Bamboozled: Asbury Park Rocks

Seven stages scattered throughout Asbury Park's North Beach were taken down this week after a three day music festival along the shore. Bamboozle 2012 headlined a variety of musical acts providing something for everyone on May 19, 20, and 21. Incubus, Skrillex, the Foo Fighters, and Bon Jovi were just a few of the artists to entertain the mass crowd that took over Asbury Park, NJ for the weekend.

Using wristbands instead of a classic ticket, patrons of the music festival entered on the boardwalk through Convention Hall after waiting on the massive line. 

Vendors were set up throughout the festival in addition to the large ferris wheel which people could take a quick ride on in between sets. 

Bamboozle, which is usually held in the Medowlands (MetLife Stadium), mixed it up for its 10th year by returning to its origins. In addition to returning where the festival was originally held, Bamboozle made sure to include many New Jersey born artists in its venue. Bon Jovi, a native New Jerseyian, talked of his time in the state and even became nostalgic when talking of Asbury Park on Sunday. 

"I wanted to come back and remember all the times I just wanted to play Convention Hall," said Jovi while up on the main stage at the festival. 

The Gaslight Anthem, another Jersey native band, also highlighted the idea of locality in Sunday's venue. 

Friday's line-up was less rock and more dub. New artists such as Skrillex and other electro-dj's were featured attracting the younger crowd to the shore.

Saturday was the most crowded of all the days with over 30,000 people in attendance. The Foo Fighters were the big act of the night playing a full two hour set before jetting off to NYC to play with Mick Jagger on SNL. 

Dave Grohl - Lead Singer of the Foo Fighters

Other artists on Saturday's venue included the All-American Rejects, Jimmy Eat World, and even Jersey Shore's DJ Pauly D.

Although most traces of the festival are now gone from the shoreline, many people are still tweeting about the amazing time they had at the concert. Follow @thebamboozle to see more reviews from people who cannot stop talking about it. Still, despite the great response from the spectators it has yet to be determined if the festival will be returning to Asbury Park in 2013. 

Newsie Update

Hey guys!

Keep checking out the blog! Another band interview will be posted soon! This time rock band City Blue will be featured about their time competing in the Bamboozle Break Contest.

The band has made the finals and will be playing at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ on April 14th.

"Feel Good Music" Artist Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why

      Everyone has memories of their prom including me. Yet, for me, one stands out. It's of young man up on stage playing guitar and singing a song he wrote which was chosen by the Ocean Township class of 2010 as the prom song. Since then, this young man has been making a name for himself in music. With 3 albums released and performing over 300 shows, Quincy Mumford has been forwarding his music career with every passing year.
             
         Quincy Mumford, a New Jersey native, has been working towards becoming a professional musician for some time now. By the age of 16, Quincy knew that he wanted music to be his life.
         
         "I just released my first record, with no experience in the music world," said Quincy,"but I knew that it felt right, and that music was my passion. Plus, every time I would get on stage, I never got nervous. It only made sense for me to continue."
        
           Since releasing his first album back in May 2008, Quincy has released two more. "South Edgemere" was released in October 2009 and his most recent album "Speak" was released in April 2011. 

           While "Speak" is the most recent album released, it may also be considered the album with the most distinct sound. 


           " 'Speak', in my opinion is far beyond my past 2 records," said Quincy, "This record is a lot more upbeat, driven, and passionate. The songs itself have become more mature and more thoughtful when written." 


           Much of the music found throughout his albums including "Speak" would technically be considered pop/rock. However, this music category may be too narrow to fully encircle all that Quincy's music encompasses. It has influences of soul, funk, reggae, pop, groove, and folk. "We like to call it 'Feel Good Music'" said Quincy.  


          Growing up living near the beaches of the Jersey Shore also give Quincy's sound a unique quality. 

        "...being close to the shore naturally got me into beach influenced music, Jack Johnson, G.Love, Ben Harper, Marley, and various reggae artists," said Quincy, "I found inspiration to write a lot of songs from my surroundings. Friends, family, strangers, nature, all became ideas for songs."

        Quincy and his band, The Reason Why are currently on tour around the country playing these "Feel Good" tunes. 

       "We are on and off tour every month, whether its a few dates or a ton, we love being on the road," said Quincy. "We are all very close, and a bit crazy, so we warn people before they get into our van....We do practice safe driving though!"

        Despite the craziness involved with touring, Quincy cannot get enough of being out there on the road with his band playing at different venues. 

        "We love to play music, all of us. We just want to play all of the time and entertain people, and make them feel good and excited. When we are not playing I spend my time doing the business side of music, I would rather play any day, that's why I love touring so much."

        While out there playing at so many different venues, Quincy has experienced many memorable shows, but playing as the opening to Rusted Root is definitely one that will always stick in his mind. 

       "It was a venue called the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. First off, the venue treated us like royalty!" said Quincy. "They carried all of our equipment set it up, and gave us our own private menu so we could eat in the comfort of our spacious dressing room. It was amazing!! The place got packed with people, and we played a killer show!"

    Although Quincy is on the road for tours much of the time and is away from home, his parents are 100% supportive of his career. 

     " As long as I take it serious and work my ass off everyday, they will support me," said Quincy, "My father even co-manages me, and does a killer job. I have the most amazing parents in the world!"

       Quincy has much in store for this upcoming year including more tour dates which can be found at www.quincymumford.com. Also, there is a live album and DVD to be released on May 25th. After finishing a tour over the summer, Quincy plans on heading back to the recording studio with The Reason Why to record a fourth album.