NYS Music 20​12

Author: Joy Houle

  • WARBRINGER, ICED EARTH, SYMPHONY X tour coming through Upstate

    Warbringer will be making a couple of pit stops in Upstate New York on their recent tour with Iced Earth, and Symphony X.  The two upstate stops on their schedule include dates on March 11th in Clifton Park, and March14th in Buffalo. This is a pretty exciting bill, and I highly recommend you check out one of these shows. Below is a statement issues by the band:

    “After recently touring Europe with ARCH ENEMY and successfully completing their first-ever headlining US run in the fall of 2011, the thrash road-warriors WARBRINGER are ready for yet anohttps://www.northropgrumman.com/ther North American tour–this time, with co-headliners ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X! In regards to this upcoming trek, the band comments: “It’s a new year and we’re looking forward to getting back out there and touring the US and Canada, especially getting back to some of the markets we didn’t hit on the headline tour. These will be big shows and a long tour and we’re excited to share the stage with ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X, and performing for some of their fans who may have not seen WARBRINGER yet.”

    Tour dates for the trek are below, so check to see when this epic bill will be coming to a city near you!

    WARBRINGER tour dates feat. ICED EARTH, SYMPHONY X

    1/20 – Orangevale, CA – The Boardwalk **off-date with DEATH ANGEL, BLESSED CURSE**

    1/21 – Fresno, CA – Starline **off-date with DEATH ANGEL**

    1/28 – Portage, IN – Camelot Hall **headlining off-date**

    1/30 – Richmond, VA – Kingdom **headlining off-date**

    1/31 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater

    2/1 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero

    2/2 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar **headlining off-date**

    2/3 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

    2/4 – Quebec City, QC – Albert Rousseau

    2/5 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis

    2/6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix

    2/9 – Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre

    2/10 – Saskatoon, SK – Louis Pub

    2/11 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room

    2/12 – Calgary, AB – Flames Central

    2/14 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

    2/15 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market

    2/16 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater

    2/17 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Theater

    2/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia

    2/20 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

    2/21 – Anaheim, CA – Grove

    2/22 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

    2/24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex

    2/25 – Denver, CO – Summit

    2/26 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theater

    2/27 – Dallas, TX – Trees

    2/28 – Austin, TX – Emos East

    2/29 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

    3/2 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution

    3/3 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

    3/4 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

    3/5 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater

    3/6 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte

    3/7 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall

    3/8 – Frederick, MD – Café 611

    3/9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium

    3/10 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater

    3/11 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights

    3/12 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Loft **headlining off-date**

    3/13 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club

    3/14 – Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom

    3/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar

    3/16 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot

    3/17 – Joliet, IL – Mojoes

     

    WARBRINGER released their latest effort, Worlds Torn Asunder, in September of last year to rave reviews, peaking at #3 on the Metal charts and debuting at #11 on Billboard’s Heatseekers.

    -Erik Jensen

  • Adam Merola of THE TRUTH BY BLOOD AGENCY discusses expansion into PR services, encourages bands to submit for consideration

    Adam Merola of THE TRUTH BY BLOOD AGENCY discusses expansion into PR services, encourages bands to submit for consideration

    Adam Merola is part of the great team over at The Truth By Blood Agency.  As a co-founder of the company, he and his staff have put together what I would consider to be one of the best artist service agencies on the eastern seaboard. Primarily focused on the Metal genre, the group has expanded the horizons of each band that they are currently handling. I had an opportunity to chat with Adam about the direction of this exciting business, and the path it has taken to get to current time.

    Erik:  How did the team come together that would become the Truth By Blood Agency? How did it get started?

    Adam: A couple of years back I had come across Jeremy Stanton at Save Our Scene Productions. Originally I was inquiring about booking a date for one of my bands in NY. The show ended up being a record label showcase, and at that time the band I was working with was offered a deal to sign with this record label. The label ended up screwing everyone over. Throughout the whole process I had stayed in contact with Stanton because he was involved with some of the bands on the label as well. In the end, we decided to form what is now called The Truth By Blood Agency.

    Erik:  You seem to handle all aspects of the band management experience. Tell me about the mission on keeping everything in house, so to speak, and how this benefits you more?

    Adam: The Truth By Blood Agency is basically a parent company to multiple divisions. We offer management and booking and we are currently starting to dip into the PR aspect of the business. We believe in doing the most we possibly can for the bands that we work with. One way we ensure that we are doing that is by surrounding ourselves with industry professionals and experts in each category. Stanton is the Director Of Marketing, Christine Palmer is handling our PR and I manage the booking side of things with the help of our agents. By offering these services to our bands, we believe it will benefit them as well as us. We have plans to break our PR department into a separate division and we are also toying with the possibility of a clothing line.

