FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE WALLFLOWERS ARE BRINGING DOWN THE PONY
2. BILLY HECTOR "OUT OF ORDER" CD RELEASE PARTY
3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: Local H (Wednesday), Seth Yacovone Band (Friday), Easter Eve Bash with Brown (Saturday), The Wallflowers with Special Guest Ron Sexsmith (Sunday)
New on the Pony Calendar: The Miller Lite 2003 Summer Concert Series with Motorhead and Anthrax (May 10), Third Eye Blind Within Arm's Reach Tour (May 11), AFI (May 17), Maceo Parker (June 21), Immolation (June 29).
Celebrating the release of their fourth album, the Wallflowers are set to rock the stage at The Stone Pony on Sunday, April 20th. Red Letter Days (Interscope Records), called by one critic their "most adventurous and rewarding album yet," contains thirteen tracks that fans will find more polished and laced with studio effects than their previous works, an indication of the evolution and maturity of the band's creative force. Fronted by Jakob Dylan, The Wallflowers shot to superstardom on the tidal wave of their four-million-selling 1996 album, Bringing Down the Horse. That album, their second, was produced by T-Bone Burnett, a friend of his rock royal family, and saw huge commercial and critical success, bolstered by the hit single, "One Headlight". That song earned two Grammy Awards in 1997, for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song, and was followed-up by over two years of heavy touring. "6th Avenue Heartache", a track that Dylan says was the first "real song" he ever wrote as an art student in New York City in 1988, also became an alternative rock hit during this period. The group's cover of the David Bowie classic "Heroes", which appeared on the "Godzilla" movie soundtrack (well, at least the song rocked) is also a fan favorite, and spent time in the Mtv Top 20. All three of these hits have been included in the band's set on recent tour dates.
Bringing Down the Horse was followed-up four years later by the gold-selling (Breach) (Interscope Records). The tour supporting that album saw the Wallflowers open up for The Who at a five-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Now engaged in their latest tour, which included recent back-to-back shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City early in the week (at least one of which was a sell-out), fans will have a golden opportunity to see the Wallflowers close-up in front of the legendary Pony logo.
Opening for the Wallflowers will be Canadian singer/songwriter, Ron Sexsmith, who is touring to promote the release of his sixth album Cobblestone Runway (Nettwerk Records). Sexsmith, who began recording in 1991, is noted for his ability to combine a strong pop sensibility to create catchy and memorable songs, without falling into clichéd or overly-sappy sentiment. A cult favorite among his fans, he has been cited as a favorite of performers ranging from Chris Martin of Coldplay, who Sexsmith opened for on their tour earlier this year, to Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney. Martin also added vocals to the final re-mixed track on Cobblestone Runway. Fated to a career in music when he discovered he shared his birthday with Elvis Presley, Sexsmith has combined steady touring at small clubs with appearances at larger venues in opening and supporting slots. Cobblestone Runway's first single is a contemporary doo-wop track called "These Days" which, unintentionally, shares a vibe with the Lou Reed classic "Walk On The Wild Side". Other tracks on the disc, which Sexsmith will hopefully break out for fans this Sunday, include "Gold In Them Hills", Sexsmith's favorite on this release, and "Former Glory".
Sunday presents a truly special opportunity for music fans to experience two stellar and accomplished songwriters. Seeing the Wallflowers at a rock club like the Pony is a rare treat that shouldn't be missed, and Sexsmith's sound is tailor-made for the legendary Pony sound system and an evening at the Jersey shore. Do not miss this opportunity and the perfect way to cap off the weekend, this Sunday, April 20th. Doors open at 8 pm and tickets are available at Ticketmaster, musictoday.com and Pony ticket outlets.
The official Wallflowers website can be found at www.thewallflowers.com. Ron Sexsmith's site is located at www.ronsexsmith.com.
Now at AsburyPark.net:
State insists on historic easement
State officials are insisting on
a permanent easement for Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre before
approving the sale of the buildings by the city to a private owner.
LEGENDS UNITE FOR BILLY HECTOR’S ELEVENTH ALBUM RELEASE, “OUT OF ORDER”, MAY 3rd AT THE STONE PONY
The history of the blues is the stuff of legend; from the heart of the Delta, through the Crossroads and up the Mississippi River into the heart of Chicago. Somewhere along the line, the road bore east, after taking a few lessons at the upside-down school of Jimi Hendrix, and wound up along the fabled Jersey Shore.
