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.




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



 

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?




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



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? 




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



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

Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90's Part 2

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- After a totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser is back by popular demand with "Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2." The tour comes to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Thursday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00pm.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



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.


Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 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

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music