Today is a red-letter day for fans, and for the media at large an important date which makes their representatives prick up their ears: Lenny Wolf and KINGDOM COME are set to release their new studio album OutlierMay 7thin the USA, picking up with ten powerful rock songs where his long tradition of fascinating studio albums left off. At the same time, mastermind Lenny is starting a new chapter of his diverse creative career, expertly positioning his charismatic voice on Outlier between traditional rock structures and modern sound elements, which add a third dimension to this album.
“I simply felt the need to delve deep inside of me and run riot in the infinite expanse of the audio cosmos. The result is a friction of mercilessly mechanical, heartless sound collages, combined with my typical melancholy-melodious style,” Wolf explains the album’s artfully interwoven experimental approach to his sound, which never detracts from the familiar atmospheric basic mood of his songs.“A whole number of souls happen to dwell in my breast, which is why experimentation and the development of my musical existence simply belong together.”
Outlierwas recorded at Wolf’s own Hamburg studio, the Two Square Noise Factory. With the exception of the solo guitar parts contributed by Eric Förster, all instruments were recorded by the KINGDOM COME boss himself. In addition, Wolf produced, engineered, mixed and mastered his new album. “Eighteen-months of struggle and madness lie behind me, a period which saw me go through the usual alternating bath of euphoria and doubt. As an artist, you can never be quite sure just what you’ve cooked up, but I happen to be an idealist and simply have to keep embarking on new adventurous journeys. The path of predictability has never satisfied me.”
Outlier is KINGDOM COME’s first studio album featuring completely new material since the arrival of their 2009 release Magnified and will be released as CD and download worldwide through SPV / Steamhammer.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival will take place February 1st-10th, 2013. Back in 1897, The first “Mid-Winter Carnival” began as a way to enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as skiing, sledding, and skating in the coldest days of winter. That inaugural 2 day event featured skating races, a parade and an ice tower. The following year, the first Ice Palace was constructed from blocks of ice from Lake Flower’s Pontiac Bay. Today, the The Ice Palace stands as both the centerpiece and symbol for the Winter Carnival.
Another long standing tradition at Winter Carnival is the Waterhole‘s live music series. Each night of Carnival, Waterhole features the region’s top bands and/or local favorites. This year’s lineup is top notch, check out the flier below and hopefully we’ll see you there!
Club Fusion in Syracuse will be a hot spot for a night of all original local rock and metal acts this Saturday. Located at 3705 Brewerton RD, North Syracuse, 13212, it will host Lowkey, Autumn Fire, Dear Mr. Dead and After The Clearing for Groundhog Day.
Lowkeyis a 4-piece original metal band from upstate NY. In all, Lowkey has been playing shows and writing music for 8 years, with the current lineup being steady for 2. Lowkey has embarked on four separate independent national tours of the U.S. (including one in March 2012) and has fans all over the country. Lowkey has released 2 full length albums, “Backstabber” and “Red Moon”. “Backstabber” has sold thousands of copies since 2004, and “Red Moon” is a brand new release with sales figures unavailable as of yet.
Lowkey has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with MANY national acts from all over the country, including Tantric, Mushroomhead, Emmure, Goatwhore, Winds of Plague, Carnifex, Suffocation, See You Next Tuesday, Full Blown Chaos, Flaw, A Plea For Purging, Rose Funeral, This Or The Apocalypse, Dizzy Reed (of Guns ‘n’ Roses), and many many more. Lowkey has also played thousands of shows on the local and regional scene. Lowkey is well-known and well respected in the area for putting on a wild and energetic live show, and promoting a sense of family amongst their friends and fans.
Autumn Fire was formed in fall 2009 when singer Max Scialdone became the final member the four members were looking for. With a soft melodic and arty yet explosive heavy sound, the band has gained more and more popularity.
Autumn Fire’s first Album titled, “Endless” was a great start for the band. With on-the-edge songs such as “Regret” and the smooth yet ferocious “Promise”, the band had people at shows saying, “woah! Where did these guys come from?!” Autumn Fire is sure to keep you wondering what will happen next and singing along!
A year after playing shows with “Endless”, the group entered into a battle of the bands at the Oneonta Theater and the prize was to open up for the legendary, Blue Oyster Cult. Autumn Fire was chosen as the winner and played a sold out show just before BOC.
Shortly after the Blue Oyster Cult show, Autumn Fire released the second studio album titled, “Amends”. Amends being a bit darker and heavier yet still holding the dreamy and melancholy sound that is true to their art. From the catchy lyrics to the more serious sound of “Amends”, this album gives you everything you’re looking for!
