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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...8/13/15

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 08/13/2015


"Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend I want to guard your dreams and visions," It's hard to believe that it's been four decades since that line was uttered, since "Mary's dressed waved" and "When the change was made uptown and the big man joined the band." 
 
Bruce Springsteen's iconic album "Born To Run" turns 40 years of age this month and on Thursday August 13 a celebration of its release and impact takes place at Bar Anticipation "Bar A" in Belmar (Lake Como), NJ. Event organizers and area music mavens Jesse Warren and Terry Camp have assembled a top notch cast of musicians to recreate not only the historic album itself but songs from the era that Springsteen would perform while on tour. Original E Street band member Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez will be part of the ensemble as well as current E Streeter Max Weinberg as they join together with a house band featuring members of Gary U.S. Bonds, The Jukes and some of the very best local musicians the Jersey Shore has to offer. 
 
The evening however, serves an even higher purpose, to draw attention to a rising heroin epidemic in the United States; in particular New Jersey and even more so in Ocean County. "Jesse gets the credit for coming up with the idea," says Camp. "Jesse turned a personal tragedy into a positive here and it's something that should be brought out." "Two years ago I started doing "Thunder Road Thursday," we started in an American Legion Hall," explained Warren. "I did one with (Springsteen background vocalist) Michele Moore and my brother Scott wanted to go; knowing he was struggling with addiction, I didn't want him in that environment and I wouldn't let him go. Back in March he passed away from a heroin overdose; so this is kind of my tribute to my brother and hopefully we'll help others not suffer the same fate." 
 
"This is not a benefit per se," adds Camp. "This is to raise awareness and celebrate a great album and a great piece of music. We need to raise awareness about the heroin epidemic in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. A month ago, I saw a national news report that heroin overdoses were on the rise throughout the country. New Jersey was sixty two percent above the national average and Ocean County was twenty percent higher than the rest of the state; we need to really pay attention because it's getting worse. "It's a very personal thing for me," continued Warren. "I watched my brother struggle mightily with it and that's why we've decided to dedicate the night to Scott." 
 
Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez, the man who laid down the first beats for Bruce during their days at the now defunct Upstage Club in Asbury Park was eager to jump on board and contribute as he is involved with a non-profit drug addiction/counseling service called "City Of Angels" based out of Hamilton, NJ. "Jesse asked me a while ago; so I said sure. "Born To Run" while supporting a good cause sounds like a great night to me," said Lopez. "I work with the City Of Angels and see this all of the time; it's sad so I'm looking forward to helping out. It looks to be shaping up as a nice evening and I'll say this, you'll get your money's worth. I know a few of the people that I'll be playing with, I hope they know the songs because I sure do," he said with a laugh. "If not me, Max will be there and I'm sure one of us will remember. After the lawsuit and coming out of that; people were curious as to what was next to come out of Bruce. He did a great job and "Born To Run" is truly an iconic piece of American music." 
 
Camp and Warren took great measures to ensure that the venue and the material were picked just right; hopefully giving all who attend the best possible experience through and through. "The show will include all of "Born To Run" and as many songs from that tour era as we can get in," elaborated Camp. "There will be the originals from the album as well as the cover tunes that Bruce did during those years and more specifically on that tour. We have a special moment planned, the all star house band that we've assembled is going to do a rarely done song; "Paradise By The C," it's an instrumental and I'm very much looking forward to it. We chose to hold this at Bar A because we worked with Tom Jannarone in the past on the "3rd. Annual Big Man's Birthday Bash" and it worked out great! It's a great venue on all levels, it's extremely well run by Tom and the staff, the backstage area is great for the musicians and performers; it's just an all-around good choice and fits what we are trying to do." 
 
Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 the day of show and are still available with the remaining raised funds after expenses going to "CFC Loud N Clear Foundation," an organization which provides recovery, prevention, intervention and family support to those with addictions. 
 
