The Gaslight Anthem Defend New Jersey

Posted on Jun 12th 2009 1:30PM by Dan Reilly
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Chances are, if you're reading about punk-soul rockers the Gaslight Anthem, you're going to come across a reference to their home state of New Jersey and its most famous resident, Bruce Springsteen. Like every other resident, they've heard their share of Garden State putdowns. "People base it on seeing Newark Airport to New York City," drummer Benny Horowitz says during a recent taping in Spinner's New York studios. "They think we're just some giant industrial, Toxic Avenger wasteland."

"I really don't know why people pick on Jersey," continues bassist Alex Levine. "I think they're jealous." "There are a lot of beautiful things to see," says Horowitz. "The pine barrens, cranberries." "You can ski and surf," says lead guitarist Alex Rosamilia. "The pine barrens. The Devils. The Jersey Devil," continues Horowitz. "The people are awesome. They're mean but they're honest and amazing."

In the minds of many critics and fans, that Jersey heritage leads to a constant comparision between the band and the Boss -- Google Springtseen and Gaslight Anthem and you'll get over 150,000 results -- and they understand. "I think it's an association thing," frontman Brian Fallon says. "I think if we were from Minnesota, they'd bring up Bob Dylan or if we were from Southern California they'd bring up Social Distortion." Lyrically, Fallon pays homage to Bruce in several of the band's songs, so it's not the laziest of assessments -- and the band is okay with that. "I don't blame anyone for that," Fallon says. "It's what their perspective is on the band. It's good that they're talking about it instead of not."

But lest anyone think the references to blue collar life and classic cars in songs like 'Old White Lincoln' are an imitation, Fallon claims it's simply a product of their upbringing. "We saw and grew up in the same places," he says. "I really like old cars. My father and I used to work on my mother's cars but not as a hobby -- we couldn't afford to buy a car just to restore. It was out of necessity, and someday, I hope to buy a '49 Mercury." Despite the band's current success behind their second album, 'The '59 Sound,' none of the members have splurged on anything, let alone new wheels. "I think I'm the only one that owns a car right now," says drummer Benny Horowitz. "And it's a '97 Corolla DX."

Topping the band's wishlist is an upgrade from their Econoline van – aka "Bob Gnarly" – to a full-fledged tour bus. "Maybe in a couple years," Fallon says. "I heard that you could get that television thing. Buy a movie and watch that TV box. Whoo. Fancy." With an upcoming gig at London's Hyde Park opening for Springsteen and Dave Matthews Band followed by European and North American tours, these New Brunswick boys likely won't be waiting long.

The Gaslight Anthem on the Interface