The Saint (music venue)

Last updated
The Saint
Airborne sm 72s.jpg
The Airborne Toxic Event performing at the Saint
The Saint (music venue)
Address601 Main Street
Location Asbury Park, New Jersey
Public transit NJ Transit NJT logo.svg at Asbury Park station
  North Jersey Coast Line
Aiga bus trans.svg NJT Bus : 832, 837
OwnerScott Stamper
Type Music venue
Genre(s) Acoustic rock, alternative rock, blues, electronic, folk, garage, groove, hard rock, indie, punk, reggae, rock, surf
Capacity 175
OpenedNovember 18, 1994
Website
www.thesaintnj.com
"Saint Radio" concert preview website

The Saint is a music venue located in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States. [1] [2] [3] It is reminiscent of places like The Cellar Door in Washington, DC, CBGB, CB's 313 Gallery, and The Living Room in New York City, and features live, original music. [4] [5] [6] [7] The Saint was founded by Adam Jon Weisberg along with business partner Scott Stamper, and opened its doors on November 18, 1994. [8] [9] Stamper bought out Weisberg in 2013 and became the sole owner. [8] [10] [11] [12] He is also a co-founder (along with Weisberg and Gordon Brown) of the Wave Gathering Music Festival. [13]

Contents

Background

The Saint was an early site of the annual Asbury Park Music Awards ceremony founded by Stamper in collaboration with Pete Mantas. The awards ceremony, modeled after the Grammy Awards, [14] [15] features the presentation of awards between performances of live, original music. The event was originally called "The Golden T-Bird Awards" and was first held in 1993 at a small club on Main Street called the T-Bird Cafe. The awards ceremony was later moved to The Saint and renamed "The Asbury Music Awards" in 1995. When the event's attendance exceeded The Saint's capacity, the ceremony was rotated among larger venues, including The Fastlane, The Tradewinds, and The Stone Pony. The Saint remains a co-sponsor of the event. [16]

The Saint has been credited with helping to keep the local music scene alive when newspapers said that the heyday of live music was over, and even The Stone Pony intermittently closed. [2] [17] It has been described as a landmark, [1] the bedrock of the Asbury Park music scene, and an important venue for introducing emerging artists. It has also been called Asbury Park's "rock n’roll version of “Cheers,” where musicians and fans hang out together and everybody does know your name." [18] [19]

The Saint showcases a variety of new and well-known, local, national, and international acts [2] [19] that are touring through the region. The club is more of a concert venue than a bar, [19] and has been described by music critics as one of the top five rock clubs in New Jersey. [20] [21]

The Saint has recording capability. [19]

The nature of the acts and links to their websites are posted on the Saint's website so that potential patrons can preview them.

Some bands also perform on 90.5 The Night, Brookdale Public Radio before they play the Saint.

The shows designated "Asbury Cafe" are acoustic, seated shows during which talking is not permitted while the acts are playing. [1]

Age, attire, and nature of the audience varies with the bands, but is generally eclectic. [22]

In 2022, the owners of The Saint lost their lease and liquor license, citing issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. [23] In a 2020 GoFundMe campaign started to help ease COVID-19 shutdown struggles, the owners of the club announced in April 2023 that the venue would reopen by "late spring/summer". As of December 2023, the club remains closed.

Notable acts

Nada Surf's Matthew Caws performing an acoustic show at The Saint in October 2017 Matthew Caws of Nada Surf The Saint Asbury Park NJ Oct 2017 LHCollins 400.jpg
Nada Surf's Matthew Caws performing an acoustic show at The Saint in October 2017

Notable acts who have performed there include The Airborne Toxic Event, Nicole Atkins, Ben Folds Five, Bif Naked, Tracy Bonham, Buckethead], Cake, Cannibal Corpse, Ryan Cassata, Jen Chapin, Citizen Cope, Cowboy Mouth, Creed, The Dandy Warhols, Kimya Dawson, Deftones, Joe DeRosa, Dub Trio, The Duke Spirit, Everlast, Finger Eleven, Five for Fighting, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, Green Jellÿ, Guster, John S. Hall, Robert Hazard, HelenaMaria, Hoobastank, Incubus, Jewel, Freedy Johnston, Joydrop, Kings of Leon, LP, The Lemonheads, Tony Levin, Toby Lightman, Lunachicks, Marcy Playground, Matthew Good Band, Anne McCue, Shannon McNally, Mindless Self Indulgence, Mod Fun, Modern English, Moe, Allie Moss, Moxy Früvous, Mucky Pup, Nada Surf, Leona Naess, Mieka Pauley, The Pierces, Rachel Platten, Queens of the Stone Age, Joey Ramone, Scars on 45, Maia Sharp, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, April Smith and the Great Picture Show, Bruce Springsteen, Stereophonics, The String Cheese Incident, Kasim Sulton, Tegan and Sara, The The, They Might Be Giants, The Trashcan Sinatras, Derek Trucks, Ween, Wussy, and Zebrahead. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Springsteen</span> American rock musician (born 1949)

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Nicknamed "the Boss", he has released 21 studio albums during a career spanning six decades, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Springsteen is a pioneer of heartland rock, a genre combining mainstream rock music with poetic and socially conscious lyrics that feature narratives primarily concerning working class American life. He is known for his descriptive lyrics and energetic concerts, which sometimes last over four hours.

