(WATCH) Jersey Rock Video of the Week: Lou Panico “SMH”
Lou Panico’s debut solo album “Dunk Tank” is out now! Catch him at the Low Dive in Asbury Park on February 17 and check out his video for “SMH” on the Jersey Rock page!
New Album "Dunk Tank" Available Now!
Lou Panico's debut solo album "Dunk Tank" is out now! It's the product of a long musical journey that took him across international boundaries and then back to Asbury Park. Known for his work with Socratic, Levy & The Oaks, and Natalie Farrell, Lou Panico has spent much of this decade exploring a solo career. The 2020 lockdown afforded him the time to work on his own music and over the last couple of years he has released many great singles. All of it was built towards the release of the new album. He said in a social media post:
"My debut album “Dunk Tank” is out today! To say I’m excited is an absolute understatement."
And we are excited for him. "Dunk Tank" is an introspective, uplifting, and overall fun release. It feels like a certain creative weight was lifted, allowing Panico to soar. He was quick to thank a long list of collaborators, writing:
"I have so many people to thank for the motivation and creative influence behind this album! Without them, none of this would have been possible."
His list included Mike Neglia, Andrew Milea, Chris Badami of Portrait Studios, Julian Makrow Photography, Michael Monto, Aphonse Boulos, Carina Duffy, as well as bandmates Nick Ryan, Matthew Koziol, Frankie Prendergast, and Chris Colon. He also thanked his most important collaborator Natalie Farrell.
Turn up "Dunk Tank" now on Spotify!
Don't miss Lou Panico at the Low Dive on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Saturday, February 17. Admission is free!
Lou Panico's video for "SMH" was produced by Burning Wick Studios. It's an Asbury Park love story complete with beachfront antics. It ends with a romantic union and a destroyed studio wall. Check it out below!
Stay on top of everything Lou Panico is doing and find all of his releases by visiting his linktree page!
8 Times Rock Stars Appeared in TV Commercials
It is not uncommon to hear some of rock’s biggest hits in television commercials, but when the rockstars themselves appear in the ad, that is surprising.
Here are just eight examples of rock stars appearing in TV commercials.
Paul Stanley - Folgers Coffee
For reasons that haven’t been confirmed, the ad from 2000 never aired, but thanks to the wonder that is YouTube, it surfaced, and we’re thankful it did. Frankly, it’s an effective ad, and never has anyone performed the famous Folgers tagline jingle with such gusto!
Slash - Capital One Banking
This Capital One Banking ad featuring Slash premiered in July 2022.
The ad shows a band holding auditions for a new guitarist, and loe and behold, Slash shows up. Viewers see Slash -- top hat and all -- performing his iconic opening riff to the Guns N' Roses classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" while other potential guitarists look on in horror knowing they will not be picked to be in the band.
The ad's description on YouTube reads, "With no monthly fees or minimums and no overdraft fees, banking with Capital One is the easiest decision in the history of decisions. Even easier than choosing Slash to be in your band."
A few seconds into his "audition," a member of the band then tells Slash, "Stop. You're in," and the guitar god responds, "Oh, cool!" with a smile.
Vince Neil - Dollar Loan Center
Vince Neil appeared in an ad for short-term loan provider Dollar Loan Center in May 2022. The ad is rather baffling for a number of reasons, from how Neil even got involved to the fact the ad is centered around Dollar Loan Center's "Loan Approval Machine," which happens to evoke The Cult's classic tune "Love Removal Machine." Whether that latter statement was the point of whoever came up with the ad's concept, it makes casting Neil in the ad all the more confusing because...well...The Cult and Motley Crue are two very different bands.
Steven Tyler - Kia Stinger
This Super Bowl ad took Steven Tyler back in time thanks to the Kia Stinger.
Eddie Money - Geico
Who could forget Money as the best worst travel agent in this Geico campaign?
Lita Ford - Indeed.com
She's barely recognizable, but that conservatively dressed music teacher is Lita Ford in an ad for job site Indeed! Amazing the difference a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, a bun and a floor-length skirt makes!
Alice Cooper - Staples
The Godfather of Shock Rock appears in this Staples ad to clarify the lyrics to "School's Out" to a very annoyed young girl who is clearly not looking forward to going back to school.
John Lydon - Country Life Butter
Appearing in a commercial seems like the most un-punk thing to do ever, but that's what John Lydon did in the late 2000's when he appeared in an ad for Country Life Butter. He would later say he used the money earned from the ad to fund a tour for Public Image Ltd., because he was having various issues with his record label.
