Experimental and progressive Rock, powerhouses – Aqueous and Tauk will play 2 Upstate, NY shows this week. Both bands have continued to grow from high school bands to Nationally performing, festival favorites. There is no doubt that the musical bonds that brought them together have produced some of the East Coast’s most spectacular funktastic rock infused musical acts – Aqueous and Tauk may be separate bands but their paths are shared on a journey to musical stardom.
Aqueous and special guests Tauk will first play Dubland Underground in Rochester, NY on November 15th. Show starts at 10PM and tickets are $7 and this is an 18+ ages show.
The experimental duo then heads to Buffalo on November 16th to play Nietzsches . Show starts at 10PM and tickets are $7, this is an 21+ show. For more information on where to purchase tickets please go HERE.
All That Remainsis set to bring their heavy melodic metal-core sound back to the Capital Region on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, N.Y., and Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y.
Opening for the show at both venues will be hard alternative post grunge rockers Soil.
All That Remains:
From Springfield, Massachusetts, Philip Labonte (vocals), Mike Martin (guitar), Oli Herbert (Guitar), Jeanne Sagen (bass), Jason Costa (drums). Formed in 1998, ATR has recorded 6 studio albums and 1 live album, in their 15 year history including Behind Silence and Solitude (2002), This Darkened Heart (2004), The Fall of Ideals ( 2006), Overcome (2008), For We Are Many (2010) and current album A War YouCannotWin (2012).
Soil:
From Chicago, Illinois, Ryan McCombs (vocals), Tim King (bass), Adam Zadel (guitar). Formed in 1997, Soil has recorded 6 studio albums in their 16 year history including Throttle Junkies (1999), Scars (2001), Redefine (2004), True Self (2006), Picture Perfect ( 2009) and current album Whole (2013).
Original vocalist Ryan McCombs is back with Soil to make the original line-up complete. McCombs left the band in 2004 to be with his family and resurfaced in 2005 as lead vocalist for Drowning Pool.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds will play The Hollow Bar & Grill in Albany, NY on December 5th. Also performing will be the Connor Kennedy Band. Show starts at 9PM and tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show. Ticket information is available online HERE.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, an eight-piece soul-infused rock band with their roots planted firmly in the state of New York, this band packs venues and delivers explosive shows from city to city. Having just released Fight, their four song EP produced by American Idol’s Randy Jackson; the band is currently on tour in support of the album.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds is an eight-piece powerhouse that puts a modern spin on classic soul. The band is led by Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow), whose astoundingly powerful voice and sly demeanor make for a spellbinding presence onstage. She is backed by the mighty force of The Dirty Birds, a flock of seven men who masterfully lay down thundering grooves and soaring melodies. While each of the Birds are capable of lighting up the stage with jaw-dropping displays of musicianship, it’s clear they’re focused on delivering the band’s infectious music as a single entity. Simply put, the band’s live show is explosive.
Canada’s own, The Veer Union, recently announced to fans over Facebook they will be releasing the first single off their upcoming EP Life Support on December 3rd.
Life Support will be a double-EP, which appears to have two separate release dates; of which, Part One will launch on Dec 10th, and Part Two will hit shelves on an undisclosed date in 2014. The release of Part Two is to be followed by a North American tour.
This will be the first release since Divide the Blackened Sky in March 2012. And with that comes an apparent effort to experiment with their sound. According to the band’s announcement Part One will carry a “brighter” and more “rock” characteristic in comparison to Part Two’s “darker” and “metal” sound.