    Erik:  When choosing the bands you have selected to represent, what criteria do you use to make your decisions?

    Adam: We currently work with different levels of bands. First and foremost we look for quality. If we don’t like the band’s music we will not represent them. We are always looking for bands that know they need to work hard to reach their goals. There are too many bands out there that say they want to make it in the music business, but aren’t willing to put in the work. In addition, we look for general things like draw, tour history and marketability.

    Erik:  Tell me a little bit about the bands that you are currently handling?

    Adam: Currently we have a roster of 8 bands, and we are always looking for more. We are hoping 2012 is going to be a big year for us. A Night At The Chalet, Mummified In Circuitry, Conforza, Rebuilding The Ruins, The Harteck, Elysion Fields and One Last Time are all either releasing an album or have recently released an album. This means we are planning a lot of tours and CD release parties.

    Erik:  Do you have any other bands that you are looking to add to the roster?

    Adam: We are always looking for new bands at The Truth By Blood Agency. I can say that we do have a few bands in the works, but unfortunately that information will have to wait for a later time. We do have submission instructions in the “Notes” tab on our Facebook page. Any bands interested should be checking that out!!

    Erik:  I see you have a pretty strong relationship with Innerstrength Records, obviously you are handling a couple of their artists. How did this come into being?

    Adam: I will start by saying that Innerstrength Records is a great label to work with. We had been working with Heal These Wounds from Innerstrength for a short period of time. One of the bands I manage (Mummified In Circuitry) had also signed with them. We had developed a good working relationship with the label and ended up working with some of their bands as well.

    Erik:  I know your help is spread out in many different areas around a couple of states? What is the future plan with the expansion of your plan?

    Adam: Currently we have agents in NY, MA and FL. Our goal is to have strong points in key markets in the United States. We definitely plan to expand. but have not worked out the details in full as of yet.

    If you are interested in applying for representation through the company, check out the information below. Serious Inquiries only please! This is a serious step up for your band, and requires the flexibility to go, go, go!

    If your band is interested in working with The Truth By Blood Agency and you think you have what it takes….Feel free to send us a submission.

    Please complete the following information and send it to adam.onenightstand@gmail.com and stanton.truthbyblood@gmail.com (we will get back to you)

    We ask that you are 100% truthful in your answers

    Required Information

    Name of your band:

    Hometown:

    Contact Information:

    List of band members names/positions/ages: (ex: John Smith(25) – Vocals)

    Band website/Link to EPK: (Facebook/ReverbNation)

    At least 2 MP3’s: (Mediafire/Facebook/ReverbNation)

    Draw / How many people can you bring to hometown/away shows:

    How long has your band been together with the current lineup:

    Availability/Has your band toured:

    A high resolution picture of the band: (promo shot preferred)

    A high resolution band logo:

    Band Bio:

    For more information on Truth By Blood Agency-
    http://www.facebook.com/TruthByBlood

  • Sean-Paul Pillsworth of NIGHTMARES FOR A WEEK discusses Pedigree, camaraderie and Cincinnati

    Sean-Paul Pillsworth of NIGHTMARES FOR A WEEK discusses Pedigree, camaraderie and Cincinnati

    Nightmares For A Week from Kingston have honed their songwriting in bands such as Jerk Magnet and Anadivine, Sean-Paul Pillsworth and Bill Manley recruited Steven Markota, formerly of Astronauts to complete their lineup. Since 2008, NFAW have released an EP, A Flood Tomorrow on Broken English Records and a 7″ and a full length, Don’t Die on Academy Fight Song Records. I got a chance to talk to Sean-Paul about Pedigree, camaraderie and oddly, Cincinnati.

    Brian: Bill and Sean-Paul had previously been band mates when you guys formed NFAW, which was a significant departure musically. Did you find it easier to write together despite the difference in the style of music?

    Sean-Paul: Writing in NFAW has been easier, towards the end of Anadivine everything felt forced. There was no real musical goal or even an influence that was holding AD together, and ultimately it’s what tore it apart. NFAW has always been on the same page when it comes to writing. Bill and I have been writing songs for over a decade so we know each other well, having Steve in the band is a great way to regulate ourselves and throw some new ideas into the experience.

    Brian: The Kingston/Woodstock area tends to be a haven for many different styles of high caliber musician. How has growing up in that musical climate affected your growth as a musician?

    Sean-Paul: I would say it has affected us, maybe not always in a positive way. I remember seeing local Kingston/Woodstock shows when I was younger and thinking “Man I’ll never be able like that, nor do I want to”. I do remember going to the Sleeping Turtle in New Paltz and seeing Lounge and Cooter and thinking “I can do this”. One thing that the Kingston/Woodstock scene made me realize was that you shouldn’t come out of the basement until you’re ready to play. I’m not saying you have to be amazing, but I remember playing shows for a while and bands wouldn’t have bass players, singers just because they didn’t find anyone yet. That was alien to me, I was always under the impression that when you started a band/project that you should be “ready to play”, I’ve seen some rooms clear out pretty quick.

