Written and Photographed by Killian O’Neil

A certain type of joy comes from finding a band that hasn’t yet blown up and is on its way. It’s almost comparable to Christmas morning when you’re opening your presents. This past summer, I got to experience that for the first time in a while with Don Broco. They were one of the supporting bands on tour with The Used and Pierce The Veil. I remember thinking, “holy shit, these guys are amazing; what rock have they been hiding under” when I saw them in July at the Stone Pony in Ashbury Park, NJ.

I soon learned Don Broco was from Bedford, England, which explained everything I needed to know. I was beyond stoked to hear that they were coming back to Philly so soon after just being on tour. The only difference about this time was that they were the headliners. 

It was finally the night of the concert, and the city was abuzz. Don Broco was playing at the TLA, which meant good sound and an intimate setting. It was also a Sold Out Show to make the deal even sweeter. As I walked up to the venue, a line started forming about a block from the box office. It was clear that most of the fans standing in line discovered them this past summer on that same tour. The line for admission into the TLA was single filed and riddled with different colored hair and a slew of black makeup. Upon entering the venue, you’re immediately hit with a jam-packed merch line and another line for bathrooms. My only concern was finding a spot to stand with a clear view of the stage.

I was taken back by the age demographic of this concert. Everyone and their mother were there. I looked to my left, and two children were running around no older than 12, and to my right, there was a couple in their mid-30s; no one was being left out tonight. Within minutes of arriving inside, the lights started to dim, and the house music started to play, queuing the show’s beginning. The night started with a band called The Color 8, who blew my mind with their rock/screamo/jazz hybrid. They were a three-piece band with a drummer, a frontman, and a guitarist; the frontman also doubled as a saxophone player. The entire ensemble was goddamn brilliant. It would switch from screaming to a heavy bass and finish with a buttery saxophone. I never would have thought to put those different elements together, but thank god someone did. The next band up that night was called Ryan Oakes, another three-piece band with a drummer, guitarist, and a frontman/MC. Now these guys were more so punk-pop goes rap with some Lofi beats mixed in. Ryan Oakes was a true MC and talent on the mic and knew how to control a stage and room. They almost reminded me of The Beastie Boys, with how some of their songs are arranged with the rap mixed into it with live drums. The entire crowd was entranced and singing along with every lyric.

The Home Team, a band out of Washington state, was up next. They were the other headliners that evening and had the stage set with neon lights at different heights to frame them while performing. Every time they played a song, the lights behind them went off in various colors along with the beat. They played true pop punk, and their singer’s voice reminded me of a young Johnny Craig. Unfortunately, it was hard for me to hear them fully because the vocalist’s mic was turned down so low against all the other instruments, which ultimately drowned them out. When the band ended their set, it was shared with the crowd how big of an influence Don Broco had on them. They mention how this was their 2nd time going on tour with them, and they did four years ago as well. Once The Home Team wrapped up, It was finally time for Don Broco.

Everyone was geared up, and the room was filled wall to wall; it felt like I was living in a sardine can. The lights cut, the music stopped, and a spotlight hit the stage. One by one, the guys came out, and of course, in true fashion, Rob, lead singer of Don Broco, came out sporting what appeared to be a fan-made shirt that said, “I Love Don Broco.” The energy was exactly as I remember before powerful and electric. The way they harness the energy on stage reminds me so much of The Used with their showmanship. The band wasted no time and went right into their first song of the night, “Gumsheild,” and the crowd went wild. I can’t recall a moment other than when Rob talked to fans; he pulled up on stage where he stood still. No matter what, he was expelling energy and putting on a show. Don Broco played all the fan favorites off their two most recent albums, Amazing Things and Technology. Halfway through the show, Rob stopped performing and pointed out that there was a 10-year-old crowd surfing and brought him and his brother up on stage. There, he compared his mullet with the little boy’s and told the crowd to watch out for each other in the mosh pit. Every time I looked up, Rob would be wearing a different color cowboy hat that a fan had given him; at the show’s beginning, it was pink, then it was black, then it was pink again. No matter what happens, this band is always having fun and a good time. Their newest release, “Birthday Party,” was played, and DB brought up all of the musicians of the evening on stage to help them play it out. After that, they closed the evening with one of their biggest hits, “Everybody.” The entire TLA started yelling the lyrics and screaming. Once Don Broco silently exited the stage, the fans relentlessly demanded an encore. They chanted for at least a minute before the sold-out crowd got what they wanted. Ask, and you shall receive because the band filed back out, went into “Fingernails,” and closed the night with “T-shirt Song.” I am baffled at how amazing these dudes are because it’s just them doing what they love and doing it well. This band’s sound is a treat, from the guitar to the drums to the bass to Rob. Every part of these guys is authentic!

