NYS Music 20​13

Category: Beyond NYS

  • Preview: Zed – Desperation Blues out May 21st

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    Guitarist Angus Young only plays three chords, and he makes no apologies for it.  Do you think he needs to apologize for playing only three chords? Of course you don’t, because he’s Angus Young of AC/DC. Same thing applies with Zed, whose second album “Desperation Blues” is slated for release Tuesday (May 21st). .

    The connection between AC/DC and Zed can be made with a shot of whiskey and a middle finger, as this quartet from the San Francisco Bay Area might say for themselves. They list Young and AC/DC as among their influences, along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.  Hard Rock, as it was first established decades ago, but nonetheless still popular. It is the band’s self proclaimed mission to bring back “the guts, the grit and the balls to Rock.” Zed will also list off “contemporaries”, such as Queens of the Stone Age, Clutch and Rage against the Machine.

    (Yes, the word, contemporaries is in quotes to respectfully bust on these Bay Area boys, only because Rage and the lot have been around for 20 years. If they were cars, they’d be classics themselves. And, come to think of it, classic is just how I’d describe Zed’s sound.)

    Right off the rip, you get a catchy tune coming from the first song on the album, “Please.” It comes out with heavy drums, and a distorted bass guitar. The first few seconds sounds like a funky, jazz/grunge fusion. And, you’ll get that peppered throughout. You can hear the influences of Clutch and Queens of the Stone Age, with the choice in cadence and delivery of lyrics from lead man, Pete Sattari.  You can even hear a little bit of Rage in the versatile guitar play of Greg Lopez, and some of that grunge-era bass play from Mark Aceves.  By the time you’re into “Crawl Back to You,” the fifth song on the album, you’ve experienced said versatility.

    Overall, Zed rings true in what they advertise. To say that you’re not going to get anything new or innovative out of these guys is not meant to imply this album is tiresome or boring. This is you’re Budweiser. This is that steak joint downtown that you like.  It’s where you want to go, when you know what you want.  Its one thing for a band to say they’re bringing the rock and roll, but it’s quite another when that band succeeds in delivering, and that’s just what Zed can do.

    For more information, click on the links below:

    zedisded.com

    facebook.com/zedrocknow

    youtube.com/zedrocknow

  • Equifunk brings a stellar line up to the Pocono Mountains in August

    Equifunk is returning to the beautiful Camp Equinunk in Pennsylvania, August 16-18.  Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, this three day music festival is very different from most musical festivals around today.  People can rent cabins on the campgrounds or can go the more traditional route with tent camping.  There are camp related activities such a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, tennis, and pick up softball games.  A pool is also on the grounds to cool off in throughout the weekend and will also act as a place for a gigantic pool party on Saturday.

    Equifunk-2013-DatesThe music will be going all weekend with artists such as Soulive and the Shady Horns with special guest Maceo Parker, The New Mastersounds (performing two sets), JJ Grey & Mofro, Keller Williams with More than a Little, Boombox, Anders Osborne, The Nigel Hall Band, Marco Benevento, Monophonics, The Main Squeeze, Superhuman Happiness, I’ll Be John Brown, James Casey (Artist at Large), and King Lincoln (Featuring Duane Trucks).  For the first time in the history of the festival they will have music all day on Sunday showcasing Pork Tornado with Jon Fishman, The Revivalists, The London Souls, The Heavy Pets, The Main Squeeze, and M&M (A supergroup comprised of Stanton Moore, Marco Benevento, Robert Mercurio, Papa Mali, and Maceo Parker).  Another supergroup performing Sunday, comprised of Eddie Roberts, Pete Shand, Stanton Moore, Nigel Hall, and James Casey, will be named by the fans on their Facebook page.

    Tickets are on sale now and whether you go for cabins or tent-camping your ticket includes all the beer you can drink and all meals from dinner on Friday night through breakfast Sunday morning.

