ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...4/3
By Danny Coleman
originally published: 04/03/2014
Welcome to my musical world! This is one man's attempt to alert you to the best in area entertainment!
"Get the band back together? We've never been apart," said Living Colour front man Corey Glover with a hearty laugh as he discussed the band's upcoming performance at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ewing on Friday April 4 as part of the Candlelight Concert Series for Epilepsy.
"I do my own stuff to get away from those guys," he continued with a chuckle. "We just spent a month in Australia, we're working on a new album; I mean, seriously, we get along so well. We've known each other for a very, very, very long time; we are well acclimated to one another, it's like hanging out with family members. These guys are like siblings or a close cousin that you actually like hanging out with. I'm the youngest, so I'm like the annoying little brother, Will and I are close in age, we look at the other two guys like, look at the old folks over there (laughs). We tease each other but we get along great."
Little over a year ago, Glover performed at the forerunner of this larger venue; better known as Eric Miller's living room. Corey was part of the growing list of performers at the house concerts Eric would host prior to the series outgrowing his home. "Eric, is just an amazing person," he said without hesitation. "He is doing Yeoman's work; it is a true testament to his love for his wife and the power of love in general."
The show in Miller's living room revealed a bit about Glover that he partially let slip in our original interview back in November of 2012. During a song introduction, he let it be known that not only was it "someone he knew" (as he had told me) who had epilepsy but it was in all actuality; his son. "Yeah, it was a childhood thing that we discovered in my son by accident; it really freaked us all out when it first started happening. So, yeah, I am happy to be doing this once again; although this time it's a little less intimate (laughs.)"
Guitarist Vernon Reid laid the groundwork for what would eventually become a Grammy Award winning group when he formed the first of several combinations of what would become Living Colour circa 1983. Around 1986 Glover and drummer Will Calhoun were brought into the fold and the band's debut album, 1988's "Vivid," containing the mega-hit "Cult of Personality" reached number six on the US Billboard 200 chart. Appearances on "Saturday Night Live" and a video on MTV propelled the band to open, along with Guns N' Roses, for the Rolling Stones on their "Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour."
Buoyed by the success of their first album, their follow up effort, 1990's "Time's Up" won the Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Album." Reflecting back on those times, Glover summed it up, perhaps better than most when he said, "It was all new back in the day. We were all inexperienced and we were taking it as it comes and it came at us really fast. Now, things come at us much slower; we're more prepared."
Slower includes taking their time and working on material for their next CD; something Glover says the band is keeping close to the vest. "Our intent was to take a look at the blues; with our own slant that is. Our songs are like a good conversation; they tend to evolve over the course of time, we put our own take on things. Right now we're still writing and recording and working things out."
Friday evening, Corey says that those in attendance won't have to worry so much about hearing too much newer material. When asked what one can expect, he bluntly said with a laugh, "Oh, it beats the Hell out of me! I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll be doing as much of the older stuff as we can as not to tip our hand on the new album."
Glover went on to say that the future looks very busy for the band as they ready to record once again. "We are going to go back on the road for a bit," he stated, "Then into the studio to record in the fall. Then who knows; the world is wide open to us." The show in Ewing is a piece of that wide open world and one that the band is looking forward to putting into their puzzle. "We're hoping that our old friends come visit us and some new ones come out and get to know us; not to mention that they should all come on out to support this great cause."
Tickets for Friday's show are a scant $30 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase tickets or to learn more about this amazing concert series, please go to www.candlelightconcert.org.
For those of you who like smooth jazz; Dick Gratton will be performing at Chambers Walk Caf on Main St. in Lawrenceville on both Fri. and Sat. Gratton has been playing to the delight of many in our area for decades and loves to see new and not so new faces. Stop out and say hi and let Dick know that I sent you.
Tuesday, I will be hosting a "Rock On Radio" Happy Hour from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Tir Na Nog Irish Pub located at 1324 Hamilton Ave. in Trenton. there will be giveaways, t-shirts, beer specials and the featured artist is Alright Alright. Come on out, say hello and toast our good fortunes as a prelude to the Open Mic. Night hosted by the fantastic Taylor Reed!
