By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/03/2016
"Musicians, we have something that other people don't," started guitarist Andy Timmonsas he took a moment to discuss his current tour and career. "About 10 years ago it hit me; not many people have the passion to keep doing things after all these years. A friend had come to one of my gigs and afterward we were talking and he said, "I wish that I loved doing something as much as you do" and he was talking about my playing and performing. I realized that he was right, I love playing music and I'll never take that for granted."
Rising to prominence as a member of the "Pop-metal band" Danger Danger, Timmons was never fascinated with becoming a mega rock star; he was more enamored with session players and the behind the scenes roles often reserved for the unheralded studio musician. "Yeah, I never pursued that. It was like I had fallen downstairs and landed in it and then Danger Danger kind of put me there," he said in appreciative tones. "When I was a teen, I decided to pursue the guitar as a profession so I started taking lessons. With Danger Danger I was on a record; that was success to me. I was on a record, signed to a deal with a band and our first show, we opened for Kiss in 1976; could it get any better at the time? I had mid-west ambition; the notoriety was nice but I had never imagined it that way. I enjoyed doing studio work and being on so many different sessions kept it fresh and interesting but above all, I loved playing. I've always been in bands though and being on a major label was fun but that's not why I do what I do; I love music and want to be the best player that I can be. I've received an education with each band that I've been in and that's invaluable."
Education is an accurate term and Andy has received a slew of it over a career that has seen more than a million record sales, world tours with the aforementioned Kiss, Alice Cooper, and Olivia Newton-John, two number one videos on MTV and countless studio recordings. Simon Phillips, Kip Winger, Paula Abdul and Paul Stanley are just a few of those who have used his studio prowess and Timmons has also taken to a stage with the legendary Steve Vai, as well as Joe Satriani, Ted Nugent, Ace Frehley, The Beach Boysand more.
A student of classical and jazz guitar, Timmons claims that what he learned from all of these experiences was what he, "Didn't want." "I learned a lot about the business and what not to do to be successful. I learned what to avoid and what I didn't want to let happen; as I said, I didn't enter into it expecting to be rich and famous and for quite a while I had successfully avoided those things (laughs). Throughout it all though; I learned a lot about myself and that was very important."
"Theme From A Perfect World," a 10 track offering, is Timmons's long awaited new release; his first in a decade. "I'm very happy with this record, it's my first in 10 years," he said enthusiastically. "This is my original material and I produced it with Mike (Bassist Daane), it's the first one he's mixed. I am thrilled with the way it's come out and how he's grown as a producer. I think it's good for me to let go a bit and having Mike there allows the players to play as he let them do what they wanted to do; it was more fun for me this way too."
A tour to support the new disc kicked off in October with multiple east coast and several mid-west dates and is presently on a brief hiatus before heading to Asia with stops in South Korea, Taiwan, China and an extended run through Japan; where Timmons has had very good success. "This tour has got me running around crazy," he stated, again with a laugh. "Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, Philly and then we ended it with two shows at the Iridium in New York. Next we'll head overseas and to Japan, which has been very good to me. I'm looking forward to getting back there; they're very receptive to me and American music overall."
Never shy about touring, Timmons claims some of his fondest memories were made on the road but he struggles a bit to name a favorite. "Oh gosh, that's a tough question. I have so many but one is touring with Olivia Newton-John. She is truly an amazing person who I now call a friend of mine. The opportunity happened by chance. Her guitar player couldn't make it and someone recommended me so I approached it like I do all gigs; like it's the most important gig I'll ever do. I learned the songs and had the material under my fingers when I went in and I got hired and now she's one of my best friends. Due to her battle with breast cancer she's become very philanthropic and started her own hospital; she's an amazing woman. I also have to say that meeting Ringo was another; that is possibly my favorite. I'm a big Beatles fan and overall I'd have to say that them bringing such joy through their music is my favorite musical memory."
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Zephyr
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Group feat. Billy Hill
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Sat. 5 p.m. "Rockers Against Leukemia" A Fundraiser For Shawn Lydon: feat. Midnite Hellion, Inari One, Shattered Skin, Souls Of Rebellion, (TBA). All ages, $10 (suggested donation)
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Sherry St. John
Wed. 6 p.m. Michelle Wiley
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Jack Walrath Trumpet Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson Band
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (8 p.m.) Heather Heather "Farewell Show"
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Bobby LoRusso
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Mon. 8 p.m. The Keith Lesnik Trio
Wed. 8 p.m. Shawn Byrne
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 9 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Maggs
Hamilton Lanes1200 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 585-2400
Sat. 10 p.m. "Rock N' Bowl" feat. Doing Better, Chalk And the Beige Americans, Mike Rossi, All Pawns, Pilot Angie. $6
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Se7en
Sat. 8 p.m. "Eagles Tribute" w/ Best Of The Eagles. Doors at 6 p.m., $25
Sun. (2 p.m.) Midnight Sun Orchestra (6 p.m.) JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends Local and Original Music Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Vince di Mura
Fri. 6 p.m. Pocketful Of Soul
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Alex Otey Trio
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Don The Medicine Man
Sat. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 1 p.m. John & Maggs
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Ernie White Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Slo Motion
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Tues. 7 p.m. "Paint Nite"
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Tryout: "Senior Idol"
Fri. 7 p.m. (Closed for a Private Event)
Sat. 1 p.m. Ben Weiner
Sun. 1 p.m. Thymes 2
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out" / Wine Glass painting Party
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Hammered, Dead Horse
Sat. 9 p.m. "College House / Hip-Hop Party" feat. DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 9 p.m. Stag Party, Piss Kult, School Drugs, Sedative, Sick Shit, Dusters. $6
Sat. 9 p.m. Jersey Fresh Jam
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. DT & the Burnerz
Sat. 8 p.m. Receptor
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. "Come see The Monkee Mobile"
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul DeSisto. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) Route 80
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Fri. 7 p.m. Cari Ellen Art Opening
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7:30 p.m. "Ewing Songs Exaltation." Free Will Donations Accepted
Sat. (4 p.m.) "Bedlam" Lute Song Workshop Faculty Concert. $20 (7 p.m.) Big Soul Kitchen. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. Gordon Thomas Ward. $20 (7 p.m.) "Bedlam" Lute Song Workshop Faculty Concert. $20
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Pretty Baby
Sat, 9 p.m. City Hicks
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Off The Record
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Ziggy Isaacs
Sat 9 p.m. Successful Failures
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Taylor Reed
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Apache Trails. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Caleb Hawley. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
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.