TVU made a lasting impression on metal heads here in the Capital Region when they played to an Upstate Concert Hall audience in 2009. Despite sharing the bill with Hinder and Theory of a Dead Man, TVU rocked the set and stood out on their own. What was certainly a help was having “Seasons” in their playlist. Their Top Ten track had already been exposed to WWE wrestling fans and later served as a theme song for hockey’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Their choice in name for their latest EP is aptly so, because despite their initial success, the band has fallen on tougher times. Universal Motown dropped them from their label immediately after their 2009 tour, ironically after charting two, Top 25 hits in “Seasons” and “Youth of Yesterday.” Though they were subsequently picked up by Rocket Science, they failed to chart with one LP and another EP, both released in 2012. Further adding to the band’s woes was the departure of bassist Marc Roots and guitarist James Fiddler. For the moment only Crispin Earl, the band’s lead singer, is listed among active members on the band’s Wikipedia page. Nevertheless, Earl and crew are pressing forward thanks to a Kickstarter venture to raise enough funding for Life Support.
Gothic-doom metallers Paradise Lost released their 25th anniversary compilation, Tragic Illusion 25 (The Rarities), this Tuesday in North America.
The anniversary edition is available for purchase on iTunes. A special, mint green 10″ vinyl (USA exclusive color; limited to 300 copies) with a CD insert is available through CM Distro.
In addition to a collection of previously released rarities, Tragic Illusion 25 (The Rarities) also features the new track “Loneliness Remains” and newly recorded “Gothic 2013” and of course “Our Saviour 2013”, which can be heard below:
Tragic Illusion 25 (The Rarities) track-listing:
1. Loneliness Remains*
2. Never Take Me Alive (SPEAR OF DESTINY cover version)
3. Ending Through Changes
4. The Last Fallen Saviour
5. Last Regret (Lost in Prague Orchestra Mix)
6. Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us (Lost in Prague Orchestra Mix)
7. Cardinal Zero
8. Back On Disaster
9. Sons Of Perdition
10. Godless
11. Missing (EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL cover version)
12. Silent Heart
13. Gothic 2013*
14. Our Saviour 2013*
*=tracks that appear on the limited 10”
Paradise Lost is currently toeing Europe with Lacuna Coil and Katatonia.
Maria Brink fronts In This Moment, and she’s a howler.
That’s okay, man, ’cause what she and the boys are doing, they’re doing well. And, they’re taking it home here in the next few days; home, being, Brink’s home. Yes, she’s a native of the Capital Region. But, she high-tailed it out of “Smallbany” to go after her dreams in Los Angeles. (And, you so had a picture of Axl Rose walking off the bus ala Welcome to the Jungle.) But, that’s so nine years ago.
This Saturday, November 9th, In This Moment will be rocking the set at Clifton Park’s Upstate Concert Hall, as they continue on their leg of the Hell Pop Tour. They’ll only wake up to do it all again down in New York City’s Best Buy Theater on Sunday, November 10th.
The band is still riding the high from the 2012 release of their fourth studio album, Blood, which reached No 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart, and No. 15 on the overall Top 200, back in February. It’s the band’s biggest success, which came shortly after the band nearly fell apart, which Upstatemetal’s Kate Drexel asked Brink in her June interview.
“We (Brink and Chris Howorth) really just rallied together,” she said. “We cannot let other people’s disbeliefs in our band and everything we’ve created, everything we’ve worked for, we’ve strived for, we’ve sacrificed for, hinder us from moving forward.”
It was after the release of their third album in 2012 that founding members Jeff Fabb and Blake Bunzel quit the band. The nation was just taking notice. Just the previous summer they had played alongside Korn, Rob Zombie, Five Finder Death Punch, and Hatebreed at the annual Mayhem Festival. This was followed up by the Hell Hath No Fury Tour. Brink had also received personal recognition as she was named the Hottest Chick in metal by Revolver magazine.
“This is our moment. (Pause). No pun intended. And we’re going to take everything and we’re going to take it into the next level, we’re going to take our live show, our songs, every single thing that has to do with us, we’re bringing it to the next level and we’re going to do this hard.”
Despite their confidence, they ran into tough times. With Fabb and Buzel gone, few managers wanted to give them the time of day, said Brink. But, their producer, Kevin Churko, kept his patience and Brink said his commitment helped the band survive.
