The seminal New Jersey rock ‘n’ roll band The Feelies will celebrate their 50th anniversary on May 22 and 23 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. Pictured from left to right are drummer Stan Demeski, percussionist Dave Weckerman, bassist Brenda Sauter, singer-songwriter-guitarist Glenn Mercer and songwriter-guitarist Bill Million. Photo by Fumie Ishii, courtesy of Barnone Records.
If ever an act should be in the New Jersey Hall of Fame, it's The Feelies, whose influence on the Hoboken music scene throughout the 1980s is seminal, as well as on such bands as R.E.M., Horse Girl and fellow North Jersey alt-rockers Real Estate.
The iconic indie rock and post-punk band from Haledon formed in 1976 by the band’s songwriters, vocalist-guitarist Glenn Mercer and guitarist Bill Million. They first made waves in the New York underground scene by being named Best Indie Band in New York by The Village Voice in 1978. Their acclaimed and highly influential 1980 debut LP, “Crazy Rhythms,” on Stiff Records is a cult classic of post-punk and jangle pop, built on jangly guitars, tight rhythms, and a unique sound that influenced R.E.M.
Over the years, The Feelies evolved while staying true to their style, releasing great albums like “The Good Earth,” the band’s sophomore LP, as well as “Only Life” and “Time for a Witness.” All were key records in alternative rock and indie music history thanks partly to Hoboken-based label Coyote Records, which released or co-released all three.
Reunited in 2008 after a 17-year hiatus, The Feelies picked up right where they left off. Still performing and recording today, The Feelies continue to do what they’ve always done best: blending indie rock, post-punk energy, and jangle pop melodies with a warm, understated approach. In 2009, Hoboken-based BarNone Records reissued “Crazy Rhythms” and “The Good Earth,” and in 2016, reissued “Only Life” and “Time for a Witness.” BarNone also released The Feelies three latest albums: 2011’s “Here Before,” 2017’s “In Between” and last year’s cover collection “Rewind.”
On May 22 and 23, The Feelies will celebrate their 50th anniversary at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. The evenings respectively will include a performance of “Crazy Rhythms” and “The Good Earth” in their entireties.
Another special upcoming live show is May 20 when Glenn will perform with Richard Barone of Feelies contemporaries The Bongos. Their 1970s covers act Hazy Cosmic Vibe will be at Avenel Performing Arts Center in the Avenel section of Woodbridge. Also featuring The Feelies’ Dave Weckerman and Slambovian Circus of Dreams bassist Bob Torsello, Hazy Cosmic Vibe features songs by David Bowie, Roxy Music, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and T.Rex.
I spoke with Glenn about these meaningful shows, as well as The Feelies’ rich history and fabulous future. Enjoy!
When you, Bill and Dave founded The Feelies in 1976, how long did you think the band would stay together?
I don’t think any one of us thought about the long term in regards to the future of the band, other than getting the next gig booked. It was very much day-to-day.
How does it feel to still be together 50 years later?
There’s a level of comfort that extends into the process of nonverbal communication. A big part of playing music is instinctual, and that gets stronger over time. I’m very grateful to be a part of this.
Why and how have The Feelies endured for 50 years?
We haven’t been performing on a regular basis for that entire length of time. We’ve taken breaks from it a few times, and we pace ourselves so we don’t get burned out. The fact that our records keep getting discovered by a younger audience has been a big factor, and the Internet has played a part in that.
What are you looking forward to most about The Feelies’ upcoming 50th anniversary shows and why?
It will be a great chance to see a lot of people I haven’t seen recently. And, a good opportunity to play some songs we haven’t done in a while, and a few we haven’t ever done before.
Since you’ll be performing ‘Crazy Rhythms’ and ‘The Good Earth,’ will any of the former members of The Feelies be joining the band at the anniversary shows?
The line up from the Good Earth has been in place since that record came out. As far as the Crazy Rhythms line up, Anton passed away a few years ago. He surely would have been invited. We are planning to invite guests, but we won’t say who they are prior to the show.
