Category: Show Reviews

Pearl Jam takes Buffalo to church

Buffalo’s First Niagara Center was buzzing on October 12th for what was a rare opportunity to experience the amazing energy that is Pearl Jam.

Fans were eager, despite a line of 20,000 and no opening band, they all filled their seats by the time the lights went down. The stage was artistically constructed to transform the arena venue to a more intimate atmosphere. The band came on stage under low lighting, and prepared their respective places. Eddie Vedder, on the other hand, intentionally looked around to take in the moment. It was as if he wanted to see each of the thousands of faces in the arena. Was he giving the crowd a moment to enjoy the scene before the performance began? Or, was he soaking up the crowd’s love? Either way, it was a pleasure to see a rock star appreciate the experience.

As a Gen-X’er who “struck out on my own” when “Alive” was the rage, I gotta say I was a bit apprehensive about the new stuff. I mean, what could possibly top Ten, Vs. and Vitalogy? Then, the show opened with “Pendulum”, from their newest album, Lightning Bolt (released October 15th).Well, hearing the new stuff live for the first time at this show – I’m humbled to say, I’m sold.

The performance contained thirty songs, including two live debuts from the newest release; “My Father’s Son” and “Swallowed Whole”. The entire performance was a well-balanced compilation of PJ history, ranging from 1992 to 2013. All songs portrayed and was played with the same energy — many offering a painful reminder that bad parenting has an incredible effect. Speaking of parenting, Vedder shared a bittersweet, heartbreak moment when he announced that his youngest daughter had scored her first soccer goal that day. “I hated to miss that,” he said. “But, you all make it worth it.” It was a powerful reminder that the people on stage, in order to entertain us, make heartbreaking sacrifices.

Pearl Jam still infects the audience with the same passion and energy they had in the ‘90s only with a more musically, and emotionally, mature sound. Vedder continues to show unabashed, raw emotion in his voice, which seems to have been the consistent draw and dominates the newest music. Those at First Niagara all seemed to love it, and it reminded me, too, of why I fell in love with them twenty years ago.

Things I loved:

1. The lighting: The light show was designed to show off the crowd regularly. The band WANTED to see all 20,000 of us — often. Their stage lighting was a virtual work of art, while also focusing on one as well. Rising and falling “lamps,” colored to impress a given mood, drew attention alternatively to the musicians and the awesome sculpture hanging over the band.

2. The sound: What Pearl Jam is able to achieve with their music is what people seek from church. When twenty thousand people are — together — singing the same words, with the same conviction, at the same time – it’s an amazingly unifying experience.

3. The set list: Two-thirds of my song wish list was satisfied. I wanted “Rats”, “Rearview Mirror”, and “Breath”. I got the first two (which NEVER happens), and “State of Love & Trust” replaced my need for Breath. But, honestly, with a set list like this (below), who could be dissatisfied? Now that it’s over and done with the song I am most glad I heard was “I Got ID (SHIT)”, which was accompanied by a very short explanation, that involved Neil Young.

My Downsides:

1. Eddie didn’t crowd surf.

Set List:

Pendulum, Low Light, Sometimes, Corduroy, Lightning Bolt, Mind Your Manners, Do the Evolution, Immortality, My Father’s Son (live debut), Even Flow, Swallowed Whole (live debut), Sirens, Once, Comatose, I Got Id, Infallible, Present Tense, State of Love and Trust, Porch

Encore: Off He Goes, Yellow Moon, Future Days, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Rats, Got Some, Rearviewmirror

Encore 2: Go, Alive, Baba O’Riley, (The Who cover), Indifference

October 15, 2013
Taking the Ride with School Bus Yellow at The Hollow

The Hollow in Albany overflowed with jams last Saturday, October 5th, with the help from rock veterans School Bus Yellow. The dancing never stopped with high energy music lasting late into the night. School Bus Yellow opened the night by shouting “Thank you, this is a very important venue for us”, only to have the crowd yell “Thank You!” right back. An authentic Upstate band, School Bus Yellow has been around for almost a decade and it’s no surprise given their unexpected splendor of light reggae rock tunes.

Greg Bell from Guthrie/Bell Productions attended the show stating, “This is the band that got drum circles cancelled at BellStock,” an understandable fact when those bongos add a unique and ear catching rhythm, causing a primitive stir that unfolded in the crowd. Their set included teases of the Harry Potter theme as well as the Indiana Jones theme song, plus fresh psychedelic funky jams. As the saying goes, “You’re either on the bus…or off the bus” so trust , when we say make sure you get on board when they stop in your town.

It has been months since Formula 5’s last show in the Albany area, creating much anticipation among fans and the band. The almost three hour set was a nonstop musical roller coaster ride, complete with guest sit-ins, plenty of teases and a few solid covers. As the band urged Chuck Valentine from School Bus Yellow to join them on stage.

Few bands can take on the challenge of covering the legendary jam band Phish but Formula 5 always rises to the occasion, especially with their rendition of “Weekapaug Groove.” Strangers quickly became friends as anyone on the dance floor got caught interlocking arms in a huge crowd free for all. One of the highlights was the short riot caused during “3 Ring” when Formula 5 teased “Killing in the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine, a harder look into their upbeat jazz styling. Each band member shone as their music blended perfectly together, a key ingredient for any successful band. Formula 5’s improvisational jams have reached new levels as there were consistent peaks with jaw dropping flow that Albany has been sincerely missing.

Setlist: The Clear -> Goin Down, Earthbound Tim, Rising Tide, Chuck Song@ -> Drums -> Weekapaug Groove+, Nu-Gen -> 3 Ring -> Perch -> 3 Ring%, Movin On* -> Catch Me, Excalibur, Sledgehammer -> The Clear Ending, Hot Box
E: Grey Seal #

@ Impromptu Band and Crowd collaboration to urge Chuck out of the basement and onto the stage
+ w/ Chuck Valentine of School Bus Yellow on guitar
% “Killing in the Name Of” (Rage Against the Machine) teases
* “Backstroke” (Fatback Band) teases throughout, “Push On Til the Day” (Trey Anastasio) teases
# Elton John Cover

October 14, 2013
City Bisco Makes its Mark on The Festival Circuit

Since Camp Bisco came and went in the early days of July, it seems all anyone could talk about was the return of City Bisco at the end of September and it only seemed right that the Disco Biscuits host the two day festival in their own hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mann Center was the perfect venue to host the variety of fantastic artists that the Disco Biscuits brought together for the weekend.

