Arts & Music Fest Preview: Mad Dog Mary

Good luck finding a band that's more excited about performing in Hoboken's biggest arts festival than Mad Dog Mary. The four Hoboken natives that make up the band have been trying to get into the annual spring Arts & Music Festival since they formed the band four years ago. 

"We finally did it," said drummer Tom Wassman. 

Wassman said he and the other band members—Steve Augustine, Gary Roz and Jack Legierse—are excited to come be performing in Hoboken for so many people. Two of the members still live in town. Wassman, who is from Hoboken, said he now lives in Nutley. 

Mad Dog Mary is a classic rock cover band. The four members met four years ago and practice at Wassman's basement. You may have caught them in other Hoboken venues such as Maxwell's or the Whiskey Bar. Still, there's nothing like the Arts and Music Festival, said Wassman, where "everybody and their mother" will be. 

Wassman—who describes himself as "old-school Hoboken"—said the band plays music from the sixties up to today. 

"We're not looking for a record deal," said Wassman, "we play just to have fun."

You can also catch Mad Dog Mary at the relay for life in Pier A Park on May 22.