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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites... December 26, 2013

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/26/2013 Welcome to my musical world! This is one man's attempt to alert you to the best in area entertainment!

It's that time of year again! No, not the passing of yet another year, not the time to make resolutions or renew gym memberships (which most of us will abandon before Valentine's Day); it is time once again for the annual "Monster Jam" Monster Truck event at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton!

"Monster Jam 2014" rolls into town on January 3 and 4 featuring Grave Digger, Shockwave, Instigator, Backdraft, Stinger and "Monster Jam World Finals" titlist Batman! Recently I spoke with the driver of Batman, John Seasock, a Pottsville, Pa. native who told me that he got the bug in the business after attending his first monster truck show as a teenager. "I was sixteen years old and I went to the old Spectrum in Philadelphia to a truck show, I was hooked. I built my first truck in my dad's driveway 24 years ago. While most kids were driving Camaros and what not, I was driving a huge truck (laughs)."

Now driving for Bell Motorsports, Seasock has moved on to bigger and more expensive trucks than the one created in his father's driveway all those years ago. "To be competitive, operation costs run about $250,000 per year," he said. "For example, if I blow a motor during a show, that's $48,000 right there. Tires cost around $5,000 and the truck body about $18,000. It's all worth it, there's nothing we/I can't do with this truck."

Weighing in at approximately 10,000 pounds, Seasock tells me that his crew has no issues when it comes to handling a behemoth such as Batman. "My crew is fantastic! They can change a hot transmission in twenty minutes and a full motor in about two and one half hours; they are top notch, the best in the game in my opinion."

I asked John how he views his competition, how they get along both in and out of the field of battle, is there any animosity, is it friendly competition, or is it dog eat dog? "The other guys are really neat, we really are like a family. We help each other out with things; until the starting line, then our egos are bigger than our trucks! (laughs)"

 

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So of course, I asked Seasock what his favorite music was and if he listened to it before, during or after the shows, to which he replied," Besides the voices in my head (laughs)? I like cklassic rock, Van Halen, 38. Special, the guys in 3 Doors Down are good friends of mine so I listen to them. I never listen to anything during the race other than the truck but before or after those types of groups are what I like to listen to."

Seasock says seeing the kids and families enjoying the shows are always one of the highlights of being in the business and he expects much of that when "Monster Jam 2014" rolls into Trenton. "This is going to be a highly packed, high energy event, a family event, there is nothing here that kids shouldn't see; it's fun and acceptable for all ages."

Tickets for Monster Jam 2014" are available on line at www.ComcastTix.com , or the Sun National Bank Center and start as low as $10. There are $45 VIP and $55 front row seats also available. There is an added bonus of a "Pit Party" occurring at 11 a.m. only before the Saturday January 4th. 2 p.m. show. An additional $10 allows guests with a show ticket to have an "up close experience with the monster trucks."

The local schedule is jam packed once again with great entertainment! The Meg Hanson Band featuring the incomparable Billy Hill on vocals will be performing at Amarone's in Windsor this Friday, then at Spigola in Hamilton on Saturday. A fine keyboardist and vocalist herself, the combination of Meg and Billy is truly a night of enjoyable music.

Friday, Uncle Floyd brings his unique brand of comedy to The Record Collector in Bordentown. Check out this all ages show featuring this veteran comic; tickets are $17 in advance.

Saturday, Out of The Red are rocking The Cool Cricket in Fieldsboro and Tangled will be doing the same at The Sticky Wicket and Deep Release at Pete's Steak House, both in Hamilton as they all perform their brands of classic rock covers.

Finally, it's also that time of year where I thank you all for your continued support of this space and the local scene! I wish you all a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2014!

This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com

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. Ed Hynes Trio

Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham

 

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Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti

All shows 21+

Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144

Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie

Fri. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson w/ Billy Hill

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sounds of The Street

Tues. New Year's Eve w/ The Gyrl Band

Blend

911 Rte. 33 Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

Tues. 8 p.m. New Year's Eve Party

All shows 21+

Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Earl Ross Texas Tenor Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Cedar Gardens Pub
661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton
(609) 587-0930

Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic.

