Ten years ago John Kern harbored reservations about starting a party band with Ricky “Shorty Long” Tisch. Kern enjoyed jamming with Tisch, but the fragile, wheelchair-bound keyboardist, who was born with a severe spinal condition and brittle bone disease, did not fit Kern’s idea of a crazy rock-and-roller. “I wanted to be in a chick magnet band, though I probably would have been the ugliest guy in the band,” Kern, the band's vocalist-bassist, said in a recent interview. “But we started joking around and never stopped and we formed the band and named it after him.” A decade later, Shorty Long…

Bands, with enough practice, may be able to achieve musical precision, harmonic unity, and all around rocking-ness, but how many can claim intergalatic travel and elaborate masks? Probably, only The Mystery Men. The luchador-mask-wearing band is crashing its rocketship into McIntyre's in Toms River on Thursday May 24 for The Great American Mystery Bash. But we managed to intercept a transmission and get this interview with the band in between their body slams and improv jams. Their show Thursday is part of the Original Music Showcase at McIntyre's Pub, and besides The Mystery Men, there's …

A Criminal Risk: Finally a Real Band It isn’t too often that a band will stick with all original members their entire career. When that does happen, many times, it’s a short-lived career. Band members will come and go, but the will to move on is what fans often respect. A Criminal Risk made their name as a punk rock trio from Toms River, NJ. However, as people grow, so does their style. Now working towards a four-piece band, ACR says they finally feel like a real band. They also realize that sometimes, people are just living to die and the only certainties in life, as they say, are death and …

A band will often times spend hours, days, even weeks coming up with the perfect name for their band. Many times they’ll even come up with a name before making music.  Even more so, they want to make sure it has a hard-hitting meaning. Hailing from Ocean County, the members of Breathing Blue went the opposite direction. Using a name that came on the fly, Breathing Blue has made a name based on their music.  Dolla Bil Facciponte: Let’s talk right away about what’s new with you guys. You’re working on the release of your first full-length album. How’s that all going? Matt Basilotto: It’s going …

Many people may never know the name of Kait DiBenedetto. However, this 19-year-old music prodigy has gained a large following as “Just Kait.” She has gained success and fame some only imagine, especially given her young age. Kait has dedicated her life to music. Even with the amount of success she's found, she has remained true to who she's always been. She's followed her heart and made her dreams a reality.  Dolla Bil Facciponte: Have you always had an interest in making music?  Kait DiBenedetto: Definitely. When I was little, I would pretend baseball bats were guitars so I think I've always…

Lots of folks know that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland, pushing them into the sea – and leaving the Emerald Isle "snakeless" to this day. Apparently, a few slithered to our own shores and gave rise to the latest Irish folk/rock band, the Snakes, aimed at spreadin’ a little good cheer. The band is performing today at The Crab's Claw in Lavallette. While that may be a bit o’ blarney, ‘tis true that on one recent Saturday night, the Snakes slithered in to their frequent haunt, St. Stephen’s Green Publick House in Spring Lake Heights, and proved why they may be the perfect antidote …

This week's Spotlight on Toms River music shines on Shady Lane, one of the bands scheduled to perform at the next 732 concert series at the Ocean County Library. The Toms River-based band will perform March 15. Vocalist and guitarist Todd Picht said the band's gigs often surround summer breaks as the members are away at their respective schools for much of the year. However, worlds collide and the band is together for the Thursday show. Toms River Patch sent over some questions to Picht to learn why everybody wants a Shady Lane. Q: Give us some straight-up About You type stuff. A brief …

A separation of two parties is a devastating event for anyone involved. At the time, it's hard to imagine life going on at that point. For most people, this comes in the form of a romantic relationship. However, there is another type of relationship that may suffer this more than anyone else. Many bands that have become household names do not contain the original members that started the band. Whether it be due to politics within the band, a lack of desire or a new dream coming about, band members split all the time. The biggest issue for the band is moving on from that point. While many may …

The masters of jazz need not be our seniors. In fact, one performance scheduled at Ocean County College this week proves they can be your junior. We're not talking about playing the staples, but original solos. The young Geoff Gallante will belt out some original jazz in the Midweek Jazz at Ocean County College, continuing Wednesday. It's the second of two remaining Midweek events, which have been held throughout the colder months with 90-minute performances. February 8: Geoff Gallante Gallante is a young trumpet and cornet player who would be considered exceptional at twice his age. With a …

In our regular series recognizing great local bands, The Amboys stand out for having won some Asbury Park Music Awards and nominations in three short years. Several members of the band hail from Toms River, and they are this week's Spotlight on Local Music at Toms River Patch. What is the current line-up of your band and when did you form? C.M. Smith – Lead vocals-guitar Manny Castanon - Bass Connor Effenberger – Drums/vocals Daniel Effenberger - Lead Guitar/Vocals Give us some straight-up About You type stuff. A brief history of your band. We got together back in the fall of ‘08. I answered …