To discover more about this event; please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1524147801165369/. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting promptly at 7 p.m. Bar Anticipation (Bar A) is located at 703 16th. Ave. Lake Como, NJ and can be found on line at www.bar-a.com.  To see the work of CFC Loud N Clear Foundation, please go to www.cfcloudnclear.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

 

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band

All shows 21+





 


Amarones Windsor Inn









 

(609) 448-7144

 

Fri. 8 p.m. Kindred Spirit

Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)

 

Blend Bar & Bistro






911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

 

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam 

 

The Backstage at Championship Bar 

931 Chambers St. Trenton

 

Fri. 7 p.m. Electric Pukes, The One2s, (TBA). All ages, $10

Sat. 5 p.m. Deadline Tuesday, Nine Planets, Blue Son, (TBA). All ages, $10





 

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Candlelight Lounge 

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612



 

Sat. 3 p.m. Stacy Dillard Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

 

Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

 

Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs

Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night

 

Dog & Bull Brew House

810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.

(215) 788-2855

 

Thurs. 8 p.m. Soul Kitchen

Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) Nick & Greg

Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson

Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (3 p.m.) Pop Fiction Trio





 

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Mon. 8 p.m. Dustin Beck

 

Fran's Pub



116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.

(215)862-5539

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+  

 

Freddies Tavern 

12 Railroad Ave., Ewing

 

Fri. 9 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Jerry Monk

 

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. 

(215) 862-9897

 



Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Naturals 


Sat. 8:30 p.m. Se7en

Sun. 3 p.m. Ten Foot Tall

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends 

 

Ivy Tavern 

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 10 p.m. Mikey Jr.

Sat. 10 p.m. The Dawgs

All shows 21+



 

John & Peter's 

96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

 

Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Shawnn James & the Shapeshifters w/ Jeremiah Tall. $5

Fri. 9 p.m. Satellite Hearts / The Levee Drivers

Sat. (3 p.m.) Kings Of Nowhere (8 p.m.) The Silks / Morning Martyrs

Sun. (3 p.m.) The Liz Nordstrom Band (9 p.m.) Collin J Rocker

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Justin Pope

Tues. 9 p.m. Matt Woods. $5



Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational

All shows 21+

 

JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

  

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke

 

Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series at the Capital Green

201 Barrack Street Trenton

 

Sat. 7 p.m. Low Cut Connie, Honah Lee. All ages, outdoor event

 

Millhill Basement

300 S. Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-1600

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Shaboizi, The Choices, Dead Tenors, F You Idiot, Safety. $7

Wed. 9 p.m. Cornelius The Third, The Grizzly Band, Those Crosstown Rivals, S.N.A.F.U., Kyle Trocolla.

 

Palermo's Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton

(609) 838-7979







 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+ 

 

Palmer Square

Nassau Street Princeton

 

Sat. 2 p.m. "Full Moon Howlin' Songwriters in the Square" feat. Chuck Schaeffer, Laura Cheadle, Patty Blee

 

Pete's Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton

(609) 585-8008

 

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Snake Eyes

 

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

 

Please Check web Page for Events

 

RHO Waterfront








50 Riverview Plaza Trenton



(609) 393-7300

 

Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (9 p.m.) Once Again

Sat. 9 p.m. House Music Party w/ DJ Beloved & DJ Eddie Ed. $20



Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

 



Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 

 

The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020

 

Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

 

The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555

 

Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Darius The First

Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Copacetic

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron

 

The Sticky Wicket 

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007

 

Fri. 9 p.m. Run For Cover

Sat. 9 p.m. Ja Tun

 

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. David Falcone

Sat. 9 p.m. John Patrick Bastiani

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese

All shows  21+

Trenton Buzz

702 Pine St. Trenton

(609) 392-6000

 

Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat

 

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777

 

Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)

Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday

Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P

Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.

 

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-8300

 

Fri. 10 p.m. The Yetis. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Ceramic Animal. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m.)

Wed. 9 p.m. The Blue Eyed Bettys



All shows 21+

 

Wildflowers Inn



2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 

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.



Joe

Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

Joe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.

 
Mccarter

Mccarter At The Museum: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown

Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Princeton Art Museum
45 Elm Drive, Princeton, NJ

Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum. 


Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.


With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.


A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.


Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].

 
John

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ

The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks.



 
Griffin

Griffin House

Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter

 
Floyd

Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

FLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.  



 


 


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell

NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell

(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.