Jammin’ and rockin’ all night long is the Whiskey Bar way. From lively original rock groups to popular cover bands, Hobokenites and other area residents stop at the cozy venue for top drink specials, quality music, and an entertaining time with friends.
Since the spring, the Whiskey Bar has been showcasing original bands on Tuesday nights. Bands from everywhere in the tri-state area have hit the large stage in the back of the bar to perform in front of enthusiastic crowds. Many bands brought their own fans to the shows while others relied on the night’s regular audience for support. Since the bands were from the entire regional area, residents from throughout the state came to Hoboken for drinks and a little bit of rock and roll.
"The contest is good for the town," said the Whiskey Bar’s booking manager, Scott Rush. "We’re drawing people in here from all over."
During a band’s performance on any given Tuesday night since April 2, audience members filled out questionnaires that asked what they thought of the band’s set. After tallying all the votes, from a pool of more than 50 bands, five have come out on top. They are the lucky ones who have earned the opportunity to test their talents at the Whiskey Bar this Saturday night at 8 p.m. The Battle of the Bands ticket includes Barefoot Landing, Coventry Road, Enjoy, Persun, and Sprout.
"The qualifying bands are the top performers this summer according to the people who voted," Rush said. "We wanted to provide a formidable atmosphere for original live music." Three music industry producers will be on hand to judge the Aug. 24 show. One judge is Hoboken resident John Seymore, a Grammy Award winner who has produced songs for Santana and other rock bands. John Rollo, producer for the Kinks, Joe Cocker, Southside Johnny, and Kool and the Gang, is also on the panel. Ron Saint Jermain, producer for the bands Creed, Tool, and Soundgarden, just to name a few, will also be there to cast his vote.
"We want everybody to come see the show. The bands are ready to rock in Hoboken," said Rush.
Hoboken residents Amanda Koch and Charlotte Wandell stopped by on a Tuesday night in June to check out one of the bands. They enjoyed the performance and liked the idea of the Battle of the Bands.
"It sounds like a good idea," Koch said, while sitting at the bar with friends. "We’re definitely coming to the final competition in August."
The competing bands will enter a drawing to determine when they’ll play throughout the night. All the bands involved, however, agree that they don’t care in which order they play, they’re just fortunate to be involved in the event.
Barefoot Landing
In only a short amount of time, Barefoot Landing has established itself as a premier up-and-coming group. The shared vision of four very driven musicians has resulted in a sound that blurs the genres of rock, pop, funk, and alternative. Since forming in 1999, the group has called New York City home. Propelled by their love of performing live, the band has kept busy in the past three years, traveling to clubs all around the East Coast. Both in the local NYC clubs and on the well-worn stages of college towns, Barefoot has left their mark. They continue to push the envelope of their craft.
"Our material is interesting, and we are good live performers," said lead guitarist and vocalist Nick C. "Every show is definitely different. We play with a heavy amount of groove and emotion."
The music the band creates is a sonic painting, with four uniquely influenced musicians bringing their individual colors to the canvas. Barefoot Landing is set to release their second EP this year. Visit them at www.barefootlanding.com.
Coventry Road
Combine four diverse musical styles, throw in a tiny woman with a powerful voice, and you get Coventry Road. Ed and Virginia Kamentizer took their songs and sought to form a band. Drummer Michael Possumato joined the group a couple of years ago, and since then the group has been playing the NY/NJ club circuit. They continue to explore with new music, and critics have compared them to the Dave Matthew’s Band, Counting Crows, and the Black Crowes.
"We’re excited to be playing at the Whiskey Bar. It’s a good venue, and the audience is always supportive," said Possumato during a recent interview.
The band can be reached at www.coventry-road.com.
Enjoy
The popular Long Beach Island rock group has been playing the Jersey Shore the entire summer. They recorded a demo in July, engineered by Jason Sexton and Big Bad Al B. in Philadelphia. This promising band, with pop-rock influences, is gaining popularity and has won over audiences at The Marlin in Beach Haven. They are touring the state and are ready for the Whiskey Bar’s Battle of the Bands.
"Come out and help us win it all," wrote the band on their web site.
Definitely a band to look out for, Enjoy’s stage presence and melodies make them a talented group. For more information visit www.enjoyband.com.
Persun
A progressive groove quartet from Maplewood, the band has been touring the Northeast region relentlessly. Persun reinforces strong songwriting by fusing elements of rock with vocal harmonies to generate a fresh, engaging sound. On stage, this unit creates electrifying and dynamic music through structured arrangements that move explosively from start to finish. They formed in the summer of 1999, and in February the band completed a 13-track studio album, which will be released throughout their touring region. Persun has developed a strong local following and performs in New England and the tri-state area throughout the year. They have played the Jersey Shore and are looking forward to a competitive event at the Whiskey Bar.
"We like our fans to get loud and rowdy and to focus on the music," said Anthony Vanacore, the band’s drummer.
Persun can be found on the web at www.persun.com.
Sprout
Not to be confused with the Long Island band of the same name, the Sprout from Point Pleasant are making a name for themselves. They have won several contests, including an event at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park this year. Sprout is a collection of Jersey-based artists with a highly explosive sound. Their original music is a delectable blend of reggae, blues, rock, and hip-hop. The band is unique and intense. They infuse their melodies and meticulous song crafting with a rock-steady groove. They have a fervent and fast-growing following, and they’ve opened for acts like Joan Jett and Fishbone.
"Playing the Jersey Shore has prepared us for large venues," said guitarist and vocalist Nick Marini.
Sprout is set to bring their fans to the Whiskey Bar and rock the stage, they said. They can be reached at www.thesprout.com.
The Battle of the Bands is sponsored in part by Sam Ash Music Stores, Rolling Rock beer, Big Blue Meanie Studios in Jersey City, and Dave’s Sound Repair in Whippany. The winning band will receive gift certificates and recording time in a studio. The Whiskey Bar is located on 125 Washington St. Admission for the show is $5. For more information call (201) 963-3400 or visit www.whiskey-bar.com. q
Cover photo by Gerald Cadena of the band Beyond Mirth. Unfortunately, the band did not qualify for the Aug. 24 show. Their web site is www.beyondmirth.com. Cadena may be reached at http://capedkingprod.home.att.net