“We went into the studio and we wrote the song Blood,” she said. “And right when we heard it back, we knew that everything was going to change right when we heard that song. We felt it, we knew it and we started setting it up with managers and we started having managers fly out from everywhere and everything shifted from then.” The band now consists of Tom Hane on drums, Travis Johnson on bass and Randy Weitzel on rhythm guitar, in addition to Brink’s vocals and Howorth’s lead guitar.
The hardship inspired their song material, Brink said. And, In This Moment has been a soaring Phoenix ever since.
“So kind of everything falling apart and then building it brand new, and all of these beautiful new things, is where all the inspirations from the album came from.”
Our friends and fellow Upstate New Yorkers, The Blind Owl Band need your help as recently while in Buffalo on the road for a show on October 23rd, their van was broken into and all of their instruments were stolen. This type of loss has been a huge blow to the hearts of the band and sets them back on their dreams to live off of making music.
The band called in re-enforcements and attempted to find their instruments the day after the show but they were unable to recover those instruments. We here at are concerned for them and we want to do all that we can to assist them in purchasing new instruments so that they may continue blowing the roof off of venues all across the Eastern United States with their brand of bluegrass-americana music.
The band recently posted this message on their FaceBook page:
“Worst news ever. In coming back to our crash pad for tonight in Buffalo, we found our trailer broken into, all of our instruments stolen among many other things. We need a huge amount of support right now. We strive to find our instruments in these next few days among the city and hope to make as many upcoming gigs as we can, and find the answers we need to pull us through this situation. Our livelihoods have been taken from us. Stunned.”
List of things stolen for any who are on the look out:
(Take a look at our photos to see closer details)
1 – Weber Mandolin (Gallatin) Light natural finish, 1 – 1942 Kay Stand up, Double Bass, 1 – Fender p-Bass Fretless Black, 1 – 2006 Stelling Banjo, 1 – Martin Guitar, 1 – Ashdown Bass Head, 50 or so Blind Owl Band T-Shirts, CD’s, Hot Sauce, and James’ suitcase of clothes and belongings.
The band also posted this letter to fans and supporters –
Our instruments and gear being stolen from us has felt like a big blow and quite a set back, but our fans have been more supportive and generous than ever!! We are now on the Road to Recovery, we have shows booked until November 24th, and do not plan on canceling any of them. Many folk have been coming out of the woodwork and have been asking where donations can be made. With the push for us to continue forward, we have opened up a Paypal account where donations can be made to help us get back to zero, below are the instructions
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We are now starting the fund raising process, to support the replacing of our instruments.
For all who are wondering where donations can be sent, here are instructions:
The Blind Owl Band
P.O. Box 260
Bloomingdale, NY 12913
Make sure to also include your name and address, we don’t know how yet but we intend to thank everyone and we want to know how we can get a hold of you and where we can send some stuff.
– The Blind Owl Band
Tour Dates:
November 6, 2013 8:00 pm
The Thirsty Moose
Portsmouth,NH
November 7, 2013 8:00 pm
Unity College
Phone:800.624.1024
90 Quaker Hill Road,Unity,ME
Dig in to favorite 2013 Grateful Dead memories when you download and obsess over the latest Almanac, complete with breaking news on what’s on the horizon for Dave’s Picks 2014 (subscriber intel and, spoiler alert, details on Dave’s Picks Volume 9), updates on Grateful Dead family doings, videos, music, Comix, exclusive limited-edition merch just in time for the holidays, and much, much more.
The 2013 Grateful Dead Almanac is now available for your viewing, reading, and shopping pleasure on all devices, be they smartphone, tablet, or computer. Download and enjoy it here.
Avenged Sevenfold is confirmed to headline the 2014 Download Festival at Donington Park, in Leicestershire, England.
Over it’s 12 years, Download Festival has steadily earned the reputation of being one of the hottest annual venues in Europe. Last summer, the featured acts included Iron Maiden, Slipknot and Rammstein.
Avenged Sevenfold’s appearance at Download is expected to be the band’s first show since the August release of “Hail to the King”, their sixth studio album, which garnered a No. 1 status in the United Kingdom. It will be the band’s second appearance at Download.
