(rating 4 stars out of 4)

In some far off parallel world, Bruce Springsteen signed a record contract with Bill Graham for his band Steel Mill. Instead of saxophones, the sound was defined by soaring guitar licks, thundering drums, and pounding bass and the E Street Band was never formed. Steel Mill took their legions of fans in New Jersey and Virginia and became one of the major rock bands in the country playing music festival after festival. And judging by the tunes found on Steel Mill...

RICK BARRY'S "THIS ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD"
originally published: 2009-02-07 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

Several years ago, I said that Rick Barry was the next Billy Bragg. I can still remember Steven Bumbera joking that I must have meant Rick would have a career filled with incredible songs that nobody would ever hear. Well, with the release of his latest EP, "This Antediluvian World", it's clear that he no longer wants to be just a big fish in the Asbury Park scene - he's ready for the world to hear him. And, he's ready to shed the Billy Bragg title once and for all.

I used to imagine...

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CD REVIEW --"STRAIGHT TO RED" BY MAYBE PETE
originally published: 2008-08-20 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

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4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

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There's really no better way to review a new CD by Maybe Pete than by popping open a bottle of cheap Merlot, so here goes...

"Straight to Red" is the second full-length disc by the North Jersey / Jersey Shore rock and roll band. Their first disc took several years and the songs were basically greatest hits for their fans by the time it was released, thankfully this one came out much sooner and fans will even find a few surprises in store for them....

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REVIEW OF DIRT WAFFLE BY THE COMMONS
originally published: 2005-09-05 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

The last album by The Commons (Come On Get Done) was a bit on the mellow side and filled with brilliant but depressing lyrics. This time around the band has evened things out with a record that has a mixture of mellow tunes, rockers, and off-beat numbers that dare you to categorize them. The end result is an interesting blend that features a bunch of songs which will grab you from the first time you hear them.

Upstage Radio has been playing a bunch of cuts from the first spin including...

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REVIEW OF WHATEVER PLANET BY THE DIPSOMANIACS
originally published: 2005-09-05 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

The Dipsomaniacs' followup to their brilliant Freakin' Eureka CD is called Whatever Planet. It's another strong effort from the band and there are plenty of songs which radio stations should be playing.

The Dipsos continue to make songs in the late 80s / early 90s "alternative music" vein... back when alternative actually meant something. We're talking hints of Elvis Costello, The Replacements, The Smithereens, Ben Folds, and the Beatles. And like I always say, ...

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CD REVIEW: DAVID STEELE
originally published: 2005-01-01 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

If you're looking for something a little different than the usual stuff being played on the radio, check out David Steele's "Underneath The Ice" on City Canyon Records.

Steele, an English songwriter, has come up with a CD reminiscient of classic bands from the 80s like U2, The Alarm and even The Police. In fact, much of the disc reminds me of the more experimental songs that U2 used to put out as B-sides to their singles.

There's a nice blend of straight up rock tracks and soft b...

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CD REVIEW: JPAT - "SMILE GOODBYE TO THE KINGS & CLOWNS"
originally published: 2004-12-01 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

JPAT is no longer a man of mystery, he's settled into the blues musician his voice has always beckoned him to be. Shortly before hopping on a plane to China, he recorded his first full-length CD of original blues tunes. The disc was recorded raw - usually in just a take or two - with just JPAT strumming guitar, blowing on his harp, and howling in the way nobody in Jersey has ever howled since Southside Johnny first hit the scene.

The seven tracks on the disc entitled, "Smile Goodbye T...

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