Dear Mr. Dead are three of the former members of Skitzopanic with a new, kickass, virtually unheard of, until now singer, Josh Frawley. They play all-original heavy-hitting metal. Not a screamfest, but hardworking guys playing their hearts out.
Doors will open at 8pm, the shows kicks off at 9pm. $5 cover at the door. Come out, show support for the your local scene.
What do you get when you take the mandolin from Woodenspoon, mix in the drums and guitar from moe., and add the fiddle/banjo and upright bass,? A knee-slappin’, foot stompin’, head bobbin’, skirts-a-twirlin’ good time.
Floodwood is Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico of moe., Jason Barady (mandolin) of Woodenspoon, plus Nick Piccininni (fiddle and banjo) and Zachary Fleitz (bass). This isn’t the first side project for Al and Vinnie. They have been playing together in Al & The Transamericans for over a decade.
This quintet came together about a year and a half ago, but on stage they gelled like they’ve been doing it much longer. The fun interactions between bandmates added to the warm vibe in the room as they pulled out a unique mix of bluegrass, Americana, and progressive string – or as the band would call it “Madgrass”.
While the snow may have kept some people home on Friday night, the ones who showed up got a pleasant treat. There was even one person who drove all the way in from Boston to see the show and was heading to Oneonta the next night for a double-dose of Floodwood.
The band mingled with the crowd during opening act Rebel Darling, a trio featuring two guitars and a harmonica. There were a lot of familiar fans (some of whom were family and friends) there to see the local musicians. Floodwood seemed to be right at home at The Putnam Den. In fact, during the second set, Nick Piccininni jumped down off the stage to play fiddle and dance with the many smiling faces on the dance floor.
It was a great time for those who braved the slippery conditions. If you are one of those who stayed safely at home Friday night, you will be able to catch Floodwood as they play theFiddler’s Picnic festival this year with other local favorites like the Rumpke Mountain Boys, The Blind Owl Band, Eastbound Jesus, Jatoba, and many others. But those courageous souls who made it — they got to be a part of Floodwood’s intimate, and successful, Saratoga debut.
Are you looking for good hardcore or metal shows in Central New York? Well here’s a tip, Check out The Addendum Promotions and Trace’s Rome for a taste you’ve been looking for.
On February 23rd they have Strength For A Reason and GhostxShip with special guests The Storm and Desolation, with the triumph return of The Devils Discipline. Doors will be opening at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm. Pre-sales are $8, the day of $10 at the door.
On March 2nd they will be having My Bitter End returning to Rome with Footage Of Yeti, Torment The Dreamer, Meira, and Face-Off. Pre-sales are $8 and day of at the door are $10. The show starts at 8pm, doors will be opening at 7pm.
Lastly on May 25th the great Diecast with Our Darkest Day, Jonestown and The Devils Discipline will be entering Rome NY, pre-sales will be $10, $12 the day of at the door. Kicking it off at 8pm with again, doors opening at 7pm.
All pre-sales can be purchased through all local bands, Traces, and Rockin’ Horse Tattoo. You may also contact Trace’s Rome or go to The Addendum Promotions and shoot them a message, they will make sure you get one. Come out and support your local scene, all shows will be held at Trace’s Rome, 1109 Oneida St., Rome NY 13440.
When most people think of Saratoga Springs it’s visions of horse racing in August. Tiffany and Jonathon Albert, Bob Millis and Jarrett Hartstone and the staff at the Putnam Den are working hard to make Saratoga known as a place to catch great ORIGINAL music, year-round! Based on the crowd at the Putnam Den on a bitter cold Thursday in January, they may be succeeding. Over 150 people braved the negative temperatures to feel the face melting heat of two talented bands, Barika and John Brown’s Body.
Barika (pronounced body-kah) started off the night with a unique blend of psychedelic charm and West African-inspired beats thrown in, crossing gracefully into the realm of dub. When Craig Myers stood center stage with a large gourd that had a long neck and bright yellow strings, heads turned. The opening act of most shows is noticed for a moment and then conversations continue throughout the room. However, when Craig started to play his Kamel N’goni – a wave of silence washed over the crowd. The Kamel N’goni sounded like two dueling banjos fighting it out to see who could please the eardrums more. Both hands plucked and strummed away at the neon strings, setting off a magnetic vibe through the Den. As Barika played, the crowd started to creep toward the stage to find out what foreign magic these strangers from Burlington, Vermont brought to Upstate New York. Craig wasn’t alone in playing the funky groove. Barika has six other talented musicians: Caleb Bronze (Drums), Rob Morse (Bass), Andric Severence (Keyboards) and on horns are Dave Purcell (Trumpet), Gordon Clark (Trombone) and Deva Racusin (Tenor Sax). Deva didn’t make it out to the Putnam Den, but you can hear everyone on Barika’s new CD, Remember, available on iTunes and other outlets.
