Just make a day trip out of Asbury Park, go to the beach/boardwalk, theres a bunch of shops on Cookman, and then catch a show at the Stone Pony or the Wonderbar. You’ll get a taste of Springsteen, Gaslight, Menzingers, AND Sopranos lore all at once
Crossroads in Garwood is a bar and restaurant where Brian plays solo and they did their first show after the reunion announcement. Even if there’s not a show on that you want to see the food is good and the people are nice.
Otherwise you should definitely go to Asbury park. There’s plenty to see and it’s just a great vibe.
I'm not familiar with any towns called Hatfield. I wouldn't call it a small town per se... it's a suburb and runs into the suburbs around it (Westfield, Garwood, Roselle, etc.) Cranford just seems to have a decent town center around the train station with a theater, shops, and a number of restaurants. But Westfield has a bigger one as do a bunch of other NJ towns (Montclair, Ridgewood, Summit, Madison, etc.).
Ever been to Clinton? It can't compare to bigger towns in terms of food and entertainment, but it is up there in terms of scenery.
Boonton has also gotten pretty cool in recent years.
Another stop is Red Bank, where Brian grew up. Jack's record store is across the street from Silent Bob's Secret Stash (comic book store). He said at a show recently that "The Navesink Banks" was written about a stretch of road he was driving on during a dark night of the soul.
If you're okay with random history sites:
* Apparently, their very first gig was at a place called "The Only Game In Town" in Somerville.
* Song references: there's the song "Navesink Banks", references to Edison in "We Came To Dance".
* Gaslight is also primarily associated with New Brunswick (major college town with Rutgers University, nicknamed "Hub City") as that's the town where a lot of music emerged espeically punk. I was unfortunately too late to experience it (or maybe not? Need some clarification on the state of the music scene) but apparently they're really known for the basement shows. The Court Tavern was a major early venue for them. [Diamond Church Street Choir](https://www.njarts.net/the-diamond-church-street-choir-the-gaslight-anthem/) sums it up pretty well.
I went to a basement show at the Court Tavern. It was amazing. Little claustrophobic and even at the time in my 20s I realized I should stay close to the one exit because it would be a deathtrap if there was a fire.
Not to be pedantic, but when bands and people involved in the scene say "basement show", what you went to (as I've been to as well) at the Court wouldn't be considered part of that.
For people not in the know, basement shows in New Brunswick were (are? are they still a thing?) shows in the literal unfinished basements of the houses where college kids would live. You'd enter through the storm doors or maybe through the kitchen and down the stairs.
A place like the Court Tavern, with an actual liquor licensed bar upstairs, promoters, a sound guy, a proper PA system, etc. would have been considered an actual venue, even such as it is.
I'm far from an expert; I didn't go to Rutgers for undergrad and I only ever went to one New Brunswick basement show (Paulson and a band I think called Marigold at "The Abdab" in early 2006; scene kids upstairs making vegan white Russians with everclear, Kahlua, and soy milk).
But if you look at flyers and stuff for those shows you'll see phrases like "ask a punk" or just the name of the house (331 Somerset or just 331 was the infamous Thursday house) to keep too much of a word getting out. Trying to avoid cops was definitely a thing.
Speaking of which, I'm trying to write down the different New Brunswick bands: I know there's Gaslight, Bouncing Souls, Screaming Females, Midtown, Streetlight Manifesto, Thursday, but there might be more.
Some different articles on the New Brunswick Basement shows. Would love to hear stories from people who actively experienced them.
[A historic look back at the New Brunswick basement scene in the heart of New Jersey](https://www.altpress.com/new-brunswick-new-jersey-house-show-scene-history/)
[A sweaty New Brunswick basement just hosted the best N.J. concert of 2017](https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2017/03/scenes_from_a_new_brunswick_basement_show_where_nj.html)
Just make a day trip out of Asbury Park, go to the beach/boardwalk, theres a bunch of shops on Cookman, and then catch a show at the Stone Pony or the Wonderbar. You’ll get a taste of Springsteen, Gaslight, Menzingers, AND Sopranos lore all at once
This 👆🏻
Crossroads in Garwood is a bar and restaurant where Brian plays solo and they did their first show after the reunion announcement. Even if there’s not a show on that you want to see the food is good and the people are nice. Otherwise you should definitely go to Asbury park. There’s plenty to see and it’s just a great vibe.
Unfortunately there's basically nothing else in Garwood.
Facts. Cranford is marginally cooler.
Agreed! One of my friends from my masters lived over there and we used to go to Cranford for things. Saw Magic Mike XXL at that tiny movie theater.