The vocals alone will take you on a journey like no other, and the rest of the band will put you under a spell. Rob mentioned during the show that this was the first time they had a sold-out show in Philadelphia. Let me tell you what: it may have been their first to sell out, but I promise it won’t be their last. These guys are hot and just getting started.

You can visit Don Broco online at:

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Written by Killian O’Neil

Photographed by Bryce Hall

Could you ever imagine standing in a sea of people with rain pelting down your face and all your clothes sopping wet? Mentally, at this point, you’re starting to not only feel but resemble a wet dog. If someone told me I would experience that one day, I would say, “fuck that,” and walk away. However, that is exactly how my Monday night was spent. I had the pleasure of seeing The Used play a co-headlining tour with Pierce the Veil and Don Brocco, it wasn’t my traditional way to kick off a work week, but I dug it. 

The night was already off to a crazy start before I arrived at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Mother nature had a mind of her own that evening. The weather was calling for some gnarly storms, the type of storms that postpone shows. Truthfully, I thought they were going to cancel the concert, but it was a Rain or Shine event. When I finally got to the venue, the line for entry was wrapped around the building not once but twice. As I was walking up to the Stone Pony, a wave of 2006 nostalgia washed over me. A crowd of fishnets and studded belts was everywhere alongside a sea of black. The crowd was an even 50/50 split for fans of The Used and Pierce the Veil, and it was abundantly clear who was a fan of what. I knew that the night would be memorable for two essential factors: the first was a sold-out show, and the second was that the weather was already calling for torrential downpours, thunder, and lightning. The only ones crazy enough to stand in that climate are the die-hard fans. The air was cool and balmy, reminding me how it felt before a giant summer rainstorm. The fog was rolling in, in every direction, and it had been overcast the entire day; you could not spot the Sun anywhere in the sky. The only thing that was important was getting in and securing a solid spot in the crowd with a good view. 

Upon entering the Summer Stage, it gave the feeling of the warped tour with the metal barricades, makeshift merch tents, and black asphalt. The only thing I was concerned with was what was the best place to stand with the incoming weather. Once my spot was secure, it took little to no time for the evening to commence. First, before anything, the venue had to address the crowd with a PSA about the weather. Staff came on the Mic and gave us directions on what to do in case an evacuation occurred, how dangerous the night could potentially be, and how to be safe. After all, this makeshift outside the venue was just a bunch of metal barricades and electronics.

Don Brocco was the first band that jumped on stage around 6:15 to start the night. Personally, I have never been so entranced by an opener in my life. All you need to know is that a British man with a curly mullet and the rest of his band knows how to get down and shred. They’re a four-piece rock band out of the UK and form like seasoned Veteriny Vets. Rob, the lead singer’s vocal registry is unlike any I have ever heard in a long time; I don’t think there’s a note he couldn’t hit. I can tell you this; Don Brocco has that extra shot of star power. This isn’t the last time we will be hearing about them in the US. Once they exited the stage, there was about a 25-minute grace period until the next band came on, which typically would have been the band, girlfriends, but due to the weather, they could not play. To my surprise, Pierce the Veil came on shortly after and played. Right before they came out, the heavens opened up and decided we all needed a bath. The rain was so heavy that I couldn’t see without squinting, and my new hoodie (now being worn) was getting rung out every few minutes because of how Saturated it was with rainwater. As soon as PTV wrapped their set, their fans exited the lot, which meant it was about time for The Used. 

We were cold, we were soaking wet, and we were ready for The Used to finish out the night with a bang. The smoke went off, and the strobes started; the stage covered in pink roses and out appeared a wild Bert Mccracken center stage. Suddenly, the Intro to “Take it Away” started emulating from the speakers. Everyone erupted in unison when they heard Bert sing the first note. The crowd was singing at the top of their lungs; remember, it was still raining as the concert continued. At least now The Used was playing, so it made the rain disappear and being wet more tolerable. Bert was without shoes and roaring to talk about how it was “squishy” under his feet on stage. He also told us that he wanted to have “Unprotected sex with each and every one of us,” and that made everyone need to change their panties. Their set list for the evening consisted of all fan favorites, “The Bird and the Worm,” “I Caught Fire,” “The Taste of Ink,” “I’m A Fake,” “Pretty Handsome Adventures,” and “Box Full of Sharp Objects.” In addition, they also played two of their new songs, “Give Up and Fuck You, “which the crowd seemed to know every lyric to as well. My favorite part of the night was Bert brought up Rob Damiani from Don Brocco to do “A Box Full of Sharp Objects” with him. Bert and Rob together on stage is something that I hope to see again. They have great chemistry and complement each other very well. Rob’s screaming blends in with Bert’s singing so perfectly that you can hardly tell it’s two people doing a duet. They closed the show strong with “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” and a circle pit formed in the crowd.

