| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belmar and Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock, reggae rock, roots reggae, roots rock |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Suburban Noize Records |
| Website | barryandthepenetrators.com |
| Members | Nick Marini Barry J. Peterson Jeanna Peterson Charlie Schafer Mark Sisom |
Asbury Park Casino Building
Barry and the Penetrators is an American reggae, ska and rock band from New Jersey.
The old Casino. Asbury Park, NJ. At top how I remember it growing up (torn down circa 2006/7) and at bottom in it's original glory (turn of the 20th century) my home town lost architecture. Its been used as a skate park and art exhibits for awhile now. Jan 16, 2019 Asbury Park North End beach development shows off new ideas after public input. The city of Asbury Park is asking for more public input on the North End development.
- 1History
- 2Members
History[edit]
Barry and the Penetrators is a five-piece ska and reggae band from the Jersey Shore, that formed in 1998. The group is called a funny mix of punk, ska and dub, and a 'punk-dub powerhouse,' and they draw comparison to the music of Sublime and Red Hot Chili Peppers.[1][2] Noted for their catchy reggae guitar riffs, thumping bass lines and melodic vocal hooks, Barry and the Penetrators cite musical influence from Bad Brains, Yellowman, Social Distortion, Lee Scratch Perry, Black Sabbath and Bouncing Souls.[3] The original formation of the group was loosely established within the now-defunct Casino Skate Park, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where vocalist Barry Peterson worked, and which guitarist Mark Sisom and bassist Charlie Schaefer frequented.[4] They were joined by Eric Porcaro to complete the rhythm section, followed by keyboardist Jeanna Peterson. One of their first write-ups for a performance on the Asbury Park Boardwalk describes Peterson as a 'Sam Kinison and Mike Ness mix!'[5] The band has been sponsored by Foster's Lager, Lost Clothing, Electric Sunglasses, Penetrator Kustoms and Eastern Line Surf Shop.[5]
Their ten-track debut album, Beaver Country, was self-released in 2001, and by 2005, it had sold over three-thousand copies.[1] Peterson recalls in an interview, 'back then, there was no Facebook, there was barely Myspace. At the time, that was the last era of selling and buying CDs.'[5] In 2003, Barry and the Penetrators self-released their second full length album entitled, Addicted. The Courier Times calls the album 'tasty' and the song 'All Around the World' 'a hysterical escapade.'[1] They received the Top Ska award from the Asbury Music Awards in 2003.[6] A 2005 piece on the group notes that Peterson's 'stage charisma and freestyling skills [are what] really set the band apart and make for a raucously entertaining evening.' Peterson served as MC for the 2007 Asbury Music Awards, and the group received the Beyond Asbury award, for longstanding artists that have taken their music to the national level.[7] The concert booker for the Stone Pony, a venue which the band frequently performs at, says their 'cool blend of dub ska and new-school reggae is guaranteed to keep you moving.'[3] The band toured the Southeast region of the United States in early 2005, before returning to Jersey to open for Blowfly on 14 April at Asbury Lanes. Barry and the Penetrators performed at the 2008 Bamboozle music festival.[3]
Suburban Noize Records[edit]
Barry and the Penetrators signed with Suburban Noize Records, and released their third full length album, entitled Tales from Dirty Jersey, in 2008. Asbury Park Press calls the record 'their most mature album to date,' with Peterson saying that 'I've grown up a lot.'[4] By 2011, their first record had sold over ten-thousand copies, and the group was recognized as 'dominating the Jersey coastline with a blend of dub reggae that you didn't know existed anymore, combining it with loud, dynamic punk rock and turning any old show into a full-on party.'[5] They released the single 'Wicked Game' in 2011, along with a music video, which contains footage of the band at the beach, swimming in a pool, and riding along the coastline.
Barry and the Penetrators have won several Asbury Music Awards throughout the years. They have shared the stage with the Bouncing Souls, the Descendents, Dick Dale, Burning Spear, Fishbone, Pepper, Eek-A-Mouse, Slightly Stoopid, The English Beat, Third World, Yellowman and the Wailers.[5]
Members[edit]
- Nick Marini – drums and vocals
- Barry J. Peterson – vocals and harmonica
- Jeanna Peterson – keyboards and vocals
- Charlie Schafer – bass
- Mark Sisom – guitar and vocals
Past members[edit]
- Dave 13 – rhythm guitar
- Corey Genthe – guitar
- Mike Jackson – percussion
- Mike Marra – guitar
- John O'Neill – drums
- Pat Sullivan – drums
Discography[edit]
- Albums
- Beaver Country (2001)
- Addicted (2003)
- Tales from Dirty Jersey (2009)
- Singles
- 'Wicked Game' (2011)
References[edit]
- Citations
Asbury Park Casino Rebuild
- ^ abcCourier News Staff 2005.
- ^Bove 2006.
- ^ abcSullivan 2008.
- ^ abCodran 2007.
- ^ abcdeMessina 2011.
- ^Home News Tribune Staff 2003.
- ^Wien 2007.
- Bibliography
- Bove, Stephen (12 November 2006), 'Asbury Music Awards honors the Shore', Asbury Park Press, p. 10
- Codran, Ed (26 May 2007), 'Barry Peterson comes clean about 'Dirty Jersey' album', Asbury Park Press, p. 76
- Courier News Staff (26 March 2005), 'Barry & the Penetrators headlining the Stone Pony tonight', Courier News, p. 15
- Home News Tribune Staff (12 October 2003), 'Asbury Park Music Awards', Home News Tribune, p. 41
- Messina, Guliano (18 July 2011), 'Interview: Barry & The Penetrators', The Pop Break, retrieved 11 March 2019
- Sullivan, John J. (30 July 2008), 'Video: Barry and the Penetrators reflect lifestyle through sound', NJ.com, retrieved 12 March 2019
- Wien, Gary (2007), '2007 Asbury Music Awards - recap', New Jersey Stage, retrieved 12 March 2019
External links[edit]
- Barry and the Penetrators discography at Discogs