JOYdropper | Jersey City Food Co-op knows how to party

Last Saturday, the cymbals crashed louder than the bowling going on downstairs in Barrow Mansion. The historic landmark on Wayne Street in Jersey City was the venue, where the Jersey City Food Coop Initiative provided a night of local music, local beers and some pretty great food.

I walked around the place, drinking some beers from the New Jersey Beer Company, which had that right hint of apple that I love in beers. (I don’t know if they actually used apples, but I love that taste.) Walking around, you really get a great vibe here. Everyone was super friendly, and overall I had a warm feeling about this place, though it could have been partly due to the White Castle-styled organic burgers cooking up. As the people schmoozed and boozed, I caught someone scribbling out what appear to be chords on a crumbled sheet of paper. Sure enough, Justin Morey of The Black Hollies, was squeezing out some new tunes as guitarist Herbert Wiley ate a delicious slider:

The night opened up with an intimate solo set from Debra Devi. Attendance was still sparse, but that just added to the relaxed atmosphere as she kicked out her soulful singer/songwriter jams.

Afterwards, I decided to try my luck bowling. I really don’t like to bowl, its definitely something I’m really terrible at, but I could not resist the lure of a bowling alley sitting inside a mansion. Two lanes, with a guy at the end repeatedly putting up the pins, and sending down the balls a rack that looks like it was still the 1900s. But hey, it worked just as good as those mechanical time portals/hair dryers they use nowadays.

Crosstown Country Allstars were up next. You know, its funny, just before I almost bought cowboy boots at Another Man’s Treasure on Grove Street, but decided against it cause I’m tight on cash due to the holiday shopping. Had I had them, I would be clicking my boots to these guys. Not the kind of music I listen to on a regular basis, but I had a beer, so I enjoyed that. Plus, they had some pretty kick ass hats, and I am definitely a man who admires a good hat.

Radio Exiles were originally supposed to play, however, due to some family issues, they cancelled and in come the substitute, Dirt Surfer. Dirt Surfer, however, was not the actual name of this band. They were Thomas Francis Takeshischances, an ensemble of seven with a keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, micro Korg, accordion, megaphone, extra drumsticks for playing on the floor, extra cymbals for throwing to the floor and a trombone! This band rocked the hell out of the place. If the energy they had were to be translated into a Hi-C flavor, it would be Ecto Cooler, because Ecto Cooler is the best flavor (BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK!).

The Black Hollies were up next, garage rocking the hell out of the mansion. Moments of psychedelic guitar reminiscent of late 60s The Human Expression was met with a raw, almost punk feel. And as time was running out, they extended out to at least four more songs, which definitely gets my approval.

The night was weaning down as Hoboken/Jersey City band, WJ and the Sweet Sacrifice, came on. The provided a sound similar to the classic New Jersey Bruce Springsteen heartland rock combined with some heavy metal.

It was a hell of a show. If you didn’t go, here are some pics that you can photoshop yourself into:

I need one of these for my place.