Digest

The podcast begins with Joey and Lee returning after a break, catching up on their recent activities and expressing condolences for those affected by the California wildfires. Lee shares his experiences in New York, including his love for the city and the challenges he faces as a stand-up comedian. Joey recounts his daughter's 12th birthday celebration and reflects on his own childhood in North Bergen. The conversation then shifts to a discussion with guest Steve Avilla, a long-time friend and family member. They reminisce about their shared history, including their first meeting at Our Lady of Libera and their experiences playing music together. They delve into their shared experiences growing up in North Bergen, highlighting the unique character of the town and the strong sense of community. They discuss the diverse personalities they encountered and the wild antics they engaged in. Joey and Steve continue their reminiscing, focusing on their shared love for music and the concerts they attended together. They recall specific shows, including Ted Nugent and AC/DC, and the wild atmosphere of those events. Joey shares his observations about the Comedy Store and North Bergen, comparing them to a "cult" and a "tribe," respectively. He believes that both places have a unique energy that attracts and unites people. Joey emphasizes the importance of community and the lasting impact of his upbringing in North Bergen. He describes the close-knit relationships he formed and how the town's character has remained relatively unchanged over time. Joey and Steve reflect on the colorful characters they encountered in North Bergen, highlighting the unique personalities and the impact they had on their lives. They discuss the importance of these individuals in shaping their sense of humor and their memories. Joey shares stories about Nick's Pizzeria, a local establishment known for its unique character and the wild antics that took place there. He recounts the bizarre incidents involving flies, jewelry, and even a customer who ate a bicycle. The conversation starts with a nostalgic look back at North Bergen bars, particularly "Corkey's," known for its loud jukebox and strict age policy. The discussion then shifts to a local bar near a cemetery, famous for its ice-cold beer. The speakers discuss the impact of the death of musician Leonard Skinner on the music scene. They believe his death paved the way for other bands to rise to prominence, particularly in the Southern Rock genre. The conversation turns to the speaker's journey into the world of music. He recounts his early experiences playing guitar in a band on 51st Street and later forming a band with friends. He emphasizes the importance of music as an outlet and stress reliever. The speakers discuss their music preferences, with one expressing his fondness for classic rock and the other highlighting the importance of music as a constant companion. The conversation then touches on the speaker's wife's love for gadgets and her tendency to buy them even when they're not needed. The conversation concludes with a humorous recollection of the speakers' youthful adventures, including their daily walks up a steep hill in North Bergen and their experiences in the local cemetery.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, Catch-up, and North Bergen Memories

The podcast hosts, Joey and Lee, return after a break, expressing their apologies for the absence and catching up on their recent activities. They also extend their condolences to those affected by the California wildfires. Lee shares his experiences in New York, including his love for the city and the challenges he faces as a stand-up comedian. He discusses the difficulty of finding the motivation to put together a good set and the awkwardness of hanging out at comedy clubs. Joey recounts his daughter's 12th birthday celebration, including the party at Dave & Buster's and the presence of her boyfriend. He reflects on his own childhood in North Bergen, sharing anecdotes about his family, friends, and the wild experiences they shared.

00:15:35

Introducing Steve Avilla and North Bergen's Unique Character

Joey introduces his guest, Steve Avilla, a long-time friend and family member. They reminisce about their shared history, including their first meeting at Our Lady of Libera and their experiences playing music together. Joey and Steve delve into their shared experiences growing up in North Bergen, highlighting the unique character of the town and the strong sense of community. They discuss the diverse personalities they encountered and the wild antics they engaged in.

00:32:36

Music, Memories, and Mischief in North Bergen

Joey and Steve continue their reminiscing, focusing on their shared love for music and the concerts they attended together. They recall specific shows, including Ted Nugent and AC/DC, and the wild atmosphere of those events. Joey shares his observations about the Comedy Store and North Bergen, comparing them to a "cult" and a "tribe," respectively. He believes that both places have a unique energy that attracts and unites people.

