L to R: Bob Bailey-Lemansky (keys), Jimmie Mizell (drums), Pete Jager (guitar), Jon Caspi (vocals). Doug Lane (bass) is not visible]
Jon Caspi & The First Gun announce a new EP that will come out on Friday, September 26th on all streaming platforms. It features legendary singer- songwriter and renaissance artist, Dan Bern and other special guest performers. The New Jersey heartland rock, indie, punk and Americana band are taking the unique approach of releasing three separate EP’s, spaced a few months apart and culminating in a full-length vinyl 12”, expected in early 2026, entitled Airport Plaza.
The band recently took the innovative approach of releasing a track called, New Record, to announce the new album. The track is both a song and a promotional. “What better way is there to announce new music, than with new music?” asks the band’s keyboard player, Bob Bailey-Lemansky. The First Gun’s lead guitarist, Pete Jager adds, “It’s a promo but it’s also a complete song, a single, and a hooky one at that.” The band put out a call on social media asking for fans to submit video clips of themselves with their favorite vinyl. The video was recently released and reveals the band’s new album cover. “The video is a lot of fun to watch and is all good vibes, much needed in this crazy world,” states Caspi.
To celebrate the release of the EP, the band is having a performance and pizza party on Sunday, September 28th, from 2:00pm-5:00pm. It is taking place at North Shore School of Music (formerly Absolute Music) in Hazlet, NJ, which recently opened its doors, and is located at 3253 Route 35. Admission is free, it’s BYOB, and all ages are welcome. For more, visit the FB event page here.
Other upcoming performance dates are also Sunday afternoons and include The Stafford Twp Fallfest at Manahawkin Lake III, on October 12th at 2:00pm, and Ghost Hawk Brewery on October 26th at 4:00pm, in Clifton, NJ.
Jon Caspi & The First Gun are a multi-genre band, from heartland rock to punk, indie, Americana, anthem, and even folk - they do it all. Lead vocalist and songwriter, Jon Caspi has been a longstanding figure in the NJ music scene. In the late 80’s he fronted the new wave band Bouncing Off Bob, which charted on the national college radio CMJ Top 100. He started as a solo artist in the early 2000’s with the release of three albums, which received national radio play and one was converted into a musical theater production with sold out shows. His song This Town, about the town of Keyport, NJ, became a town “hit” resulting in the local diner naming a sandwich after him, called “The Caspi Special.”
In 2011, Caspi started revisiting his punk and American anthem roots with his band Jon Caspi & The First Gun. One of the band's notable achievements came in the form of a barroom, hooligan, singalong and fan favorite, Raise ‘Em High! This song has become a cult hit in his home state of New Jersey. Legendary WFMU DJ, Jonesey, spins the song every Sunday as part of his official “2pm Toast.” In 2022, they recorded a new version of the song with Jonesey listener and NYC music icon, Jesse Malin (D Generation), who sings on it. Dez Cadena (Black Flag, Misfits), who was a member of The First Gun from 2017-2022 is also featured on the track. A local brewery also released a beer, inspired by the track and called Raise Em High!
In 2025, Jon Caspi & The First Gun as winner in the category of “Best Live Act” by Elephant Talk Indie in Atlantic City, NJ. Also nominated for “Best Drummer” is The First Gun’s, Jimmie Mizell (for the second time). The band is currently releasing three EP’s, a few months apart, in which almost every track includes a special artist. Guest artists are almost all known nationally touring acts. The first EP is out September 26, 2025. A full-length vinyl is expected early 2026.
A compelling live artist and storyteller, Caspi, performs both with band and solo acoustic and has shared the stage with acts such as Bruce Springsteen, The Psychedelic Furs, The Gaslight Anthem, Glenn Tillbrook (Squeeze), The Smithereens, ~X~, Dramarama, Willie Nile, Jeffrey Gaines, Jesse Malin, The Dickies, Adolescents, The Wallflowers, & many more.
