Who needs the Garden State soundtrack when you can crank these authentic Joy-zee natives, compiled in honor of this week’s Fountains of Wayne Vegas visit?
1. Bruce Springsteen, “My Hometown” (Born in the USA, 1984) Asbury Park may figure prominently in Springsteen lore, but it’s in Long Branch where the Boss’ carefree childhood, teenage turmoil and middle-age discontent play out.
2. Bon Jovi, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” (Have a Nice Day, 2005) Actually, Jon, it’s really not that hard: From New York City, take the Holland Tunnel to I-95/the Turnpike. Then Garden State Parkway South, and the Main Street Exit (124) takes you right to Sayreville.
3. My Chemical Romance, “Skylines and Turnstiles” (I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, 2002) Written after Gerard Way contemplated the smoke of September 11 floating across the Hudson River, this angsty rager also cemented his decision to get the hell out of Summit.
4. Frank Sinatra, “My Kind of Town” (Sinatra at the Sands, 1966) It may have been recorded in Vegas and refer to Chicago, but Old Blue Eyes will always remain Hoboken’s favorite native son.
5. The Misfits, “Astro Zombies” (Walk Among Us, 1982) A song covered by the likes of Pennywise, Molotov and fellow Jerseyites My Chemical Romance. The album that ushered in the birth of horror-punk.
6. Sugarhill Gang, “Rapper’s Delight” (Sugarhill Gang, 1980) Not only did Jersey spawn horror-punk, it also legitimized hip-hop with this first single of its genre to become a Top 40 hit.
7. Yo La Tengo, “Tears Are in Your Eyes” (And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out, 2000) Neither critical acclaim nor releasing 16 albums in 20 years can topple Sinatra’s Hoboken hold, but at least the trio scored some major pop-culture cred with a fifth-season Buffy the Vampire Slayer appearance.
8. Fountains of Wayne, “Stacy’s Mom” (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003) The band took its name from a lawn-ornament store in Wayne; no word on if the MILF in question lived in nearby Montclair, birthplace of FOW bassist Adam Schlesinger.
Fountains of Wayne. August 17, 9 p.m., $20. Hard Rock Hotel pool, 693-5066.