  • Album Review: ‘Bound for Abiquiu’ from Dan Johnson and the Expert Sidemen

    Albany native and Vermont resident Dan Johnson, along with his Expert Sidemen, has released his second album, Bound for Abiquiu, on the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign. With the album release party occurring this Thursday at Valentine’s, along with Driftwood and The Grassroots Rebels, featuring members of Jerkwater Ruckus, Albany is in for a treat, as Dan showcases a classic country/bluegrass sound through superb songwriting and catchy melodies throughout Bound for Abiquiu.

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    Opening with “Adam and the Snake Oil Salesman”, Dan’s country-twinged voice showcases his story telling skills while being complemented nicely by the Sidemen, adding in guitar, banjo and steel pedal guitars. Words of wisdom pour from the chorus, “There’s a road that has no beginning, there’s a great big old place in the sky, there’s an up, there’ a down, there’s a middle ground and you don’t ever have to die.”

    Named for a song and album of the same name by Albany band Knotworking, “The Garden Below” asks questions that lead to a confession, foreshadowing “Utica Blues” later in the album. “My Three Friends” is a truly traditional country tune, in the vein of Johnny Cash and Steve Earle, the way country music should sound, with lyrics on life’s laments and struggles, the sadness of these followed by the hope for better things around the corner. “Come on in my Kitchen” is not the classic blues number of the same name, but instead a pedal-steel accented plea to a lady to come over for dinner; a short, make you smile tune.

    “Another Good Thing is Come and Gone” is a highlight of the album, played and sung in the Del McCoury-style, making it a most traditional bluegrass track. “Dancing Fool”, while not the Frank Zappa song (although Dan’s take on that would be great to hear) is a mellow tune painting a picture of a nervous guy working up the courage to ask a lady to dance, lacking confidence, even calling himself a dancing fool, yet still wanting a dance nonetheless. With a little klesmer intro and accordion adding a nice touch, “Off on the Tide” tells the story of a sailor heading out to sea, sick of the town he’s been at for a spell.

    With a nod to Upstate NY, “Utica Blues” is a gambling song set in Utica, singing the blues about the life of a gambler who comes and goes as he wins and loses.  “Riding into Utica on a dirty old train, when I leave Utica I’ll be riding high again.” For what it’s worth, Utica is the perfect location for this story. Finally, the title track “Bound for Abiquiu” brings a high note to the end of the album, telling the tale of a journey about to be embarked upon. The destination of Abiquiu is a mystery, left to the listener to draw their own conclusion.” Bound for Abiquiu is a perfect album for a sunny summer day or a drive to the Adirondacks or Southern Tier, while picking in the campgrounds at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival or casual listening to a classic country sound.

    Key Tracks: Another Good Thing is Come and Gone, Come on in my Kitchen, Dancing Fool, Utica Blues

  • SKILLET Graces Us with Their Performance at ROTR

    From Memphis, Tennessee, Skillet, a Grammy-nominated Christian rock/metal band with their never disappointing shows is ready to blow the crowd away this weekend at Rock on the Range for the second time since their performance in 2010.

    skillet2013Founded in 1996 by lead singer and bassist, John Cooper and former guitarist Ken Steorts, both musicians met through two different bands, Cooper from Seraph and Steorts from Urgent Cry. The bands toured together briefly before disbanding, then John and Ken were encouraged by their pastor to start their own side-project. Soon enough, Skillet was formed with another member, Trey McClurkin (former drummer) and they signed with the major Christian record label, ForeFront Records. Later that same year, their self-titled debut album was released into the world. In 1997, the band announced they were to drop another record, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, released April 1998.  In their record, a noticeable change was made known as they went from post grunge to a lighter alternative rock style. Through this change, Cooper’s wife, Korey, joined as a touring member on keyboards. Through the years of 2000 till 2002, they released three albums, Invincible, Ardent Worship, and Alien Youth. During this time span, quite a few changes were made to the band; Steorts left in 2000 to be with his family and to launch a college in Memphis (Visible Music College) and Kevin Halaand replaced him as their new guitarist; Korey became a permanent member as keyboardist; and McClurkin left and was replaced by Lori Peters. Before the release in 2001, Halaand left the band and the position was taken over by Ben Kasica.

