Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 119

24 jersey alive! May 18, 2007 mmtmm mm urn Sitcom actor is ready to rock Stone Pony AVIV rr-T 11 mi MUSIC By MARK VOGER Staff Writer 1 1 ere's one for you Jersey Skuby and Peretiatko, his main collaborator, met through their wives, who are friendly. "We got together," Skuby recalls. "I had some songs that had been in my head for, like, 10 years. He had some music and lyrics that we eventually finished off. It all just kind of came together." The band's as-yet-untitled debut CD (Skuby is leaning toward self-titling) has a planned release in early August Sitcom acting and music have one thing in common, according to Skuby.

"There's a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, in both," he says. "I'm learning that about the music industry right now. It's tough. You've gotta get everything down and be tight as a band. "It's the same thing with acting.

You have to be professional. You have to know who's who. You have to make friends and make connections. Good representation is key, to get you out there in the first place, get you through the door." The actorsinger was asked "I grew up around it It's one of those places that's just buried in your brain, being from New Jersey, because (Bruce) Springsteen and all those people played there. It's the first time I'll be on this side of the entertainment industry, coming back to Jersey and actually playing.

I'm excited. I'm anxious." Skuby has visited the Shore frequently since attaining television stardom; his father lives in Spring Lake and his brother in Point Pleasant. "Going back to Jersey, the towns I visit, I pretty much know everybody anyway," he says. "So they give me a hard time about it They joke with me about that stuff. They don't let me forget where I came from.

"I played soccer. I was in a band when I was 15. I thought we were gonna be rock stars. Of course, that didn't work out" But Skuby is getting another shot at that dream with his band, which consists Steve Peretiatko (keyboards), Jim Adams (guitar), Noah Richardson (guitar), BUI Sturgeon (bass) and Quinn Crossen (drums). Shore trivia buffs: Carrie's boss on "The King of Queens" used to bounce at "Bar That is, Alex Skuby who played Leah Remini'9 boss for five seasons on the CBS sitcom starring Kevin James was a bouncer at Bar Anticipation in Belmar.

Skuby, who was born in Neptune and raised in Manasquan, has switched gears since his "King of Queens" days. His Alex Skuby band is scheduled to perform tonight at The Stone Pony during the Asbury Park-wide Wave Gathering festival. Skuby remembers going to The Stone Pony years ago, though he can't recall who he saw perform at the venerable venue. "I'm so psyched to be playing there," Skuby says of the Pony. Neptune native Alex Skuby (left), a onetime "King of Queens" cast member, and keyboardist Steve Peretiatko.

to share some memories of the Shore: Favorite eats: "I love (The New) Mr. Shrimp in Belmar. My best friend from high school, "Vinnie' (Vincent Pe-truzziello), owns that place. That place is awesome, man. r.r,atltalian??Cf in Atlantic All You Can Eat Soups Appetizers Open Sushi Bar Salad Bar Seafood Mongolian Grill Desserts and Fruits rub.

m. 1 r. wm if Jala aw Senior Club When I'm back, I go there. I always try to steal the stuffed clams. I go right behind the cooler, take 'em out and start eatin' 'em up.

So every time I come in, Vinnie hides the stuffed clams. "I also love a place called Anthony's in Wall They have the best Philly cheesesteaks, man. Favorite drink at a favorite bar: "I like the Squan Tavern (in Manasquan). I'll go in there and have a Bass Ale." Former job: "I bounced at Bar Anticipation on 16th Avenue for, like, three years when I was younger. It was pretty wild." THE ALEX SKUBY BAND 7 tonight during the Wave Gathering festival with Christine Alartucci, Toby Lightman, Nicole Atkins and the Sea, Paperback Radio and Divine Sign The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Asbury Park $20 one-day pass (732) 502-0600, "iiirw.stoneponyonline.com or yt ire II mr Lunch Buffet $7.19 Mon Frt Sat Sun Brunch $8.19 Dinner Buffet $11.59 Mon.

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