Disco Biscuits-City Bisco 2013

The lots of the Mann Center were filled with people tailgating, looking for tickets and peddling various Philadelphia themed Disco Biscuits merchandise while the gates were packed with people creating a relatively long wait to get searched and get inside. Getting searched upon arrival to the festival was a lot like going through security at an airport – patrons were made to take their shoes, jackets and hats off while they were searched thoroughly by each security member. Every orifice of your backpack, purse or wallet was turned inside out to ensure you weren’t smuggling in drugs or weapons. It was definitely excessive, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Once inside of the venue, fans were in the middle of both stages with long winding stairs leading to both. Having two separate stages inside of a venue like this definitely worked for what was trying to be accomplished. The skyline tent showcased many up and coming artists while the main stage held all the larger acts and from the top of the hill standing outside of the tent, you could see a beautifully perfect view of the Philadelphia skyline.

Philly based DJs Risky and Disko took on the skyline tent with their dance worthy beats that warmed up the crowd for the long night to come. Each song bounced between a heavy house influence and the underlying presence of disco – definitely an interesting pair to bring to the stage. Following was Twiddle, whose popularity and fanbase is ever growing as they finish their long and extensive summer festival run and begin their Fall Tour throughout the country. Their set was nothing short of phenomenal, as they busted out their fast and energetic tunes to get the crowd ready for the Disco Biscuits on main stage.

The main stage at the Mann Center left nothing to be desired, as the entire area was completely open allowing a perfect breeze to sweep through the arena, with impeccable sound no matter where you chose to stand or sit. When the Disco Biscuits took stage the crowd was immediately alive with waves of intensity. Opening with “Basis For A Day”, which could have turned even the biggest Biscuits skeptic into a believer – what the band would break out of their jam into was impossible to tell until well into the song. The “Basis” that was played at City Bisco was one that will unarguably go down in Disco Biscuits history, as it was biggest highlight of night one and perhaps the entire festival. Fan favorite “Story of the World” followed to remind everyone in the crowd why they had waited so long to see these guys take stage again. The lasers that have become a staple to Disco Biscuits shows only intensified the brilliant jams the Biscuits were throwing down at the Mann Center. For an almost entirely open venue, the lasers spanned the crowd wall to wall.

In between sets from RedMan and Method Man were probably not the highlight of the festival, but it was still surreal to be seeing these two legends take the stage at a Disco Biscuits festival. The performance consisted of a lot of hype crew yelling but very little music or rapping. For a hip-hop performance the crowd had little to no energy at all, due perhaps to the excessive amount of energy that set 1 drained from the crowd, but it was still a little disappointing. The second set of The Disco Biscuits was much slower than the first and was highlighted by a quick tease of “Theme from Shaft” and a pretty decent “Reactor> Floes”, the latter of which got a little sloppy towards the end as it seemed like the entire band was trying their best to get back onto the same page by segueing back into the groove of “Reactor”. First night held no encore, which was disappointing but also perhaps for the best with the whole next day of music to be seen.

Saturday was a beautiful day in Philadelphia and Fairmount Park was filled with people, eager to get into the Mann for part two of an epic weekend. The skyline tent was the place to be throughout the afternoon, for every artist that took stage kept the energy levels high and the crowd dancing. Cosmic Dust Bunnies took the stage first, bringing their typical high energy bouncy, psychedelic grooves to the skyline tent. Pimps of Joytime and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong also threw down well-received sets in the tent from the large, energetic crowds. It was definitely great to see all of the up and coming bands get so much love from the crowd. Emancipator and Gigamesh both had amazing sets on the main stage before the Disco Biscuits took stage for their last two sets of the weekend.

The Disco Biscuits appeared with another explosion of energy as the crowd filed quickly in from the outskirts of the Mann. First set was on fire opening with “Hope” and following it with a dynamic and energetic “Caterpillar”. There was never a dull moment during first set, at one point the band trailed off into a instrumental “Tom Sawyer” jam that was not only extremely surprising but also well executed. Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig slammed on his guitar in such a way that his ax channeled the vocals of Rush’s Geddy Lee while Marc Brownstein filled in with the epic unforgettable Rush bass line. They finished the set with a segue back into “Caterpillar” before setbreak.

Simon Posford of Shpongle took stage during set break for the Disco Biscuits. Shpongle is perhaps one of the most eclectic and talented bands on the music scene these days and if you are lucky enough to get to see them perform with their live band, you’ll understand exactly what that means. Shpongle has made it an art form to capture abstract concepts and feelings so as to portray them through their psychedelic DMT fueled music. The set was great, Simon opened with a few of his new songs from the new album Museum of Consciousness and played some of their more popular older songs as well. The crowd seemed very lackluster about the entire set and most people stayed seated which was strange for a Shpongle show. It seems as though when playing this type of music for a crowd, DJ sets just simply cannot and do not to the music any justice. The intricate layerings of each individual song are so complex that simply watching Simon spin the tracks on stage does not actually put into perspective how phenomenal each piece of music is.

The second and final Disco Biscuits set of the weekend ended on a high note with a set covering all facets of the Disco Biscuits talents. “Mindless Dribble” was certainly one of the highlights of the second set with a Daft Punk “Get Lucky” jam and a “Disco Inferno” bust out. They took stage one last time for their encore of “Frog Legs” into a tease of “Run Like Hell.” The encore was a little lackluster considering how full of energy the entire weekend had been, but you really can’t complain with a “Frog Legs.” All of the artists performed at such full force all weekend it was certainly worth the trip to the city of brotherly love. City Bisco is definitely a staple to the festival season and the perfect installment to the much-loved Camp Bisco. After waiting months and months in anticipation for City Bisco, it was a little sad to leave Philadelphia. Lucky for us all, New Years run is right around the corner.

