Show Report: Asbury Park, NJ

jersey boy comes home 4.3.06

we played at the saint in asbury park new jersey on a monday night. i must admit i wasnt expecting much because i have heard so many bad things about this city. i heard it was pretty run down and i have to admit it looked a bit like the city wasnt being taken care of that well. the saint was the smallest venue we played at thus far but it was by far the one with the most heart. i wish this show hadnt been booked so late in the tour so we could have gotten more people out. for me this show will go down in my own history books as one of the most fun nights i have had. it was the longest set we have ever played and one of the few times we played "dream"...and the ONLY night to play a very distorted version of it. we also opened the show with "hollywood" for the first time and i really loved it. that song is going to stay in that top spot for a while now. the crowd that was at the saint was awesome and took their music seriously.
it was also the first time we have ever done band introductions on stage. after the show scott (the owner) served us some special home made drinks and we had one of those band bonding evenings in the bar after closing time. i had a great time...maybe it's because of my jersey roots, i dont know, i just loved the saint and cant wait to come back to asbury park and play to sold out crowd there.

big jersey wighead thanks to: leo zachary from 90.5 the night for being a fan from the beginning, bruce brand, mike and bill walsh for making the trip down and taking all the live pictures i posted from this show, and scott stamper for being one of the coolest bar owners we've ever met.

MARIQUEEN'S MIND

the city: asbury park... hmmm... well, i can't say that it's the most amazing city i've ever been in. all i have to say is that it sure has one of my favorite bars in america holding it down.

the venue: thank god for the saint. what a dope ass bar with some of the coolest people i've ever had the pleasure of working with. scott, you and your soundman [please forgive me for forgetting your name... i'll never forget you for undoing my mic chord and i love you] were the best. i can't wait to come back.

the show: i was really full and didn't participate in any of my pre show rituals. i was scared that i wouldn't deliver it full force but it turned out to be a success because we just turned our minds off and had tons of fun.

what were you thinking while playing: "jesus, this is a tight set up..." "shit i just hit fran's bass again"... "oh this is good times... good times indeed"

interesting things after the show: it was really cool after... we all had a chance to hang out as a team and drink and had a great time. we all sat around and tried to think of early 90's american bands that made it... [of course there are the obvious ones - whatever you'll come up with, trust me, we've already came up with them] it still haunts me to this day...

THE JAMES REPORT

Asbury Park. What a surprise! Great people there. Scott, the owner at the Saint, is a true gem amongst the grim peril of a lost avenue of dreams. Keep your voodoo candle lit, buddy! We'll come back when all the sage and magical wax is used up...to replenish your huge open heart. Thank you.

scott's after party
great candid moment between songs
my favorite nathan shot to date
saint lewscious
set list

F10