The Makin Waves Song of the Week is a cover of The Mezingers’ “Gates” by The Carousers, who are among more than 70 artists featured on “Play for Purpose, Vol. 2,” the latest Bandcamp charity compilation to benefit the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Pictured are “Play for Purpose” producer/Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato, right, with his brother Alex, who attends Eden’s Adult Services Day Program and inspired the project. PHOTO BY NANCY AFFATATO/GRAPHIC BY JOEY AFFATATO
More than 70 acts have banded together to support the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato organized and curated “Play for Purpose, Vol. 2,” a music compilation to give back to the organization that holds a very special place in his heart. His brother, Alex, attends the Adult Services Day Program.
This is the second musical fundraiser Joey has organized for Eden. In 2021, the original “Play for Purpose” raised more than $1,000. The success of the first music compilation and the cuts to Medicaid funding across the nation inspired Joey to launch "Vol. 2,” which includes The Carousers’ cover of The Mezingers’ “Gates,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Gates” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 6 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com.
“Gates” is featured on The Menzingers’ 2012 LP, “On the Impossible Past.”
The Carousers also are vocalist-bassist-guitarist-keyboardist Cassidy Crosby and drummer Andy Jackle.
The compilation features rock, punk, folk, and pop songs, nearly half of which are unreleased or unique versions not found elsewhere.
Joey also has a solo live track entitled “Faults.”
Other “Purpose” artists include Renee Maskin (“Miles To Go”), Anna Lies (“Fever Dream”), the dt's (“All In My Head”), Mike Montrey Band (“Holdin' on to Nothin'”), Dana Why (“Spring Prayer”), Redbird (“Hope”), Georgia Owen (“Imaginationship”), Hidden Cabins feat. Owen Walsh (“Broken Violin”), Surfing For Daisy (“Psychic”), Keith Monacchio (“Something Good to Believe In”), Jackson Pines (“Hound”), Boardwalk Saints (“Revelry”), Wiser Time (“All Fired Up”), Ropetree (“Sudden Stop”), Sam Tunkel (“Once I Wake Up”), Sally Draper (“I Wouldn't Like Me Either”), and Mick Chorba (“The Sugar Cane”).
Joey teamed up with Makin Waves, DIMM Music and BlowUpRadio.com to help promote the album.
“I wanted to help support my brother’s services and help other kids and adults with autism get the help they need,” he said. “Eden has been such a wonderful thing in my brother’s life.”
Alex first attended the Eden School before graduating and joining the Adult Services Day Program in 2019.
In the years since the last fundraiser, Alex was hired by Wawa.
"The fact that he is out working with so many people is amazing," Joey said. "It's inspiring. With all of Alex’s struggles and the things that have happened in his life, he's moving forward and living his life with a smile on his face."
One day, Joey went to Wawa to grab lunch, not realizing it was the same Wawa where his brother worked, and he got to see him on the job.
It was hard for Joey to put into words what it meant to see his brother working a job he enjoys and interacting with colleagues and customers.
“It put the biggest smile on my face to see him working," he said. “Eden means so many things to my family. It means joy. It means security. Eden is a Godsend. I think Eden is just a true blessing in my family’s life and in my brother’s life.”
“Play For Purpose, Vol. 2” is available on Bandcamp for $20. All proceeds go directly to Eden Autism. On the first Friday of each month, Bandcamp waives its service fee, allowing even more money to go towards Eden’s services.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
