NYS Music 20​13

Category: Central NY

  • Record Store Day 2013: A Look at The Upsides and Downsides

    Record Store Day 2013 is upon us!!! On Saturday, April 20th, thousands will flock to their local independent record store in pursuit of exclusive, limited-quantity vinyl releases from their favorite artists. Record Store Day was started in 2007 by a coalition of independent record store owners as a “way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding over 700 independent record stores in the US and similar stores internationally.” Jack White is this year’s Record Store Day ambassador. He owns his own vinyl shop in Nashville and presses his own records, making him the perfect man for the position.

    “The List”, containing information about each and every Record Store Day exclusive release is up on RecordStoreDay.com. I took a look through and found some unbelievably awesome releases. These are the ones that caught my eye: Trey Anastasio Blue Ash and Other Suburbs” on a 7” Picture Vinyl, Dave Matthews Band Live Trax Vol. 1 4LP Blue Vinyl Box Set, Grateful Dead Rare Cuts & Oddities 1966 on 12” Vinyl, GZA/Genius Liquid Swords 12” Vinyl Chess Box Set, Page McConnell Unsung Cities and Movies Never Made on 12” Vinyl, Phish Lawn Boy Deluxe on 12” Vinyl, The xx Jamie xx edits on 12” Vinyl and The Roots Things Fall Apart on 12” Vinyl (2LP).

    Vinyl Record/LP sales have been on the rise over the last few years. From 2011 to 2012, Vinyl sales went up 17.7 percent, going from 3.9 million to 4.6 million respectively. These sales increases show that consumers are craving vinyl, and what better way to lure them into a record shop than with an exclusive day of vinyl-only releases. Record Store Day draws unbelievable support from artists, labels, record stores and passionate music fans and overall the day is in the good spirit of keeping music alive.

    However, Record Store Day isn’t all good. Not every independent record store can participate, and the ones that do aren’t always able to stock all of the releases. For example, Last Vestige is an independent record store in Albany, NY that has been around since 1986. Owner Jim Furlong has issues with getting some of the releases because he can’t compete with bigger stores that have major connections with distributors. Furlong says, “This has become a big deal where every year, a bunch of different labels, in conglomeration with Record Store Day, manufacture these limited edition pieces and the bigger chains that do business with these labels throughout the year or with the bigger distributors, get first crack or get the majority.” In addition, Furlong encounters problems with people complaining that he doesn’t stock enough of the Record Store Day releases. He adds, “It is annoying and if you don’t have enough, people start badmouthing you on Facebook. I’ve seen some other stores get grief because either they didn’t get it when they thought they would and somebody waited in line and they had to jump in their car and run to Newbury Comics and hope they could find it there. And it just seems that it takes away from the whole joy of it all, having this big friendly competition.” Furlong goes on to say, “The topper is, within a couple weeks after they’re sold, you see on eBay all of a sudden, this stuff’s going for crazy money.” Overall, Jim Furlong and Last Vestige have a frustrating time trying to make happy everyone that comes in to shop on Record Store Day. Without strong distributor relationships, small-scale independent shops don’t have the means to stock all the releases that people are looking for. If people can’t get they want, they get angry and take to the Internet, causing frustration and annoyance for owners.

    On the other hand, The Sound Garden in Syracuse, NY, really thrives on Record Store Day. The Sound Garden is an independent record store that has one other location in Baltimore, MD (this location was ranked #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of The Best Record Stores in the USA). When I asked Eric Brush, the General Manager of the Syracuse location, about what releases he stocks for Record Store Day, he said, “We stock at least one of every release on ‘The List.’” He goes on to add, “Since record store day started, we’ve almost doubled the quantity of releases we order.” Brush had mentioned earlier that The Sound Garden was part of the original group of independent record stores that banded together to start Record Store Day. When I asked Eric Brush about how a smaller store can get involved he responded, “They have to have a relationship with some of the vendors that are putting out the merchandise and we have a relationship with every single one. But [if you don’t], there are other avenues that you can get into throughout the industry. There are one-stop distributors that carry every release from every label and manufacturer all in one place, but they charge you a little bit more. They are a part of Record Store Day and they get a very limited quantity to offer to their customers. This works against smaller stores because they just don’t have access to the quantities that we do.” Brush also talked about criteria that you must follow to be a participating record store for Record Store Day. He said that stores must sign an agreement saying that they won’t sell the releases online at all (to prevent price gauging). Brush confirms, “One thing I do know is that if you get caught selling that stuff online, you’re exempt. They just don’t take kindly to that.” Overall, The Sound Garden does well with Record Store Day because they have the relationships to stock every release so that their customers can get exactly what they want.