Just as things were getting warmed up nice and toasty, John Brown’s Body came on stage and turned the heat way up. John Brown’s Body has Upstate roots in Ithaca and have been playing their future roots take on reggae for nearly 10 years. With tours around the world, it is always nice to catch them back in the area with new songs and a new EP, JBB IN DUB. JBB started the show with a song off their new release, “The General’s Ambush.” A nice steady beat and smooth horns come into play in this melodic instrumental number. Bandleader Elliott Martin got to flex his chops with the second song, “Invitation” that had more of a ska sound with the brass section sharing the spotlight with Elliott’s smooth yet strong vocal stylings. The crowd took the “Invitation”, and those fortunate enough to be at the Putnam Den had a hard time not approaching the dance floor. More dub, more funk, more dancing ensued as JBB played another track off the new album, “The Grass.” “The Grass” was reminiscent of the reggae of Marley in that it carried a strong message. The band ended up playing three songs off the new EP.
John Brown’s Body is also planning a new full length album in the next few months and played “Plantation” off that upcoming release. They also played old favorites like “The Gold”, “Resonate”, and “Push Some Air”. Look for them around the festival circuit this summer and keep an eye out for the new album. John Brown’s Body is a treasure that Upstate New Yorkers can call their own and it was a nice surprise to see them at the Putnam Den. Be sure to check out the Den’s upcoming shows and give them the support they need to keep bringing these great line-ups to the region.
Setlist: General’s Ambush*, Invitation, The Grass*, Plantation, Wellington*, Shine Bright, The Gold, Follow Into Shadow, Peace in the Valley, The Cup Dub, Empty Hands, Make It Easy, Zion Triad
Death Metal powerhouse DYING FETUS have completed work on a new video for the song “Second Skin”. “Second Skin” comes off of last year’s critically acclaimed release Reign Supreme. Bloody Disgusting the online home for all things horror has teamed up with DYING FETUS for an exclusive premiere of the video. The video was directed by Jakob Arevarn. Check out the exclusive premiere HERE.
DYING FETUS will be hitting the road in January and February of 2013 alongside Hatebreed, Shadows Fall and The Contortionist as part of “The Divinity of Purpose Tour”. The tour will land in Upstate NY on February 16th at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY.
DYING FETUS released their latest album Reign Supreme in 2011 on Relapse Records. The album is streaming in its entirety on their Bandcamp Page.
Reign Supreme is available for purchase from the Relapse store HERE and digitally on iTunes.
For updates on DYING FETUS visit their Facebook page.
DYING FETUS with Hatebreed and Shadows Fall
1/30/13: Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater
1/31/13: Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
2/1/13: West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy
2/2/13: Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
2/3/13: Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
2/5/13: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
2/6/13: Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
2/7/13: Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
2/8/13: Lexington, KY @ Buster’s
2/9/13: Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
2/11/13: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
2/12/13: Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
2/13/13: Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligan’s
2/14/13: West Springfield, VA @ Empire
2/15/13: Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock 2/16/13: Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater
2/17/13: Amityville, NY @ Revolution
Questions were looming whether Camp Bisco was going to happen in Upstate New York this year. There were rumors of it being completely done; moving south or even changing it’s name. Well, Bisco fans don’t need to worry anymore. Camp Bisco announced that the show will go on for # 12 of its run. Camp Bisco will be returning to the beautiful Indian Lookout Country Club, in rural Mariaville, NY.
Camp Bisco is a unique festival for many reasons. Where else can you find such a unique blend of electonic house, hip hop, jam bands and whatever else they might throw at you every year. the only thing you can count on is that the disco biscuits will be gracing the stage and that you will have a great time. Oh yeah, there is also a good chance of rain.
The festival plans to expand and enhance the experience for attendees by adding “surround sound and greater concert production to all stages. From large-scale art installations and artist workshops to performance art demonstrations, carnival rides and more, Camp Bisco is also increasing the interactive elements in 2013 to create an even better festival experience for patrons. Long distance shuttles will also return, offering service from Albany, Baltimore, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.”