There were a few hiccups during the night with the weather, but that’s what made Monday night so much fun, the unexpected. I couldn’t tell you another band I willingly would stand outside in teaming rain for, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The Used always brings love and authentic energy to every show they play, and they can see it on stage. Tonight was yet again another one for the books.

The Used

Website丨Facebook 丨Instagram 丨YouTube 丨Spotify丨Apple Music

Don Brocco

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Pierce the Veil

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Written and Photographed by Eric Sperrazza

It has been quite the year for Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. The last time the band came to our area, they lit up the Steel Stacks Levitt Pavilion in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and brought their vintage Americana sound to the ruins of the working class. Since then, they released a new album in November of 2021, aptly named The Future. This album added a new layer to the flavor and the story of Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Today, they are feverishly preaching the good word of their music on the road and promoting the evolution of their sound, one town at a time.

 I had the opportunity in July to catch Rateliff’s show at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This venue is close to my heart, as my Mother worked for Bruce Springsteen‘s Answering Service in Red Bank when I was little. As a result, she filled the house with the sounds of Springsteen & The E Street Band throughout my childhood. To this day, one of my favorite additions to my vinyl collection is a mint-condition original print of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in Asbury Park 1975-85. Hearing the snap, crackle, and pop of the surface noise mixed in with the crowd’s cheers is perfection, just as nature intended.

As soon as the band hit the stage, it was evident there was a different kind of energy coming from Rateliff. Maybe it was the lack of one of his trademark hats, or perhaps the salt-kissed cool breeze coming up onto the stage reminded him of the gravitas of where he was performing, but there was no denying this would be a new experience with the band. 

The band offered many timeless classics like “Say It Louder” and “I Need Never Get Old” and a hefty helping of songs off the latest LP. Throughout songs like “I Am on Your Side,” “FaceDown in the Moment,” and “Survivor,” I could feel such an expected delivery of music. All the tenets of a Nathaniel Rateliff song were in play; horns, excellent guitar work, piano, a driving backbeat, and soulful raspy vocal work. It just did not feel like Americana Folk Rock. It felt more…east coast. 

At that moment, with the neon pink dusk sky piercing behind the Summer Stage at the Stone Pony, I realized I heard shades of “Rosalita,” “She’s the One,” and more. Rateliff & The Night Sweats were summoning the summer boardwalk ghosts of The Boss himself! Leaving no doubt in my mind the familiar vibe I was feeling, the band proceeded to cover Atlantic City, igniting chants for “Bruce!” but to no avail.

The show closed with their usual crowd sing-along favorite, “S.O.B.,” and the new contender for the “Concert Party Closing” song from The Future album, “Love Don’t.”

What better way to hear some good old-fashioned Blue-Eyed Soul than at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park? What about Blue-Eyed Soul with a bit of grime and spilled beer that makes it so unmistakably Jersey? Regardless, it was just the right music at just the right venue on just the right night.

As for Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, if this is what their evolution continues to look like, then I am in for the long haul. I bought The Future album shortly after the concert on vinyl, so I could hear the surface noise snap, crackle, and pop of the surface noise just as nature intended.

Nathaniel & The Night Sweats will play the Xponential Music Festival this September. Tickets are on sale now hosted by The Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, from September 16th-18th. Click for more ticket information.  

To purchase the new Album, The Future

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photo credit: Liv Foltiny

Written by Sophia Varoumas

The punk rock veterans, the Offspring, popped into Asbury Park’s, The Stone Pony, on May 12th to celebrate the band’s ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’ tour.

The ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’ tour and their latest studio album, Let the Bad Times Roll, were included in the festivities, celebrating some of their biggest tracks.

They played a solid 75-minute set, opening with, “Want You Bad,” a fast-paced power ballad to get the crowd excited. They included all the songs you expect to hear from their catalog like, “Gotta Get Away,” “Pretty Fly,” “Self Esteem,” and “Bad Habit.”

They played three-quarters of “Bad Habit,” and just stopped. It was definitely the concert’s cliffhanger moment. Will they finish the song? Being the avid, concertgoer that I am, I demanded they finish the song, just like the rest of the crowd. They did. Of course, they did. It ruled, and the mosh pits and crowd surfers sang along with their “timbering voices” that Kevin John “Noodles” Wasserman pointed out and enjoyed.

Halfway through the set, Bryan “Dexter” Holland switched over to the piano to sing the track, “Gone Away,” paying homage to all the people we have lost since the pandemic. He spoke about the grieving process, how we each grieve differently but most importantly, “remember you are not alone.” Holland promised. They closed the night with, “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” from their 8th studio album, Rise and Fall.

It’s always great to see a band charge a reasonable price. Especially, in the 90s, when the band debuted, “selling out” and being a “poser” was a big deal. You did not want to do that if you were in a band. Fans were pleased that the tickets are about $50 with merch ranging from $10-$75. “That’s super reasonable for shows today, and it says a lot,” says William M. from Cherry Hill, NJ.