00:42:03

The Importance of Community and North Bergen's Enduring Character

Joey emphasizes the importance of community and the lasting impact of his upbringing in North Bergen. He describes the close-knit relationships he formed and how the town's character has remained relatively unchanged over time. Joey and Steve reflect on the colorful characters they encountered in North Bergen, highlighting the unique personalities and the impact they had on their lives. They discuss the importance of these individuals in shaping their sense of humor and their memories.

00:50:13

Nick's Pizzeria, North Bergen Bars, and Music Memories

Joey shares stories about Nick's Pizzeria, a local establishment known for its unique character and the wild antics that took place there. He recounts the bizarre incidents involving flies, jewelry, and even a customer who ate a bicycle. The conversation starts with a nostalgic look back at North Bergen bars, particularly "Corkey's," known for its loud jukebox and strict age policy. The discussion then shifts to a local bar near a cemetery, famous for its ice-cold beer.

01:01:52

Leonard Skinner's Death and the Music Scene

The speakers discuss the impact of the death of musician Leonard Skinner on the music scene. They believe his death paved the way for other bands to rise to prominence, particularly in the Southern Rock genre.

01:19:30

From Porch Bands to Pass Masters: A Musical Journey

The conversation turns to the speaker's journey into the world of music. He recounts his early experiences playing guitar in a band on 51st Street and later forming a band with friends. He emphasizes the importance of music as an outlet and stress reliever.

01:26:43

Music Preferences, Gadgets, and North Bergen Hill Memories

The speakers discuss their music preferences, with one expressing his fondness for classic rock and the other highlighting the importance of music as a constant companion. The conversation then touches on the speaker's wife's love for gadgets and her tendency to buy them even when they're not needed. The conversation concludes with a humorous recollection of the speakers' youthful adventures, including their daily walks up a steep hill in North Bergen and their experiences in the local cemetery.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges that Lee faces as a stand-up comedian in New York?

  Lee struggles to find the motivation to put together a good set and feels awkward hanging out at comedy clubs, especially when he's not performing. He feels like he's not doing anything right and needs to develop a plan for his time.

• What are some of the unique aspects of North Bergen that Joey and Steve remember from their childhood?

  North Bergen had a strong sense of community, with diverse personalities and a wild, sometimes chaotic atmosphere. They recall specific characters, events, and traditions that made the town unique, such as the Cuckoo Juice punch, bobbing for crabs, and the wild concerts they attended.

• How did Joey's experiences in North Bergen shape his perspective on life and humor?

  Joey believes that his upbringing in North Bergen gave him a master's degree in "political science, crime, and how to wake up with no money and have $50 by lunchtime." He learned to be resourceful, resilient, and to embrace the unexpected. The characters and events he encountered in North Bergen provided him with a rich source of material for his comedy.

• What are some of the key differences between North Bergen and the Comedy Store, according to Joey?

  Joey sees North Bergen as a "tribe" with a unique energy that attracts and unites people, while the Comedy Store is more like a "cult" where a specific type of humor is celebrated. He believes that both places have a special energy that draws people in.

• How has Joey's perspective on North Bergen changed over time?

  While Joey initially viewed North Bergen as a "dump," he now recognizes its importance in shaping his life and personality. He appreciates the town's unique character and the lessons he learned there. He also acknowledges that the town has remained relatively unchanged, which he finds comforting.

• What was Corkey's known for?

  Corkey's was a popular bar in North Bergen, New Jersey, known for its loud jukebox and strict age policy. It was a popular hangout spot for locals, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.

• How did Leonard Skinner's death impact the music scene?

  The speakers believe that Leonard Skinner's death paved the way for other bands to rise to prominence, particularly in the Southern Rock genre. They argue that his death created a void that other bands were able to fill.

• What is the speaker's current band called?

  The speaker's current band is called Pass Masters. He has been a part of the band for almost 20 years and enjoys playing with his bandmates.

Show Notes