Originally published in The Aquarian Weekly

December 24, 2008

The Blasters/The Bangs/Victory Gin

The Saint

Nov. 12, 2008

—by Ken Shane

ASBURY PARK, NJ—With the (temporary?) closing

of the Stone Pony, The Saint has taken it’s rightful

place as the epicenter of live music within NJ’s

most vibrant original music scene. As if to drive the

point home, veteran concert promoter, Tony

Pallagrosi, and Saint owner, Scott Stamper, teamed

up to bring one of the better shows of the year to

Asbury Park.

The Blasters may be past their ‘80s peak, but

they are still a very viable roots rock band, and they

proved it to an appreciative audience with their 90-

minute set at The Saint. Led by singer/guitarist Phil Alvin,

the band torched their way through career highlights

from their repertoire, including “Dark Night,”

“American Music,” “Shakin’,” “Red Rose,” “Border

Radio,” and arguably their most well-known song,

the Cajun-flavored “Marie, Marie.” They also excelled

during a cover segment featuring the songs of

George Jones, James Brown, and Bo Diddley.

Phil Alvin’s guitar playing was incendiary

throughout, as was his earnest vocalizing. It’s

said that the best make it look easy,

and for the Blasters, it seems effortless. This band

is a treasure trove of American music.

Local favorites Victory Gin opened the show with

their rousing acoustic versions of classic rock tunes

like “Locomotive Breath,” and down home, foot stompers

of their own. Featuring banjo and acoustic

guitar, Victory Gin offers a sound not often heard

within the confines of this club that’s steeped in

the sweat and blood of rock ‘n’ roll. It was a refreshing

change of pace.

Next up were The Bangs. They were one of

the area’s most popular bands back in the ‘70s,

and then they took what they described as a short

hiatus: The break lasted for about 30 years. The

show at The Saint was only their second since their

return. No matter, they haven’t lost a step. When

I closed my eyes, I felt as if I was back at the Fast

Lane on a summer night in 1977, listening to a

band that defined the Jersey Shore sound. Featuring

songs from their salad days, as well as new ones, the

band drew a lot of their old fans who seemed thrilled to

have them back. And why not? Hopefully they’ll continue

this new phase of their career.

These are uncertain times in the world, the nation,

and certainly in Asbury Park. The forces of

redevelopment seem poised to wipe away the great

musical heritage of the city, even as they sing its

praises in their press releases. Local bands have

been shut out of a number of Asbury Park venues

in favor of national touring acts. Surely there is

room for both, and as long as the doors to The

Saint are open, and as long as there are promoters

who care about the local music scene, rock ‘n’ roll

will survive in Asbury Park. By blending a touring

act with two strong local bands, Palligrosi and

Stamper proved that point on a cold Friday night.

Shows like this need all of our support. Make it

a point to come out and support original music in

the weeks ahead.

PHOTO BY: Mike Albert