    Overall, Record Store Day is a great event for some, in that it helps raise awareness about independent record stores and give recorded music sales a little bump. However, it is unfortunate that some independent record stores are too small to compete with larger stores for their desired quantity of titles. Whether it’s Record Store Day or not, these independent record stores will always have competition. This event advocates for people to go out to their local brick and mortar record store, which is a huge step in the right direction. There’s no doubt that Record Store Day is an awesome way to for these independent stores to gain customers and ultimately make record collecting cool again.

  • Mandate Of Heaven releases their 10th CD, “Mark Music”

    Syracuse multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Greg Pier and his vehicle, “Mandate of Heaven” have released their latest CD, “Mark Music” and are preparing for several shows in May and June.

    Pier could certainly be considered one of the area’s most prolific writers as MofH reaches double-digit numbered releases. MofH is not only a band, but also the moniker for Pier’s solo performances and recordings. “Mark Music” is the tenth release on Pier’s “Neon Witch” label. Jason “Jocko” Randall engineers and mixes at More Sound with additional tracking done at Neon Witch, Randall and Pier co-produce this release which was recorded between 2009 and 2012. All songs were written by Pier except “Scrapper’s Blues”, written with Ethan Jenks.

    MOH-1-web
    photo by Robyn Stockdale

    The current band features FLASHING ASTONISHER veterans Bob Kane on Drums, who plays on all tracks here besides “High Dragonfly” and Chuck Gwynn who contributes bass on “Bedroom In The Sky”. Bob gave me a great quote while we discussed this review, “What bums me out is that my favorite tune has Greg on drums, “High Dragonfly”. I laid down a track, but I was more Wilco than Crazy Horse, just too many grace notes, so he played it himself. Someday I’ll learn!” Jason “Jocko” Randall on second guitar and six string monster John Hanus plays the slide solos on “Bedroom In The Sky” and “Cruel, Cruel Aristocrats”. All other instruments and all vocals are performed by Pier, much the same as previous MofH releases.

    The CD opens with “Baby Electron”, a straight-up power-pop monster, setting the bar high for the rest of the disc. Super melodic, the ringing harmonic guitar parts swirl around the vocal harmonies ‘til the chorus hits with a crunch and bite! Hopelessness and lack of control, such a romantically pretty place to start and an appropriate lead in to “Bedroom In The Sky”. John Hanus’ dripping slide part supports Pier’s melancholic reading. The guitar parts individually read with a R.E.M. feel, the rhythm, the slide. Gwynn’s bass line is solid and flowing, just the right feel to work with Kane completing the section. “Scrapper’s Blues” is like a postcard from the front porch, written by Yorke and sung by a Matt Bellamy/Bono lovechild. The syncopation in the guitar line with Kane’s drive close at hand pushes the pace in an almost twirling dance. The first listen of “High Dragonfly” illustrates Kane’s previous quote, while the vocal line belies the almost woodsy feel of the tune, Pier’s vocal twists from his heart like the removal of a similar knife-blade. There’s a “dEUS” quality to one guitar line that echoes a “Beefheartish” influence and influences the vocal meter. The minimalist feel allows the words to bite and release, hard. “From The Center” releases the heavy side of Pier, while he allows the melodic vocal duality to layer deep. Kane’s strength reminds me of QOTSA Grohl, along with a vocal intonation that is rhythmically British in a Foo kinda way, again, back to Kane’s quote.

