The Clef Pre-Halloween Party Happened at Red Bank Rehearsal Studios, 10/10/14

The Clef brought Shellshag to Red Bank as part of a huge bill for their Pre-Halloween Party.

A Really Big Show

I just had to say a few words about Friday's show at Red Bank Rehearsal Studios presented by The Clef. The last time I checked the bill, I think I saw 18 bands listed. Things got started at 4pm and went well past midnight.

Following guitar lessons and soccer practice, I headed to the studio at about 7pm; and things were in full swing. Scotch LaRock was already there, and Allyson from Speak Into My Good Eye was pulling up just as I arrived. We made it inside in time to catch the homecoming set from Corrina, Corrina; and a Bus Buddies reunion broke out.

We went next door to the "Tie Dye Room" for a set by The Uncommonly Good, two-thirds of whom came in costume. I snapped pictures of the first few sets I saw.

I feel like stages and set times got juggled around a bit in order to keep things moving, then Shellshag played "The Big Room." I can't see Shellshag enough times, and it was great being in such a small space with them. It was kind of dark. I was having a good time, and the camera bag was kind of getting in the way. I packed the camera away and just decided to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Chris from Speak Into My Good Eye showed up just in time to catch Full of Fancy's next to last ever set. The setlist mirrored the previous evening's in New Brunswick, and the band sounded even a little better as they worked toward their big final show opening for The Muffs on Saturday. More on that one later.

Then it was back over to the Big Room for the absolutely insane set by The Battery Electric. I couldn't even squeeze in, so I watched from the hallway. Crowd surfers, people in chicken costumes, and a new song from The Battery Electric that definitely takes things in a different direction from their usual stuff. As raucous as their shows are, constant gigging has made The Battery Electric a pretty well-oiled machine that knows how to construct a set and never overstays its welcome. Always leave them wanting more.

Mikey Erg was next, and his wildly energetic solo set had the whole room singing along, filling in parts that Mikey couldn't do solo. I think it was during his set that I caught a glimpse of Slingshot Dakota arriving from their show at Webster Hall where they, once again, were supporting Citizen and You Blew It! The Bethlehem, PA duo recently quit their jobs to focus on music and appeared genuinely thrilled to be playing two sets in two states on the same night.

Hot Blood took the stage in the Big Room sometime after 11:30. Things had emptied out a bit as the kids on provisional licenses had to get out before curfew. Those that could stay, though, got a ferocious set that featured The Battery Electric's Brent Bergholm taking on bass duties. Kiley overcame a mic that kept shocking him to give a performance that saw him surfing the crowd and sharing vocals with the entire room on "Class Warfare" and "Theme from a Hot Blood Album." Ed the Punk did a nice job to close out "Don't Be a Dick." When the planned set was done, Hot Blood started reeling off covers from Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, and Agnostic Front. I saw Slingshot Dakota drummer Tom Patterson enjoying things from the back of the room.

I headed back to the car pretty exhausted and amazed that things had come off so well. I went into the evening thinking that there was the potential for things to end up in chaos. While the evening was chaotic, bands got on and off and there weren't too many tough choices that had to be made. Hats off to Luke and Emma for putting together and running an evening that can't be called anything other than a success.

I'll put the pictures I got up at Flickr.

OK. So that was more than a few words. Sue me.