What's Going On: 9/4, 9/5, 9/6, 9/7, 2014

The Off White are back at The Brighton. Those Mockingbirds hit Wonder Bar. Nicole Atkins is home at The Saint. Paper Streets venture to Brooklyn.

Back to School

In some kind of scheduling weirdness, the cooldaughters don't return to school until tomorrow. They are bursting with excitement. It's cool that they're still so into school, and I hope it lasts for at least a few more years. Grandpa's also coming for a visit this weekend which is always fun for them. Squeezing the last little bits of excitement out of their summer vacation.

In putting the final touches on this this morning, I did feel like things have already scaled back a bit show-wise; but there are definitely some quality shows this weekend. Things start Thursday with a free show from Accidental Seabirds and LA's Canyon Rays over at Asbury Park Yacht Club. If you feel like heading into Brooklyn, you can catch our buds Paper Streets who are playing with current CoolDad Music favorites Sink Tapes at The Knitting Factory.

Friday night has some excellent options. Sasquatch and The Sick-a-Billys are at the Lanes. Sound Waves move their free APYC show to Friday this week with The Amboys and The Sunday Blues. The Off White continue their conquest of points north of their LBI home base with a show at The Brighton that also features School Drugs, Luke Henderiks, and Ms. America. The Stone Pony has a local-centric show with Eastbourne, We're Ghosts Now, Seasons, and Backyard Superheroes.

There are a few big shows on Saturday making for some difficult choices. Asbury Lanes features the "High Seas, Open Roads" motorcycle helmet art exhibition with music from Birthwater and Wreaths. Dentist and The Clydes are in New Brunswick at The Court Tavern. Nicole Atkins is back home at The Saint, following a tour that saw her sharing bills with Nick Cave and The Avett Brothers. Joining Nicole will be Low Cut Connie and The Glycerine Queens. The Wonder Bar has a Live and Local Showcase featuring Those Mockingbirds, touring their excellent Penny The Dreadful, along with KENYA, Prehistoric Forest, and Joseph West. Modern Baseball, I Am The Avalanche, and Beach Slang will have the kids going nuts at The Stone Pony.

Football season kicks off on Sunday. My buddy came through with some tickets for the Jets' opener against Oakland, so I'll be there. There's still the option for some hard rock, though, as BOBAFLEX, End of an Era, Vextion, and Sekond Skyn take over the Brighton.

UPDATE: I almost forgot that the Asbury Park Oyster Fest takes place this weekend, from Friday evening until Sunday night. Some of our favorites have sets scheduled during the event including Deal Casino on Friday, Chris Brown on Saturday, and The Clydes on Sunday. The event's Facebook page says that this "promises to be the ultimate end-of-summer experience for oysters..." Not sure the oysters would agree, but the people will probably have a good time.

So sharpen those pencils; put on your team's jersey; and get ready for a great fall. See you out there.

PDF listings

THURSDAY (9/4)

Asbury Park Yacht Club (Asbury): Canyon Rays / Accidental Seabirds, 9:30pm, FREE

Court Tavern (New Brunswick): The Holy Mess / Sad and French / Cassavetes / The Great Explainer, 9pm

Knitting Factory (Brooklyn): Sink Tapes / Paper Streets / Treatment, 7:30pm, $10

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): Boardwalk Jazz w/ PJ Rasmussen Ensemble, 7pm, FREE

Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse (Dunellen): The Corsettes in "A Few Good Flirts," 8pm

The Saint (Asbury): Pigeons Playing Ping Pong / Newton Crosby, 8pm, $10

FRIDAY (9/5)

Asbury Lanes (Asbury): Sasquatch and The Sick-a-Billys / Stu / Bloodshot, 8pm, $10 (18+)

Asbury Park Boardwalk (Asbury): Asbury Park Oyster Fest, Friday thru Sunday

Asbury Park Yacht Club (Asbury): Sound Waves Presents: The Amboys / The Sunday Blues, FREE, 9:30pm

The Brighton Bar (Long Branch): The Off White / School Drugs / Luke Henderiks / Ms. America, 8pm, $7 (ALL AGES)

Court Tavern (New Brunswick): Daniel James & The Loveless / Monterey / Deadly Nights / Monster Rat / Amigos Amigos, 9pm

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): Hallowed Roots CD Release, 10pm, FREE

Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse (Dunellen): Tweed & the Sugardaddies / Bottle Cap Rockets / Dolly Dagger, 9pm, $12

The Stone Pony (Asbury): Eastbourne / We're Ghosts Now / Seasons / Backyard Superheroes / Slick Mick and The Dirty Dales, 7pm, $10 adv, $12 door (ALL AGES)

The Wonder Bar (Asbury): The Rising (Bruce Tribute), 7pm, $10 adv, $12 door

SATURDAY (9/6)

Asbury Lanes (Asbury): "High Seas, Open Roads" MC Helmet Art Show w/ music by Birthwater / Wreaths, 7pm, $5 (ALL AGES)

Asbury Park Boardwalk (Asbury): Asbury Park Oyster Fest, Friday thru Sunday