By Gary Wien
originally published: 03/20/2006
When the guitarist of the New York Dolls wants to break in a brand new band without much hype you would think that wouldn't be much trouble. Except, in this case, that band is making their debut on the first Upstage Nite @ the Saint on Wednesday, March 22nd.
So, we're gonna break his cover a bit.
Steve Conte, of the New York Dolls, is well known around these parts for his former work with his brother in several bands but he's also been on lots of other records and toured withbig name artists. So filling the shoes of Johnny Thunders wasn't so daunting to him.
These are busy days for Steve Conte. He's part of the long-awaited new album by the New York Dolls and debuting a new band of his own. The band is so new, in fact, that they didn't even have a name when we spoke to Steve on the phone for this article.
"This is going to be our very first show," expained Steve Conte. "It's funny because I had called up my friend Keith from Frankenstein 3000 and said 'Keith, we want to do a small under-the-radar first gig somewhere.' I said maybe at the Saint and he called me back and said he had a night. Then he calls me back later and says it's a party for Upstage Magazine. I said 'oh shit! So much for the first gig under the radar!'
Conte says the band has about 45-50 minutes of original material and will throw in a few choice covers for good measure. Fans of The Contes and Company of Wolves might be a little surprised at the new sound, but as Steve puts it - "it's kind of logically what I think one would expect the guitar player for the Dolls to do, which is a side of me I've always had. I've always concentrated on the melodic stuff that I've written because I always thought that melody was a very hard thing to come by and if you have a talent for writing melodies you should do it. But I've always had these rockers and bluesier songs and more visceral, uptempo, heavier things that didn't seem to fit with the power pop melodic stuff we were doing. So this is a band where I get to do all of that stuff and it's really fun. It's definitely more about energy and guitar playing and much more loose."
His band plans on recording an EP that Steve will bring along when the Dolls go on tour later this summer. The new record by the Dolls is expected to be released in June on Roadrunner. The band has been jetsetting the globe to let the world know that the Dolls are back. When we spoke with Steve he had just returned from a private gig in London that was part of a "30th Anniversary of Punk Rock" celebration put on by Selfridges Department store. Bands like the Buzzcocks and The Slits also did shows while legendary figures like Malcom McLaren and Bob Gruen gave talks and screenings of punk related films were held.
"Most of the comments were like 'is this really what we thought was going to happen in the beginning with punk?'" said Conte. "Not that I was there for it. Even the Dolls weren't really trying to be punk, it's just that's what they ended up being called years later. They didn't even know that they had invented it really. They sort of added to what the Stooges and MC5 had done before."
Conte says the new Dolls record is like the next logical step for the band. "It's like the Dolls grew up. There's still some of the same elements that have always been there - traditional stripped down rock and roll, love of 50s girl groups and just a certain amount of chaos and craziness!"
Steve is not just a guitar player with the Dolls but truly is a member of the band. On the new record, he sings on some songs and has also written some of the tracks with David Johansen.
You can catch Steve Conte with his new band on Wednesday, March 22nd at the Saint in Asbury Park on Upstage Magazine night. Also playing that night will be Frankenstein 3000 and Steven Baggs. Conte may want to be under the radar, but we'd prefer the place to be packed!
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
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Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
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NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
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