    There’s an edgy, crispy quality to the whole recording, maybe it’s in the compression. It’s a bit haunting and a bit halting, kinda like T-Rex at times vocally and that ain’t bad!

    Note: We just clicked on cdbaby to the “if you like this artist try” section. Hahahaha! Perfect!

    “Cruel, Cruel Aristocrats” brings Hanus back in the mix to accentuate the fast pace of Pier’s guitar line. Thematically Pier takes another bite at the expected and entitled, spitting at the standard while embracing the outsider. Check out the video here, it’s very well done.

    “If Twenty” jumps out of the gate heavy, its layered guitar riffs punctuating Greg’s quasi-pastoral, pleading vocals. Kane, once again is so strong, yet thoughtful, right down to the bell ride on his cymbal signaling the crunch along. Pier’s disaffected poetry is wrenching when it reaches its apex, circling and re-examining to the ultimate goal, the ultimately isolated self.

    “Parable” is like a theme that runs in my head everyday. Listen to what the self-proclaimed decide you like and let them pick your enemies while they’re at it. It spits at the standard and what is foisted upon us daily. Almost a updated “Iron Man” hidden in there for familiarity, with the classic percussive break only to bring you back with slowed down big-rock ending.

    “Riverbed” has a cool wilting pedal steel line playing against the semi-San Franciscan guitars, whether they’re para-psychedelic or more semi-symbionic. There’s a root in the Appalachians and a mind in Berkeley, woeful, but trust-fund hopeful. Cue up Yo La Tengo – “Sugarcube” and stress the droning vacuum cleaner sound.

    “Hand The Bottle From The Tree” is classic indie-power pop, it rocks, the vocals soar and the end kills. It times in at 3:08, just like a single that will never get airtime. It’s a pity really. At first listen a few months ago I stated that this release alone was reason for a “Album Of The Year” category in our local SAMMY Awards. Did I mention that this won “Best Modern Rock” album this year? I truly believe this work toasts many Grammy winners, it truly is that good! A taste of The Black Keys, maybe some spice from The Raconteurs, all deftly dialed in by Jocko and Greg.

    The closer, “Song Of The Halfway Point” lays it all on the table for digestion. Influences blended with personal vision, forethought and hindsight mixed with the slightest twang. It’s powerful, it exceeds its environment, it stretches reality beyond the norm if only just in wanting. It’s brilliant. Go buy it right now.

    Find Mandate Of Heaven online at Bandcamp and Facebook.

  • Furthur Announces Summer/Fall Tour 2013

    furthur_summer2013.jpgJust when we were beginning to think that All Good was actually going to be their only summer 2013 appearance, Furthur announced their East Coast heavy summer 2013 tour dates today! Looks like All Good is now just a midway point on a long strange trip between East and West coasts for this psychedelic troop.

    The Band will come through Upstate NY twice this summer, while also playing other popular North East venues like, home to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center; and first time appearances at New Hampshire’s Meadow Brook. This tour will also be the first time the band has done a 4-day run, September 19-22, at Red Rocks!

    Personally I had my doubts too. Heads from Rochester to Toronto were legitimately almost convinced we wouldn’t see any Furthur. If we weren’t going to the Port Chester sold out shows or All Good, then we just might have our first summer in years without the sweet sounds to fill the air.

    Furthur is playing the Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY on July 14th. Mail order tickets will go on sale April 16th online Here. Internet Pre-Sales  are during April 16-18th, and regular on sale April 19th. They will return to CMAC in Canadaigua, NY on July 19th. Ticket info is the same for both venues as well as all dates on the tour schedule. For more information please visit the Furthur website Here.

    Furthur Tour Dates:

    July 11 – Brooklyn, NY
    July 12 – Holmdel, NJ
    July 14 – Cooperstown, NY
    July 16 – Gilford, NH
    July 17 & 18 – Boston, MA
    July 19 – Canandaigua, NY
    September 19, 20, 21 & 22 – Red Rocks, CO
    September 24 – Redmond, WA
    September 25 – Eugene, OR
    September 27, 28 & 29 – Berkeley, CA
    October 1 & 2 – Las Vegas, NV
    October 4, 5 & 6 – Los Angeles, CA

  • NYS Music’s 4/20 Show Roundup

    April 20th has evolved into a counterculture holiday, with ties to Deadheads and hippies and just about every person you probably know or will know. Music venues all over Upstate New York are using this as another reason to see live music! Here is our compiled list of 4/20 shows around the state.

