What's Going On: 4/6, 4/7, 4/8 & 4/9, 2017

Screaming Females headline the WMCX 24-Hour Fest on Friday

Spring Break!

The CoolFamily leaves for Spring Break tomorrow night. We're heading to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and then over to the Florida Gulf Coast for some beach time. My curmudgeonly self is dreading the flight, as usual, but looking forward to some relaxation. I still have some time to fit stuff in before we leave, though.

Thursday is photographer and all-around nice guy, Jeff Crespi's, birthday; and he's celebrating with a show at Wonder Bar featuring Lyons, Common Wealth, and The Morgan Freemasons. Jeff is a tireless supporter of local music and has fought back like a trooper from some recent health-related issues, so head out to say, "Hey!" and see some great bands.

Also on Thursday, The Brighton Bar hosts a comedy and music benefit for the Trans Youth Project called "Fight For Your Right To Potty." Jess Alaimo hosts that one which features Taylor Allen, Renee Maskin, and more. The Big Drops, Steady Sun, Wild Moon, and Fruit & Flowers are at Brooklyn's Gold Sounds. It's the free Lakehouse mid-semester gig at The Saint.

On Friday, free Aloha Friday with Black Flamingos is back at Anchor's Bend. Saint James & The Apostles play a free show at APYC with Stained Glass. Souper Groove Jam is back for this month's installment at House of Independents. Stevens Institute in Hoboken hosts a solo performance by Evan from Pinegrove along with The Gray Company and Hexdog. Fairmont celebrate the release of their 9th studio album, A Spring Widow, at Stosh's in Fair Lawn with help from The Bitter Chills, The Maravines, Tri-State, and The Clydes.

Friday also marks the return of the WMCX 24-Hour Fest at Monmouth University. That one is free and features Screaming Females, Cayetana, Brick + Mortar, dollys, Have A Good Season, Corinna Corrina, Avery Mandeville, Yawn Mower, and many more.

Saturday sees The Battery Electric heading up to Brooklyn for a show at Hank's Saloon with Curtis Suburban, The Carvels NYC, and The Live Ones. The Vansaders and School Drugs play the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market after-party at Millhill Basement with Molly Rhythm and Dr. Beardface and The Spaceman. Seaside Caves play Paul's Tavern in Lake Como with Orations, Nervous Triggers, and Miranda Taylor. Pino's in Highland Park hosts Cold Weather Company, The Anderson Council, and Fatty Lumpkin. Wesley Stace and The English UK are back at The Saint with Peter Holsapple.

On Sunday, Arlan Feiles, Ashley McKinley, and Rachel Ana Dobken are at Danny Clinch's Transparent Exhibit in Asbury. Phoebe Nix, Good Luck Spaceman, Ernest, Phulton, and Yellowbird are at The Saint. Wonder Bar hosts Banding Together for Vets.

Enjoy the break if you've got one. I'll try to keep in touch while I'm away. Happy Passover. See you Easter Sunday.

THURSDAY (4/6)

The Asbury Hotel, Soundbooth (Asbury): Open Mic, 8pm, FREE

Brighton Bar (Long Branch): "Fight For Your Right To Potty," Comedy / Music Benefit for Trans Youth Project, 7pm, $7 adv, $10 door

The Bunker (Ask): Shy Shape / El Americano / And The Traveler / Skunk Daze / Visenya, 7:30pm

Clash Bar (Clifton): Fair Panic / Reese Van Riper / Sad Lips / Off Key Lifestyle / Travis Love / Surprise of the Century

Gold Sounds (Brooklyn): The Big Drops / Steady Sun / Wild Moon / Fruit & Flowers, 8pm, $10

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): JoeP of Deal Casino, 8pm

Meatlocker (Montclair): Human Host / Lower Being / Primal Feelings / Space Cowboy / Hiroshi Jaguar, 9pm

Millhill Basement (Trenton): Alpha Rabbit / Tim & Dim / The Doc Rottens / Moron Girls, 8pm, $6

Monty Hall (Jersey City): Kurt Baker Combo / Soraia, 8:30pm, $10

The Saint (Asbury): Lakehouse Mid-Semester Gig, 5:30pm, Free

Wonder Bar (Asbury): Jeff Crespi's Birthday Bash ft. Lyons / The Morgan Freemasons / Common Wealth, 7pm, $10

FRIDAY (4/7)

The Anchor's Bend (Asbury): Aloha Friday ft. Black Flamingos / DJ Hi-Tide, 8pm, FREE

The Asbury Hotel, Soundbooth (Asbury): Acada Jazz Ensemble, 9pm

Asbury Park Yacht Club (Asbury): Saint James & The Apostles / Stained Glass, 9pm, FREE

Boontunes (Boonton): In Angles / The Most / Sleep In / ManDancing, 7pm, $10

Clash Bar (Clifton): What of Us / Inertia / A Film in Color / Uncle Mark

House of Independents (Asbury): Spring Souper Groove Jam, 8pm, $5 adv, $7 door

J House (Ask): Blind Lion / Map of Rome / Statues and Stories / The Afraid Brigade, 7:30pm, $5

Krogh's (Sparta): Longlife / Brian Erickson / Kate Dressed Up, 9pm

Langosta Lounge (Asbury): Brother Andrew / Wreck Loose / Joe Cirotti, 9pm, FREE

Millhill Basement (Trenton): Judah / Silent Bob / Logan Carpenter / Pissed! / SICK SHIT, 9pm

Monmouth University (West Long Branch): WMCX 24 Hour Fest ft. Screaming Females / Cayetana / Brick + Mortar / dollys / Have A Good Season / Yawn Mower / Corrina, Corrina / Avery Mandeville / more, 9am, FREE

Monty Hall (Jersey City): Miriam / Cut Worms / Saint Pe, 8:30pm, $10 adv, $12 door

Roxy & Duke's Roadhouse (Dunellen): Bonedaddy / Catalina Shortwave / Barren / Hollywood Blanks, 9pm, $15

The Saint (Asbury): Waiting on Mongo / Stephen Maxwell Trio / Ufotofu, 7:30pm, $10

Stevens Institute (Hoboken): Pinegrove (Solo) / The Gray Company / Hexdog, 7pm, FREE

Stosh's (Fair Lawn): The Bitter Chills / Fairmont / The Maravines / Tri-State / The Clydes, 8pm, FREE

The Stone Pony (Asbury): Lauriana Mae, 7pm, $20

The Wonder Bar (Asbury): Adam Ezra Group / Dark City Strings, 8pm, $10 adv, $12 door

SATURDAY (4/8)

The Asbury Hotel, Soundbooth (Asbury): Emily Grove with David Ross Lawn, 8pm, FREE

The Asbury Hotel, Soundbooth (Asbury): DJ Mike Merrell, 11pm, FREE