Jon Stewart Trades Comedy Stage for Drum Kit with Band Church and State™
A surprising new chapter has begun for Jon Stewart, as the former daily Show host spent his Thanksgiving weekend performing with his band, Church and State™, at the iconic Stone Pony club in Asbury Park, New jersey.
The performance on Friday, November 28, marked the band’s largest show to date, opening for Status Green, a celebrated indie rock group commemorating their 20th anniversary. also featured on the bill was the two-piece band, Yawn Mower. While Church and State™ has been quietly building a presence with gigs throughout New Jersey this year, the Stone Pony appearance has brought increased attention to the project. Currently, the band has not released any official music, though videos from the Stone Pony show featuring original compositions have begun to circulate online.
Stewart’s musical journey began after his initial departure from The Daily Show in 2015. he took up drumming under the tutelage of Andy Bova, a musician, producer, and owner of Simple Sound Studio in Oceanport, New Jersey. This partnership blossomed into the formation of Church and State™ alongside other local musicians, including Bova’s father, Jim, on bass, and singer/guitarist rick Barry.
Despite the high-profile drummer, Church and State™ has intentionally maintained a low profile. Their documented performances began in April, followed by a set at the North to Shore Festival in June – where Stewart also performed a stand-up routine. Further appearances included a show at the Navesink Library in September and a pop-up performance in October at a weekly event hosted by Barry at an Asbury Park boardwalk bar.
Following the Asbury Park show, Stewart spoke with the Asbury Park Press, humbly deflecting attention from his own contribution. “He’s the artist and I just sit in the back and go boom bap, boom boom bap. That’s all I do – he’s the man,” Stewart said of Barry.
Balancing his return to hosting the Daily Show weekly and his work on The Weekly show podcast presents logistical challenges. The band is currently limited to just one rehearsal per week, suggesting live performances will remain infrequent. Though, Stewart has expressed profound joy in his involvement with Church and State™. “I can only work one day a week, but it’s awesome. I can’t tell you how much these guys have brought to my life. It’s just such a joy to play with them every week,” he shared.
This venture underscores Stewart’s continued creative exploration and his commitment to supporting the local New Jersey music scene,offering a glimpse into a new passion project for the celebrated comedian and commentator.
Why: Jon Stewart, known for his comedic and political commentary, has embarked on a new creative pursuit: playing drums in a band.
Who: The band, called Church and State™, features Stewart on drums, Rick Barry on vocals and guitar, Andy Bova on production and potentially other instruments, and jim Bova on bass. They opened for Status Green and Yawn Mower at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
What: stewart and Church and State™ performed a show at the Stone Pony on November 28, marking their largest performance to date. The band has been quietly playing gigs around New Jersey since April, but the Stone Pony show has garnered increased attention. They have not yet released any official music.
How did it end?: As of this report, Church and State™ continues to perform sporadically due to Stewart’s commitments to The Daily Show and The weekly Show podcast. The band currently rehearses only
