New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: Whirling Dervishes “Tattooed Republican"


By Bob Makin

originally published: 01/14/2022


Two-time Makin Waves Band of the Year Whirling Dervishes are back with a Makin Waves Song of the Week, the politically satirical “Tattooed Republican” from their new LP, “From Obscurity to Oblivion.” PHOTO COURTESY OF WHIRLING DERVISHES

It fills me with glee that Whirling Dervishes — the only group to win the Makin Waves Band of the Year Award twice — have a new album out!

“From Obscurity to Oblivion”  features the equally angry and funny “Tattooed Republican,” which is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week and Year, ““Tattooed Republican” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com

In post production for 30 years and unceremoniously shelved, the nine-song “From Obscurity to Oblivion”  shows Westfield’s darkly comic alternative tunesmiths at the top of their game. A legion of local fans who just enjoyed another season of the Dervishes’ perennial holiday hit cover of “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” will delight in this unearthed treasure of a “lost album” that will invoke the memory of sweaty beer- and whiskey-soaked nights at legendary long-gone hot spots, such as the Green Parrot in Neptune, Court Tavern in New Brunswick, as well as the recently deceased Brighton Bar in Long Branch. 




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Find out more about Whirling Dervishes at https://www.facebook.com/TheDervs.

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.



Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



EVENT PREVIEWS

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Forever K-Pop - A Celebration Concert on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 7:30pm. Inspired by the worldwide K-Pop phenomenon and recent smash-hit film KPop Demon Hunters, this high-octane production brings today's biggest K-Pop hits to life on stage in a spectacle unlike anything audiences have seen in a tribute concert before.
The Folk Project

The Folk Project's Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Mike Block Trio and Lynne Hanson

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Folk Project's Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Mike Block Trio and Lynne Hanson on Friday, April 3, 2026 at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Roy

Roy's Hall presents James McMurtry

(BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- Roy's Hall presents singer-songwriter James McMurtry on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 8:00pm. He's been called "one of this generation's most unflinchingly potent and powerfully erudite recording artists" by American Songwriter.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert—Elton John & Billy Joel

State Theatre New Jersey presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert—Elton John & Billy Joel

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert—Elton John & Billy Joel on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 8:00pm. David Clark performs as Billy Joel along with Bill Connors as Elton John in a tribute show celebrating the two greatest piano men of our generation.
SOUP CAN Magazine to Celebrate Five Years With a Monumental Canniversary Event

SOUP CAN Magazine to Celebrate Five Years With a Monumental Canniversary Event

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 6:00pm, SOUP CAN Magazine will mark five years of magazine magic byhosting its annual "Canniversary" with a night engineered to feel like a main‑stage, stadium‑level celebration of the community that built it. Wild Air Beerworks will host the event, but the scale of the evening reaches far beyond the venue — this is a full‑force thank‑you to the readers, performers, and neighbors who transformed Soup Can from a DIY idea into one of New Jersey's most vibrant creative movements. In a show of collective power, the Canniversary aims to break their standing record of food donations by gathering over 1,100 pounds in a single night, all to benefit Mercy Center of Asbury Park.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents singer-songwriter Steve Forbert

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents singer-songwriter Steve Forbert

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents singer-songwriter Steve Forbert on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Limited tickets remain.
Prudential Center presents B2K and Bow Wow

Prudential Center presents B2K and Bow Wow

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Black Promoters Collective presents B2K and Bow Wow with The Boys 4 Life at The Prudential Center on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The lineup also includes Amerie, Yung Joc, Crime Mob, Franchize Boyz with special guests Pretty Ricky.
MPAC presents Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music

MPAC presents Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Coinciding with the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial, Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music, produced by Eli Wolf, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on April 9th

Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on April 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Morris Museum presents Cerus Quartet on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:00pm. Founded in 2022, the Cerus Quartet is dedicated to showcasing the dynamic and versatile sound of the saxophone quartet.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS






 

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