New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Jon Caspi & The First Gun Release Video for "Raise 'Em High!"

originally published: 03/25/2023


From left to right: Pete Jager, Jon Caspi, Doug Lane, Dez Cadena. Not pictured: Jimmie Mizell (drums), Bob Bailey-Lemansky (keyboards). Photo by Jeff Raspe 

This past September, Jon Caspi & The First Gun released a new version of their cult favorite Raise 'Em High! which features NYC rock icon Jesse Malin on lead vocals and the legendary Dez Cadena (ex-Black Flag/Misfits) on guitar. The song spurred a brewery to put out a beer named after it, is at the center of a large "2pm Toast" Facebook group with well over a thousand members, and received airplay across the country.

The video is loosely based on the movie Bad News Bears and it is very funny and very well produced. It is not like most music videos. It stars legendary WFMU DJ Glen "Jonesey" Jones, Dez Cadena, the band, and a dog named "Walt." It tells the story of an always-losing team getting a new coach and then beating the perennial champions. A great underdog tale!

"It was so much fun to shoot" says Caspi. He adds, "We wanted to do something different. We were all inspired by the Beastie Boys video for 'Sabotage.' It's a story and so much fun. We wanted to do something like that and also have it tell a full story and be really funny. I could not be happier with the outcome." The video was shot and produced by Retrograde Studios out of Brooklyn, NY.

The video made its debut during a video watching event on Thursday, March 30th at 8:00pm at Alternate Ending Beer Co in Aberdeen, NJ – the brewery that put out Raise 'Em High! beer. Following the video, Jon Caspi & The First Gun performed an "unplugged" set of fan favorites. The date of March 30th was selected because it is the first day of Major League Baseball's official season, and for the first time in over 50 years all teams will be playing that day.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Fake Chapter Records is releasing a 7" vinyl of "Raise 'Em High!" on one side and a version of Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown" on the other, featuring Dez Cadena on lead vocals. The record is expected out in early April and there will be a soon-to-be-announced release event to take place in mid-May. In the meantime, the record can be pre-ordered from the Fake Chapters Records site or from the band's site.

The band is also releasing a new single in late April called "My Best Shot." It will be available on all streaming platforms.

"If there could be a genre of "'Heartland Punk' then Jon Caspi & the First Gun would be the line leader of such a crew. Borne of rock and roll, bar rock anthems, and a sincere nod to both Joe Strummer and Woody Guthrie, Jon Caspi is experienced enough to keep a crowd's attention while touching on the themes of friendship and honor; all while toasting friends of past and present. There is nothing missing from Jon Caspi & the First Gun, nor is there anything extraneous that could get in the way of the band's message of love, and the meaning of a solid handshake.

"The band consists of very talented musicians, Jon Caspi - vocals, guitar, Doug Lane – bass, Jimmie Mizell – drums, Pete Jager – guitar, Bob Bailey-Lemansky – piano/organ, and Dez Cadena – guitars, yes Dez Cadena whose name you should know from Black Flag as well as The Misfits. Yet, there is no ego here, just a little slice of punk history in their cover song choices, and the feeling at the end of the show that everything is going to be okay. You won't meet a nicer group of people, nor should you expect less of any band who holds themselves to their own high standards. So, when you need a place to bring a date to show off your own top-shelf musical taste, don't miss Jon Caspi & the First Gun." - Doug Dresher, Asbury Park Vibes




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

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.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



Young

Young the Giant to Play Tropicana Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum selling band Young the Giant announces the In The Open 2025 Acoustic Tour. An intimate concert experience performed in beautiful spaces and venues around the country, the band will be supported by Cassandra Coleman (debut album produced by Jack Antonoff out June 6 via Warner) throughout. Locally, the tour comes to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, July 12, 2025.



West

West Windsor Arts presents Summer Music and More: Channel Collective

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts presents Channel Collective on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Dan Kassel and Friends, featuring Gregg Merkle, will open the night. This is the first of three in their free summer concert series sponsored by Site Centers. Admission is free.



Asbury

Asbury Lanes presents There, There - A Tribute to Radiohead

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Lanes presents There, There on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. They are the premier Radiohead tribute act, playing songs from throughout the band's iconic multi-decade catalogue.



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.


Frisson

Frisson Winds

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


 

Damn

Damn The Torpedoes - The Music of Tom Petty

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

There,

There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
category: music


 

Band

Band Infusion Musical Night by GG

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 



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