By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/18/2016
"It's like starting over again, so if you're coming to see Twisted Sister; don't! If you're coming to see Dee Snider, please do," said a laughing Snider as he discussed his new music, his past and what's to come for one of the most recognizable names in rock music history.
"We Are The Ones," is the latest release from the man who seems to have re-invented himself multiple times over the years since the hey day of Twisted Sister. Whether it's music, radio or acting spokesperson for the music industry; Snider has not only remained highly visible in the game but very viable as well.
One may feel that a man such as he may rest comfortably on his past, do a few novelty gigs now and again and live happy but that is not his style. "You know, I didn't expect to be doing this at this point in my life," he said with another laugh. "After closing the door on Twisted Sister, I was challenged by my producer to do something new. He said, "Dee, you're this iconic, big personality who can still reach people, you've got do do this." "With Twisted Sister I was kind of limited by the persona that went with it; for me this is incredibly freeing and a challenge that I'm glad I accepted. I think that a lot of bands or artists work so hard to create their image, their public persona and that's great but people then expect it. Audiences have expectations of what made you who you are and they don't want you to change or grow because they obviously like what you have done in the past. It challenges you as an artist, a writer and a performer to win them over every step of the way."
"We Are The Ones" is a 10 track effort produced by Grammy/Emmy/Oscar winner Damon Ranger. The disc features original material and a Nine Inch Nails cover of "Head Like A Hole" as well as an acoustic version of "We're Not Gonna take It." "Those tunes, well the Twisted Sister cover; that's an interesting story. I was seeing a nutritionist and every time I'd be in his office he'd tell me about this dream he had where I played "We're Not Gonna Take It" on piano and he was adamant that I should try it. He'd say, "You have to do this. The song is known worldwide" and after hearing this multiple times I took it to my producer Damon who gets the wonderful, no wait; the unenviable task of hearing my voice daily (laughs). He said, "Your voice is still strong and powerful and could definitely pull it off." "So we gave it a shot and..."
As his voice trailed off, he seemed to be searching for the right descriptive words to elaborate but quickly shifted gears when the subjects of music today, social media and appearances in front of congressional committees were broached. "Oh wow," he started. "I've got some strong opinions on all of those. Music? I think it's as awesome as ever and still full of incredible talent and passionate people who; I don't know if they'll ever get the light shown on them that they deserve. MTV helped make rock stars. Billboard helped make rock stars; now? Now the ambiguity is gone and the way things are structured, there's no hope of ever being rich (laughs); I love it. It's very frustrating yet exciting in many ways but it's how the industry operates today. Social Media is a double edged sword. Artists can create from the comforts of home and no money or little money is needed but the sea is far more crowded. Art won't disappear, it'll sort itself out. My son is about to direct my next video. He directed one for an artist called " Woodkid" and it's gotten like 45,000,000 views or some ridiculous number like that; we are all just a click away now and it's great but it can also be unnerving. Forty or fifty years from now when us oldsters die out there will be no reference as to how it used to be like we sit around and discuss now; so who knows?"
Several decades ago, Snider, along with Frank Zappa and John Denver was one of those called to testify before the US Senate in the "Parents Music Resource Center" censorship hearings. The trio testified against censorship and a proposed warning label system which eventually became the "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" notice which we see on products today. More recently, Snider was again called to testify and he and "We're Not Gonna Take It" became the unofficial face and song of the "Fair Play Fair Pay" act; which sought to level the playing field between artists, airplay, radio stations and royalties paid. "What a difference 30 years later makes," he chuckled as he explained the differences in the two hearings. "I don't know exactly who called me the first time, I honestly can't remember but our management just told me that I was wanted in Washington; I'm guessing it was most likely the Senate. I'm also guessing that they underestimated me and thought, "Hey, let's make an example of this moron," and 30 years later most of the senators, with a few exceptions, weren't around then, I don't know, maybe they were but this time they were very kind to me and wanted autographs and to take pictures with me. I'd say it was much more enjoyable this time around (laughs)."