    Brian: When I listen to you play, I feel like I hear some None More Black influence and of course Jawbreaker. Who do you guys consider your biggest influences as a band?

    Sean-Paul: Our biggest influence as a band would probably be the Replacements. I can’t say that’s everyone’s individual main influence, but their music and their attitude/outlook on being a band is inspiring. They really didn’t give a shit and they were having a blast.

    Brian: From your inception as a group, to your songs themselves, through your growth, it seems such a large part of who you are as a band is based on camaraderie, friendship and a genuineness that comes out in the music. How do you find playing shows and recording different with such a genuine and positive vibe as contrasted with other projects you’ve been involved in?

    Sean-Paul: When we started NFAW we had one thing in mind, have fun. We really never expected much to happen, maybe play some local shows drink beer and that was it. A large part of our sound is because we still hold on to that same mentality. So the genuine/friendship/positive vibe we give off is a direct result of that. I’ve played in a lot of projects and it seems the overall reason they’ve all fell apart is because those core thoughts were gone. It’s interesting to see what happens to people when they get bored in a project or even the opposite, they experience some sort of success. These situations usually are followed by reinvention. Which in a lot of the bands I’ve been in was a terrible idea, why mess with what got you to where you are?

    Brian: You’ve played a lot of shows and ranged out extensively, including appearances at the last two Fests. What cities are your favorites to play in and what bands are your favorite bands to play with?

    Sean-Paul: Our favorite cities are anywhere but Cincinnati. Our favorite bands to play with are Aficionado, Caleb Lionheart, Gameday Regulars, Measured in Grey, Drag the River, the Parting Gift, Dead Unicorn…there’s a million more.

    Brian: With 2012 setting in, a New Year beginning, thoughts tend to turn toward the future. What’s next for Nightmares For A Week?

    Sean-Paul: 2012 will bring at least two new releases, touring and a lot of partying.

    Brian: And last, unfortunately it took a great loss to make it happen, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Jerk Magnet reunion show. What are the odds of seeing another Jerk Magnet show at some point in the future?

    Sean-Paul: I would never rule out Jerk Magnet playing again. We all still talk (for the most part) and I think we all still enjoy the music we made. It did take a real tragedy to have us play a show again and I hope if there is a next time it’s just because a group of people want us to play a basement and drink beer.

    Brian: Thanks for taking the time to do this!

    Nightmares for a Week is embarking on a short Northeast tour
    January 26, 2012 New Paltz, NY Bacchus with Nightmares For a Week and Year on a Mountain
    January 27, 2012 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus with Grey Area, Luther and Nightmares For a Week
    January 28, 2012 Philadelphia, PA The Fire with Grey Area, Luther, Nightmares For a Week and One Win Choice
    January 29, 2012 Albany, NY Valentines with Nightmares For a Week, The City Never Sleeps and Orphan Legs

    For more information on Nightmares For A Week-
    http://www.facebook.com/nightmaresforaweek

    -Brian Lawrence

  • LAESTRYGONIA discusses future plans, formation

    LAESTRYGONIA discusses future plans, formation

    Laestrygonia is a great new band based out of Geneva, NY. The exciting thing about these guys that you notice upon first listen, is the originality they are bringing to the table. Opting to not include a vocalist, the bands plays a very aggressive brand of progressive instrumental metal. This format of music can bring out the best in the collective musicianship of a band, and Laestrygonia is definitely capable of creating some big noise within the scene. The band consisting of Shaun Secaur and CJ Darrow on guitar, Nick Hotaling on bass and Dave Hadley on drums, is my pick for the band most likely to make huge waves this year within the scenes. I had a chance to catch up with them recently

    Erik:  How did the band originally get together?

    SHAUN:  Dave asked me to join based on our experience together in our old band, Vigilance. He was already playing with then guitarist Alex.

    DAVE:  Yeah, I just moved into this house and everyone was a musician who lived there so naturally something came up.  We were playing together for a while and I decided to call Shaun and see if he’d be interested and thankfully he was!

    NICK:  I just came downstairs and said I was the bassist.  I usually play guitar and didn’t even have a bass so I got one off ebay and joined, haha.

    CJ:  Alex left the band and they asked me to play because I already knew Shaun and was into that kind of music.

    Erik:  Who are your biggest influences personally, and as a band?

