The Commons were a band from Trenton, New Jersey. Led by singer Keith Monacchio, they released a ton of great albums over the years and were one of my favorite local bands.
"Come On Get Gone" was my introduction to the band and I was instantly hooked. Some of my favorite deeply personal, emotionally-charged songs of all-time are on this record. We're talking razor blade on your wrist/left at the alter kind of personal.
And I love the production. There are songs with sparse instrumentation where every note seems to ring with importance.
This album came in at #8 in my list of Top 100 Albums by NJ Artists from 2001-2010.
Each year-end coverage of Makin Waves features "The Dirty Jersey Dozen," a list of the 12 indie Jersey music acts that made the most waves. Two bands that likely would be on the all-time Dirty Jersey list are Gigantic, a Jersey Shore trio inspired by the primal pop of The Pixies and Nirvana, and Alternative Tentacles recording act Buzzkill, also a trio from the days when New Brunswick was the state's best music scene.
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Pinelands Cultural Society (PCS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special show honoring its rich musical and cultural heritage. The event will take place at the Albert Music Hall, where attendees can enjoy an evening of stories from the past as well as five live musical performances.
(WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- United Children's Music Project (UCMP) has announced Latin Night Thursdays, a new monthly celebration of live Latin music and culture! Join them for three Spring evenings of high-energy performances and an immersive experience in the rhythms of Latin America.
