Jon Stewart drums with Asbury Park’s ‘No Wine for Kittens’ for Suicide Prevention
(Photo: Brad Barket)
He’s with the band.
Comedian Jon Stewart played drums on the new song “Catastrophes” by the Asbury Park group No Wine for Kittens. Stewart got involved in the single through band drummer, Andy Bova, and he joined members Rick Barry, Emily Bornemann, Justin Bornemann and Bova Friday, Nov. 3 at Simple Sound Studios in Oceanport.
“As a new member, Jon did great,” Barry said. “He’s learning (drums) under Andy so it was a natural fit with what the band does.”
“Catastrophes” is an alluring mid-tempo atmospheric rocker with a haunting guitar accent. The track was submitted for the Speak Into My Good Eye 4th Annual 24 Hour Songwriting Challenge. Proceeds benefit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, according to organizers.
“I’ve done the challenge a few times now and thought this time it would be fun to participate as an ensemble,” Barry said. “It’s always something special to spend a day making music with your friends. Especially when you start from scratch and end the day with a finished product.”
No Wine for Kittens: The drummer has a van. (Photo: No Wine for Kittens)
Barry has a high profile in the Asbury Park music scene as a solo performer and the Bornemanns are known for their work with the hot indie band, Dentist. Stewart, a native of Lawrenceville who lives in Red Bank, starred on TV’s “The Daily Show” from 1999 to 2015. Since then, he’s kept a relatively low profile but he did host the Stand Up for Heroes veterans’ benefit at Theater at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 7.
He also announced two HBO stand-up comedy specials, including a headlining gig at the “Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs” on HBO, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, live from Madison Square Garden. Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Olivia Munn and more are also scheduled to perform.
Stewart does have a connection to the state’s music club scene. He was a bartender at the legendary City Gardens in Trenton from 1984 to ‘87.
Barry plays Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park with Maggie Rose and Dentist next plays in the city at the Freaksgiving: A Friendsgiving Fuzz Fest Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Asbury Park Brewery with Yawn Mower and the Rock ‘n’ Roll HiFives. There’s also going to be a facial hair contest, food trucks and more and it’s a benefit for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Right now, it’s a one-off for Stewart and No Wine for Kittens.
“We have no plans,” Barry said, “But I love what this group can do when we are together in a room. As long as everyone continues to have fun with it, I’ll be there when called upon.”
Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com; @chrisfhjordan.