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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...12/16/21

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/16/2021

“I got into Newark really late and I had the show over at the Wentworth Gallery at The Mall in Short Hills,” relayed drummer and artist Rick Allen of the quintessential 80’s rock band Def Leppard as he discussed his career as a visual and musical artist, his latest body of work and some upcoming band news.

Allen calls California home these days but has been doing limited engagement promotional art tours for his photography and painting projects. Whether it be brush strokes on the drum kit or on canvas, Allen says that what comes out in his art is all authentic.

“We lost another legend in Charlie Watts which obviously has been super devastating to the music community and the world at large; kind of the end of an era,” he began slowly. “That’s my latest piece, a really cool piece of Charlie Watts and I’m really proud of that. I’ve got an original and then what I normally do is take hi-res photos of the original and create mixed media pieces based on them. Between now and my last show, there are a couple of flags that I did. I did a really cool stars and stripes and I did a Union Jack that always harkens back to growing up in England and then coming here in 1980 with the band and experiencing America first hand. So, all of the pieces are really based on my personal experience.”

Allen suffers from PTSD and openly admits that this alternate path of artistic expression is a huge help in his coping with its effects but then again he also owns up to finding comfort in art because it was more fun than “Math.”

“Part of my daily practice is counting my blessings and I think in many respects it helps me with my PTSD. I think looking at all of these things that I do, whether that’s music, photography or the art; I’ve realized that I’ve embarked upon things that are potentially very therapeutic and healing. Painting is one of those things that I find to be soothing, it’s good for my nervous system. I actually started painting when I was a kid, I wasn’t always great with numbers, I was a good writer but painting was one of those things that was just fun. My grandfather bought me my first camera and then I got into photography and then I joined Def Leppard when I was 15 and that took up a lot of my time being in the band and then when my youngest daughter was born it wasn’t long before the two of us started painting together and it reignited my passion for doing that and it was another way for me to express myself, another way to express the creativity in me. I always find in this day and age that our kids maybe spend a little too much time on the iPad or the phone or on technology in general. So, it’s fun when we can do something as a family that brings us together where we’re not all staring at a screen; I find that really healthy. I think music really helped me with my math, the fact that everything is denominations of various groupings of numbers but what’s interesting is, when you present math in musical form I can follow along but I always found it challenging to just pull things off the top of my head. So, it’s interesting how music and being a drummer is all about math, I think music really helped me with my math.”

 

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Music and math are very much intertwined as is art with every form of expression having its own cadence or rhythm. Allen rightfully recognizes and stresses the importance of the “Unique” stamp we put on all areas of our lives.

“I think it translates in many different ways. The beautiful thing about art or music or dance or poetry or anything is that the individual brings a totally unique slant to it; if you and I were sitting in a room and someone said, paint this or play that, me and you would play it but not exactly the same which is a good thing. The human element I think is the most important thing and what makes us unique as individuals. Sometimes it’s our imperfections that bring out our uniqueness; you know?”

“It’s almost like cursive, it’s like when we write something down in cursive; I couldn’t write it like anyone else but I know how to do it myself; it’s almost like a fingerprint, it’s unique to the individual. Just being in a room, most times by myself and trusting myself to do something that feeds my soul. Then when it’s almost finished I can start to present it or show it to people and get some feedback and that’s usually my family and then I can start to make modifications or bring something into focus.” 

Wait; feedback from his family? Can’t that be risky? Family can be tough but Rick says his always offers honest assessments; when asked.

“Recently, I was working on the Charlie Watts piece and I did something with the skull paint around his head where I was trying to create a sort of halo effect and my wife looked at it and just said, “No,” (laughs) so, I waited for it to dry and just went back and painted over it and did something else; you can always start again.”

When asked if he recalled the first time he came to America with the band and what is happening going forward; Allen enthusiastically responded.

“I do, we stayed at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles and then of course, May 20, 1980 at the Santa Monica Civic was our first show opening up for Pat Travers and that was also my first meeting with Tommy Aldridge. I had gotten a brand new drum kit, it arrived in boxes; it didn’t have heads or anything on it, it was nothing but just a brand new kit. He came out and helped me set it up and that was the beginning of a long friendship that I’ve had with Tommy Aldridge.”

“I’m back on the west coast, I’m going to start painting more and playing  music and I’ve got a couple of shows coming up with my wife who is also an artist; like I said, it’s great to get us all painting with no technology or computer screens. Def Leppard has a couple of things that I can’t necessarily talk about but what we are quietly optimistic about is playing a tour in 2022, starting out in June. That will be us, Motley Crue, Poison and Joan Jett.”

