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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Headlights" by Renee Maskin & the Wilder Tide

By Bob Makin

originally published: 08/14/2026

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Headlights," the quasi title track from Renee Maskin & the Wilder Tide's debut EP, "In the Headlights," which they will celebrate on Aug. 15 as part of a triple release party with The Extensions and Cussing. PHOTO BY JACK SILBERT

The ever-busy Renee Maskin is on the eve of celebrating the debut EP of her band, the Wilder Tide, with a triple release party on Aug. 15 on the Baronet Rooftop of The Asbury hotel.

“Headlights,” the quasi title track of their “In the Headlights” EP, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Headlights“ also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.

Renee Maskin & the Wilder Tide also consists of drummer Eric Pierce, bassist-keyboardist-vocalist Chris Dubrow and guitarist-vocalist Joe Pellegrinelli.





 

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“Headlights” was recorded at Yung Bull Studios by Rudy Meier, as well as at the home studios of band members. Rudy also mixed the EP, while Ian Bennett mastered at Mission Control Mastering.

“The song and the EP as a whole formed organically as the band came together,” Renee said. “It is a snapshot of The Wilder Tide at its beginning, with members bringing their combined influences together with exhilaration and intensity. There’s experimentation on the recording, such as double bass, which Dubrow says, ‘should be illegal,’ and ambient textures. But overall the sound of ‘Headlights’ captures what the four of us do together in a room and on a stage.”

Lyrically, the song is introspective and dark, inspired by fragments of movie scenes and dreams, Renee said. She added that the band is excited to play the triple release party on The Baronet Rooftop that also will celebrate new outings by fellow Asbury Park bands The Extensions and CUSSING. The show is in solidarity of the internationally heralded Asbury scene and to each of the acts, Renee said.

“There’s nothing like being up on the roof, watching the sun go down over Asbury Park and hanging out with friends,” she said. “It’s always a positive vibe, we couldn't ask for a better spot to celebrate our first EP and are thrilled to be playing there.”

Known for her distinctive voice, literally and artistically, Renee is a staple of the thriving Asbury scene. Known for her prolific output of music, she has opened for a wide range of acts, including Jon Langford of Mekons, Del Amitri, and The Pretenders.

The most celebrated artist in the 27-year history of the Makin Waves Music Awards with seven, Renee also has won several Asbury Park Music Awards.

Fronting Renee Maskin & The Wilder Tide, she brings rock ‘n roll back to the foreground of her unique award-winning songwriting. Assembling Asbury Park heavy hitters Eric Pierce (Blaise, Little Vicious), Chris Dubrow (The Burns, Karma Gambit) and Joe Pelligrinelli (Midcentury, Modern Crowds) into the fold, the band combines surf rock, Americana, and experimental influences to create a sound that feels timeless and true.




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The rain date for The Baronet show is Sept. 5.

Renee & the Wilder Tide also will perform Oct. 8 at the Berkeley Backyard of The Berkeley Carteret and Nov. 7 at Wild Air Beerworks, both in Asbury, and Nov. 14 at Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Renee’s hometown of Metuchen with Asbury pals Yawn Mower. 

Solo, Renee will play Sept. 4, Committed Pig, Manasquan; Sept. 26, Asbury Park Porchfest; Oct. 11, WDVR 89.7-FM; Oct. 16, South Amboy Art Alliance; Nov. 1, Middletown Arts Center, and Nov. 6, Belmar Arts Center.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].



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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W.A.S.P.

W.A.S.P. 1984 to HEADLESS

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ

With Special Guest KK’s Priest

 

The

The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick (The Original Brad Majors)

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

Join the original "Brad Majors"—BARRY BOSTWICK—for a screening of the movie in a new 4k restoration with a live shadow cast and audience participation! Plus a memorabilia display with artifacts and an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, an after party immersive experience, and more!

 

Stop

Stop the Funeral – The Remix Featuring Kierra Sheard

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ

Stop The Funeral – The Remix is an electrifying multimedia stage production that fuses live theater, cinematic sequences, and interactive social media engagement into a fully immersive experience.

