"They Don't Know The Power Of Amplifiers"
They don’t. We do. I haven’t been out all that much lately. Here and there I surface, and Jim makes mention of a Scotch sighting; but, for the most part, I’ve missed time in the city by the sea. There is construction throughout Asbury and things are starting to look a little different. As T. LaRock (coined by Jim, aka T.Slice aka T$) and I walked up to Asbury Lanes, I felt my heart sink a little as the fresh concrete has taken away the porch and steps. The times, they are a changin’. That’s part of the reason why I wanted to take my 8 year old son to Asbury Lanes, maybe for his last time to see one of my favorites (and steadily becoming one of his), Beach Slang. There’s a thing about the Lanes that feels different to me. Different from my years in Brooklyn or on the LES. Even though I’m just a guy who goes to shows there occasionally, I always manage to run into someone I know or someone new or... ...well it feels like community, sometimes even family. And, I’m saying this as someone who resides just on the fringe. I can’t imagine what these changes feel like for some who call it home. I’m sure there will be better tributes along the way but I couldn’t help but feel a little something while I was standing at the foot of a bowling lane with my son taking in a punk rock show. We got to the Lanes early to meet up with Jim and his permanently affixed camera bag. (I’m beginning to think he and the camera are merging to form a CoolDad Cyborg but that’s for another time.). Grilled cheeses, quesadillas, tater tots, and lots of shooting the breeze before The Scandals hit the stage. T. and I checked out James Alex's killer bowling form and got a little meet and greet before the show, and T. started to realize how big his choice of a Bad Brains tee was. The Scandals roared through their set. This was the first time taking them in, and they live in that sweet spot somewhere between the early Gaslight records and the Bouncing Souls. Head bobbing and The Scandals brought the rock and/or roll. Hurry was up next, but we needed ices as the Lanes can be a tad steamy, even with the side doors open. (Snacks are key if you bring your kid to, well, anything.) We met up with our buddy JS1, in all the way from Upstate New York. He too traded the city for trees and is about to become a CoolDad himself in a couple months. Less colored vinyl, more colored bibs, Joe. We strolled down to the boardwalk and we marveled at the sheer volume of people at the beach. One cherry-chocolate ice later, and we three were back at the Lanes for Beach Slang. Tom, another former Brooklyn guy, now shore resident, and punk rock warlord, made it out and joined the group. We were rollin’ deep as Beach Slang tore through their set. We positioned ourselves front and center and started our sing alongs. We got treated to a great set that included some new tunes and a cover of Jawbreaker’s “Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault." And then, James thanked T. and me for coming to the show and launched into “American Girls and French Kisses," which included an awesome false start. T. was overwhelmed and, well, I was too. Couldn’t ask for more. We hung around after the show and said our goodbyes and got hugs from James. Lots of hugs. There were records, pins, stickers and tees (thanks Ed and Ruben) and lots of love. Best. I’ve been obsessing on Beach Slang for basically a year now. I’ve seen them at as many shows as I could get to in Brooklyn and Asbury. Every time feels electric. All heart. My interaction with the band, well, they’re just really great guys. James, Ed, Ruben, and JP are some of the friendliest, sweetest people I’ve met in the 30 odd years of going to shows. Yeah, 30. Wow. Just reread that myself. They made my son feel like the rock star on Saturday. I’m floored by how they reacted to him and how that shout out from the stage has been the talk of my house since. Asbury Lanes knows the power of amplifiers. SAVE Asbury Lanes.
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