Oh, Those Summer-er Ni-i-i-i-ghts!!

Tell Me More. Tell Me More.

The Bouncing Souls celebrated their 25^th anniversary this weekend at the Stone Pony (also, btw, celebrating their 40^th). I graduated from high school in 1989 (25^th anniversary. Yep. Olde.), and for a few hours Friday and Saturday I rolled around Asbury Park like 18 year old me let loose on the Jersey Shore. Well, not really; but I did see friends old and new. There were crazy flashbacks, dreams realized, and lots of rock and roll. Cue up the Wayne's World do-do-do's, we're going in.

Friday “the LaRocks” and extended family rolled out on the Asbury beach to kick back and enjoy the sun, the sand, the waves, and eavesdrop on Stony Pony Summer Stage. Frisbee, football, soccer (or post-World Cup around here “futbol”), and a ton of ice cream later, I headed over to Asbury Lanes to catch up with “man about town” the CoolDad himself and a set fromSmalltalk. I've been looking forward to this little slice of Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore. This was such a great mix of a night out's variables: Beautiful weather, family, friends, and music. Such a great mood, and Smalltalk didn't disappoint. They carve out space in my high school years. Take me back to Brooklyn, and I'm fiddling with the radio dial to hear WDRE and WHTG. During those days, I rode BMX bikes endlessly; and, much like I had visions of what it would be like to live in Southern California, I wondered what it would be like to live in a shorefront town. After six years in Jersey, I got to experience it. I felt a sense of community. The faces I see are familiar; and, although I only know a few people here and there, I feel like I belong.

CoolDad and I headed over to the boardwalk and the Asbury Park Yacht Club to catch up with locals The Battery Electric for a denim clad assault that reminds you why you like guitars and whiskey. More friends, way too much nerdy Venture Brothers talk, and a sweet, low-hanging moon rounded out my stay on the shore that night.

As I stood there with the light breeze blowing in off the ocean and TBE's thunder in the background, I couldn't help but think that some sort of unknown bucket list moment had occurred. The concrete jungle of my childhood and the weird industrial two block radius of L'Amour, the Rock Capital of Brooklyn, didn't have this view. For those not familiar with L'Amour, the proper pronunciation is your best New Yawk accent and say "La-Moores." So there I was drifting back and forth through time and space; and all I could say was, “Thank you Asbury. For a little while you felt like home." Alright, there's still a Saturday to get through.

My main man and truest believer, Timbo Slice, and I played hockey Saturday morning. There was another kid playing at the rink while we were there; and, by wild coincidence, he turns up later with his folks going to the Pony for his first concert. Crazy. T. Slice is a Bouncing Souls veteran; and for the third summer in a row, gets to see one of his faves. Big Mikey B. and Ann made the trek in from Brooklyn to join us for what is the start of a few T. Slice birthday excursions. We strolled along the boardwalk, on up to the Convention Hall, and back around past The Wonder Bar. I told them how much fun I've been having here over the last few years.

Tickets in hand, we rolled in early for Ted Leo, met up with CoolDad at the barrier. We made new friends up front while Ted Leo strummed his way through his first bill with the Bouncing Souls. Strange that two NJ locals with such storied histories haven't crossed paths sooner, but that was now a thing of the past. We rocked, some danced, and we all tried new rhyming phrases around "Colleen." T. Slice set conclusion: “Ted Leo was great, just needed drums."

From there we dined on what seemed to be nine-foot Stone Pony hot dogs and bounced around to The Menzingers. I dig The Menzingers, having seen them a few times, including a very memorable Home For The Holidays set. The crowd was starting to pack in tight, the energy picking up, and T. Slice went from happy to “when are the Souls coming on." Such a fanboy. Don't blame him. I was getting feisty, too. The sun setting over the stage was gorgeous, and another beautiful night was rolling in. As wave upon wave of crowd surfer cruised overhead, T. asked when would he be old enough to try it. Someday, buddy. I'm sure it's in your future.

During a round of cheese fries, we met a few aspiring cooldads ready to bring their kids along for the things they love most. We traded stories: how you got to this moment and how you are bringing along another generation of music fans. Then dusk turned to night, and The Bouncing Souls hit the stage.

The kids, mine included, went nuts. We'll sing along forever. Rolling through a greatest hits set that included a break for cake, we rocked and rolled, shouting choruses as loud as we could. The Bouncing Souls have been one of my constant companions over the last twenty odd years. We've grown together. Sweet to continue to share it with my man, and all the friends that gathered Saturday night. Our crew expanded around us with more enthusiasm until finally we let it all hang out for "True Believers." That's our jam.

We filed out into the streets of Asbury, tired and hungry. Some of us might have been lucky enough to make it to the Korean Taco joint. CoolDad has words on that. His night carried on. I on the other hand was headed home with T. Slice in tow. I thought, if high school me could know that we'd be doing this 25 years later, I'm sure he'd be as happy as I am now. True believer.