 

Sesame

Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves

There are multiple performances including:

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 2:00pm

Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ

Make unforgettable memories with your little ones at Elmo’s Got the Moves—the all-new Sesame Street Live show coming to your neighborhood!

CLICK HERE to view all remaining performances.


Popa

Popa Chubby

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

Popa Chubby has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 30 years. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has been a force  to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaved head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson," Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures.​

 

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(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Symphony Hall presents Africa on Stage, a month-long celebration of African and diaspora arts, culture, and education throughout October 2026 as a centerpiece of the venue's Centennial programming. Spanning four weeks, the festival transforms the Hall's campus into a gathering place for film, fashion, beauty, live music, and community learning, culminating in FELA! The Concert, a one-night-only performance in the historic Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 7:00pm.

JAMTOBERFEST

JAMTOBERFEST '26 to Take Place in Flanders on October 3rd

(ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- As summer winds down and the warm, crisp air of autumn arrives, New Jersey music fans will have one more chance to gather outdoors for a full day of live jam-band music, food, dancing and community. JAMTOBERFEST '26 takes place Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Swim & Sport Club in Flanders, NJ. Gates open at 12:00pm, with music beginning at 1:00pm.

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick on October 3rd

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick on October 3rd

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick (The Original Brad Majors) on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 7:30pm. A VIP meet & greet with Barry Bostwick as well as tickets to The Rocky Horror After-Party are available. Regular event tickets start at $34.

Jersey City Theater Center presents "Miss Bellas" on October 3rd

Jersey City Theater Center presents "Miss Bellas" on October 3rd

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center presents Miss Bellas on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at White Eagle Hall. It is a 60–75 minute original music-theater work that explores fame, class division, cultural erasure, and moral responsibility. Showtime is 7:30pm.

Join the Fun at Illumination 250: The Largest Interactive Public Arts Festival in Bergen County

Join the Fun at Illumination 250: The Largest Interactive Public Arts Festival in Bergen County

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) announces Illumination 250, a full-day regional cultural arts celebration observing America's Semiquincentennial anniversary, will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026 in Hackensack. Bring the family, friends, and neighbors to the largest free public, interactive festival in North Jersey open to all ages. In the event of severe inclement weather, the festival will take place the following weekend on Saturday, October 10.

Brick Library to present "Garden State Homegrown: A Tribute to New Jersey Musicians" on October 3rd

Brick Library to present "Garden State Homegrown: A Tribute to New Jersey Musicians" on October 3rd

(BRICK, NJ) -- New Jersey has been the home to many musicians who made it big. Join Gerard and Diane Barros for "Garden State Homegrown: A Tribute to New Jersey Musicians" on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 2:00pm.

Curate NJ presents - A Lifetime: Year 50 with Michael DiMaio

Curate NJ presents - A Lifetime: Year 50 with Michael DiMaio

(RARITAN, NJ) -- Curate NJ presents an exhibition of work by artist Michael DiMaio, celebrating his 50th year and marking an important milestone: his first-ever solo show. The show runs throughout the months of October and November with an opening on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

"Bill W. and Dr. Bob" Play Brings Story of Alcoholics Anonymous to StocktonPAC on October 3rd

"Bill W. and Dr. Bob" Play Brings Story of Alcoholics Anonymous to StocktonPAC on October 3rd

(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Bill W. and Dr. Bob, a play detailing the inspirational true story that led to the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous, will be presented at the Stockton University Performing Arts Center on October 3, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Westfield Community Players presents "Morning

Westfield Community Players presents "Morning's at Seven"

(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents Morning's at Seven across three weekends from October 3-18, 2026. An American classic written by Paul Osborn, Morning's at Seven centers around four aging sisters and their families living in a small Midwestern town in the late 1930's.

Music Box at the Borgata presents Micky Dolenz - 60 Years of The Monkees

Music Box at the Borgata presents Micky Dolenz - 60 Years of The Monkees

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents Micky Dolenz - 60 Years of The Monkees on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm.