Gaslight Anthem rocks the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel

Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
·3 min read
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Who's happy to be in New Jersey?

Brian Fallon and Gaslight Anthem played a hometown show Saturday, Oct 9, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, wrapping up a reunion tour with a steady and spirited set of career-spanning songs.

“I like other places but there's no place like here,” said Fallon, adding that his parents took him to the venue to see Depeche Mode for his first concert. “I was trying to go see Motley Crue but they got canceled because the album sucked with the new singer, so that wasn't happening.”

The Gaslight Anthem show was happening — with all four original members. The band, formed in New Brunswick in the late '90s, returned to “full-time status” in the spring after an eight-year hiatus. They played across the U.S. and in Europe since getting back together at a surprise show at Crossroads in Garwood.

On Saturday, the first part of the band's hour and 45 minute set eschewed the upbeat rockers for the group's mid-tempo moody songs. It was a brisk night, and a spark was initially absent.

Fallon, wearing a bomber jacket with a fur collar, then paused to reflect on the moment in front of approximately 12,000 fans.

“I was up there in row 472 and I said to myself 'I can get there,' and now look — thank you very much!” Fallon said. The show was the band's second at the venue. “If the five us, six of us, can be up here playing, there's nothing you can't do.”

That seemed to do the trick. The band went into “Mulholland Drive” from “Handwritten,” which sparked the audience, and Fallon let out a decidedly demonic rock 'n' roll scream on the next song, “Too Much Bood.” Fallon and guitarist Alex Rosamilia next summoned the guitar gods on “Blue Dhalia,” and the heat was on for the rest of the show.

Alex Levine played bass and Benny Horowitz was on drums. The lineup was augmented by Ian Perkins on guitar and Asbury Park player Bryan Haring, a newcomer to the Gaslight fold, on keys.

Haring, along with Horowtiz, delivered some really nice jazzy undertones on the song “Halloween.” Here's hoping Haring has a hand in future recordings by Gaslight as there seems to be potential for some interesting musical directions.

Songwriter Fallon crafts compelling Kerouac-ian tomes of characters on the fringe of society and the edge of heartbreak. An expanded musical palette for Gaslight would add to the experience.

The next chapter is around the corner.

“We love you — see you again soon,” Fallon said. “Time to make a new record.”

Gaslight Anthem setlist

  • Have Mercy

  • Old White Lincoln

  • Biloxi Parish

  • Mae

  • Get Hurt

  • 1,000 Years

  • Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

  • We Came to Dance

  • Mulholland Drive

  • Too Much Blood

  • Blue Dahlia

  • Halloween

  • The Spirit of Jazz

  • Howl

  • The Patient Ferris Wheel

  • The Backseat

  • Miles Davis and the Cool

  • Stay Vicious

  • Great Expectations

  • 45

  • The '59 Sound

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers music and entertainment for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Gaslight Anthem tour comes home to rock PNC Bank Arts Center