By Danny Coleman
originally published: 04/14/2016
We've all seen the bumper stickers or the heard the sayings, "A bad day of golf beats a good day at work," or "I'd rather be driving a Titleist," well if you're Foreigner's Thom Gimbel; work and a round of golf are both guilty pleasures.
"I'll play golf anywhere," he said with an enthusiastic laugh. "I don't care where it is, if they put a par three course next to a freeway and I was driving; I'd stop. I'd caddy and pour Bloody Marys if it meant I could get out on the course (laughs). Kidding aside, the 20 plus years that I've been in Foreigner have been so much fun; everyone should have a job like mine."
Contrary to what's been written, Gimbel was born and spent his early years in Northern New Jersey and like so many classic rockers of today; was influenced by seeing the stars of his youth on television. "I saw Elvis on TV and then later I saw Johnny Cash and he did this thing with his guitar where he made it sound like a drum. Years later my dad gave me a Cream cassette tape and I wanted to be that guy playing guitar. Later I saw Maynard Ferguson doing his version of "MacArthur Park" and that made me a horn player; I also play a little bit of keyboards and am called upon to do all three on most nights (laughs).No matter what I do, I try to be the best at it every time I go on stage, my instruments are very dear to me; I love them like my child."
Gimbel began his touring career in 1989 by going on the road and doing backing vocals, keyboard, sax and percussion work for Aerosmith. Joining Foreigner in 1995, was a case of being in the right place at the right time; "My good friend Ricky Phillips of Styx was playing golf with a guy from Atlantic Records," he explained as he couldn't help but laugh a bit more on how it all came about because of the game of golf. "The gentleman happened to mention to Ricky that Foreigner was looking for a sax player and kind of a utility guy and Ricky said, "I've got your guy" and gave him my phone number, he called me and I've been performing with them ever since. They're such a great group of guys, we're like each other's extended families and it really is a pleasure to tour with and spend time with these guys; I love it."
Last year's tour featured Foreigner on the road with Styx and former Eagles band member Don Felder; both Felder and the aforementioned Ricky Phillips are avid golfers and this, according to Gimbel made for some great down time while taking a break from the rigors of the road. "Oh yeah, Felder is hilarious to play golf with; the man is a one liner machine! I'm telling you, every hole he would crack a joke and have Ricky and I laughing so hard; I think he did that to gain an advantage (laughs)."
Down time isn't all fun and games and Thom says that when the band isn't on tour that there is plenty to do to prepare for the next tour. "We never really get much time off; right now we have a couple of weeks and then we pick right back up again. While I'm off the road I sharpen my tools to hit the road again; I bought a new sax, I'm working on a microphone for it and of course I'm playing as much golf as possible (laughs).I also teach private lessons, write and do some production work for other artists; Foreigner keeps me pretty busy so I've got much to do and sometimes it's in a very short time period."
Gimbel also realizes the value of perspective and how he relates it to the past and present state of music then and now. "I truly believe that any music is OK as long as it is heartfelt. Pop music is sometimes and isn't most times that four on the floor foot stomping stuff that we were accustomed to when we were teen aged kids; if that's what the kids today like, that's fine, I'm not knocking it at all. I see a lot of similarities in today's music as it relates to what's going on in society but I also see younger people loving the older music. Look at us, we play songs that the people want to hear; I never get bored playing our music, it never gets old. Just like any job, certain nights are better than others but it's always under this big tent and the tent is full of people who are so enthusiastic over what we are doing; it's a treat to perform for them because they're so into the music. The music transcends generations, I see parents and grandparents with their kids and we just keep making perpetual fans; generations literally becoming Foreigner fans with every show. I think it's great how young people can relate to us and us and our music to them."
On their last tour, the band made stops along the east coast and Gimbel says they'll be doing so again this tour. "Oh yeah! We're going to be hitting the east coast in the summer! I'm from the northern part of Jersey and the last tour, we had a gig in my hometown and I got to see some old friends and even saw my first girl friend (laughs) if you can believe that! We were in the sixth grade and I hadn't seen her in more years than I can count; that was good for some laughs and reminiscing. I love coming east, I don't get back to Jersey as often as I'd like but we will definitely be there this summer."
Currently, the band is in the mid-west and will be making stops in Lancaster and Bethlehem, PA before a May 7 show in Atlantic City, NJ. To discover more about Foreigner and the current tour; please go to www.foreigneronline.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bear's Choice
Sat. 8:30 p.m. PapaDelux
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Ottmar
Fri. 8 p.m. Blue Moon
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Cognitive, Ten Ton Hammer, Mercy Blow, Eye Of The Destroyer, Garland Green. All ages, $10
Fri. 6 p.m. The Pietasters, Hub City Stompers, Too Far Gone, Don't Tell Lucy, Killin' It, Sweet Lucy. All ages, $20
Sat. (12 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "The Music of the Fabulous 50's." All ages, $10 (2 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "A Tribute to the Music of The Beatles. All ages, $10 (6 p.m.) Ante Up, Poison Tongues, Full Scale Riot, Time Spent, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 9 p.m. Pizza Hustle Hip Hop Presents: Lt. Headtrip, Old Self, Tone Liv, Judah, Done4, One Of The Greats. Ages 21+, $6
Mon. 8 p.m. Make, Crowhurst, Husky Bundles, Bahscumbug. Ages 21+, $6
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612 Sat. 3 p.m. Madame Pat Tandy Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets510 Route 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855Thurs. 8 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) A Thousand days
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Soul Kitchen
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (3 p.m.) Perry Wolfe
Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Glory Days Tavern1200 Hornberger Ave. Roebling
(609) 499-0896Fri. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897Fri. 8 p.m. Jimmie Vaughn. Doors at 6 p.m., $50
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Schwubby Buzzer
Sun. 5 p.m. Time Piece feat. Tim Fitz
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465Thurs. 6 p.m. Vince DiMura
Fri. 6 p.m. The Jackalopes
Sat. 6 p.m. Toby Mochel & A Few Good men
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111Sat. 2 p.m. Tommy Fuller
Sun. 2 p.m. Jazzy Sunday
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 10 p.m. The Dawgs
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Jam
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981Thurs. 9 p.m. "J & P's Comedy Presents"
Fri. 9 p.m. Billy Hector
Sat. (3 p.m.) Mr. Chris and The Alley Band (9 p.m.) Brother Eye (CD Release Party)
Sun. (3 p.m.) Minus K (9 p.m.) Ted Offensive "Birthday Bash"
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200Sat. 1 p.m. Living The Dream
Sun. 1 p.m. Gregg Parker
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 10 p.m. Steamboat Annie
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" w/ DJ RV and DJ OXX
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Gypsy Mother
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780Fri. 8 p.m. Receptor
Sat. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Plumstead Grill457 Pinehurst Rd. @ Rte. 539, Cream Ridge
(609) 758-5552Fri. 9 p.m. John & Maggs
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766Sat. 9 a.m. "Record Store Day" (early opening)
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto. Doors at 9 p.m. Ages 21+
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Xclusive
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300Thurs. 9 p.m. Ned Ryerson
Sat. 10 p.m. Analog Dog
Wed. "Tara's 5th Anniversary"
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345Fri. (7:30 p.m.) Mark Whitfield. Doors at 7 p.m., $20 (9 p.m.)No Limits
Sat. 9 p.m. City Hicks
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 4th Street, Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110Sat. 9:30 p.m. 80's Undercover
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8:30 p.m. John & Maggs
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius The First
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown
(609) 324-0880Sat. (10 a.m.) "Record Store Day" feat. (12 p.m.) Anker (1 p.m.) From The Archives / (8 p.m.) Alexis P. Suter Band. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $20 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050 Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Sat. 9 p.m. DEB n the Sons of RoCK
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554Fri. 9 p.m. David Falcone
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" Hosted by Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Challenge Accepted($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Sun Fights ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m. at hostess stand)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
Wed. 9 p.m. Mike Mains & The Branches
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
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