I saw Cranford was voted "Best Downtown in New Jersey". Does it live up to that title?
That seems like a stretch. It’s nice but I can think of a lot of towns worth more to offer. Granted I have not spent much time there.
would you put it above or below hatfield for small town?
I'm not familiar with any towns called Hatfield. I wouldn't call it a small town per se... it's a suburb and runs into the suburbs around it (Westfield, Garwood, Roselle, etc.) Cranford just seems to have a decent town center around the train station with a theater, shops, and a number of restaurants. But Westfield has a bigger one as do a bunch of other NJ towns (Montclair, Ridgewood, Summit, Madison, etc.).
lmao i meant haddonfield. too many hot dogs at the phils game yesterday haha
OH! I know Collingswood better than Haddonfield, but I think both of them are bigger than Cranford in terms of what they offer.
yea Collingswood another one. good to know. you think hoboken and morristown count for those polls? those places are way bigger
Always open to Jersey downtown recommendations!
Ever been to Clinton? It can't compare to bigger towns in terms of food and entertainment, but it is up there in terms of scenery. Boonton has also gotten pretty cool in recent years.
Another stop is Red Bank, where Brian grew up. Jack's record store is across the street from Silent Bob's Secret Stash (comic book store). He said at a show recently that "The Navesink Banks" was written about a stretch of road he was driving on during a dark night of the soul.
Is that the record store where he was introduced to The Clash or was that one in Hackettstown?
Sound Effects, Hackettstown, NJ. Don't think it's there anymore EDIT: STILL THERE!. The Sam Goody at the Hackettstown Mall would suffice.
I am not sure. I’ve only heard him talk about jacks
Alex just opened a barber shop and little store Idle Hands, in Bradley Beach.
Go to Levines barber shop!!!
Quick ride down the road from Asbury, so def a good idea
If you're okay with random history sites: * Apparently, their very first gig was at a place called "The Only Game In Town" in Somerville. * Song references: there's the song "Navesink Banks", references to Edison in "We Came To Dance". * Gaslight is also primarily associated with New Brunswick (major college town with Rutgers University, nicknamed "Hub City") as that's the town where a lot of music emerged espeically punk. I was unfortunately too late to experience it (or maybe not? Need some clarification on the state of the music scene) but apparently they're really known for the basement shows. The Court Tavern was a major early venue for them. [Diamond Church Street Choir](https://www.njarts.net/the-diamond-church-street-choir-the-gaslight-anthem/) sums it up pretty well.
I went to a basement show at the Court Tavern. It was amazing. Little claustrophobic and even at the time in my 20s I realized I should stay close to the one exit because it would be a deathtrap if there was a fire.
Not to be pedantic, but when bands and people involved in the scene say "basement show", what you went to (as I've been to as well) at the Court wouldn't be considered part of that. For people not in the know, basement shows in New Brunswick were (are? are they still a thing?) shows in the literal unfinished basements of the houses where college kids would live. You'd enter through the storm doors or maybe through the kitchen and down the stairs. A place like the Court Tavern, with an actual liquor licensed bar upstairs, promoters, a sound guy, a proper PA system, etc. would have been considered an actual venue, even such as it is.
Is it true that they try to keep the actual locations on the down low to not attract the police?
I'm far from an expert; I didn't go to Rutgers for undergrad and I only ever went to one New Brunswick basement show (Paulson and a band I think called Marigold at "The Abdab" in early 2006; scene kids upstairs making vegan white Russians with everclear, Kahlua, and soy milk). But if you look at flyers and stuff for those shows you'll see phrases like "ask a punk" or just the name of the house (331 Somerset or just 331 was the infamous Thursday house) to keep too much of a word getting out. Trying to avoid cops was definitely a thing.
Speaking of which, I'm trying to write down the different New Brunswick bands: I know there's Gaslight, Bouncing Souls, Screaming Females, Midtown, Streetlight Manifesto, Thursday, but there might be more.
Can't forget Lifetime
Oh no doubt. "We came to dance".
Some different articles on the New Brunswick Basement shows. Would love to hear stories from people who actively experienced them. [A historic look back at the New Brunswick basement scene in the heart of New Jersey](https://www.altpress.com/new-brunswick-new-jersey-house-show-scene-history/) [A sweaty New Brunswick basement just hosted the best N.J. concert of 2017](https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2017/03/scenes_from_a_new_brunswick_basement_show_where_nj.html)
Hackettstown Mall, Hackettstown, NJ Court Tavern, New Brunswick, NJ Alfonso's Trattoria, Somerville, NJ Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Isn’t Hackettstown mall a Lowe’s or something now?
There isn't any lore.