    SHAUN:  I have a really broad range of influences musically, but as far as what I draw on for Laestrygonia, it’s mostly more ambient, melodic heavy stuff. Cloudkicker obviously, Agalloch, Year of No Light, Jesu, and maybe some Opeth. But personally, I try to incorporate shifting melodies over harsh riffing in the style of the cascadian black metal bands like Wolves in the Throne Room and Altar of Plagues.

    DAVE: Cloudkicker is a HUGE influence for me in this, Ben Sharp is a musical genius.

    NICK:  Justin Beiber

    Erik:  Choosing a path of playing instrumental heavy music is a daring path. What made you decide to go in this direction?

    SHAUN:  I think we all decided early on that there’s just a lot more freedom to do what we want without a vocalist. How many times have you heard a band that you love musically but just can’t stand the vocalist? It was about freedom of musical ingenuity, and also having a vocalist can sometimes be a pain in the ass. Not having a vocalist focuses on the emotion of the music itself, which makes us work harder to create more diverse, emotive songs musically.

    Erik:  Are you guys planning on going back into the studio. And what can we expect?

    SHAUN: We have a new song finished and some other new ones started, so we definitely want to be recording again within the next couple months.

    DAVE:  I’d like to try “mic”ing live drums next time, the first time was on an electronic kit. Our buddy Jon recorded for us the first time and did an awesome job, so I’m anxious to see what we can do the 2nd time around.

    NICK:  I’m just excited to record with my new equipment!

    Erik:  I see that you are playing a limited schedule at this point. Are there any plans to spread out and diversify through the state? What are your performance plans for the year?

    SHAUN: Us playing a limited schedule isn’t our choice, we’d play every night if we could. We’re still working on getting our name out there and trying to get shows in different areas to help spread the word faster. BOOK US.

    DAVE: We have a small tour planned for Europe in a few months…… Haha! I wish.

    NICK:  Dave and I have been talking about a little weekend thing where we just play a Friday, Saturday, Sunday. We may be trying to head towards Boston with it. But that’s still being talked about.

    Erik:  The Finger Lakes region has a rich history of turning out some pretty spectacular touring bands? What are you overall thoughts on the Upstate scene?

    SHAUN: All of us in the band have been in different bands, probably 5 or 6 collectively, all of varying genres in the “heavy” classification, but from my area I’ve noticed a lot fewer bands starting up. I remember when I was in high school, there were so many local bands playing shows every weekend. I think that’s moved from the Syracuse/Auburn area to the Rochester area more recently, but the bands that are left are a lot more serious. Band members seem more committed, and the overall quality is more mature, albeit less abundant. I’d very much like to see shows in all the bigger upstate cities again, but with a serious lack of venues it can be challenging. Especially for younger local bands that can’t play in bars.

    DAVE:  I’d say that pretty much sums it up, except it seems that a lot of people have shifted their interests to pop punk.

    NICK: There’s nothing wrong with pop punk…..

    For more information-
    http://www.facebook.com/Laestrygonia

    -Erik Jensen

  • FALLEN CAPTIVE’s “Edge of Collapse” is well produced, tightly structured

    FALLEN CAPTIVE’s “Edge of Collapse” is well produced, tightly structured

    Based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Fallen Captive is a band that is making huge strides in the Midwest gateway. This 6 piece metal core band is ready to bust out of the “down but never out,” city of their rise. Judging by the band’s fascinating recent release, Edge of Collapse, the time is now to spread their wings.

    The band’s sound is accentuated by an above average dual guitar shredfest mentality. It is also worth mentioning that the band uses keyboard as an important piece of leverage within their sound. It gives the pulsating bass and drum style, an added layer of texture and musicality. Vocally and lyrically, front man Mitch Pivarski brings the punishment with great success. The sum of all these parts makes for a startlingly efficient cohesion of melody and thump. The results on an intensity level are reminiscent of bands like Sirens and Sailors and Bleeding Through, among others.

    I have not seen the band in a live setting, but I can not imagine how fun it may be after listening to this release. This CD is very well produced, and very well structured from a song standpoint. Always a fan of metal wordsmiths, there was no disappointment with that aspect either. After the machine like intro noise of the album opener, “Advent,” the band wastes no time in bringing the auditory madness at a frantic pace. “Fallout,” is another track of cautionary interpretation that gleams with the every day worldliness of chaos based metal acts.  You have to take notice when Mitch proclaims, “ This is our fallout, this is the end of the world, as we know it. But I’m not giving in, just keeping my head forward,” Although this thought is open ended in explanation, it is nonetheless intriguing. On the song, “A Plea For Sanity,” the band shows their range and craft as songwriters. It is the perfect example of the overall dynamics they are trying to achieve within the music. Great keyboard accompaniment blends effortlessly with the swirling guitar interplay and pulsating backbeat mayhem. Lyrically, another high note of self-questioning is brought forth. The human condition is well represented with the drastically desperate rambling of, “Take this as my plea, my plea for sanity!” The thought is concluded later with, “Now I’m through trying, trying time and time again!”