<i>Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.</i> 1973 studio album by Bruce Springsteen

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was produced from June through October 1972 by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos at the budget-priced 914 Sound Studios. The album was released January 5, 1973, by Columbia Records to average sales but a positive critical reception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbury Park, New Jersey</span> City in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Asbury Park is a beachfront city located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the New York metropolitan area.

The U.S. state of New Jersey is located in the Northeastern United States and is part of the Mid-Atlantic region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patti Scialfa</span> American singer

Vivienne Patricia Scialfa is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Scialfa has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984 and has been married to Bruce Springsteen since 1991. In 2014, Scialfa was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stone Pony</span> Music venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey

The Stone Pony is a music venue in Asbury Park, New Jersey, known for launching the careers of many New Jersey music legends, including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. The club opened in 1974.

Vincent Lopez, nicknamed Mad Dog, is an American drummer. Between 1968 and 1974 Lopez backed Bruce Springsteen in several bands, including Steel Mill and the E Street Band. He also played on Springsteen's first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle. Both during and after his time with the E Street Band, Lopez played drums with numerous Jersey Shore bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes</span> American musical group

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are an American musical group from the Jersey Shore led by Southside Johnny. They have been recording albums since 1976 and are closely associated with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. They have recorded or performed several Springsteen songs, including "The Fever" and "Fade Away". Springsteen has also performed with the band on numerous occasions and in 1991 guested on their Better Days album. During the band's formative years Steven Van Zandt acted as the band's co-leader, guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer while other E Streeters including Clarence Clemons, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent, Ernest Carter, Patti Scialfa, and Soozie Tyrell have all performed, toured or recorded with the Jukes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Bandiera</span> American guitarist, singer, and songwriter

Robert "Bobby" Bandiera is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter from New Jersey. Bandiera played rhythm guitar for Bon Jovi in live performances from 2005 until 2015 and for nearly two decades was lead guitarist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Bandiera and his band have backed Bruce Springsteen at benefit concerts.

Steel Mill was an early Bruce Springsteen band. Other members of the band included three future members of the E Street Band, Vini Lopez, Danny Federici, and Steve Van Zandt. As well as playing on the Jersey Shore, Steel Mill also played regularly in Richmond, Virginia and played gigs in California and a festival in Nashville, Tennessee. They opened for acts such as Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Grand Funk Railroad, Roy Orbison, Ike & Tina Turner, and Black Sabbath. Since 2004 Vini Lopez has led Steel Mill Retro which has performed and recorded original Springsteen songs from the Steel Mill era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbury Lanes</span> Vintage bowling alley and bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey

Asbury Lanes located in Asbury Park, New Jersey is a vintage bowling alley and bar with live performances ranging from live musical acts, burlesque, hot rod, dance parties, film and art shows. It is one of the many historic music landmarks located within Asbury Park. These include The Stone Pony, the Wonderbar, the Saint and the Fastlane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbury Park Music Awards</span>

The Asbury Park Music Awards is an annual award ceremony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States that recognizes musicians for their work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wave Gathering</span> Annual music festival in New Jersey, US

The Wave Gathering Music Festival was co-founded by Adam Weisberg, Scott Stamper, Gordon Brown, and Larry Katz. It is held in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA. It is an annual American music festival modeled after South by Southwest and Austin City Limits Music Festival that is held across the entire town, spanning several days. During this time, cafes, restaurants, parks, shops, the boardwalk, nightclubs, and local vendors offer local and regional music, art, and food to the crowds. The Wave Gathering includes approximately 16 stages on which approximately 150-160 local, regional, and national music acts play alternative, blues, folk, indie, electronic, rock, and other genres of music. Other performing arts are represented as well. At this point, the Wave Gathering has an ambiance and size similar to that of those established festivals in their early years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Raspe</span>

Jeff Raspe is Music Director at NPR-affiliated, non-commercial, triple-A station WBJB-FM in Lincroft, New Jersey. WBJB-FM, Brookdale Public Radio, is also known as 90.5 The Night. Jeff Raspe, who began his career in radio on Halloween in 1988, is an avid music enthusiast who has received the Asbury Park Music Award for Top Radio Personality several years running.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Stamper</span> American businessman (born 1962)

Scott Stamper is an American club owner, booking agent, and talent scout. He is the owner of The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ and founder of the Golden T-Bird Awards, currently known as The Asbury Music Awards. Stamper also founded the Wave Gathering.

