The Fist Pumps

You don't have to live on the Jersey Shore to engage in some good old-fashioned fist pumping. At 9 p.m. Friday, you can dance the night away with The Fist Pumps during their free debut concert at Yo y Papa in Morristown.
Fronted by Bergenfield resident Kenn "M.C. Dee Frost" Moutenot, who has worked with Buddy Miles and now serves as drummer, singer and road manager for Deodato (producer behind names such as Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire), the band was born when a group of musicians wanted to spend a summer off from touring to host Jersey Shore-inspired dance parties.
Friday night's performance will feature Moutenot on vocals and acoustic and electric drums alongside New York City resident Charlie "Chazzy T" Torres, who tours with Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter, on guitars, vocals and percussion. The band also includes Phillip George "Philly G" Henry, who performs with Shaggy and Steel Pulse.
"We're usually touring this time of year, but since Deodato is going to be working in Italy, and Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter were snatched up by Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band for the summer, we asked ourselves what we should do with our time off," Moutenot said.
Inspired by the buzz around the reality television show "Jersey Shore" and the fist-pumping craze, the band plays popular radio dance anthems such as Beyonce's "Single Ladies," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Rihanna's "Umbrella." The Fist Pumps also toss songs by Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West into their repertoire.
"We're not just a pop or blues band. We play all the different songs people want to hear, and we try to satisfy everybody. Once we start, the beat doesn't stop until the end of the night," Moutenot said. "You won't be able to stop dancing."
Though Friday marks their debut performance, the band recently stopped by Pub 66 in Dover for a "practice" show, which attracted more than 250 locals. After searching for a local venue to perform weekly gigs this summer, The Fist Pumps recently lined up The Pavilion in Budd Lake for Endless Summer Saturdays — a 12-hour concert of indoor/outdoor music on the lake that stretches from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
"We're so honored and thrilled to perform with the people we've gotten to work with over the years, but now that we're back in New Jersey, we wanted to find a place to play and dance all summer as The Fist Pumps," Moutenot said.
They'll line up special guest bands, musicians and disc jockeys to play everything from reggae to rock to funk to hip-hop, and there will also be games such as pool and shuffleboard, contests and a barbecue pit with plenty of food and drink specials.
"Now we have a home for the summer, and we're going to put a lot of effort and energy into making this a really happening place," he said. "This is the Jersey Shore party for Morris County." Go to www.song3.com

- Daily Record Morris County New Jersey