One of the questions we've been getting the most at the magazine is "who's this Jon Caspi guy and where did he come from." Well, the truth is that Jon is actually a veteran of the Jersey Shore music scene through bands like Boss Gremlin and Bouncing Off Bob. The difference is that he's a little bit older, hopefully a little bit wiser, and booking shows under his own name now. But one thing's for sure - he's not afraid to rock.
"Don't ever be afraid to rock," explained Jon Caspi. "It's sort of a life motto for me. I know it sounds cheesy, but when people get older sometimes they mellow out too much and I think you still have to put it out there."
Not only does Jon and his band rock out, but they turn their shows into "events" or "Jon Caspi Bashes" as they like to call them. What can you expect at these shows? Well there's usually free drink coupons and lots of free food to the first ones to RSVP that they're coming to the show. Jon likes the show to be a party atmosphere and he's definitely found one way to do it.
Of course, it helps that he's touring in support of an incredibly solid record. Titled, "This Town", the CD is full of radio friendly songs that should spawn a couple of hits. Over 80 radio stations across the country are already playing cuts from the record. Jon's no stranger to radio airplay as his former bands were played on hundreds of alternative rock stations and even MTV in the early 90s.
The town Jon sings about is Keyport, a place he moved to recently and instantly fell in love with. "The first day I'm there my neighbor walks over and says let me help you with your cable," said Caspi. "I said, 'can I throw you some money?' and he said, 'no, that's what neighbors do for each other.' Later on I was away on vacation and my grass got a little long. I came back and it was cut. And when the snow falls people come with their snowblowers and do your driveway. All this kind of stuff was happening. Then a guy down the street who barely even knew me said, 'I have this beach house I don't use, why don't you use it for the week?' So, I'm like what is it with this place?"
Jon soon found out just how close knit the community really is when a guy who had a family with three little kids died suddenly. There was a problem with the insurance company, which left his family in a big mess. Somebody in town suggested they hold a fundraiser for the family and Jon was asked to perform at the show. Hundreds of people came out to support the cause.
"I was so impressed that everybody in town would come out and donate money and toys for the auction," he said. "So I wrote a song for the event, which is "This Town (Keyport)". I had 100 copies printed up to sell at the event to help raise money. The original song was just me with a guitar and then I turned it into a full band song."
The title track is one of those rare songs that is about a specific place yet will resonate with people in any part of the country. It's very reminiscent of John Mellencamp's "Small Town" song; it has a very nice melody and catchy lyrics. It's the kind of song you'll find yourself humming to yourself the day after the show.
In fact, Jon's latest record seems to be a bridge between his alternative power pop/punk songs of the past and a more Americana feel with the songs he's writing today. The effect is similar to following Jon on tour when he mixes coffeehouse shows with club gigs. Some nights he's more of a singer-songwriter and other nights he's more of a rocker. The record is the same way. There are some pure alternative tracks left over from his Boss Gremlin days and other songs that reveal a new trend to his songwriting. For some reason, the two work really well side by side. This is a record for everyone who grew up in New Jersey listening to both Bruce Springsteen and U2 in the 80s. Ironically those two worlds have always influenced Caspi's songwriting and he admits that his songs have taken on an even more "Jersey Shore" sound since moving to Keyport.
"I think part of it has to do with being in Monmouth County and just going out and seeing what's going on in the area," said Caspi. "Just listening to the local bands. The reason why I had been touring as the Jon Caspi Collective was because I couldn't pay my bandmates so when something would come up and somebody had a paying gig elsewhere I'd have to call somebody else up. So I had three different drummers, three bass players and they all knew all of the songs. They'd come and do their thing, but now I'm pretty much playing with Jimmy and Kenny. And I think these guys are more interested in the Monmouth County sound because they grew up in Keyport."
Caspi has been steadily playing shows throughout Monmouth County at places like the Saint, Indigo Coffeehouse, Espresso Joes, the Wonder Bar and SICA. He's also played the Ivy Inn in Princeton several times. As the record picks up steam across the country, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jon do a mini road trip. He loves being on stage. That's one reason why his live shows are so good. Between the energy he sends to the audience and his superb songwriting, each show brings more fans on board.
The songs being pushed on radio right now include "Down On It" and "I'm So Afraid" but there are plenty of other songs that may wind up being singles as well. The record is literally packed with potential radio hits that could be played on either Triple A or alternative stations. You can purchase the record at Espresso Joe's in Keyport, Indigo Coffeehouse in Aberdeen, Ricci D's in Keyport or from Jon's website - www.joncaspi.com. The record is HIGHLY recommended!
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