Jon Caspi released his first solo album in 17 years on October 2, 2026 - a 5-song EP called eons of evolution. It is available on all streaming platforms. The New Jersey-based singer-songwriter, and frontman for the well-known heartland rock, indie, punk and Americana band, Jon Caspi & The First Gun took a unique approach to this release. This past summer, he recorded the songs in basement studio, where he played all the instruments. Unlike other recordings where each musician makes multiple attempts to lay down seamless or near-perfect track, Caspi says he only used only his first takes.
He said, “I wasn’t going for perfection, I was just trying to capture the moment. The songs are far from refined, but I really like how they came out. There’s an authenticity to it.”
The album title, eons of evolution, was taken from the EP’s lead-off song, “Alone In My Hot Tub.” Caspi said he was sitting in a hot tub and looking up at the sky. “I saw hundreds of stars and it made me ask myself if this the culmination and purpose of evolution; to be able to sit in hot water contemplating the meaning of human existence. It’s pretty absurd and also quite funny.” The track “Can’t Hug a Cactus” has quickly become a fan favorite with folks describing the track as sounding similar to a Pavement/ Wilco mashup.
You can stream the EP, eons of evolution, HERE.
Caspi is also releasing another EP on October 23rd with his band, Jon Caspi & The First Gun. The 4-track EP, called Heartland introduces a new song called, “Irreplaceable” in which he shares the vocals with Nashville artist and Jimmy Buffet band leader, Will Kimbrough (Will & The Bushmen). The collection includes 3 previously released, but remastered, tracks.
Caspi will soon be announcing this release and the third installment of the Airport Plaza EP series, which will culminate in a vinyl release in 2027, and will include collaborations with Jesse Malin, Dez Cadena (Black Flag/Misfits), Peter Holsapple (The dB’s/REM), Dan Bern, Tommy Womack, Travis Shettel (Piebald) and many others. Caspi will announce updates on his and the band’s social media pages and their website, JonCaspi.com.
Caspi will be playing with his band, The First Gun, to celebrate the release of their Heartland EP, on Sunday, October 25th, from 2:00pm-5:00pm, at Ghost Hawk Brewing in Clifton, NJ. They will be part of a lineup that includes Bobby Mahoney and Graveyard Ghost Story. Admission is free.
Jon Caspi has been a longstanding figure in the indie, alternative and punk scenes, most notably with his band Jon Caspi & The First Gun. In the late 80’s he fronted the indie/new wave band, Bouncing Off Bob, which reached #68 on the college radio Top 100 charts. In 2005, he released his first solo album, This Town, instantly putting him back on the musical map, selling thousands of copies after the single Down In It quickly gained radio play on 200 stations across the country. But it was the title track that took off and made Caspi a well-known presence in NJ, and culminating in perhaps his favorite tribute: a sandwich named after him by the town diner.
His third solo effort, Eddie Knows!, was a music novel; each song a chapter of the tale) & converted into a multimedia Broadway-style stage show with two sold-out performances at Asbury Park's Showroom Theater. 2011 saw the start of his work with Jon Caspi & The First Gun. Their 2nd release in 2013 spawned another fan favorite, Raise ‘Em High! - a barroom Hooligan sing- along, which has become his most recognized song, and is now a cult hit in his home state of NJ. As a result of the track’s success, a second version of the song was released with Jesse Malin joining Caspi on lead vocals, and Dez Cadena (Black Flag/Misfits) on guitar.
In 2026, Caspi won the category of “EP of the Year” (for The First Gun’s, Airport Plaza II), and runner-up “Songwriter of the Year” by Elephant Talk Indie in Atlantic City, NJ.
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.
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Wednesday, October 07, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 6:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ
