NYS Music 20​13

Category: Regions

  • First Annual Woodstock Comedy Festival, Comedy for a Cause

    The first annual Woodstock Comedy Festival will open Friday night September 20th at the Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, NY. The festival will help to raise money for several charitable organizations. Ticket prices range from $10-$50 depending on the show, check out their website for full ticketing options. The festival will run September 20-22nd.

    Friday night’s lineup will feature improv and standup with, comedians Rick Overton and Eddie Brill.

    Saturday night’s benefits for Family of Woodstock and Polaris Project are a double feature. First, Stand Up and Sit Down: Comedy and Conversation from Dick Cavett and Bobcat Goldthwait, together on stage for the very first time. Hosted by Eddie Brill, show time is 7 pm at the Bearsville Theater.

    Closing out the weekend Sunday night is an all-star comedy lineup at the Colony Café featuring, Laughingstock: A Night of Local Stand-up Comedy, starring Verna Gillis, James Judd, Adam Mamawala and Audrey Rapoport, hosted by Rich Shultis.

    The first annual Woodstock Comedy Festival is a 501©(3) not-for-profit corporation with a mission: Comedy for a Cause. A weekend of laughter to benefit two charities that are no laughing matter: Family of Woodstock, for domestic violence and Polaris Project, for human trafficking. “All our net profits will be given to Polaris and Family,” said festival founder and executive director Chris Collins. . For tickets and more information, go to www.woodstockcomedyfestival.org

  • Old News Out of Albany #3: Biohazard, Sworn Enemy, Born Low and Peaks

    This one’s a bit more recent than my other  “Old News” postings, but as it’s reaching you over a month after the event occurred, I found it appropriate to lump it in that category.

    Anyway, without further ado…..

    Monday, June 17th: Biohazard, Sworn Enemy, Born Low and Peaks at Bogies

    By Jay Frost

    One of the things I love about Bogies is that there’s always something going on nearly EVERY day of the week. Whether you’re seeing Ringworm on a Monday, Soulfly on a Wednesday or Agnostic Front on a Thursday, Upstate Black ‘N’ Blue Productions is famous for pulling big-name weekday line-ups that would blow most other promoters’ weekend acts clear out of the water.  Monday, June 17th is a perfect example, as Albany was hit with a double dose of streetwise, metallic hardcore from the almighty Biohazard and Queens, New York’s Sworn Enemy.

    As always, the best of the local scene was represented by the openers – Before the Betrayer, Trife Life, Peaks and Born Low. Due to my late arrival, I only able to catch the latter two, but the energy and brilliance with which they performed affirmed to me the assertion I’ve been making for months now: that the Albany scene is indeed experiencing another “Golden Age” like that of the mid-nineties.

    Peaks took the stage at 8:30 that night. This four-piece does what so many in the genre have done; that is, they combine their own respective influences from the metal world (mostly grind and noise-core, from what I could hear) with the urgency and stripped-down punk-rock ethic that defines hardcore. Imagine Kiss it Goodbye and later Neurosis at twice the tempo and you have something close to Peaks.

    Peaks unique contribution to the hardcore sound is built on break-neck tempos that occasionally grind down to a crushing stomp beat. Guitar work is straight-forward, minimalist but profound as their sole axe-man lays down lightning-quick rhythms and chunky breakdowns. Peaks’ lead vocalist and the guitarist share the vox responsibility, and deliver an aural razor slash that is as relentless as a drove of killer wasps. Fans of Nails, Insect Warfare and early Pig Destroyer will dig the fuck out of Peaks’ destructive blitz, and those who prefer that old abrasive sound that characterized the early days of hardcore punk will appreciate their traditionalism.

    As is the custom during change-over, the considerable Monday night crowd dispersed, trading the heat and humidity of the dance floor for a cold one at the bar or the refreshing summer evening air outside. Typically, there is enough time between acts to cool off, grab a smoke or a slice from the corner pizza parlor. I did both, but was mindful of every minute for one reason in particular: Albany Hardcore heavyweights Born Low.

    This would be the second time seeing Born Low in less than a month, so I wanted to pay careful and close attention to their set tonight. From what I’ve gathered, Born Low has in recent years become one of the most successful hardcore acts to come out of Albany since Brick By Brick. Though I know very little about the band itself, I’ve certainly not been ignorant to their enormous presence in the scene – take a walk around Albany sometime…from the College Ghetto to the Greyhound Terminal, it’s nearly impossible NOT to find one of their stickers or a flier bearing their name plastered to a wall or the back of a street sign, and with good reason: these guys pound!

    Born Low keep it old-school and in your face, bringing to mind the likes of Sworn Enemy and Merauder. Each slab of brutality these guys put down is held together by intricate, menacing guitar riffs that would make Slayer proud. As unpredictable as a feral animal, Born Low will throw a breakdown at you when you least expect it. If you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, either be prepared to join in on the mosh or take cover… you will get knocked!

    Born Low’s latest offering, Reincarnage, is available online from the Reaper Records merch store or at any show they play. If you love old-school, metallic, bone-crushing hardcore, DO NOT sleep on these guys!

    The excitement reached its peak when Queens powerhouse Sworn Enemy took the stage. Another frequent visitor to Bogies and constant touring partners with Brick By Brick, Sworn Enemy unleashed its brutality upon the world in 1997 under the name Mindset.  2001 saw them donning their present moniker and the release of their debut, Negative Outlook, through Jamey Jasta’s Stillborn label. An instant classic in both the hardcore and metal scenes, the band gained notoriety and name recognition, and in 2003 they released their second full-length, As Real as it Gets, on Elektra Records – a feat that has eluded many of their deserving peers. Along with the I.D.S. EP that fell between these two albums, Sworn Enemy has released five full-lengths to date, the last of which, Total World Domination saw the light of day in 2009 on Regain Records.

    The moments before the melee were like the proverbial calm before the storm: the band most certainly felt at home and were just as excited as their fans, who were now stacked five deep in front of the stage.  Kicking it off with “As Real As It Gets”, Sworn Enemy was in the zone. Through forty-five minutes of classic brutality, including gems like “One Way Trip”, “Sworn Enemy”, “I.D.S.” and their monster of a middle-finger to the face of Top Forty pop-metal,  “We Hate”, which they prefaced with the introductory riffs of Slayer’s “Raining Blood”. From beginning to end, the floor was a flurry of fists and feet.

    The evening ended with an absolutely incredible performance by the one and only Biohazard, the band that brought the gritty sounds of the streets of Brooklyn to the masses. With a sound that crosses a number of genre barriers without sounding contrived, it is hard to pigeonhole Biohazard. To those in attendance, this was inconsequential, and the pit raged on for yet another classic set. Excluding their latest single, “Vengeance is Mine”, Biohazard delighted Bogies with an eclectic mix of old favorites: “Shades of Grey”, “Urban Discipline”, “Five Blocks to the Subway”, “Retribution”,  “Punishment” and “Tales From the Hardside”, just to name a few. New bassist/vocalist Scott Roberts is a perfect addition to the otherwise-original line-up of Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel and Danny Schuler, so much so that it leaves you asking “Evan Who?” Grazaidei exemplifies what a frontman should be: humble and passionate. He even invited an inebriated fan who interrupted one of his pre-song monologues with chants of “Greatest Band Ever!!!” on stage for “Black and White and Red All Over”. Success has not changed him, nor has it turned him into an arrogant, self-absorbed rock star.

    As a band, Biohazard is wicked tight, and have no problem reproducing what you hear on studio releases in a live setting. Albany raged that night in the pit, and I sustained my standard head injury during their set – the true testament of a good show, as I am fond of saying. Wrapping the night up with “Hold My Own” , Biohazard killed it that night, and I hope they make it back to the 518 soon!