Snider's resume includes music, radio, film, reality TV, acting and more and yet this new venture post Twisted Sister is something that is more personal and seemingly more self fulfilling; something he wishes to convey to his fans every times he takes the stage. "My live performances? I'm glad you asked! Upon deciding to leave Twisted Sister, my idea wasn't to abandon the band and then go off and play Twisted Sister songs. I'm going to do this and stand on my own two feet, I've no intention on insulting anyone. If I'm making a statement, I'm damn well going to do it and as I said, if you're coming to hear all Twisted Sister material than don't come see me but if you want to hear Dee Snider with a couple of twists; then by all means I'd love to have ya'! Starting over again makes things fresh and although I've got to get used to it and I'm not headlining 50,000 seat arenas; I'm still giving it my all and I want to thanks my fans for their support and can't wait to meet some new ones!"
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 Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Thurs.7 p.m. "Trivia Thursdays"
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Jon Savage & The Classic Rockers
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Artworks Trenton19 Everett Alley Trenton
(609) 394-9436
Fri. 7 p.m. "Local Film Night Kickoff" Food, Film, Music feat Mike Rossi
Sat. 12 p.m. "Mixed Media Arts: Tree of Life"
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. All ages, $10 Black Mass, All Hell, Skuz, Coffin Dust, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Sat. 6 p.m. Broken Angels, (TBA). All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Andrew
Wed. 6 p.m. John Bastiani
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Nat Adderly Jr. Piano Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Cedar Gardens Banquet Hall661 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Wed. 8:30 p.m. Lisa Lisa The Queen Of Freestyle / Kym D / DJ's John Rossi and Augie V. $35 (advance)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Sat. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Corner House Tavern24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (8 p.m.) Brian Bortnick
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) The Conshohocken Curve
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (4 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Wed. (6:30 p.m.) Broken Goblet (8 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. The Receptors
Sat. 8 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd.
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. JB Rocks
Sat. 8 p.m. Ernie White and Lisa Bouchelle
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Darla Rich Trio
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. LeCompt w/ Horns. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 8 p.m. Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Band w/ Ten Foot Tall Acoustic. Doors at 6 p.m., $40 (advance)
Sun. 3 p.m. Rake
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 9:30 p.m. "Night Before Thanksgiving Party" (DJ Entertainment)
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. JP3
Fri. 6 p.m. Four + 1
Sat. 6 p.m. Craig Leach Group
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 2 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sun. 2 p.m. Don The Medicine Man
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. General Krank
Sat. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & the All Stars
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Jo Jo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Finals: "Senior Idol"
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Roselle of "Rave On"
Sun. (12 p.m.) Vintage British Car Show (4 p.m.) Bucks County Women's Chorus
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out"
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Perfect Storm
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Wed. 9 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 10 p.m. "Jersey Fresh Show" Hosted by Grym Galaxy and feat. emcees: Dirt Platoon,Guy Grams, Blame the New Guy, Age of Extinction, Tone Liv, Wade Wilson. Mueic by: Flea Market, ItsJustAhmad. $7
Sat. 10 p.m. Overlake, Teeel, Pioneer The Eel. $6
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Pasquale's Bar9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "Pasquale's Dance Party"
Sat. 9 p.m. "Pasquale's Dance Party" w/ Live Band and DJ
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Just Us
Sat. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Pennington United Methodist Church60 South Main Street Pennington
(609) 737-1374
Sat. 7 p.m. Bryan Hill
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check Web Site for Upcoming Events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul DeSisto Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) In The Cut
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Black Cat Habitat
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. "Just Plain Silly" w/ Poquelin Players. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. "An Evening of Love, Light & Jazz" feat. Rodney Jones & Friends. $20
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. Raze the Bar
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ruckus
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 Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. The Rich Scanella Band
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Stone Terrace by John Henry2275 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 581-8855
Wed. 8 p.m. "WFIL Night w/ BRAG (Boss Radio AM Gold) and Back In The Day Dance Party w/ DJ Anthony Bradley" For Benefit of The Sunshine Foundation. $15 (advance)
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. (TBA)
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat 9 p.m. The Shantys
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Radio Fiction. (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
Wed. 9 p.m. Sean McNally & The Sutor Brothers
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 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) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Threesound ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. McLovins($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
Wed. 9 p.m. "Thanksgiving Eve" w/ Looseleaf. $10
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
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.