Early Bird tickets go on sale Saturday, February 2 at 10 a.m. EST for a very limited allotment at $170. General on sale tickets will start at $185, before raising to the last minute price $199. All-inclusive pre-sale VIP packages are available again this year, starting at $450 for VIP and $1300 for a pair of Platinum VIP tickets, before increasing to $500 and $1400 respectively. Camp Bisco will also be introducing a new layaway plan, where fans can divide payments on General Admission tickets equally between the on sale date and July 1st. Tickets will be available online at campbisco.net. Camp Bisco is an 18 and over event.
Having gone to bed at 8 am, Wednesday would have normally been a sleep in day, but as the boat was arriving at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, as I called it a night, I wanted to get out and see some island culture and life. So I struggled to get out of bed at noon, showered, dressed, ate a quick meal and got myself off the boat with Chris and Jason. You’d think that after 50 festivals, I would have learned not to overdo it one night and expect to be up and functional the next day, but this is Jam Cruise and you have five, count em FIVE days to spend on the boat, so pacing yourself and getting rest is wise in the longrun. A rookie mistake for me on my first Jam Cruise, but I wasn’t the only one, as evidenced by the late risers in the cafeteria. But still, Tuesday was fully worth it. You can’t do it at all at a fest, but it can be a lot of fun trying!
Walking off the ship and entering the port area, we were welcomed by giant letters that read WELCOME TO GRAND TURK. A nice touch, along with the Duty Free being the entrance to the island, as well as a Ron Jon Surf Shop and sadly, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. We promptly walked through the eyesore to get to the local establishments for Turkshead Beer and fresh Conch Fritters. Hanging out near the beach, we were left with two options – stay here and drink and get a little sun on this overcast day, or venture out into the 7 mile island and get some culture. We opted for the latter because where we were was so touristy, we didn’t feel like we had gone anywhere. Plus, staring at the ship for 4 more hours wasn’t at all thrilling.
A downside to waking up late: all the bikes, mopeds, and scooters you can rent to roam the island were all rented for the day. So we got a $5 cab ride a couple miles into the island and stopped in an area with shops, food and people. Island life on Grand Turk was pretty chill and looking for souvenirs didn’t have haggle or hassle attached – it was nice and low stress while we meandered about the town. Tourism is on everyone’s mind here, and they promote positive attitudes to help with their image, as tourism is so central to everyone’s livelihood. There is even a philatelic shop where you can mail postcards and buy stamps in the port area, all for the benefit of the island life.
While on the island, I chatted for a bit with Seth Weiner, the Activities Director for Jam Cruise 11, who has been on all 11 Jam Cruises. Working activities, we discussed the different options that were available to the cruisers and how they continue to come up with enjoyable events for everyone to take part in outside from the music. Events this year included repeats such as the Jam Cruise wedding, Autograph sessions, Rockstar Karaoke, plus they took it up a notch with Gong Show, Musical Bingo, Jamily Feud and Air Guitar, which tied into the theme of the last night, Spinal Tap. They also brought in the Moog Foundation, which honors the legacy and impact of Dr. Bob Moog, creator of the well known Moog Synthesizer. There were workshops, discussions, sound therapy sessions and other gatherings that highlighted the like and work of Dr. Moog.We boarded the boat with time to spare and got a little rest after the half day on the island.
Dinner, we quickly noticed, was becoming an affair, with tables full of dressed up cruisers enjoying the hell out of their meals. There felt like a slight sense of urgency was in the air – we only had two days and three nights left! Jam Cruise was half over! It was time to step it up. Between the 3-5 courses served that night, we got going and prepared for a great Soul Train night. Donning Adidas Track Suits like a large contingent on the boat, I popped down to the Theater to see Greensky Bluegrass end their set with a cover of Prince’s “When Doves Cry”, a truly awesome rendition by a jamgrass band with unique prowess and skilled vocals. I wish I caught more of Greensky, but headed up to the Pool Deck to catch up with Chris and Jason to see Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe for a funk filled set with some of the best horns on the boat. Karl stands about 5’7” but is ripped from what may as well be a 50 pound sax. He tears up every song he plays on, as noticed during “Rich Man’s Welfare” with The Motet horns and a broke out his flute for a cover of “7 Nation Army”, with the flute singing the lyrics.
Lettuce followed with a killer set, as did moe. in the Theater – this one people were talking about for the rest of the cruise, especially The Pit > Water > Recreational Chemistry and Billy Goat > Tailspin. Even though I turned in around 2 am, I didn’t consider it an early night for me, it was just a chill night. Tuesday and the day on the island were exhausting, so I made sure to rest up and get my fill on Thursday and Friday, and that is exactly what I did.