    There are other stellar tracks here too! Some of my other favorites are “Edge of Collapse,” and “Old Fashioned.” Overall, though, there really isn’t a track on this recording that is anything short of great. Here is to the hope, that we can get this great act back up into Upstate relatively soon!

    For more information-
    http://www.facebook.com/fallencaptive

    -Erik Jensen

  • Eclecticism is a MotherFvcker

    Eclecticism is a MotherFvcker

    As mentioned in a previous piece I wrote, eclecticism is a double edged sword within the music industry these days. It can be a good thing when a band switches their artistic direction because of their own internal desire to do so. In most of these cases, the band has tired of their old direction or just feels it is time to go above and beyond in the writing process. After an attempt is made at diversifying within their musical capabilities, these bands sometimes wear a tag of being “eclectic.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word Eclectic with two definitions. They are: 1) selecting what appears to be best in various methods or styles and 2) composed of elements drawn from various sources. Some may interpret that the definition of eclectic is being unoriginal, but I strongly disagree. Simply stated, band variables like influences, geography, era, and education, are what give a band a sound that may be labeled as eclectic. These variables can inevitably change over a band’s career, with both good and bad public reception. Hence, the double edged sword. A risk, if you will. There is something to admire about a band that changes things up for the sake of their art. Obviously, they also run the risk of alienation; up to the point of no longer existing. It is the equivalent of putting 500K on red at the roulette table. Why talk about these bands though? Admirable attempts are made every day by a bevy of hungry new artists. I would rather focus on the misusage of the word eclectic when describing your own sound. Nickelback, Creed, and Staind all consider themselves eclectic. This amounts to a pile of laughs, but pulls the definition into question again! I mean, shit, you know you are bad when the Black Keys tells the world, “That you single handedly destroyed rock music.” Thanks Nickelback, for being the Frank Sinatra of Rock and Roll! My sincerest apologies to Frank’s ultra dead and rotting corpse! You did not deserve to be mocked and ridiculed. So the real topic here is “why are you labeling your band to be eclectic?” The three “way below par” hit machines referenced above, sold their souls to the devil for fame and fortune. Their artistic visions were all squashed by record label mercenaries, after selling millions upon release of their first record. The result was generic American Idol like efficiency, that alienated long time hard core fans. Yes, that simple folks! Is the struggling recording industry ruining music as you know it? Could be! Many feel that record companies live by a credo of, “If we can not benefit, neither will you.” That statement could be the very same reason that some hack like Colbie Caillat gets signed to a recording deal based on videos posted to her My Space page. I mean, geez, get me a gun, I have to snuff this feeling out. We are being spoon fed mountains of undigestible fluff in the record label’s new format of choice! Oh wait, too late there as well. Shawn Fanning beat you to the chase. The approach of the high end execs to diversify the fan base of bands at any cost, has lead to some of the biggest disasters in the history of recorded music. Remember Megadeth’s “Risk,” record from 1999? I figured, who would want to? This unbearable piece of garbage is a prime example of a label trying to force an act into flipping their whole fan base overnight? The end result, a fan base destroyed! And furthermore, no new fans! No one bought it, because no one could wrap their mind around it! Who else would put the idea in Dave Mustaine’s head, that he could write songs that were based around disco and dance beat syncopation. Only a record label would encourage such a sad departure! Ecleticism does not involve pimping yourself for an asshole in suit and tie! Of course, the legend is that Lars Ulrich helped encourage this “brave move” as well. No surprise there. I am sure Lars would suck dick for a thousandth of a percentage point in earnings. With all that being said, I still love Megadeth to this day. They made an error that could have cost them tragically, and have moved on admirably. This is not an example of eclecticism benefiting art. This is greed gone awry, with no profit, and nothing remotely close to significant coming from it…on any level. Eclecticism in it’s true form, can be best tracked back to some of the great musical eras of the past. The era of Grunge and the Seattle scene comes to mind. Every era will spawn the mimic train that comes with it’s descent. Ask Puddle of Mudd, those clueless Nirvana wannabes that have the cultural relevance of the Insane Clown Posse. In any case, that era of music was spawned by a culmination of many different variables that were shaking up music at the highest levels. The bleak geography and dark overtones of Seattle, were a perfect place for musical revolution. It was the end of the hair metal invasion, the downward spiral of Michael Jackson, and a whole new generation of kids who grew up listening to metal, punk, and substantial indie records. Their eclecticism could not be helped, and thank “your spiritual muse” for that. Bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains all brought something completely refreshing to the table. And in return, were falsely labeled as knock offs of each other. Fuck that. That era was to come in the late 90’s, when bands like The Presidents of The United States of America were jammed down our throat. I think another great example of that era would be the Chili Peppers. They were also accused of the same forms of emulation. My question would be how? The band was influenced by artists as diverse as James Brown, Fear, and The Gap Band. I would say this sounds like a natural evolution of influence that escalated into something highly original. Natural eclectic transformation! That brings us to the present day. The purest form of eclecticism is taking place in the small clubs of the world. Bands are trying to make it with a fierce focus on internet marketing and social media. Their hopes are based on some form of widespread distribution through the internet or indie labels that were swallowed up by the monopoly that is the recording industry. They start off on the right path, and the good ones usually don’t conform for anyone. The darkest side of this diversity equation comes from the handful of bands that trade in their DIY work ethic for a piece of “forced eclecticism.” You will see this on many Facebook band pages these days. Bands, as an example, may use the tag of eclectic when spotlighting the fact that their band has someone who plays a keyboard. Metal music is metal music! Keyboard, violin, harpsichord, or banjo included, if you are playing metal, it is what it is! Meanwhile, there is nothing that comes from a place of true originality with some of these bands. The consumer bourgeois and the national record labels, have brainwashed many bands into believing that wearing this title is their key to success. It is not! What is important, you ask? Importance comes from staying true to your roots and beliefs if it is working for you. Only you, as a band, can answer this question of self reflection. This does not mean that you can not wear your influences on your sleeves. Be your own muse within your creation. Good, bad, or indifferent, this is what many expect out of their musical heroes. To sum it up, Fuck the American Idol generation! Rock is not dead, the path to get from A to Z is. Be safe, my brothers and sisters.

