FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. A FIRST LOOK AT LAST PERFECT THING'S NEW EP
2. PETER WOLF PERFORMS TRACKS FROM HIS NEW SOLO ALBUM
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
4. STONE PONY ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Peter Wolf (Friday), Last Perfect Thing CD Release Party (Saturday), Superdrag (Tuesday)
New on The Stone Pony Calendar: John Eddie Annual Thanksgiving Eve Show (November 27), Splintered Sunlight (December 7), Sponge (December 13), Seth Yacavone Band (December 14)
Stone Pony Entertainment Presents: Keller Williams (Tink's Entertainment Complex, Scranton, PA, November 20), Clarence Clemons Temple of Soul (The Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, NJ, November 29) , Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY, April 8)
Their name represents a simple core belief; that music is the one thing that is pure and true. In a flourishing local scene where many great bands are making names for themselves, Asbury Park's own Last Perfect Thing is managing to stand out, earning honors for Top Rock Band at the 2002 Asbury Music Awards, a follow-up to their Top Alternative Band accolade in 2001. Now, they've earned their stripes, and the right to debut their new CD at a Stone Pony release party on Saturday, November 16th. Fans who have followed the band around the local scene will have an opportunity to be the first to buy their brand new EP, as well as hear great sets performed by the band, as well as their friends in Self Fulfilling Prophecy, Socratic, Blue Tom and Fairweather. It's an all-ages event, so don't miss your chance to be a part of your local scene and support the home-town boys before they head off on a two-week tour down the east coast to Florida. Last Perfect Thing's lead singer and guitarist Greg Wilkens gave the Newsletter an exclusive look around the scene, their fans, and the new EP.
The Stone Pony: Let’s start out by talking about the CD you’ll be releasing at the Pony on November 16th. What is the name of the disc and how many songs are on the album? Are you releasing the album on your own, or is there a label that you’re working with? Is the album self-produced?
Greg Wilkens: The six-song EP will be called "Without Justice". It will be released on WEMAKE Records. The cd was produced by Wayne Dorrell.
The Stone Pony: Take a step back and introduce the band to our readers. Who are the members of LPT, what instruments do they play and how does everyone know each other?
GW: Ryan - lead guitar, backing vocals. Joe - drums. Justin - bass. Greg - vocals, guitar. Danny - sanity provider.
Ryan and Joe grew up together in the same neighborhood. Justin grew up in the same hood, but was slightly younger. Joe used to be in a band with Justin's older brother, so they all pretty much knew each other. I knew Joe and Ryan from growing up playing shows like Jacko's Sunday Matinees at the Pony. Danny and I have been friends since 9th grade. It was originally me, Dan, Joe and Ryan. We've been thru another bassist since Danny. Mike Smith, upon his resignation this past winter, we acquired Justin.
The Stone Pony: As an Asbury Park band, how do you see the state of the local music scene, and the general redevelopment of the area? Is it getting easier for bands to find good places the play these days, and how have the crowds been that are coming out to the shows?
GW:
The
scene is strong. Lots of bands are getting the recognition they deserve and
the NJ scene has definitely been put on the map. The city of Asbury is
taking turns for the better, as little by little we see new renovations and
new businesses coming into town.
The Stone Pony: Having a record release party at the Pony has to rank as an
accomplishment for any band, especially one from the local area. Have you
had the opportunity to see other bands perform at the club, and are there
any favorite memories about the Pony from when band members have played its
stage in the past?
GW: We've been going to shows at the Pony for at least nine years now.
It's a great venue and a great-sounding room. There are many memories.
For me, it was a VOD/Fury of Five show when the sprinklers got pulled from
the ceiling and flooded the Pony. What a mess.
The Stone Pony: An article on your web site describes the band’s great relationship with your fans. Not only do they support you, but supply baked goods and other gifts. How does it feel to have such a cool fan base and is LPT living proof that being in a rock band is a great way to get girls?
GW: We exist because people appreciate what we do. That is a great feeling that we owe to the people who give us the time of day ... and even that is hard to get these days. We just try to be ourselves and create the music we feel passionate about. As far as getting girls; it's easy for anyone who gets on a stage and performs to become attractive to a person watching from the crowd.
The Stone Pony: Last Perfect Thing has gotten considerable radio airplay and good support from local stations. Can you recall the first time you heard a Last Perfect Thing song on the radio? Where is the band getting airplay these days and what are the prospects of songs from the new album being played on the air?
GW: First time I heard our song was on 106.3's Local Licks, back when the station was kool. Now, 88.9 Monmouth U. gives us great support. The guys at 90.5 The Night are quite helpful, too. The support of local bands from commercial radio has declined due to the strictly enforced playlists that these stations must adhere to. Oh well. I tip my hat to the old 106.3 WHTG.
The Stone Pony: Some musicians say that getting on the radio is often the step that convinces friends and family that the band is more than just a hobby. How have the people around the band reacted to everything that’s happened over the past few years? Did it take a while for people to take everyone seriously and, if so, at what point did people start to get behind you?
GW: Well, you really have to have a dream and be dedicated to it to make it in the music business. It can take years and years for a band to be together to achieve "rock stardom" and, if it doesn't, chances are you'll be walking around the revolving door and end up back on the street. I don't think we cared about if other people took us seriously at first. We just think it is important to take the music seriously, practice often and perfect the sounds that we make.
The Stone Pony: The band has talked about their songwriting as being a collaborative effort. How did the songwriting duties break down on the new album, and are there certain themes and concepts you find yourself including in your lyrics? What are some of the sources of inspiration that tend to trigger song ideas?
GW: This EP was a complete collaboration of all six members, past and present. The songs tended to be a bit more riffy on this cd. The experience of going to California was very inspiring to write about. That's prolly the only main theme that came about in a few of these songs.
The Stone Pony: Reviews of your live gigs describe LPT shows as bouncy and a good excuse to bring back the pogo. How much effort is put into the idea of giving the crowd a show to watch, as well as a cool sound to listen to? Is the band conscious of being entertaining on stage, or does everyone just do what comes naturally to them?
GW: We like to have a well-constructed set that keeps us moving and goes from song to song smoothly. We try to go with a "less talk, more rock" policy. Silence just sucks when you're on stage. It's boring for the crowd, too, but then again, so is some frontman rambling on about some bullsh*t. Just shut up and play.
The Stone Pony: How does the band plan to support and promote the new album? Have plans to tour developed, or any other new efforts to get word out about the group and the new disc? What would have to happen over the next few months for the band to consider this album to be a success?
GW: We are leaving for a tour the day after the Pony show. That will go for about two weeks. We just want to play to as many new faces as possible and get the cd to new people in new places. The web is a great way to promote your band when you are doing it DIY. So, I guess playing shows and maintaining a strong internet presence is priority to keep us moving in the right direction.
Last Perfect Thing's official web site, containing news and information about the band, including tour dates and sound samples, can be found at www.lastperfectthing.com.
New at The Stone Pony
Store
Now at The Stone Pony Store, we're offering high-quality, signed and
numbered prints of a beautiful watercolor of the Pony by artist Ray
Sternesky. We also have winter caps, jackets, sweatshirts and more, so make
sure to visit our store!
Visit
http://bamart.com/stonepony for details, or go to
Peter Wolf was once taught a valuable lesson about songwriting, "keep it all simple, and tell the truth." He's learned this lesson well throughout a long musical career, earning his reputation as the dynamic frontman for the J. Geils Band and reinforcing it through six solid solo recordings. The latest of these, Sleepless (Artemis Records), will be on display when Wolf comes the the legendary Stone Pony stage on Friday evening, November 15th. Sleepless shows off Wolf's strengths as a performer, raw rock and roll energy mixed with a soulful, thoughtful delivery. Born in New York City, and growing up in a household filled with music, Wolf's influences are as varied as music itself; 1950s rock and roll and Doo Wop, be-bop and folk, country and bluegrass, jazz and soul and, oh yes, Chicago Blues. Throughout his journey into the musical landscapes which would shape his career, he met artists and personalities who would shape his sound as much as what heard on the radio or in the clubs. In his childhood, he sometimes spent afternoons in the studio of painter Norman Rockwell. Later, as a young man, he would meet and become heavily influenced by Bob Dylan. He became friends with writer, record producer and manager, Jon Landau. On travels through New England, he became roommates with filmmaker David Lynch. And, in the early days of Wolf's dedication to a musical career, he would meet and strike a long-time friendship with John Lee Hooker. By 1967 (yes, all of this, and we're only up to 1967), Wolf had become a part of the J. Geils Band. That band's consistent touring and marathon stage shows earned them spots at Bill Graham's famed Fillmores East and West, as well as a seventeen-year run on the musical map. After the band broke up, it didn't take long for Wolf to set out on his own, releasing his first album, Lights Out, in 1984, and continuing to produce music to this day. Sleepless is also noted for guest spots by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Magic Dick, just a few more names to drop in the Wolf litany. But don't forget about the music. Wolf has been the master of the large, arena-rock show, and has now mastered the intimate, personal performance. All of this will surely be evident when Wolf breathes his magic into the club's sound system, so make sure you're among the lucky few who will be there to experience it all. Further details on Wolf's career, in an excellent and captivating personal bio, as well a sound clips and lots more on his career, can be found on his official web site, www.peterwolf.com.
Have your holiday party or event at one of the world's most well-known music venues! Call the Pony at 732-502-0600 for more information.
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Video shot in city debuts
The music video for Bruce Springsteen's
Lonesome Day, most of which shot in and around Asbury Park, has made
its public debut. The video has been added to the playlists of MTV and VH-1.
Thursday Nights: Ladies Night with DJ Prime and DJ Matrix. The best mix of house/trance/progressive/vocal. All Ladies free before 10, Ladies 21+ free all night, under 21 $5 after 10; Gentlemen 21+ $7, Under 21 $10; Reduced Admission with College ID or Invite. Click here for more information, details and $2 off admission!