    Biohazard flier

  • Flashback: Phish in Lake Placid, December 1995, with New Audio Source

    Thinking about what I wanted to write about as Phish Summer Tour kicked off and SPAC, I pondered a few different things. I wanted to first off write about something I had in the pipelines of new seeds I was sharing with the etree community and I of course wanted something Phish, and maybe something that was not only good, but under appreciated. Lake Placid 1995 met all the criteria.

    Much has been documented about December 1995, a month many consider to be one of the top three if not single greatest months in the history of Phish. It’s a month filled with night after night of fiery, tight playing, ground break jams and multiple all around all-time great shows, one that was filled with very few dull moments. I happened upon four shows this month myself, which proved to be quite the challenge considering the weather we faced in the Northeast.

    Phish Lake Placid

    Blizzard like conditions from Albany to Lake Placid that final week of Phish tour made it extremely difficult to get around on the New York State Thruway. It became so much that when confronted with an opportunity after Binghamton to sell my Lake Placid tickets and head home to Buffalo, I did, which made collecting my thoughts on this two night run that ended this long and incredible tour somewhat bittersweet. One thing that has also gone a little unnoticed and less written about in recent years, particularly in the 3.0 era of Phish is the value of seeing Phish on their home turf. Not necessarily Vermont or New England, but Upstate New York, specifically, the North Country, the Adirondack region. When I think of Phish, I think of this region. When I visit this part of New York State, I want to listen to Phish and when I see Phish in this region, it brings back incredible memories. To me, there is nothing like an Upstate New York Phish show.

    Phish Lake Placid
    Phish lot shirt from 1995

    Seeing Phish at places like The Knickerbocker Arena or Saratoga Performing Arts Center, from The Clifford Ball in Plattsburgh to the ground breaking Halloween 1994 in Glens Falls and many more, Phish brings it on their adopted home turf. When the band grew out of Vermont, not only by touring around the country, but growing their fan base into larger venues in the early 90’s, it was Upstate New York that served as the new home turf. You can feel it when you’re there. Phish in Lake Placid ’95 was the perfect two-night conclusion to this great month. What more could you really expect from these guys at this point? A monster tour staring back in September and wrapping up nearly three months later. What started in Hershey, built upon in New Haven, collected at U-Mass, exploded in Niagara Falls and Albany, carried on in Maine, reached all new levels at Binghamton and set the table in Lake Placid for what many believe to be the greatest Phish show of all time on New Years Eve. These two shows contained all the tightness of three months on the road you would expect. A well oiled machine coming to a rest after a long work out. I don’t think the band’s lack of creativity or deeper exploration in these shows is worth worry.

    What you do get is air tight renditions, high energy improvisation like what is found in the “Mikes > Simple > Weekapaug” in night one, and the band ultimately capping the tour and setting the table for the New Years Eve run. While December ’95 is not known for its very best “Mike’s Grooves”, it is known for is all time “Tweezers”, and 12/17 deserves attention along with the others. There are times for me when it sometimes feels like not only musically, but on a decision making level, that you sense what the band has decided upon. It feels to me all these years of listening to these Lake Placid shows, that they deliberately knew where they were in the tour and what had gone down up to this point. They noticed that sometimes they need a creative reprieve and 12/16 was one of those moments. But by night two, we’re ready to bring it back for one last push down the home stretch and really see what this thing is made of, to see if they could milk this thing to the last drop, and that’s exactly what they did.

    phish lake placid
    photo by James Potvin

    What gets overshadowed from this month is the bulk of 12/17’s second set: “Free > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Harry Hood > Sparkle > Tweezer -> Tweezer Reprise”. A raunchy “Free”, a direct hit of “2001”, an extended “Hood” and one last gasp “Tweezer” really showcases the brilliance of what makes December ’95, and seeing Phish on their home turf of Upstate New York so special. That is energy, energy, energy. The band knows it. The crowd knows it. Say what you will about Great Woods, Merriweather, Deer Creek or Alpine, Hampton, Philly or Boston, but there is quite simply nothing like a Phish show in green country of Upstate New York.

