The house concert got its true start in rural areas where there just wasn’t much else to do except gather at the homestead and make some sort of ruckus. Back in the golden days when PlayStation didn’t exist, people just had to make due with conversation and six-string shenanigans. And…

Old Man Rafferty’s “Shore’s Up” Cookman Avenue’s Music Scene

If there’s one joint I’ve always talked up on Cookman Avenue it’s Old Man Rafferty’s. Classy but accessible, the bar sports a hi-rise circular bar and view of the street world. I always pictured this place as some distant…

The Commons’ final CD, American Ghost, was released in 2007 and was hands down one of the best discs of the year. Dark, lush and emotionally raw, it was pretty much dismissed as too depressing or morose which was not the case at all. Face it, local popularity practices filial…

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band—Nashville, Tennessee—Sommet Center—Nov.18—LIVE!

Nashville, Tennessee, has always been a favorite destination for me. Whether I’m there slumming the honky tonks and Gruhn’s guitar shop on Broadway or visiting the world famous destinations where guys like Elvis and Johnny Cash made it happen on Music…

The Devil Went Down To Jersey: Paranormal Books & Curiosities, Asbury Park

There is one fascinating legend that turns our heads time and time again in the Garden State and that’s the Jersey Devil. The shadiness (I think it clipped my cell phone in a bar recently) and the origins…

Lazlo’s Ninth Anniversary Show, Nov.7 @ Buddies Tavern, Parlin, NJ

Buddies Tavern is a cozy neighborhood bar that has an Elks Hall vibe and a super friendly staff. It’s been around since the Bailey family started it in 1952 and probably hasn’t changed much since then. The one major change…

Back when The Band was doing their thing in Woodstock out at Big Pink, Rick Danko was once quoted as saying, “When people were stacking up Marshall amps and blowing out their ear drums, The Band was down in the basement at Big Pink trying to get a balance. It…

The first studio offering in 10 years sees Bebe Buell back and better than ever. Her 12-song disc takes me back to the days of Max’s Kansas City and Gildersleeves. There’s even a nod to Joey Ramone (Black Angel) and a Johnny Thunders tune here. And while many incorrectly think…

Michael Brett’s Twisted Trio,  Oct. 24 @ The Twisted Tree

Michael Brett is no showboat. He has quietly circled the area, flying underneath the drama radar and doing his own thing at the various the coffee houses, clubs, open mics and occasional festivals that Monmouth County has to offer.…

There are many methods that upstart organizers use for attracting patrons. They use flyers and coupons and passes galore but it’s never easy, even with all the networking websites at their disposal today, it still takes some magic to get cash-strapped people into the club. The Shore Alternative guys have…