Matt O'Ree is an American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter born and raised in Holmdel, New Jersey with his wife, Eryn Shewell-O'Ree. O'Ree is best known as the founder and front man for the Matt O'Ree Band which he formed in 1994. In 2015, Matt joined Bon Jovi as their touring rhythm guitar player next to Phil X. He joined just before the Bon Jovi Live! tour which began on September 11, 2015, in Jakarta, Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and continued throughout Asia with the final show on October 3, 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel at Yarkon Park. This tour was in support of Bon Jovi's 2015 album Burning Bridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holme (band)</span>

Holme is a popular pop-rock band from West Orange, New Jersey that played the New Jersey dance/rock club scene in the 1970s and 1980s. The band describes itself as a "mainstream" rock band and has been described as a "legendary bar band" and "legendary Shore party band."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Upstage Club</span>

The Upstage Club was a legendary coffee shop, music venue, and afterhours club in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The club is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Influential musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Bill Chinnock, Southside Johnny, David Sancious, Little Steven Van Zandt, Garry Tallent, Vini Lopez, and Danny Federici first honed their live performance skills at the club. It was where the Asbury Jukes, Steel Mill and the Blackberry Blues Band were formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Delevantes</span> American band

The Delevantes are an American rock and roll and country band consisting of brothers Bob and Mike Delevante from Nashville, Tennessee. The band has continuously featured E Street Band’s, Garry Tallent and, in the 1990s, Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They were the first band to have a number one album on the Gavin Americana Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea.Hear.Now Festival</span> Annual rock, surf and eco-friendly festival held on the beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA

The Sea.Hear.Now Festival is an annual music, art and ocean sustainability festival featuring a professional surfing competition held in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Held on the beach and boardwalk in September, it is produced by, among others, rock photographer Danny Clinch, Tim Donnelly, HM Wollman, and C3 Presents’ Tim Sweetwood.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pike, H. (2002, July 14). Glory days revisited;Springsteen's Asbury Park poised to reclaim its status as a major music venue. Boston Herald (MA), p. 65.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Davidson, Josh (12 March 2005). "Asbury Park Mainstay Celebrates Ten Years Of Live Music". Chorus & Verse. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Barry, C. (1999, June 20). Article on rock scene omitted an important club. New York Times, NJ15.
  4. ↑ Crespi, J. (2013, November 5). Brothers Moving at The Saint in Asbury Park, New Jersey. SRO Magazine. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ Staff (2014, December 17). The Saint turns 20. Arcade Radio Asbury Park. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ Chiminec, N. (2010, October 3). The Touring Musician's Guide to Asbury Park. Bandsonabudget.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ Staff (2014). The Saint. DJoyBeat.com Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Jordan, Chris (18 November 2015). "Iconic Saint of Asbury Park launches fundraising drive". app.com. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  9. ↑ Biese, A. (2011, November 13). Asbury Music Awards given at The Stone Pony. Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  10. ↑ Jordan, C. (2015, November 18). Iconic Saint of Asbury Park launches fundraising drive. Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  11. ↑ Woliver, R. (2000, August 13). Asbury Music Awards Return to Stone Pony. New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ Fried, J. (1999, June 13). Back when's club is right now, again. New York Times, NJ1.
  13. ↑ La Gorce, T. (2007, May 13). Still Rocking Hard in Asbury Park as the Bands Play On. New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  14. ↑ Nash, M. (2005, October 30). The Shore's Grammy Awards. New York Times, p. N12.
  15. ↑ DeMasters, K. (1999, August 15) Top of the Pops at the Shore. New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  16. ↑ Pfeiffer, J. (2010, December 1). Asbury Music Awards and Musical Heritage Kickoff. The Aquarian. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  17. ↑ Goodnough, Abby (1998,March 01). Live Music's Glory Days Pass It By; Suburbs Are Tuning Out, Even at Springsteen's Old Haunt. New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  18. ↑ Mikle, J. (2008, November 18). You say its your birthday? in The Rhythm Room.Asbury Park Press, Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Rothenberg, D. & G. Wien (2006). Beyond the Palace. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing.
  20. ↑ Shabe, John (16 July 2013). "New Jersey's top 5 rock clubs ... minus Maxwell's". NJ.com . Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  21. ↑ Kalat, Hank (21 July 2014). "The List: 10 Best Places to See Indie Bands in the Garden State". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  22. ↑ DeMasters, K. . (2001, August 19). A Revival, Musically at Least, Sparks Asbury Park. New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Readers share memories of Brighton Bar in Long Branch. What will happen to the Saint?". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2023-12-20.

40°13′08″N74°00′44″W / 40.218888°N 74.012135°W / 40.218888; -74.012135

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.