Live Blues at the Chubby Pickle
HOSTED BY: The Incinerators
FEATURING: Slim & The Perkolators
a J v Archer Entertainment joint
Two board members of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation shared a vision which has grown into the bimonthly Blues Collar Blues event hosted by the Chubby Pickle.
Joseph Vincent Riggio’s Jv Entertainment books, promotes, and produces the shows, while John Fernandez’s band, The Incinerators, open the evening and host the show. The focus has been to bring in bands featuring the talents of musicians outside our local area, bands that the listener would otherwise not have the opportunity to hear. This event is an ambitious program, requiring dedication and love of the blues, fueled by the drive of these two individuals with the support of the JSJBF. We owe them a great deal of thanks for this incredible event, which helps the Foundation achieve their mission of keeping blues and jazz alive. If you have not come out yet, you are missing an astounding evening of great music, entertainment, camaraderie, food and drinks.
This latest installment was on the first Friday of August and featured Slim and the Perkolators as the guest band. They made the trip up the Turnpike from the Philadelphia area. The band consists of Tim “The Percolator” Perks on guitar, Derek “Harmonica Slim” Matteson, Dave Young on bass and Sean McIntyre on drums.
After a great opening set from The Incinerators, the audience had no idea of what would lie ahead as this Philadelphia band set up the stage, adjusted their speakers, the volumes, and did a sound check. Then they were ready and their opening blues blast hit the crowd with ripping harp licks, strong vocals, driving rhythms from guitar, bass and drums. They reached out into the audience and overwhelmed us with a performance that was exciting and full of entertainment. The band projected a personality and a thorough understanding of what blues music is all about. Songs from some of the all time greats like Little Walter, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, and others were included with a mixture of originals which stood up well with the classics. The phrase I heard repeatedly throughout the night was “Man they are KILLING it!”
The band led us through an array of blues with changing tempos and rhythms, shuffles, and classic walking bass. It was impossible to sit still while listening to Slim and the Perkolators! I went home that night and slept with a big smile, dreaming of sugar plums dancing through my head.
The next Blue Collar Blues will be on September 25th, again at the Chubby Pickle (23 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ), featuring the Dean of Monmouth County blues, Chuck Lambert and up and coming locals, the Moe Diggity Blues Band.
