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The Historic Asbury Casino: A Seaside Icon Lost to Time

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The Asbury Park Casino, once a glittering beacon of entertainment on New Jersey's Jersey Shore, stands as a poignant symbol of the rise and fall of American seaside resorts. Built in the early 20th century and reborn in grander form after a devastating fire, the Casino anchored the southern end of Asbury Park's iconic boardwalk. It was more than a building; it was a hub of joy, culture, and community, hosting everything from ice-skating rinks to legendary music precursors. Though no longer operational and partially demolished, its history reflects broader shifts in tourism, economics, and urban decay. From its origins in a burgeoning resort town to its current skeletal remnants, the Asbury Casino's story is one of ambition, vibrancy, and inevitable decline. Asbury Park itself was founded in 1871 by James A. Bradley, a devout Methodist brush manufacturer from New York City, who envisioned a wholesome seaside retreat free from vices like alcohol and gambling. Named after Meth...
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A few bands that performed at Studio 1 in the 80s and 90s

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Studio 1 (also known as Studio One) in Newark, NJ, was a key venue in the late 1980s and 1990s metal and rock scene, often hosting up-and-coming bands before they achieved widespread fame. Based on concert archives, venue histories, and fan recollections, several acts performed there early in their careers and later became major successes—defined here as achieving multi-platinum sales, headlining arenas or festivals, and gaining significant cultural impact in rock or metal. Here's a list of those that fit the "mega band" criteria, with performance details where available: Pantera : Performed on September 21, 1990, during the early Cowboys From Hell tour, shortly after their major-label debut. This was before their breakthrough with 1992's Vulgar Display of Power and 1994's Far Beyond Driven (which debuted at #1 on Billboard). They went on to become one of the most influential groove metal bands, selling over 20 million albums worldwide and headlining massive tours...
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Type O Negative - Studio 1 in Newark, NJ, on April 3, 1993

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  Gothic Doom in the Garden State: Type O Negative's Pivotal 1993 Show at Studio 1, Newark On April 3, 1993, the industrial underbelly of Newark, New Jersey, pulsed with a dark energy as Type O Negative took the stage at Studio 1. This concert, occurring just months before the release of their breakthrough album Bloody Kisses , captured the band at a transitional moment—blending their raw, sludge-laden origins with the gothic allure that would soon propel them to cult stardom. For the assembled crowd of metalheads, goths, and curious locals, it was a night of crushing riffs, sardonic humor, and atmospheric intensity, set against the backdrop of a venue that defined New Jersey's underground rock scene in the 1990s. Studio 1, located at 88-90 Verona Avenue in Newark's north end, was more than a mere nightclub; it was a beacon for alternative music enthusiasts across the tri-state area. Originally evolving from a dance club in the late 1980s, it featured a two-floor layout: t...
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