By Danny Coleman
originally published: 02/16/2017
"I think it's in our similarities that we celebrate our differences," explains former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett as he discussed his upcoming February 17 show at the Victoria Theater inside the NJPAC in Newark, NJ and his latest CD, "The Night Siren."
Fresh off of the success of his last effort, "Wolflight" and the "Acolyte to Wolf Light" tour, Hackett has continued his assault on progressive rock fans with a new CD on the way due out this March and a road show which once again includes a visit to the days of old as he celebrates the 40th. Anniversary of Genesis's "Wind and Wuthering." "The "Wolflight" tour went very well," he said in a very relaxed tone. "Now I'm heading back out on the road, I've got the new disc scheduled for a March release and I'm quite excited about it. Given the current political climate, this new album flies in the face of politics really. I think borders inflict violence on the poor and this album; this album has none of those, no boundaries or borders at all."
What Hackett is referring to is the international theme and methods which he used to record "The Night Siren." Using instruments such as a Sitar (India), Oud (Middle Eastern), Charango (Columbia/Andean) and Uilleann Pipes (Ireland), accompanied by vocalists and musicians from all around the globe; he has assembled a multi-national cast. It has been said that, "Politics makes for strange bed fellows" and this disc has some pairings that may fit the same bill. "This was a very ambitious project," he said with a slight chuckle. "There are about 20 people from all over the world involved and we did nothing in real time. I have an Israeli singing with a Palestinian, right next to each other at the same time and proving that people from different backgrounds can work together. One of the good things about being a musician and touring the world is that you can improve your local dining experiences and find unity through music. I hope this album and I think it does, reflects that concept; I've even got a player from Azerbaijan and a Didgeridoo on this record."
While he comes from a family of immigrants himself, Hackett hopes that this album helps give all of us a, "Bird's Eye View" of the world. "I think," he started as he seemed to be searching for the proper words. "I think the idea of "The Night Siren," be one a refugee, or a transgressor; music crosses everyone. My family fled from Poland and came to England; a name change later and there we were. I remember stories as a child of women being dragged by the hair; people fled then as they do now from similar situations and with the international flavor on this record, I'm hoping to give people a glimpse inside other worlds and how yet different, we are all still very much alike."
Hackett is not a man to shy away from his past and each time he takes the stage he pays homage to it by performing a set of Genesis material from his time in the band. However, this time around is a bit more special for the legendary guitarist as "Wind and Wuthering" is the last album that he helped craft before departing the band. "Really was, it was a good album at the time and it actually became my favorite and it was the last one that I did with Genesis. It's being re-issued on vinyl too and I love the old days of vinyl. I'm glad that it's making a comeback; especially for the younger people who never got to experience it. I understand why so many people like it; the feel, the distortion, the warmth, the artwork and the feel of the large packaging. Vinyl has been the saving grace of the record industry in England. With a compact disc or digital music downloads you can never do something such as slow those down like you can when changing speeds on a turntable. I'd receive the wisdom of the ancients by playing "Led Zeppelin III" at a different speed or backwards (laughs)."
Along with songs from the classic album, Hackett will be performing other Genesis material as well as selections from his solo career. "I'll be doing a set of my material and a set of Genesis songs. I hope to do something from each album up to around 1978 and most of if not all of "Wind and Wuthering."
After the 8 p.m. show in Newark, Hackett heads to Ithaca, NY and around the Northeast before coming back to New York City on February 25. "I've got shows here on the east coast but I've also got a big show in Buffalo, NY where I'll be performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic doing a "Genesis Revisited" show; much the same as the rest of the tour but with a full orchestra."
To discover more about Steve Hackett and the
"Genesis Revisited Tour," please go to
www.hackettsongs.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 Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 7 p.m. Papa DeLux & The Main Street Groove
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Thurs. 6 p.m. The Bunny The Bear, For Those Who Fall, Catharsis, Mauled By A Bear, Ashes Of My Regrets. All ages, $12/$15
Fri. 7 p.m. Still Sad, Stay Home, The American Standard, Dig Deep, Three Cheers Too Late. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. DogParc, Overtone, Broken Angels, The Blurry Minds, Imankita, The Shaking Trees, The Breakout Year. All ages, $10
Sun. 6 p.m. Eve To Adam, Message From Sylvia, Retrofeelya, Ryder, (TBA). All ages, $12/$15
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
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. 7:30 p.m.David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Andrew
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Landom Brothers Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
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
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Wed. 8 p.m. "New Life Through Balanced Living" w/ Maryann Castello & Danny Coleman
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Random Notes
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Al Snyder
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
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
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ricky & Jenny Leigh
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Cecil & Ray (9 p.m.) Michael Leggerie
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Carl Gandalf
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (4 p.m.) Jeff Selby
Wed. 8 p.m. JT
Fedora Cafe2633 Main Street Lawrenceville
(609) 895-0844
Wed. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. Vermilion
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Heartbeats
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Loop
Sun. 3 p.m. Rake
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Jerry Lee Watkins
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Braod Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Sergio & Lars
Fri. 6 p.m. Michaela McClain
Sat. 6 p.m. Dave Reggi Jazz
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Darla & Rich
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Ryan Zimmerman
Sat. 2 p.m. Keith Franklin Duo
Sun. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 9 p.m. Soul Custody
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Stand Up Comedy" w/ Mike Dialto
Fri. 9 p.m. The Adventure Soundtrack
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Faust / Fulton Duo (9:30 p.m.) Sonic Blenders
Sun. (3 p.m.) Run To Sandy (9:30 p.m.) Trio Of Madness
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Mike
Tues. 9 p.m. The Amish Int'l Space Station
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
Sat. 4 p.m. "Chili Fest" feat. Rhyme & Reason
Mon. 6 p.m. "Macallan Dinner" Four course dinner, Scotch Tasting, $55
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Cupcake Decorating
Fri. 6 p.m. Fireside Fridays / Awesome 80's Dance Party
Sat./Sun. 11 a.m. "Laurita Winterfest"
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. 10 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Sat. 10 p.m. Steal Revenge
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 10 p.m. Mr Revelator, Steve (The Band), Pretty Goats. $6
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Ronnie Spector. Doors at 7 p.m., $49, $89, $125 (VIP includes 6:30 p.m. entry/dinner $76)
Sat. 8 p.m. "A Tribute to Bob Dylan & The band" feat. THE BAND Band. Foors at 7 p.m., $25
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
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 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Dave Vargo
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Papa DeLux & The Main Street Groove
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Plumsted Grille457 Route 539 Cream Ridge
Fri. 9 p.m. John & Maggs
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 8 p.m. "Re-release Party" w/ Smart Remarks.
Sat. 8 p.m. "XTC Tribute" feat. Peter Pumpkinhead /The Cucumbers. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., BYOB, Pay what you want at door. (This show takes place at Hope Hose Humane Co. #1 located at 150 West Burlington Street Bordentown City)
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Michelle Wiley Trio
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. "Love Is In The Air" Stage Reading of "Over The River and Through The Woods." $12
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Speed Limit
Sat. 9 p.m. Audio Riot
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan & Friends
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Undecided
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 Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. No Way Out
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
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 Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Christine Warren
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Successful Failures
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Nabinger & Joe Chianese
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
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. Quincy Mumford ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. John Patrick & The Outside Voices ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Thompson Springs
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. / Sat. 10 p.m. (TBA)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock w/ DiRty ReD "Unplugged"
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 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.
