New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

The Commons' Last Show


By Gary Wien

originally published: 08/17/2008


(AUGUST 16, 2008 -- LAWRENCE, NJ) -- Just outside of Trenton, at McGuinn's Place, a bar that the band had played often throughout their career, The Commons played their final show on Saturday night in front of many of their long-time fans.

The set list was peppered with songs running through the band's entire catalog even going back to songs off their first CD that have rarely been played in recent years. It was definitely a treat for the die-hards in the audience that not only have been friends of the band for years, but literally grew up alongside the band members. This may have been the ending of an era, but it was truly a magnificent way for a band to go out.

Lead singer, Keith Monacchio, kicked off the night with "Don't Go On Me" as the sound splattered horribly across the room. Thankfully, Joe Harvard made the trip from the Shore and pulled a rabbit out of a hat once again to save the show. Within the time of one and a half songs, the sound went from horrible to wonderful and helped get the band on their way.

The band picked some very interesting choices for their final show. In fact, it seemed as though they went out of their way in the first of two sets to play the obscure tracks - those that hadn't been played live often in many years - rather than the big hits. In between popular recent songs like "3-2-1" and "Simple Things" were nuggets from albums like Eat Off The Vine and Anchor.

Throughout the night, the band members seemed relaxed and just had fun on stage. It was easy to get the feeling that there was almost a sense of relief in the air. The band had just finished the rarest of tours; one, in which, the band had stated at the onset that it would be their last. That's something that is almost never done. Instead of continuing on year after year and possibly watching the band enter their demise down the road, they chose to make one final record (American Ghost) and go out in style. In fact, many people consider American Ghost as the band's best record. Yet, even with critical praise and recent developments such as the band's songs getting into television and movies in recent years, they had decided to move on and appear to be sticking with that decision.

But I've gotta say they floored me when they played a new song called, "The Best Was Yet To Come." Does this mean we may see a studio album in the future? Maybe instead of touring, they'll simply record ala XTC? Or will the band members possibly get together to record for Keith Monacchio solo projects? Who knows.

After a brief break, The Commons returned for a second set that included "China" - the song Keith described as, "The first song we ever wrote that we thought was any good" - as well as several great cuts from the band's last few albums ("The Van Rolls On", "Big Big World", "Fast Food Parking Lot", and "Kate and Joe").




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



When you hear the collective output of the band - a mix that really isn't the band's greatest hits but might be the bands idea of their history - you realize just how many tremendous songs they actually created over the years. I've often said that I think Keith Monacchio is one of the best songwriters in New Jersey and the band's catalog certainly backs that statement up. Unfortunately their tunes were meant for listening rooms instead of noisy bars; the lyrics were meant to be relished and discussed rather than overlooked; they were like the thinking man's band rather than the next hip thing. In other words, they were a band for a different time and a different place. They never really got the shot they deserved, by then again, who ever does?

In retrospect, I think they needed to play places like the Tin Angel instead of joints like McGuinn's, but you play the hand you're dealt with and they made a pretty good run with it. In fact, it was a pretty damn good ride for the boys. And Saturday night was the perfect ending.


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. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.



Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Motor

Motor City Revue

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

All-Bluegrass,

All-Bluegrass, All Night: Live at Albert Hall on July 12th

​​​​​​​(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Albert Music Hall will present an evening dedicated entirely to Bluegrass music. The event begins at 6:00pm and features six live performances, each offering a 30-minute set, showcasing both new and returning acts.



Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Tonight's the Night - a tribute to Rod Stewart

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tonight's the Night - a tribute band that celebrates the music of Rod Stewart - will perform at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.