Sundown at the Carousel 2 with Wreaths, Sharkmuffin, and Lost Boy ?, 7/19/15

Sundown with Wreaths

Sunday Sundown

When we first decided to do these shows at the carousel building, I wasn't sure what to expect. The building is old and infrequently used. What would the power situation be? How would it sound?

The old building has a few issues, sure. But, on the whole, the shows have been amazing. Our first show with Dentist, Overlake, and The Everymen sounded great and convinced me that these shows are a viable thing. Last night's show with Wreaths, Sharkmuffin, and Lost Boy ? continued that. The later start had the added effect of allowing us to experience the actual sundown, and the place took on an eerie and magical look as the sounds of Wreaths bounced around the space.

Davey Jones of Lost Boy ? did a solo electric set consisting of pared down versions of his full band's psychedelic bedroom pop. Like Dentist two weeks ago, the simple vocal and guitar setup worked beautifully inside the reverb chamber of the carousel building. New Little Dickman-signees, Sharkmuffin (whose Chartreuse is out 8/7), played to their moms, dads, and grandmas as well as all of the strangers that had come out for the show. They impressed with their surf-grunge-noise pop, and I look forward to seeing them when they're back in town. Wreaths were made for the space and shook the spiral windows while bathed in magenta and purple lights as helium balloons sailed around the venue. People danced or even just sat outside the building as the sound spiraled out into the night.

I know I'm biased, but the carousel house is really an amazing space. It's wonderful to see curious folks heading home from a day at the beach being suddenly drawn in by the building and the sounds. Stay tuned to see what else we have coming.

Here are some pictures from the evening. You can view full sets at Flickr.

Sundown at the Carousel: Photo Highlights of Dentist, Overlake, and The Everymen, 7/5/15

The Everymen closed out Sundown at the Carousel on Sunday.

Fifth of July

We ended our holiday weekend in Asbury Park yesterday in grand style with the Sundown at the Carousel show presented by Little Dickman Records, Arcade Radio, and yours truly. It was a Jersey-centric, foCDM-packed bill featuring Justin and Emily Bornemann of Dentist, Overlake, and The Everymen. The old carousel house did not disappoint as a venue as each of the bands benefitted from the booming acoustics of the place.

Even with the lighter touch of their two-piece arrangement, the songs of Dentist bounced and reverberated around the old shell sounding big and beautiful. Overlake sounded absolutely immense. Nick D'Amore's drums probably sent shockwaves through nearby Ocean Grove, and the explosive crescendos in every song definitely shook the cobwebs from the upper-reaches of the roof. The Everymen, who were wrapping up their homecoming weekend, tore through about an hour's worth of New Jersey rock and roll as bubbles from a bicycle-borne bubble machine wafted around the room.

From the moment we opened the gates to start loading in, curious onlookers began to venture inside the long-shuttered structure to gaze up at the ceiling or to take in the Haculla mural along the back wall. The mural served as a great backdrop for all three sets.

I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who managed to make it out to what turned into a very special show. Working with bands and businesses doing great things who also happen to be great people is always a treat, and I'll always jump at the chance to call attention to the great music brewing in New Jersey.

Check out photo highlights of all three sets below. Full galleries are up at Flickr.

...and you know. Yesterday was such a good time... ...well, stay tuned.

Sundown at the Carousel with The Everymen, Overlake, and Dentist, 7/5/15

Presented with Little Dickman Records and Arcade Radio

It's really great when you get to do something cool with your friends. Little Dickman Records, Arcade Radio, and I have gotten together to present what I think is an extremely cool show in a unique venue.

We'll be bringing The Everymen, Overlake, and Dentist to Asbury Park's Carousel Building for a holiday weekend closeout on July 5th that promises to be a memorable evening full of fun, friendship, and great sounds. I've written extensively here about all three of the bands on this bill, and I'm happy to call each one of them friends of mine.

It's a real treat to bring the many-headed touring machine of The Everymen back home to the Jersey Shore for a now all-too-rare East Coast performance. They're just back from touring with The War On Drugs, and they'll be home for Independence Day Weekend. We decided to grab them while we could, and we couldn't be more excited.

Overlake have been making more frequent incursions into Asbury Park from their Jersey City home, but it's never enough for me. I recommend this band every time anyone asks me for suggestions on a bill, so it was a no-brainer to include them on one I had a hand in presenting. I can't wait to hear their beautiful noise bounce around the big space inside the carousel.

And Dentist. Some of our bestest besties. Justin and Emily will be performing as a duo and recreating some of the magic and intimacy they brought to their opening slot for Television at The Stone Pony late last year. They don't do this often, and Dentist's songs take on a whole new personality in this setup. It's something you won't want to miss.

It's great to be working with Little Dickman and Arcade Radio on this -- a bunch of great people who really care about doing interesting things to showcase the city of Asbury Park and to bring us music from New Jersey and beyond. Something like an early evening, all ages event in a beautiful space is just their style.

This is coming up quickly. Everything takes place this Sunday, July 5th, starting at 5pm. Bring your whole family. Tell all your friends, and let's celebrate together inside one of the defining landmarks of the Jersey Shore.

You can RSVP and invite your friends by going right HERE.

The Inaugural Arcade Radio Broadcast Featured Comedian Dave Hill, Dentist, and a Video Premiere from Deal Casino, 3/3/15 (PHOTOS)

"Fortyfive"

The Stone Pony stage had a pretty cool light setup going for the first installment of the Arcade Radio Broadcast series last night. DJs Mike Merrell and Magic Juan spun tunes from The Pixies, The Buzzcocks, INXS, and more as a nice crowd turned out in some nasty weather. Basically, it looked like it was going to be a good-looking, good-sounding party.

NYC comedian / writer / guitar shredder Dave Hill opened the evening with a really funny set. It included several of his erotic short stories and the "essence" or "gist" of several cover songs. Dentist played another great set, and I'm not exaggerating when I say they just keep sounding better. Their new songs sound great, and they've really honed their older material. Deal Casino did their usual high energy, blow-the-doors-off set right after premiering the new video for Heck track "Fortyfive."

Things looked and sounded really good all evening.

Here's the video:



And here are photo highlights from everyone. See more by clicking the "Galleries" tab.