By Danny Coleman
originally published: 02/09/2017
"We had a gig booked and we had no name," recalls Glam Skanks guitarist known simply as, "Veronica" as she discussed the band name and their current tour as the opening act for Adam Ant. "We were all sitting around one night trying to come up with a name and my one friend out of nowhere says, "I could go for some lamb shanks" and then we started playing off of that. We started writing down all that came to mind and then Glam Skanks came out and we were like; yeah."
Forged on the west coast in the Los Angeles area, the ladies are currently out on the road and hoping to parlay the success of their August 2016 release "Glitter City" into bigger and better things. The 10 track disc according to Veronica, is a group collaborative. "We write a lot together and since we are all into different things we have a very diverse product."
One of those bigger things came just prior to the album's release when the ladies placed three tunes in the Kevin Smith movie, "Yoga Hosers" starring Johnny Depp. "The Hockey Song,"" Miss Androgynous" and "This Dead Man," all were included on the soundtrack and they got to perform at Smith's birthday/movie premier party in Red Bank, NJ at the historic Count Basie Theatre. "My dad," explained Veronica, "My dad was doing some recording and Kevin was there, so we started discussing the possibility of our music in the film and he was all for it and it just kind of happened; right place at the right time I guess (laughs)."
Another one of those bigger things is their current tour with Adam Ant; 17 shows crisscrossing the country and into the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, BC. "So far this tour has been amazing," they said collectively and with great enthusiasm. "Touring with him and his crew has been such a welcoming experience. So far they have been very good to us; we couldn't ask for better."
When questioned as to the rigors of the road, they once again let out a collective, "Oooooh" and laughed as they tried to recall the best and/or worst moments of the current tour. "We haven't had any bad moments," said bassist, "Millie." "The best," says Veronica, "Is getting this tour and when we opened for the Vampires; that was really a highlight too."
It should be noted that vocalist, "Ali Cat" sat out the discussion as she was saving her voice for the gig that evening, however the drummer "Cassie" has an interesting take on the future of the band and their plans. "World domination," she said with definite affirmation. "That's our goal and; why not? We want to make that happen." As Cassie laughed, Veronica reaffirmed the sentiment but adds, "Hopefully we will be able to continue touring. We have plans for a second CD; we've got a few of the tunes written already. "
The ladies command a stage with the grit of Joan Jett and the style of angry catholic school girls, yet their music has pop, rock and punk elements that blend so well, one can't help but get into their shows. The three collectively agree that they love performing but warn all to be prepared when coming to a show, "I hope you all like rock and glitter," they said with a laugh. "It's all rock and glitter and a lot of fun."
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. 8 p.m. Piano Bar w/ Piano Pete
Tues. 8 p.m. Piano Pete
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. (TBA) All ages, $10
Wed. 6 p.m. Fit For An Autopsy, Reborn Divided, The Machinist, Cranely Gardens, From The Depths. 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
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glenn McClelland Trio
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazlerigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Jeanne Brooks 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
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
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
Check web site for upcoming programming
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. One Hott Mess
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
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. Gerber Jennings
Fri. 9 p.m. Jeff Selby
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. Sourland & Lowlight
Sat. 8 p.m. Ja Tun & Random Acts of Soul
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
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
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Blue Jersey Band
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8 p.m. "An Evening With Tim Reynolds" Doors at 6 p.m., $35
Fri. 8 p.m. "Kiss The Sky" A tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Doors at 6 p.m., $20
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Shot Of Southern
Sun. 8 p.m. Ladies 2000
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 Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. (TBA)
Fri. 6 p.m. Pocketful of Soul
Sat. (12 p.m.) "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail" $6/$10 (6 p.m.) Rave On
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Valentine's Brunch" $29 (Adults) $11.95 (Kids) (12 p.m.) "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail" $6/$10. (2 p.m.) "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Tom McMillian Group (5:30 p.m.) "Seasons of Love: An Evening of Cabaret" feat. Elizabeth Sutton & James Sparks
Wed. 6 p.m. "Farm-to-Table Dinner" $75 (Includes Tax & Gratuity)
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Don The Medicine Man
Sat. (12 p.m.) "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend" (2 p.m.) Rob Ballonoff
Sun. (12 p.m.) "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend" (1 p.m.) Bob O & Jess
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. General Krank
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Squid Subject A / Joe Jack Talcum
Fri. 9 p.m. The Dana Gaynor Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Fermenters (9:30 p.m.) Mike Montrey Band
Sun. (3 p.m.) Band Love (9:30 p.m.) Vickers & Vestapolitans
Tues. 9 p.m. The Amish Int'l Space Station
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Tim
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Jo Jo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Ernie White w/ Mario DiBartolo
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Valentine's Chocolate & Wine
Sat. "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend" (12 p.m.) The Bergers (7 p.m.) Valentine's Dinner
Sun. "Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend" (1 p.m.) Ben Weiner Duo
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
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
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. Eddie Fernandez
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Gyrl Band
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web Page for upcoming events
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam
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 $12
Sat. 8 p.m. Tim Brown & Friends. $20
Sun. 3 p.m. "The World Will Always Need Its Lovers" feat. Ron O'Reilly and Laurie Tema-Lyn. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Bent Mushroom
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoke and Mirrors
Sat. 9 p.m. Boys Round Here
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt
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. ArHouse
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. Twisted Charm
Sat. 10 p.m. The Goods
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. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Jon Savage & the Classic Rockers
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
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. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne & Kevin McCloskey
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Taylor Reed
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
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. Kieran Garvey ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. The rad Trads ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. The Springfielders
Sat. 10 p.m. The Jazz Burglars
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
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.
