Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 31

TUESDAY, AUG. 6, 1996 ASBURY PARK PRESS PAGE D5 Fans, bands find Asbury Park awesome ftp in -If-, j.r. im. .1... By MICHELE AMABILE CORRESPONDENT Bf there was any question which summer festival a band would rather play Lollapalooza or the Vans Warped Tour the answer came from Dicky Barrett, lead singer of the ska-punk outfit The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

"We played a different tour last summer," Barrett told the sold-out crowd of 6,500 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park Sunday, referring to his jaunt with Lollapalooza. "We made a mistake." The crowd, mostly teen-agers out for a day of extreme sports, music and moshing, was well behaved. During a torrid set by punk mayors Down By Law (during which the sound board nearly got toppled by the intense moshing), a crowd of Warped fans expressed a need for more festivals in the Asbury Park area. Just as it was last summer, Second Avenue between Kingsley Street and Ocean Avenue was cordoned off to allow for a huge block party. The stage for larger acts like NOFX and Fishbone was located on the south side of the Pony, and the up-and-comers like Rocket From The Crypt played the north stage on Second Avenue.

The spirit of The Warped Tour remained, as well. As they did last year, bands made surprise appearances during others' sets. CIV, for example, invited Skip Hoefling, lead singer of the said of his band, which is enjoying its role as an influence on many of the bands in attendance. "A lot of people don't get it It's all in the marketing. A lot of bands will play one style of music, so it doesn't confuse everybody." There were some changes from last year.

A smaller, third stage was set up so that bands like the New York Krishna-rock outfit Shelter had a place to perform. There was also a tent area with video games set up for those who chose not to watch the skateboarding and BMX demonstrations on the giant half-pipe and skate courses. What remained a constant was the intensity of the performances. The strongest set came from a grieving band, California's Pennywise. The band was dealt a blow when its original bassist, Jason Thirsk, died last week from an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Pennywise responded by dedicating its entire performance to him, and informing the audience of Thirsk's role in the band as the chief songwriter. The band then ripped through several Pennywise anthems "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" "Every Single Day" and "Peaceful Day" and notable covers of The Beastie Boys For Your Right To and New Jersey punks The Misfits PETER ACKERMANStaff Photographer Jo Joel (left), Middletown Township, hangs onto her calico cat as Kimbayh, a Great Dane owned by Sally Sockol (right), Rumson, tosses her toys in the air. The women head the committee for a party to benefit the Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Eatontown. Animals will benefit from SPCA party MARK R. SULLIVANStaff Photographer Roy Cappo, lead singer of the band Shelter, jumps into the to interact with fans during the Warped Tour in Asbury Park.

New Jersey punk band O.S.101 (formerly Hogan's Heroes), to sing on their hit "Can't Wait One Minute More." Angelo Moore of Fishbone joined The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' horn section for their performance. According to Moore, whose band, Fishbone, embodies all the qualities that make a perfect Warped Tour band Fishbone mixes elements of funk, hardcore, ska, punk and rock into their music mixing it up is what makes playing music fun. "We don't play generic," Moore Ready to roll The Rumson Women's Club will open its 1996-'97 season with a membership dinner at 7 p.m. Sept, 9 at Bingham Hall. Presiding will be Julianna Lem-beck, Rumson, the new club president.

Serving with Mrs. Lembeck are Doris Doherty, Middletown Town Tony Bennett at 70: still a remarkable voice Ouaranteed. Following the 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18 party at the Monmouth County SPCA headquarters, your stomach won't growl and you should purr like a cat.

The event featuring cocktail and hors d'oeuvres, desserts and coffee will take place under a tent at the site of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 260 Wall Eatontown. Jo Joel, Middletown Township, and Sally Sockol, Rumson, are chairing the $60-per-person benefit. It will feature fabulous fare by Lucille of Red Bank, piano music by Anthony J. Diaco Rumson, and a silent auction. Judith H.

Stanley, Middletown Township, president of the Monmouth County S.P.C.A. is honorary chairman of the party and among those on the committee are such pet lovers as Millie Illmensee, Colts Neck Township; John E. Westlake, Red Bank; Gracie Fowler, also Red ship, vice president; Paige Barth, Highlands, treasurer; Connie Calan-driello, Red Bank, corresponding secretary, and Elvina Phipps, Rumson, recording secretary. The women were installed at dinner at Val's, Rumson, and on that occasion, Cathy Marass, Rumson, was presented the club's 1995-'96 Woman of the Year Award. The Claire Craft Sully Memorial Scholarship was presented this year to Marisa Shaheen, Rumson, a June graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Regional High School.

Traveling type Joseph Monti is back in the Lava-llette fold after living the high life in Europe. His 13-day trip began in Barcelona, Spain, and continued with a weeklong Mediterranean cruise By KELLY-JANE COTTER MUSIC WRITER Tony Bennett spent his 70th birthday in Holm-del Township, performing at the PNC Bank Arts Center Friday in a concert that was smooth, cool and all too brief. He didn't let on that it was his birthday until his next-to-last number, "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing." Earlier in the concert, he hinted at it, saying to the crowd, "I know I'm going on 70, but you guys make me feel like I'm just starting." Bennett's audience serenaded him with "Happy Birthday To You" and then sang along to his final number, "America the Beautiful," which he sang as a tribute to the Summer Olympics in Atlanta Bennett's voice is still remarkable his interpretations are heartfelt and he can sustain a note for hours. He also has a knack for making a packed amphitheater feel as cozy as a cabaret. His backing musicians, The Ralph Sharon Trio, enhanced the sense of intimacy with graceful, understated musicianship.