    Download Lenny Stubbe’s new source to circulation of 12/16/95

    Download Lenny Stubbe’s new source to circulation of 12/17/95

  • Metal Done Right – Baroness at the Club at Water Street

    Savannah, Georgia’s Baroness brought their progressive “stoner” metal grooves to Rochester’s Club at Water Street Wednesday August 7th. Touring behind their newest album, Yellow and Green, the group was joined by label mates Royal Thunder. Royal Thunder is a three-piece progressive rock band from Atlanta. Their sound is a mix of the old and the new; imagine a mix of The Cult and Evanescence with a more hypnotic progressiveness. Featuring the vocals and impressive bass skills of MLny Parsonz, the trio impressed the small crowd that had made it in early during their 40 minute set.

    Baroness, by all accounts, appear to be on the cusp of success. While they still perform their own soundchecks and headline smaller venues, they are able to pull a close to capacity crowd for a decent ticket price  on a Wednesday despite the distance from their far away southern roots. Many attendees were adorned in black Baroness shirts and colorful tattoos and the beer was flowing at full blast as go-time approached.

    The glowing trademark on the band’s Bad Cat amplifier head beckoned the black fashioned masses closer. Blue oyster cult filled the pre-show music as the band took the stage to the muted sounds of “Highway Star”. The set started acoustically unassuming before a barrage of power chords enlightened the onlookers into a sea of metal signs.

    The band’s sound is a mix of unassuming melodic mellowness with brutal reminders gleefully tossed eloquently into the mix. Picture Mastodon meets early Clutch with a twist of classic rock ground in and the potential to surpass the sum of their influences.  The crowd chatted little, transfixed by the sonic spectacle on stage. Many songs had epic qualities, building, subsiding, peaking, running the gambit of emotions in one composition.

    http://youtu.be/3BM2ztLlhvo

    The show mostly showcased the band’s newest effort, but had enough older tracks to keep things interesting. Unlike most harder shows, the audience seemed content to stand and watch for most of the show, but in true metal fashion a decent mosh pit broke out during the encore. Pull your Sabbath tees out of the basement and go check out some Baroness!

    photos by Jacob Silco

  • XFACTOR1 Blows Bearfest Away

    The eager concert junkies let out the occasional yelps of excitement as the outdoor music melted into silence. It was time for Xfactor1 to rock the stage and blow everyone away with what they had in store for us. One by one, each band member appeared: Zack (drums), Jerry D (bass), CLok (guitar), Cody (guitar), and QBall Wolf (vocals). They were more than ready to get Bearfest started the right way with “Bring It On.” What they unleashed was something different. Something refreshing and new. In a way, very erratic, if you will. “An xfactor is an unpredictable intangible,” explained Wolf to Upstate Metal’s Kate Drexel. “Our name simply means we want to be the number one xfactor in all things and all situations.”

    Xfactor1 continued their set with “It’s My Life” and a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” followed by “Break You.”

    “Xfactor1 song writing is a group effort,” Wolf said. “Usually I will come up with a melody theme, and the guys will run with it until we add our influences. I think that influences are more than just ‘how do you sound?’ It’s attitude, passion, and ideals about life and music. Because of that, Metallica, Pantera, Korn, and other ass kickers come to mind.” These influences can definitely be heard in QBall’s unique voice as they proceeded with “You Suck.” Fans began to wave their horns in the air to the beat of the song followed by head banging.

    “I’m a huge Deftones fan so that would be awesome,” said Wolf when asked if he had the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. “Five Finger Death Punch would be great as well.”

    Before finishing the set, QBall had the fans gather in closer so the band could take a picture with the crowd in the background making an X with their arms in the air, a very similar moment the band shared at this year’s Rock on the Range. “We absolutely love playing the Rock on the Range festival (twice, ’09 and ’13), because it’s held in our hometown of Columbus, OH at Crew Stadium, and it’s like a huge family reunion.” Xfactor1 finished their set with “Never” and “Live Another Day,” leaving the crowd feeling warmed up, yet they wanted more from this killer band. Xfactor1 left the stage to presumably “film porn, party, play Texas Hold ‘Em poker,” according to QBall when asked what they do during their downtime.

