By Gary Wien
originally published: 01/21/2017
“When I formed the band with Pete, part of the mantra for me was I wanted to do something with more of a sense of humor to it,” said Matt Cheplic, talking about the history of The Bitter Chills. “The first go around for me was straight forward and honest, which was fine. It was what I was doing at the time, but I felt I had done that and wanted to do something that was a little more tongue in cheek… a little sillier.”
In the early 2000s, Cheplic had given the singer-songwriter route a strong run. He released Don’t Let Me Lose My Mind, a solo album put out under his own name, on a Monmouth County label and did shows around the country. The record received airplay on college stations and public radio, but things fell apart when the label went under. Years later, he released Who Burned The Book of Love? - another solo album as a fundraiser for a homeless shelter in Union City. He had already begun playing with Pietro Ciliberto, a fellow teacher at Roselle Catholic High School, about starting a band.
“Pete plays mandolin and we got to talking about mutual artists we like - rootsy, Americana stuff,” recalled Cheplic. “And so for a little while it was just the two of us and then it was the two of us plus somebody else. There was a lot of different iterations.”
The band released their first record, Birth Of The Cold, in 2013. It began simply by recording a few tunes, but before they knew it they had enough for a full record. It was largely a low-fi acoustic effort, but it was here that the band’s sense of humor was instilled via songs with titles like “You’re Not the Girl of My Dreams (But You’ll Do)” and “I’m Ready for My Mid-Life Crisis.”
Humor, from puns in their lyrics to quirky promotional videos, became part of the band’s lore.
What would you do if you discovered you happened to schedule a live concert on an internet radio station at the same time the World Cup Final (the most watched sporting match in the world) was taking place? For The Bitter Chills, it meant shooting a tongue-in-cheek video providing all of the reasons why people should listen to their concert rather than watch a bunch of guys flopping around a soccer field.
There’s a video which promotes the band’s tour of New Jersey that kicks off and ends on the very same day. Cheplic compares the two shows the band will play on that day to the two sets Phil Collins played in London and Philadelphia for Live Aid. It may or may not bring a chuckle, but it’s something different, something creative just like the band’s website which features an FAQ page that reads like a classic Beatles presser.
“I think a lot of bands and artists are uncomfortable with showing a sense of humor for some reason,” said Cheplic. “I don’t know what that means. Don’t it mean that they’re less serious as artists or less legitimate? It makes me laugh because you’ve got the greatest, most influential band of all time who always had a sense of humor. The Beatles were always doing things that were tongue-in-cheek or mocking themselves a bit. I think you can be a band that’s serious about what you do, but not feel the need to be overtly serious all of the time.”
None of that would matter if the music wasn’t good, but the songs are incredibly catchy. The Bitter Chills have songs that evoke artists like Marshall Crenshaw, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe. The band will celebrate the release of their second album, Feel-Good Songs For Feel-Bad People on Friday, February 3 at Sticks & Stones in Hawthorne, NJ. They will be joined on the bill by fellow Mint 400 labelmates The One and Nines and Young Legs.
This album was produced by Neil Sabatino who runs Mint 400 Records and plays in the band Fairmont. He took the band’s rootsy sound and gave it a complete polish over, almost making the songs sound like the British artists like Nick Lowe who are inspirations to Cheplic. It’s a wonderful blend of folk, sixties groove, and melodic power-pop with plenty of hooks.
While not as silly as the band’s first album, there is still quite a bit of tongue-in-cheek lyrics on this album as well. Songs include titles like “My Lady Lacks the Energy (To Find Somebody New)” and “Jared Livingston, Last of the Great American Schoolyard Bullies” and lyrics that remind me of the type of songs Elvis Costello used to write in the late 70s and 80s.
I’ve got nothing but love for you / I’ve got nothing but love for you / but unfortunately for me, you need money too — (“Nothing But Love, Unfortunately”)
In addition to Cheplic (vocals and guitar) and Ciliberto (mandolin, backing vocals), the band includes bassist, Chris Bobbins, who had been a student of theirs; Christian Kisala, someone Cheplic has known for 20 years on drums; and Clint Morris on guitar who joined the band more recently. Cheplic says that Clint’s guitar playing is one of the key distinctive factors about this new record that sets it apart from the first one.
The band has a few shows scheduled in addition to the record release. They will be playing an all-day festival called Saylestock in Ridgewood on April 30 (an event which is also a cancer research fundraiser) and will be back at Mexicali Live in Teaneck on May 25.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
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.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
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.”
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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.
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.