October 11, 2013
Kung Fu lights up Red Square for a knock out

Albany got a high dose of funk on October 3rd at Red Square thanks to the funk professionals in Kung Fu. The quintet packs a supergroup punch with talented musicians from various bands – Tim Palmieri (The Breakfast, guitar), Todd Stoops (RAQ, keyboards), Rob Somerville (Deep Banana Blackout, sax), David Livolsi (Jazz Is Dead, bass) and Adrian Tramontano (The Breakfast, drums). Needless to say, these guys have plenty of experience on how to start a killer party, even on a weekday night. Often booked for the late night slots on festival schedules, it was refreshing to watch Kung Fu perform at an earlier time (10pm), giving concertgoers a stirring chance to soak up the lethal levels of musical fusion.

With no opening act, the fans went wild as Kung Fu took the stage, eager to feel the funk. The sound came blaring out of the speakers and the groove hit via highlights including “God Made Me Funky”, with its simple chorus which the grateful crowd sang back to the band. Somerville blasted his horn with great enthusiasm that almost chipped the paint off the walls. It was a unique treat for the Red Square venue to have the Kung Fu lighting rigs that heightened the musical experience with the nonstop waves of bright neon. Guests were given the warning from the band, “Just because we stop playing, doesn’t mean we want to stop partying.” One of the best things about playing in the Upstate New York area for Kung Fu is the late night cut off time, usually much earlier in Connecticut.

The second set brought the crowd to the dark side of the funk, as the band displayed a captivating chemistry of Sly & the Family Stone meets The Funky Meters, turned upside down and mixed with harder electronic rock. Kung Fu created a heavier rock vibe mixed with a slow groove, resulting in a hair-raising boogie. Stoops surrendered to the keyboards as he played with his eyes closed, feeling the music that he was feeding to the crowd. Livolsi hit deep notes on his bass in a steady rhythm of sinister delight.

Kung Fu has a jammed packed fall tour with stops at the New York Harvest Fest in Monticello, a Post Phish show at The Palladium in Worcester, MA, a Halloween show at The Gramercy Theater in NYC and the Bear Creek Festival in Live Oak, Florida.

October 10, 2013
Keller Williams Plays to an Intimate Crowd in Rochester

NYS Music was lucky enough to capture two Keller Williams shows in Upstate NY, a solo performance at German House in Rochester on September 12th and at Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, NY on October 10th with special guests, New York’s very own Floodwood sharing the bill.

Keller Williams is truly a Renaissance Man of the music world. With an album repertoire including, to name a few – a Children’s album, a piano infused Grateful Dead covers album (Keys) and a bluegrass treat with the Travelin’ McCourys (Pick) – all in addition to his noteworthy one-man-show events, set Keller far apart from the Jamband pack.

Currently on tour across the East and West Coasts, Keller can be seen on any given night of the week as either his solo performance or accompanied by one of several bands like – Floodwood, The Travelin’ McCourys or More Than A Little.

The German House performance played to an intimate local crowd with energy that filled the air while permeating the dance floor with a flood of dancing shoes.

Arriving onstage barefoot in rolled-up khakis and strapped with a guitar, Keller beat on the strings of his guitar to a wordless jam with increasing intensity of sound. Whilst twirling around the stage in circles with silly faces and comical interactions with the crowd, Keller’s inner presence beamed from his gestures – it was clear the crowd was in for a fantastic evening.

This particular night Keller was consistently impressing fans with sampling several different instruments at once and dancing around while creating music, amazing music! Many were in awe of how seamlessly he was not just making music, but he was the music, it was all-encompassing and a delight to be a part of.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

Keller’s version of Ani DiFranco’s “Freak Show” was an excellent first for me – Keller giving credit to the creators of the song he was making his own, saying – “bass line by the GD words by Ani Difranco”. Freaker by the speaker created a funky psychedelic jam that blew the roof of the house that night.

During a drum beat infused Franklin’s Tower the crowd erupted into a sing along where Keller Williams improvised lyrics to say, “If you get confused listen to the fake trumpet play” – as he created trumpet sounds from an iPad on a stand. It seemed to be a spiritual moment in the German house where, we as a music community in Rochester, NY, once celebrated the life of a fallen brother, Scott Schojan – the words “may the four winds blow you safely home again” sends a warmth thru my body knowing at that moment, Scotty was in the room with us.

October 10, 2013
Conjuring the GOASTT – Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger Live at the BSP Lounge, Kingston

Photos By Eric Francis/Planet Waves

The September 28, 2013 performance by the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger at the BSP Lounge in Kingston, NY emphasized a band developing a new and original musical identity, as well as embarking a journey of discovery and experimentation. The acoustic duo of Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Sean Lennon have expanded their horizons and their acoustic sensibilities with additional band members, as well as an electric jolt. The GOASTT, now in addition to founding members Lennon and Muhl, also feature drummer Tim Kuhl, Jared Samuel on keyboards, and Robbie Mangano on guitars, all hailing from Brooklyn band ‘Invisible Familiars‘. This expanded addition of GOASTT is a conglomerate of influences, containing the same melodic hallmarks and lyrical content of previous acoustic excursions, but now neatly tied up in a thick psychedelic package of soundscapes. When I asked Lennon about the shift in musical direction for the band, his reply was simple and straightforward, ‘We have always wanted to rock’, his smiling partner Muhl agreed.

After enjoyable sets by Parakeet and Brother JT, the anxious crowd awaited the appearance of GOASTT. The sold out concert was truncated at slightly over an hour but in this case quality outweighed quantity. Lennon explained that the group had only ‘been together two weeks’ and had just been building a set for their recent tour with the Flaming Lips. The songs they played on this evening were the tunes they had practiced for the road. Lennon explained that of the nine songs played during the evening’s performance, five were new and could be expected on the as of yet untitled LP due out within months. The other four tracks included two familiar originals and two expertly chosen cover songs.

