New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: Whirling Dervishes “Tattooed Republican"

By Bob Makin

originally published: 01/14/2022

Two-time Makin Waves Band of the Year Whirling Dervishes are back with a Makin Waves Song of the Week, the politically satirical “Tattooed Republican” from their new LP, “From Obscurity to Oblivion.” PHOTO COURTESY OF WHIRLING DERVISHES

It fills me with glee that Whirling Dervishes — the only group to win the Makin Waves Band of the Year Award twice — have a new album out!

“From Obscurity to Oblivion”  features the equally angry and funny “Tattooed Republican,” which is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week and Year, ““Tattooed Republican” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com

In post production for 30 years and unceremoniously shelved, the nine-song “From Obscurity to Oblivion”  shows Westfield’s darkly comic alternative tunesmiths at the top of their game. A legion of local fans who just enjoyed another season of the Dervishes’ perennial holiday hit cover of “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” will delight in this unearthed treasure of a “lost album” that will invoke the memory of sweaty beer- and whiskey-soaked nights at legendary long-gone hot spots, such as the Green Parrot in Neptune, Court Tavern in New Brunswick, as well as the recently deceased Brighton Bar in Long Branch. 




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Find out more about Whirling Dervishes at https://www.facebook.com/TheDervs.

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

About the author:

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.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



EVENT PREVIEWS

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Country Icon Trace Adkins in September

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will bring his ever popular Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour back out on the road this September and October. There are several shows coming to the local area including two in New Jersey: Sunday, September 20 at The Newton Theatre and Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Vogel in Red Bank.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.

 

FEATURED EVENTS



Moondance - Van Morrison Tribute

Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


The Nighthawks

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Will Hoge

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Outcrops (Matinee Show)

Sunday, October 11, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info