Happy Holidays 2018!

In Camden Town London for the Gates Of The West UK show. Standing in front of the steps where The Clash were photographed for the cover of their first album.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2018!!

Well, I’m still on the air at WBJB-FM, 90.5 The Night Brookdale Public Radio at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft NJ. I am the Music Director and afternoon on air host, every Monday through Friday 3p-7p. We won the Asbury Music Award for Top Local Radio Station for the 17th year in a row. You can visit the website to listen online. We’re a “Triple A” radio station. That stands for “Adult Album Alternative.” We play a lot of rock, classic rock, blues, acoustic, some alternative, singer/songwriters, and a lot of local NJ artists. We had another successful summer of concerts on the beach in Belmar (No rain outs!) and successful Membership Drives (we’re listener supported) as well.

With the Marcus King Band at The Stone Pony. A show we presented and used as a food drive. [Photo by Michael Kravetsky.]

With the Old 97’s at Wonder Bar at a show we presented and used as a toy drive. [Photo by Michael Kravetsky.]

With Brian Fallon at House Of Independents just before I brought him on stage for a very special Brookdale Public Radio Member Event. [Photo by Stacy Fallon.]

On Halloween I celebrated my 30th anniversary on the air on the Jersey Shore. I started at WHTG-FM (FM106.3) back in 1988. Didn’t have a party or a big concert this time. But I did, the day before my actual 30th anniversary, go back to my alma mater, Hofstra Univeristy on Long Island! An old music industry colleague of mine is now a professor there and running the “Music Business Department” and he invited me to come out and speak to the fall class about radio (or at least my experience in radio). Which turned into a great “catch-up session” and return to campus to see what’s happened since I was last there. Which I think was 10 years ago. Seeing the advances that the radio station there (WRHU) has made since my days there is pretty amazing and kind of overwhelming.

At Hofstra University with the Music Business class. [Photo by Terry Tompkins.]

Picture of recording of my first night on the air. [Recording by Tom Florio.]

I’ve also been working part-time at Jack’s Music Shoppe, a legendary record store that’s been in Red Bank NJ for 50 years. Only working on Sundays and Record Store Days, but it’s enough to get back into the “record store thing.” I get to work with some fellow “record geeks” and we always have a good time. It’s been reassuring to see how much vinyl we sell day to day. By the way, the plural of “vinyl” is “vinyl.”

My folks are retired and doing okay in Cresskill. Still in the house I grew up in. Mom has had some health issues catch up to her but they’re both alive & kicking. Well, sitting mostly.

My brother Gordon and his wife Teresa celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. The kids (with some help from a few of us) threw them a surprise anniversary party at the same venue that their wedding reception was at!

At Gordon & Teresa’s 25th Anniversary party. [Photo by Ed Santa Maria.]

Stephanie is now 24 and is still not using her mechanical engineering degree. However, she’s decided that she wants to get into the music business/concert business by teching or working for a band or venue. She’s also now an “official” teacher at her old dance school and doing some math tutoring while working at Gordon’s company…in the warehouse.

Phillip is 21. He has been at Western New England University in Springfield MA. He’s studying computer engineering at the moment. He’s also been playing tuba/baritone in their marching band.

Victoria is 17 and in high school. She’s a big reader and still plays soccer and volleyball and sings in choir. She’s joined Stephanie and me at the annual Warped Tour and other shows the last couple of summers too.

With Stephanie and Victoria at Stone Pony Summerstage for a Fitz & The Tantrums/X-Ambassadors/Jukebox The Ghost show.

With Stephanie, her friend Julie and our friend Devon (we had apparently already lost Victoria) at Warped Tour at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

 

Gizmo their Papillon, is still reaking havoc wherever he goes and getting too many treats from Grandma. They’ve also added a chinchilla named Sparky. Yes, an actual chinchilla.

And, as any of my Facebook friends can tell you, I still go to way too many concerts. As usual, I try to see as many local Jersey shore bands as possible. But I still get out to see a lot of my favorite national acts too.

