Band of the Week: Bluebone

When it comes to live music, there's no reason to be blue. Especially not this weekend, as Bluebone is slated to rock two local live music hot spots - L's Restaurant and J-Bone's Tavern in Corbin City on Friday, June 12, and Lucky Bones in Cape May on Saturday, June 13. If you aren't familiar with Bluebone's live show, Jay Bethel, guitarist and vocalist for the band, can't wait to tell you all about it.

"Bluebone features a lot of very danceable music," Bethel says. "It's also very suitable for people who just want to listen to the music, too. Our scene is often mixed, and the performance is high energy, but we've got songs that'll let you catch your breath in between."

Bluebone is no stranger to southern New Jersey and is more than happy to play in the area it calls home.

"The band is based in Cape May," Bethel says, but every member except Bethel hails from either Philadelphia, West Chester, Pa., or Millville. "We always love Cape May crowds because we've gotten to know a lot of them, and they are very enthusiastic. Because of the area's tourist population, we gained fans from all over the country, and now they go see our shows wherever we play."

Though Bluebone frequents the Cape May area, it is known to play the Philadelphia and Maryland areas, as well. Local and non-local fans alike have grown to love Bluebone for its mix of cover tunes as well as original tracks.

"Depending on the venue, we perform a different mix of covers and originals," Bethel explains. "We have somewhere around 40 original songs, but when we play clubs, you'll hear more of our cover songs, instead."

Bethel and his bandmates are thrilled their fans are open to hearing their original songs, as making their own music is extremely important to their musical growth.

"We all love to perform and are all lifelong players," Bethel says. "Last year, I celebrated my 40th year of playing paid gigs, with Van at 30 years. The idea behind Bluebone was to play music we enjoyed, and to write and record music in those genres. Our original music has been widely accepted and usually tops the requests when we play live."

What They Play: Dance rock meets standard rock 'n' roll when Bluebone wows crowds with both original tunes and cover songs. Bethel says Bluebone is most comparable to B.B., Freddy and Albert King, as well as Eric Clapton with a little rockabilly, old school rock 'n' roll and jazz thrown in.

Roster: Jay Bethel, guitar and vocals; Van Burris, bass guitar and vocals; Thomas "TJ" Jefferson or Ed Zatzariny, drums.

Fan Favorite Cover Songs: "Little Wing" and "Red House" by Jimi Hendrix, "Freeway Jam" by Jeff Beck and "La Grange" by ZZ Top.

Fan Favorite Originals: "You Got Me Comin," "Party Tonight," "Somebody Like You," "357" and "Devil Keep Chewin.'"

Albums: Bluebone has four, full-length CDs, which can be purchased on its Web site, CDbaby.com, and in local Cape May record stores. "We've got sales and radio play in South America and Europe, too," Bethel adds.

Claim To Fame: "We have a bunch of minor accomplishments that mean a lot to us," Bethel says. "We're pretty old compared to the bands that perform the venues we frequent, so No. 1 is that we're still doing it. No. 2 is that no matter the show, we perform like it's Woodstock; we don't know any other way." Bluebone also has a great relationship with Elixir Guitars, and they rarely use anything but Elixir equipment.

Web Site: www.bluebone.net

Go See Them: Catch Bluebone 8 p.m., Friday, June 12, at L's Restaurant and J-Bone's Tavern City, 119 Route 50 in Corbin City, and 9 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at Lucky Bones, 1200 Route 109 in Cape May. Call L's at 609-628-3024, and Lucky Bones at 609-884-2663.

- Story by Rebecca Grites; photo provided by Bluebone