New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Outside" by Kanak


By Bob Makin

originally published: 11/03/2023

Jersey Shore rockers Kanak will celebrate the release of their new Ed Stasium-produced EP on Nov. 4 at Crossroads in Garwood. The first single and video, “Outside,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. The band is pictured with Ed in his Southern California studio.

Jersey Shore rockers Kanak will celebrate the release of their Ed Stasium-produced/engineered EP, “On the Outside,” on Nov. 4 at Crossroads in Garwood.

“Outside,” the quasi title track, first single and video, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Outside” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and MixCloud.

The edgy psychological pop of “Outside” runs throughout the EP, singer-songwriter-guitarist Tom Kanach said.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



“Many of the songs are about loss and not fitting in,” Tom said. “I guess all of us, and maybe creative people in general, feel like outsiders. All of us have been on the fringes our entire lives so I think alienation, that comes across.

“We all grew up listening to early guitar-based rock, and then, as we got older and became disenfranchised, we all separately gravitated toward punk,” he continued. “We all love well-written power-pop songs with an edge. Now, we don’t always agree on what is well-written.”

On the outside to others, Kanak is very much a band of brothers seasoned with chops earned from an impressive collective resume, including David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain, Dramarama, Well of Souls, and Mischief.

Bassist Joe Rowley, drummer Steve Brown, and guitarists Peter Wood and Johnny Rao had a blast recording with Green Brook, N.J.-raised legendary producer-engineer Ed Stasium in his studio near San Diego. The fellow Jerseyan’s credits include The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Replacements, The Smithereens, The Misfits, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

“Ed is a very funny guy, also from New Jersey, so we all had a similar sarcastic sense of humor,” Tom said.

The EP was mixed at House of Vibes in Highland Park by Kurt Reil, whose great band, The Grip Weeds, will open the release party at Crossroads along with Dogpile on the Rabbit. The show also will include a special guest performance by the EP’s executive producer, legendary Jersey DJ Matt Pinfield.

For more about Kanak, read the recent Makin Waves interview here. And visit their website at https://www.kanakmusic.com




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Pride

Pride Night at McCarter

Friday, March 28, 2025 @ 6:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music


 

Back

Back to the Garden 1969 - The Woodstock Experience

Friday, March 28, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music


 

Las

Las Guaracheras

Friday, March 28, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Studio Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 

Jason

Jason Ricci

Friday, March 28, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Music

Music Faculty Showcase: Piano Day

Saturday, March 29, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall
215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Borgata

Borgata Event Center presents Bonnie Raitt

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Borgata Event Center presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. Larry John McNally will open the night.



2025

2025 Cape May Music Festival Preview

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Now celebrating its 36th year, the annual Cape May Music Festival presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), with major support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, returns to this seaside resort with an engaging variety of musical concerts that launch on Memorial Day weekend. There are 14 classical, chamber, jazz, funk and brass band musical performances, some free to attend, from May 25-June 28, 2025.



Vibraphonist

Vibraphonist Chuck Redd and Pianist John DiMartino are Returning to Jersey Jazz LIVE! in Madison

(MADISON, NJ) -- There aren't many jazz musicians who double on vibraphone and drums. One of them, Chuck Redd, will be bringing his vibes to the Madison (NJ) Community Arts Center, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in a return engagement with pianist John DiMartino. Redd and DiMartino last performed at the November 2023 Jersey Jazz LIVE!



A

A Look At Upcoming Concerts in William Paterson University's Jazz Room Series

(WAYNE, NJ) -- William Paterson University's Jazz Room Series has several shows coming in April and May. The lineup includes performances by Camille Thurman, Chico Alvarez with the William Paterson Latin Jazz Ensemble, Christian McBridge & Bill Charlap Duo, and Will Downing. All shows take place at the Shea Center for Performing Arts.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents salsa star Willy Chirino

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Cuban salsa star Willy Chirino live in concert on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This marks his first performance at the State Theatre.