Looking for a live band that plays pop, hip-hop and other modern dance tunes? Then the Nite Crawlers are not for you. The local five-piece band, which originally emerged in 1986 with lead singer and harmonica player Roy Hollingshead of Manahawkin, is not interested in playing teenybopper music. Set up inside the dining room of The Dutchman’s Bavarian Tavern on Friday night, the group busted out some seriously loud blues-roots rock, a mix of traditional, downhome-style blues with a daring, rock edge. Set lineups included both original and cover songs from bands such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Cray, Guitar Slim and Ronnie Earl.
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds Roy Collingshead, the only original member of the band, takes a break from singing to blow out a few notes on the harmonica. |
“Cover bands usually play the same kind of stuff. We’re keeping blues alive because it’s good music,” said guitarist Paul Strong “All Night Long” of Manahawkin, who has been playing with the band for more than 10 years. “It’s like telling old folk stories that were passed down from the cotton fields in Mississippi to Chicago to New Orleans and to New Jersey. We do it with a little bit of rock because that’s what we grew up on. We didn’t all grow up picking cotton, so we’re trying to authenticate it,” he explained.
Other band members include guitarist Dave Jones of Manahawkin, who also plays with Third Watch, as well as solo; bassist Al Scherr of Lanoka Harbor, “the new kid on the block,” who picked up the instrument again in the mid-1990s and has been with the band for the past two years; and Jim Devaney of Parkertown, a self-taught drummer and a former captain of the Long Beach Township Police Department.
The group’s affinity for blues and rock music began years earlier and has not waned – a parallel that stimulates a genuine talent during the band’s live performances.
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds The Nite Crawlers get the weekend started with some loud blues-roots rock at The Dutchman's near LBI. |
“I always loved blues even before I really knew it,” said Strong. “When I was younger, I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix or Kiss, and Jimmy Paige, who was one of the greatest blues thieves of all time. Just ask Bruce Springsteen. He was influenced by all kinds of blues artists. I was influenced by a lot of local guys, too,” he added.
The band, clad in casual attire, including jeans, button-down T-shirts and sneakers or dress shoes, started playing its first set around 9 p.m. and didn’t stop for nearly two hours. Playing long sets is the band’s signature style.
“It costs a lot to go out, and you have to run the gauntlet with the police. We want to give people what they paid for,” said Strong. “And really, we just want to play; we don’t want to quit. Sometimes we’ll play a whole gig without a break for 3½ hours, and we don’t even know it. Breaks wear you out,” he added.
“If we take a break, I’ll have to go take a nap,” Scherr joked.
Although members of the packed audience, ranging in age from 25 to 55, did not brave the dance floor until 10:15, nobody could sit still. Everyone was caught bouncing to the music in their chairs as Hollingshead worked the harmonica and blew out high notes that would leave anyone else breathless. Fans clapped along to the quick tempos, nodding their heads, tapping their feet and even wiggling their toes. As cymbals crashed and guitar and bass strings wailed, the audience devoured snacks, sipped on cocktails and chatted in between. Applause erupted after each completed song, followed by cheers and high whistles.
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The band’s good, but everybody left the bar to go watch them,” said Andy Essinger, bartender at The Dutchman’s.
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds Jim Devaney, a self-taught drummer, loses himself in one of the band's original songs. |
The band’s unique charm appeared to be the cause. Its easy-going demeanor helped keep the audience feeling comfortable and free to vibe.
Hollingshead’s son, Roy, 28, and his long-time friend Jeffrey Kostiuk of Manahawkin, were not reluctant to express their enthusiasm for the band’s talent.
“I’ve been listening to the band since I was 2 years old. It’s in my blood,” said Roy, pounding his beer glass on the table to the beat of one of the band’s original songs, “One More Round.”
“It’s Friday night, and it’s early in the season, right after the storm. I should be in bed right now, but these guys are great. I have to go to work tomorrow, but I wouldn’t miss this,” added Jeffrey.
Although the night started out strong, half of the crowd ditched the show after the first set – a reason Hollingshead said the band has started playing earlier happy-hour performances.
“We have a more older following, and they don’t want to stay out until 1 or 2 in the morning. So we try to play longer sets so they get to hear a lot of good music,” he said.
“It’s time for a blues revival,” added Strong. “Hopefully Dutchman’s can facilitate that, and we can be a part of it.”
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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