By Danny Coleman
originally published: 01/16/2014
Welcome to my musical world! This is one man's attempt to alert you to the best in area entertainment!
"Groove rock! Yeah, that's what I'd say it is," says guitarist and primary songwriter Ian Bamberger of the trio which bears his name as he described their forthcoming EP, "Those Girls."
Calling Allenhurst, NJ their base of operations, Bamberger, bassist Arjun Subramaniam and drummer Bill Grillo formed as a unit only recently. "One of the first people that I ever met when I went to Rutgers was Arjun, " says Bamberger. "We would get together and play all the time up at school and we've been jammin' together ever since." Finding a drummer proved a bit more difficult and Ian enlisted the help of his studio engineer/drummer Jon Leidersdorff of Lakehouse Music. "I was looking for drummers and not having much luck, Leidersdorff gave me a few names and Bill was actually first on the list. We brought him in and we just clicked."
Growing up in musical surroundings, Bamberger began playing guitar as a pre-teen, made his first home recording at the age of sixteen and has recorded a disc with an earlier band; this current one however, is the first he can claim as totally his own. "Yeah, this is my first one, all my own. When I was sixteen I did an instrumental (disc) in my room on a four track recorder, then I did one with my band Alice & the RV. This one, this is all my own songs, my material."
Bamberger feels he's a grown a bit thanks to the recording process; even beyond his 22 year old frame. "Recording at Lakehouse was a good experience," he said. "Jon leidersdorff and Tim Panella laid down the drums and Erik Romero did the bass lines. Working with those guys was great! Basically, I discovered more confidence in my music and songwriting; I really grew as a result of it all."
Once out of the studio, Bamberger put his current band together and expects great things; especially on January 24 when they have their official EP Release party at The Saint in Asbury Park. "The best way to describe the band is, we're a power three piece. We are trying to keep it minimalist, yet at the same time rock 'n' roll with a big sound. I've been playing music since I was twelve, this EP is my music and my vision with a definite Jersey Shore sound. The title "Those Girls" is, well, open to interpretation. I mean, everybody runs into "Those Girls" in their life; don't they? I think it's both good and bad (laughs)."
I asked him what the future held for him and the band, as far too many bands release a disc and then do little to nothing to support their effort. Bamberger was adamant that they would not fall into that mode as he stated, "OK, that's a big thing." "We want to make a statement, we want to be known as a hard rockin' band. We are planning a mini tri-state tour, NY, PA. and NJ to try and grow our fan base away from our area; after that we shall see. We just want to be heard."
The Ian Bamberger Trio hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. at The Saint, located at 601 Main St. (Rte. 71). This EP Release Party proceeds headliners Local Hero at 9:30 p.m. and the cost is $10. To discover more about the Ian Bamberger Trio please go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ian-Bamberger-Trio/790030544357392 .
Once again this week, tonight at Centro Grille on Rte. 33 in the Robbinsville Town Center there is a great solo performer in John Patrick Bastiani making an appearance. John plays all your favorite classic rock tunes, some blues numbers and just about everything for all to enjoy. The atmosphere at Centro is relaxing and I'm told that the food is outstanding. Good food, good drink and a top notch player sounds like a winning combination for sure.
The Polish Nannies are very busy this weekend as they perform at the RHO Waterfront Happy Hour and Buffet starting at 5 p.m. in Trenton and then again on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Pete's Steak House in Hamilton. Their Friday performance proceeds that of the Sharon Lia Band at 8 p.m. at this popular night spot. Go for the buffet, the bands and a DJ to close out the night, all for just a cost of $10.
Saturday also sees two of my favorite local original bands hitting stages on either side of the Delaware. Charles Laurita & The Mischief will rock the Ivy Tavern in Hamilton and Honey Spot Blvd. brings beavers, bubbles and humor, along with great music to John & Peter's in New Hope, PA.
Also on both Friday and Saturday, jazz great Dick Gratton plays for your dining pleasure at 6 p.m. at Chambers Walk Café in Lawrenceville. Always the utmost in professionalism, Gratton sets the standard for many area jazz enthusiasts.
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to:
[email protected]
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. Arnie Baird
Sun. 9 p.m. Joe Kaplow
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. The Blue Moons
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Donny Love
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Carrie Jackson Singer Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Cedar Gardens Pub
661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton
(609) 587-0930
Fri. 9 p.m. Larry Archer & Friends
Sat. 9 p.m. Shadows In The Rain (Police Tribute)
All shows 21+
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. John Patrick Bastiani
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
(609) 394-7437
Fri. 6 p.m. Take #13, Ampersand, For The Quitters, Automatic 253, Theone2s, Jantones. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Gorematory, Enemies Deceased, Locked, Corpse Hoarder, Prosper Or Perish, Asphyxiating, Morbid Visions. All ages, $10
Sun. 4 p.m. Abigail Williams, Erimha, I Am The Trireme, Angmar, Malphas, Damien The Cat, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O'Neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Mike Matisa & Karly Coleman
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. 9:30 p.m. DJ Dance Party
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Sindi Raymond Band
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Wed. 8 p.m. "Wino Wednesday" Local Unplugged w/ Pat Foran
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 10 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. InCircles w/ Ask The Dead
Fri. 9 p.m. Big Terrible
Sat. (3 p.m.) Rushland (9:30 p.m.) Honey Spot Blvd.
