Sneak Attack performs crowd-pleasers other cover bands are ‘scared to play’

Sneak Attack, self-described as a “rock and roll band that plays cover songs,” might get carried away during shows. But that’s exactly what everyone loves about them.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
On stage, vocalist Mike Delgado
sneaks in some of his dance moves.

The group, made up of five local guys, including lead vocalist Mike Delgado, Matt Rott on lead guitar, rhythm guitarist John Geoff, Glen X Ten on bass and Steve Szymanski on drums, didn’t skip a beat Friday night at Joe Pop’s Shore Bar and Restaurant in Ship Bottom, where they rallied for another gig after playing earlier for a David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation fundraiser at Barnegat High School.

“We love helping the community and local causes because we’re from here. We like to support our own people,” X Ten told The SandPaper after the first set at the bar.

“But we still melt people’s faces off when they come to our shows,” Delgado added.

With more of a punk-rock edge, the band played a mix of music from the 1970s to today. Some crowd favorites include Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars, as well as “Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Matt Rott breaks it down on guitar.

The band’s set list has become recognizable to those who often come out and join in on even the lyrics that Delgado tweaks a bit. But the band members said they’re also looking to add in some older songs crowds don’t often hear cover bands play.

“We play the songs everyone wants to hear, that other cover bands are scared to play,” said Szymanski.

Of course, the latest songs the audience wants to hear are always on queue.

“We’ve got to stay up on the Top 40 hits. When T. Swift puts out something, we’re expected to be on that. We’ve got to be on that; that’s what people listen to us for,” said X Ten. “If Kesha wants to record again, we can be on that.”

The band usually performs in matching black-and-white tuxedo shirts, but they’ll be stepping up their game with a new design, they said. Band shirts will also be available for purchase at their shows.

“You can’t buy them anyplace else, only from us,” said X Ten. “You can only get them at shows. We don’t deal with the mail. We want it to be personal; they’re going to be a part of the team. We’re a band for the people. We’re a people band, and whatever else the dollar says.”

Aside from weddings, which the band now plays, music-goers will have plenty of chances to see Sneak Attack perform throughout the summer. Starting Wednesday, May 20, the group will be performing biweekly at The Marlin in Beach Haven, where they’ll also be playing after the block party during Chowderfest in October. Every other week, they’ll be up at Nardi’s Tavern in Haven Beach.

“So we’ll be playing every week,” Szymanski said. “We’re officially LBI’s favorite cover band.”

The group will also continue to perform once a month on Saturday at the Old Causeway Steak and Oyster House in Manahawkin. The group has been playing there regularly since last August, and the public has been extremely receptive.

“We’re like the hardest people that play at Old Causeway, but they all love it,” said Rott.

“We were the first full band to play there,” X Ten pointed out. “We have a lot of fun, and we enjoy playing there.”

To celebrate their one-year anniversary playing at Old Causeway, Sneak Attack will hold a special show at the restaurant on the Fourth of July, and “there may be cake and party hats,” said Szymanski. A performance will also be held that day at The WooHoo, a new ice cream parlor and fast food restaurant in Beach Haven.

Sneak Attack will help say goodbye to summer visitors with a September show at Bayview Park’s summer concert series in Brant Beach.

“We’re closing out the season, so you start with us and end with us,” Szymanski said. “We’re the bookend of the summer band series. Everyone likes to begin and end on a great note, and they save the best for last.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.