    -Erik Jensen

  • Charlie McClure of NEON GUILLOTINE discusses new album, upcoming show dates

    Charlie McClure of NEON GUILLOTINE discusses new album, upcoming show dates

    Based out of Cortland, NY, Neon Guillotine is a somewhat new addition to the Upstate metal music scene. You would never know that based on the chops shown off on tracks that are posted on their Facebook page. With the release of the band’s first full length on the horizon, only good things can come for this exciting up and comer. Recently, I had a chance to get the lowdown from drummer Charlie McClure, about the band’s future and past.

    Erik:  How did the Neon Guillotine come together?

    Charlie: Prior to the formation of Neon Guillotine, all members had been in bands and played together at one point or another. This particular band started with Joey and two other guys that were trying to get an old band back together and they asked Jeff and I to come try out. It was soon apparent that Joey, Jeff and I were on the  same page musically, which was not consistent with the other members of the band.  That’s when the three of us decided to go our own way. After a few months of writing we recruited Andreu on Bass and began playing shows. We then decided to bring in another guitar player to complete our sound and after a couple try-outs we found Tanner. We finished out the summer playing shows and wanted to finish the line up with a keyboard player and gained Brennan, Tanner’s roommate to fill the position.

    Erik:  Always curious how bands come up with their name! How did you choose Neon Guillotine?

    Charlie: While looking for some tattoo inspiration, I google image searched guillotines. There was an image of a neon one, and Neon Guillotine stuck with us. When suggested to the other members they all really liked it. The former name, Thousand Yard Stare, was replaced with Neon Guillotine from there after.

    Erik:  Tell me about your home scene of Cortland? What are your thoughts on it?

    Charlie: Cortland doesn’t have much of a metal scene, making it difficult to book shows. We are trying to make the genre more accessable  to ears it may not normally reach. Coming from a college town doesn’t make it easy, you are surrounded by clubs and country bars and there is no demand for metal. So it’s our goal to play as often as we can and with as many other metal bands. Luckily we have formed a good relationship with a venue right in Cortland and been able to play on a regular basis, with bands that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to stop in our town.

    Erik:  I understand that the band will be releasing it’s first full length record soon! Tell me about the recording process, and what to expect on the record?

    Charlie: The recording process has been a lot of fun. It’s also been hard work but hopefully it pays off. This album has taken a little longer than expected, money being major issue but we are almost done. As far as what to expect from the album our goal was to write something that was new, technical, catchy and above all heavy. Our goal is to bring something original to the table.

    Erik:  You have a big show going on in Cortland on Feb. 24th, tell me about what you have planned for the evening? And who is on the bill with you?

    Charlie: Our intention is to have our full length album and new tee-shirt designs available to our fans by this date. We plan on playing a great show with some great bands including, Dead by Wednesday, Kind Snyder, Chamber Law, Sanjuro Fields and more to be announced. We are going to promote it like crazy and hope for a good turnout.

    Erik: You are in a band that is somewhat new to the scene. What do you have planned over the next year as far as playing shows?

    Charlie: After the release of our full length, were hoping to head out on our first self funded tour down the east coast. We would like our music to reach more people and get ourselves established in the metal scene. We plan on playing as many shows as we can, eventually booking bigger venues with bigger bands.

