers, they like to add their own twist to each song and hope to introduce original material in the future. As they’ve played more shows, they’ve grown more confident in experimenting on stage, blending songs and improvising together. “We’ve gotten more expansive,” they explained. “We’ve grown more comfortable with each other as musicians, expanded our horizons with the kinds of songs we’ll cover, and are much more comfortable playing off of each other in the moment.”
Their shows are lively, unpredictable, and full of surprises — and that’s exactly what keeps fans coming back. “We’re not just a rock band, or a reggae band, or a country band,” they said. “Plus, who else has an entire live hip-hop set? If you haven’t heard Marc Roesch step up to the mic on ‘The Choice is Yours’ by Black Sheep, or Matt Wira crush a version of ‘No Diggity,’ you’re missing out.”
The band’s summer calendar is packed, with shows at Yesterday’s in Marmora, the Barefoot Beach Bar in Cape May, opening night of the Art of Surfing Festival on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and the pre-party for the Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion show at Ocean Casino in August.
But beyond the music, Going Rogue is rooted in friendship and shared joy. “The best part about this whole thing, by far, is getting to play in a band with a group of really good friends,” they said. “Getting to share what we love with others, entertain our friends and families, meet new people, and see them connect with the music makes it all the more amazing.”
When they’re not on stage, you’ll often find them together at the beach in Strathmere — surfing, going to concerts, or just hanging out with their families. For the members of Going Rogue, music isn’t just something they do — it’s a reflection of their bond, their energy, and the good times they aim to share wherever they go.
