NYS Music 20​12

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  • Oneonta Theatre is closing, but there’s hope for shows in the future

    Oneonta Theatre is closing, but there’s hope for shows in the future

    There’s Still Hope For The Oneonta Theatre – although the venue held its last official show this past weekend and is all but closing, there was hopeful news via Facebook this morning.

    Oneonta theater

    Tonight I met with “Friends Of The Oneonta Theatre”. It was a great meeting and I am very pleased to announce that they have unanimously voted to re-engage their efforts with the theatre to transform the operation into a community “not for profit” operation of the Oneonta Theatre. There is allot (sic) of work ahead of us but this is fantastic, very positive development for the future of this historic theatre. I believe that this will help ensure this theatre will continue to be the living room of this community for another 115 years+… and continue to bring in great acts and entertainment for all to enjoy. Stay tuned for more news as details and plans are worked out. More details and plans will be released December 31st at the First Night celebration at the one and only “Historic Oneonta Theatre”. Watch our website and face book pages for links on how to volunteer, donate and be a part of this initiative. Everyone that expressed concern and hope, we need your help so lets make it happen and keep this great venue alive!!

    Let’s hope the community gets behind the preservation of this neighborhood jewel. Every time I visited the theatre I was greeted by a kind, caring staff that truly bent over backward to make my visit better. Whether I was attending a concert or working in a managerial status with one of my bands, they were outstanding and consummate professionals. Something few venues can boast these days.

    todd rundgren
    todd rundgren

     

  • Dark Star Orchestra delivers at The Egg, December 5th

    It was my first time seeing Dark Star Orchestra at The Egg in Albany on December 5th. They had a high reputation among many of my friends and there was much anticipation built up around the show. The lobby area was packed, mostly with everyone waiting on the beer line and sitting in group circles chatting. As guests made their way into the show room, the aisle escorts did their best to find everyone to their correct seats. Once the first notes of “China Cat Sunflower” started, it was a party. The sold out crowd was thrilled to catch one of the last four shows of Dark Star Orchestra’s tour.

    Even better for fans at The Egg was Jeff Chimenti playing keys all night. Jeff is best known for performing in RatDog as well as other post-Grateful Dead bands such as The Dead and Furthur. He was steaming as he pounded the keyboards throughout the night and especially during “New Minglewood Blues.” Lisa Mackey on vocals was mesmerizing as she twirling around the stage, flawlessly joining the boys with great harmony. Rob Eaton was center stage, bringing energy with his every guitar note, especially during “Mexicali Blues”, while Kevin Rosen sent out groovy bass rifts.

    “New Speedway Boogie” started the second set and the band was more fired up than ever. Jeff Mattson on lead guitar was more than I could handle. He was rock solid on jams, playing with great concentration and ease. Dino English and Rob Kortiz had an intense drum solo during the beginning of the 2nd set that blew everyone to their seats; lesson learned that two drum sets are always better than one. Everyone seemed quite warped after the drum solo plus from the jam session of “Space.” Each song flowed into the other with the night ending with a good wakeup call from “Casey Jones” and a surprise encore of “Quinn The Eskimo.”

    Dark Star Orchestra pays tribute to the Grateful Dead by recreating past shows, song for song, at each of their shows. If you want to hear and experience the closest thing you can get to a Grateful Dead show, you go to a Dark Star Orchestra show and you get exactly what you pay for. To describe DSO simply as a cover band is incorrect. Everything about the Grateful Dead’s music history is legendary and for DSO to perform their music is more than half the battle. To try to replicate note for note, the music of one of the greatest bands in history, I’m sure can be more than overwhelming. Dark Star Orchestra delivered an amazing show, filled with great jams and feelings. Like fellow writer Lenny Stubbe, I was left with a “useless smile.”

    For setlists, music and more, go to Dark Star Orchestra’s webpage.

    Setlist

    Set One: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, New Minglewood Blues, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues > Jack A Roe, Queen Jane Approximately, Loser, My Brother Esau, Bird Song > Victim Or The Crime > Bird Song

    Set Two: New Speedway Boogie > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Crazy Fingers > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Drums > Space > Foolish Heart > Comes A Time > I Need A Miracle > Casey Jones

    Encore: Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Palace Theatre, December 2nd

    A whole lotta’ heart and a whole lotta’ soul would be a simple but an accurate portrayal of Tedeschi Trucks Band (TTB). Husband and wife duo, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, surround themselves (and their electric guitars) with seasoned players making for an all around big band sound and a horn section that could steal your heart. The synergy of the ensemble put together was a palpable ripple that extended through the large Albany crowd at the Palace Theatre.

