Tune In, Turn On
The first Tune In Turn On column ever written for Shore Local was about the South Jersey-based pop-rock foursome, Molly Ringworm, in September 2022. We liked the ethereal pop vocals of MR front person/vocalist Sarah Holt, and her rocking band-mates.
Holt, who also plays guitar, reached out via email to tell us about the band’s new album, “Perfect Dog;” its release date is Friday, Oct. 24 – same day as Molly Ringworm’s Halloween/album release party at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City.
“When I started thinking about the title for the album, I began tracing any sort of overarching themes across this group of 10 songs,” said Holt. “I realized that, in one way or another, a lot of them were about control – most often the frustration of things being out of your control and trying to take that back.”
For this album, the band took its time writing and arranging together, she said. “I think that live energy comes through in these tracks.”
Holt shared a copy of their new single, “Passenger Princess,” in which Sarah’s vocals, and the band’s musicianship, sounds like The Beatles meets every cool, girl-fronted band we’ve ever listened to. (In case it isn’t obvious, that’s high praise).
The other Molly Ringworm members – Johnny Zappas, guitar; Andrew Simpson, bass; and Michael Auble, drums, provide a solid, steady backbeat for Holt’s spot-on vocals.
Then we got personal when I asked how she manages to balance being newly married with her career.
“I don’t really see my relationship and art as opposite ends of a scale,” Holt answered confidently. “(My husband) Daniel has been a constant and grounding person in my life the last seven years we have been together; he’s always supporting my artistic endeavors, and I his.
“What I do have to balance with my creativity is my full-time job as a public library worker, and part-time enrollment as a graduate student getting my masters in information to become a librarian,” Holt continued. “I like to be a busy person and I’m good at not feeling guilty about sacrificing academics for the art, or vice versa.”
Speaking of being a busy person, Holt will team up with New York lounge legend (and longtime Ventnor resident) Joe McGinty, to present Sid Gold’s Halloween Piano Karaoke Oct. 27 at Angeloni’s Club Madrid, a cool, late-night spot in Ducktown we’ve been hearing great things about.
Sarah expressed gratitude for the venue her band will be playing on Saturday.
“If it weren’t for Anchor Rock Club, where else would there be a local music scene in Atlantic County? The kindest staff on Earth who are so supportive of any creative endeavor. It’s truly such a blessing to have in our community.” (I’ll second that Greg and the Anchor staff rock, and are great).
Molly Ringworm will perform with Teen Idle, Super Jack and Later Bloom Oct. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16.35. Location: 247 S. New York Ave., Atlantic City. See anchorrockclub.com.
Tune-Ups Weekend at the Lizzie
Our pal Lou Reichert, who runs the Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton, told us about three big nights of music there this weekend.
It kicks off Friday, Oct. 24, with a cool double bill featuring J. Cole’s acclaimed Johnny Cash tribute, Folsom 68, and openers Billy Penn and the Inside Drivers, a high-energy New Jersey rockabilly trio currently recording their first album.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, it’s Brown Sugar, whose singer, Keith Sounder, and drummer, Michael Mosely, were once members of Philadelphia punk bands Trained Attack Dogs and She Male Encounters, respectively — an interesting career curve for each. Reichert raves about this band, and tickets for the 8 p.m. show ($40) are almost gone.
Sunday, Oct. 26, brings a matinee (3 p.m.; $30) featuring The Outcrops, a blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll band from the woods of northern New Jersey. Lou digs these guys, too.
Lizzie Rose Music Room is at 217 E. Main St., Tuckerton. See lizzierosemusic.com.
Monster Bash at Underground
Sue and I visited Smithville last month for their always-wild Oktoberfest and stopped in to see Mike Spagnola, who runs the way-cool rock ‘n’ roll music, culture and clothing shop, Underground.
Mike spilled the beans that day on Monster Bash, an event he’ll be throwing Saturday, Oct. 25, near his shop. The Sheckies — who were scheduled to play the recent WLFR anniversary event but couldn’t due to a band member’s injury — perform for free at 2 p.m. They’re worth going to see alone; this should be a fun, rockin’ event in Smithville.
Underground is at 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway. See njmonsterbash.com for info.
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