Recognized as a “Living Legend” at the Asbury Park Music Awards, BILLY HECTOR continues to draw upon that history, while contributing more of his own. He recently participated in a historic studio session with Hubert Sumlin and Billy Boy Arnold to record “Juke” for fabled director Martin Scorsese’s upcoming seven-part series “The Blues”. “The Blues” will offer emotional stories offered by seven internationally-renowned directors to explore the essence of the blues and its influence on people, and music, around the world.
Fresh off this latest success, Hector returns with his 11th independently-released CD, OUT OF ORDER: The Stone Pony Sessions. For 25 years, Hector has done things his way and gained success and worldwide recognition without the benefit of fad or fashion, nor the deep pockets of a major label. His music reflects the true soul of the blues; passionate, moving and dedicated to making an audience dance and sweat.
OUT OF ORDER: The Stone Pony Sessions, released by Ghetto Surf music, rocks and grooves across 11 tracks. Seven are original tunes, penned by Hector with Suzan Lastovica, his long-time collaborator, who also mixed the record. The other four reflect the blues tradition that marks Hector’s spirit and influence.
Starting out with the grinding and blazing blues of Hector favorite “Hammer”, the disc is filled with diverse sounds, funky grooves and blinding solos. The 1959 Chester Burnett classic “Howlin’ For My Baby” two-steps into Otis Blackwell’s 1953 Jay-Dee release “Daddy Rollin’ Stone”. After paying tribute to 1950’s blues shuffles, Hector turns down the lights and fills up the room with the smoky and night-crawling “Whiskey”; his fingers enticing the fretboard of his Fender guitar to weep and cry through a gut-wrenching solo. “Old School Thang” turns on the party once more for a good-time jam, and continues into the horn-drenched go-go beat of “Busted”. Rufus Thomas’ dance-driven r&b hit “Memphis Train” pushed the genre into the realms of soul and funk and beats even stronger under Hector’s influence.
Only a true blues master would give his own treatment to John Lee Hooker’s signature “Big Legs, Tight Skirt”, invoking the vibe of the greatest of all bluesmen while retaining his own unique sound and wail. Three more original tunes round out Hector’s latest release; the pulsating “Patricia” is a four-minute instrumental pop gem, the Stone Pony proudly presents the raucous and rocking “Stop Doggin’ Me ‘Round” and, just before all the air is out of the room, “Dealin’ with the Devil” takes several twists and turns through the crossroads, reminding us that Hector is still the best rockin’ blues show around today.
The album was recorded at the legendary Stone Pony rock club in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Nov. 2, 2001 and Nov. 23, 2002. The choice of venue is a fitting one, as its importance in music history matches Hector’s own. It was the club where fans began to become familiar with his fiery style and versatile abilities as a member of the Shots, an early house band that helped popularize the r&b sound in the area. Several bands, eleven albums and 250 shows per year later, the leading advocate of “Fender therapy” returns home to continue winning over fans one at a time.
Backing Hector during these performances are Winston Roye (bass), Rich Monica (drums) and the Midnight Horns; Tommy LaBella (saxophone), John Berry (trumpet) and Pete Maurer (trombone).
OUT OF ORDER: The Stone Pony Sessions is an ENHANCED CD. By putting it into your computer’s CD drive, one can watch special exclusive video of Hector performing “Billy’s Blues”, a bonus original track for his fans.
Hector is one of the best songwriters and performers on the scene, recognized by critics and fans as a modern performer expressing the vibe of classic blues. His latest CD continues this tradition, with a testament to his skill, showmanship and, most importantly, the music.
Saturday, May 3rd, The Billy Hector Band releases Out of Order: The Stone Pony Sessions at The Stone Pony. Special MC for the Evening: Mel Hood, owner of Jason’s for over 25 years unites with Billy one more time. Showtime 9 pm with special guests Spiraling. Ages 18 and up.
Thursday Nights: Ladies Night
The best mix of house, trance,
progressive and vocal. 18 to enter, 21 to drink (ID mandatory). Drink
specials. Doors open at 9:30 pm. DJ Prime and B.G. are on the wheels of
steel ... Dress to impress - our promoters are tough on the door ... Come
see for yourself what all the hype is about. It's on every Thursday
only at The Stone Pony!
