THE CARNIVAL OF NJ BLOGGERS #58


Greeting, sports fans. Welcome to the Jersey Beat Blog and this week's edition of the Carnival of New Jersey Bloggers. For the uninitiated, Jersey Beat is a music fanzine that's covered NJ music since 1982. (a "fanzine" is what geeks used to do to occupy their time before the Internet.) It's my pleasure to host the Carnival of NJ Bloggers #58 this week and I'd like to introduce you to a few new blogs that you may not have seen before. But we'll also get to all your favorites.

Some of you older types might remember a new-wave band called The Waitresses from the Eighties. They had hits like "Christmas Wrapping" and "I Know What Boys Like," and performed the theme song for the most subversive sitcom of the new-wave era, "Square Pegs." The man who wrote all the Waitresses songs (and many more throughout his long career) is musician/producer/raconteur Chris Butler, who currently lives in Weehawken and pens a witty, eclectic blog called Jammed On On. This week, Chris sings the praises of one of his favorite amplifiers. A good tube amp is like money in the bank!

Dave Urbano is also a musician - he's played in the NJ bands Mr. Thumb, Bubblegum Thunder, Aviso'Hara, and The Slow Wire - but his blog called Analog Living takes a sardonic look at the world and encompasses much more than just music, with forays into politics, the environment, and even suburban home improvement. This week, though, poor out-of-shape, middle-aged Dave envies a much younger dude doing cool things on a bicycle.

Stephen Bailey in Hoboken keeps a very varied website called, appropriately, StephenBailey.com that includes a blog, a podcast, commentary on pop culture, and a nexus for local musicians. This week, he discusses an interesting rock band from Austria called The Base and ponders the wonderment of $2 beer.

If you're looking for something to do in Jersey City, Tris McCall's column on Jersey City Vibe reports on several live music events in unlikely venues over the long holiday weekend. While you're at it, bookmark his excellent blog/website The Tris McCall Report.

Rhea at The Boomer Chronicles waxes nostalgic this week and remembers the glory days of Asbury Park, back in the days of ferris wheels and cotton candy and before The Boss and urban blight came along to ruin it all.

With all the brouhaha about a Communist country shooting off a missile in the news, it feels just like the Cold War/Reagan Eightie's again. The Contrarian eases our anxiety somewhat with a guided tour of North Korea, which seems to resemble France in the early 1950's. They might have a big missile ready to launch, but cell phones don't work there and they turn the electricity off at 11 pm.

I don't know The Jersey Tomato but her latest post is abloom with ripe musical goodness; it's a catch-up entry that chronicles a busy two months ("pardon the lack of posting but we were busying living") including encounters with two Jersey musical institutions - the Smithereens and Mr. Springsteen. Be sure to check out her review of The Boss' current "Seeger Sessions" tour.

Something's cooking at "D"igital Breakfast this week - the recipe for a perfect romantic date: A bottle of wine, a comforting CD in the player, and a homemade filet mignon. But Tom, you forgot to tell us how long to broil the steak! Nothing ruins an intimate meal than an overdone piece of beef.

Who says you can't laugh at the terrorists? The Fifth Column uncovers the true identities of the terror cell that plotted to blow up the Sears Tower and you might be surprised at what he's uncovered. Hey hey hey!!

Ken Adams at Smadanek has been following the progress of some plucky athletes rowing their way across the Atlantic Ocean. Now aren't you ashamed that you were too tired to exercise this weekend!!

Continuing to delve into the world of sports, Jay Lassiter at Lassiter Space reminds us that while we're watching Venus Williams and Jena Jankovic amaze and entertain us in the center court of Wimbledon this year, to remember that the ladies are paid far less than the men to play the same game. There's a movement afoot to correct this and Lassiter has all the details.

And while we're discussing the battle of the sexes, our friend at Surrounded By Women blog reports that he and his brood are off to the Blue Ridge Mountains for some bucolic vacation time. Enjoy! And don't forget to bring your own toilet paper!

Enlighten-New Jersey rails against Governor Corzine's stand for higher taxes for Garden Staters. Nobody seems all that concerned about the state government being shut down until the budget crisis is resolved, but oh my God, Corzine might close the casinos in Atlantic City too!!! Read all about it and make up your own mind.

Of course, not everyone is that concerned with what happens in Trenton. Bob The Corgi is more upset about what's going on in his flower garden.

And that's it. I hope you have enjoyed this week's Carnival of NJ Bloggers. It's been a pleasure playing host and I'm sure I'll be back to do this again. Please consider bookmarking our humble little blog for reports on NJ indie music (and other things) and if you're looking for some fresh music that you won't hear on the radio, delve into the world of podcasting too -- NJ has some excellent podcasters, including our own Jersey Beat Podcast, lawyer-turned-podcaster Todd Wachtel, aka Jersey Todd and his always entertaining Jersey Tood Show, and Rob Usdin's excellent The Jersey Jamcast.

Thanking you for your time this time 'til next time, I'm Jim Testa, wishing you happy blogging and a rockin' Fourth of July.