The Afterbangs

Back in 2000, on the heels of two consecutive Asbury Music Award nominations with his band The (Something) Experimental, Chris McKeon answered that fabled call from out West and became a music academic in the mountains of California. It took six years of pushing faders as a faculty member in a college recording studio while working on a Masters thesis on the birth of blues before Chris finally raced back to his roots in the Jersey Shore music scene. Armed with inspired new material steeped in influences like Muddy Waters, Band of Gypsies, and The Stooges, The Afterbangs assembled itself during the summer of '07 thanks to some kindred spirits and a shared frustration for the condition of rock n roll fans. The trio sought to revive the sense of a shared experience between band and fans and deliver shows that were fun and interactive for everyone there. Everyone dances. Everyone sweats. Everyone has fun. And everyone comes back. It worked. 2008 saw The Afterbangs playing night after night to increasing crowds all over the Jersey Shore and NYC. 10 song sets range from 40 minutes to 90 minutes, not because The Afterbangs jam incessantly, but because they play to the crowd. The Afterbangs frequently alter the set and the songs on the fly to match the room just like the good old days. In turn the line between audience and performer blurs in a memorable way that makes each show unique. This all too uncommon approach to their live shows grabbed The Afterbangs 2 Asbury Music Award nominations for Top Rock Band and Top Blues Band. Recording has thus far remained an old fashioned cut-it-while-its-hot process. The results are the popular sing-along "Get Low", the high-energy "Banjo & Silva" and the dance-your-ass-off remake of Howlin Wolf's "Shake For Me". A full-length project is in the works. Stay tuned.