FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
1. THE PONY INTERVIEW WITH THE WAG
2. MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: OPEN MIC
3. THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
4. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This Week at The Stone Pony: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (Friday), Derek Trucks Band (Saturday)
New on the Stone Pony Calendar: Pepper (July 30), Amphibian (August 3), John Eddie (August 7), Gomez (August 14), Fifth Annual JerseyShows.com Battle of the Bands Finals (August 15), Taj Mahal Trio (August 20), Phantom Planet (September 15), Mountain (November 19)
Every local scene has their favorites, bands who make their marks and fans assume will eventually be discovered by the outside world. The Asbury Park area is fortunate to have a wealth of talented acts who build a following by performing at the Pony and other area venues, developing their sound and adding to its music legacy. One of the best young bands around, The Wag, opens for one of their predecessors, John Cafferty and Beaver Brown Band, this Friday, July 23. The Wag, Dan Corboy (guitars), Alicia Van Sant (keyboards), Brian Mowery (drums) and Brian Ostering (bass), have released several albums over the past five years they've been together as a band, and plan to release their latest this Friday at the club. The newsletter interviewed three members of the band about the new album, hearing themselves on the radio, playing our legendary stage and what they need to do to quit the day jobs.
The Stone Pony: You’re holding your CD release party here at the club on July 23rd. Start off by giving your best pitch for the new album to our readers. What’s it called, how would you describe the music and why should people have it in their cars and CD players this summer?
Brian Ostering: Our new CD is called "Long Story Short." We describe the music as diverse; it covers so many different styles. It's got rock, pop, blues. It's sort of a showcase of some of the different kinds of songs we can write.
Dan Corboy: "Long Story Short" is the next level of Wag. We're getting better at every stage of the process: songwriting, arranging, recording. There are many different styles of music represented here. We are known for our upbeat pop. That's still here, but now we are also showing our dark side (laughs) and our soft side; weird side; leave me alone ... oh yeah, and it totally rocks. Also, it really sounds good because we shelled for a good studio.
Alicia Van Sant: There's some "weird" stuff on there, too. It's a fun album! People should have it in their cars and CD players because it's different from everything else out there. It has songs you can drive to in your convertible down to the beach, and songs you can light the incense to.
Where was the CD recorded and how long did the process take? Does the band generally enjoy the recording process, and do you tend to go into the studio with fully-formed musical ideas that you want to get onto tape, or does the creative process take place in the studio?
Brian: It was recorded at Retromedia Studios in Red Bank. John Noll, the owner and engineer, also took on some producing duties. It took about a year from start to finish. We totally enjoy the recording process! You never know what you may come up with in the studio that you'd never thought of before, especially when you have "outside" help, in the form of the engineer.
Dan: Retromedia. It took a long time. The better we get at it the more we enjoy it. It can be very hard work. On this CD, the music was almost completely written before we got to the studio. The one we're working on now is definitely more fluid, and that is probably a result of a combination of things: the fact that we are more comfortable in the studio and the way we've been writing and arranging as a band more.
Alicia: We go into the studio with fully-formed ideas, but open minds. As Brian said, you never know what could happen in the studio. And John had some very good ideas and helped us a lot.
You’ve been very prolific as a band, releasing roughly an album per year, which is unusual output for a local group. Do you think it’s important to consistently have new music out there, and have you gotten more comfortable with the recording process over the course of the four albums?
Brian: It's important for us as a band to have new music out there, because it's what we love to do, and also for the public to listen to. It's also important to have fresh music for the radio stations to play, and to send to record labels in the hopes of getting that big break.
Alicia: We've definitely gotten more comfortable with the recording process over four albums; each time, you learn something new, and you try new things. That keeps it fresh, but at the same time, you're more comfortable with the process.
Dan: I love being called prolific. Yes, we are always writing and growing as a band and as individuals musically. Several of us are learning new instruments and we are experimenting with different styles of music.
You’ve performed at the Pony before, as well as most of the other important rooms in this area. Can you remember the first time you performed at the club, and does the band feel a connection to Asbury Park’s musical legacy?
Dan: Yeah, the first time was great because it feels like you've arrived. All our friends were like: "The Pony, Alright!" Alicia bought us all coffee mugs and every time I use it I think of that night.
Alicia: The first time we performed at the Stone Pony was when we opened for Peter Tork (ex-Monkee) and his band, the Shoe Suede Blues. The Monkees were always a particular favorite of mine, so it was a real thrill to open up for Peter. Plus, it was at the Stone Pony, and that's a very recognizable name. Every time we play at the Stone Pony is special in its own way.
Brian: We do feel a connection to Asbury Park's musical legacy. It's where the music was, is, and always will be. We've been nominated in the Asbury Music Awards for Top Pop Band for three years in a row. We haven't won yet, but seriously, just to be nominated really is an honor. We've been nominated alongside some of the best local bands out there!
Have you been following the changes in the area over the past several years? How has the scene changed during your career as a band, and do you find that the opportunities to perform and get noticed are increasing or becoming more difficult to create?
Dan: Being an all-original band, [it] is always difficult to find the right opportunities. I think it has gotten slightly more difficult. But at the same time we've gotten a little more picky. We've played a lot of gigs and now we are more likely to turn down a gig that we know is not a good match for us. We have also maintained relationships for years so that it is easier to get back into important rooms or on the dial.
Brian: Sure, we've been following the changes. Not only in Asbury, but in other local towns as well, clubs are closing, and that makes it hard to find gigs.
Alicia: Redeveloping Asbury Park is great. It will enliven the whole area. But at the same time, we don't [want] to lose the Stone Pony or any other clubs.
