Blowup Radio’s 10th Anniversary Show - Buddies Tavern, Parlin, NJ - November 13, 2010

By Phil Rainone, Stephen Rainone, with help From Chris Brown

For the past ten years Lazlo has been running Blowup Radio (blowupradio.com) out of his house with the help and support of his wife, Naomi. I first met them at a charity fund raiser at Buddies Tavern about five years ago. They say first impressions are lasting, and that was true of that day. Lazlo and Naomi had a warm, friendly smile, and a rock ‘n’ roll heart. I think it was about a six-hour marathon of bands, all of whom gave their time and talent for free. It was one of those inspiring times where everyone was giving, without asking for anything in return.

Five years later at BlowUpRadio's 10th anniversary show, I felt the same vibe as I did than when I had first met Lazlo and Naomi. Lazlo had assembled four bands for the night’s festivities, and each and everyone not only played their collective butts off, but they made sure to congratulate Lazlo for ten years of uncompromising shows.

See, Buddies is a unique place as far as original music and original bands go. A few years ago Mike Grau (his annual charity benefit show, The Christmas Dogs of War is on December 18 this year) ran the shows at the Broadway Central Café in South Amboy (now The Blue Moon), and in recent years brought that original vibe to Buddies. Lazlo joined forces with Mike a few years ago, and the two have never looked back. The talent, originality, and mojo that these two guys bring to the club is amazing! And what’s also cool is that except for the charity shows, there is no cover charge.

Fast forward to this past Saturday night, with the drinks and pizza flowing (their thin-crust pizza is to die for- and let‘s not forget to thank Karen, the owner of Buddies, for taking a leap of faith), Mike Ferraro and The Young Republicans set about opening the show (each band played about a 45 minute set). Their Neanderthalic thump (a good thing) got everyone’s attention as they ran through their repertoire with Sonic Youth-like precision. The bass player resembled Dave Grohl in the early days of Nirvana, as did the bands sound from time to time. Heavy and sweet, you knew you were listening to something speciaL.

Tea & Whiskey with their three-piece harmonies and hard, jangly alt-pop sound dug into older and current originals like “Good Fences, Good Neighbors,” and “The Wrong Side of 30.” Again, here’s a band that plays their hearts out, and gives off a happy-to-be-here vibe.

A reunited Cropduster (they will soon be celebrating the 10th anniversary of their landmark indie CD Drunk Uncle) took the third slot (unfortunately we had to leave after Cropduster’s set, and missed The Break Evens, although I heard good things about their set), and with their Badfinger/early Stones punkish pop, they raised the bar.

I think what we all get out of these original shows is that Lazlo and Mike, along with their dedicated crew, realizes that there comes a time when you stop trying to please everyone else, and you learn to let what’s inside you come out. You do it because it feels good. Playing music for music’s sake. No ballet. No fashion show (although some of the bands do get extraordinary at times;) just good, solid music. The shows seem to get better and more diverse as the years go on. It’s like being on a baseball team and never losing a game.

I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that I hope Lazlo keeps fighting the good fight, and puts on many more shows for years to come!