Wreaths Played The Saint Last Night

A Night Out in Asbury Park

Well, I missed the opening Yappy Hour yesterday. Turned out OK. The whole family, including CoolDog, took a trip to Dorbrook Park so that CoolDaughter #2 could participate in her soccer goalie clinic (hilarious). CoolDog got a nice walk and made plenty of new friends.

Later, we all (minus CoolDog this time) headed to the Brickwall Tavern for a pre-roller derby meal. I had a couple of pints of North Coast Brewing's excellent Pranqster Belgian-style golden ale, and then we all headed over to Convention Hall for the bout.

The evening's announcer assured everyone in the stands that, whatever happens to Convention Hall, roller derby will continue throughout the season. We'll see. We made it through the first half and Chuck-a-Duck before we decided that it was getting a little late. The girls did have a great time. We'd brought two cars, so I peeled off from the family and headed over to the Saint.

I made it just in time to catch the great set by Little Dickman Records recording artists, and Asbury's own, Wreaths. Equal parts 1960s psychedelia and 1990s shoegaze, Wreaths shook the small space. They've got an EP coming out on Little Dickman soon. I'm not sure if there are any plans to do a vinyl release, but something about Wreaths had me imagining myself lying back after setting a record to spin on the turntable and just losing myself in the noise. They'll be playing the Brighton Bar on April 24th, and I strongly recommend catching them.

I've been messing around with my new point and shoot lately and took some pictures of the set.

Big Day for Asbury Park

Dogs, Derby, Droning

The weather may not be cooperating temperature-wise, but spring is here. It's a big day (by my standards, anyway) for everyone's favorite urban outpost by the sea.

Ever since adding CoolDog to the fold, I've been waiting to take him drinking with me in Asbury Park for the Wonder Bar's "Yappy Hour." That goes from 1-7 today. At 6, the doors open at Convention Hall for the Jersey Shore Roller Girls' season opener (and season finale?); and tonight, the Saint is hosting Black Sabbath tribute band, Black Reign. I hope to head over there in time to catch openers and Little Dickman Records artists, Wreaths, and their droning, psychedelic, "dream punk."

All of this depends, of course, on what CoolMom has planned for us this evening; but I'm gonna do my best to work in some of it.

For one day, at least, we can all try to forget about the Madison Marquette / City of Asbury silliness and just look forward to a great comeback summer for the Shore.