    All in all, this band was beyond words. Just an absolutely mind blowing performance filled with catchy songs, and they definitely set the mood right for the night. Be sure to check out the band on Facebook. Their record, Famous.Last.Words was release in June 2012.

    Xfactor1 can put on one hell of a show. One you will not want to miss.

  • Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth Fiddled Things Up at Saranac Brewery, August 3rd

    Fittingly, for one evening, a cluster of stars were hosted on the Saranac Brewery Summer Stage as two roots based bands Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band energized the overlooked town.

    Saranac, a name meaning “Cluster of Stars” is inspired by the Iroquois Indians, historically indigenous to the area now known as Utica and throughout Upstate NY).  Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, in the middle of this run-down, old industrial stopover city – a place where the buildings are so worn the brick look windburn and the hollowed shells of factories whisper a forgotten town – sits the lively Saranac Brewery with a massive American flag soaring above.  Symbolic and geographically historic, the city-in-the-shadows reflects American folklore and does so in celebration with good brew and great music.

    IMG_2621

    Steeped in Americana, Railroad Earth warmed up the crowd with a tantalizingly ominous “Forecast” but fortunately, the weather cooperated as the venue is open-air.  “Stillwater Getaway” showcased instrumental mastery and perhaps served as a nod to Railroad Earth’s home base, engaging the crowd for an eight-minute dance around before slowing down in a soothing “A Day on the Sand.” Moving through a truncated but lovely set, the evening was beginning to take shape, the sun was setting, the temperature mirrored a typical August day in Upstate NY and the craft beer was joyously received and the songs unfolded.  Gratitude would be the only acceptable emotion and that sentiment was echoed in “Livin’ the Good Life.”  The segue that followed was a playful tease and a subtle hint at the soon-to-take off, cerebral jam, “Seven Story Mountain.”  Railroad Earth’s folk like lyrics and organic tones make for a synchronous match for such a location.

    Setlist: The Forecast > Stillwater Getaway, A Day On The Sand, Came Up Smilin, Saddle Of The Sun > Shockenaw Mountain Breakdown, Livin The Good Life > Seven Story Mountain, Hard Livin, Bringin My Baby Back Home

    Listen to Railroad Earth’s set

    After a rousing set by Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band kept the excitement high by launching right into “Ramblin in the Rambler” which easily transitioned into “Pretty Daughter” and just as cheers began hit right back into “Ramblin.” Stopping briefly to welcome the burgeoning crowd the band took little breathing room before launching into a more than 20 song set, stretching to the edges of their catalog, even including Frank Zappa’s “I am the Slime.” With the sun finally setting, the band welcomed to the stage Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth for “Funtime” a jammed out “Riverside” and closed the set with a tune many YMSB fans know far too well, “Two Hits and the Joint turned Brown.”

    Taking a short break, Yonder returned to the stage for their encore adding to their ranks John Skehan, Andy Goessling and Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth. The three talented musicians added to the already robust sound to help YMSB close with “If You’re Ever in Oklahoma > No Expectations >Oklahoma.” Yonder Mountain String Band, no strangers to Saranac Brewery were perfectly complimented by Railroad Earth, making it a strong night of bluegrass, beer and dancing.

    Listen to Yonder Mountain set

    Setlist: Tuning Up, Ramblin in the Rambler>Pretty Daughter>Ramblin in the Rambler, New Deal Train, Don’t You Lean On Me, I am the Slime>Northern Song, Just Like Old Times, Katy Daly, Finally Saw the Light, Pockets, Irondale, Death Trip > Boatman, Going to the Races, Funtime* >, Riverside*> Two Hits and the Joint Turned Brown*

    Encore: Oklahoma# > No Expectations# > Oklahoma#

    *with Tim Carbone on Violin
    #with Andy Goessling on Guitar and John Skehan on Mandolin and Tim Carbone on Violin

  • Conspirator Release Fall Tour Schedule with 3 Dates in Upstate New York

    It has been a while since we’ve seen Conspirator play the Upstate New York venues outside of a festival. After their January release of their highly anticipated new Album Unleashed, Conspirator has vastly expanded their fan base playing at many of the major festivals coast to coast. It is no surprise that there is a high level of excitement surrounding Conspirator’s fall tour, “Going Up.”

