Makin Waves Celebrates 31st Anniversary with Four Killer Shows

Makin’ Waves has been a staple in the New Jersey music scene for 31 years. Authored by Bob Makin, the column — which has appeared in numerous publications — has championed innumerable original bands that have taken the stages, both big and small in the Garden State. The passion and enthusiasm Makin has for the scene in this state is gloriously infectious, and it has spilled from the page to the stage.

This year, to celebrate the column’s 31st Anniversary, there will be four days of concerts spanning two venues and features some of Jersey’s finest bands.

Partial proceeds from the Sunday’s show will benefit Makin Waves. And let’s be honest for a second — you should support the column. It’s helped so many artists throughout the years, and Bob Makin might be one of the nicest dudes you’re going to run into on the scene.

Friday May 17: The event kicks off at The Brighton Bar in the West End Section of Long Branch. Performing will be: The Cryptkeeper Five, TV Tramps, 40 Pound Hound, and Christine Mitchell. The show is 7 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $5.

Saturday May 18: Saturday’s show will be a more epic affair running from 2 p.m. to midnight. Performing will be: Solace, Defiance Engine, Ribeye Brothers, The X-Men, Full on Empty, 19DRT, Jon Caspi & the First Gun, Tom Kanach and Ezra Caspi. Admission is $10.

Sunday May 19:  The Third Annual Makin Waves Jam ‘n’ Groove Fest will feature some of Jersey’s best jam bands in 50th anniversary tribute to the highly influential Allman Brothers Band, The Meters and Little Feat. The local all-star tribute show will include Secret Sound, Dogs in a Pile, Dark City Strings, The Inflatable Head, Fungkshui, Ten Foot Tall, Mike Montrey Band, and The Green Planet Band. 

Taking place 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Jam ‘n’ Groove also will include drink specials from co-sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka, gourmet sliders from the co-sponsoring Outslider food truck, chair massage from co-sponsor Massage by Design, and sponsor promotional giveaways. Admission is $10.

Monday May 20: The festival concludes at Happy Mondays at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Des & The Swagmatics, The Taylor Tote Band, and Makin Waves faves Nalani & Sarina perform. There is no cover.

Sponsors for the festival include: The Aquarian Weekly, Light of Day Foundation, Wave Resort, AsburyMusic.com, Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, Blowup Radio, New Jersey Stage, The Pop Break, Radio Jersey and Danny Coleman’s Rock on Radio.

Makin Waves has covered NJ arts and entertainment since 1988 in New Jersey Stage, The Aquarian Weekly, NJArts.net, MyCentralJersey.com, Home News Tribune, Upstage Magazine, Courier News, and East Coast Rocker. The column appears every Thursday at NewJerseyStage.com, monthly in New Jersey Stage magazine at njartsmag.com, and first Wednesdays at theaquarian.com, as well as in print in The Aquarian Weekly, where it started 31 years ago. Also, the Makin Waves Report on Radio Jersey and the Song of the Week on AsburyMusic.com appear weekly.