    The 2003 release of Collide blessed the band with more incredible changes and some in the new future, like Lava Records, a division of Atlantic Records signing them. Then, in 2005, the album was nominated for a Grammy under the Best Rock Gospel Album. October 3, 2006, another incredible record was dropped, Comatose, which was nominated for another Grammy for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. In early 2008, it was announced that Peters was retiring and had trained Skillet’s new drummer, Jen Ledger, during the Christmas season. Their eighth record, Awake, was successfully released in 2009 with the top singles, “Hero”, “Awake and Alive” and “Monster”. Grammy nominated producer, Howard Benson, produced the album and the band lost another member (Kasica) and gained a new one, Seth Morrison. In March of 2011, Skillet released an EP with remixed versions of their songs from the Awake record: Awake and Remixed EP. Their single, “Awake and Alive”, was featured on the recent Transformers franchise soundtrack. In early 2012, the band announced that they were in the studio ready to work on their next record, Rise, scheduled to be released June 25, 2013, and their current three singles are “Sick of It”, “American Noise”, and “Rise”.

    Be sure to catch the Skillet’s mind-blowing performance this Sunday at Rock on the Range.

  • Papa Roach will be performing at Rock on the Range

    Papa Roach med res press shot Oct 2012_LROriginating from Vacaville, California, amazing rock band Papa Roach, who we all have grown to love over the many years has returned to the main stage at Rock on the Range for the fourth time since their last performance in 2010.

    The band first started in early 1993 with high school friends, Jacoby Shaddix (vocals), Dave Buckner (ex-drummer), Will James (ex-bassist), Tobin Esperance (current bassist) and Jerry Horton (guitar) meeting each other over the years and created something incredible. They chose the name Papa Roach from Shaddix’s step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, whose nickname was Papa Roach.

    Papa Roach released their debut and self-produced record, Old Friends from Young Years, in February 1997. In 1999, the band signed with DreamWorks Records and in 2000, released their debut major-label triple-platinum record, Infest, with the hit single, “Last Resort”. In 2003, the band released their third gold album, Lovehatetragedy, with the first single being, “She Loves Me Not”. Though it did not sell as well as the first record, it was marked as a change in their music style, from nu-metal to rock. By 2005, the band released their fourth platinum record, Getting Away With Murder, with the two leading singles, “Getting Away With Murder” and “Scars”.

    2006 and 2007 were changing years for Papa Roach, as Shaddix lost his great-grandfather who committed suicide after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The band gave their respect to him with their fifth album, The Paramour Sessions, as well as while playing live performances of one of their songs, “Roses On My Grave.” On April 25, 2007, it was announced that Dave Buckner was leaving the band due to personal issues. He was replaced with Papa Roach’s current drummer, Tony Palermo. In 2009, the band announced their sixth record, Metamorphosis, with the leading singles, “Hollywood Whore”, “I Almost Told You That I Love You”, and “Lifeline”. In 2010, the band switched record companies to Eleven Seven Music and released their seventh record that same year, Time For Annihilation, with the leading single, “Kick in the Teeth”. Their recent record, The Connection, was released on October 2, 2012, with the hit single, “Where Did the Angels Go?”

    Papa Roach has toured with Nickelback, Motley Crue, Halestorm, and many more. Last summer, they were part of the Uproar Festival and shared the stage with Shinedown, Godsmack, In This Moment, and Adelitas Way.

    This is one of the highly anticipated performances at Rock on the Range and one that will have the crowd buzzing with excitement.

  • IN FLAMES To Make a Fiery Appearance at ROTR

    All the way from Gothenburg, this killer Swedish metal band is set to play this Friday at Rock on the Range. This will be In Flames’ first time playing the event.

