Jersey Rock Band of the Week: Sharkys Machine
Sharkys Machine rocks the Millhill Basement in Trenton on December 22! Hear them this week on Jersey Rock!
Central Jersey Punk Rock pioneers Sharkys Machine will celebrate 3 decades as a band in 2024! The group formed in Long Branch in 1994 and has performed across a number of New Jersey music eras. From their inception through 2008 they were a fixture on the Jersey Shore Punk/Rock Scene headlining shows at The Stone Pony, Club Bene, Birch Hill, The Brighton Bar, Fastlane, and many other venues. They continued to play festivals and induction ceremonies into the 2020's. The group was even honored on the Brighton Bar's legendary Wall of Fame. Sadly many of the aforementioned venues, including The Brighton Bar, no longer exist. We're very happy that Sharkys Machine still does!
Speaking of the longevity of Sharkys Machine, founding member Joe Vegas said:
"Lasting 30 years as a band is not the norm. It takes a close friendship, great music, an incredible fan base, and lots of beer to make it happen. Above all else, it is to not take things too seriously. Have fun and be a band of brothers above all else! While we have seen many of our beloved venues shut their doors, the advent of all the music platforms has been a great way to get our music out there. We need everyone to support the local venues that support the local bands!"
Sharkys Machine will take the stage at another storied venue on December 22. Catch them at the Millhill Basement in Trenton on December 22 for a pre-holiday show with The Cryptkeeper Five, Doc Rotten, and Hobo Houston! Vegas said of the upcoming evening:
"The annual Christmas Spectacular at The Millhill hosted by The Cryptkeeper Five has been a holiday tradition for years. We have been close friends and playing with them all over the Northeast for almost 3 decades! They along with Doc Rotten are sons of Trenton. We played with Hobo Houston last year and he will get you in the holiday spirit! You can expect an infectious vibe with passionate fans who will know every word of every song."
Admission to the show is just $5 at the door. This is a 21+ event.
Sharkys Machine's latest album "Ye Olde No. 7" is available now. According to Joe Vegas, the album came about as a part of an effort to help a New Jersey music legend. He said:
"Sharkys had been on a hiatus when in 2014 we learned The Brighton Bar's Jacko Monahan had gone through a health crisis. We reunited for a benefit and ended up writing new material. We went back to John Bailey at SS Sound Studios where we recorded "Drunks Like Us" and in 2021 we released our latest album "Ye Olde No. 7". It includes new songs we wrote throughout our almost 30-year history and has a great range!"
Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 pm to hear cuts from across Sharkys Machine's catalog. The entire band will call in each night!
Learn more at thesharkysmachine.com!
Brownie Heaven: The 10 Best Places to Satisfy Your Cravings on the Jersey Shore
Happy National Brownie Day! I’ve been writing a lot about comfort foods. It’s the season where we subconsciously fatten ourselves up to stay warm for the cold Winter ahead.
I make brownies 2 or 3 times a year. The office begs for them, listeners have asked for them, and of course, my friends and family will never say no to my homemade brownies.
Many years ago, my brownies were turned into a station promotion.
A listener suggested I give them away on the air. I loved the idea, even though it required an extraordinary amount of work.
Of course, we had to go through a lot of red tape getting clearance through our former owners, Greater Media and their legal department.
The liability insurance was up to date, and my kitchen was not a health hazard. So, off we went with the “Win Rockyn Robyn’s Bad Ass Brownies For Your Office.”
People who rock at work with the WRAT, entered every week.
We'd select a winner on Friday. Once a week, usually on a Wednesday, the winning office received a big platter of my freshly baked brownies along with a gallon of milk.
One of our promo dudes would hop into the RAT van and personally deliver the goods.
I loved that promotion!
Sadly, we had to stop doing it after several months. It seems that someone at another radio station tried to copy my idea and wound up making one of their listeners sick. The listener filed a lawsuit, and then it was lights out for "Rockyn Robyn's Bad Ass Brownies."
Our corporate folks got wind of it and asked me to cancel the contest for good.
I even offered to have the county health department come to my house to inspect my kitchen, but the corporate legal folks still said no.
When I’m not baking my own brownies, I head out to a local bakery, or I find my favorite baking Goddesses, Amy & Lisa from “Must Get Sconed”.
When I first sought out Amy & Lisa at Bell Works Marketplace in Holmdel, they gifted me the absolute best brownie I ever ate. It was this luxurious peanut butter brownie cake. My first thought after taking a bite, “If there’s a bakery in Heaven, this is the Earthly model.”
Now it’s time to find the best brownies on the Jersey Shore. Hopefully, your favorite made the list.
Must Get Sconed - **IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLACING AN ORDER, YOU MUST CALL US AT 732-372-5278.**
These brownies will turn the most miserable person into an angel. Please buy the Peanut Butter Brownie Cake! Tell Amy & Lisa, Robyn from the WRAT sent you.
Dedicated to the creation of decadent baked goods, made from the finest ingredients. Small batches baked with care available for special order.
Del Ponte's Bakery - 600 Main St, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
My friend Rob lives with in walking distance of this place. I used to. I'm glad I moved because this place is dangerously good.
The Macaroon Shop - 107 Main St, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ 07717
Down the road from Delponte's you'll find some mighty good macaroons and moist fudgy brownies.
The Baker’s Grove - 524 Broad St, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
There's not a single pastry I wouldn't eat at The Baker's Grove. Peanut Butter Cup Brownies...say no more.
Papa Ganache Vegan, Vegan Gluten Free Bakery - 106 Main St, Matawan, NJ 07747
Winners of Food Network's Cupcake Wars. If you want a killer vegan Double Chocolate Brownie, this place has one of the absolute best in Monmouth County.
Red Rose Bakery - 1843 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
The Cookies & Cream Brownie has put smiles on many faces.
Waretown Bakery - 586 US-9, Waretown, NJ 08758
Ask anyone who lives in or near Waretown who has the best brownies.
The Crazy Baker Cafe - 1071 NJ-37 #5, Toms River, NJ 08755
If you love John's giant Jelly Donuts, just taste his variety of brownies.
Baked on the Beach - 2101 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008
Not brownies in the traditional sense, but brownie type bars. Incredible doesn't even cover this experience.
502 Baking Company - 502 Brick Blvd, Brick Township, NJ 08723
If you're looking for a bakery offering gluten free options, then check out the brownies, cakes, and pies from this very popular Brick, New Jersey bakery.