    Besides the obvious family of the group, matched with dynamic individuals, the unit mimicked all the facets and idiosyncrasies of what would be an extended family. And every family wouldn’t be complete without an impish, naughty yet playful trumpeter off to the side raising havoc with his horn, as was the case with Maurice Brown.  George Porter Jr. guested, as former bass player Oteil Burbridge left the band.  Porter was right at home standing next to a laid back Derek Trucks – who grew up on the stage – with disciplined and focused energy that filtered through his body, into his fingers, onto the fret board, and culminated in an electric resonance that filled the grandeur of The Palace.

    The Palace, located at the edge of Albany’s downtown business district, sits majestically like a Queen perched in her thrown. A grabbing, well-lit marque can be seen from the highway, but the real magic happens inside.  Each wall, post and parts of the high ceiling are covered in ornate paintings of blue skies and angels.  A community of musicians such as the Tedeschi Trucks Band is a befitting match for just such a venue.

    The Tedeschi Trucks Band pulled songs from 2010 release, Revelator with crowd favorites such as “Bound for Glory,” which was led into with a swampedelic intro by Trucks breaking into a full gospel handing the helm over to Tedeschi.  TTB included favored covers (which can be heard on Everybody’s Talkin’) such as Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight.” Tedeschi’s depth and vibrato in her vocals especially grabbed the soul in her rendition of John Prine’s ballad “Angel From Montgomery”, a fitting end to the evening.

    Opener, Charlie Mars won over the crowd with his charming songs and tales of days gone by.

  • As I Lay Dying at Upstate Concert Hall, December 6th

    When most  bands go out on a big national tour they usually welcome the scheduled night off.  Fortunately for the packed house at Upstate Concert Hall on December 6th, As I Lay Dying and Memphis May Fire didn’t feel like they needed the rest from the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour headlined by Asking Alexandria.  This tour has taken the bands to Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and between the Montreal and Philadelphia shows… Clifton Park!

    As I Lay Dying’s bassist, Josh Gilbert, should have taken the day off, being hospitalized earlier in the day due to trouble breathing. Despite the discomfort, he sat toward the back of the stage in a chair playing to the fans.  He managed some vocals but was out of breath for most of the show and was supposed to head back to the hospital after the band’s set.  What Josh lacked in energy was more than made up for by frontman, Tim Labesis.  Tim’s powerful vocals pierced the crowd and drove hundreds of young headbangers wild.  Tim looked like he’d be just as comfortable at Gold’s Gym next door to the venue or on the set of Sons of Anarchy.  Long sweat drenched hair, beard, covered in tats and built like a brick shit-house.  There were times where I thought a vein might pop in his arms during a particular gut-wrenching scream. The rest of the band spent some time in the gym, too.  Lead guitarist, Nick Hipa, gave new meaning to the term shredded guitar.  If he hit the strings any harder or faster the vibrations would have set off a small earthquake in the region.  The band played songs from their new album, Awakened, released on September 25th and they also went back to their early years to tap into some mosh pit anthems, like “Forever” and “94 Hours”.

    Waves of crowd surfers carried by the sea of young metal heads only to be spilled at the front of the stage.  Often met with a fist bump from Tim and a big nod of approval from the band.  The band fed off the energy from the crowd and likewise the crowd devoured the energy from the band.

    Opening bands included three from the Albany area.  They were The Less We Know, The Siege of Masada and The Primrose Path. Tour support band Memphis May Fire will be back at UCH on January 29th opening up for For Today.

  • Mountain Jam Announces 2013 Dates and Pre-Sale Info

    December is upon us and for most it means holiday purchases, snowy roads and family time. For an elite few – those that frolic in the live music scene, otherwise known as festivarians – it means announcements for pre-sale festival tickets to our favorite late spring/early summer gatherings. Mountain Jam returns to Hunter Mountain June 6 – 9, 2013! Limited pre-sale begins Monday, December 10, 2012.

    Mountain Jam has made a few tweaks. The date has changed! According to www.mountainjam.com, this was done to avoid the statewide police initiative Buckle Up New York (B.U.N.Y). With a bit of luck, pushing the date back by a week will equate to slightly better weather conditions as well.

    Car side camping will now be available. Space is limited, but a welcomed new option. Mountain Jam will be shutting down earlier (on Sunday) to give folks a chance to file out and get home. However, in exchange, Thursday night will now feature a headlining band. Mountain Jam will also provide continuous shuttles to and from participating hotels. For the foodies, Mountain Jam is offering a first-ever food truck village featuring top chefs local to the Hudson Valley.

    Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and now, Happy Festival season!