Ralph Sharon has played piano with Bennett for 40 years. He performed without sheet music, his wrinkled fingers moving nimbly across the keys. Clayton Cameron on drums and Douglass Richardson on upright bass were also outstanding. Bennett gave each musician time in the spotlight, performing Duke Ellington's "Making That Scene" with Sharon and walking on stage wearing a broad smile and patriotic colors (navy jacket, white pants, red tie). His standards were interrupted by applause as soon as they were recognized by the audience: "It Had To Be You," "Old Devil Moon," "They Can't Take That Away From Me." He performed a tribute to Fred Astaire and several selections from his most recent album, a tribute to "the great lady singers." Bennett sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for Judy Garland, "I Got Rhythm" for Ethel Mermen and "People" for Barbra Streisand.

He performed his signature song without fanfare, plunging into "I Left My Heart in San and following it with "Steppin' Out," which he described as "one for the MTV crowd." Bennett now has fans who could be his grandchildren, due to his appearance on "MTV Unplugged" a few years back. The younger fans were, for the most part, the best dressed at Friday's concert, wearing cocktail dresses and suits. His peers, who comprised the majority of the audience, took a more casual approach to the evening. A highlight came during Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," when a child approached the stage with three smiley-face balloons for Bennett. The crooner stopped singing to shake the kid's hand.

The balloons remained on stage for the rest of the concert, adding a playful touch to a classy affair. THOMAS P. COSTELLOStaff Photographer Tony Bennett sings from the heart during his concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" accompanied only by Richardson's bass. During Cameron's jazzy solo, Bennett burst into a little dance.

He opened with "The Best Is Yet To Come," with interesting stops all along the way on board the Marco Polo. Monti managed to be in Cannes, France, for Bastille Day and at the site of the original Olympic stadium in Greece when this year's Olympics were getting under way in Atlanta. Another highlight was a day spent in Rome with friends he made there as a result of a previous vacation. Ah well, '96 vacation days will soon be over and Monti will be back teaching history at Toms River High School East, hopeful that his students will benefit from his travel experiences. Bank, and her daughter Grace Fowler Wrightson, Rumson; Judith Rothenberg, also of Rumson; Joan Mullen, Monmouth Beach, and Ursula Goetz, director of the SPCA facility, and Genevieve McAteer, secretary there.

The SPCA animal shelter will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 for anyone wishing to adopt a pet. At 4 p.m., guests will be invited to tour the new Vogel Animal Care Center. And at 5 p.m., benefit festivities start.

Casual attire is suggested. Who knows? You' may want to carry a kitten home. The nonprofit Monmouth County SPCA is in its 51st year. It continues to provide shelter for strays, uphold laws against animal cruelty and educate the public on animal welfare. For information or reservations, which are due by Sunday, call (908) 542-1036.

1 I Wednesday, August 7, 1996 I MANY SAFE HAPPY RETURNS SUMMER CLEARANCE NOW IN PROGRESS Marguerite Henderson is a Press staff writer who has beeri covering the social scene for 20 years. Her column appears Sundays and Tuesdays through Fridays. fl Til MNNI HPI fl I I I For Once in Your Life 0 YIELD Sail on the Legendary QE2 ANNUALPERCf, Caribbean Panama Wednesday, August 14th, in the Waterview Room Step back in time to the fabulous 30's and enjoy our Canal Crossing Champagne Dinner while dancing the night away to your favorite tlllxLLlLrr January 4-1 7th i iii mil legendary Big Band Sounds. I I IS II Embark from New York on the first two weeks of the legendary World Cruise on -t the QE2. Calling first at Fort Lauderdale, then on to Per Person.

Does not include tax and gratuities. Deposit Required. Call for Reservation. Better service. Great value.

Ttiat'swhy 9 out of 10 Provident customers recommend Provident Savings Bank to friends and family. Enjoy this great rate CD. with a minimum deposit of only $500. FDIC insured. APY shown is subject to change.

A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. For information by phone.call 1-800-448-PROVidenf the Provident Cozumel with its Mayan ruins, to the old walled city of Cartagena, a transit of the Panama Canal, the sophisticated glamour of Acapulco and finally Los Angeles. Return air flight to Newark is included as well as transportation from Middletown to the New York passenger ship terminal and return from Newark Airport. Aiv Call us now for our low, low (OLD MILL INN 1- rf Ax LAKESIDE DINING CAFE BAR JJ SAVINGS BANK 2k AdventureTravel SfaMty SwceSJ9 Mimbir FOIC 1 1 Equal HouavLantor Equal Opportwnfy Lar 915 Highway 35 Middletown, NJ 07748 (908) 449-1800 (908)671-9000 Old Mill Road. Spring Lake Heights.