What do you think of White Eagle Hall and why?
I like the venue, primarily because of its proximity to my house and also because it’s comfortable and fairly low key. And we know Todd (Abramson), who booked Maxwell’s for a time.
Is there still a Hoboken music scene and are The Feelies still a part of it?
I wouldn’t call it a scene, but a lot of friendships were formed there and many of them are still going strong. It’s kind of like: ‘once a Hoboken musician, always a Hoboken musician.’
The Feelies will celebrate their 50th anniversary on May 22 and 23 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARNONE RECORDS
Do any of The Feelies still live in New Jersey, particularly Haledon?
Three of us still live here. Stan is in Haledon. I live in North Haledon and Dave is in Wayne.
Do you remember how it felt to be named the best indie band in New York by the Village Voice?
It was very exciting. We knew when we did the photo shoot that we were going to get some exposure, but we didn’t know we were chosen to be on the cover until the morning when it came out. That feeling was tempered somewhat when we quickly received some resentment from a few other bands.
One of you and Bill’s biggest influences is Lou Reed, especially Velvet Underground. What did you enjoy most about working with Lou Reed?
We were fortunate to meet and get to play with him on stage a few times and to be the support act on the ‘New York’ LP tour. It was all fun, but the best part was playing onstage with him.
REM has said that The Feelies were an influence on them. What other bands have The Feelies influenced and how?
I’ve heard that Horse Girl are fans of ‘Crazy Rhythms,’ and Real Estate, who used live near here.
The Feelies’ home away from home has been Maxwell’s throughout your mutual history. What do you miss most about Maxwell’s and why?
Mostly, just the vibe. There’s nothing in particular about the club other than the people who went there – the regulars.
Have you ever eaten at the seafood restaurant that’s in the spot where Maxwell’s used to be?
No.
What did you enjoy most about working with Steve Fallon and why?
Steve was always very enthusiastic and empathetic and gave us some good advice along the way. He’s a dear friend.
What do you like most about BarNone Records and why?
It was run, until recently, by Glenn Morrow, who we’ve known for a long, long time. He’s also a good friend.
Are The Feelies working on a follow-up to your 2025 album, ‘Rewind’?
We’ve talked about maybe doing a Willies album, including some stuff Bill and I did for the ‘Smithereens’ movie. We also did some scoring recently that we might use, or perhaps and combo Feelies/Willies LP.
When and how was the first time you performed with Richard Barone?
Richard contacted us shortly after our first single came out on Rough Trade, when he was starting up with the Bongos. We hit it off and soon invited them to open for us. At that show, Richard sat in with us for our set. That was in 1980.
What do enjoy most about performing with Richard and why?
When the Velvet Underground exhibit was staged in New York, The Feelies were invited to perform, and the curator also invited Richard and I to perform together at the exhibit. We decided to play songs by bands who were influenced by the VU. Those included Roxy Music, Bowie, Eno and Lou Reed’s post-Velvet solo work. This led to us to forming Hazy Cosmic Jive, which plays some of our favorite material from that time period, including T Rex and Iggy Pop. Dave plays drums with us.
Richard brings a lot of energy to the stage, and I love singing with him, both back-and-forth and in harmony, and our guitars mesh well. The shows are very nostalgic for me because Dave and I first played together, pre-Feelies, in a cover band that played a lot of these songs.
Do Hazy Cosmic Jive have any recordings or plan to?
We have an LP coming out soon. A limited-edition vinyl LP with one side studio and the other side live. It’s coming out on Pine Hill Records.
Besides Hazy Cosmic Jive, do you or anyone else in The Feelies have any solo or side projects coming up?
We’re usually doing something, but nothing to announce just now.
Do any of The Feelies side projects, like The Trypes and Speed the Plough, remain active?
We’ve done a few Willies shows in recent years. And, Dave and I still get together with Wake Ooloo on a regular basis, although we don’t play gigs or record. So, that’s about it for now.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
