By Bob Makin
originally published: 11/04/2022
Off their new EP, “Raise ‘Em High & Other Delights,” Jon Caspi & the First Gun’s latest single, the record’s quasi-title track, features punk greats Jesse Malin on vocals and Dez Cadena on guitar. The raucous singalong is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. Pictured are Jesse, left, and Jon, right.
Jersey Shore punk-Americana rock outfit Jon Caspi & The First Gun’s new 5-song EP, “Raise 'Em High! & Other Delights” on Fake Chapter Records, includes a new version of fan favorite “Raise ‘Em High!”, featuring punk greats Jesse Malin on vocals and Dez Cadena (Black Flag, The Misfits) on guitar.
Fittingly, “Raise ‘Em High” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Raise ‘Em High” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you also can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.
The single was released last month alongside a special-made beer of the same name by New Jersey’s Alternate Ending Beer Co., proclaimed by Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini to be the official beer of Aberdeen Day.
“I'm blown away by all the momentum behind the song,” Jon said. “We originally released the first version in 2013, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Now we have this new release with Jesse and Dez and a label and even a Raise 'Em High! Beer with our band name on it. It’s crazy!
“In October of 1988, my band, Bouncing Off Bob, reached No. 75 on the CMJ Top 100 college radio charts,” he continued. “It was an exciting time. It's hard to believe that almost exactly 34 years later, I'll be embarking on the same journey as we begin a national radio campaign. I feel extremely lucky to have this opportunity again, especially at my age when these things don't typically happen. I am so grateful that our song ‘Raise 'Em High!’ continues to be so well-received, and that it keeps opening new doors for us. Can't wait to see what happens when this one opens!“
Dez has been recording and touring with the band on and off since 2017. The First Gun includes guitarist Pete Jager, bassist Doug Lane, drummer Jimmie Mizell and keyboardist Bob Bailey-Lemansky, the namesake of Bouncing Off Bob.
“Other Delights” includes “Last Ride Home,” a reflection upon the passing of Jon’s father.
You can hear the whole EP live when Jon Caspi & the First Gun play Dec. 16, The Fire, Philadelphia; Feb. 4, Bar Freda, NYC, and Feb. 18, Pino’s, Highland Park. Jon also will play a solo set Nov. 13 , at Zion Lutheran Church Social Hall, Rahway. The show is a benefit for WHYHunger Year also featuring Joe D’Urso.
For more info, visit https://linktr.ee/thefirstgun.
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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