THE SHOCK MOMMIES

Long Branch's Shock Mommies were talented, fast, loud, obnoxious, very funny, and very young — an antidote to the talented, slow, loud, dark, humorless, and old-before-their-time bands populating the Court Tavern. When playing an all-ages benefit in town (which they did with some regularity), their entourage would rush the stage, only to be knocked off by front guy Jim Norton's fake wrestling moves. When playing the Court Tavern, minus (underage) entourage, they'd face a bunch of leather-clad, frowning, crossed-arms skeptics, and make the most of it. "Court Tavern, Home of the Stars"? Norton sneered one night. "Pit of Death is more like it." That night they played "Peanut Butter and Jam," a ten minute tour of genres containing only the line "I like peanut butter and jam." About seven minutes in, Mark Saxton de-tuned his guitar down to sludge while intoning, "I like getting away with this...I like getting paid for this." And beyond the barrage of jokes, a bunch of great songs. This can be difficult to ascertain from the third- or fourth-generation cassette that is Just Add Water, but if you were there you can still hear the magic. Bassist Joe Calandra and drummer Jon Kleiman later played with Jersey legends Monster Magnet.

This flyer embodies all things Shock Mommies. The copy is a laugh riot, and the photo (by Augusto F. Menezes) of Saxton playing lead on Norton's shoulders captures a frequent live highlight .

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE]