By Danny Coleman
originally published: 07/16/2015
With the Atlantic Ocean as a foreground, Sam Sims hit the first notes of "Sunday Sun" and the night was off to a feel good start; complete with the kind of vibe that says, "Every Little Thing is gonna be alright."
Jenk's Pavilion in Point Pleasant, NJ recently hosted Sims, Random Test and The "Legendary" Wailers for a night of rock and reggae that defied the most stiff of leg to stay still, warmed the coldest hearts and provided an evening filled with singing and a vibe of togetherness rarely seen from one band let alone three.
Random Test, hailing from Red Bank, NJ and their front man Danny Love took the baton that Sims passed off and the second leg of this three legged race picked up steam and picked it up quick. Wasting no time, Love and his band mates performed a high energy set; even having the chutzpah to throw a Bob Marley tune in the mix as a tribute to the very band waiting to take the stage next.
With the crowd now in a shoulder swaying, knee bending state; The Wailers took to the stage at 10:03 p.m. EST to a packed house. The beach, mostly empty now, void of those who had just arrived or had no interest in the opening acts; provided a perfect setting as the ocean now became a tide of bodies attempting to get closer to the stage.
The first beats of "Cobra Style" split the now cool night and the band was off and running; actually more like "Running Away Crazy" which was the second offering of the evening. The crowd expressed its pleasure and joined in and sang along with the first of the mainstream selections; that of the popular "Buffalo Soldier."
"Pimper's Paradise," "Roots Rock a Reggae" and "Stir It Up" proceeded the ever popular "Could You Be Loved" which took it up yet another notch as the crowd was by now in full Rasta mode.
Several tunes later the night began a steamroll towards its end when front man and vocalist Dwayne Anglin uttered, "I shot the sheriff but I will tell you this; I did not shoot his deputy." That is all of those in attendance needed to hear as they sang the timeless classic in unison from start to finish and were now raring for more.
"Heathen" was followed by another favorite, "Three Little Birds," and the show was then brought to a temporary close at 11:30 p.m. EST with a lengthy version of "Jamming;" which had hands waving, interpretive dance and once again, hundreds of vocalists helping the men and lady along.
A three minute wait turned into the first encore and as the first finger picked chords of "Redemption Song"permeated the captive audience, a calm fell over the room with all eyes trained forward; not even noticing the remaining band slowly filtering back in place. They did notice them however as they next hammered the night home with "Get Up, Stand Up," literally bringing everyone to their feet to join in this battle cry off of the 1973 album "Burnin'."
Another great night from a great band; three great bands is a more apt way to say it as Jenk's rocked hard from start to finish with the rock/reggae party of the year. Their members may change over the course of time but the music does not; long live the memory of Bob Marley and long live the Wailers!
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band
Sun. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic w/ Kevin Rovner
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Voice of Legends: Hear All The Stars
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Thurs. 4 p.m. Bermuda, The Funeral Portrait, The Prestige, Sovereign Kings, Under The Red Hood, Nights Of Malice, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Fri. 7 p.m. Thrashole, No More Pain, Galesburg, Windfaerer, Mindless Flesh, Logan Svihovec. All ages, $10
Sat. 6 p.m. Concrete, Lowered A.D., Forced Out, Ground, Garland Greene, Time Spent. All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. Backyard Superheroes, P-Funk North, Fun While You Wait, Llama Tsunami, The Rooftop, Modern Eyes, The Mad Splatter. All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Carrie Jackson Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
City Streets
510 Route 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson & Sandy Zio
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dick Gratton
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Visoon
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Chris & Tommy's Good Time Folk Rock Show
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (3 p.m.) Heather Heather
Mon. 8 p.m. Perry Wolfe
Tues. 8 p.m. Brian Cono
Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. The Flozells feat. Sammy Flow w/ Nalani & Sarina
Sat. (1 p.m.) Sip & Shop (8 p.m.) Creem Circus. Doors at 6 p.m., $7 (10:30 p.m.) DJ Entertainment
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. The Dawgs
Sat. 10 p.m. Beatles Pie
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 7 p.m. Ralph Smith's WALK ON Benefit
Fri. 9 p.m. The Happy Dog
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Hallowed Roots (9 p.m.) Billy (The Band)
Sun. (3 p.m.) Faust / Fulton Duo (9 p.m.) Dan Zimmerman & The Torquebillies
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Justin Pope
Tues. 9 p.m. Just Cause, Sin PA, Obist Abettor
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Sat. 7:30 p.m. DT & The Burnerz
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Tone Rangers
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kramer Monk Band
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming shows
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Main Event
Sat. 10 p.m. Social Dance, DJ Entertainment, Guest Celebrity "Deelishis," $30, $40 (VIP)
All Shows 21+
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. The Seth Tieger Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. New Dawn
Sat. 9 p.m. Gyrl Band
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Josh Olmstead Band. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. No Good Sister. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour
(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.
CarteretPAC presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".
FEATURED EVENTS