    Erik:  If you had a choice of bands to play with from this Upstate scene, that you have not played with, who would they be?

    Charlie: We would like the opportunity to play with Structured To Collapse, Thoughts in Reverse,  and Chains of Honor. We feel that our music is similar and like what they’re doing. We always enjoy playing with new bands in the genre and spreading our music. Our goal is to be heard.

    Make sure to check out Neon Guillotine on Feb. 24th at The Palm Gardens in Cortland, NY. The rest of the line-up for that night includes: DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, King Snyder, Chamber Law, Every Last Breath, and Sanjuro Fields.

    -Erik Jensen

  • Featured Band: Long Island’s PSYCHO ENHANCER

    Featured Band: Long Island’s PSYCHO ENHANCER

    Since 2004, Long Island’s Psycho Enhancer has been bringing the hardcore pain to audiences around the United States. The band is bound and determined to break through, with or without the help of label support. Psycho Enhancer has become synonymous with the D.I.Y. approach that has helped propel many hardcore bands searching for a break. That killer work ethic is best seen in an approach like handing out 10,000 of their demos to areas as vast as Japan and Europe.

    Psycho Enhancer’s hands on approach has also yielded great results within the studio setting. The band has two solid self released recordings that have aided them in pushing their message across the country. “Party Like A Psycho,” the band’s first studio album, was released in 2009. It was followed by the 2011 album, “Broke As Fuck,” which has become an instant classic in some circles of the New York hardcore scene. When those two albums broke, it allowed for a great chance for the band to take the show from coast line to coast line.

    Right now, the band is getting ready to record a new album in 2012. That will most likely take place after they complete their Winter Tour which is taking place on the East Coast. The band also plans to do a fukk U.S. tour in the Summer of 2012.

    Psycho Enhancer is currently seeking management and record label representation these days. This is understandable, as it can be highly grating for a band to have to continue handling all of the particulars on their own. It certainly does not take away from the credibility they have created, on their own terms!

    For more information-
    www.psychoenhancer.com

    -Erik Jensen

  • Inside the EXPOSED MUSIC FESTIVAL; an interview with Dan Jensen, founder

    Inside the EXPOSED MUSIC FESTIVAL; an interview with Dan Jensen, founder

    Over the years there have been many tours and festivals that have taken place all over the world.  Most of these events showcase bands that are already signed and have a massive following.  Personally, I am not opposed to huge acts being on tour and making their money.   While these events do usually draw crowds these types of tours do nothing to support the underground music scene!  The underground is thriving with new and exciting talent but the issue is how to harness that talent into a successful major tour.  One new tour that is doing just that is the Exposed Music Fest!  The Exposed Music Fest is a nationwide tour that goes to cities all over the country to showcase the areas local talent.  The tour works closely with Stand and Deliver Records and brings all the advantages of a major tour and festival right to the underground.  The following is an interview with Dan Janssen, the founder of the Exposed Music Fest.

    Rob:How did the fest get started?

    Dan: Over the last three years, Exposed Music Festival (formally known as The Slave to the Metal Music Festival) has featured, debuted, and unified local acts in cities coast to coast. Hosted by Fuse TV’s Juliya Chernetsky and Suicide City’s and Demilitia’s bass player Jennifer “JennCity” Arroyo (also known for her former days with KITTIE), this ongoing festival-style tour has exposed more than 750 unsigned bands to more than 35,000 fans in just 75 shows during 2011! We expect 2012 to be even more exciting and successful by offering new programs and adding new sponsors. Recently, we started programs for bands to get involved in our personal distribution project or opt to be photographed onstage during their acts for excellent publicity shots. Both options are free of charge to bands who sign up for Exposed events. Another avenue we are considering is getting other local artists involved at our shows to also display their talents to the community and possibly their target demographic, spreading the fan base even more. For example, local tattoo shops can advertise their work and meet like-minded people, or local Internet-based TV or radio shows can broadcast/document our festival. At the end of the day we want these bands to gain fans, have fun and help their scene to grow.

    Rob:Whose idea was it to go to different cities and promote local bands?

    Dan: It was mine. I’ve worked on every side of this industry including management, concert production, and a musician. I work with several record label A&R from Major to Indie and thought this would be a good way to go out and find some diamond’s in the rough. Labels rarely go to shows anymore, unless a band is drawing hundreds of people to a show and creating a major buzz outside their local scene its highly unlikely anyone will see them. With our connections the hope is to find talent, work with them and try and get them to that next level. You wouldn’t believe the talent we see in these “minor” markets. There are so many groups that if they had the right direction they could be successful in this business. Unfortunately there are too many “voices” in this business who claim they know the “right” way and really it handcuffs these kids and keeps them local. We try our best to break that mold and give them the right advice if they ask for it.