Thursday, January 10th
Unlike other music festivals which are two, three or sometimes 4 days long, Jam Cruise is a five day affair and nothing can prepare you for that. You’ll think it’s easy, that the extra day or two won’t matter, but they do. There’s no coasting through on the boat – that’s why this is for veteran festivarians, which I consider myself to be, especially after this festival. Next Jam Cruise, there will be no such early nights, but rather a paced experience to carry me through the entirety of the festival.
I started the day off in the Theater for a screening of the documentary Basically Frightened, profiling the life of mystic musician Col. Bruce Hampton. If you saw H.O.R.D.E. in the early 1990s, caught Widespread Panic down south, Phish at The Palace in Albany or with any number of bands in his nearly 50 year musical career, you were in the presence of greatness. Col. Bruce is a psychedelic, phophetic, poetic musician who has mentored musicians, had roles in films and otherwise been an enigma to bring out the best in those he plays music with. The trailer below was evidence enough for me and when it comes out in full release, be sure to watch it. I admire this man every time I see him play and still found myself more confused about him than ever once the film was over. When I approached him to tell him that, he said ‘good!’, and he meant it, a truly surreal moment.
I headed back to the autographs signing again, got the other half of the musicians on the boat to sign my prints and chatted with Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident, Matt Butler of Everyone Orchestra, Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartswick, the Disco Angels of Wyllys’ New York Hustler Ensemble, plus half a dozen members of March Fourth Marching Band (there are around 20 of them)
On paper at the Magic Hat Wind Stage was set to be an Al Schnier solo set, but members of moe. slowly filed in to make it an impromptu full moe. acoustic set while many on the boat hung out in the pool. The set included She, Nebraska, Harder they Come, Shoot First and Haze, setting the tone for a day of big surprises all around the boat.
Floodwood, the progressive string band featuring the combined talents of Woodenspoon’s Jason Barady, Nick Piccininni, and Zachary Fleitz, plus moe.’s Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico, have announced 2 Upstate NY festival appearances in the month of June.
Saturday June 15th, Floodwood will return for the 2nd annual Fiddlers Picnic at Miller Hollow in Marion, NY. The Fiddlers Picnic is a celebration of American bluegrass, folk, and roots music. 3 days and nights of live music on 3 stages, overnight tent and RV camping, arts & crafts vendors, food vendors, a kids activity area, art & soul village, fire spinners, songs around the campfire, and more! Floodwood will headline the main stage on Saturday night.
Other bands featured include Rumpke Mountain Boys, The Blind Owl Band, HogMaw, Jatoba, The Mallett Brothers Band, Eastbound Jesus, Free Grass Union, Acoustically Speaking and more.
Sunday June 16th, Floodwood will perform at Clearwater’s Great Hudson Revival. The “Clearwater Festival” features seven sustainably powered stages with diverse music, dance, and storytelling. Inspired by Pete Seeger’s desire to clean up the river over forty years ago, Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival initially helped raise the funds to build the sloop Clearwater, which has since become a world-renowned floating classroom and a symbol of effective grassroots action.
The Clearwater Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16 at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, NY. Other acts include Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Son Volt, Acoustic Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen & Steve Kimock, Antibalas, David Bromber Quartet and more
Today is a red-letter day for fans, and for the media at large an important date which makes their representatives prick up their ears: Lenny Wolf and KINGDOM COME are set to release their new studio album Outlier May 7thin the USA, picking up with ten powerful rock songs where his long tradition of fascinating studio albums left off. At the same time, mastermind Lenny is starting a new chapter of his diverse creative career, expertly positioning his charismatic voice on Outlier between traditional rock structures and modern sound elements, which add a third dimension to this album.
While on the island, I chatted for a bit with Seth Weiner, the Activities Director for Jam Cruise 11, who has been on all 11 Jam Cruises. Working activities, we discussed the different options that were available to the cruisers and how they continue to come up with enjoyable events for everyone to take part in outside from the music. Events this year included repeats such as the Jam Cruise wedding, Autograph sessions, Rockstar Karaoke, plus they took it up a notch with Gong Show, Musical Bingo, Jamily Feud and Air Guitar, which tied into the theme of the last night, Spinal Tap. They also brought in the Moog Foundation, which honors the legacy and impact of Dr. Bob Moog, creator of the well known Moog Synthesizer. There were workshops, discussions, sound therapy sessions and other gatherings that highlighted the like and work of Dr. Moog.We boarded the boat with time to spare and got a little rest after the half day on the island.