    634369012902690000In Flames was formed by Jesper Strömblad in 1990 originally as a side project from his band at the time, Ceremonial Oath, which he left in 1993 to focus on working on In Flames’ music. During that year, he recruited the band’s then-guitarist, Glenn Ljungström  and then-bassist, Johan Larsson. That same year, they self-produced their debut studio record, Lunar Strain, and since there was no vocalist in the band, Jesper asked Dark Tranquility’s Mikael Stanne to provide the vocals. The next year, the record was dropped. 1995 was a busy year for the band; In Flames gained a full time drummer, Björn Gelotte, and an official vocalist, Anders Friden, then later that year, they released their sophomore album, The Jester Race. In 1997, the band released their third record, Whoracle and added two more members, Niclas Englin as the guitarist, and Peter Iwers as the bassist. At the end of their tour in 1998, Englin quit the band and In Flames switched Gelotte from drums to guitars and hired a new drummer, Daniel Svensson. The next two years had the band on their feet and they released two records in that time frame, Colony and Clayman.

    From 2002 till 2008, In Flames continuously released records every year, Reroute to Remain, Soundtrack to Your Escape, Come Clarity, and A Sense of Purpose. Niclas returned briefly in 2006 then left again, coming back to tour with the band in 2009. In 2010, the band released their tenth album, Sounds of a Playground Fading and in 2011, the band signed with Century Media, and that same year, In Flames gained Englin as their current guitarist.

    All in all, through the many fiery years, In Flames is ready to show everybody what they’ve got up their sleeves and blow them all away. Rangers, get ready for Sweden’s very own In Flames.

  • POP EVIL Ready to Blow the Crowd Away at ROTR

    pop-evil-001-credit-jamyme-thornton-From Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pop Evil returns to Rock on the Range to make their mark for the third time since their last performance in 2011.

    Pop Evil wasn’t always known as Pop Evil. Before in 2001, the band was called TenFive when Leigh Kakaty started it and they were formed through different Michigan bands. In the years 2004 and 2006, the band released two EPs independently, War of the Roses and Ready or Not. By November 2007, the band signed with G&G Entertainment and that same year, they lost their bassist, Jaime Nummer, and Matt DiRito joined as the band’s current bassist.  Pop Evil’s debut album, Lipstick on the Mirror, was released August 2008, featuring the singles, “Hero”, “Somebody Like You”, “100 in a 55”, and “Stepping Stone”. In 2010, Pop Evil announced their third record was in the works then at a concert in Columbus, Ohio, the band symbolically ripped their contract with Universal Republic to work with eOne, and there, they announced the release date of the new album, War of Angels, which dropped in July 2011. During that year, former drummer, Dylan Allison suffered a neck injury and was forced to quit the band. Josh “Chachi Riot” Marunde filled in as the current drummer. On April 6, 2012, Pop Evil announced the departure of their former guitarist, Tony Greve, who was quickly replaced with Nick Fuelling. As of May 14, 2013, the band released their fourth record, Onyx, with the two leading singles, “Trenches” and “Goodbye My Friend”.

    Check out the band’s latest record and this is one band you will not want to miss this weekend.

  • IN THIS MOMENT to Claim Their Throne at ROTR

    inthismomentband2013Upstate New York’s very own Maria Brink and her kick-ass band, In This Moment, returns to Rock on the Range for the second time this Sunday, continuing to support their latest record, Blood.

    Forming in 2005, lead vocalist, Maria Brink, and lead guitarist, Chris Howorth, started out with a small group, adding a third member, Jeff Fabb (former drummer), and named the band Dying Star. They eventually changed their music direction and the name to the one we all know, In This Moment, and added two more membersBlake Bunzel (former guitarist) and Josh Newell (former bassist). Later in 2005, Newell was replaced by Pascual Romero after leaving the band, who was immediately replaced by Jesse Landry. In 2009, Landry was replaced by Kyle Konkiel, who was replaced by their current bassist, Travis Johnson in 2010. By 2011, Fabb and Bunzel left the band and both were replaced by the current drummer, Tom Hane, and guitarist, Randy Weitzel.

