Music News: Longtime New Jersey Music Writer Announces Summer Concert Series

East Coast music fans may already be planning trips to the Jersey Shore this summer, mapping an itinerary that includes the Starland Ballroom in Middlesex County, or any number of venues in Asbury Park like The Saint (a frequent musical home for Popdose writer Ken Shane), the newly renovated Asbury Lanes, or the famous Stony Pony club. There’s another attraction on the horizon that might entice you to Jersey in the summer heat.

Writer Bob Makin, producer of the weekly Makin Waves column since 1988, announced that column will be an official partner for the Asbury Park Summer Concert Series this year. He is joined with the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, stalwart music magazine The Aquarian Weekly, Beasley Media Group,  and Provident Bank as supporters of the event.

“I wanted to keep the admission price low so families have enough money in their pockets to enjoy the food together, so parents can enjoy the beer, and maybe they’ll do a little shopping in downtown Asbury Park, yet I wanted to keep the level of talent high,” said Makin.

The lineup for the concert series includes:

  • June 23 “The Best of Makin Waves” with Cook Thugless, The Brixton Riot, Mr. Payday, The Successful Failures and Disposable
  • July 14 “Trenton Makes Takeover” with Hub City Stompers, The Cryptkeeper Five, Molly Rhythm, Experiment 34 and Chalk & The Beige Americans
  • July 28 “Crazy, Rotten, Hot, Vicious and … Brown” with Crazy & The Brains, Hot Blood, Little Vicious, Doc Rotten and Asbury Park musician Chris Brown
  • August 11 “Second Annual Makin Waves Roots Fest” with Cranston Dean Band, Levy & The Oaks, The Burns, The Paper Jets and Tara Dente

Doors and dinner for each show are at 6 p.m. with a different food truck at each event, plus outdoor games, a free Wheel of Chance for sponsor promotional prizes, and Asbury Park Brewery’s craft beer. 

You also can discover the series’ artists through a Spotify playlist at

and a video playlist at