New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Sailing with Yächtley Crëw


By Bob Makin

originally published: 04/25/2022


Los Angeles area-based yacht rock band Yächtley Crëw have set sail on their 2022 Anchors Up Tour and will perform May 2, Sony Hall, New York City; May 5, URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, Carteret, and May 6, Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City. Known as “The Titans of Soft Rock,” Yachtley Crew encapsulate the feel-good, chart-topping soft rock hits of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Gushy love songs, whaling saxophone solos and memorable hooks will have you unabashedly singing along and donning a captain’s hat of your own as you’re taken on a trip down memory lane.

Yächtley Crëw perform timeless hits by Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Christopher Cross, Toto, Bee Gees, Hall & Oates, Styx and more! As evidenced during a residency at L.A.’s legendary Viper Room, the summer breezy band bring fun and showmanship to their performances while entertaining younger and older audience members alike. Whether you’re hearing these songs for the first time or remember singing along with them on your AM radio, you will love the look of their thematic nautical suits and highly entertaining choreography. 

Yet, fear not, ye fans of hard rock. The band’s name was inspired by none other than the infamous L.A. outfit Motley Crue.  Please enjoy the following chat with vocalist Philly Ocean and drummer Sailor Hawkins. 

What is it about Yacht Rock that is so appealing to the band members and their audience?

It’s impossible not to sing along and feel good when you hear this music. There’s so much nostalgia linked to these songs, and so many memories. They’re iconic, and known throughout the world. And they are really good songs! One of the best parts about what we do is seeing two hours of smiles on our audience.




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



 

Did you enjoy this kind of music as a kid or did you gravitate to it when you got older? 

Both. Every single band member has childhood memories of these songs, cruising in the car with the windows down on a hot summer night. But the really cool thing has been to rediscover this music all over again as adults, and to endeavor to play it like the original recording. Again, this music is feel good and timeless. It makes it easy to fall in love with this music all over again. 

 

For those who haven’t experienced it yet, what is the best part of a Yachtley Crew concert? 

It’s not just a concert, it’s a show. As much as we love Yacht Rock, we love performing just as much. We bring that love to every single gig that we play, and we have a blast doing it. We think that the best part about a Yachtley Crew concert is that everyone is a part of it. People show up wearing captain’s hats and sailor outfits. They come ready to dance and sing and party, and they leave having had one of the most fun nights of their life. 

Out of all the songs within your repertoire, which do you like to perform most and why?




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



We are gonna have to go with ‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song)’ on this one. Every single time we play this song, the crowd loses their minds and sings along. It’s the best. 

 

Have you gotten any feedback from any of the acts you cover?

We actually have! Peter Beckett -- the voice of Player -- has joined us onstage a few times to perform his classic, ‘Baby Come Back.’ Also, Elliot Lurie -- voice of Looking Glass -- has sat in with us too to sing his hit song, ‘Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).’

How did Yachtley Crew band together and get its name? 

Like many great things, Yachtley Crew was born in a hot tub over a cold beer. Our founders, Baba Buoy (bass) and Sailor Hawkins (drums) have been lifelong friends and musicians, and carefully assembled the band over a year of jam sessions to ensure just the right chemistry. Now we are one big happy Yacht Rock family who love the genre just as much as our fans. The name Yachtley Crew is a nod to our love of hard rock, Motley Crue, and we like to think that we add just a little bit of “oomph” to the soft rock hits we play.

 

The band recently renamed the drummer Sailor Hawkins in honor of the recently deceased Taylor Hawkins, and also in honor of him, you’re covering Foo Fighters’ ‘Hero,’ which also isn’t yacht rock. Why is it important to Yachtley Crew to honor Taylor in this way? 

Actually, Sailor Hawkins has always been his name. The Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins has always been a hero to us, and we felt it appropriate to honor him after his untimely passing. 

What’s the most nautical experience the band has had? 




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



Our most nautical experience ever is probably getting ferried out to Catalina Island to play at their Buccaneer Days event. Such a blast! Everyone dressed as captains and pirates marooned on an island for a weekend.

 

Bob Makin has produced the Makin Waves music column since 1988. For more about Makin Waves, visit facebook.com/makinwavescolumn



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.

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Shemekia

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland will give a free performance as part of Tony Mart's Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series at the Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Showtime is 7:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
 



A

A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

Straight No Chaser is bringing its Summer: The '90s Part 2 Tour to State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The nine-member a cappella group originated in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington and has gone on to sell three million albums, earn two gold records, and amass over 1 billion streams on Pandora.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



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.


Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music