The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu


EVENT PREVIEWS

25 Years of The Wag: Brian Ostering Talks History, Special Night, and New Album

The Wag will celebrate the band's 25th Anniversary and the release of their new album, Blue Bottles and Copper Coins, at The Strand Theater in Lakewood on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Based in Monmouth County, the band includes Brian Ostering and his wife Alicia Van Sant, Don Lee, and Joshua Van Ness. All four take turns as lead vocalist through catchy original songs and create an tremendously fun atmosphere on stage. They perform everywhere from coffeehouses and libraries to clubs and concert halls and have played shows in England, Canada, Japan, and the West Coast. Not many bands ever last a decade much less twenty-five, so we reached out to Brian to learn the complete story of the band and talk about the new album and special night.

 
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

Spotlighting The Marshall Tucker Band: 'Something Buried Deep Inside'

Named for the recently deceased blind piano tuner who was the previous tenant of their rehearsal space in their hometown of Spartanburg, S.C., The Marshall Tucker Band have been distilling a Southern blend of rock, country, jazz, and blues that has been delighting audiences for 50 years.

Church of Cash Embody the Mystique and Resonance of Johnny Cash in Concert

If you're going to capture the mystique and resonance of Johnny Cash onstage, you better have the raw prowess as well as the reverberating voice. Jay Ernest, the driving force propelling Minneapolis-based Church of Cash, has both in spades. With his bandmates, Ernest brings the iconic Man in Black to life every time he takes the concert platform.

Country-Rock Pioneers Pure Prairie League Bring Influential Sound to the Concert Stage

Their sound was a staple of the '70s and early '80s, that melodic mixture of country-rock laced with FM radio pop. Pure Prairie League, with its crisp, clean harmonies and breezy songs, were innovative purveyors of that style. The band not only enjoyed commercial success, but also cemented its reputation as an early influence for future luminaries such as Keith Urban, Nickel Creek, Wilco, and Counting Crows.

Music Teachers "Save the Music" with benefit for public music education at Teaneck's Debonair Music Hall

(TEANECK, NJ) -- Four area bands featuring high school and college music educators performing original music will show their support for the power of music education with the benefit concert Teachers Make Music, a fundraising event for the Save the Music Foundation at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck on Saturday, March 11th. Save the Music is a national non-profit organization helping school districts and communities build sustainable music programs through advocacy, instrument and equipment donations, and support services for teachers.


For more news Click here



 

COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Make It Happen" by Mike Chick

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Make It Happen" by Asbury Park Yawn Mower legend Mike Chick from "Congarts," his third solo album and second for Mint 400 Records.



Lighty's Corner: April 30, 2026



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from April 28 to May 4, 2026



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Dance of the Waxwing" by Pyrenesia






 

MORE NEWS


Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Lily Vakili will celebrate the release of her Live Wire EP on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at The Francis Kite Club. Doors are at 8:00pm; Showtime is 8:30pm.


Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd



Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st



Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday



Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Robert Cray Band






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads

News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates