My parents used to grill year round, no matter what the season, there was always a chance that my mom would call and tell me to “set up the grill”. In the winter, I would sometimes shovel a path to the BBQ. Of course, as a teenager, the idea of making a fire and burning things was something I liked to do anyway, but in this instance, there were steaks or pork chops to be had. Now that I am older [and still love fire] the idea of a BBQ best fits with Bands, Cold Beer, and maybe some water sports; This Saturday [July 15th] is Lucky 7’s RocknRoll BBQ , now in its 6th year, the BBQ/Block Party is a great neighbor tradition with 10 Bands, 4 unfortunate pigs, a pool, bouncy house and ice cream for the kids, cornhole and a garbage can scale Beer-Pong and a Cans for Cancer Charity Dunking Booth.

Things get started at 1 pm with The Lo-Fi’s, a young band from Union City with Strokes-like tendencies, followed by Fiscal cliff [1:50], led by Carlos Perez with Luis Garrido on guitar work loose-like arrangements into a tight fitting groove while walking a fine line near the jam-a-sphere, The Gully Hubbards [2;40] cross the realm of Americana – Country and Rock, and Detriot transplant Eliza Neals [3;30] will take us straight into the Blues without bringing anyone down. Things take a shift at 4:20 when Bloomfield’s pioneer the eel use guitar and vocal loops in a bass free format. Désir Decir [5:10], straight up solid rock n roll will shake you out of your skinny jeans and while you are already loose, America’s Favorite family band, The RocknRoll HiFives [6:00] will break down the last dance hold-outs. Bayonne’s Shithead’s Rainbow – SHRB [6:50], has a theatre-esque onslaught of vocals and music, followed up by Jersey City’s Harder Rock supergroup Black Wail [7:40] before things climax with Cicada Radio [8:30]. After all is done, the boy wonder, DJ Vidal spins from 10 pm to close inside. To get things warmed up for Saturday, I’ll be teaming up with DJ Leonard Smalls for a special Ladies Night reunion this Thursday.