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Hot Fun In The Summertime A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch Lynch It's been a hot, recording-breaking summer so far in northern New Jersey. The thermometers and forecasters have been reporting that we've had the most days ever to reach the 90's this year. So it was fitting for two of the hottest acts from the 90's to appear in Morristown during the heat wave when alternative rockers Soul Asylum and the Gin Blossoms played at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts on July 22, 2010.
 Robin Wilson and the Gin Blossoms delivered the jangly pop. Both bands made their mark reaching similar fan bases and they were each favorites on FM radio and the video channels as standout more-traditional rock acts in the era of grunge. While they have this in common the two bands hail from climatically contrasting regions of the country. No strangers to the heat - the Gin Blossoms formed in Tempe, Arizona in 1987 but it was 1992 that would be their big year. New Miserable Experience was a multi-platinum record that showcased five singles. The band built a strong following from this album and their hard core fanbase still follow and enthusiastically support them to this day. In September of 2010 the band will be serving up No Chocolate Cake - their tasty new 11-track CD featuring the catchy single "Miss Disarray" - a reflective, radio friendly tune about relationship woes. With this song and album - which finds the band at a creative peak - it's probable that history will repeat itself for the Gin Blossoms.
 Jesse Valenzuela and Scott Johnson provided the band's two guitar attack. Soul Asylum was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983. The band released a number of records but remained underground until 1992. Grave Dancers Union struck paydirt with the single "Runaway Train" which put the group over the top. The album went triple-platinum and a few years later Let Your Dim Light Shine also achieved platinum status. In 2010, Soul Asylum is touring and working on a new album. The first song from the five members of the Gin Blossoms was the familiar and flavorful "Follow You Down". Robin quickly engaged the audience by tapping his tambourine over his head encouraging the crowd to clap along. Throughout the show, Wilson handed out tambourines for folks to play. These two techniques were instrumental in connecting the band with their fans and adding to the festivities. Another effective tool the Gin Blossoms used was playing fan favorites mixed in with new material. Thus all tracks were well received including "Don't Change" which was encouraging lyrically and lilting musically. "Found Out About You" flowed on fluid guitars, tambourine taps and jamming. "Dead Or Alive On The 405" was another new song that combined a peppy pace with a catchy chorus and had fans clapping right along upon their first listen.
 Bill Leen on bass - and John Richardson on drums - powered the rhythm section. "Long Time Gone" glided on rhymes, more tambourines and extended guitar grooves. "Miss Disarray" was engaging with Robin once again prompting people to participate during a new tune. "Allison Road" was animated bleeding into a lively "Lost Horizons". "Until I Fall Away" featured more clapping to a catchy chorus. "Hey Jealousy" and "Goin' To California" were well executed rounding out a bakers dozen of hits and potential successful singles. The four members of Soul Asylum came out strong with "Somebody to Shove". The tune was searing followed by "All Is Well" which had a punk feel in pace and punctuation. Prodded by Dave the audience was on their feet for "Misery" with fans singing along before the song moved briefly into Wings' "Silly Love Songs". The crowd remained standing for the rest of the concert. A strange strumming technique was employed by Pirner for the first part of "Lately" before progressing into more standard rock tones. "Black Gold" traveled on up-tempo guitars and rhythms flowing into "Without A Trace" with its mix of tempos and textures. Dave was spinning around as he strummed an acoustic guitar.
 Dave Pirner and Soul Asylum rocked the Mayo Center in Morristown, New Jersey. "Runaway Train" was a hit as was "Just Like Anyone" which featured Pirner creating some distortion in front of the amps. For the most part songs were straightforward with little extra exploration but "Cartoon" included a musical muse through different speeds and styles. Soul Asylum closed the concert with a stirring version of "Stand Up And Be Strong" with some members of the Gin Blossoms joining in - thus ending a hot 90's night in New Jersey! You never know what you might see while strolling on The Green. In addition to the Mayo Arts Center theater located in the heart of historic Morristown - there are plenty of cafes, shops, churches and old graveyards that can be explored prior to a show. On this night two celebrity appearances were taking place in Morristown in addition to the two great bands performing. A line formed down South Street as baseball fans queued up to see New York Yankees pitching legend David Cone sign autographs at the new AT&T store. Just up the block at Scotti's Record Shop, high school sophomore local singing sensation and budding pop star Dane Michael Glynn packed them in for a live performance at his CD release party for his anticipated debut album, Sir Dream A-Lot.
Gin Blossoms
Soul Asylum
 Members of the Asylum: Tommy Stinson on bass; Michael Bland on drums; and, Dan Murphy on guitar. Related Links: For more information on the GIN BLOSSOMS & SOUL ASYLUM and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- GinBlossoms.net | EnterTheSoulAsylum.com | MayoArts.org (Originally Published on July 26, 2010) |
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