The highlight this year was, again, the Joe Strummer/The Clash all-star charity tribute shows that Jesse Malin & I have been putting together. After a sold out (700+) first show in August 2017 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park NJ, we decided to try it again this past summer. In late August to celebrate Strummer’s birthday (August 21) we held the show at The Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Another sell-out with over 600 in attendance! Then, we took the show back to The Clash’s hometown of London England! We even made it happen in in their old neighborhood of Camden Town at Dingwall’s. Even I made the trip. My first time back in London since 1997! We may have a “tradition” on our hands as we sold out that show too with over 500 people there! And… We’re heading west to do the show again in LA at The Roxy Theatre. Coming up Saturday January 26 2019! That show is already sold out with another 500+ tickets sold! It’s been difficult at times to get the special guests confirmed, but every time it becomes a spectacular night of great music and friends all celebrating the legendary Joe Strummer. We raise a fair bit of money for charity too!

With Suzi Gardner of L7 at Summer StrummerJam NYC The Bowery Ballroom.

With Ray Gange, star of The Clash film “Rude Boy” at Gates Of The West UK at Dingwall’s in London.

Jesse & his band do a “headlining” set followed by an all-star set with many special guests doing Strummer/Clash songs all backed up by Jesse and his band. They are benefits for Music & Memory and The Joe Strummer Foundation. Find the documentary “Alive Inside” or visit their websites to learn more about their work. The LA show will also benefit The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund.
There’s an absurd amount of photos from the shows and more info at Love It To Life.

And, contrary to popular belief, this and every year sees a lot of great music put out into the world. All you have to do is look…and listen… A highlight of my year’s listening was getting to hear Elvis Costello’s new album with a small group of radio and press people at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in NYC. With Elvis and his long-time A&R guy Joe McEwen in the room!

With Elvis Costello and Joe McEwen at Electric Lady Studios for a special listening party for the new album, Look Now.