    Lower Hudson

    Bethel Woods -Felice Brothers with Driftwood

    4/20 showsBinghamton

    Fitzie’s – Mantraverse, Inner Mission, The Benjamin Raubinsons, Hung Like Horses, The Quantum, Amber Martin

    Buffalo

    Nietzsche’s – Family FUNKtion and the Sitar Jams, The Heavy Pets

    Town Ballroom– Hellzapoppin

    The Tralf – The Maniacs

    U of B – Aqueous, Haewa, The Assortment of Crayons

    Canandaigua

    V Pub – 34 Feet Deep, In The Box, Fire Wheel

    Oneida

    The Madison House – Project Weather Machine

    Rochester

    Water Street Music Hall -The Manhattan Project

    Montage Music Hall – Groove Fest

    Lovin’Cup – 4/20 Bash

    Featuring: Hollands, Extended Family, The Filthy McNastys and The Buddhahood

    Syracuse

    Tipperary Square – Hot Day at the Zoo, Tim Herron Corp, and more

    Saranac Lake

    Waterhole – Cabinet w/ The Blind Owl Band

    Utica

    The Uptown Theatre– Childhoods’ End

    Downstate

    Port Chester – The Capitol Theatre– Furthur

    Burlington, VT

    Higher Ground Ballroom – Kung Fu, Twiddle

    Nectars – Touch Pants, Jon Fishman

  • Summer in Saratoga: A Rock Art Exhibition’ poster show to be held during Phish’s three-night run at SPAC

    Summer in Saratoga will take place at The Saratoga Hilton on July 5, 6 & 7 th. Admission is Free and open to all ages. The exhibit will run all three dates from 10am-3pm. The poster show will feature the best Phish inspired art, including limited edition art made specifically for the show.

    The poster show featuring Phish artists from around the country was developed and produced by a group of artists and fans, this poster show will be held in the middle of a weekend of Phish.

    Phish poster shows have been held over the years with great success, as unique posters made for the Phish shows that weekend and stop on the tour feature some of the best concert art being produced today. ‘Summer in Saratoga’ is the second event produced by The Mothership Art Collective, a group within the Phish community, comprised of artists and organizations who promote the art inspired by the band Phish. Their initial poster show, ‘First Tube’, was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on June 16th, 2012 and was a success for all who participated in the event and raised $2000 to benefit The Mockingbird Foundation. The eclectic artists featured at this poster show displays the broad scope of Phish related art and capture the inspiration of the band in their art. The creative fan base that Phish has makes for amazing art inspired by the band, the locales and the music. The collective works hard to bring an art show to the Phish touring public each year.

    In keeping with the great tradition and success of past poster shows, Summer in Saratoga will offer free entry to all patrons, tubes available for purchase, charitable donations from the event made to The Mockingbird Foundation and a wide array of artists with posters to fit any budget. Artists will be announced in early May, as well as any special edition works that will only be available at the show.

    The Saratoga Hilton is located in downtown Saratoga Springs, only 3 miles from Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).

  • The Machine, April 6th, Westcott Theater

    This past Saturday Night I got the chance to experience The Machine at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse.

    The Machine started the set with thumping of a heart beat  from “Speak to me”, then segued into “Breathe”, followed by “Time”, just as on Dark Side of the Moon, drawing everyone to the front of the stage. The entire show was accompanied by a spectacular light and fog show that set the atmosphere for the entire evening. From there, the band played “What do you want from me” and “Happiest Days of our lives”, then took a short setbreak before returning with “Pigs on the Wing” and “Dogs”.

