Happy Mondays returns to The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey tonight for a brand new season.
The famed, long-running independent music showcase is now in its second season under the booking of Brian Erickson (The Extensions) and Biff Swenson (Yawn Mower). The duo resurrected the night which had been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tonight, the series returns and will be running until December. Of course, there’s no better way to kick off the return to the series than by celebrating the birthday of beloved photographer Jeff Crespi.
Jeff has been a staple of the New Jersey scene for well over a decade. Jeff has shot concerts all over the Tri-State Area including some for Pop Break like CBGB Fest which took place in Times square. However, he is most known for his unflagging dedication to the original music scene of New Jersey. We all know the tales of Jeff racing from shooting an opening band at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville in the freezing cold to make it to Asbury to catch bands at The Saint. It’s not uncommon to Jeff walking around Asbury Park on a Saturday in the summer shooting bands playing from mid-day to the crack of dawn.
He shoots local artists — many of whom are doing their first show — with the same passion and energy he would a national headliner at Sea.Hear.Now. Its people like Jeff that keep music alive in Asbury Park, and we should take our time to pay respect to him.
Hell, I remember him shooting Pop Break’s Saint Patrick’s Day show mere days after being cleared from the hospital after a major medical event. The man is beyond dedicated. He’s also someone spreading positivity in the scene, and is always taking time to help people on a personal level.
Tonight, Asbury Park and The Wonder Bar celebrates Jeff’s birthday (yes, he’s fresh off double hip replacement) with a night featuring Shallow Green, The Za Band, Neon Rayon and Volatile Youth. The event is a 21+ show.
Happy Mondays sports a killer lineup throughout the month:
- April 8: Sophie Swanson, Drewsie (fka Drew the Recluse), Pepperwine.
- April 15: Padraic’s Joy, Hooper, CJ 2.0 & The Asbury Outlaws.
- April 22: Lou Panico, The DT’s, Sun Vessels
- April 29: Seperatr, Rest Ashore, Meteor Police
Pop Break will be interviewing bands performing at Happy Mondays through the summer!