The concert opened kinetically with the unfamiliar but still exciting pulse of new music. I must admit that for the first couple of songs I was disoriented and overwhelmed by the sound originating from the stage. I was immediately taken in by the succulent and psychedelic sounds permeating the venue, and the flavor of a debut, ‘Too Deep’. Lennon on Fender Jaguar guitar bounced dramatically under the cherry stage lights, his prowess sneaky, adding essential stringed elements to the musical tincture being stirred by the group. The extremely talented Muhl plays heroic bass in this line up, also switching to organ for certain tracks. Keyboardist Samuel shined throughout the evening, at some points sounding like a Mellotron, at other times carnival keys. It was obvious to me throughout the first couple of tunes that the band meant business, and like a heavy thick blanket placed their music over the lap of the crowd, enveloping all of us in textured melodies.

The third tune of the night was an obscure and well chosen cover of ‘Golden Earrings’ by the late 1960’s group Gandalf and hailing from their lone LP. This track represented the band’s sound well, spotlighting a developed prog-like peak. Lennon and Mangano thrashed at their guitar strings, while the amusement park keyboard of Samuel shifted the ground beneath the song. The bottom end slotted together perfectly in the groove with Kuhl and Muhl holding things together.

Following the detonation of ‘Golden Earrings’, a pair of new originals appeared. The first song flashed deliberately like a rainy night traffic light. Lennon and Mangano meshed gears with dual phased guitar lines that danced over the ethereal instrumental backing. Lennon’s vocals perfect as floating smoke, levitating into the night sky outside of the club. The second of the new originals was in my opinion one of the strongest songs of the night and the greatest recipient of the recent band line up. Peeking at the setlist, this tune is called ‘Gold on Green’. The song churned like a wheel through deep blue water, Lennon and Muhl sharing enlightened vocals over futuristic backing from the band. The combination of Lennon’s obvious gifts for melody with a harder edged sound in this new context are a killer combination.

The first track to be played off of the 2010 LP Acoustic Sessions, ‘Jardin du Luxembourg’, was performed for what Lennon called ‘our hardcore fans’. The tun had changed from its previous incarnations into a sludgy and punchy stomp contrasted by cloudy slide guitar. The dual vocals blending into one voice only to diverge on different paths for brief moments in an absolutely thunderous version with punctuated guitar lines and a start stop rhythms. The potent combination of melody and power is what drives the best rock music and this performance contained both in mysterious ways.

The final song of the set was appropriately the delicate ‘Last Call’, featured in a new incarnation. Shifting from its buoyant gentle introduction into a sensational and wah wah drenched finale, the song contained all of the things that made this concert so wonderful. Vocal melodies of embracing lovers, attentive musicianship and diverse songwriting all combined to make a transcendent reading of the lovely song, prodding it through many changes and concluding in a colorful wash of feedback. Lennon again showed of his underrated guitar abilities with a warm candle wax display of melodic ideas that eventually climaxed into the conclusion of the show.

The band returned after a few minutes for a much welcomed encore that featured the second ace choice of a cover song for the evening. A deadly serious version of Syd Barrett’s ‘Long Gone’ transfigured from its folk beginnings into a darker electric context. Lennon’s drawn out and dry vocals rang out all of the emotion concealed in Barrett’s original version. The GOASTT navigated their way through a heavy orchestrated facsimile of the original, that after the verse descended down the rabbit hole. A suspenseful concluding jam filled with colliding guitars brought the show to a satisfying and proper conclusion.

The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger performance exceeded all of my personal expectations and delivered in many unexpected ways. The diversity of the group as well as the chemistry of Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Sean Lennon make the band something greater and different from its parts or musical pedigree. Lennon and Muhl’s need to let their music breath and develop freely it a true testament to their abilities as artists. Their personal non-musical relationship strengthens the bond created in the group, and lends a unique ability to create in a different way. Similar to his father, Lennon has found a special female collaborator to share his artistic ideas with and who equals his talent. Lennon told me that there is no date for the upcoming record as of yet, but Charlotte Kemp Muhl did reveal that the record is being mixed by musical veteran David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips) with much of the work being done at his Tar Box Road Studios in Fredonia, NY.

So we will wait in anticipation for this new music to be revealed and if the BSP Lounge concert was any indication, the record is going to be special. The GOASTT provides a pallet in which many varieties can be sampled. Acoustic, electric, psychedelic, harmonies, songwriting, guitar solos, if you are looking for it in rock music, the GOASTT can provide it for you. They are one of the most talented and unique bands to enjoy in this era of cookie cutter musical displays. Catch them if you can, and keep an ear to the ground for their new sounds.

October 9, 2013
Review: DEVOUR THE DAY Takes Over The Webster

A small crowd began to form in front of the stage, all somewhat patiently waiting for Devour the Day’s arrival. The lights dimmed, hinting it was their time to rock the stage and blow the concertgoers away. As soon as Blake Allison (vocals/guitar) and Joey Walser (bass) appeared, they did not hesitate before beginning their set with “Get Out of My Way”, quickly followed by “Handshakes to Fist Fights” and the first track from their debut record, Time and Pressure, “Respect”. With every beat, Devour the Day’s energy intensified and washed over the crowd, waking them up and preparing them for the main event, Hinder. They continued their set with “Move On” and slowed it down a bit with “Reckless”. Afterwards, Devour the Day completed their set with “Blackout” and their hit single, “Good Man”. They left their now new fans with a strong hunger for more of their killer songs.

Earlier that evening, I had the opportunity to sit down and interview Joey Walser. We discussed everything from the band’s beginning to Walser being a father.

UM: How did you come up with your band name?

JW: My father came up with the band name from a few different books that he was reading at a particular time but he’s always been great at naming things…he’s been my go-to guy forever. Blake and I were spending too much time making up names that were funny, like horrible band names…so yeah, my dad came up with the name and Blake and I were looking for something that felt like compelled us everyday when we woke up. We didn’t just want to be “Triggerfinger” or…whatever, some stupid name, that didn’t have any challenge to it, like Carpe Diem with some teeth, so we went with Devour the Day.

UM: Did you use any particular inspirations on your record while working on it, if so what were they?

JW: I think the idea, because it started mostly therapeutically, it wasn’t necessarily like an agenda to make a band or make a record, is what really separated us because we’re being honest. Because an artist, when you’re trying to fit somewhere in between being creative and being a business man, a lot of that convolutes your final product and we didn’t have much of that in the way in the other one. There wasn’t a producer with an agenda, a manager with an agenda, label with an agenda, just Blake and I wanting to write honest music about all the horrible things that we were going through in that year. Mostly therapeutically, so that’s what I think it translates.