Download is a three-day event that is scheduled for June 13-15, next year.
Rob Zombie is also committed to appear, marking his second appearance at the event. He performed back in 2011, and is slated to take stage on opening night.
Rumors are circulating on what other acts will headline the event. Andy Copping, Download’s primary organizer, has reportedly said his dream headline would include Led Zeppelin, (the original) Guns ‘n’ Roses and Van Halen. However, the likelihood of either of these three appearing is slim, at best. Robert Palmer will unlikely back down from his refusal to reunite Zeppelin, despite their historic show in 2007. Van Halen recently wrapped up their A Different Kind of Truth Tour. However, according to the Van Halen News Desk, they are “currently taking a break.” And, as for as GNR is concerned, nothing will happen until Axl Rose and Slash make peace.
Nonetheless, more announcements are expected to be made over the next few days.
Meanwhile, in the Western Hemisphere:
Veteran rockers, Twisted Sister recently announced that they will be headlining Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2014 in Mexico City, on March 15th and 16th.
Dee Snider tweeted his excitement over the event, as it also falls on his birthday.
According to the event poster that accompanied Snider’s tweet, Twisted Sister appears to be the headline act, ahead of Lamb of God and Carcass.
More information can be gleaned from www.hellandheavenfest.com.
Pop Evil returns to the capital region this fall Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, N.Y. in support of their new studio album, “ONYX”.
Special Guest also on the show include Eve To Adam, The Letter Black, and Black Oxygen.
POP EVIL:
From Grand Rapids, Michigan, Leigh Kakaty (vocals), Davey Grahs (guitar), Nick Fuelling (guitar), Chachi Roit (drums) and Matt DiRito (bass). In the last five years, Pop Evil has released three studio albums including Lipstick On The Mirror (2008), War Of Angels (2011) and current album Onyx (2013).
THE LETTER BLACK:
From Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the band consists of husband and wife Sarah Anthony (vocals) and Mark Anthony (vocals/guitar), Matt Beal (bass) and Justin Brown (drums). The Letter Black has released three studio albums and an independent album since 2007 including Stand (2007 independent), Hanging By A Thread (2010), Hanging By A Remix (2012) and current album Rebuild (2013).
EVE TO ADAM:
From New York, N.Y., this three-man band consists of Taki Sassaris (vocals), Alex Sassaris (drums) and Gaurav Bali (guitar). Eve To Adam now has four studio albums since 2001 including Auburn Slip (2001), Queens To Eden (2007), Banquet For A Starving Dog (2011) and current studio album Locked & Loaded (2013).
Black Oxygen:
From Kansas City, Missouri, this three-man band consists of David Lyle (vocals/lead guitar), Nick Lyle (drums) and Jordan Myer (bass). Black Oxygen has one studio album called, The American Dream (2012).
Other Tour Dates Include:
Nov 8 – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero
Nov 9 – Libertyville, IL @ Austin’s Fuel Room
Nov 10 – Wausau,WI @ The Fillmore
Nov 12 – Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock
Nov 14 – Johnson City, TN @ Capones
Nov 15 – Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar
Nov 17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Nov 18 – Fayetteville, NC @ The Drunk Horse Pub
Nov 20 – Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans Music Hall
Nov 22 – Clifton Park, N.Y @ Upstate Concert Hall
Nov 23 – Quincy, MA @ WAAF
Nov 24 – Syracuse, N.Y @ The Westcott Theater
Pop Evil also has posted on their Facebook page that the first 20 fans who show proof of purchase of the Onyx album at the Merch table will get to meet the band.
Experimental and progressive Rock, powerhouses – Aqueous and Tauk will play 2 Upstate, NY shows this week. Both bands have continued to grow from high school bands to Nationally performing, festival favorites. There is no doubt that the musical bonds that brought them together have produced some of the East Coast’s most spectacular funktastic rock infused musical acts – Aqueous and Tauk may be separate bands but their paths are shared on a journey to musical stardom.
