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+
About the author:
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.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJJoe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.
Mccarter At The Museum: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Princeton Art Museum
45 Elm Drive, Princeton, NJJoin us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
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.
