MF Gallery Takes Over Asbury Lanes—Saturday, May 16—8 p.m.-1 a.m.—Featuring Dethrace
The Asbury Lanes continues to dig deep into their never-ending bag of colorful treats to feed your visual addictions. To quote the artist Damien Hurst, “We are a ‘trauma culture,’ expecting to watch an artist’s suffering play out on canvas or stage or screen— and relating to them through it,” and on May 16 the Asbury Lanes gives you that exact opportunity as they usher that quote into the realms of Asbury Park reality with the MF Gallery.
MF Gallery has been in the forefront of NYC’s underground pop art scene for the past six years. Artists and curators Martina Secondo Russo and Frank Russo opened the first MF Gallery on Rivington Street in June 2003. In January 2009, they opened a location in Martina’s hometown of Genova Italy, and the couple is planning on moving the New York MF Gallery to Gowanus, Brooklyn, later this year.
Being big fans of bowling (and wanting to take advantage of the Lanes’ unique gallery and stage space) they put together a new show of the best MF Gallery artists, (Including Martina & Frank Russo, Death Head, Angie Mason, Joe Simko, Morg, Nicoz Balboa, Drew Maillard, PaperMonster, Aaron Tompkins, Rodrigo Melo, Mike Bell and more) and invited the band Dethrace to rock the house at the opening party.
Speaking of Dethrace, these guys are a wild bunch. A death metal band made up of 10-foot tall fiberglass super robots, if only I could put these guys up against GWAR and the Decepticons just think of the riches I could have (dream sequence of me with tons of cash and prostitute robots).
Dethrace consists of Mecronos on vocals (actually he kind of roars), Electronos rips on guitar with Phaser-like skill and Acronos pounds on the bass. All this is accompanied by an electronic drum track while Necropatheos, the evil skull-faced creator of the band, dances with the crowd. And you better dance back with enthusiasm or he’ll disintegrate you on the spot.
If you check these guys out on MySpace your sure to spend time watching all their videos and wondering to yourself, “How the hell do you get those axe blade sleeve cuffs off at bed time?” Another golden nugget brought to you by the delectable “Juicy Jenn” and crew. For more info over at asburylanes.com.
Nine-To-Five Rock And Roll—Working Class Americana From Williamsboy
A unique and rising writer, the Williamsboy has been touring the East Coast for over a year, and has been gathering fans from all walks of life. This working class nine-to-fiver has a sound that captures the hard working American life. Pay check to pay check, ups and downs, and the simple little pleasures in life, which everyone can relate to.
Unlike most of the music on the radio, and on television, this is honest, true, and drawn from real life experience. With storytelling elements reminiscent of Tin Pan Alley, the Williamsboy brings old time rock ‘n’ roll, blues, folk, funk, country, and Americana, back in focus for a public that has been longing to hear music with purpose and soul.
The Williamsboy will be performing a free show at Triumph Brewery in Princeton, NJ, tomorrow, May 14 at 9 p.m., triumphbrewing.com. He will also be appearing at Studio Lu Loo in Oaklyn, NJ, May 16. Tickets and more information on this performance can be found at williamsboy.com.
The Seaside Music Festival—May 14-16
With spring come the festivals. This weekend witnesses the return of The Seaside Music Festival. Celebrating its second year, The SMF has a whole bunch of cool stuff for you to do. With over 150 performers ranging from rock to jazz and more, the town’s available 14 stages will be hopping with talent from all over the country. This pre-Memorial Day Weekend party also features classic and tuner car shows, surf, skim and wakeboard expos as well as fireworks, VIP parties and rides, rides, rides!
Also on board this year is Live United Village, a conglomerate of over 30 non-profit organizations on the boardwalk sponsored by The United Way and promoting their cause with a fashion show on Saturday morning and appearance by local deejay’s Shawn and Sue from 92.7 (WOBM). The city-wide participation will include all rides on the boardwalk open as well as the fine eating establishments that made this town an icon back in the day. For further information go to seasdiemusicfest.com.
Shane Cooley At The Saint—May 19—With Special Guests
I first met Shane Cooley at the 2007 Wave Gathering. A quiet and likeable guy, Shane proceeded to impress all of us with his Americana, alt-country style and folk sensibilities. He’s released a fewCDs, including 2005’s Flying Naked with producers Chris Keup and Stewart Myers (Lifehouse, Jason Mraz, Mandy Moore) as well as 2007’s Whirlpool.
Shane is once again making the trek to New Jersey this month to ply his latest to the Jersey shore’s receptive scenesters. His new disc is entitled The Midnight Oil and it is entirely a solo acoustic effort. Stewart Myers, who also produced Whirlpool, again produced the disc.
Shane has performed from New York to Nashville both solo acoustic and with an electric band; and he has become an expert at engaging the audience and playing a completely original show each time. During his 2007 outing he shared the stage with headliners such as Carbon Leaf, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, and Tim McGraw; should be an interesting Tuesday night show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is a mere $8. Check out the schedule over at shanecooleymusic.com.