    Rob: What record companies and national acts are affiliated with this tour?

    Dan:There are industry reps/bands that we all work with, more then I could list. The label that sponsors this event is Stand and Deliver Records but we have connections at pretty much every label out there thru our various affiliates. For instance, with the standout rock bands I’ve found on this event I’ve showcased them separately for Kim Stephens, Kim owns forward entertainment and works for or is associated with Capitol, Atlantic and Universal. He is credited with signing such acts as Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, most recently Saving Abel, Sick Puppies, and Adelitas Way to name a few. We don’t push the record deal aspect as much as helping the bands gain fans and teaching unity in their music scene. Labels aren’t signing potential anymore, so a band really has to be a 10 out of 10 to gain label interest. We do find these groups from time to time and will set up a separate showcase for these bands at a later date.

    Rob: Are there any locals that have been “exposed” or became famous from this tour via the music festival?

    Dan: Well were brand new and have only been doing this since Feb of 2011. All of the bands get exposure from this, and I’m confident every band that put forth any sort of effort has gained something from playing this. We don’t sign bands as were just a production company, but we can shop them if they are good. The biggest problem with festivals like this is that they promise record deals that they can’t deliver. We don’t want bands thinking if they play this event they will get signed, so we really don’t try to push that aspect of it. The opportunity is there for the bands that stand out though. I just recently did a showcase for a band called The Everyday Losers out of Indiana and I’m real excited about their chances. Other standouts I’ve seen are SkinKage, Novus Follium, It’s tough because labels aren’t so quick to take a chance anymore on bands so the process is a bit longer and were hoping 2012 we can claim responsibility for some of the acts in 2011! We also look for bands that we can take on tour with us. SkinKage out of Charlotte, NC is an unsigned act that we are bringing on the road with us for this tour. They have some label interest but the label wants to see how they do on tour, so naturally we decided to take them out and see what they can do!

    Rob: What is the goal of the tour?

    Dan: When we meet bands we feel are of high caliber in quality and initiative, we now have the opportunity to introduce them to our friends at our sponsoring organizations, such as Stand and Deliver Records, The End Records, and Skullsnbones.com. Supporting local artists and musicians and trying to help them spread their “art” in their communities and possibly nationwide is our goal with the Exposed Music Festival. And as we continue to grow, we will continue to put on the highest quality events and stand out as the best local music festival in your city.

    Rob: When?

    Dan: February 4th at the California Brew House in Rochester and check the facebook page for other exposed shows in your area!

    For more information on Exposed Music Festival

    http://www.exposedfestival.com/

    http://www.facebook.com/xposedmusicfest

    https://twitter.com/#!/ExposedMusic

    http://www.skullsnbones.com/

  • Upstate Metal’s “Your band might suck if…”

    Upstate Metal’s “Your band might suck if…”

    Upstate Metal has a sense of humor, and anyone who has gone to any music event from local shows at bars to national concerts at amphitheaters has seen bands that suck. From bad music, embarrassing stage antics, between song banter that would make Helen Keller grimace, or a combination of the three, the worst part is most of these bands will never realize that they suck harder than a shopvac during a power surge. If you know one or more of these bands, you’d be doing the world a great favor if you could show them this list that just might make them show mercy and hang up their poor, embarrassed instruments.

    Your band might suck if…

    1. Your pants are tighter than your songs.
    2. Your only fans gave birth to your members.
    3. You’re currently settling a libel suit with the Cookie Monster.
    4. Your band name consists of four words that have no place sitting next to each other for any reason ever.
    5. You talk shit.
    6. You use an intro and that is the best part of your show.
    7. You think recording that intro and talking with a Brooklyn accent about how tough you are during it is a good idea for the beginning of your album.
    8. It looks like a family reunion when your band plays out and your mother is the loudest.
    9. When someone asks you when you’re on and you say we’re on 9th, 3 slots before the headliner.
    10. When a large part of your fan base takes more than 20 minutes to do their hair before a show and don’t have breasts.
    11. When people are more likely to buy the tumbleweeds blowing by your merch table than your merch.
    12. Your doc martens cost more than your guitar.
    13. You are paying them 5 bucks to take one of your CD’s, and no one will budge.
    14. All the stickers on your drums are from bands that broke up before you were born.
    15. If you wear corpse paint and you AREN’T from Norway.
    16. Your singer books a show and you’re still first to play.
    17. If you think encore is a metal genre.
    18. If your band starts playing and everyone leaves the venue, even the alcoholic at the end of the bar.
    19. When the people dancing during your set look like slightly more effeminate versions of Richard Simmons.
    20. If you use the word “fusion” at all when describing the bands style.