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:

Chris continued:

"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!

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.

60,000 square feet of absolute goodness. Fresh produce, meats, spices, teas, and a bakery that makes mountains of apple cider donuts. I can literally spend 4 hours and an entire week's pay in this place.

On their website: "At Main Street Donuts we strive to bring you old time, heart warming confections of fresh donuts, made right before your very own eyes." The homemade Apple Cider Spice donut should only leave the store accompanied by, The Apple Pie Donut- A vanilla donut with apple filling topped with vanilla lattice vanilla whip & cinnamon sugar. 

There's always a line for their freshly made Apple Cider Donuts.  However long you have to wait, it will be totally worth it.

My favorite old school donut shop has lots of Fall flavors including Cinnamon Apple Cider rolled in warm cinnamon sugar. It's hard to walk out of here without at least a dozen donuts, a few apple fritters, and a breakfast sandwich. Yeah, that was my last order.

All of the baked goods in their country store are worthy of being on your table. Dozens of pie flavors including Caramel Apple Nut, and Sweet Potato , and of course, their killer Apple Cider donuts.

Please don't stop after enjoying their incredible Maple Bacon Donut. These babies are made to order, so you're heading home with warm fresh donuts.

I had to include another old school place that makes some of the most incredible donuts. The Apple Cider Donut is absolute perfection.