What's Going On: January 24th & 25th, 2014

Nicole Atkins at The Stone Pony in December

Brrrrrr...

It is a cold, cold end to a cold, cold week. There are plenty of excellent shows this weekend to warm you up, though. Tonight, we get the CD release party for the latest collection of blues rock from Tara Elliott and The Red Velvets, Drop a Needle on the King, at The Wonder Bar. Along with Ms. Elliott and her band, that excellent bill also features The Obvious, Deseree Spinks, and The Amboys.

When I saw the listing for tonight's free show at Langosta Lounge -- "Queenie Neptune and Her Salty Friends" -- I had my suspicions, which proved true yesterday when Nicole Atkins announced she'd be appearing there with Thomas Wesley Stern, The Battery Electric, and some other friends.

Tomorrow night we get Bog Iron Bloom for free at The Berkeley, John Eddie at The Stone Pony, and a night of rock from Detroit Cobras featuring The Vansaders and The Battery Electric at The Wonder Bar. You can also check out the 3rd annual NJ Beard and 'Stache Competition and some burlesque over at Asbury Lanes.

Try to stay warm. Have fun; and if you see me, come say, "Hi." I'll buy you a beverage.

FRIDAY (1/24)

Asbury Lanes (Asbury): Beards & Beers O' the Garden State: Pre-party for the 3rd Annual GSBMS Competition w/ Tragedy / Trans Charger Metropolis / Useless, Doors 7pm, $15

The Berkeley Bar (Asbury): Gerald Edward / Matt Wade Band / Frank Lombardi, 9pm, FREE (All Ages)

The Brighton Bar (Long Branch): Fikus / Stranger Danger / Timmy B, Doors 8pm, $10 adv , $12 door, (All Ages)

Court Tavern (New Brunswick): Dollys / NGHTCRWLRS / Ex Wife / County Drop, 8pm, $5

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): Queenie Neptune and Her Salty Friends (Nicole Atkins w/ Thomas Wesley Stern / The Battery Electric / More), 10pm, FREE (All Ages)

McIntyre’s Pub (Toms River): ASAP, 10pm

The Saint (Asbury): Local Hero / Ian Bamburger Trio, Doors 7:30pm, $10

The Stone Pony (Asbury): The Nick Hexum Quintet (Lead Singer 311) / Frenchot Tone, Doors 7pm, $22 adv, $25 door

The Wonder Bar (Asbury): Tara Elliott and The Red Velvets (CD Release Party) / Deseree Spinks / The Obvious / The Amboys, Doors 8pm, $10

SATURDAY (1/25)

Asbury Lanes (Asbury): BeardNJ.com's 3rd Annual Beard and 'Stache Competition, Doors 7pm, $20 adv, $25 door

The Berkeley Bar (Asbury): Bog Iron Bloom / Brother Valient / Matt Pinto Bean, 10pm, FREE (All Ages)

The Brighton Bar (Long Branch): Reagan Youth / Social Decay / Mental Abuse / Another Social Disease / Dust Angel, Doors 8pm, $8 adv, $10 door

Court Tavern (New Brunswick): Let Me Run (Final Show) w/ Gates / The Scandals / Jaguar Shark, Doors 7pm, $10

Court Tavern (New Brunswick): Moe After Party w/ Four Fingers of Funk / Mike Monterey Band, Doors 12am

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): Tommy's Latin Jam with dancing, 10pm, FREE (All Ages)

The Saint (Asbury): Tash Even & Kyle / Pepperwine / Bird Courage / Steve Nelson, Doors 7:30pm, $10

The Stone Pony (Asbury): John Eddie / Garden State Line / Shattered Glass / Micro Machines, Doors 7pm, $17 adv, $20 door

The Wonder Bar (Asbury): Detroit Cobras / The Vansaders / The Battery Electric, Doors 7pm, $10 adv, $12 door