Community Corner
Local Bands Rock in South Orange
Musicians in search of local venues to play come together at The Baird
About 100 fans turned out on a bitterly cold Friday night for a rock show organized at The Baird to promote the local music scene.
Rock the House NJ was the title given to the gig, with three local bands bringing their sound to a community that has been stripped of its rock music scene by the recent closing of many of the smaller clubs in the area.
The concert's organizer, Alex Silberman, says he picked The Baird because there were not many other places to play, but he mentioned that it was a great place to get his project started. He plans on doing more shows like this in the future.
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“This was done through a team effort,” said Silberman, a management consultant. “A bunch of musicians, including myself, came together so we can keep the local music scene alive.”
The musicians playing shared Silberman’s enthusiasm and helped put the event together. Mark Loughney, singer and guitarist for South Orange classic rock band 3rd Gear, the first group to play, was happy to be part of the process.
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“It’s cool that this is being done by people in bands themselves because there is not much pressure and a lot of positive vibes,” he said.
These positive vibes continued throughout the evening as many different types of rock music were heard. Maplewood-based blues and jazz band MoodRing, the second of three on the bill, had fans singing along to their Grateful Dead covers.
“We usually attract the local crowd of 30- and 40-year-olds,” said guitarist David Gomberg before the show. “We’re hoping to attract a younger crowd as well tonight so maybe their bands can play in future gigs like the one were organizing tonight.”
South Orange-based FELT, the final band on the bill, was the youngest and most vibrant band of the evening. Their brand of eclectic rock had the crowd dancing and singing along to their Gin Blossoms and Johnny Cash covers. Silberman said it was a very appropriate way to end the evening.
“Everyone was happy because there was a need for this,” he said. “This was a bigger turnout then I expected, and it clearly showed that this event was a community effort.”
The venue was set up by Silberman and other organizers of the show. The food and drinks area, which served everything from coffee to bundt cake, was to the left of the stage. Directly in front of the stage was a dance floor and a carpet where younger children sat throughout the evening. Behind that were small round tables where adults sat and watched the bands. At the entrance was a merchandise table, where band T-shirts were sold.