UM: How did you come up with the album title?

JW: During the course of the recording process, we were watching a movie called Shawshank Redemption, which was originally a Stephen King short story, and there was the idea that, obviously if you know the story or the movie, he widdles his way out of prison, not on some grand one time get rich fast type of metaphor, he has to literally with the smallest hammer he has, just time and pressure over years of cracking away one stone at a time to get out. As they say, he climbs through a river of shit and comes out clean on the other side. Blake and I just felt like we were Andy Dufresne, like we were that character, as the metaphor goes. It just made so much more sense with the essence of what that story was, time and pressure that no matter what, if you keep pushing forward, you’ll get there, no matter how long it takes. So we, obviously, aren’t where we want to be, but we’re on our fucking way.

UM: What’s the story behind “Good Man”?

JW: “Good Man” is written from the perspective of the fact that I think that lyrically, I came to a point in life that everything had fallen apart, my wife had left me, the band had broken up, Egypt Central that is, and I think Blake was in the same place. I think I started to ask myself the question that if there is a God, if there is someone out there looking out for us, then what did I do, in my life, that made all of this negativity come back to me? Like if there is somebody out there looking out for me, why isn’t he helping me and at the same time, kind of airing the honesty that it’s okay to be a spiritual person and have absolutely total doubt in everything that is spiritual. I think like for wanting a rock band to conquer, a concept such as that or to even attempt it I think was really risky for us to kind of be a secular band, bridge the gap of asking the Christian question is risky and I think we did it in a tasteful way. Ultimately, there’s a story of a man on his knees crying out to whoever will listen to him, God, Allah…it’s like the opportunity that you’re so down on your luck that anyone listening is what you need, that came from a real place. That’s on us and that has a special meaning as the rest of them do but I think that was from the spiritual side.

UM: If you had to choose a quote or a line to describe what motivates you from day to day, what would it be?

JW: Oh, that’s so easy! Devour the Day! I really feel like at this point in my life being an artist, being a father, being a friend, all of those things are kind of encompassed in that idea that you never know when the last day is, so you better treat it like it’s your last. I think Blake and I both appreciate that so much because we did lose everything we’ve worked for, know that you’re not guaranteed that everything is going to continue being around, and at the same time being positive because we came from really negative, and still have somehow turned this thing around…the attitude not the circumstances. We’re happier than we’ve ever been in our entire lives, Blake and I as artists, just being the two of us, and having the ability to have all the say-so, it’s really, really great for both of us, a lot of fun!

UM: If you were not a musician, what other career would you want to have?

JW: I’d be a stay at home dad, without a shadow of a doubt. Being with my kids every second of everyday would be awesome. That sounds good because I travel but all the stay at home dads are like, “oh it’s so hard”, and it is, but I would do it. And I would teach myself how to cook, it’s like a 1950’s housewife, but that’s about what I’d do…and work in a movie theater maybe.

UM: What does music mean to you?

JW: Music, honestly, is what creates balance for me, I feel like for whatever reason for whatever circumstances, that happened to me since the day I was born till now. The impulsive and quick creative release that is music is that it happens so fast. It’s what keeps me sane, so I mean it’s like I need it, I need it like oxygen, I need it like love, or all of those things. Music is that important to me, I think it’s because of an addictive personality, this is one of the healthy addictions, I need it so I don’t get bored and fall into other bad habits. I know that about myself at points.

Be sure to check out Devour the Day‘s tour dates on www.devourtheday.com. They put on one hell of a show and it is one you will not want to miss!

October 9, 2013
Recap: Utica Music and Arts Festival 2013

The Utica Music and Arts Festival delivered without a doubt a one-two punch that the community needed in order to highlight the Mohawk Valley‘s growing music and arts scene. Founded several years ago by Joe Sweet and Zee, their vision to bring an eclectic mix of music musicians and artists to Central New York has slowly but surely taken seed. Over the last six years the community has come to embrace this movement to make this a destination for attendees and artists alike with more than a thousand performers submitting their music for review to become part of the 2013 history. With a bright blue sky as the backdrop and a canvas the size of a billboard, the artists created their masterpieces as audiences watched their visions unfold right in front of their eyes.

This year’s partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College was the perfect setting Saturday for the Greens Fest activities and artists to showcase their work. Interactive art projects allowed children in attendance to be part of the art themselves while face painting creations by Kitty Glitter made them walking works of art. Special chalk artist from upstate New York, Eric Muruscak, known for his amazing 3D murals, created a life size hole that many dared to cross while snapping photos of their fearlessness. The activities were numerous and wherever one looked there were musicians, magicians, jugglers and dancers who provided non-stop entertainment throughout the day. The scent of Green’s stone baked pizzas and Polish cuisine wafting through the air made it difficult to choose just where to eat while vendors displayed and sold their handcrafted creations to those strolling through the grounds. From one side of the city to the next, venues opened their doors welcoming musicians from all over the world to perform. Attendees traveled all over the state to catch glimpses of their favorite performers and were not disappointed in the least.

Hotel Utica

Friday night began at the Hotel Utica, an absolutely perfect gem of a space. Once hailed as the premier location for the rich and famous that passed through the central New York region, its newly renovated interior became the perfect setting to check in, grab the schedule and head out to the venues featuring your favorite artists. Performances were non stop throughout the Hotel all weekend and as patrons stood above on the mezzanine watching performances in the lobby, one wondered why this wasn’t utilized more. The beautiful sounds of Arielle, carried throughout the lobby as patrons sat comfortably tapping their toes and enjoying this bohemian feel. It is even said that perhaps a ghost was sighted throughout the evening.

