3AM Tokyo's Picasso Brown says Sea Isle crowds never age themselves out of partying
Brown, who goes back and forth to his home in New York between shows, says Jersey Shore crowds appreciate live music, in a world where DJs are the staple.
It was a typical Shore trifecta for Picasso Brown, leader of the popular band 3AM Tokyo: Friday in North Wildwood, Saturday in Avalon, Sunday in Sea Isle.
Despite the bad weather over Memorial Day weekend, the crowds came, dancing to a mix of covers and original music from the longtime Jersey Shore performers.
Brown, who says he goes back and forth to his home in New York between shows, says Jersey Shore crowds appreciate live music in a world where DJs are the staple.
“We’re a cover band, but we throw our original music in the show,” Brown said in an interview. “Nobody really knows.
In a decade playing down the Shore, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and producer has noticed a difference between Sea Isle and Avalon. Whereas Avalon crowds are mostly 30 and under, Sea Isle’s crowds basically don’t age themselves out of partying.
“It’s a totally different crowd,” he said. “I think the Princeton [in Avalon] more of a 30 and under crowd. whereas in Sea Isle, it’s more of a mix, 25, 30s, 40s, everyone.”
Brown and his band members have made a career playing music full-time, he said, by making Shore clubs — like the Inlet in North Wildwood, Kix in Sea Isle City, the Princeton in Avalon, Rush Lounge in A.C., and Rusty Rudder and Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, Del. — their bread and butter. They’re also regulars in the Carolinas and Florida.
“I’m a writer/producer by trade. I’ve worked with multiple national acts,” he said. “I have this amazing band I’ve built from the ground up. It’s been going for years.
“I’ve been playing Atlantic City forever, in Sea isle, Avalon [for] eight, 10 years.”
His advice to musicians is, “You can make a career out of what we do. This could be your job. My band, everybody’s full time. This is what we do.”
After his busy Memorial Day weekend, Brown answered a few of our questions.
What’s the overall music vibe at the Jersey Shore?
The thing about the Jersey Shore, they love live music. In a climate where DJs are the main staple, Jersey Shore bands with live music are the staple.
Has the scene changed over the years?
I think years ago people came out earlier, now they just come out later. Their attention span is a little less.
Favorite beach?
I would say Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
Favorite summer breakfast?
Take me to Denny’s and get me a Moons Over My Hammy.
Perfect beach day?
I’m not really a beach person. For me the perfect beach day would really be renting a boat or Jet Skis. Stopping and having some drinks.
Perfect night?
A good show.
Favorite Shore meal/restaurant?
I’m two hours away from any gig and go back and forth. I’ll go to Wawa or something, that’s even if I’m hungry.
When summer approaches, I feel...
Excited.
Surfing or fishing?
Deep-sea fishing.
Shore pet peeve?
Parking. I think that’s probably everybody’s problem.
The Shore music scene could be improved if...
I honestly think it’s our responsibility, the bands and the DJs, to give people new music instead of giving the audience the same stuff that everyone plays. All the DJs need to introduce music. That’s how it used to be. Bands used to introduce songs, and get people saying, what’s that song. I’m very big on that. We don’t play a lot of songs that everybody plays. We do our own mixes of them. Something that people may not know yet.
