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The INdefinitive Guide to NJ Cover Bands

  • Cha Cha Cherry
  • Feb 4
  • 5 min read

Recently I saw a post on social media naming the “must-see” bands in NJ for 2026. It even went on to say it was the “complete” guide to NJ’s best cover bands and bar bands. The “DEFINITIVE” guide. The list came from people’s responses to a social media post….hmmmm….


And it wasn’t just me who saw this list. I had multiple musician friends and friends who love cover bands mention it to me.


But what’s the issue you say Cha Cha?


First, let me start by saying I have been working in Corporate Communications for over two decades. I chose my words carefully when writing. Using words like “complete” and “definitive” implies you’ve done deep research, you understand the full scene, you are making a trusted, expert judgment. Secondly, music taste is subjective. Those words suggest that there is no debate and the list is the truth - when it states it came from a group of people making suggestions. My skepticism is very journalist-coded.  


{Steps off soap-box}


Let me put my music blogger hat back on….Don’t get me wrong – there were a bunch of bands I ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEEEEE on that list. Bands that have been around and have a massive following. Bands I want to see. Bands I’ve written about. We’re talking about Super Trans Am (I mean hello they played my 50th), Event Horizon, Sean Patrick and the Alibis, The Nerds, Gab Cinque, I could go on.


But what threw everyone into a frenzy – me, other musicians, other cover band fans commenting on the post – was that MANY well-known bands regularly playing the NJ circuit were so OBVIOUSLY MISSING. Big hitters – fan favorites like Brian Kirk & the Jirks, The Benjamins, The Cliffs, Pat Roddy, Amish Outlaws. (All the bands I support wink wink.) Something’s not right here. Some of these bands I mentioned have legit cult followings for decades. DECADES.


But what made me put up my spidey senses was one particular band on that list…Dog Voices. Stop the press. Rewind. Picture it…1997(ish)…Mothers…Rt. 23, Wayne, NJ. Your girl Cha Cha could be found there on the weekends selling roses or shots. One of my very first favorite cover bands was Dog Voices. They stopped playing YEARS AGO. I mean one of them is in The Benjamins for quite some time now. Once I saw that, I knew something was off.


I like to think I know music -specifically NJ cover bands. I’ve been in the scene since COLLEGE (did I mention I’m 50 ). I write this blog. I’ve been doing PR and bookings for bands since 2008ish. My dad was a drummer in multiple bands almost his whole life. I went to gigs with him as a kid!


I dug deeper. I read it again. Checked to see if it was AI generated (it wasn’t). I clicked on EVERY band listed. Turns out Dog Voices wasn’t the only band that was a sweet memory. There were multiple dead links or links to bands who haven’t played in years.


But you know what? That’s ok.


Petty Betty is gonna make a new list. Here’s The Flying Garter’s “INdefinitive” List of NJ Cover Bands/Musicians that I either:

  • Love

  • Highly recommend (meaning they probably play too much Bruce for me but they are still awesome and you should see them)

  • Want to see but haven’t and plan on seeing this year


And just for fun, those bands that are long gone and I miss…hey you never know…Big Orange Cone did a reunion at The Stone Pony a few years ago!


Bands I love (and yes I gotta start with the bands <in italics> I promote because I do indeed love them).

·       Stretch & The Armstrongs

·       Mini KISS

·       RadioStar

·       Mountain Jam Band

·       Josh Zuckerman Band

·       Mushmouth

·       New Yacht City

·       Nine Deez Night

·       Generation Next

·       Pat Roddy

·       Big Hix

·       P-Funk North

·       Black Dog

·       Predator Dub Assassins

·       Brian Kirk & the Kirks

·       Remember Jones

·       Chuck Lambert

·       Rubix Cube

·       Cranston Dean

·       Screaming Broccoli

·       Crushed Rock

·       Sean Patrick and the Alibis

·       Crystal Ship

·       Skinny Amigos

·       Dennis Zimmer

·       Southern Steel

·       Eddie Testa

·       Sugardragon

·       Enjoy the Band

·       Suit and Mai Tai

·       Event Horizon

·       Super Trans Am

·       Friend Zone

·       Temporary Grace

·       Garden State Groove

·       The Bellas

·       Guns 4 Hire

·       The Benjamins

·       Illegally Blind

·       The Cliffs

·       James Dalton

·       The Dogs

·       Jo and the Highland Express

·       The Nerds

·       Johnny Fish and the Fins

·       Tusk

·       Let the Led Out

·       Xol Azul

·       Mamadrama

·       Yacht Lobsters

·       Matt O’Ree

·       The Alt

·       Moroccan Sheepherders

·       Random Test Reggae

 

Bands I cannot wait to see:

·       13 Til Midnight

·       Plan A

·       3 Day Weekend

·       Poc Fada

·       Aurin

·       Pour Boys

·       Bangin Cougars

·       Pure McCartney

·       Black Ties

·       Radio Royalty

·       Blame it on the Girl

·       Radio Stranger

·       Blonde Sabbath

·       Rebel Y’all

·       Drop Dead Sexy

·       Rock Bottom

·       E Boro Bandits

·       Shorty Long

·       Gab Cinque

·       Shut Up Gus

·       Grunge Junkies

·       So Shot

·       Joe Baracata Band

·       Squad 5

·       John Rafferty

·       Suburban Disturbance

·       John Rogers Soul Band

·       Talking in Cursive

·       Level Up

·       The Blue Highways

·       Meg Cannon

·       The Haven

·       Mike Dalton Band

·       The Polish Nannies

·       New Power Soul

·       The Ruckus

·       Next Wave

·       The Toga Party

·       No Standards

·       The White Lights

·       Noize Candy

·       Undisputed

·       Not Leaving Sober

·       Whiskey Business

·       Party Train

·       Who Brought the Dog

·       The Embers

·       The Black Ties

 

Bands I miss (reunion time!):

  • Dog Voices

  • Big Orange Cone

  • Fuzzy Bunny Slippers

  • Lifespeed

  • Love Pumps

  • Love Lies Bleeding

  • Flying Mueller Brothers


I’m sorry if I missed anyone. Truly. I tried to list every band I could possibly think of and I’m sure I am missing someone.


So no, this is not nearly the “complete,” “definitive” or final word on NJ cover bands. That’s my whole point. The scene is too big, too talented and too alive to be wrapped up in one list. My list isn’t meant to crown any winners. It’s meant to celebrate the bands that keep this beautiful cover band scene alive in NJ, the ones that drive my love of live music, the ones that inspired me and Jenny to start this blog and continue to inspire me to write. It’s for all the musicians – the ones who’ve been grinding for decades and the ones just getting started.


This is my INdefinitive list -  based on three decades of shows, late nights, friendships, dancing til my feet hurt and seeing my fav songs come to life from these bands.


So who did I miss? Who should me and Jenny see next? If your favorite band isn’t here yet, that doesn’t mean they don’t matter — it just means I haven’t had my moment with them (yet). Drop your favs in the comments – because the only real “definitive” guide to NJ cover bands is the one we build together.


Thanks kitty kats. 💗


Hugs & Kisses,

Cha Cha Cherry🍒 – one music-loving, slightly petty, highly experienced blogger who has pushed her way to the front of the stage since the 90s


 
 
 

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