To discover more about the art of Rick Allen, please visit https://rickallen.com/ .

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

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This week's event listings

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Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252
Sat. 4 p.m. Rob Silvers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Sunday Brunch (6 p.m.) "Sunday Funday" w/ DJ Spinning
Mon. 5 p.m. Edison Wilson
Tues. 7 p.m. Jonathan Savage
Wed. 7 p.m. Rob Silvers

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Arts Council of Princeton   
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton   
(609) 924-8777
Thurs. "Annual Member Show" (Runs daily thru 12/21)
Fri. 10 a.m. “Studio Time” at Princeton Makes Hosted by Adriana Groza (Takes place at Princeton Shopping Center 301 North Harrison Street) 7:30 p.m. Story & Verse: A Storytelling and Poetic Open Mic – “Good Vibrations.” Doors open at 7 p.m., FREE event (Robeson Ceter)
Sat. 7 p.m. Café Improv. $2

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Bill's Olde Tavern   
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton   
(609) 586-0192   
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Night
Tues./Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ "Super" Dave Curtis
Ages 21+

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Blend Bar & Bistro   
911 Highway 33 Hamilton   
(609) 245-8887 
Sat. 7 p.m. Tiltin Catz

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Boro Bean
9 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-6681
Sat. 11 a.m. John Abbott

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Bowman's Tavern   
1600 River Road New Hope, PA   
(215) 862-2972   
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Steve Guyger (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Wed. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott

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Broken Goblet Brewing 
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA 
(267) 812-5653 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Estabrook and Friends “Grinches Night Out.”
Sat. (3 p.m.) “Holiday Market 2” feat. music by Michelina and Neal (8:30 p.m.) No Doubt That’s an Ugly Christmas Sweater w/ “Doubtful”
Sun. 1 p.m. “Festivus” w/ Rey Rico, Last Call
Wed. 8 p.m. IMDb Night w/ “The Ice Boys”

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Candlelight Lounge   
24 Passaic Street Trenton   
(609) 695-9612   
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam Hosted by The Mojo Gypsies. $5 (Includes hot buffet)

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Catch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton)
102 Carnagie Center Princeton
(781) 568-1471
Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m. Isabel Hagen, Jerrold Benford, John Campenelli. $23.69 (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

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Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street Trenton
Sat. 6 p.m. “George’s 50th Birthday Bash” feat. Oxblood, Steel Toe Solution, Violent Way, Lvger, Fear Gods, DJ Jah Measles. All ages, $20 

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City Streets   
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor   
(609) 426-9400 
Sat. 8 p.m. Kindred Spirit

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Clubhouse at Mountain View  (The Patio)
850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing
(609) 771-0400
Fri. 7 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 7 p.m. “Ernie’s Unplugged Christmas” feat. Ernie White, Tom Reock, Lisa Bouchelle.

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COARadio.com   
125 South Main Street Hightstown   
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. “13th Annual Rock On Radio Christmas Spectacular” feat. various artists

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Cooper's Riverview
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. Club Night feat. Rotating DJs (inside event)
Fri. (5 p.m.) "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Happy Hour"  (8 p.m.) 80’s Undercover
Sun. 11 a.m. " Sunday Latin Jazz Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov 
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Michael Hoffman
Wed. (12 p.m.) "Wine Down Wednesdays" (7 p.m.) Blues Jam / Disco Hustle Night (Inside)
All Events Ages 21+

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Cross Pollination Gallery
2 North Union Street Lambertville
(609) 213-6734
Fri. 5 p.m. "Friday Happy Hour." (Talk art, wine and musicians who bring instruments)

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Dacey's Pub
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo

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Dadz Bar and Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Edgar Anderson

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Dog & Bull Brew House   
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.   
(215) 788-2855   
Sun. 4 p.m. Brian Elliot

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Gleason's Bar
6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781
Sat. 8 p.m. Little Sister

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Havana New Hope   
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.   
(215) 862-9897  
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Cars Tribute w/ “You Might Think.” $20
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Shot of Southern (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Benderz (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 6 p.m. Best Of The Eagles. $40
Mon. (9 p.m.) "Lipstick Mondays Drag Show" Hosted by Cyannie Lopez (11 p.m.) Karaoke w/ Dwayne
Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper Duo

