Night Grooves: Live Music in February

By Uncle Mike

I officially christen the month of February Bobruary! Why Bobruary, you ask? Well, Bob Bandiera is popping up all over the local scene this month. And as far as I’m concerned that’s a very good thing for local music fans because I am a firm believer in the fact that you can never have too much Bob Bandiera! Of special note is the night of Friday, Feb. 10 when Bob and his Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue take to the stage of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank to salute the Bee Gees. That, my friends, is definitely going be something special!
OK, kickin’ things off up in S’ville at the Starland Ballroom, it’s Symphony X, Iced Earth and Warbringer on Fri., Feb. 3rd, Uli Jon Roth &Leslie West, Steve Bello, Raftree and Cashmier on the 4^th, “Titans Of Tribute XII” with Soundgarden (Jesus Christ Pose), Tool (Spiral Out), Alice In Chains (Facelift), Stone Temple Pilots (Lady Picture Show) and Mystic Haze on the 10^th, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Garden State Line, Ft. Milan and White Chocolate Experience on the 11^th, Hanson on the 16^th, E.Town Concrete, Biohazard, Madball, Sworn Enemy, Razorblade Handgrenade and One Brick Down on the 17^th,  E.Town Concrete, Biohazard, Madball, Negative Sky and This Means Everything (Reunion) on the 18^th, “Dim Mak’s Deadmeat Tour 2012” with Steve Aoki & Datsik, Powered By Sol Republic, Autoerotique and Mike Bugout on the 19th and “The Barstool Blackout Tour” on the 25th.
Rollin’ into the Big R.B. at Jamian’s it’s Matt O’Ree on the 3rd, Juggling Suns on the 4th, Havens on the 10^th, Lil Devils & Tattoville (featuring Bayonne Bleeders) on the 11^th and Quincy Mumford & Reason Why on the 18th. Down the street at the Count Basie Theatre, it’s Bob Bandiera & The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue – Salute The Bee Gees on the 10th, A Valentine’s Doo Wop on the 11th, Foreigner Acoustique on the 15th, Blast! on the 17^th, BeauSoleil & Marcia Ball – A Musical Mardi Gras Celebration on the 18th and Patrizio Buanne on the 24th. Plus at the Walt St. Pub, it’s Guns For Hire on the 3rd, The BaDads on the 4th, Josh Zuckerman Band on the 10th, Sonny Kenn on the 11th, Six To Midnight on the 17th, The Jonzes on the 18th, Under Pressure on the 24th and Craig Daniel & The Distractions on the 25th. And in S.B. at McLoone’s Rum Runner, it’s Barbara King on the 2nd, 4^th, 9^th and 11^th, Bob Bandiera on the 3rd, KenHe on the 6th and BethAnne Clayton on the 10th.
Slippin’ into L.B. at The Brighton Bar it’s Monterey, Marvin Sunk, Urban Underclass and The Hard Characters on the 3rd, b. Funk, Loose Fit, Funkaholics Anonymous, Mischief Kids and Bert L’z on the 4th, ZO2 and Peter Baron on the 10th, “The DAA 4 Year Anniversary Party” with Vestibule, Negative Traction, Anacin, True Will and Once By The Atlantic on the 11th, Image Optional Monthly on the 17th, Mars Needs Women, Zodiac Mary, Rahway, Jaded Past and The Discontent on the 18th, Ivan Julian, The Cucumbers, Acid (CD Release Party), Frankenstein 3000, Jack Brag (CD Release Party) and Digger Phelps (CD Release Party) on the 24thand The Jon Herington Band, Verity In Stereo, Elevator Art, Midtown Direct and Blue Sour on the 25th. While at McLoone’s Pier House it’s BethAnne Clayton on the 3^rd, Primitive Soul on the 4^th, Carl Gentry on the 10^th, The Intentions on the 11^th, Kristian Rex Trio on the 17^th, Bob Burger on the 18^th, Pam McCoy on the 24^th and Electric Boots on the 25^th. And in West L.B. at MU’s Pollak Theatre, it’s Cherish The Ladies on the 10^th, In The Mood: A 1040’s Musical Revue on the 12^th, Carolina Chocolate Drops & The M Shanghai String Band on the 17thand Cowboy Junkies on the 24th.
Slidin’ into the ‘Bury at the Paramount Theatre, it’s Steel Panther on the 18th. Plus at McLoone’s Supper Club, it’s The British Invasion Tribute – More Than Just The Beatles! on the 3^rd, Bob Burger on the 4^th, Masters Of Music: Darlene Love on the 10^th, Tim McLoone & The Shirleys on the 11^th, Motor City Revue (CD Release Party) on the 17^th, The Jersey Four on the 18^th, The Carl Gentry Band – The Byrds And Beyond on the 24^th and The Sirius Orchestra Fundraiser on the 25^th. Across the way at Lance & Debbie’s Wonder Bar, it’s James McCartney, Chris Leone and Lisa Bouchelle on the 3^rd, The Sleepwalkers and Information Overload on the 4^th, Enjoy! and Los Gringos on the 10^th, Juggling Suns and Roadside Stew on the 11^th, Sensational Soul Cruisers on the 17^th, “Asbury Park Open Mic” with Rob Dye and Cook  on the 24th and Guns 4 Hire on the 25th. Meanwhile at The Saint, it’s Kings Highway, Weathered Sol, Jakes Gorilla and The Amboys on the 3rd, Park Ape, Sinsanity and The Ugly’s on the 4th, Lion In The Mane on the 11^th, The Explorer’s Club and Hammer And Hide on the 17th, Red Wanting Blue, The New Rick Barry’s and James Arlowe & The Ruffian Circus on the 18^th, Camry on the 25^th, Lightning Jar, George Wirth, Jerz Jung, Michael Brett and Beannact on the 26th and Dash Rip Rock, The Trash Mavericks and The Cynz on the 29th. And at The Stone Pony, it’s Scarlet Carson, End Of An Era, Still Frame, Another Lost Year, Beyond Visible and Audacity on the 3rd, The Break Contest (doors at noon) on the 4th, “The Gay Blades Valentine’s Ball” with The Gay Blades, Cold Fronts, Anjelia Pelay, Ladykiller and Lifeguard Nights on the 10th, John Eddie’s CD Release Show with Michael Patrick Band, Sonic Slave, Justin Learner and Bobby Mahoney on the 11th, Rehab, Rittz, Solo For Dolo and X-Phaze on the 14th, Chris Webby, Vintage and A2K on the  16th, B Street Band on the 17^th, Bobby Bandiera Band on the 18^th, Steel Pulse and Loose Fit on the 24^th, Citizen Cope on the 25^th and Barstool Blackout Party on the 29^th..
Well, there you have it friends, a February to remember! Be good to yourselves, and remember, you’re never too old to rock n’ roll! Later!