Can you remember the first time you heard one of your songs played on the radio? Do you still get a kick out of hearing your song somewhere, or having someone come up to you and say that they loved your CD or a set you just played?
Alicia: We'd been played on the radio in the past, but hadn't actually heard our song. This time around, 90.5 the NIGHT has been playing "Paper Cup" from our newest CD, "Long Story Short." I still haven't heard it personally, but Brian called me at work the other day and held his phone up to the radio so I could hear it! That was funny. And I've had people come into my job just to tell me that they heard us on the radio, and how they thought that was cool. It's always great when someone tells you they enjoyed your music, whether it was live or the CD. There's nothing like that feeling.
Dan: It's totally a thrill to hear our stuff on the radio. I don't think I could ever get sick of that. It's great to receive compliments too. The best is seeing people really groove while we're playing.
Brian: It makes us feel good when our music affects people in a positive way. That's why we put it out there!
Speaking of radio airplay, [you mentioned that] one of your songs has recently gotten into radio rotation on 90.5 the NIGHT. Have you found that radio and other media has been supportive of the band, and what have been the greatest challenges to getting the band’s name and music out there?
Brian: We've gotten lots of support from 90.5 the NIGHT not only with "Long Story Short," and with our previous CD, "Ordinary Day." We were also on News 12 New Jersey a while back. And the Asbury Park Press has done articles about us, as has the TriCity News. The biggest challenges to getting ourselves out there is really the lack of management. We don't have a manager who can open doors that are otherwise closed to us. And it's hard to get your songs on the radio if you're not signed.
Alicia: And getting good gigs opening for national acts can be difficult if they have their own opening band.
Dan: For media that has decided to recognize local music, art, and culture, we have found support; in some cases, truly powerful press. However, if a radio station, say like, oh, I don't know, G-106.3, decides that they are not going to acknowledge local music, then that's it. They won't. The NIGHT has always been great to us, especially lately. Thanks, Jeff.
Your merchandise, from stickers, to matchbooks and even squeeze balls, can be seen all over the place. When did you start producing and distributing merch and how do you come up with your designs?
Alicia: (Laughing.) We don't have squeeze balls! But we do have stickers, matchbooks, frisbees and t-shirts.
Brian: We started producing and distributing merch from day one. Our designs are usually based on artwork from the latest CD we've released at the time.
Dan: We've had merch since the beginning and someone asked for a t-shirt at like our first or second show. We've had some good ideas (Mowery-matches) and Pete at JerkRecords gave us some good ideas and put us in touch with good sticker guys and good t-guys. Our friend Ken did the "wagsticks" design which I think is the coolest thing going. But, just like everything else, we are getting better at everything the more we do it; merchandising, marketing, art work, lay out. It's all great. We are the greatest band in the history of the world. Sorry.
Does the band aspire to expand your touring area outside of the local area? Do you all currently have day jobs in addition to your work with the band, and do you foresee a time when you would make the music your sole career?
Brian: We have played in Philly and New York, and we're always open to playing other places, but our main focus is the Jersey Shore. That's really the hotspot for the music scene. We think that the only way to make music our only job is to get signed. Some cover bands do it, but cover bands lack the creativity involved that an original band offers.
Alicia: We do all have day jobs, but when we can afford to make music our sole career, you'd better believe we'll do just that! Not only is that every band's dream, but it also would leave more time and energy for creating our music, as well as recording, playing, etc.
Dan: We all have jobs and mortgages and families. So we pretty much need to get signed to be able to do it full time.
What are your plans for the summer, and what’s next for the band after the release of the CD? Are there any other projects or shows coming up that fans should watch out for?
Dan: The day after the Pony show we'll play one more and then we take two months off because my wife is due at the end of August with our second child. During that time, we hope to focus on our new recording project.
Brian: Our next show is at the Monmouth County Fair on Saturday, July 24th at 5:30 pm. After that show, we will begin to put together our material for the next Wag album: "Soundtrack to a Silent Movie". Also, we will be doing a benefit for the SPCA on October 2nd from 8-noon at Marine Park in Red Bank, NJ.
Alicia: We like to do benefits, and the SPCA gig is my particular favorite. I'm an animal lover. Please check out our website at www.thewagband.com for updates and additional gigs!
Now at AsburyPark.net:
Tillie safely away from Palace:
Tillie, the painted face which has come to represent Asbury Park's long run
as an entertainment destination, was safely removed from the historic Palace
Amusements building.
MONDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: OPEN MIC
Acoustic, electric, solo, band performances welcome. Backline provided by MUSICMAKERS, just bring guitars. Hosted by PETER SCHERER of HWY 9. Guest DJs from 105.5 WDHA, 105.7 The Hawk, 95.9 WRAT, Sirius Satellite Radio, 90.5 The NIGHT and more. Voting by everyone in attendance.
Prizes from the Pony, Budweiser, Max Cruise, Yoo-Hoo, Compact Disc World, Music Makers, Funk and Standard, Starbucks, Jack Daniels and more. Happy hour 8-11, $1 off all drinks, 25-cent drafts 8-11, $1 drafts after 11, shot specials all night.
Doors at 8 pm. Sign-up begins at 8:30 or e-mail openmic@stoneponyonline.com to sign-up in advance. Admission: $5.
THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE STONE PONY: LADIES NIGHT
The hottest Thursday night continues with LADIES NIGHT at The Stone Pony.
Music by DJ PRIME spinning the best in house, hip hop, reggae and trance. 18 to enter, 21 to drink. ID a must! Doors open at 9:30 pm. Dress to impress. 25 cent Budweiser drafts 'till 11 pm. $1 drafts after 11. $2 shot specials all night.
Come see for yourself why Thursday nights are the hottest with Ladies Night at the Pony!
