*** Midnight North On The Beach +++

Forums:

So last night was Midnight North's turn at the free 'Jams On the Sand' series in lovely Asbury Park.  This time they had the stage right on the Beach,  north side of Convention Hall, just a few yards from the Ocean.  Nice mellow crowd, perfect weather,  and they'll even sell you Beer !!  Just the other side of the 'Cyclone Fence' is AP public beach.  Some locals brought coolers and stealth cocktails.  The cops will fine you for obvious Beach drinking, so no Bud cans & bottles.  One fellow had his Golden Retriever,  although it's not the official 'Dog-Beach' there.

Whatever cops I saw did not seem to be bothering anyone.  Probably just looking for underage drinking.  Doesn't seem like there are a lot of teenagers at these events.  Mostly mid-age people.  Anyway,  Midnight North played two solid sets with a short break,  and they sounded very good.  Grahame has developed as a guitarist over time.  The other musicians are all good in their own way;  the keyboardist also plays a mean lead guitar.   Some Dead tunes, and a bunch of their Original songs.  They just put out a new album 'Under the Lights'.  

After the show,  they were all very personable and chatted with the fans, took photos and told of upcoming shows.

gramlesh.JPG

Yes I'm wearing an Orange Yarmulke,  as I often celebrate Shabbot on Thursday.  Also it was 'Orange Pizza Moon'.

So then,  a funny thing happened on the way to the car.  Some folks had a Groovy poster which was "Ice Cream Kid" from Europe '72 cover,  but more like "Groundskeeper Willy" from Simpson - land.  I asked where I could  get one,  and they told me,  "They'll have them at Wonderbar".  It was a promo poster for "Sandy Mack & Friends"  show that night.

So I walked over there and asked the door-people, who had no clue of any posters.  But the Band was playing a very crisp cover of 'Shakedown Street'  and there did not seem to be any cover charge;  I wandered in to check it out.

To my Amazement,  there's half of NRPS on stage !!  Falzarano & Markowski...  But who's that on the other Strat ??  Butchy from 'Splintered Sunlight' ripping leads !!  Scott Guberman on keyboards,  another fellow on Telecaster,  and singer-harmonica dude  who I'm unfamiliar with.  Probably Sandy Mack himself.  These guys played two sets until about 1 AM and totally tore it up.  Few originals, fine Dead covers. 

I was completely unaware that some of my favorite musicians were doing a show that night.  Lucky for me I got lured in with the Poster.  Very nice crowd,  many had been a block away at the Midnight North. Chatting with Mr. Falzarano and Mr. Markowski after the show,  they said that they've been playing various gigs around the Jerseyland Coast and that Mr. Nelson is on the mend.

Have some medium-quality cel-fone pictures which I'd love to share,  but the PC can't locate them from the hidden memory-chip.  I  can see them using the fone's interface but PC can't.  Oh well,  it doesn't all work out Perfect.

I never did get a Poster frown

Sounds like a fun night, Stu!

Thanks for the Nelson report.

Judit,

I had Huge Fun.  Midnight North were very tight and enjoying themselves.  Keyboard / Guitar dude was really playing quite well.  I think that's Elliot Peck (?)  He had an Alembic - style guitar with the OBEL setup and when I asked about it, said he & a friend built it.  DiMarzio pickups,  and the nice 'Hippy Sandwich' lamination of Wood.

 Nice thing about the free shows on the Beach;  it's all very relaxed with a laid-back crowd and security staff.  I was standing about 11 inches from the side of the stage most of the show,  near Keyboard guy.  And the Ocean is 77 feet away.  We got just a few mild drops of rain. The sky was Beautiful.

'WonderBar'  is not very big.  Comparable Eugene venue might be 'Doc's Pad'  or 'Sam Bond's Garage'.  Again,  nice laid-back crowd,  a foot away from stage.  I was just beyond blown away to discover this Amazing Band playing for Free on the way to the car.  So I stayed all night.  Had one Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for 5 bucks. That's a good deal at a Seaside bar in Jerseyland.

Guitar-picker Falzarano resides not far from me,  inland.  But all the Musical happenings are out at the Coast.  Unless you want to take the Arduous journey to New York or Philadelphia.

Some internet sleuth can find a YouTube or FaceBook video of the WonderBar thang.  "Sandy Mack & Friends" at  "WonderBar".  

Sounds cool Stu. Thanks for the report. I had a few friends there who wanted me to go too, but I wasn't sure what the whole situation would be with the beach. 

Also gave up my tix for the Dropkick Murphys/Rancid show tonight down the road at the Stone Pony. I know Skifurthur will be there. 

Stu, are you sure that you're not Chris Elliot?

Elliot Peck was the female singer. I think you are talking about Alex Jordan. Glad you had fun

Here's your poster:

aug3.jpg

Apologies for being mixed up with musician Names.

I am a big dummy,  and don't get out very often.  I really ought to recall that Bass guy is Ron Penque,  not Drummer Markowski.

As  senility kicks in,  I confuse names and places.  Just old age,  I suppose.

But both Shows were Wicked Awesome Cool,  and tons of Fun.  I think next week there's a Reggae band.  Might bring Hüsky and stay on other side of cyclone fence.

Nice pic Stu, you could pass for his older brother, lol.  Good to see the pic shaming goons not attacking this one with douchy comments, very refreshing.

When i saw Grahame he did well and had a good stage presence.

This is a very good review/story, Stu. I would want to see both bands now.

>>Good to see the pic shaming goons not attacking this one with douchy comments, very refreshing.

 

lol

The character in the poster is "Tillie". A famous Asbury Park mural:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tillie+asbury&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjo3oexr8DV...

 

 

Nice pic Stu

lesh w the sexy chest

I've been a big fan of Stu since Chuckm went through some difficulties earlier this year. 

Solid Zoner, and obviously a good man. 

ChuckM --

Don't know how mobile you are right now,  but if you are wheeling it the Beach shows are accessible.  I did see a fellow in a wheelchair at the Convention Hall enjoying the Midnight North sets.  Leg in a cast,  but I think you're past that now ?

Anyway let me know if you need a hand getting there,  transport,  whatever.  They start about 6 PM every Thursday.  Inclement weather,  they have the show inside Convention Hall.  It's a nice friendly scene and the price is right smiley They don't totally gouge you on Beer taxes.  I think an Anchor Steam Pint was 6 bucks and Brooklyn Lager was 4 bucks per can.  Not terribly overcrowded or wooked-out,  just a surprisingly Chill scene for Jerseyland  coast in Summer.

I had to look up the 'Chris Elliot' reference.  That is the Cameraman in  'Groundhog Day'  I  think ? Perhaps we are long-lost cousins.