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. Chris Nickey
Sun. 9 p.m. Princeton Area Blue Grass Jam
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. Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Mark Giovi Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Larry D
Tues. 7 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Blend
911 Rte. 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Fri. 9 p.m. Jamie Alexis
Sat. 9 p.m. Some Assembly Required
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Joe Ford Alto Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Centro Bar And Grille
2360 Rte. 33 Robbinsville
(609) 208-9300
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Jimmy K & Steve
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. 5 p.m. Murphy's Law, Down Low, Deadly Nights, Down With Homework, Loss of Effect, Inhale. All ages, $12/$14
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Fri./Sat. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sun. 3 p.m. Little Red Rooster
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Slamm Band
Sat. 12 p.m. Steam Punk The Green Fairy Cabaret feat. Thus Way to The Egress & Karnevil. $15, $25, $40
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends feat. Philip Brazer and Jeannine Hebb
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ernie White Band
Sat. 10 p.m. The Aldrich Brothers Band
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. Rushland
Sat. (3 p.m.) Desoto Rust (9:30 p.m.) The Hyde w/ The Burgeoning
Sun. (3 p.m.) Fantasy Faire Finale (9:30 p.m.) Eric Sommer
Mon. Open Mic.
Tues. Meatball Madness (Benefits the New Hope Library)
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
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Phaze
All shows 21+
Paint The Roses Tea and CAFE RESTAURANTE
37 West Broad St. Hopewell
(609) 466-8200
Sun. 1:30 p.m. Bryan Hill
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan and the Blackbelts
Sat. 7:30 p.m. River Dogs
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Mike & Karly Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8 p.m.) The Big Chill Band (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo
Sat. 9 p.m. Ladies Night Dance Event
All Shows 21+
Spigola Ristorante
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd. Hamilton
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Acoustic Band
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Tony Malandro
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket
216 4th St. Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. Alright Alright
Sat. 10 p.m. The Emulators
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Commander Cody. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. Joe Zook & Frank Pinto. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance).
Sun. 7 p.m. Rickity. All ages, doors at 7 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Out of The Red
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. Bob Hurst & Paul Wiese
Sat. 9 p.m. Green Spell
Sun. Irish Sessions w/ DeAngelo & Gormley
Tues. (7 p.m.) Rock On Radio Happy Hour hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Alright Alright. (9 p.m.) Open Mic. hosted by Taylor Reed
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: People's Champion - The Eli Porter Story
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
Fri. 10 p.m. La Capitana. $5 (coverage)
Sat. 10 p.m. Root Glen Band. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. (1 p.m.) Lynn Flick Trio (7 p.m.) Open Jam Night hosted by Paper Submarines
All shows 21+)
Villa Romanza
429 Rte. 156 Hamilton
(609) 585-1717
Fri. 6 p.m. Arturo Romay
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
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.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Song Of The Meadowlark
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
159 Van Dyke Road, Hopewell, NJA meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.
The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Wednesday, November 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJBlues guitar virtuoso Nick Moss and harmonica wizard Dennis Gruenling have been on a winning streak since they first joined forces in 2016. With relentless nonstop touring and the release of their Alligator Records debut, The High Cost Of Low Living, in 2018, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling has been playing for wildly enthusiastic fans and winning over critics and radio programmers worldwide.
Michael Mcdermott
Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJMichael McDermott’s brand of rock n’ roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks, and honest rock, McDermott’s music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It’s an exploration of the dark corners of life’s journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago’s Irish South Side.
10,000 Maniacs
Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ10,000 Maniacs – 45 Years of Timeless Music
EVENT PREVIEWS
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.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.
NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.
Musicians on a Mission to Celebrate 16th Anniversary with Gala Concert at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Musicians on a Mission (MOAM) will celebrate sixteen years of friends helping friends through music with a special anniversary gala and concert on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