    Conspirator Fall tour includes stops on Friday October 11th, The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM, show starts at 9:00PM, this is an all ages show. You can grab your tickets online at The Westcott Theater Online Ticketing.

    Thursday October 17th, Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM and show starts at 9:00PM, Ages: 18+ ($5 extra charge for under 21). Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 day of show. Purchase tickets online at www.putnamden.com.

    Friday October 18th, Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY. Doors open at 8:00PM, show starts at 9:00PM, Ages:16+. Get your tickets online at Frontgate Tickets. Tickets are $15.00-$20.00.

    You can also catch Conspirator at The Catskill Chill Festival.
    http://www.conspiratorband.com/

  • Meet your NYS Music Staff: Writer Quinn Donnell

    Quinn Donnell started writing for in the fall of 2012 as a freshman at Syracuse University. Originally from Northwest Indiana, Quinn’s adjacency to the Chicago music scene allowed him to establish an appreciation for live music by exploring the city’s abundant venues and various festivals throughout his high school career. Quinn credits his dad for his early exposure to artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles, who helped him develop a taste in current music that Editor Pete Mason warmly describes as “that hipster stuff.” (ed. note – I do call it that, but I enjoy it too)Quinn Donnell

    As a student at SU, Quinn studies in the Bandier Program for the Music and Entertainment Industries. With plans to pursue a career in the music industry after graduation, Quinn has also written for the Chicago-based music website windycityrock.net and interned for Miscreant Records and Chicago music venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall. He’s also involved in SU’s student-run radio station, WERW and works as a College Marketing Representative for Sony Music Entertainment.

    Quinn’s musical bucketlist includes Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, and Paul McCartney. He also hopes to someday make it to Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Sasquatch, and Newport Folk music festivals.

  • Chenango 21st Annual Blues Festival August 16th & 17th

    This year is the 21st annual Chenango Blues Festival draws thousands to a beautiful rural venue in Norwich, NY. This year’s festival will take place August 16th & 17th at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Tent Camping space is still available and can be purchased in addition to your festival ticket for $35.00 for the weekend (Camping Guidelines). Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $30.00 the day of the show, Ticket sale locations can be found HERE.

    Photo Courtesy Of: http://www.chenangobluesfest.org/2012-photos.html
    Photo Courtesy Of chenango blues fest

    Friday, August 16, 2013
    Frontier Communications – Free Friday Night show!
    Chenango County Fairgrounds – Tent Stage

    6:00 – 6:45 p.m. – Pinecone Fletcher
    7:15 – 8:30 p.m. – Tinsley Ellis
    9:00 – 10:30 p.m. – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

    Saturday, August 17, 2013
    Chenango County Fairgrounds
    Sheffield Bio-Science Infield Stage

    Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

    12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Chris O’Leary
    1:45 – 3:00 p.m. – California Honeydrops

    4:00 – 5:20 p.m. – Larry McCray Band
    6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Shemekia Copeland
    9:15 – Royal Southern Brotherhood

    Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge Kennel Tent Stage

    1:00 – 1:45 p.m. – Tas Cru
    3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Valerie June
    5:20 – 6:30 p.m.- Ben Prestage
    8:00 – 9:15 p.m. – Honey Island Swamp Band

     

    **Please be aware that no tickets for Saturday’s show will be sold at the Friday show this year. Will call only from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

  • Candlebox 20th Anniversary Tour Stops in Oswego this Sunday

    The Seattle music scene in the autumn of 1990 was still the Pacific-Northwest’s best-kept secret. At the time, it was better known for Starbucks than for music and it would be another year before Nirvana’s Nevermind thrust the rainy town into the national spotlight. But in November of 1990, Candlebox was formed, ground their chops on the Seattle club scene and within three years had a quadruple-platinum self-titled album that launched the music career of Kevin Martin and company for years to come.  Following that success were two more releases, Lucy and Happy Pills, which both sold well.  But the relationship with the record company went sour in 2000 and the band took a six-year hiatus.

