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Casino Scene: A roundup of this week's headliners
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Jet with Automatic Fire at Borgata
WHO ARE THEY: Australian garage rockers Jet emerged in 2003 with its EP "Dirty Sweet," which was followed by an opening slot on the Rolling Stones' tour. Months later, the band's first full length album, "Get Born," was released. With its guitar-heavy, classic rock retro sound, the band scored a hit right out of the gate with "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" The album was a success, selling nearly 4 million copies. Other singles included "Rollover DJ," "Cold Hard Bitch" and "Look What You've Done." Jet's follow-up, "Shine On," was released in 2006 and featured the single "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Jet is a noisy, guitar-driven rock 'n' roll band that falls somewhere in between AC/DC, The Black Crowes and The White Stripes in terms of style and content. With a new album, "Shaka Rock," due out in August, the band is geared up for the road and will offer a setlist combing songs from its first two albums, as well as new songs from "Shaka Rock."
Pennsylvania rockers Automatic Fire will open the show.
WHAT'S NEW: "Shaka Rock" is slated for an Aug. 25 release. The first single is "She's A Genius."
WEB SITES:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $29.50, and the show begins 9 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's Music Box.
Tony Bennett
at Caesars
WHO IS HE: This Queens, N.Y., native scored his first hit in 1951 with "Because of You" and followed it up with another hit, "Cold, Cold Heart." In 1953, Bennett reached the top of the charts with "Rags to Riches" and then again with "Stranger in Paradise" from the Broadway musical "Kismet." By the late 1950s, Bennett's string of chart-toppers seemed to be coming to an end with the competition from rock 'n' roll music. However, in 1962 he released "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which remained on the charts for nine months and became Bennett's signature song. In the early 1990s, Bennett resurrected his career once again and his music was appealing to a whole new audience. His 1994 "MTV Unplugged" album went platinum and won a Grammy for Album of the Year.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Bennett is one of those unique singers who has managed to remain successful years after his contemporaries have faded away. Part of Bennett's appeal is the fact that he truly loves what he does. The warm, husky voice and gentle jazz phrasings are as much a signature of Bennett's style as his million-dollar smile. Fans can expect to hear songs such as "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," " Rags to Riches" and "Stranger in Paradise." At a Bennett performance, you're unlikely to walk away disappointed. Concertgoers will be treated to a night of classic pop standards performed with grace and dignity by a true living legend.
WHAT'S NEW: In May, Bennett performed for the first time at Jazz Fest in New Orleans.
WEB SITE: www.tonybennett.net
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $70, $85, $125 and $150, and the show begins 10 p.m. Friday, July 10, and 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Caesars Atlantic CIty's Circus Maximus Theater.
Reel Big Fish &
The English Beat at
House of Blues
WHO ARE THEY: Reel Big Fish is a southern California-based ska-punk band that gained popularity in the 1990s in the wake of successful bands such as No Doubt and Sublime. The band's first big label release was 1996's "Turn The Radio Off." In 1997, the band scored a big hit with "Sell Out," which was successful on both the radio and MTV. An EP, "Keep Your Receipt," was released in 1997, followed by the full-length "They Rock So Hard" in 1998.
Formed in Birmingham, England, in the late 1970s, The English Beat went on to become one of the most influential ska revivalist groups. Among the group's hit singles are, "Mirror in the Bathroom," "Stand Down Margaret," "I Confess" and "Save it For Later."
WHAT TO EXPECT: A night of punk and ska music is on tap for concertgoers this weekend. Reel Big Fish's southern California style of ska punk makes for great songs such as "Sell Out" and an unforgettable stage show. The English Beat got its start two decades prior to Reel Big Fish and are legends of the ska genre.
WHAT'S NEW: Reel Big Fish's album, "Fame, Fortune and Fornication," is a covers-only affair and features versions of songs such as Poison's "Nothin' But a Good Time," Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl" and Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25 and $27.50, and the show begins 8 p.m., Friday, July 10, at the House of Blues at Showboat.
Two Funny Philly Guys: Big Daddy Graham & Joe Conklin at Borgata
WHO ARE THEY: Joe Conklin is a Philadelphia comedian who has been a voice announcer on the Nickelodeon game show "Finders Keepers." He is famous for his impressions of celebrities such as Charles Barkley, Bill Cosby, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Allen Iverson.
Big Daddy Graham was voted Philadelphia's funniest comic 11 times by magazines such as The City Paper and Philly Magazine. He's performed more than 4,000 shows throughout his career at venues such as the Comedy Cabaret, Catch a Rising Star, The Funny Bone and The Comedy Factory Outlet. Graham is currently a host on the sports talk radio station WIP 610-AM.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Conklin is known as "The Man of a Thousand Voices." His impressions are top-notch and far-reaching. Actors, athletes, politicians and musicians are all fair game for Conklin, who has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years.
