Tune In Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
We’re still wondering why New Jersey gets a bad rap when it comes to acknowledgement as a fertile ground for indie rock bands.
At a recent indie rock festival, Frantic City in the Orange Loop, the Garden State was ably represented by no fewer than three bands on the bill, including headliners Yo La Tengo (Hoboken), who played a memorable set that included former SNL member Fred Armison on drums; Bouncing Souls (New Brunswick); and Titus Andronicus (Glen Rock).
Two upcoming local shows at the Jersey Shore also feature New Jersey-based bands: the pride of North Haledon, The Feelies perform Saturday, Nov. 19, at Anchor Rock Club; and from New Brunswick, ska-rockers Hub City Stompers, also Nov. 19 at Bourre in Atlantic City.
The Feelies, formed in 1976, stayed together for 16 years and released four albums before disbanding in 1992. They were regulars at the seminal Hoboken rock club Maxwell’s, memorably performing there after they reunited in 2008, while also releasing albums in 2011 and 2017.
Their debut album “Crazy Rhythms,” released on influential Stiff Records, was voted one the Top 50 Albums of the 1980s by Rolling Stone magazine.
On first listen, guitarist-vocalist/frontperson Glenn Mercer’s vocals are reminiscent of the great ’70s New York glam rocker Lou Reed; no surprise as the group lists Reed’s previous group The Velvet Underground as among their influences, along with The Beatles.
In even higher praise, Athens, Ga. rock greats R.E.M. cite The Feelies as having influenced their sound. The aforementioned band’s vocalist, Peter Buck, co-produced The Feelies’ second album, “The Good Earth.” Their current lineup features Glenn Mercer (guitar, vocals); Bill Million (guitar, vocals); Dave Weckerman (percussion); Brenda Sauter (bass); and Stan Demeski (drums).
If you’re into guitar-driven rock with catchy song hooks, The Feelies are a must-see. Listen to The Feelies’ “Only Life” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPZJwi-zmEI.
P.S. Absecon-based musician Adam Berardo, locally known by his stage moniker, 1Adam12, has played in Mercer’s post-Feelies band for several years. Berardo also performed recently both solo and as a duo with AC punk accordion maestro Malcolm Tent, in a rousing Halloween weekend show we caught at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall. For Feelies show ticket info see http://www.anchorrockclub.com/.
If harder, louder, and faster is more to your liking, then the Hub City Stompers’ toxic blend of ska, reggae, punk and oi! should satisfy your music palette quite nicely. Wear your skankin’ boots to this one as the dance floor will be shankin’ to their tunes like “Night Of The Living,” “Hard Place To Be,” and “Limbo.” Listen to “Limbo” here: https://hubcitystompers.bandcamp.com/track/limbo.
Formed in 2002, the group has released four albums to date. Their current lineup includes Rev. T Sinister (vocals); Jenny Whiskey (saxophone, vocals); Reggae Bob (bass); Rob George (guitar, vocals); GT James (horns) and Greg Behan (drums).
Public Serpents, Idleminds, and Recreational Outrage round out this energetic bill. Kudos to Bourre promoter Stephen Weiss for continuing to bring original bands to the Jersey Shore, even in the off-season.
“Hub City Stompers played for us at Bourre over the summer and are a heavier ska band,” Weiss told us by email. “On Sept. 11, at MoShow 2, it’s like a polar opposite with emo/pop punk,” featuring bands The Maguas, Dear Youth, Sucker Punch, Sweep Echo and Jima. For Bourre tickets/info see: http://bourreatlanticcity.com/.
Festival Wars: An interesting rift is developing between two large upcoming festivals taking place next year in Atlantic City: Adjacent, being presented by concert giant Live Nation on May 27 and 28 on the beach, and Bamboozle, May 5-7 at Bader Field.
Bamboozle founder John D’Esposito fired a strong salvo at his concert rivals, posting on social media, “It’s a huge celebration of all the bands who play Starland (Ballroom in Sayreville) over and over again …topped by Blink-182 and Paramore. Couldn’t be happier and more excited for Adjacent. Adjacent has two headliners? Bamboozle has nine.”
Adjacent’s lineup also features New Jersey-based acts Thursday, Midtown, Bleachers, Front Bottoms, Folly, L.S. Dunes (featuring Frank Lero of My Chemical Romance), and the Happy Fits. Also Turnstile, Coheed and Cambria, Jimmy Eat World, Japanese Breakfast, the Starting Line, Mannequin Pussy, Idles, Pup, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Beach Bunny, and Motion City Soundtrack. Bamboozle’s lineup, not yet announced, will feature top rock, hip-hop and emo reunions.
The festival previously took place in Asbury Park and the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, with Drake, Bon Jovi, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, My Chemical Romance, Jonas Brothers, Bruno Mars, and Demi Lovato as headliners.
Any way you look at it, it’s good to see the big promoters bringing top-tier talent to town. For Adjacent tickets/info see https://adjacentfestival.com/. For Bamboozle tickets/info: https://www.bamboozlefestival.com/.
Finally, happy birthday on Nov. 11 to Somers Point resident George Lind, a/k/a DJ G Force, longtime Atlantic City rock promoter and deejay.
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.
