Skyfactor and The Brand New Steadys at the South Orange Elks (Feb 6)
Friday night in South Orange isn’t usually the place you’d expect to find twenty years of NYC rock history, but the “First Friday” series at the South Orange Elks Lodge (220 Prospect Street) tends to pull some surprises.
On February 6th, the lodge hosts a double bill that’s actually worth the $10 cover—especially since that money goes right back into the Elks’ local charitable work.
The night kicks off at 8:00 PM with Skyfactor. These guys started on an East Village rooftop two decades ago when longtime friends Bob Ziegler (vocals) and Jon Rubin (guitar) linked up with Jon’s brother, Cliff Rubin (bass), and later, drummer Jason Taylor.
If the name sounds familiar, you’ve probably heard them on SiriusXM or caught that clip of Jack Black dancing to their music on The Eric Andre Show.
They aren’t just showing up to play the old stuff, though. The real draw here is the recent record, Master Plan (out via Deko/Warner).
It’s their most ambitious move yet, trading in standard indie-rock tropes for a bigger, more layered production that features David Cook (Taylor Swift) on keys and even a full string section on a few tracks.
It’s a full sound—heavy on melodic guitar parts and catchy choruses—that feels like a natural evolution for a band that’s spent years opening for acts like Soul Asylum and Marc Cohn.
And playing epic shows at NYC’s The Bitter End.
Following them at 9:30 PM is The Brand New Steadys, who will keep the room moving through the rest of the night.
It’s a rare chance to see a seasoned quartet like Skyfactor in a room as stripped-back and honest as the Elks Lodge just as they’re hitting a new creative peak.
The Essentials:
- Venue: South Orange Elks Lodge, 220 Prospect St.
- Timing: Skyfactor at 8 PM / The Brand New Steadys at 9:30 PM.
- Entry: $15 at the door (Proceeds benefit Elks Charities).
