Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
In our first column of the new year, I’m going to get a little clairvoyant and make some music predictions for the Jersey Shore in 2024.
Hazy Cosmic Jive Will Thrive: Hazy Cosmic Jive (HCJ), a tribute to The Thin White Duke (David Bowie, of course), regularly play the Jersey Shore, usually Josie Kelly’s in Somers Point (return date tba); occasionally at parties thrown by local music/art patrons Jimmy and Tara Scioli, and as a duo (HCJ keyboardist/vocalist Zeek Mitchell and talented, young vocalist Camille K play Rush Lounge in Golden Nugget Casino March 22).
We caught HCJ during David Bowie Week in Philly last weekend performing a textbook version of “David Live” from his “Diamond Dogs” era. Big things are in the cards for this group.
Anchor Rock Club Will Continue To Rock: When Bourre closed November 2022, Anchor Rock Club (ARC) became AC’s last bastion for indie/punk/emo music. Located at New York Avenue and the Boardwalk (650 capacity), ARC presented memorable shows by nationally known artists in 2023 (Jon Spencer, Low Cut Connie, Cro Mags, Fred Armisen, Agnostic Front, Joe McGinty/Loser’s Lounge, sold-out Gorilla Biscuits), and continues to support local band gigs here (Gutterdrunk, The Burdens, Molly Ringworm, Te Vista, Red Meat Conspiracy, et al).
ARC rolls into 2024 with an eclectic lineup now including touring comedians. Tina Friml, born with cerebral palsy, is there Jan. 20, and Kerryn Freehan Feb. 16.
Anchor will still rock – starting with promoter Emma Sanborn’s four-band hard rock banger Jan. 13 (Bankrupt, Controller, Beef, Driltusk. Beef is an “all-female hardcore band from Philadelphia,” says Sanborn).
Bankrupt’s tunes “focus on personal frustrations as well as anger toward the world at large. We use our lyrics as an expression of how someone feels at their lowest, but some of our songs like ‘Break’ are about enduring those dark times,” said the band’s Owen Kirchner.
Having not lived in Atlantic City while The Boneyard was open, we’re happy there’s ARC to fill the indie rock void.
AC’s Casinos Will Continue Presenting Headliners and Quality Revues: Wintertime is definitely the slowest time of year for our nine casinos, but come Presidents’ Day weekend, Atlantic City’s casinos come alive with some big bookings, including a two-night engagement (Feb. 16 and 17) at Hard Rock Casino’s Mark Etess Arena by the Tedeschi Trucks Band, who are perhaps the biggest, most successful blues-roots group in the business, with an opening set by Southern rock legends Little Feat. Hard Rock will also be hip-hoppin’ Jan. 13 with a double-bill of Ludacris and Juvenile.
Elsewhere, Harrah’s Resort Casino presents a Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular Jan. 20; rapper-turned-actor Ice T and his reality TV show actress wife Coco Austin should make for an interesting night at Ocean Casino’s Ovation Hall Feb. 3 (veteran rockers 311 also play Ovation Hall Feb. 16).
Other Hard Rock Casino shows: SoCal hip-hop greats Cypress Hill (April 20), Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks (Feb. 10); and Motley Crue (still around, in spite of them saying they’d never tour again a few times) on May 3 and 4. So as one can see, AC’s casinos are still going to present top-tier entertainment.
Tony Mart’s Mardi Gras Shows on The Boardwalk Will Still Be A Summer Highlight: A highlight of our first summer in Atlantic City since 1989 were Wednesday night’s free shows on the Boardwalk, presented by the one and only Carmen Marotta and wife Nancy. These will continue. Look for some surprises in 2024, Carmen told us.
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 also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
