New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

​​​​​​​Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Gibraltar" by Defecting Grey


By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/18/2025

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Gibraltar,” the first single and video from Central Jersey trio Defecting Grey’s latest EP, “Circuits.”

​​​​​​​Each year-end coverage of Makin Waves features "The Dirty Jersey Dozen," a list of the 12 indie Jersey music acts that made the most waves. Two bands that likely would be on the all-time Dirty Jersey list are Gigantic, a Jersey Shore trio inspired by the primal pop of The Pixies and Nirvana, and Alternative Tentacles recording act Buzzkill, also a trio from the days when New Brunswick was the state's best music scene.

For the past few years, as well as an LP and three EPs, Defecting Grey has featured former members of both bands, as well as the fellow local super group Buzzed Meg.

Picking up where Gigantic and Buzzkill left off is “Gibraltar,” a slice from the primal pop pie that will give Husker Du fans a head rush. Culled from Defecting Grey’s latest EP, “Circuits,” the powerful tune is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Gibraltar” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 18 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.




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



Respectively on guitar and bass, brothers CJ and Vince Grogan include on their collective resume Gigantic, The Phantom Five, The Grievous Angels, and Buzzed  Meg, featuring members of The Smithereens and The Grip Weeds. On the skins is Buzzkill/Atom Driver drummer Mike Polilli.

Together since 2017, Defecting Grey also harness the melodic power of such alt-rock pioneers as The Minutemen, The Jam and Mission of Burma. They take their name from the 1968 hit by The Pretty Things.

In addition to the raucous, poppy garage-punk of “Gibraltar,” the six-song “Circuits” includes the country-tinged “Blind Country,” the super-charged “Backwards Ghost,” the haunting jangle of “Low Status Sound,” and the driving power-pop of “Flat Earth Theory” and the title track.

Expect summer live shows to be announced soon, and in the meantime, enjoy the rest of “Circuits,” as well as the trio’s other releases at https://defectinggrey.bandcamp.com/community.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].



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




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Blowupradio.com

Blowupradio.com Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Supersized Annual Benefit Webathon For The Spondylitis Association Of America

(SOUTH AMBOY, NJ) -- New Jersey internet radio station BlowUpRadio.com - Where NJ Rock Lives, announces its 18th annual Banding Together Webathon to benefit the Spondylitis Association Of America. Taking place for a full week, Thursday October 16 through Wednesday October 22, 2025, on their internet radio station. Ninety acts from New Jersey and all over the globe will perform half hour performances, as they raise money to fund research and provide the programs and services to help the community suffering from this debilitating disease.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Hanson

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Hanson on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. Over their first 28 years as the band Hanson, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have made a significant mark in music.



Monmouth

Monmouth String Quartet presents Stranger Strings: A Ghostlight Concert

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth String Quartet presents Stranger Strings: A Ghostlight Concert at The Whitechapel Projects on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Step into the shadows this Halloween and experience the eerie beauty of music like never before. Performances take place at 6:00pm & 8:00pm.



The

The Levoy Theatre presents Phil Vassar

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Phil Vassar - 25 Years of Paradise on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. He's celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit "Just Another Day in Paradise" with this tour.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Shaun Cassidy

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Shaun Cassidy will bring his The Road to Us tour to The Newton Theatre on Friday, October 24, 2025. Cassidy is an American writer, producer, actor and singer. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 8:00pm.





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.


Aaron

Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners: American As It Gets Tour

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

New

New Jersey Symphony: Disney’s Fantasia in Concert

Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Classical

Classical Season Celebration

Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Hanson

Hanson

Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

An

An Intimate Evening with Priscilla Presley

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music