O’Donnell’s Pub & Grill

O’Donnell’s Pub & Grill, located on Varick Street welcomed artists throughout the weekend. Artists such as locals The Upstate Outlaws, a rock band featuring Andrew C. Styles on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Brice Dunn on bass/backup vocals, John Swiech on drums and tin whistle, Mike Frantz on weirdness guitar/backup vocals, and Matt Pett on lead guitar lead off a weekend of rockers to take the stage in the pub. Also performing there was Fred Gillen Jr, who came from the Hudson Valley region has a folk style of music and playful banter that amused the audience while his tunes eased them into a comfortable swaying back and forth. Suns of The Empire, a local band from Rome, NY that has played together for the last 13 years rocked the house with opening number “Stuck in the 80’s” as well as some of their tunes like “Wrong is Right” and “Beating a Dead Horse” while new tunes like “Falling Down” will appear on their upcoming CD scheduled to be released soon.

One highly anticipated band this year brought back by popular demand all the way from Denmark was Miss Marlow. Miss Marlow is fronted by Marleen Pfeiffer, and accompanied by Søren Larsen on guitar, Trine Wester on bass, and drummer Jon Clausen. This band brought the house down with their unique and sultry vibes of rock and roll reminiscent of the Pink Floyd era. With each number, the crowd gathered clapped and cheered inciting them to continue to play even when their set was over. Due to the amazing response to their Friday night performance, the festival was able to talk them into squeezing in “just one more set” Saturday night for those that couldn’t make Friday’s stellar jam session and before they moved on for their national tour of America. Miss Marlow was a must see show and you have to hope they return next year for those that may have missed their performances this time around.

Nail Creek Pub & Brewery

The Nail Creek Pub & Brewery also located on Varick Street once again opened their doors this year to a multitude of artists over the weekend. Seth Adam, a Connecticut native returned to the festival this year after Central New York and Utica made a lasting impression on him at last years event. Joined onstage by John Jackson on Mandolin, Violin, Guitars and Vocals and Gerry Giaimo on Guitars and Vocals, this trio’s unique blend of rock, alternative country, and folk sound moved the audiences they played for both at the Nail Creek and at the Greens Fest Stage. If you missed either of these sets, make sure you don’t miss their new release of their latest single “Push and Pull”, off of the new record, “Steel Tempered Pride,” coming out Oct. 1st.

Also performing at the Nail Creek was Los Angeles based Poeina Suddarth. An energy radiated from her as she prepared to take the stage. Her warm welcoming smile and playful attire put the audience at ease immediately. When she began to sing, her sultry, strong voice mesmerized and captivated those listening. Preparing for an upcoming European tour, you can check out Poeina’s music on iTunes and find out more about the tour on her Kickstarter campaign.

Saturday afternoon brought one of the most talented guitar players currently touring to the Nail Creek. Based currently in Williamsburg VA, Mark Kroos’s unique style of playing two guitars simultaneously amazes audiences. This type of performance is unique and his one of kind musicality and vivacious personality won over the crowd immediately. It is no wonder UMAF quickly booked Kroos to join them this year and his performance surpassed the anticipation of those who snuck a peek at his videography online in advance. Audience members became more engrossed after each number and yelled encouragements and love after each song. His playful banter and interesting stories outlined each number and amused those in attendance. This insight to Mark’s writing and performing only made audience members more engrossed with each number. The only downfall to his visit to UMAF was the fact that his set was so short and he couldn’t stay longer to play longer as he had another gig in Pennsylvania early the next day. Check out Mark’s video performing “Dueling Banjos”, solo.

The Green Onion Pub

Friday night ended at The Green Onion Pub on Genesee Street with UMAF returning favorite Randy Niles. Randy has participated in UMAF now for four years and has become family. Randy is based out of New York City and his eclectic sound is reminiscent of a mix of soul, rock, pop, folk, and blends to into an Indie sound that is unmistakably remarkable. When I first saw Randy play last year, I was amazed at his musical genius and mesmerized by his one man band sound that is known as looping technology. With a few beats, strums, and clicks he lays down a background accompaniment that compliments and grooves along with his lyrics. This sound is unmistakably unique and wows audiences wherever he plays. When asked his thoughts on UMAF and his experiences with the event he stated “UMAF is not just a festival, its an idea that has opened up not just opportunity for the arts but for a community and I’m glad to call myself a part of that community.”

MVCC – Greens Fest

Saturday kicked off the Greens Fest at the perfect venue, MVCC. The collaboration this year with MVCC was genius and was the perfect setting to showcase the artists as they painted, the vendors showcasing their handmade wares, the food vendors specializing in everything from pizza, to fries, to pierogis and of course greens. This family filled event had magicians, jugglers, Kitty Glitter, and interactive activities that amused the children while parents enjoyed the stages with more UMAF selected artists. From the moment it began, the crowds were constant and the energy was felt by all in attendance.

Saturday Afternoon shows on the main stage featured Jenna McDaniel, Ray Mazza and The Gutter Bandits, Seth Adams, The Rick Short Band, and My Pet Dragon. My Pet Dragon is always a crowd pleaser with their unique sound that is a mix of rock, pop, and indie elements. Their music is the type that gets the crowd moving and dancing each and every time. My Pet Dragon is led by singer/guitarist/producer Todd Michaelsen and actress/dancer Reena Shah. Together they give audiences a high energy, feel good performance each and every time. Check out their latest hit “Moonshine” and see for yourself how toe-tappingly pleasing they are.

Hanna Park

Throughout the city, venues continued to showcase talent with artists of every genre of music imaginable over the weekend. However as a special treat this year, KROCK and GPO Federal Credit Union brought to Central New York nationally known artist Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts. Hanna Park buzzed from the moment the first opening band, Red Hush, took the stage. The band’s performance set the bar high for an evening of rocking energy. Hometown favorite Nineball followed with a performance that incited the crowd even more, preparing the them for the main event and special guests Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts. After many years of performing with Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, the crowd was anxious to welcome him back with open arms. Never skipping a beat, his transition to performing with his new band The Wildabouts was seamless and the performance outstanding. His sound was spot on and his performance of the utmost showmanship. He was truly a superstar singing to a Central New York crowd as though it was a sold out Central Park event.

