South Jersey Seashore Lifeguard Convention Band: Dark Side of the Pool

It’s not surprising that a group with the name of South Jersey Seashore Lifeguard Convention Band has a muscular, beach bar band sound. The pounding drums, throbbing electric guitar, thumping bass, and effusive low vocals are a de rigueur part of the tradition. Lifeguard’s leader Vincent Brue sounds like he’s just come in from a day of sand and surf and is ready to PART-EEE! One can just imagine the sweaty dancers getting down to the beat. The Lifeguards’ clever, sardonic lyrics about the seashore revelry and the mornings after are unexpected. The band comes off as The Replacements of the Atlantic Ocean as the songs create sloppy drunk pictures of the perils of always living for the intoxicated moment. The music creatively matches the mixed emotions of having fun and is that all there is? Unfortunately for listeners, the band broke up before this album was released. Let’s hope this isn’t the last finger above the wave before the Lifeguards gasp their final breath.