Connect with The Offspring

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Connect with Radkey

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Photo Gallery of The Offspring and Radkey

photo by Kostas Lymperopoulos, Right Stuff Studios

Ever since I reviewed Taylor Tote’s eponymous EP back in 2015, she has continued to impress new fans and make great strides in the world of music. A native of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Tote and her top-notch band have been taking the musical world by storm. Since I last covered her 4-song project, Taylor has continued to perform many high-profile out of state shows including venues in NY, PA, MD, CT, DE, TN, CA and potential upcoming shows to AZ and VA.   Her audience continues to expand gaining exposure across the nation at each show.

Taylor has performed at the world’s most significant trade-only event for music products industry, NAMM, in both Nashville, TN and Anaheim, CA.  This past Winter NAMM there was over 99,000 attendees from across the world.  She performed at the 2017 Penn State THON for over 10,000 students and was recently named NYC Hard Rock Rising 2017 Division Champions.

Tote’s main influences include Amy Winehouse, Grace Potter, Adele, Maroon 5, Train, and Stevie Nicks. American Songwriter called Tote’s full-band performance as one of the highlights of the New Jersey Light of Day festival for her “wide, emotional vocal range and pop sensibilities.” The Asbury Park Press cites a “lilting twang in her voice that shades from corn-fed country to big pop and vampy jump blues.” I described Tote at the Aquarian as an “Artist that is dominating, empowering, strong, soft, sexy, and insanely fun. Her attitude and stage presence is smooth, sweet, and controlled. However, it can be flipped like a switch to a rock and roll, hell-stomping diva. Her range is one of a rock ‘n’ roll vixen that will send your music senses on the ride of your life.”

Totes award-winning “Fighter” music video received three prestigious awards in 2017 from Garden State Film Festival, The Asbury Park Music and Film festival and Los Angeles Movie Awards in Hollywood, CA. “Fighter” has had over 125,000 views and has been written up in numerous publications, including a national feature on Joan Lunden’s blog. The long-time host of Good Morning America called the song a “must download, ” and Tote is even conscientious enough to contribute all proceeds from Itunes downloads to childhood cancer research through Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.

Between all the live work and video’s that Tote handles, she also has found the time to work on new material with Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum engineer, and producer David Ivory. Ivory, who has worked with some of the music’s best performers such as Grammy-Winning Halestorm, The Roots, Patti Labelle, Silvertide and much more. Ivory is in the process of getting ready to record a pair of live Taylor Tote band shows coming up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The band will also be utilizing the film crew of Right Stuff Studios (New Jersey) who will be on hand to capture performance and audience interaction with the group. Ivory will be putting the band through its paces on October 13 at the world-famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park and then at Puck Live, an intimate live music venue in Doylestown, Pennsylvania on October 21.

I had the recent opportunity to hear some of the new music, and while it is still unreleased, I can say that she is on the right track. Songs such as “Forever Young,” a mid-tempo country-flavored number featuring outstanding guitar work from Nick Ryan. Clean and concise, his playing helps the song stand out in spades. Tote’s toned vocal skills are the guiding light on this sure fired hit and a highlight of what was sent to me. Other songs include “Please Don’t Break My Heart,” a poppy, jazzy feel over the top of Totes powerful pipes. Choruses pop where they should as does the verse work and bridges. Another song that is sure to turn heads and garner attention for the band.

They also sent me a song called “Mama Told Me” Steeped in the traditions of R&B and Blues, “Mama” lays in the pocket in just the right way. Tote and company prove they can rock-and-roll but also find a different musical voice that works well for them in within a different format. Guitars are soulful and bark when needed. The middle-Eight solo (Performed by Tom Briant) is Clapton-inspired gold straight out of 1970. Drums and bass nail this bluesy gut-wrenching hit to the proverbial floor. The chorus for this song is my favorite out of all that I had the chance to listen to.

I can’t really discuss anything else about the yet to be titled record, but Taylor said songs would be unveiled at the live shows. The upcoming live Stone Pony show will be a “hands-on” test of new material aimed at old and new fans alike. Tote utilizes a crack band of players which includes Tom Briant, Tote, Aaron Manzo, Anthony Flora, and Nick Ryan.

photo by Kostas Lymperopoulos, Right Stuff Studios

Tickets for The Stone Pony show are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. There will be limited VIP tickets available for $40. That fee includes a meet and greet, a T-Shirt, autographed poster and early entry. For advanced tickets and VIP packages contact taylortotemusic@gmail.com. Advanced tickets are also available at The Stone Pony Box Office.

The Doylestown, PA show will offer similar arrangements for the 10-21 date at Puck Live. For more information on Taylor Tote band, please go to their website. That address is www.taylortote.com..

Written by John Pfeiffer