Hotel Utica

Finishing out the night at the Hotel Utica, crowds joined in the explosive performance of the band, Moon Zombies upon returning. With a name such as Moon Zombies you were assume they are dark and ominous, yet they are nothing like their name. They were a wallop of high energy rocking tunes that hit you in the face like a wave crashing on a rock. When asked what genre of music they consider themselves, they stated “FunSkaPunkFunkPowerPopiliciousness”. Hailing from Rochester, NY, Moon Zombies have participated for two years now with the UMAF and what a diamond of a group. The energy level was brought to you by Majic Wand on Vocals, Guitar and whatever happens to be laying on the stage; The Letter J on Guitars, vocals, foot work; DJ Late Payment on Bass/Funk Harvester; Danny O’Wallop on Drums, percussion, vocals, bottle returns; AdRoc on Keys, Buttons, Knobs, Glockenspiel; and last but not least Hard Work on Saxophone.

With an anticipation of the crowd nearing the final hours, everyone made their way upstairs to the ballroom to see local band Floodwood perform. Introduced to everyone as a “progressive string band” the introduction truly downplayed what the audience was in for over the next two hours. High energy banjo, fiddle, and mandolin pumped up the audience with each number as bass and drums lay down the back line beat. As each number the band played, the audience danced, stomped, clapped, yelled, and became part of the music. The crowd cheered and begged to continue as the night wore on, especially when members of the band joined the crowd and played the floor.

Floodwood is the perfect mix of talent to bring the perfect mix of music to the audience. For upcoming tour dates and their latest cd please visit www.floodwoodmusic.com. Floodwood closed UMAF like no other possibly could. Their performance celebrated what Utica Music and Arts Festival was all about, the love of music, culture, art, and community.

October 8, 2013
Review: Purple Pig Festival in Naples

The Purple Pig Festival, a quietly publicized festival hidden away in the Finger Lakes, proved a force to be reckoned with over the last weekend in September. Under the full Harvest Moon, traffic lined the corn fields in Naples, NY, waiting for the opportunity to see what Odd Fellowes Farm had to offer for the second annual Festival. Set up with multiple stages, vending, food, and a fire pit, all within close proximity it gave the Purple Pig an intimate feeling right away. Benches provided perches for the main stage, and the barn stage was decorated aptly with flying pigs.

Western NY ruled the night with Randle and the Late Night Scandals, AudioInflux, Axis Armada, and The Prickers. A truly local band based out of Naples NY, The Prickers brought with them a robust following, their own line of lovingly made screen printed merchandise, and unique mix of sounds. The multi-talented musicians melded bluegrass, rock, and even punk into their set, setting the stage for a weekend full of variety and energy.

Late night favorites Jimkata took to the main stage while fire twirlers worked in time with the tempo of the Jamtronic quartet. While they were a new band to many in attendance, they quickly gained respect as the set wore on, ripping through their ever growing repertoire. Saturday brought rain, and lots of it. The main stage closed and tents set up over the already muddy grounds gave limited respite from the rain. Making the best out of a difficult situation, the schedule of the day went out the window, and bands and volunteers alike pitched in to keep the show going.

The Campbell Brothers, an unlikely crowd favorite, stole the show on Saturday and while it continued to rain, spirits were lifted, and bodies danced to the African-American gospel band. Out of Rush, NY they have offering their version of worship to concertgoers nationwide. Joining them on the keyboard was another Naples native, Aaron Lipp. Known for their high energy and unstoppable grooves, the band brought the crowd to a roaring frenzy as they closed out the set. The diversity of the music was fully realized as Saturday night rolled in, from Gospel to the classic Americana-indie rock bluegrass sounds of The Horse Flies, back to the Jamtronica funk beats of Roots Collider.

What a great weekend in the Finger Lakes at the Purple Pig Music Festival. Saturday’s marathon of music concluded with a smoking Giant Panda set that just about blew the roof off the barn. A slow Sunday morning start was to be expected after the late night rager. Yet once the music started, the energy kicked back into gear, providing an exclamation point on an already incredible weekend, one that brought with it major challenges, from the small size, the cool weather, and the rain and subsequent mud. But this little festival thrived and overcame the worst possible festival troubles, and were determined as the saying goes, to be “Happier than Pigs in Shit.”

October 7, 2013
SPAC Hosts Farm Aid 2013

Farm Aid, the annual concert founded by Willie Nelson in 1985 to focus on family farms in America, made its first ever stop at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 21, 2013, with nearly 20 musical acts and countless educational activities and farm-centric events that made Farm Aid stand out as the premiere musical event in Upstate New York as the summer drew to a close.

But Farm Aid is FAR MORE than just a concert with tons of great acts – Dave Matthews, Neil Young and John Mellencamp among the headliners – it isÂ a political movement for all to take part in, pushing the cause of the environment and growing the local farm movement, one that benefits everyone without having to take a side on the left or right.

Food is a universal need. Healthy food, even more so these days. Keeping in mind the ‘Act Local, Think Global’ mantra, Farm Aid is truly an educational event as much as it is musical, and when these are coupled together, the impact can be profound and lasting. Whether it was an informative diorama of how Sustainable Farming works (and quite efficiently I might add), the best seeds to use (non-Monsanto/GMO) or a look at the latest Farm Bill (which passed the House but cut Food Stamps and assistance for the poor), there was something to be learned throughout the array of tents and exhibitions near The Hall of Springs.

The crowd this day was bigger than any I had ever seen at SPAC – a sold out crowdÂ plusÂ a lawn chair for everyone sitting on the infamous SPAC lawn left little room for fans to dance, but for a 12-hour concert, you needed to pace yourself and sit while you had the opportunity. Fans sat far back towards The Hall of Springs, where speakers and monitors were set up so those set far back in the sprawled out crowd could enjoy the concert, regardless of distance from the stage. A crowd filled with older music lovers, local farmers, fans who traveled across the country for what seemed for some to be a yearly pilgrimage, as well as curious first timers and Rock n Roll fans comprised the crowd of more than 25,000. It was a festival-likeÂ atmosphere with 12 hours of music, a packed crowd and a wide array of food to sample; there was even a healthy amount of rain in the evening to give that almost-a-festival feeling, just without the camping option.

