Shore Alternative Holiday Party w/ Brian Bonz & Brick + Mortar @ Watermark 12.22.10

Brian Bonz

Brick + Mortar

Etc.

More Photos Here

By: Kiani Angus-Torres

Our Jersey blog brothers at Shore Alternative (S*Alt), brought together plenty of beautiful people for a neatly tailored set of music, set in the warm glow of Asbury Park’s Watermark on December 22. In true ‘alternative’ form, the oceanfront lounge was specially transformed into a venue for this event, with the dancefloor set up as a stage.  There was an intimate quality to the party as the space was equipped with cushy sofas, and a fireplace room.  The show was well curated, featuring a complimentary variety of artists, both new and slightly worn.  

New-to-scene Pop-punk balladeers Gates kicked off the evening with their well balanced wistful pop-punk sound, showing a strong pontential for establishing themselves in 2011. 

Following Gates, Brooklyn natives Brian Bonz and The Major Crimes pulled through a phenomenal set, with a guest performance from River City Extension’s trumpet player Dan Melius.  Hustling their latest record, The Triborough Odyssey, this soul infused multi-instrumental rock band put on a heartfelt performance, bringing together elements Latin brass and percussion, with complimentary blasts of hard rock.  The Triborough Odyssey tells stories of living and coming of age in the NYC area. Both the musical and lyrical elements are strung together by an ambient thread, which gives it a mythological quality both familiar and adventurous. 

Bonz and his collective’s performance set an up-beat tone for the homegrown boys of Brick + Mortar, who have been making some swift quick kicks on the scene this year.  Just last week the pair won a contest with Jive Records and will be meeting with the label in the New Year.  In the meantime, they celebrated the most wonderful time of the year with the Shore Alternative crowd, immersing everyone in their infectious beats. There’s a pulsing gravity to Brick + Mortar’s embracing sound as both the bass and drums take on heavy melodic qualities, holding up Brandon Asraf’s punk-wail vocals.  It was impossible to keep still as the handsome crowd bounced, clapped, and chanted along with John Tacon’s stellar drumming.

The fire burned a little brighter at the Watermark for S’Alt’s Holiday Party this year, and the warm glow will be felt in the hearts of all who danced, sung along, and shared warm memories.  And a toast to Gates, Brian Bonz, and Brick + Mortar, as well as the Shore Alternative folks, for an amazing time!

Comments

[Danielle]

Gates as pop-punk balladeers? Were you even there?

[Salami]

someone pissed off the singers GF

[Jeff]

Brick + Mortar have some good songs. Looking forward to a new release.