  • Marco Benevento brings his Tigerface to Red Square, Albany, December 1st

    Marco Benevento brings his Tigerface to Red Square, Albany, December 1st

    On a night with the talented trio of Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and Andy Borger taking the stage at Red Square, a crowd that anticipates his regular arrival every three or four months headed to downtown Albany to partake in a menagerie of musical stylings. Led by organist/pianist/ Marco Benevento, who bonned a tigerhead prop during performance (subconsciously reminding fans about his new album Tigerface), the Trio played two strong hours with a performance that ranged from slow-paced drums and bass songs accentuated by Marco’s piano, to speedy, almost electronic levels of sound. The sound created is similar to trance music at times, slowly meandering through a framework that deviates only slightly, swaying the transfixed crowd in soothing waves.

    marco benevento tigerfaceThe piano/organ from Marco draws out of a classical background, with intricate compositions that bring to mind the soundtracks of the Silent Film era. While Marco manipulates his organ to create a cacophony of sounds by turning knobs, the full two hours of music is completely organic, songs popping out of Bene’s head and followed in step with Dreiwitz’s bass and Borger’s incredible drumming. Highlights of the night included a “9 to 5” jam in the always incredible “The Real Morning Party” and “Something for Rockets”. When it comes to piano rock concerts, Marco is second to none, playing in a style and group that has no comparison; the group is in a league of their own.

    The (new) excellent lighting at Red Square was run effectively by Jeff Volckhausen, lighting the band from the floor and shining off the ceiling to illuminate the stage and add in a welcome visual component to Marco’s show. Although for the ladies in the audience, Marco was all you needed to look at.

    Marco let the already excited crowd know that an Albany residency at Red Square is coming in 2013, so stay tuned for details and plan to get to at least one of these unique musical adventures.

  • Eli-Fest at The Bayou in Albany, November 30th

    Eli-Fest, a benefit concert was held at The Bayou in Albany on Friday November 30th was held for Eli Ramos, who was injured in an accident on July 1st. To celebrate Eli’s strength and courage, bandmates, friends and fans gathered for a night full of groovy jams. With first walking into the front of Bayou, you wouldn’t even know that there was a huge show going on. Heading through the various sections of the venue, the smoky atmosphere hits you and so does the music.

    There was constant music being pumped out of the speakers all night. When the bands were not on stage, there was a mixing table set up to the right with DJs, responsible for keeping the party mode at a constant level. Insidious started the night off to a small, eager crowd, ready for the night to begin. His beats were enough to catch everyone’s attention and head to the dance floor. Inverspace was up second with a set that was light and upbeat. It was an easy groove to get into after Solaris. The last DJ for the night was General Korn whose big hit of the evening was a remixed Talking Head’s song, “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody).”

    Solaris, the three man instrumental band from Ithaca took the stage and quickly warped the crowd. With a slow easy start, they hit hard into jams such as with great fluidity from song to song. The boys debuted a new song, “Deacon”, which had a fast tempo, enthusiastic start and a high build up jam. The trio has been logging in more practice time and it certainly shows on stage where they each have such control of their instruments. They are clean- cut and fresher than ever with their electro-fusion melodies and beats. Their authenticity brings the music to the next level and it’s been a thrill to watch them grow as a band.  Their set is available for free download.

    Solaris Setlist: Complete, Chapman, Deacon, Infrared, Cosmo

    It was my first time seeing digiMUN, which is a collaboration between members of jamtronica bands Digital Dharma, Wiley of MUN and Dan Gerken of Timbre Coup. With the huge crowd and high energy, it was a delicious recipe for a chaotic dance floor. Their entire set was improv, showcasing the vast talent that had come to pay tribute to Eli. Each jam had a funky rhythm, plenty of electronic beats and surprises around every trance infused melody. The encore was a Digital Dharma original entitled “Cloud 9” which featured Eli himself on the iPad. Their set is also available for a free download.

    One of Albany’s finest, Timbre Coup, was last to take the stage that night to the packed out venue with the snow falling outside. Early in the set, the progressive rock band dedicated the song “December” to their dedicated fans in November, an upbeat groove with hypnotizing melody. They covered Rick James’ “Give it to me Baby” as well as The New Deal’s “Deep Sun” both instant crowd pleasers and fed more energy to the band. Timbre Coup looks like they are having as much fun as the crowd and it’s a treat to watch them dance on stage and even switch instruments.

    Timbre Coup Setlist:  June, Jam->December. Give it to me Baby, 55->Jam&->Don’t Fly a Key on a Kitestring, September, July, Something About Radio->Jam->Mother Nature’s Baby Daddy, Verbal Kint->Jam&->55 end, Deep Sun, I Didn’t Know She Had a Moustache

    Throughout the night, all anyone had to say was how lucky we all were to share in the great music and help out a more than worthy cause. The event raised over $1200 and if people would like to still donate they can contact Steve Mink or Aaron Zarabi.