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Hopewell Theater    
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell   
(609) 466-1964  
Thurs. 7 p.m. “Your Stage At Any Stage” Open Mic Hosted by Michelle Klein feat. Rays of Hope, Helen O’Shea & The Shanakees, James Popik & Supernova + Psychic Horns. $15
Sat. (1 p.m.) Holiday Film Fest: “The Polar Express.” $12.50 (4 p.m.) “A Christmas Story” $12.50
Sun. 2 p.m. Holiday Film Fest: “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn   
15 East Broad Street Hopewell   
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 5 p.m. Grant Peterson and Martin Goldberg

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards   
46 Yard Avenue Pennington   
(609) 737-4465   
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5 p.m.) Melissa Ann
Sat. (1 p.m.) Ed Wilson (5 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Ugly Sweater Party w/ Deb & Mike
Sun. 1:30 p.m. Chris P.

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill   
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA   
(267) 914-4517   
Fri. (6 p.m.) Happy Hour (9 p.m.) Johnny Betz
Sat. 9 p.m. The Diablo Sandwich Band    
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam    

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Iron Plow Vineyards   
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus   
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Steve Guyger
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Bob O

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Iron Plow Vineyards Tasting Room
61 High Street Mt. Holly
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Wayne Palmer & Friends

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Ivy Tavern   
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton   
(609) 888-1435   
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke
Sun. 6 p.m. Karaoke Latinos
All shows 21+     

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John & Peter's   
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa   
(215) 862-5981  
Fri. 9 p.m. Helen O’Shea w/ Jay Posipanko, The Mike Montrey Band (A benefit for Fisherman’s Mark, donations accepted)
Sat. 9 p.m. Amy Malkoff, Deirdre Forrest & the Backseams, Little Hag, the dt’s
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.)
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational   
All shows 21+ 

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Killarney's Publick House   
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton  
(609) 586-1166  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Best of Clapton
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red

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Laurita Winery   
85 Archertown Road New Egypt   
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Fire Pits and Wine
Sun. 5 p.m. New Jersey Chamber Singers
Wed. 12 p.m. Girls Night Out: Ages 21+

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Logan Inn   
9 South Main Street New Hope, PA   
(215) 862-2300 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bridge Beat Duo
Sat. (5 p.m.) Monthly Movie Holiday Series: “Great Expectations,” “Beyond Tomorrow,” “Scrooge,” “The Great Rupert.” (8 p.m.) Rob Tait

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MarketFair
3535 U.S Highway 1 Princeton (Center Courtyard)
(609) 452-7777
Mon. thru Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. “Visit With Santa”
Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Visit With Santa”

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McGuinn's Place   
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence   
(609) 392-0599  
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke   
Ages 21+   

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McStews Irish Sports Pub   
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA   
(215) 949-9570   
Fri. 10 p.m. Ugly Sweater Party w/ Fish Out of Water
Sat. 9 p.m. Annual Christmas Party Hosted by The Fredz
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam

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Millhill Basement   
300 S. Broad Street Trenton   
(609) 989-1600   
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Cryptkeeper Five Christmas Spectacular feat. The Cryptkeeper Five, The Barren Marys, Puppy Pile, Skelly. Ages 21+, $5

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More Than Q
13 Klines Court Lambertville
(609) 773-0072
Sat. 12 p.m. “Christmas Spirits Musical Christmas Bash” feat. Keith Kenny, Bill and Fred’s Excellent Holiday Adventure, Tod The Mod
Sun. 2 p.m. Packy’s Sunday Brunch feat. Sim Cain, Dave Haneman, Keith Hartel

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Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. “A Christmas Carol” $25
Sat. 3 p.m./8 p.m. “A Christmas Carol” $25
Sun. 3 p.m.  “A Christmas Carol” $25

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New Egypt Flea Market Village
933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge
(609) 758-2082
Fri. (5 p.m.) Holiday Market (6 p.m.) Ugly Sweater Contest (7 p.m.) Holiday Wreath Making Workshop
Sat. 5 p.m. Full Moon Market (Cold Moon)

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New Hope Winery  
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Fri. 8 p.m. Jeffrey Gaines
Sat. 8 p.m. Chicago Tribute w/ “Beginnings”
Sun. 1 p.m. Stranger Things (Pour House)

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Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8609
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. “HoHoHoliday” Trivia Night
Fri. 6 p.m. Boondashark
Sun. 4 p.m. Ryan Sabalaske

