By Bob Makin
originally published: 11/22/2017
In celebration of Thanksgiving and all the shopping that follows it, Makin Waves looks at the best independently released recordings the Garden State had to offer this year. Makin Waves’ Top 10 NJ indie releases pictured clockwise from top left: Sweet Crude, Cook Thugless, The Cryptkeeper Five, Hodera, Mr. Payday, The Vansaders, The Brixton Riot, Wetbrain, Experiment 34, and Spowder.
Here are the 10 best indie records released by Jersey-based acts and/or labels that crossed my desk so far in 2017, plus 10 more honorable mentions. This list is running today in thanksgiving for their talent and drive, and in hopes that you will spend Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday purchasing local music.
Sweet Crude, “Creatures” (Rhyme & Reason) The frequently French-singing Sweet Crude are an indigenous South Louisiana potpourri of exquisite-sounding vocals, layered percussion and a sea of keys that the New Orleans-based sextet call drum pop Louisianais. While some might scoff at the French, if you think of it as an unusual instrument, it really is quite beautiful, like most of the rest of the record. Fans of the similarly rhythmic, vocally rich but much larger Polyphonic Spree will enjoy “Créatures,” but with an emphasis on French rather than African ancestry.
Cook Thugless, “Money” (self-released) Cook Thugless are an amazing New Brunswick-based band who have made three exceptional concept albums: 2013’s “SPACE,” 2015’s “TIME” and the recently released “Money,” the best of the bunch and, so far, the best local release of the year. It’s rare when a local unsigned act makes lasting art, but that is what Cook Thugless have done with “Money.” The 17-track collection proves that rap and hip-hop can uplift the soul and expand the mind rather than waste time, space and money in the gutter glorifying violence and degrading women.
The Cryptkeeper Five, “Stronghold” (Pure White Music) Trenton-based indie punk-rock veterans The Cryptkeeper Five musically express a love of The Clash and Bruce Springsteen. On “Stronghold,” The Cryptkeeper Five’s sixth album, first in six years, and arguably their best yet, the band fuse those loves on such track as the Celtic-tinged “Frankie.”
Hodera, “First Things First” (Take This to Heart) “First Things First,” Hodera’s follow-up to the exceptional 2015 full-length debut, “United by Birdcalls,” hits ya’ right off with three songs that could be hits. One thing’s for sure, “First Things First” is not disposable as it makes astutely painful observations about the Millennial generation’s frustrating stagnancy and subsequent self-loathing.
Experiment 34, “Charismanic 2.0” (self-released) After 33 failed attempts to save rock ‘n’ roll, the alien mad scientist who devised Experiment 34 successfully spawned psycho-funk, a hard, heavy, aggressive mix of punk, funk, metal, rap and psychedelic rock that bonds into an invigoratingly inventive chemistry.
Spowder, “Health Palm” (State Champion/Sniffling Indie Kids) Spowder are without question one of New Jersey’s best bands. Live, they are tops! With their full-length debut, “Health Palm,” Spowder do a great job of living up to the live show and demonstrating a studio maturity well beyond their initial EPs.
Wetbrain, “A Certain Light” (self-released) Throughout “A Certain Light,” Wetbrain prove to be immensely talented musically, lyrically and production-wise, channeling acts, such as Television, Talking Heads, Prince, and John Lennon, especially with Yoko Ono. Wetbrain are inventive, imaginative and inject a great sense of pride in the words “original band.”
Mr. Payday, “Welcome to the Modern World” (Polanco) Doug “Sluggo” Vizthum has made impressive records with Pleased Youth and Bad Karma, two of New Brunswick’s greatest bands, but his third outing with Mr. Payday may be his best. The band’s full-length debut, “Welcome to the Modern World,” is a 10-song collection that demonstrates how Mr. Payday have grown into themselves and developed a more cohesive sound and style with the strongest songwriting Vizthum has done since Bad Karma’s debut LP in the early ’90s.
The Brixton Riot, “Close Counts” (Mint 400) The Brixton Riot are extremely passionate about their ragged power pop, as well as music in general. The 11-song sophomore LP, “Close Counts,” features such nuggets as The Jam-like, tongue-in-cheek “The Ballad of Pete Best,” a wink and a nod to the original Beatles drummer, and “Little Spark,” a love song for vinyl junkies in the spirit of “Left of the Dial,” The Replacements’ salute to college and public radio.
The Vansaders, “No Matter What” (self-released) From the opening blast of the rowdy, raucous, reluctant love song “Roll the Dice,” Asbury Park-based The Vansaders offer a brand of well-crafted, lyrical punk rock that recalls the kind of thought-provoking songwriting that made The Clash one of the greatest groups of all time. “No Matter What” isn’t just adolescent angst channeled into two chords through speakers on full. It’s edgy like that, but with a sense of patience, focus, style and nuance that also will interest fans of great songwriters, such as Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen, and other shapely but sharply crafted bands, like The Waterboys and The Animals.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Successful Failures, “Ichor of Nettle” (FDR)
Black Flamingos, “Neon Boneyard” (Hi-Tide/Little Dickman)
Glenn Morrow’s Cry for Help, self-titled (Rhyme & Reason)
Toothgrinder, “Phantom Amour” (Spinefarm)
Disposable, “Can’t Stop Smiling” (self-released)
Albert Savage, “Savage on the High Seas” (Blue Wave Entertainment)
Jackson Pines, “Purgatory Road” (self-released)
Jeff Linden + the Black Spot Society, “Sad Bastard Songs” (self-released)
Fairmont, “A Spring Widow” (Mint 400)
The Battery Electric, “Little Eden Sessions, Vol. 1” (self-released)
Bob Makin is the reporter for www.MyCentralJersey.com/entertainment and a former managing editor and still a contributor to The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him at [email protected]. Like Makin Waves at www.facebook.com/makinwavescolumn.
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJThe 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 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 Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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
(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
(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
(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
(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, 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, 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
(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, 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.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
