Hoboken Rock City - The Official Blog Of DJ Mike C.

This site is not going to become an endless gig listing page. It's great that many blogs have taken up the honorable mantle of passing along word when hot shows get announced or go on sale, and I'll certainly pass on salacious concert rumors when appropriate; if I'm not mistaken, I scooped the blog world on the Sonic Youth at Maxwell's announcement. But when the mood hits, one part of my multi-pronged raison d'etre is to pass along news of selected gigs.

For comprehensive gig listings, everyone should who cares about such things should keep regular tabs on Raspe Radio for area listings with a Jersey slant and Oh My Rockness for a more city-centric (though Maxwell's-inclusive) listing. For those last-minute planners in and around the Rock City, there are a lot of cool shows this weekend, tonight in particular. Here's a sampling.


Tonight, April 1

• Huma, Spiraling, and a whole gang of other bands
appearing at WRSU's Learning Secrets Festival
at Trayes Hall, Douglass Campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick
noon to midnight

Two stages: one is the main stage, the other is at Brew Ha Ha's; it's at the latter where Spiraling plays at 3:45 p.m. and Huma goes at 6 p.m. Other bands I've heard of (but not actually heard) are Swearing At Motorists (purported to be playing at the exact time of 10:20 p.m. on the main stage) and Sparks Fly From A Kiss (9:30 p.m. at Brew Ha Ha's).

Both Huma and Spiraling can be heard in Hoboken Rock City Show #1; Spiraling also appears in Show #3. I also interviewed Huma a few months back.


• The Misfits
at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville

Brooklyn Vegan recently raved about The Misfits reunion. Sounds like it's the real deal. Also on the bill: Ash Monday


• Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff
at The Loop Lounge, Passaic Park
12 midnight. Tickets $10 at the door. Also on the bill: The Harvey Moon Project, The Mayan Factor, and Jesus Crisis. Bands start at 10:30 p.m.

A genuine turn-of-the-'90s Britpopper in our midst. I've seen him light up a room.


• The Milwaukees and Hero Pattern
at Maxwell's, in the Rock City
10 p.m.

I saw The Milwaukees a jillion years ago, and they were solid.


• Al Franken
at The State Theatre, New Brunswick
8 p.m.

The Great Left Hope of talk radio gives a lecture and a Q&A at an oft-overlooked but great venue I haven't been to since I caught Bruce's acoustic tour there 10 years ago.


• Graham Coxon (ex-Blur)
at Bowery Ballroom, NYC
Doors open 8 p.m.

The show is apparently not sold out, and I'm hearing good things about his new album.


• DJ Timmah
at The Goldhawk, in the Rock City
10 p.m. till close

Rock accordingly.


Saturday, April 2

• The Lonesome Prairie Dogs
appearing at the 30th Annual Meet Ball (or Meetball) Dinner,
sponsored by the Van Vorst Park Association.
at St. Peter's Prep Hall, 144 Grand St., Jersey City
7:30 p.m. till 11 p.m.

Two sets by Jersey's own Hank/Elvis/Orbison-lovin' old-school y'allternative rawkers. Singer Heidi Lieb is also the leader of the N.J. female punksters Sit N' Spin, as heard on Hoboken Rock City Show #2. I shared a gig with the Dogs once, and they are a hoot and a half.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, but in addition to those Lonesome ones, there's gonna be beer, wine, food by Jersey City restaurants, DJ Tony "The Susco Kid" Susco and even a rumored appearance by Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. Plus, proceeds from this event go to scholarships to attend Camp Liberty at Liberty State Park and to the St. Lucy's Homeless Shelter in Jersey City.


• DJ Mike C.
at The Goldhawk, in the Rock City
10 p.m. till close

I bring the rock; you bring your bad selves.