October 30th, Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry
Candlebox and Sponge Deliver a Powerful Dose of ’90s Alternative Rock at Starland Ballroom
Some bands don’t just take you back to a particular era of music; they remind you why that era mattered in the first place. Back in my mid 20’s I remember creating a “mix-tape” from my collection of CD’s that I named “Parkway Special”. I would play this tape on my trips to and from the Jersey Shore up and down the Garden State Parkway. That tape was filled with 90’s alternative rock bands and Sponge and Candlebox held many positions in the mix. I’d sing my head off and it helped pass the time.
For me this was more than a trip down memory lane. It was an opportunity to experience two bands whose music helped shape an entire generation, bringing together familiar anthems, gritty performances, and the kind of live energy that never seems to get old. That was exactly the case when Seattle alternative rock veterans Candlebox brought their signature blend of hard-hitting guitars, emotional intensity, and radio-ready rock anthems to Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. With Detroit’s own Sponge kicking off the evening, the night became a celebration of everything that made ’90s alternative rock such a defining force in modern music.
Sponge wasted little time getting the crowd fired up, delivering a gritty, high-energy performance that immediately established the night’s attitude. Best known for their breakout success with the 1994 album Rotting Piñata, the band brought plenty of swagger and muscular guitar work to the Starland stage. Their unmistakable alternative-rock sound was tailor-made for the room, blending distorted riffs, infectious hooks, and the raw-edged vocals that helped define their place in the ’90s rock explosion.
Frontman Vinnie Dombroski commanded the stage with the confidence of someone who has spent decades delivering these songs to devoted audiences. The band wasted no time delivering fan favorites, opening with “Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)” before rolling into “Molly (16 Candles Down the Drain)” and “Glue.” The energy continued with “Got to Be a Bore,” “Have You Seen Mary,” and “Treat Me Wrong,” giving fans a healthy dose of material from throughout their catalog. To close out the set when the opening notes of “Plowed” rang out, Kevin Martin of Candlebox joined the band to deliver a close that had the crowd completely energized for the remainder of the evening.
The band’s performance served as a reminder that Sponge was never simply a one-hit wonder. Their catalog is packed with memorable material that took me back to my cassette and CD days, and their live presentation demonstrated that these songs still have plenty of punch. Sponge accomplished exactly what a great opening act should do: energize the audience, establish the evening’s tone, and leave everyone ready for more.
When Candlebox took the stage, the energy inside Starland Ballroom shifted into another gear. Led by longtime frontman Kevin Martin, the Seattle rockers delivered a performance fueled by passion, intensity, and an unmistakable connection to the music that launched them into the mainstream during the early ’90s. From the opening moments, Martin was completely invested, bringing his trademark vocal grit and emotional delivery to a collection of songs that have stood the test of time.
Candlebox’s self-titled 1993 debut remains one of the most recognizable records of the alternative-rock era, and the band leaned into that legacy with a performance that gave longtime fans plenty to celebrate. Songs like “You,” “Far Behind,” “Cover Me,” and “Change” showcased the band’s ability to move seamlessly between explosive guitar-driven rock and more introspective, emotionally charged moments. The familiar opening riffs brought immediate recognition from the audience, with fans singing along to the lyrics and embracing every opportunity to reconnect with the soundtrack of their youth.
Martin remains an engaging and unpredictable frontman, balancing intensity with an appreciation for the audience in front of him. His vocal delivery carried the emotional weight of the band’s biggest songs, while the guitar work provided the muscular foundation that has always separated Candlebox from many of their contemporaries. There was nothing overly polished or manufactured about the performance. It was straight-ahead rock and roll, delivered with conviction and the kind of chemistry that only comes from years spent performing together.
The excitement reached another level when the opening notes of “Far Behind” filled Starland Ballroom. Arguably the band’s signature song, it remains an emotionally charged piece of songwriting that resonates just as strongly today as it did when it first dominated rock radio. The additional surprise came when Sponge reciprocated and joined Candlebox onstage for another special collaborative moment. Kevin Martin and the Detroit rockers brought both bands together for “Far Behind,” creating an exciting crossover that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.
Rather than simply delivering two separate performances, the bands gave the audience something extra. It was a fitting celebration of the camaraderie shared by artists who came up during the same influential period in rock music. Both bands represented different sides of the same musical movement. Sponge brought the grittier, heavier edge of ’90s alternative rock, while Candlebox delivered the melodic hooks, emotional songwriting, and arena-sized choruses that helped define the Seattle sound. Together, they created an evening that felt less like a throw-back exercise and more like a reminder that great rock music never really goes out of style. Candlebox then closed things out with “You” and “Rain,” providing a powerful finish to a night that celebrated the enduring appeal of alternative rock.
Starland Ballroom proved to be the perfect setting for the occasion. Its intimate atmosphere brought the audience close to the action, allowing the guitars, vocals, and sheer energy of both performances to resonate throughout the room. There was a genuine appreciation between the bands and the fans, with an audience that clearly understood the significance of the music being played. In an era when rock music continues to evolve in countless directions, Candlebox and Sponge demonstrated that the foundations laid decades ago remain as relevant as ever. This wasn’t simply about revisiting old favorites; it was about celebrating songs that continue to connect generations of rock fans.
By the time the evening wrapped up, one thing was clear: the ’90s alternative-rock movement still has plenty of life left in it. Candlebox delivered the emotional punch, Sponge supplied the attitude, and Starland Ballroom provided the perfect backdrop for a night of unapologetic, guitar-driven rock and roll.
What made Friday night’s performance so enjoyable was the realization that neither band is simply living off its past. Sponge and Candlebox continue to deliver the kind of passionate, guitar-driven performances that made them important contributors to the alternative-rock movement in the first place. Two bands, decades of alternative-rock history, and one memorable night in Sayreville. Candlebox and Sponge reminded everyone why the ’90s were such a special time for rock music—and why these songs still deserve to be played loud.
For more info please visit http://www.candleboxrocks.com http://www.spongetheband.com