    Later in the show, renditions of “Wish you were Here” and “Comfortably Numb” led to the crowd singing along in unison. There was an eerie circus sound made when the band moved into “Waiting for the Worms” and the “Trial”, off the soundtrack to The Wall. The crowd reciprocated by holding up their arm’s in X’s, just as in The Wall.  The Machine finished with an encore of “Outside of the Wall”, a spectacular way to end the night.

    For more information on The Machine, visit their Facebook and MySpace pages

  • The Heavy Pets’ Spring Tour Heads Through Upstate in mid-April

    The Heavy Pets have their sight’s set on the North East in April, giving fans not one but five funky opportunities to boogie deep into the night whilst taking in the sounds of their unique blend of jazz-funk and rock-and-roll deliciousness.

    In an interview by NYS Music’s Johnny Goff, with guitarist Jeff Lloyd and Syracuse University grad, Jeff explained why the Heavy Pets enjoy touring through the Upstate area while on tour,

    “NY has always been our home and our home away from home at the same time. When we are here, we get to see our families and when we are on the road, it’s always nice to be able to look forward to our east coast swings where we know we’ll be able to see our families and friends.”

    Check out the entire interview here

    heavypetsThe band will first hit the famous Nectar’s in Burlington, VT on April 17th.  Jamie Kent and the Options are the opening band that night. Admission is $7/$10 Ages:18+. The show starts at 9:00pm and tickets are available by visiting Nectar’s website here or calling 802-658-4771.

    Next up is The Java Barn in Canton, N.Y. Show starts at 9:00pm, Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome. Check out their FaceBook page for more info and upcoming events.

    The band is extra excited to be joining Conspirator & Break Science in taking over one of their favorite venues, The Westcott in Syracuse, NY April 19th! Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 8:00pm. Admission is $20, all ages are welcome at this show too. Pick up your tickets online here.

    An appearance at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo, NY will continue their journey through New York on April 20th. Special guests will be the Family Funktion and The Sitar Jams. Doors open at 8:00pm show starts at 9:00pm. Admission is $10/$12 ages 21+. You can get your tickets at the venue box office. View Nietzsche’s website for all their live music listings here.

    The Pet’s will wrap up their travels through Upstate at the Bayou Cafe in Albany, N.Y. on April 23rd. Opening up for the night is the Kollectiv. Show starts at 9:00pm and admission is $10 ages 21+. Tickets can be purchased via the Bayou website here.

    With so many opportunities to see this band you really have no excuses not to get out there and support live music!

    Links: www.TheHeavyPets.com | www.facebook.com/TheHeavyPets | Twitter: @TheHeavyPets

  • Kung Fu | Upstate Shows April 11th & 12th

    Connecticut’s nu-funk quintet, Kung Fu, are returning to the Upstate region this spring with a huge festival season approaching with main stage and late night shows at Rock N’ Roll Resort, Mountain Jam, Gathering of the Vibes and The Big UP. Kung Fu is ready to get funky on their Spring tour.Kung Fu_pressphoto

    The band will first hit one of NYS Music’s favorite venues, The Westcott on April 11th in Syracuse, N.Y. Doors open at 8:00pm and the show starts at 9:00pm. Admission is $12/$15 and this is an all ages show. Get your tickets online here or by calling (315) 299 – 8886.

    Next up is Nietzche’s in Buffalo, N.Y. on April 12th. Show starts at 8:00pm, Admission is $13/$15 Ages: 21+ for this one folks. Pick up tickets at the venue or by phone at 716-886-8539.

    Look for their second full-length album Tsar Bomba due out in June 2013. Check out the first single “Do the Right Thing”

     

    Links: www.KungFuMusic.com | FaceBook | Twitter @KungFuTunes

  • EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH Coming to The Lost Horizon with Local Support From REDFIELD, MEIRA, TURN THE TIDE, and More

    Up-and-coming post-hardcore sextet Everyone Dies In Utah is making a stop at The Lost Horizon in Syracuse on Saturday, April 6th as part of their Dark Hearts & Open Eyes Tour. Featured on the tour with them are pop-punk/rockers Bleach Blonde and hardcore powerhouse The Overseer. Joining them, and representing the Upstate metal scene very well, are local acts Redfield, Meira, and Turn the Tide. This show promises to be an exciting mix of metal and rock that features many hot new acts with promising futures. If you want to see some promising talent before everyone else has heard of them, here’s your chance.

    EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH:

    Signed to Tragic Hero Records and with two albums released, Everyone Dies In Utah is starting to gain some ground. This band features solid, heavy verses and melodic, catchy choruses, balancing the two very well and keeping their musical doors open to experimentation. Killer riffs, pounding drums, powerful bass lines, strong vocals, and electronic dabbling all contribute to this band’s signature sound. If the humor in many of their song titles is any indication (e.g. “Bed, Bath & Beyonce”), then EDIU promises to put on a fun show that will get the energy going in the crowd.

    THE OVERSEER:

    To support the heavier side of the headlining act, The Overseer can definitely relate. Having just released their debut LP, We Search, We Dig, this band is ready to start making a splash. With their experimental metalcore sound, which many people compare to Underoath, they serve as a more than appropriate supporting act. Something tells me that these guys won’t continue to be a supporting act forever.

    BLEACH BLONDE:

    When it comes to making a splash, these guys have just started to get their feet wet. Yet to release an EP or LP, they have three songs on iTunes in a single. And you know what? It’s enough to get to know these guys. Bleach Blonde is undoubtedly the least heavy band on this tour, appealing more to the catchy side of EDIU. They have a light, fun, pop-punk sound that is a definite standout and they certainly have the potential to draw a much larger audience.

    REDFIELD:

    Upstate New York’s premier partycore band, Redfield is ready to take the stage again to support their upcoming EP. Having recently released two of the songs from it, these guys are certainly generating more buzz than ever before. Their electrifying stage presence and groovy metalcore sound will certainly bring the energy at this show, as they always promise to do.

    MEIRA:

    Brutal metalcore hopefuls Meira are going to unleash havoc on the Lost Horizon at this show. Their debut EP, Closure, released in September of last year, was one of the best local releases of the year. Their live show is nothing short of the brutality they demonstrate on the EP, either. This is yet another band that ideally represents the Upstate metal scene with these national bands.

    TURN THE TIDE:

    By far one of the fastest rising local bands of the last year, Turn the Tide are an excellent opening band to set the mood for the rest of the show. Yet, they have much more promise than to just be openers forever, and have already headlined a few shows in the short time they’ve been together. They are a hard-working band whose talent is only exceeded by their determination, planning to bring that to their debut EP this summer.

    This show is going to be, without a doubt, a showcase for rising stars. The best time to see a band live is when they are still relatively unknown, because they have to work the hardest to make themselves known, and make fans out of the people who happen to be at their shows. Many of these bands are still trying to get their names out there to get more fans, and every one of them deserves it. If you want to see a show with high energy, a mix of sounds, and top-notch Upstate representation, then this is going to be the best way you could spend this Saturday.

  • Don’t Miss The Machine at The Westcott Theater on 4/6 and UCH 4/20

    Missed Roger Waters on tour? Well, you’re in luck–The Machine is coming to town! The New York based cover band bring back Barrett’s creativity, Water’s compassionate songwriting, Gilmour’s simplicity, Wright’s compositional talent and Mason’s resourcefulness to stage.

    The MachineSelling out theaters and large clubs across North and Central America, Europe, and Asia and performing at music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Riverbend, Gathering of the Vibes and Rock of Ages, they have earned worldwide recognition and the original members’ seal of approval. Receiving accolades from the likes of Spin magazine, The Machine are notorious for “sounding exactly like Pink Floyd.”

    “The shows are different every night”, drummer and founding member Tahrah Cohen told NYS Music. “It really depends on the age of the crowd and the city. We get a feel for who’s in the audience and tailor a set list for each show.”

    Make sure to catch The Machine live on their 2013 Spring Tour in Upstate New York!

    The Machine plays the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls on April 5th, The Westcott Theater in Syracuse on April 6th, Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park on April 20th and BB King’s, New York on May 11th.