As for the music, there was plenty to be had for fans of folk and rock, but this was far from a ‘something for everybody’ lineup. No hip-hop, EDM, jam bands or the like. This was a concert of true American Rock n Roll: folk music on a rock level that was inspirational, but veered away from preachy (except for Neil Young, but more on him later). It was also a family affair, with Lukas Nelson (Willieâs son) and Carlene Carter (June’s daughter) bringing a generational aspect to an event that has spanned 28 years, roughly a generation itself. Carlene Carter performed a stirring rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” as the daylight shone down through the windows inside the SPAC pavilion to create a cathedral inside the amphitheater.Â Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real performed a solid set and kept the Nelson family name proud; Lukas later sat in with Willie on a cover of Eddie Vedder’s “Just Breathe.”

Toad the Wet Sprocket, a blast from the past of the 90’s, performed in support of their new album New Constellation and performed hits including “Walk on the Ocean” and “All I Want”. Prior to their set, bassist Dean Dinning and guitarist/singer Glen Phillips sat down backstage to talk about Farm Aid, their new album and indie rock bands. Look for ‘s review of their new album next week. Jack Johnson played “Radiate” from his new album From Here to Now to You, as well as “Flake”, an interesting take on Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and Jimi Hendrix’ “Crosstown Traffic”, all of which swayed the lawn as the sun shone its brightest of the day, giving the crowd one last glimpse of warmth before the cool autumn night set in.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds gave every bro in the crowd something to cheer for, sing along to and yell the lyrics to anyone within earshot. It was an intimate performance and Dave continued to shower accolades on the venue – he loves SPAC in every way, shape and form. Having performed at the venue seemingly every year for the past 10 years, if not more, sitting on the familiar stage next to his old friend was a treat for him. The audience was treated in return with “Save Me”, “So Damn Lucky”, “Grace is Gone”, “Cornbread”, “If Only”, “#41” (something for fans of Under the Table and Dreaming) and “Two Step”. Just as Dave’s set ended, the rain began to fall, leading the first wave of fans to leave the show, but many stalwarts, especially the Neil Young and Willie Nelson fans, dug in their heels and prepared for the next three hours.

Prior to the Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Willie Nelson performances, videos looking at the historical impact of these artists, their relationship with Farm Aid and connection through music were broadcast on the main screen, in a style akin to the videos of Presidential candidates shown at Party Conventions prior to accepting the nomination. They showcased the cause, the artist and the music, all at once, and served to hype the crowd up and welcome each musician to the stage in grand fashion. They aren’t just performing for free, they are also doing their part to speak freely about the importance of farming and local farmers, as well as attach their name to a cause, something more artists should do, for if you aren’t using your fame to benefit others, what’s the point of fame?

Mellencamp’s set featured a look back at his heyday of the 1980s, complete with “Check it Out”, “Small Town”, an acoustic solo performance of “Jack and Diane”, complete with crowd participation on the lyrics, especially ‘Hold onto 16 as long as you can.” There was a wonderful duet with violinist/accordionist Lisa Germano that resembled “Walk me Out in the Morning Dew”, followed by “Scarecrow” and “Walls”. It was good to see Mellencamp playing with the same drive as he had in the 80’s and 90’s, and he provided a segue into the biggest surprise of the night – Upstate New York’s greatest living musical legend, Pete Seeger.

A surprise for everyone, even the media who learned of his appearance not 30 minutes prior, Pete came to the stage with his banjo swinging across his 6’4″, 94 year old frame, soaked in a small amount of cheers from the crowd before beginning his original “If I Had a Hammer”, encouraging the crowd, saying “Here’s a song I think you know, and if you sing it, why, we’ll make a good sound.” The crowd sang along, many in awe that he was there standing on stage alone before a crowd, not six months after his wife of more than 70 years, Toshi, passed away.

Having played with Woody Guthrie in the 1940s, Seeger has carried on his legacy of songs of freedom, making “This Land is Your Land” his most frequently performed number. Included in this version was the rarely sung “private property” verse, as well as a new verse:

New York is my home, New York is your home.
From the Upstate mountains to the ocean foam.
With all kinds of people, yes, we’re poly-grown (sic)
New York was meant to be frack-free.
Pete Seeger’s alternate lyrics to “This Land is Your Land”

With all kinds of people, yes, we’re poly-grown (sic), New York was meant to be frack-free.

“This Land is Your Land” makes a good argument to be a second national anthem with its inspirational ‘we’re in this together’ message, and with an anti-fracking line, one that is uniting New Yorkers in greater numbers in recent years, the song had greater meaning for those in attendance, leading to a raucous cheer from the audience. It was at Farm Aid, and at recent rallies around the state, particularly at the state Capitol in Albany, where the anti-fracking movement has found a wider audience, as the issue hits closer to home and gained more media attention in the process.

Neil Young started his set with Bob Dylan’s “Blowin in the Wind”, “Early Morning Rain” and “Old Man”, before taking some liberty and speaking off the cuff about Farm Aid and its mission – but not in the “We love the farmers, let’s hear it for them” style. Rather, Neil took issue with climate change, Monsanto, fossil fuel polluters and for a few minutes, he was yelling at them to get off our collective lawns. Angry Neil was not on anyone’s setlist expectations, but the response from the crowd was focused attention, hearing what they didn’t want to hear, and taking the bad with the good. Neil followed with “Heart of Gold”, “Since I Met ya Baby” and Phil Ochs’ “Changes”, referencing once again the impending climate change already upon us.

Closing out the night was Willie Nelson, fresh off a sesh on his bus and ready to bring this show home. In less than an hour, Willie cranked out 15 songs and brought everyone up for one final sendoff of an encore. Classic hits Willie performed with his band included “Whiskey River”, “Will You Remember Mine”, Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman”, “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys’, “Crazy”, “Georgia on a Fast Train” and Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans”. The hilarious, and aptly titled “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” had the crowd laughing and singing along, but seriously, when Willie passes away, these are our instructions. Take note.

The final tune of the night was “I Saw the Light”, bringing everyone onto the stage for one last tune, sending out the crowd into the rainy night. Leaving was bittersweet after a full day of music, education, good food and great camaraderie with fellow Farm Aid supporters. SPAC was an ideal setting for this traveling event, and while it will not be in the Upstate neck of the woods for a few years, it is by far an event to seek out whenever it is within a short drive of your hometown.

October 4, 2013