Night Birds, Black Wine, Big Eyes, Shark Teeth @ Asbury Lanes 7/2/11

I should have probably titled this review, “How I thought I was going to see Southside Johnny, but ended up seeing a much cooler show”. That’s because I headed down to Asbury Park on July 2nd to see Southside Johnny’s annual Stone Pony show. Arriving while Pat DiNizio was playing, I found that my name was not on the press list, nor was Jim Testa’s (Jersey Beat) who had carpooled with me to the show. The woman working the press table did her best to reach someone inside that could get us, but to no avail, and when the publicist that was to put us on the list arrived, even his name was not on the list. To say that someone screwed up, is to state the obvious (I did get a very nice apology the next day).

As we heard Southside Johnny’s set beginning, Jim and I decided to give up on getting into the show (40 minutes later Jim got a text message that we could get in, but by then it was too late). Since we were already in Asbury Park, we figured why not stop by one of my favorite venues, Asbury Lanes.

This turned out to be one of those situations where one door closes and a better door opens, as the 4 bands we witnessed at Asbury Lanes were blast. As a bonus, each band was playing their new albums from beginning to end (albums which I had not heard before this show, but all of which I now must get).

First up was Shark Teeth, who played a loose but energetic set. It was not a flawless set, but the songs held a lot of promise. I’d like to see them again, and hear their album, as there was something compelling to their songs.

Next up was Big Eyes, and while I liked all of the bands that played, I think I came away enjoying Big Eyes most of all. This trio reminds me of early Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Their album is still a month away from release, so it was a preview of that they played, but this is now an album I am really looking forward to.

The last two bands I have had the pleasure of seeing before, and they continue to be among the most entertaining bands in New Jersey’s punk rock scene.

The pedigree of past bands that the members of Black Wine have been involved with (The Ergs!, Hunchback) should make anyone want to check them out. The quality of their music, and the diversity of all three vocalists, is what makes me continue to come back and see them.

And what can I say about the Night Birds…if I wanted to be creative I’d probably say something like, Night Birds have the intensity of a band of crazed lunatics that recently broke out of the asylum, picked up instruments, and beat the shit out of them (and themselves in the process). Or I could just say what I was thinking while watching them, “Fuck Yeah!”

-Lazlo


www.myspace.com/sharkteethnj

www.myspace.com/bigeyesband

www.reverbnation.com/blackwineband

www.myspace.com/NGHTBRDS


Photos
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Shark Teeth










Big Eyes








Black Wine














Night Birds