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jamie Salvatore (9:30 p.m.) David Cahill & Squid
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. John & Peter's Holiday Party
Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Trenton Makes
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. Trivia Night
All shows 21+
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Crosswick
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (5 p.m.) The Polish Nannies (8 p.m.) The Sharon Lia Band (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo. $10 (cover charge includes buffet, bands and DJs)
Sat. 9 p.m. Latin Dance Event-Sabado Sabroson
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. 8:30 p.m. After Dark Band
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.) El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. Steve (The Band)
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Kinky Bingo
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Jet Weston & his Atomic Ranch Hands. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Monster Zero
Sat. 9 p.m. Catch 22
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Please check venue web site for upcoming events.
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. David Falcone
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
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
Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
www.triumphbrewing.com
Thurs. 10 p.m. Swear And Shake
Fri. 10 p.m. Steal Your Face (Grateful Dead tribute). $5 (coverage)
Sat. 10 p.m. Philly Funk Authority. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night hosted by The Lawsuits
All shows 21+
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Fri. (6 p.m.) Arturo Romay. (9 p.m.) DJ Big Red
Sat. 8 p.m. Gemini (Comedy/Magic Show) $30 (advance) $35 (door)
Wed. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
www.wildflowersinnrestaurant.com
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Jason Didner's New Album Celebrates Asbury Park's Resilient Spirit of Community
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Heart is Jason Didner's love letter to a city that refused to quit — and to the musicians, misfits, and believers who kept the beat going. Drawing on the sounds, stories, and personalities that transformed Asbury Park from a place of decay into an unlikely worldwide music destination, the album spans punk, soul, reggae, and heartland rock in the spirit of the Jersey Shore scene itself: eclectic, unguarded, and alive.
Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night? Eddie Skuller to bring the Ballads of Tom Waits to Hoboken
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Jersey City based singer Eddie Skuller will perform a personal tribute to the songwriting of Tom Waits on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the 503 Social Club. Eddie returns for a night of classic Waits songs, interpreted by this skilled, masterful singer. A moving experience guaranteed!
The Newton Theatre presents The Wailers on May 16th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Wailers are celebrating 50 years of "Rastaman Vibration" with a tour honoring one of Bob Marley & The Wailers' most influential albums. The tour comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Raul Midón Takes the Stage at the Grunin Center's Prima Theatre on May 16th
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts welcomes Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Raul Midón to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35.
The Masterwork Chorus presents "An American Tapestry"
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Saturday, May 16, 2026, The Masterwork Chorus presents An American Tapestry at The Concert Hall at Drew University. This is a musical journey through 250 years of Americana celebrating the the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Morris Choral Society to Conclude Season with Brahms Requiem on May 16th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Choral Society will perform their Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at St. Mary's Abby Church on the campus of Delbarton School. The soloists for this concert will be Soprano Cassandra Douglas and Baritone Charles Gray. The chorus will be accompanied by a full orchestra. Showtime is 7:30pm.
WP Presents Brings Unforgettable Fire to Shea Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday
(WAYNE, NJ) -- WP Presents the U2 tribute band Unforgettable Fire on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Shea Center for Performing Arts. Unforgettable Fire, or ‘UF’, was born on New Year's Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 Tribute Bands to ever perform in America.
Albert Music Hall presents Rock Around the Pines: A Celebration of Early Rock 'n' Roll on Saturday
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall presents "Rock Around the Pines" on Saturday, May 16, 2026, an evening dedicated to the sounds of 1950s and early 1960s rock 'n' roll. The themed program brings classic jukebox favorites, rockabilly rhythms, and vintage dance hall energy to the Pinelands stage, with five local acts performing throughout the evening.
A Chat with Veronika and Madelene of Arrival From Sweden Who Perform at UCPAC on May 16
Arrival from Sweden is coming to Rahway, NJ's Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm. Founded in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Arrival from Sweden is one of the world's most popular ABBA tribute bands and the only group that has ever been given a previously unreleased song directly from ABBA to record.
Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to Honor Wayne Walters At 65th Birthday Celebration on May 17th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (21 Normandy Heights Road) in Morristown on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm. The event will showcase some of its grant awardees plus honor Wayne Walters, a well-known New Jersey musician who sings, composes, conducts, and has taught and influenced many over the years.
