Killswitch Engage at The Stone Pony 7/26/19

Killswitch Engage stopped by the Stone Pony last night and kicked some ass! The band is currently on tour with Clutch and All That Remains. They played an awesome set including songs from their upcoming album Atonement. Some of those new songs included I am Broken Too and Unleashed. They are both brutal tracks making Atonement one of the most anticipated albums of the year for metal fans.

Singer Jesse Leach underwent surgery on his vocal cords last year but after watching him perform you would never know. He has incredible vocal range and his voice can hold up with the best of the best. The band also played some older fan favorites last night including Rose of Sharyn and the Dio cover Holy Diver. Overall it was an amazing performance with some sick riffs and great growling vocals which got us all more amped for the upcoming album release. Coverage for The Pop Break

Set List: Strength of the Mind, This Fire, The Arms of Sorrow, My Curse, I Am Broken Too, Alone I Stand, Beyond the Flames, Unleashed, Hate by Design, Always, My Last Serenade, This Is Absolution, Rose of Sharyn, The End of Heartache, In Due Time, Holy Diver (Dio cover)

Clutch at The Stone Pony 7/26/19

Clutch continues to kill it and never disappoints! They came to the Stone Pony last night in Asbury Park on tour with Killswitch Engage and All That Remains. These guys always put on a good show and you never know what to expect. You get some kick ass rock with a little bit of blues and some country thrown in for good measure. Last night’s show had all the ingredients necessary to make a killer band and that’s exactly what we got.

The setlist included some of the heavy hitters including some of my favorite songs Passive Restraints and El Jefe Speaks. Lead vocalist Neil Fallon even mentioned to the crowd that it was one of the first songs they ever played in Asbury Park years ago. Some other highlights included a ZZ Top cover Precious and Grace and a nod to the American treasure Willie Nelson. The band wrapped things up with great versions of Electric Worry and Rats.

As always it was a great time with Clutch. They are a band that has something for everyone and can get you head banging and grooving like no other band can. Hopefully they stop back in New Jersey real soon! Coverage for The Pop Break

Setlist: How to Shake Hands, H.B. Is in Control, Passive Restraints, El Jefe Speaks, Immortal, Crucial Velocity, Red Horse Rainbow, A Quick Death in Texas, Precious and Grace (ZZ Top cover), 50,000 Unstoppable Watts, Cypress Grove, Gimme the Keys, Willie Nelson, D.C. Sound Attack!, Electric Worry, Rats

Moe. at The Stone Pony 7-12-19

Moe came back to Asbury Park and melted some faces off! It has been some time since the Buffalo based jam legends have played the Stone Pony, but they came back last night and ripped it up. They are currently touring on their All Roads Runaround Tour with Blues Traveler and G Love and Special Sauce. Both Moe and Blues Traveler had their own single sets of music and a special third set which was formed of members of both bands.

The combined set which came right after Blues Traveler and before Moe was a great mix of both bands amazing talent. Watching John Popper shred a harmonica to pieces, mixed with Rob Derhak’s bass lines, and Al Schnier on Mandolin was an amazing experience. You can absolutely tell that you are watching a group of old friends have a great time together on stage. It was nothing but big smiles on everyone’s faces especially when G Love came out for a great sing along of the Grateful Dead’s Casey Jones that got the crowd grooving!

After a brief set break Moe came back out for their set which included songs from their thirty-year catalogue. Some of the set’s highlights included a driving version of Downward Facing Dog which also showcased the bands phenomenal lighting rig which lit up the skies of Asbury Park. Some other classics included great versions of Kyle’s Song, Kids, and a killer encore of Wind It Up. Overall it was a great night of music at the Stone Pony with Moe, Blues Traveler, and G Love. Come back and visit again soon!

Blues Traveler at The Stone Pony 7/12/19

Blues Traveler is killing it on the All Roads Runaround Tour! The Princeton, New Jersey based band stopped by the Stone Pony last night in Asbury Park and played a show that got the whole place grooving. They are on a co headlining tour with Moe and support from G Love and Special Sauce. You can absolutely see the magic on stage when all these old friends come together and jam on some of their favorite songs.

Blues Traveler took the stage for their own set, which was full of classics off their 1994 album, Four, that everyone was loving. Listening to John Popper play the harmonica gives you the sensation as if there is lightning coursing through your veins. His vocals sound fantastic and the band is just as tight as ever. They are an amazing combination of blues, folk, and great experimental jams that give this band a little something for everyone.

After Blues Traveler finished their set, they invited members of Moe out on stage to perform a set of classic covers that got the place dancing and singing along which made for an amazing night. Popper said to the crowd that this formation was still in its early stages and he wasn’t sure how it was going to go but I think everyone in attendance could agree that it was amazing. Some of the highlights were covers of the Rolling Stones Dead Flowers, Grateful Dead’s Casey Jones, and The Beatle’s Come Together. It was really something special to see a wide range of talented musicians and old friends jam together.

Phish Camden 6/28/19 Night 1

Awesome first night of Phish in Camden at the BB&T Pavilion! Thanks for having me out! Coverage for The Pop Break!

Meat Puppets at Asbury Lanes

Awesome set from the Meat Puppets on tour with the original line up. Killer show at Asbury Lanes on Saturday night!

Knocked Loose at Starland Ballroom

Knocked loose came to New Jersey and kicked it right in the face! The Kentucky based hardcore band has been crushing it so far on their spring tour with The Acacia Strain, Harms Way, Sanction, and Higher Power. Knocked Loose is taking hardcore music to the next level with their killer new album Mistakes Like Fractures. They are selling out venues, have a massive fanbase, and are not taking any shit from anyone.

Right from the start of their set Knocked Loose came out with a new track, By The Grave, which opened the pits up like a bomb going off inside the venue. Bryan Garris vocals were like punches to the gut with some high-pitched screams along with Isaac Hale and Cole Crutchfield beastly growls. This band is nothing but high energy and really come out swinging right from the start.

Some highlights from the show were songs such as Deadringer, Billy No Mates, and Counting Worms off their debut album from 2016 Laugh Tracks. They also played some amazing new tracks from their forthcoming album Mistakes Like Fractures. Based off what they played at this show the new album is going to be just as brutal as the last. If you get a chance to see this tour do yourself a favor and get out there. Knocked Loose are the new masters of hardcore music and their live shows definitely do not disappoint.

Setlist: By The Grave, All My Friends, Oblivion's Peak, Damned Earth, Deadringer, Blood Will Have Blood, The Gospel, Mistakes Like Fractures, No Thanks, A Fetish, The Rain, Last Words, Billy No Mates, Encore: Counting Worms

Bob Weir and Wolf Bros at Count Basie

Amazing show from Bob Weir and Wolf Bros at Count Basie theatre in Red Bank the other night! It was an honor to be able to come out and photograph the show!