ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites... 9/19/14
By Danny Coleman
originally published: 09/19/2014

"I met Bob Steeler at an event. I was interested in his music, he was interested in my involvement with the Belmar Arts Council," says Chris Krebbs the man responsible for Saturday's September 20 opening of Steeler's art works at the council.
Bob Steeler, one time drummer for the legendary rock band Hot Tuna is more in tune with art materials such as pencils and paints these days than drumsticks; something that this central Jersey resident is definitely enjoying. "He's an interesting guy," continued Krebbs. "He is very enthusiastic and I enjoy working with him. He is very interested in art and at the opening he will have new pieces to reveal; some of which are still unseen. He will also have pencil drawings and paintings for sale."
Krebbs, who says he's been a fan of Hot Tuna since his high school days, became involved with the Arts Council through a friend. "I was asked to get involved by a friend named Stephen Lacko who does a lot of portraits for friends and local bands. He had dealings with the Council and saw the potential for art and music; so he brought me in to kind of revive the scene. I first reached out to cover bands and they all pretty much ignored me, I then realized that the talent pool in this area was immense. So, I tapped into the vast original artist community in the area and I was just blown away by their enthusiasm and that's where we are now. I have an assistant named Mark Rocktashel who does a great job and is a big help."
Krebb's Hot Tuna connection stems from years of being a fan, attending shows and meeting guitar legend Jorma Kaukonen himself. A recent Jorma tribute hosted by Krebbs using local musicians helped open some doors to the Steeler show as well. "I've followed Hot Tuna since the '70's and I've met Jorma and seen the band many times. I spoke to Jorma about a recent tribute show that I put on involving him and Hot Tuna; using only guitarists from the school that Jorma runs. He was very into what was done and gave me and the Arts Council his blessings. Getting his approval gave us some strength behind our ideas and bringing Steeler on board worked out well."
As was previously mentioned, Steeler has pursued other avenues and interests since the Tuna and this Saturday's 5 p.m. opening will have all of them on display. "This show promises to be really great," emphatically stated Krebbs. "Bob is a great artist, musician and an all around great person. He'll be in attendance so people can meet the man himself, purchase or just take it all in."
The Belmar Arts Council is located at 608 River Rd. in Belmar, NJ and shows like this one are the rule and not the exception, says Krebbs; " I am looking for more of the same. I am currently in the process of booking a Joni Mitchell tribute and lots more tributes since they seem to work well for us. We have a Lou Reed tribute, a Dylan and possibly a Tom Petty in the works; it is so nice to have the support to do this and I am very excited by the events coming both musical and art related.
The Belmar Arts Council hosts multiple openings, classes, events and much more. Please discover more about this great venue at www.belmararts.org .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird
Sun. 9 p.m. Thomas Johnston
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night
All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. No Way Out
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Shore Sounds
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge
835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington
(609) 267-1200
Fri. 7 p.m. Lurk, Tortoise Pilot, Crosswick, Outbreak
Sat. 7 p.m. Foley McKenna Band, Corey RJ, Terra Voz
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Fri. 6 p.m. Rich Schneider, Tom Schneider, Jim Peraino
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Webb T. Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Dreams of Demise, Minerva, Ketosis, The unknown, Liars & Legends. All ages, $8/$10
Sat. 5 p.m. Vine Street, Left Foot First, Reverse Psychology, Windemere, Kill Matilda, Uh-Huh Baby Yeah!, Centennials, Gridlock. All ages, $8/$10
Mon. 4 p.m. Left Behind, Beware The Neverending, Plan To Prosper, Illusionist, Kaonashi, Depreciator. All ages, $10/$12
Tues. 6 p.m. Rotting Christ, I Am the Trireme, March To Victory, Mortalysis, Xenophile. All ages, $10/$12.
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. BKWG
Sun. 3 p.m. Scoville Blues
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Jimmy Pritchard
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. Beat the Clock College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. Black Sabbath Tribute w/ Into The Void. Doors at 7 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Coast To Coast
Sun. 4 p.m. Rocky and his Friends
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke in the Bar w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran w/ Heather Heather, Lance Scott Greene
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 10 p.m. Highway 41
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. St. James & the Apostles
Sat. (3 p.m.) Keith Kenny
Sun. (3 p.m.) Joe D'Angelo & Lisa Bouchelle (9:30 p.m.) Low Cut Connie
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Tim
Tues. 3 p.m. Dunk Tank Benefit for Tibet House w/ John & Peter's Staff
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 Jessee Elliott and the Handsome Devils
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Mario & The Hamiltones
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Rambler
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night "Welcome Back Rider and TCNJ w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) DJ Frank Olivetti/Buffet (8:30 p.m.) Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. "End of Summer Throwback Party" both decks/multiple DJs. $15 (advance)
All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Fri. 9:30 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Out of The Red
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. (7 p.m.) Jazz Night (9 p.m.) Lynchburg Renegade
Sat. 9 p.m. Dragonfly
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sun. 11 a.m. Hope For Julio
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Thurs. 8 p.m. Wishbone Ash. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $35 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. Ten Foot Polecats. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Out of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. D*luxe, the band
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Tommy Glover
Sat. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman (9 p.m.) Bob Daley
Wed. 9 p.m. John Patrick Bastiani
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: "B.F.E"
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 10 p.m. DJ Trubblemaker
Fri. 10 p.m. Stroamata. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Universal Rebel. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Grateful Dead w/ members of Splintered Sunlight
Wed. 9 p.m. Jakubi
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
About the author:
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
EVENT PREVIEWS

Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.

The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.

Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

Centenary Stage Company presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts presents the Music of 1776 & Hamilton: A Revolutionary Revue
(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts presents The Music of 1776 & Hamilton: A Revolutionary Revue on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 7:00pm. They're keeping our country's 250th celebration going with inspiring songs from these two fantastic musicals sung by four incredible vocalists!
bergenPAC presents Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. Playing is the joy and satisfaction of touring, but it comes with the hard part -- travel, the endless miles on a bus. There's no dodging the wear and tear, and Little Feat has been playing for quite a while.

Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association presents A Celebration of the Silver Screen on Saturday
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association presents A Celebration of the Silver Screen on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Great Auditorium. Maestro Jason Tramm leads the 50-piece MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra in an unforgettable evening of cinematic splendor. From sweeping Hollywood epics to iconic modern classics, this symphonic celebration brings the magic of film music to life with dazzling orchestral color.Showtime is 7:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on July 26th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:30pm. Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.
FEATURED EVENTS