  • moe.down 14 announced for August 9-11 in Turin

    Mark your calendars for moe.down 14! Snow Ridge once again hosts the 14th annual moe.down music festival, in Turin, NY. The festival, traditionally on Labor Day weekend, has again been scheduled for August 9, 10 and 11, artists yet to be announced.

    New this year, VIP tickets! Early bird tickets go on sale December 10th at noon here.

  • Woe Is Me at Upstate Concert Hall, December 2nd

    It was an early Sunday show for Upstate Concert Hall (formally Northern Lights).  The first of five opening bands started at 6PM with headliner, “Woe, Is Me”, took the stage shortly after 9.  There were two crowds at the show. The first group was obvious: young energetic kids in skinny jeans, crude t-shirts and blackened Justin Bieber haircuts. They were found bouncin’ around the room and thrashing away in the rather tame mosh pit.  The second group were parents standing on the outskirts, watching their kids get their freak on and supporting the scene.  Kudos to them for supporting live shows and buying an extra ticket so their under-aged concertgoer can enjoy one of their favorite bands!

    As for the show, it was energetic.  There were five opening acts including crowd favorite Secrets who will be back at UCH on February 23rd when they open for Silverstein.  The last opening band was Chunk, No Captain Chunk from France.  Who knew Paris Hard Core was a real thing?  After seeing them, I’m still not entirely convinced.  They came out playing “Gangnam Style” that led into a more metalcore performance that got the kids moving.

    Headliner Woe, Is Me got their start in Atlanta back in 2009 and have had modest success on in the post-hardcore scene.  They have two vocalists (one clean, one unclean) and a solid line-up surrounding them, especially drummer, Austin Thornton.  Of the six bands on stage, there was no doubt who had the best stage presence, crowd control and energy.  The stage at Upstate Concert Hall was left wide open for the band to move freely and get the audience excited.  Crowd surfing started immediately, but with a mostly underage crowd and little-to-no alcohol involved the Step Up Presents security team handled it like the pros they are.  The music was loud and some serious talent was blaring through the speakers.  Bass lines were rich, guitars were shredded and the back-and-forth vocals were done as well as I’ve seen.  I’m going to keep an eye out for the band and see where their Twilight induced fan base can take them and I hope that they can stand the test of time to produce more solid work like their new album, Genesi[s].

  • Trey Anastasio Band to play Syracuse and Albany in January

    Trey Anastasio Band to play Syracuse and Albany in January

    Trey Anastasio Band embarks on an early 2013 Winter Tour this January, with stops in Upstate NY at The Landmark in Syracuse on Saturday, January 19th and a week later at The Palace Theatre in Albany on January 26th. Trey also hits off The Capitol Theater in Port Washington in between, on January 23 and 24, with the first night a rescheduled date from October, allowing ticket-holders to attend the 23rd with the original ticket. Having played a well-received Fall Tour that featured songs off his new album Traveler, these shows are sure to be incredible.

    trey anastasio band januaryThe last time Trey played in Syracuse was February 22, 2001, an incredible show that proved to be a difficult ticket at the height of hiatus, as so many Upstate fans needed their Phish fix from Trey. Mostly new songs off past studio work as well as the then-unreleased self-titled album from Trey were performed, peppered with some memorable covers (Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35, It Makes no Difference, Will it go Round in Circles?) and an acoustic “Guyute” at the end of set one. A recording of this show can be heard here, courtesy of Resident Taper Lenny Stubbe. Trey even sat in after his show with Strangefolk at Armory High (aka Styleens and Club Orange, among other names) for Neighbor > Norwegian Wood > Neighbor and that can be downloaded from the Live Music Archive.

    Trey is no stranger to Albany, having played here six times previously with the different lineups of Trey Anastasio Band, starting out on May 15th, 1999 at The Palace and playing June 13th, 2002, November 18th, 2005, December 29th, 2006, October 18th, 2008 and most recently on February 19th, 2011 (he seems to enjoy the cold months here). That show was incredible and featured the debut of Gorillaz “Clint Eastwood”, found on Traveler. You can download Set One of Albany 2011 here and Set Two here

    Tickets for all shows will be available through a real time presale beginning this Friday, December 7th at 10am EST at http://treytickets.rlc.net. For complete ticketing information or public on sale dates, please visit www.trey.com.

    Update 12/5/12: The Times Union has posted a retrospective of Trey over the years in the Capital District