New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Costume Party" by The Successful Failures


By Bob Makin

originally published: 10/11/2024

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Costume Party,” the first single from “Sublime Enemy,” Chesterfield-based The Successful Failures’ 11th LP in 19 years.

After 44 years writing about music, I can tell you that most of the best-known bands didn’t last long enough to release 11 albums. But with their brand new 12-song outing, “Enemy Sublime,” Chesterfield-based The Successful Failures have.

Just in time for Halloween, the LP’s first single, “Costume Party,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Costume Party” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 11, on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

Here are a few of amazing stats about this fantastic indie-sounding roots-rock band, who sound like a cross between The Rolling Stones, The Replacements and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. The Successful Failures have been together 19 years. “Enemy Sublime” is their 11th full-length album and sixth since 2017 with the same lineup: founding singer-songwriter-guitarist Mick Chorba, drummer Rob Martin, bassist Ron Bechamps and lead guitarist Pete Smith.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Recorded at Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, the album was mixed in Brooklyn by Travis Harrison (Guided By Voices/Built To Spill).

"Costume Party" is featured as one of the “Coolest Songs in the World" on “Little Steven's Underground Garage” show on SiriusXM radio and is receiving more and more airplay throughout the world.

The album’s subsequent singles are “Worried All The Time” and “Love You Although.”

Hear them live when The Successful Failures play “Enemy Sublime” in its entirety on Oct. 11 at Revilla Grooves in Milltown. They also will play Oct. 19, Screamin’ Hill Brewery, Upper Freehold (2 p.m.) and Spellbound Brewing 10-Year Anniversary Party, Mount Holly (7 p.m.); Oct. 26, Randy Now’s Mancave, Hightstown; Nov. 1, HOB Tavern, Bordentown; Nov. 22, Record Museum, Berlin Township, and Nov. 23, Laurita Winery, New Egypt section of Plumsted Township. As a duo, The Successful Failures will play on Oct. 25 at Bent Iron Brewing Co. in Hamilton. Mick also will play solo on Oct. 13 at the Albert Music Hall Hootenanny in the Waretown section of Ocean Township in Ocean County.

For more, visit https://thesuccessfulfailures.com. Also, Mick has a really great blog largely about music at https://mickchorba.substack.com/.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



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.


Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts: Best of Hans Zimmer

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

NBPAC

NBPAC presents 70s vs. 80s: A Musical Battle

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Beetlejuice,

Beetlejuice, Jr.

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 

Bees

Bees Deluxe; Opening- Twisted Livin' Band

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Beetlejuice,

Beetlejuice, Jr.

Sunday, March 23, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Blackmore's Night

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Blackmore's Night on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 8:00pm.  The band features Ritchie Blackmore (legendary guitarist formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow) and award-winning vocalist Candice Night.



Capital

Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven

(TRENTON, NJ) -- The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Showtime is 7:30pm.



On Banjo

'On Banjo' with Alison Brown

There was a time when I would have told you that my knowledge of the banjo was limited to whom I considered one of the most famous banjo players, who also happens to be my favorite musical amphibian, Mr. Kermit The Frog. "The Rainbow Connection" a la "The Muppet Movie" as performed by the little green dude, the world's greatest producer, was my first introduction to the string instrument and will forever hold a special place in my heart.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Last Encores

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an unforgettable evening featuring the legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, set to grace the stage on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 8:00pm. With his iconic and mesmerizing falsetto that has captivated audiences for decades, Frankie Valli will take audiences on a nostalgic journey through his most beloved hits.



A.R.

A.R. Rahman to perform at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Internationally acclaimed and award-winning composer/songwriter and superstar recording artist A.R. Rahman is bringing his new immersive live concert experience, The Wonderment Tour, to audiences across North America. The 16-date tour makes a stop at the Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, August 16, 2025.