Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – The Egg – May 5th – a Review, by Dick Beach

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at The Egg – review.

Once upon a time, there were three little boys in Asbury Park, NJ.  Bruce, Johnny and Stevie.

They grew up great friends and all became musicians.  Everyone love Little Steven – great guitar player and Rock and Blues historian.  He also plays with a lot of folk, including Bruce and Johnny.

As time went by, Bruce became a huge star and Johnny a medium sized star.

While they all get along, some households (mine included) have picked sides.  We are in the Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.  Johnny and the boys are not big one what we might call ‘high minded’ topics – but more into the ‘let’s just have fun camp.

Southside Johnny and the band performed at The Egg’s Hart Theater and did what they do best.  In particular, bring the party to you.  Let’s just say they are the runaway freight train of the Jersey Shore.

The performance was super tight, with everyone getting their time in the sun – and being a horn kinda guy, it was well appreciated.

All the favorites were there – Fever, Key to the Road, Havin’ a party and – oh this was fun – Talk to Me.  It was as much sing along as performed.  Indeed – the guy in the front row who was chosen to sing was the perfect choice.  Man, was he into it.  His sense of rhythm was very good………  Great fun.

If you see the band, you will get why they are the Jukes.  It’s a word of Scottish origin (perhaps derived from duck) which means to turn or bend quickly, typically to avoid someone or something.  Perhaps here it relates to avoiding the beer tab from a show.  Perhaps juking it up around the juke box.  Whatever their reasoning, Southside is a party band.  No politics.  No heavy topics.  Just a bunch of guys (8 to be exact) that make the room happy.

This is a double dip year for constant companion and myself.  As is his tradition, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will be seen in their native habitat on Labor Day weekend, at the outdoor stage at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

Let the party continue.