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Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA
(215) 637-5151
Fri. 8 p.m. AJ Slick
Sat. 8 p.m. The Launch or EarCandy

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Nottingham Tavern   
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square   
(609) 587-6623   
Thurs. 9:30 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Radio Fiction

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Old Town Pub   
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown   
(609) 291-9232  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia 
Fri. 12 p.m. Ugly Sweater Day
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Williamsboy
Tues. 7 p.m. "Dinner Is A Drag" Hosted by Victoria Courtez

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Palmer Square
40 Nassau Street Princeton
Thurs. (4 p.m.) "Skating On The Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental)
Fri. 4 p.m. "Skating On The Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental)
Sat.12 p.m./4 p.m. "Skating On the Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental) Spiced Punch / Strolling Santa
Sun 12 p.m./4 p.m. "Skating On the Square" $10/$12 (Includes skate rental) Spiced Punch / Strolling Santa

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Pasquale's Sports Bar
9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m. DJ or Live Band Entertainment
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic

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Patriots Crossing   
1339 River Road Titusville   
(609) 737-2780  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Fri. 8 p.m. MLC Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo" 

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Pete's Steak House   
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton   
(609) 585-8008   
Fri. 9 p.m. Cover Up

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Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-9529
Sat. 12 p.m. "Artist Chalet Winter Village" (Takes place daily on Hinds Plaza thru December 19)

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Randy Now's Man Cave  
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown   
(609) 424-3766 
Sun. 6 p.m. Ed Hamell “Hamell For The Holidays” $12

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Recklesstown Farm Distillery
2800 Route 206 North Columbus
(609) 784-8046
Sun. 2 p.m. Talking In Cursive

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Small World Coffee   
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton   
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 6 p.m. Larry Corban

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Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-2321
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Never Enough

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Stars & Stripes Harley Davidson
600 South Flowers Mill Road Langhorne, PA
(215) 752-9400
Thurs. 6 p.m. Guys Night Out
Sat. 11 a.m. Photos with Santa

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Tankard Pub
440 Keim Boulevard Burlington
(609) 306-5079
Thurs. 7 p.m. The Williamsboy

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Tara's Tavern  
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown   
(609) 286-2300   
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 9 p.m. Amptons

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Tavern On The Lake    
101 Main Street Hightstown   
(609) 426-9345    
Sat. 8 p.m. “Tavern & Tiaras Holiday SLAY Ride” Drag Show
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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TGI Fridays
3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton
(609) 520-0378
Fri. 5 p.m. Ernie White
Sun. 1 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle

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The Buck Hotel
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA
(215) 396-2002
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kevin Kirk
Fri. 7 p.m. Love Junk
Sat. 9 p.m. Soul Cruisers
Tues. 6 p.m. Danny Lynch

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The Cool Cricket   
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro   
(609) 291-9110   
Thurs. 8 p.m. DJ Ran D
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Merry Christmas w/ “Asylum Choir”

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The Dubliner 
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 7 p.m. Ray Coleman
Sat. 7 p.m. Gerry Timlin

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The Five Four Bar & Grill 
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 547-5525 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam
Fri. 9 p.m. Buzzer Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Ugly Sweater Party w/ Spare Parts

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The Irish Horne Bar & Restaurant
882 2nd Street Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 942-4000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Live Irish Music

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The Ivy Inn   
248 Nassau Street Princeton   
(609) 921-8555   
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Iron Mike
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv  
Wed. 10 p.m. Total Request w/ DJ Rockin' Ron

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The Morrisville Tavern
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Mon. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Tim
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night

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The Roost   
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge   
(609) 208-0050 
Thurs. “Christmas Light Walk-thru” (Daily thru January 1, 2022)

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The Sycamore Grill   
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA   
(215) 908-6326   
Fri. 8 p.m. Danny Lynch Project
Sat. 8 p.m. Stage Left

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Tir Na Nog   
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton   
(609) 392-2554 
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" Hosted by Billy O’Neal
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Jerry & John Monk
All Shows 21+   

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Trenton Social    
449 South Broad Street Trenton   
(609) 989-7777  
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday"
Sat. 6 p.m. Live Music (TBA)
Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Tobias & Lea (Sign-ups at 7:30 p.m.)

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Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA
(267) 573-4291
Fri. 7 p.m. Dave Posmontier Duo
Sat. 7 p.m. Suzette Ortiz Latin Ensemble

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Working Dog Winery   
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown   
(609) 371-6000
Sat. 12 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sun. 12 p.m. Rob Messina
 

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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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