"New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s" by Michael Gilligan

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"New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s" by Michael Gilligan

new book shows Jersey music history goes beyond Bruce and Bon Jovi

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/07/2026

Between 1980 and 2010, Garden State music transformed from the soul-infused "Jersey Sound" into a worldwide powerhouse for stadium rock, indie rock, thrash metal, and hardcore. From the bars of the Shore to the basements of New Brunswick, thousands of bands emerged. New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s by Michael Gilligan. tries to list them all!

Global icons like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Blues Traveler, and My Chemical Romance and underground legends like Overkill, Adrenalin O.D., the Wrens, and everything in between—it's all here. No act is too small, and no scene is left behind. Supported by a curated collective of guest writers, Michael Gilligan navigates this chaotic journey with humor and insider perspective and offers the ultimate tribute to the great state of New Jersey.

The book is published by Arcadia Publishing as part of their The History Press imprint. It retails for $24.99 and will be available for purchase online. The official release date is October 27, 2026. ISBN: 9781467172653

Michael Gilligan is a thirty-year veteran of the music industry. In 1996, he founded Fake Chapter Records in Maywood, New Jersey, evolving a DIY start-up into a global indie mainstay with a catalog of over 80 releases. His eclectic roster includes bands Arms and Sleepers, Green To Think, and The Nuclears to international acts like The Bright Road (Canada), Miles Hunt (UK’s The Wonder Stuff) and DMBQ (Japan), as well as celebrated ventures into children’s music and singer/songwriters.

Arcadia Publishing is the nation’s leading publisher of books of local nonfiction and rarely explored pockets of history. Our mission is to connect people with their past, with their communities and with one another. Arcadia has a catalog of thousands of titles exploring the story of America one city, state, or county at a time.

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A Beat of Our Own

There are multiple performances including:

Wednesday, October 07, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes A Beat of Our Own — a brand-new musical comedy that pulls you straight into the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors and raw energy of competitive bhangra dance.

CLICK HERE to view all remaining performances.

Tom

Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. He is a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and late-night TV shows.

The

The Moth Mainstage

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

It’s a completely singular experience to be in the room and watch real people take the mic and share unforgettable stories from their own lives.

An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 6:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

Join us for our third annual Flight Night: An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center!

Vivid

Vivid Stage presents B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle’s Nice Geriatric Orgy)

There are multiple performances including:

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Oakes Center
Summit, NJ

Barb desperately needs friends. That’s why she moved to this 55+ community in the first place. So what better way to meet new people than to join a good old fashioned Bingo Night? When Bingo Night turns into a full-blown orgy, Barb must decide: does she stay in her safe, predictable world? Or does she play a new game of chance and truly live before it’s too late?

CLICK HERE to view all remaining performances.

ADVANCED EVENTS

To search for a single date, choose the same starting and ending date.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Bisa Butler and Grammy-winner Durand Bernarr to Headline 2026 Newark Arts Festival

Bisa Butler and Grammy-winner Durand Bernarr to Headline 2026 Newark Arts Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) -- World-renowned artist Bisa Butler and Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr will headline the 2026 Newark Arts Festival, returning October 7–11 for five days of exhibitions, music, performance, artist conversations, family programming, open studios and late-night arts experiences across Newark.

Surflight Theatre presents "Deceived"

Surflight Theatre presents "Deceived"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Deceived from October 7-11, 2026. Based on the original play, Gaslight, by Patrick Hamilton, Deceived is a psychological thriller that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.

Dandy

Dandy's World Gardenview Experience is coming to American Dream

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream, the premier entertainment and retail destination, continues to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to life, with its latest offering, Dandy's World Gardenview Experience, set to debut this fall. The first-of-its-kind activation for the Dandy's World IP, an extremely popular all-ages survival-horror experience on Roblox will take place at American Dream from October 7 through November 1, 2026, highlighting a festive American Scream calendar.

Spotlight Players presents "Murder at Blackwood Manor" - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on October 7th

Spotlight Players presents "Murder at Blackwood Manor" - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on October 7th

(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Spotlight Players presents Murder at Blackwood Manor - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on Friday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. There’s been a murder at Blackwood Manor... and everyone is a suspect. Join them for an interactive evening of murder, mystery, suspicious characters, hidden clues and some delightfully questionable behavior, all to support Spotlight Players and their upcoming productions.

Four Great Concerts Coming to MPAC This Fall

Four Great Concerts Coming to MPAC This Fall

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- This fall, four acts that defined the sound of the 80s, 90s and beyond take the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) stage this Fall. Four concerts, four different genres, but one common theme: enduring music, performed live and as powerful as ever. Toad the Wet Sprocket strips their alt-rock radio staples down to an intimate acoustic set. The Mavericks come together for a heartfelt tribute to the late Raul Maolo, the voice behind their legendary sound. Geoff Tate, the voice of Queensryche, performs the progressive metal landmark Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety. And 10,000 Maniacs continue to deliver the poetic, lush songs that took them from college-radio royalty to the top of the charts.

"New Jersey Rock: Bands of the

"New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s" by Michael Gilligan

Between 1980 and 2010, Garden State music transformed from the soul-infused "Jersey Sound" into a worldwide powerhouse for stadium rock, indie rock, thrash metal, and hardcore. From the bars of the Shore to the basements of New Brunswick, thousands of bands emerged. New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s by Michael Gilligan. tries to list them all!

East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Martians are coming... to New Jersey! East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast from October 8 to November 1, 2026. The play was adapted by Joe Landry from the novel by H.G. Wells. It was inspired by and including the Mercury Theater on the Air's infamous 1938 radio play.

Vivid Stage presents "B.I.N.G.O" in October

Vivid Stage presents "B.I.N.G.O" in October

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a new comedy from October 8-18, 2026 - B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle's Nice Geriatric Orgy) by Erin Mallon. In this workshop production, we meet Barb, who desperately needs friends, who has moved into a 55+ community.

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage: TIGHTROPE on October 8th

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage: TIGHTROPE on October 8th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage: TIGHTROPE on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. The Mainstage tour is The Moth's signature live show, featuring a carefully curated lineup of tellers—writers, artists, adventurers, community members, and unexpected voices—sharing true personal stories, told live and without notes.

Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast Premiere of "UnRavelled"

Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast Premiere of "UnRavelled"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast premiere of UnRavelled, a multi-media theatrical production that sheds a new, empathetic light on dementia. Conceived and written by Jake Broder, UnRavelled tells the story of scientist-turned-painter Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel, both affected by frontotemporal dementia. Performances are October 8-11, 2026 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

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