Acid – The In Part Of The Out Crowd https://www.facebook.com/AcidHQ/
Albert Hammond Jr – Francis Trouble http://alberthammondjr.com/
Alejandro Escovedo – The Crossing http://www.alejandroescovedo.com/
Alex Dezen – II http://www.alexdezen.com/
American Aquarium – Things Change http://www.americanaquarium.com/
Anderson East – Encore https://andersoneast.com
Arthur Buck – Arthur Buck https://www.arthurbuckmusic.com/
Ashley McKinley – Wishful Thinking https://ashleymckinleymusic.com/
Belly – Dove https://bellyofficial.com/
Bird Streets – Bird Streets https://www.birdstreetsmusic.com/
Brian Fallon – Sleepwalkers https://twitter.com/thebrianfallon
Buffalo Tom – Quiet And Peace https://www.buffalotom.com/
Calexico – The Thread That Keeps Us http://www.casadecalexico.com/
Can’t Swim – This Too Won’t Pass https://www.cantswimmusic.com/
Dave Matthews Band – Come Tomorrow https://www.davematthewsband.com/
David Bowie – Glastonbury 2000 http://glastonbury.davidbowie.com/
Dawes – Passwords https://dawestheband.com/
Death By Unga Bunga – So Far So Good So Cool https://www.deathbyungabunga.no/
Dentist – Night Swimming https://www.dentistband.com/
Dumptruck – Wrecked https://www.facebook.com/dumptruckofficial/
Echo & The Bunnymen – The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon http://www.bunnymen.com/
Elizabeth Gundersen – Elephant Heart https://elizabethgundersen.bandcamp.com/
Elk City – Everybody’s Insecure https://elkcityband.com/
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Look Now https://www.elviscostello.com/#!/
Frank Turner – Be More Kind https://frank-turner.com/
Glen Hansard – Between Two Shores http://glenhansardmusic.com/
Glorietta – Glorietta https://www.gloriettamusic.com/
Graham Parker – Cloud Symbols https://www.grahamparker.net/Home.html
Grant-Lee Phillips – Widdershins http://www.grantleephillips.com/
Hodera – Besides https://www.hodera.net/
Hollie Cook – Vessel Of Love https://holliecook.com/
Ike Reilly – Crooked Love http://www.ikereilly.net/
J Mascis – Elastic Days http://www.jmascis.com/
Jack Drag – Jack Drag https://www.jackdrag.com/
James Maddock – If It Ain’t Fixed Don’t Break It http://jamesmaddock.net/
Jeff Tweedy – Warm https://wilcoworld.net/
Jeffrey Gaines – Alright http://www.jeffreygaines.com/
Jeffrey Martin – One Go Round http://www.jeffreymartinmusic.com/
Joe Strummer – Joe Strummer 001 box set https://www.joestrummer.com/en-us
John Butler Trio – Home https://johnbutlertrio.com/
Johnny Marr – Call The Comet https://johnnymarr.com/
Kris Gruen – Coast & Refuge http://www.krisgruen.com/
Lowlight – Born To Run https://lowlightnj.com/
Marcus King Band – Carolina Confessions http://marcuskingband.com/
Matthew Sweet – Tomorrow’s Daughter & Wicked System Of Things http://www.matthewsweet.com/
Mercy Union – The Quarry https://www.facebook.com/mercyunionband/
Michael McDermott – Out From Under https://michael-mcdermott.com/
Mike Edel – Thresholds http://mikeedel.com/
Mumford & Sons – Delta https://www.mumfordandsons.com/
Paul Weller – True Meanings https://paulweller.com/
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson – Apart EP http://www.peteyorn.com/
Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger In The Alps https://www.phoebefuckingbridgers.com/
Rayland Baxter – Wide Awake https://www.raylandbaxter.com/
Red Wanting Blue – The Wanting https://www.redwantingblue.com/
Rhett Miller – The Messenger https://www.rhettmiller.com/
Richard Thompson – 13 Rivers http://www.richardthompson-music.com/
Rod Picott – Out Past The Wires http://rodpicott.com/
Scars On 45 – Satellite Town http://www.scarson45.com/
Skyeline – Something about Your Basement https://www.facebook.com/skyelinetheband/
Sloan – 12 http://sloanmusic.com/
Sonic Blume – Sonic Blume EP and Beach Karma EP https://www.sonicblume.com/
Sunflower Bean – Twentytwo In Blue http://www.sunflowerbean.net/home.html
Superchunk – What A Time To Be Alive http://superchunk.com/
The Accidentals – Odyssey https://www.theaccidentalsmusic.com/
The Alarm – Equals http://thealarm.com/
The Ballroom Thieves – Paper Crown EP http://www.ballroomthieves.com/
The Grip Weeds – Trip Around The Sun http://www.gripweeds.com/
The Interrupters – Fight The Good Fight https://wearetheinterrupters.com/
The Magpie Salute – High Water 1 http://themagpiesalute.com/
The National Reserve – Hotel La Grange https://www.thenationalreserve.com/
The Paper Jets – Everyday Forever http://thepaperjets.com/
The Ratchets – First Light https://theratchets.bandcamp.com/
The RocknRoll HiFives – Re-introducing The RocknRoll HiFives https://rocknrollhifives.bandcamp.com/
The Smithereens – Covers https://officialsmithereens.com/
The Sunshine Boys – Blue Music https://sunshineboys.net/home
They Might Be Giants – I Like Fun https://www.theymightbegiants.com/
Titus Andronicus – A Productive Cough http://titusandronicus.net/
Tom Petty – An American Treasure box set http://www.tompetty.com/
UNI – UNI (singles collection) https://www.uni-bomber.com/
Val Emmich – Autobio Part 2 http://valemmich.com/
Various Artists – 3×4 (Bangles/Dream Syndicate/Rain Parade/Three O’Clock) https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2018/10/09/655594303/hear-the-bangles-cover-the-three-oclock-for-paisley-underground-compilation
White Denim – Performance https://whitedenimmusic.com/
Willie Nile – Children Of Paradise http://www.willienile.com/

Don’t forget, you can find me on the interwebs.
Personal Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/unkajeff
Public Figure Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/JeffRaspeMusicWizard
Instagram http://instagram.com/unkajeff
WordPress https://unkajeff.wordpress.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/unkajeff
You Tube http://www.youtube.com/unkajeff
RaspeRadio http://www.rasperadio.com

Happy Holidays!
Jeff

With Jesse Malin at Playstation Theater in NYC for a Frank Turner/Lucero show.