Jersey Rock Band of the Week: Free The Witness
Rocking Salty’s Beach Bar in Lake Como on December 10!
Free The Witness is a Punk Rock powerhouse from Asbury Park. Formed in 2018, they have released a number of singles and performed on some high-profile bills. Notable moments for the group include playing the Punk in Drublic Festival with NOFX and opening for Rise Agains, Sum 41, The Interrupters, Flogging Molly, and The Descendents at The Stone Pony. It’s an impressive resume that includes shows throughout the Tri-State area.
You can catch Free The Witness in action on December 10, when they rock Salty’s Beach Bar in Lake Como. The venue has become a huge supporter of Punk Rock music as of late and is short walking distance from the WRAT studio. Admission is just $15 at the door. Free The Witness is back in action on December 23 at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City. Message the band on social media for advance tickets or score them HERE.
Free The Witness is currently working with Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls at his Little Eden Studio on their upcoming album “Youth of Tomorrow.” Expect it to be released some time next year. The band has already released two killer singles, the title track and their latest release “Soldier, Soldier.” We caught up with bandmates Jake and Chris to learn more about the new release.
Jake said:
“When I was in elementary school there was a civil war tune we were taught to sing in the choir.”
Chris continued:
“Its actually taken from a 16th century tune. We turned it into a Pop Punk song for the 21st century”
“Solider Soldier” is without a doubt a high-energy tune and it definitely feels like a restored classic. Check it out along with Free The Witness’ other releases on spotify!
Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 pm to hear the latest singles from Free The Witness. Jake and Chris will call in to the show each night!
Learn more on Free The Witness’ linktree page!
Check out video of Free The Witness performing at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park!
Top 7 Spots To Get Apple Cider Donuts On Or Near The Jersey Shore
Apple cider donuts….yummmmm! Soft, pillowy, and oh so delightful. From the beginning of Autumn until the time Christmas arrives, people talk about these sweet tender gems as if they could not live without them.
Most of us have had them at least once. I don’t recall ever having them before I lived in New Jersey. I think I may have had them in upstate New York back in the 80’s, but my memory is vague on the subject. If I did have them, you would think I would remember clearly wrapping my lips around this sweet handheld treat. Maybe it just wasn’t a memorable experience.
I do however remember my very first apple cider donut here in New Jersey back in the late 1990’s. It was a Delicious Orchards apple cider donut, with a cup of warm cider also from Delicious Orchards during the Fall months.
I also remember a listener dropping off a couple packages of apple cider donuts to the radio station, along with a huge container of mulled cider she made in her crockpot. We added rum to the cider after she left. That’s just how we roll, always looking to up the cider game.
I once met someone from out of state who didn’t like apple cider donuts. She said, “I don’t understand why people go ape s**t over these things.” They are nothing more than dry plain donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar.” She may not have had them from some of the “go to” places here in New Jersey.
If I’m not enjoying an apple cider donut with mulled cider, I am enjoying it with a hot cup of tea, or a cold glass of milk.
There is only one thing better than eating an apple cider donut. Eating a warm, just out of the fryer or oven, apple cider donut. I know lots of places fry their donuts, but oven baked donuts are good too.
I’m sure with enough research I can formulate a recipe for these seasonal sweet treats.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at a few places on or near the Jersey Shore who sell delicious apple cider donuts.
Tom Hanley is the host of Jersey Rock, New Jersey’s longest running local rock show on 95.9 The RAT. He got his start in broadcasting at Monmouth University's WMCX-FM. He's hosted Jersey Rock since 2016, been on the air at WRAT since 2008, and been listening to RAT Radio since 1996! Jersey Rock is a multi-platform local music brand that provides exposure to NJ artists. The on-air program features a different Garden State band each week. Tune to 95.9 The RAT every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday night at 11:30 pm to hear call-ins and songs from the Jersey Rock Band of the Week! Each week Jersey Rock features a different music video as the Jersey Rock Video of the Week . Between Jersey Rock's on-air and online platforms, there's opportunities for 9 different NJ bands to be featured each week. If you're in a NJ band and want to be on Jersey Rock, e-mail Tom Hanley. Send your mp3's, videos, pictures, and links to
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