    In 2006 Rhino Records released a greatest hits album that led to a short tour that included all the original members of the band.  The tour led to a 2008 release, Into the Sun, that peaked at #4 on the Independent charts. Candlebox also released a live CD & DVD the same year, Alive in Seattle.

    Their fifth album, Love Stories and Other Musings, hit the stores in the spring of 2012 under Union Entertainment Group’s label Audionest.  Through some success and recent touring, Candlebox’s popularity has continued to rise back up enough to have the band scheduled for the ultimate rock cruise, “Ship-rocked” setting sail January of next year.  On the boat alongside Candlebox will be 5FDP, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace and Sevendust.

    This Sunday’s show at the new Oswego County Event Center will be Candlebox’s first time back in the Syracuse area since May 10, 2012 when they performed at the Westcott Theater. Prior to that they played the Lost Horizon in December of 2008 and have played other parts of Upstate New York every year since getting back together.

    We asked Candlebox front man, Kevin Martin, about the fans in Upstate New York and why the band seems to make New York a regular stop. “First and foremost, we sold one and a half million records in New York alone.  It has been our biggest market since day one.  New York fans have always been very supportive and purchased CDs, tickets and t-shirts.  The main reason we play New York so often is the fans and to keep the market alive.”

    Next year might be the first time in quite some time that we won’t be seeing Candlebox in New York, so the best chance for fans to see them on the 20th Anniversary tour is this week.  Kevin added that “next year we are going to take a break and work on being family members. We will be recording new material and when we do release a new album we will go back on tour and New York State will be one of those places.  New York State is where we have our best shows. But it probably won’t be until 2015.”

    A lot has changed in the 20 years since Candlebox released their quadruple platinum self-titled debut album.  The fans have gotten older and social media and the Internet have taken over the industry.  “Fortunately for us, the fans that started with us in 1994 had children. While their fathers and mothers listened to our music their children came to know every word and that is great for us.  Now we see the parents and their kids at our shows.  A lot of touring and large festivals [like Rockapalooza and Shiprocked] make it easier to reach those new fans.  Also, with Instagram we can immediately share pictures of guitars, our music, and what is happening on tour.  It’s been beneficial, yet a frustrating experience at times. People have opinions, people feel validation and an instant connection. In this day and age, it is also important to answer emails, Tweets and Instagram messages.  We do our best to let fans know you are listening to them.  Occasionally we cannot get back to everyone though.  You do get fans that don’t understand that we get between 150-200 emails a day. We try our best.”

    The Internet has also helped Candlebox reach other new markets, namely Europe.  While the band has only toured there three times, with social media and other ways of reaching out to fans, the European fan-base continues to grow and a Candlebox tour in Europe can be seen somewhere down the road.

    This Sunday at the Oswego County Event Center is a great chance for old and new fans alike to catch incredible musicians doing what they do best.  Some interesting discoveries that Upstate Metal also found when talking to Kevin Martin was that every song starts out acoustic.  Raw, unplugged, and from the ground up.  Kevin added that “shows like Unplugged was one of the best things for music. It showed what the music really sounded like, who had talent.  A lot of concert goers get used to hearing backing tracks, and live sets that are half ‘Pro Cuts’.”  With Candlebox you will get the real thing every time.  “Playing all live music is something special.”  We agree.

    Buy tickets by phone: (315) 668-1248 or Buy tickets online

    Visit Candlebox online and on Facebook

    Candlebox is Kevin Martin(vocals), Peter Klett (lead guitar), Scott Mercado (drums), Adam Kury (bass) and Sean “Memphis” Hennesy (guitar).