Big Daddy Graham's stand-up routine involves topics such as sports, everyday life and celebrities. These two funny guys from Philly keep things clean for the most part and bring an element of class and professionalism to the stage.
WEB SITES:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the show begins 9 p.m., Friday, July 10, at Borgata's Music Box.
J. Geils Band
at Borgata
WHO ARE THEY: The J. Geils Band rose to prominence in the 1970s with its bar band mixture of blues, R&B and rock 'n' roll. Led by frontman Peter Wolf, the band sold out arenas without the benefit of hit singles. The J. Geils Band's biggest strength was its live act rather than studio recordings. In 1981, the group finally reached the top of the charts with the single "Centerfold," which hung onto the top spot for six weeks. The follow up single, "Freeze-Frame," managed to reach No. 4 on the charts in 1982.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Although they are most well-known for their glossy, pop-oriented hit "Centerfold," the majority of The J. Geils Band's repertoire is more soulful. The band's rock 'n' roll roots will be on display as it performs songs that span its career.
WEB SITE: www.jgeils.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $65, and the show begins 8 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at Borgata's Event Center.
Bob Weir & Ratdog
at Trump Taj Mahal
WHO ARE THEY: Ratdog began as a side project for Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir in 1995, but when Jerry Garcia died in August 1995, the Dead was no more and Ratdog became Weir's primary band. In 2000, the album "Evening Moods" was released. A year later, the double-CD "Live at Roseland" was released. The band has maintained a busy live touring schedule since its inception.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 signified the end of an era for the beloved "Deadheads." Fortunately, some of the former members of The Grateful Dead have managed to pick up the pieces and continue on with the tradition. Bob Weir and Ratdog is a perfect example of this. Fans can expect to hear songs from "Evening Moods," lots of Dead tracks and other Bob Weir originals. The band also performs covers by Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry and Willie Dixon. Like a Dead show, the setlist changes every night.
WEB SITE: www.rat-dog.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $39.50 and $49.50, and the show begins 7 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at Trump Taj Mahal.
Billy Squier
at Atlantic City Hilton
WHO IS HE: After initially getting his feet wet with the band Piper in the late 1970s, Billy Squier finally broke through to mainstream success on his own as a solo artist with his sophomore album, "Don't Say No," in 1981. Hit singles included "The Stroke," "In the Dark," "Lonely is the Night" and "My Kinda Lover." A year later, Squier struck again with the hit "Everybody Wants You" off of his "Emotions in Motion" album. Beginning with "Signs of Life," Squier's career began to decline, although he continues to tour and release albums.
WHAT TO EXPECT: In the early days of MTV, Squier was one of the network's biggest stars with a series of flashy videos highlighting his brand of catchy, arena rock. Concertgoers can expect to hear all of Squier's big hits such as "Everybody Wants You," "The Stroke," "In the Dark," "Lonely is the Night" and "Rock Me Tonite." According to the singer's Web site, the current "All Night Long Tour" is one for the real fans and will include songs from throughout his career.
WHAT'S NEW: Squier credits his playing with Ringo Star the last few years as the inspiration for wanting to hit the road again with his own songs.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $45, and the show begins 8 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at the Hilton Theater.
Dark Star Orchestra
at Atlantic City Hilton
WHO ARE THEY: Dark Star Orchestra is a critically-acclaimed Chicago-based Grateful Dead tribute band that has been praised in publications such as Rolling Stone, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News and The Denver Post. The Associated Press said that DSO, "takes its act to a level of detail that benefits a rock band famous for its fanatical following". The band has even had the privilege of being joined onstage by members of the Grateful Dead including Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann. Dark Star Orchestra has performed close to 1,300 shows and has released three CDs from live performances.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Since the 1995 death of legendary Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia ended the touring legacy of America's premier jam band, Deadheads have had to look elsewhere to get their fix. Dark Star Orchestra has helped fill that void. This Chicago-based band has left no stone unturned in its attempt to recreate the most authentic Grateful Dead tribute show imaginable. Each show is a replica of a classic Dead show featuring the original setlist, phrasing, vocal arrangements, instruments and even stage plot. At the end of each performance, the band announces the date and venue of the concert they just re-created.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the show begins 8 p.m., Friday, July 10, at the Atlantic City Hilton Theater.
Next Level Bollywood Show at Boardwalk Hall postponed
DETAILS: The Next Level Bollywood variety show scheduled for Saturday, July 11, is postponed. A new date will be scheduled soon. Tickets will be honored for new date, when announced, but ticketholders can also receive refunds at point of purchase.
Posted in Entertainment on Thursday, July 9, 2009 3:05 am
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