By Bob Makin
originally published: 10/03/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Reverb Pedal," the final of three singles from "Museum of Modern History," the brand new Mint 400 Records sophomore album from Highland Park-based San Tropez. PHOTO BY JACK LEARY
Fans of “Meddle”-era Pink Floyd will love the Highland Park-based shoegaze band San Tropez , who just dropped their sophomore LP, “Museum of Modern History,” for Mint 400 Records of North Jersey.
The cinematic, atmospheric nine-song album features its third and final single “Reverb Pedal,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Reverb Pedal” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 3 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“‘Reverb Pedal’” is the rocker off ‘Museum of Modern History’ and rips through space and time while grounded in dreams and realization of speeding to a place we’ve already been,” bassist Frank Bridges said.
The local supergroup also features Ralph Nicastro, guitars, vocals, keyboards; Albie Connelly, guitars, backing vocals; Andy Fountas, drums, and Phil Pirri, keyboards. Their collective rock ‘n’ roll resume reads like a who’s who of ‘90s New Brunswick bands and beyond: Wreaths, Aviso Hara, Sparks Fly from a Kiss, Magic Mountain, Duochrome, kiaro skuro, Angular Brothers, Stuntcocks, Urchins, The Border States.
A follow-up to the 2023 Mint 400 debut, “Maybe Tomorrow,” San Tropez’s latest album was recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park by Eric Bennett (James Sleeman, Shellshag) and mastered by Colin McCabe. Special guests include Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females), saxophonist Zack Sandler (Bobby Mahoney), and vocalist Victoria Benesch (The Slow Circuit).
San Tropez’s trilogy of singles includes the sweeping epic “Swear Off the Sunlight” and the retro-sounding “Baby Bells.”
Hear it all live when the band plays Oct. 11 at Old Franklin School House, Metuchen, with Dracu-Las and Girls on Grass; Oct. 23, Petshop, Jersey City, with The Extensions, Monte Maybe, and Johnny Nameless, Nov. 17, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, Renee Maskin & The Wilder Tides and The Slow Circuit.
Also check out San Tropez on Spotify and Apple Music.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
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.
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