    Their first record, Beautiful Tragedy, was released in 2007 and the following year, their sophomore album, The Dream was dropped. In 2010, A Star-Crossed Wasteland was released with their well known singles, “The Gun Show” and “The Promise” featuring Otherwise’s singer, Adrian Patrick. In the summer of 2012, In This Moment successfully released their fourth album, Blood, with leading singles, “Blood” and “Adrenalize”.

    In This Moment has featured in many festivals over the years such as Ozzfest in both 2007 and 2008, Warped Tour in 2009, Download Festival in 2009, Mayhem Festival in 2010, Music as a Weapon V tour in 2011, and Uproar Festival last summer as well as Rock on the Range last year.

    It will be New York’s very own dark angel’s scream that will haunt everyone till the end of the festival. Be sure to catch them this Sunday, it will be one not to miss.

  • Halestorm taking the stage at Rock on the Range

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    Hailing from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, Grammy winning band Halestorm is always ready to hit the stage with their mind-blowing performance, giving all of their 110%. Started by the Hale siblings, Lzzy (vocals/guitar) and Arejay (drums/vocals) have been actively writing since then, taking music lessons at a very early age. In their teens, they released their first EP, Don’t Mess With the Time Man in 1999. Current members, Joe Hottinger (guitar) and Josh Smith (bass), joined the band between 2003-2004.

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    By 2005, the band signed with Atlantic Records and released their first official live EP, One and Done, featuring an early live version of their hit single, “It’s Not You”. April 28, 2009, the band released their self-titled debut record, the leading single, “I Get Off” and the second single being “It’s Not You”, which was released as a single in November 2009. “Familiar Taste of Poison” and “Love/Hate Heartbreak” were 2010’s singles, both accompanied by music videos. Halestorm released an EP, ReAnimate, featuring covers of “Out Ta Get Me”, “Bad Romance”, and “Slave to the Grind”.

    By January 2012, Halestorm released their second EP, Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde, supporting the release of their second record, The Strange Case Of…, which was released on April 10, 2012. Because of their single, “Love Bites (So Do I)”, Halestorm became the first female fronted band to top the active rock charts. In 2013, the band won their first Grammy in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Category for their single “Love Bites (So Do I)”.

    halestorm1Halestorm has been known to tour with bands such as Shinedown, Papa Roach, Chevelle, Trapt, and Three Days. In the summer of 2012, they were part of the Carnival of Madness Tour, co-headlined by Chevelle and Evanescence. Lzzy’s powerful pipes can be heard in songs such as Shinedown’s “Breaking Inside”, and their unreleased version of “Shed Some Light”, Adrenaline Mob’s cover of “Come Undone”, and recently, a duet with David Draiman, “Close My Eyes Forever.”

    Halestorm will be making their mark at Rock on the Range this year for the fourth time. This is a definite must-see performance.

  • Dan Johnson and The Expert Sidemen Announce Kickstarter for Second Album, ‘Bound for Abiquiu’

    Dan Johnson, an Albany native now living in Vermont, has launched a Kickstarter for his second album, Bound for Abiquiu, alongside his Expert Sidemen.

    dan johnson expert sidemenAlready halfway to the their $1000 goal, the album refers to a location in Northern New Mexico, where Dan has “Spent quite a bit of time up that way, and it’s a special and a spiritual place. The title song is about kind of laying down an old life and settling down, going within, returning, letting go, moving past and the process of transformation and how great forces kind of help us with our changes”

    Support Dan’s Kickstarter and see him at the album release party on May 23rd at Valentine’s, with Driftwood and The Grassroots Rebels, feat. members of Jerkwater Ruckus.