Trio’s first performance a winner at house show

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

Jim Babjak Jim Babjak Call it alternative, call it psychedelic, call it rock and roll, call it whatever you like, it’s music, and the blended sounds of Jim Babjak and members of the Grip Weeds brought a great mix of it to Freehold Borough on Sept. 18.

Babjak, of Manalapan, lead guitarist for the rock band The Smithereens, and two members of the Grip Weeds were the featured artists at a house concert where rock music, a buffet supper and friendly conversation were the order of the afternoon at the home of Mark and Elaine Costanzo.

After a bit of snacking, mingling and meeting the musicians, guests settled in for the show, which featured the familiar music of Babjak, a bit softer in the more intimate setting, along with the Grip Weeds’ lead singer Kurt Reil, and lead guitarist Kristin Pinell, both of Highland Park. The trio created a new, rather cool sound — a little alternative, a little British Invasion, and a lot of rock and roll.

MARK COSTANZO Jim Babjak (l-r), Kristin Pinell and Kurt Reil perform for guests at a house concert in Freehold Borough on Sept. 18.MARK COSTANZO Jim Babjak (l-r), Kristin Pinell and Kurt Reil perform for guests at a house concert in Freehold Borough on Sept. 18. The musicians played songs from The Smithereens and Grip Weeds catalogs, including “Especially for You,” and tunes with a romantic sadness like “Lost in Love,” a song Babjak wrote which anyone who has felt the pang of unrequited love would relate to.

Reil, also a songwriter, performed his melodic tune “Morning Rain” with Pinell. “Closer to Love,” written by Pinell, rang true for anyone who remembers worrying about whether a love will stay if it gets too deep.

Although Babjak sang backup vocals this afternoon, he said he does not do that too often.

“I don’t like the sound of my own voice,” he said.

Luckily, people don’t agree with his assessment.

Babjak has recorded a solo album under the name “Buzzed Meg” and told the guests he had written more songs than The Smithereens could use, so he set out to find a new place to put those songs. He is now working on “Buzzed Meg, Part Two.”

In addition to their own material, the musicians covered “Girl Don’t Tell Me” by the Beach Boys, “No Expectations” by the Rolling Stones, and “Every Little Thing” by the Beatles.

Babjak said he and Reil have known each other for years, and have combined their talents in many venues. Babjak recorded a solo album at Reil’s Highland Park studio.

Although Babjak, Reil and Pinell, along with the two other members of the Grip Weeds, Reil’s brother, Rick, and Michael Kelly, have jammed together many times over the years, the Freehold Borough show marked the first time that Babjak, Reil and Pinell performed together on stage.

Babjak said it will not be the last time. He is pursuing more locations for the trio, including a return engagement at the Constanzos’ home.

Having fun and playing to audience members who are “attentive and who want to be there,” is great fun, according to Babjak, who recalled the early years in his career when that was not always the case.

Each musician offered remarks during the performance and brought the audience into the experience.

These days, Babjak is involved in many projects, including giving private guitar lessons. He said he loves teaching youngsters the basics of playing rock and roll. He enjoys seeing his students begin to play the music of the groups they love.

“I try to make it fun for them,” he said. “Parents tell me their kids love coming so that’s a good thing.”

Babjak’s students range in age from 10 to 45, and he said he is looking for more students, including adults of any age.

Freehold Borough resident Alice Coyne, 11, started taking lessons with Babjak in March and said she enjoys it.

“It’s fun and he teaches me music I know like Led Zeppelin and Green Day, not like old people’s music,” the youngster said.

Babjak brought his son, Thomas, 10, to the concert. Thomas is beginning to take guitar lessons with his dad.

When asked how it felt to have a dad who is a rock star, Thomas responded shyly, “It’s really cool.” He also allowed that it is “pretty cool” to hear his dad’s music on the radio.

“Teaching is tremendously rewarding, especially when the kids are happy about playing music they love,” Babjak said.

And how does he teach his students to play the music they hear on the radio?

“I just have to show them how to play it in slow motion first,” he said.

For information about guitar lessons call (732) 863-0815.