In this week's installment of Spotlight on Local Music, it's all in the family, literally. The Vinnys is dad and son, Vinny Sr. and Vinny Jr. Here's more about the two-man family band. They've graced some local stages (Veteran's Park) and also the "Today Show," and write an anniversary song each year. Q: Give us some straight-up About You type stuff. A brief history of your band. The Vinnys are a Father and Son acoustic duo. Vinny Sr. is a seasoned musician who played with various bands and singers over the years at the Jersey Shore and beyond. Vinny Jr. has been singing since age 5 and …

Three piece Ba Babes has graced the stage of Asbury Lanes with local heavy hitters BRICK+MORTAR, all while keeping it real practicing at mom's. This week, the band dubbed their two stints in Toms River as the "1998 Toms River Little League World Series Tour" as a means to celebrate the team's baseball victory. The gigs are at the Dec. 15 seven-three-two concert series at the Ocean County Library, and Dec. 16 at the Revolutionary Lounge on Hooper Avenue. Q: Give us some straight-up About You type stuff. A brief history of your band. We’re just some friends who play music and have a good time …

The seven-three-two concert series at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County library is also the first Toms River concert for Tiny Teeth. Whether you lump them into folk-punk or 'shy basement punk,' the trio will be bringing some sparkly tunes to the Wednesday audience. Guitarist and song writer Christina answered our questions heading into this week's concert.  Q: Give us some straight-up About You type stuff. A brief history of your band. We all live in a house in Elizabeth and we play music for fun.  I played a toy piano in a bunch of recordings that I made last year, so we decided on …

The members of indie folk band River City Extension, Toms River’s own alt-rock hometown heroes, are back in the shore area for the band’s third annual Thanksgiving Eve show in Asbury Park.  It’s been a big year for River City, which calls Ocean County home. The eight-member group has crisscrossed the country, hitting major music festivals such as Bonaroo and South by Southwest. And they’ve been hard at work recording their second full-length album.  Now they’re back on the local scene, headlining a homecoming show at the Stone Pony Wednesday night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and will likely run …

In Toms River Patch's ongoing feature on local bands and musicians, this week is an interview with Dubzilla, a Beachcomber regular bringing the sweet and gritty sounds of reggae and ska. Check out what Dubzilla has to say in this week's Spotlight on Local Music. Give us some straight-up "About You" type stuff. A brief history of your band.Well we were put together by John Kern from the local band Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns. Originally we had two other members but unfortunately things didn’t work out. Then the three of us started practicing and playing local shows. Even thought we each …

Toms River's talent shone at the annual Asbury Park Music Awards, as both local favorites The Amboys and nationally touring River City Extension won big. Each band has members hailing from Toms River. The Asbury Park Music Awards are given each year across dozens of categories, but they all celebrate the local, original music scene. River City Extension took home the most awards of the evening: four. The band had the Top Local Release for "The Unmistakeable Man." River City Extension is the Top Americana Band and Top Live Performance this year, and also has the top multi-instrument musician …

In Toms River Patch's ongoing feature on local bands and musicians, this week is an interview with John Muccino, one of the performers kicking off the Ocean County Library's seventhreetwo concert series for young adults, featuring up-and-coming local musicians. Here's more about John Muccino. Give us some straight-up "About Us" type stuff. A brief history of your band. Well I've been performing sets from my current batch of solo songs since the fall of 2010. Going to school meant the dissolution of my old band, Foxes & Lions, so I started focusing more on classes and working on new material …

In Toms River Patch's ongoing feature on local bands and musicians, this week is an interview with Justified, a diverse cover band comprised of five members from in and around Toms River and Beachwood. They've got some benefit concerts they are playing as well as private events. Here's more about Justified. What is the current line-up of your band and when did you form? John Hammack – Guitar Ken Gross - Bass Joe Babcock - Drums George Snyder - Lead Guitar Fred LaBianca – Vocals Formed in the fall of 2009 Give us some straight-up "About Us" type stuff. A brief history of your band. Justified …

Clan Suibhne (pronounced like "Sweeney") is a band of musicians from Toms River devoted to keeping Celtic and other "greengrass" music alive. So named because bluegrass is an American form of music, the somewhat similiar greengrass genre originated on Emerald Isles. Clan Suibhne shared songs of Irish, Cornish and Scottish traditions, and plenty of their own original songs, in a performance this weekend at Point Pleasant Beach's Green Planet Coffee. Check out our video of Clan Suibhne's performance.

End of an Era is a five piece alternative electo-rock band that has been touring and performing up and down the east coast since 2006. Their in-your-face sound has garnered them much attention with press and venues alike, as they frequently sell out shows at local venues such as The Brighton Bar and The Saint. They're also known for having witty themed parties that call for costumes, beer and of course, loud music. Check out our Q&A with drummer Jeff Spagnola "Spags" and support them by checking out an upcoming show! Q: What is the current line-up of your band and when did you form? A: We …