Smokin’ Jackets Headlines at Stone Pony Saturday
Nahan: I’m amazed at this time in my life that i'm doing the type of music I like at the type of venues I love.
In the midst of Light of Day Winterfest events occurring throughout Asbury Park this weekend, the Stone Pony lineup will include Smokin’ Jackets, a group that has become one the Jersey Shore’s most popular cover bands.
What began as a college group some 25 years ago by Glassboro College [now Rowan University] students Jim Barber and Thomas Jannarone relaunched in 2013 with the addition of Scott Engel and Dave Nahan.
Their appeal rests not only in the fact that these homegrown bandmates deliver fan favorites from the 70s and 80s but that they can adjust their sets to include 90s and beyond tracks that appeal to a younger crowd.
Having drawn hundreds to their appearances at famed venues along the Jersey Shore, Smokin’ Jackets energy packed performances are rounded out by their signature confetti cannon.
What also makes this band unique is the fact that guitarist Barber, lead guitar and keyboard player Engel, and bass player Nahan double as lead vocalists. Drummer Jannarone, an attorney, is known for operation of the confetti cannon.
This past summer, Smokin’ Jackets were not only the featured performers at Bar A but also at The Headliner, and held a residency at Spicy Cantina in Seaside Heights, where members of the Nerds and Outlaws were known to sit in on a jam.
Three of the four graduated are Ocean Township alums, and the fourth – Engel, hails from Aberdeen. These busy 50-somethings with day jobs are slated to perform a 2-hour set Saturday at the Stone Pony.
The Sun had the chance to catch up with bass player Dave Nahan [shown at far right in featured photo] before the headlining performance.
Sun: Tell me a little about the music you are putting forth?
Nahan: We cover all different types of classic rock; from Bruce [Springsteen] and Bon Jovi to Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne, and everything in between. We try to create a flow in the set with a portion that’s danceable and one that is more about performance.
Sun: You guys are performing at a lot of venues throughout the Jersey Shore, do you find a connection with the younger audiences?
Nahan: A lot of the 20 somethings know the music; they know the classics and enjoy it. If we know we’re going to be playing for a younger audience we’ll include covers from groups like Blink 182. We do tailor to some degree.
Sun: How would you describe the music you are putting forth?
Nahan: High energy fun rock and roll songs that everybody knows. We do some performance type rock songs that may be more intricate. We try to make our shows an event.
Sun: Can you talk a little bit about balancing full time careers with your high energy performances?
Nahan: It takes a little commitment and sacrifice on our parts. We rehearse on our own at home but we do keep a pretty strong rehearsal schedule. Right now we rehearse two to three times a month. We try to accommodate everyone’s schedule so we book dates six months in advance. We don’t play that often because we try to make each show an event. We do a lot of private parties and we are already booked through next summer. You know you did good when the places invite you back.
Sun: What are your day jobs?
Nahan: Well, Tom is a co owner of Bar A, Jim is an athletic trainer at Brick High School, Scott is a pharmacist and I run an import wholesale footwear company in New York.
Sun: With such busy schedules, how does rehearsal work?
Nahan: We rehearse at Tom’s home in Interlaken. It’s convenient for us because we all live in the area. Being part owner of Bar A, he’s amassed a great space so we just show up with guitars. We rehearse two to three times a month but there’s a lot of emails about what everyone is working on, what we need to have ready for the next rehearsal and performance.
Sun: Can you talk a little bit about performing at the Stone Pony during a weekend that will draw such an array of talent?
Nahan: I’m amazed at this time in my life that I’m doing the type of music I like at the type of venues I love. It should be a pretty crazy weekend in Asbury Park because there are things going on everywhere.
Sun: Is this your first performance at the Stone Pony?
Nahan: We played their anniversary lineup last year. I don’t know if you remember, but it was Feb. 3 and one of the coldest days in history. It was something like 6 degrees below and I though no one would show up but there were over 900 people there.
Sun: How long have you been playing the bass?
Nahan: I started when I was 13 years old. I never stopped playing music professionally. In college, I played acoustic guitar for dinner, drinks and tips. I was playing with Six to Midnight before this.
Sun: What sets Smokin’ Jackets a part from the rest?
Nahan: We have three lead singers in the band. It adds to the ability to do strong harmonies and brings a different dimension to the music. We alternate, with each of us singing 30 to 40 percent of the material. I think this creates a different experience for the audience.
Smokin’ Jacets makes their Light of Day event debut during ‘The Ultimate ’80s Party Rock Band event Saturday at the Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave. They will be joined by Turnstyles members Hank and Bezzy, Dave Mooney & The Aztec Gypsy. Doors open at 7 p.m. and $10 tickets are available at lightofday.org.
—————————————————————————
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.