Fri. 9 p.m. Joe Hoyer & Friends

Sat. 9 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock

All shows 21+

Centro Bar And Grille

2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville

(609) 208-9300

Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Joe Vadala

Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995

 

Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

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Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton

(609) 394-7437

Fri. 7 p.m. Malphas, Burning The Sky, Alchemy, Oceansend, Paradigms. All ages, $10

Sat. 5 p.m. The Nightmare After Christmas- Deadly Nights, The Zombie Mafia, Who Killed Marilyn?, Boy Meets Ghoul, Doomsday Jesus. All ages, $10

Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100

Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O'Neal

Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897

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

Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Loop

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo

Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline

Tues. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve w/ Soul Purpose

Wed. 8 p.m. Local & Original Music Series feat. Colorado Youth

All shows 21+

Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435

Fri. 10 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief

Sat. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke
All shows 21+

John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. The Ben Vaughn Quintet w/ Dan Montgomery

Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition

Sat. (3 p.m.) Snackpile (9:30 p.m.) Chris Harford & The Band of Changes w/ Have Been Floating

Sun. (3 p.m.) Christmas Service w/ Rev. B. Ill (9:30 p.m.) Rushland

Mon. Open Mic.

Tues. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Party w/ DJ Aggreschen

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

Mastoris Lounge

144 Rte. 130 Bordentown

(609) 298-4650

Fri. 7 p.m. DJ Chris Barlow

Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release

Tues. 9:30 p.m. No Way Out

RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300

Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott

Fri. (5 p.m.) Happy Hour feat. Dennise Rogers (8 p.m.) The Temporaries Party Band. (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo. $10 (cover charge includes buffet, bands and DJs)

Sat. 8 p.m. Latin Night. Holiday Celebration w/ Paul Perez feat. DJ David Alvarez, Klave Mayor, Victor Colon Jr.

Tues. New Year's Eve 2014 "Shine Bright Like A Diamond!"

All Shows 21+

Spigola Ristorante

3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Sal Anthony

Sat. 8:30 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill

Tues. 10 p.m. New Year's Eve w/ DJ John Rossi

Star Subs Café

621 Rte. 130 Buckley Plaza Hamilton

(609) 333-1230

Wed. 7 p.m. Acoustic Open Mic. Night hosted by Bri LoBue

Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. (8 p.m.) Sarcasm Comedy Night (9 p.m.) FarCry

Sat. 9 p.m. Jam Lab

The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro

(609) 291-9110

Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo

Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Sat. (6 p.m.) Comedy Night feat. Bob DiBuono and Scott Friedman (9 p.m.) Out Of The Red

Wed. 5 p.m. DJ Chris Barlow

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

Thurs. 8 p.m. Uncle Floyd. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $17 (advance)

Fri. 8 p.m. Billy Hector Band. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)

The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007

Fri. 9 p.m. Alright Alright

Sat. 9 p.m. Tangled

Tues. New Year's Eve w/ DJ Big Jae

All shows 21+

The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200

Please check web site for upcoming events

Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Galway Guild Duo

Sat. 9 p.m. Chris Pinto

Tues. New Year's Eve Party w/ Chay & Taylor

All shows 21+

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777

www.trentonsocial.com

Thurs. 7 p.m. Social Thursdays w/ DJ Tangency

Fri. 7 p.m. Social First Fridays

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-JayKountree

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
www.triumphbrewing.com

Fri. 10 p.m. The Brodegas w/ Skunkmello. $5 (coverage)

Sat. 10 p.m. Birdie Num Num and The Spirit Squad w/ Paper Submarines. $5 (cover charge)

Sun. (2 p.m.) Dharma's Kindness (7 p.m.) Open Mic. Night

Tues. 10 p.m. Hey Bulldog. $5 (cover charge)
All shows 21+

Villa Romanza

429 Rte. 156 Hamilton

(609) 585-1717

Fri. (6 p.m.) Arturo Romay (10 p.m.) DJ Big Red

Sat. 10 p.m. "The Better Choice" w/ DJ Iron Mike

Tues. New Year's Eve Blast

Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
www.wildflowersinnrestaurant.com

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

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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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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