Category: Rochester

Merry Upstate Metal Xmas

Right about now, we expect most of you are hung over on Stewart’s Egg Nog and family bickering. And, we’re absolutely positive that if you hear Dominick the Donkey one more time, you’re going to kill someone with that Fender guitar you just got. Merry Xmas from Upstate Metal.

So, with that said we’re bringing back what we’ve found on Al Gore’s Interwebs, hoping to find what others are doing today.

Here’s your little bit of valium.

The economy has been improving across upstate New York, but some of us still find it difficult to rub two pennies together.
One of our competitors, the Capital Region’s Metroland, has witnessed the residual effects of the Great Recession, first hand. Above, a parent appears to be bragging over his or her Dickensian approach to soften the blow to the kids.
“I told my kids, ‘it’s Jesus’ birthday, not your birthday. You’re not getting anything’.”
Ouch!
That’s a tough pill to swallow right there. Hopefully Santa Claus found his way there last night. Something made from the heart is always better than something bought. Remember that, kids.

KISS’ Gene Simmons and his family paid a visit to Uncle Huge at the Playboy Mansion for an epic holiday party on Christmas Eve.
He took a moment to snap off a picture of his 21-year-old daughter, Sophie Tweed Simmons, snuggling up to a 20-foot tall Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Sophie has been in the headlines herself, having competed briefly on Fox Network’s The X Factor, last year. And, earlier the year, English newspaper The Daily Mirror published photographs of her in her thong bikini, while on vacation with her boyfriend in Ha’waii.
Sophie is one of two daughters between Simmon and 1982 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Shannon Tweed.

Halestorm lead singer, Lzzy Hale uploaded a photo of the family Christmas Tree from her mother’s house. this morning.
2013 has been a good year for the Hale family. After releasing their second album The Strange Case Of… in April of 2012, the song “Love Bites (So Do I)” won their first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance on February 10, 2013.
Halestorm is scheduled to launch a 12-stop European tour on April 1, 2014. The band just recently stopped in our area to perform. Go take a look for an awesome write-up and fantastic photos of the band.

Vince Neil cares not for a White Christmas, at least not on his Christmas card that pictures him and girlfriend, Rain Andreani.
The 52-year-old, former frontman of Motley Crüe, is currently dating the 32 year-old hair dresser while separated from his fourth wife, Lia Gerardini. Neil married Gerardini in 2005, but announced their separation in 2010.
Neil made headlines in late 2012 after collapsing on stage at a concert in Sydney, Australia. Aside from music, the hard rocker ventured into the Gentlemen’s Club business, opening Deja Vu Presents: Vince Neil’s Girls Girls Girls in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Girls, Girls, Girls was the Crüe’s forth studio album, released back in 1987.

Black Label Society frontman, Zakk Wylde is absolutely giddy over the Arthur Fonzarelli doll he apparently received from under the tree this morning.

The 46-year-old founding father of the LA rock group is certainly young enough to remember Happy Days from before its time in syndication. And, for those of us old enough to remember the ultra-cool character that was made famous by Henry Winkler can completely understand the excitement over receiving such a gift.

This has been a busy year for Wylde and his crew. Following the release of Unblackened, the boys went out and participated in this summer’s Gigantour IV, along with Megadeth, Device, Hellyeah, Newsted and Death Division. Wylde is reportedly working on material for yet another release next year. Since the band’s inception in 1998, the band has launched nine studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, an EP and three video albums.

The posting of Wylde’s mug in full scream makes one wonder if he’s truly excited over getting The Fonz, or is he trying to release the tension from his all of his work.

There could also be that fact that he’s upset over the departure of Nick “Evil Twin” Cantanese from BLS. Cantanese, who has been with the band since the start, reportedly set sail on December 2.

In case you’re looking to spend some recently acquired cash, a vintage Happy Days‘ Fonz doll from 1976 is currently selling on eBay for $26. (Imagine how much it would have been worth had he never jumped that shark.)

Orianthi Panagaris was recently getting into the festive spirit, as shown here from a picture she posted on her Instagram account a few days ago, apparently stealing shit out of her Christmas Tree’s closet.

Or, maybe, that’s how they dress where she’s from in Australia.

The amazingly gifted guitarist is currently in between tours, having closed out traveling with Alice Cooper over the past several months as part of the 98Rock Halloweenie Roast.

The 28-year-old released her third studio album, Heaven in This Hell, this past March and ultimately earned a three out of five stars from Allmusic.com. A deluxe version of the album was subsequently released this past September, which included three extra tracks.

For you stalkers who have yet to happen across her Instagram account, well, go Google it. But, I’ll tell you, the girl’s got a special relationship with that phone of hers. It’s not uncommon to see four or five updates on her account on any given day. Of course, the girl was just touring, and she gifted her fans with plenty of images from behind the scenes.

She goes back on the road next March, as she’ll meet up again with Cooper overseas as part of the European Rock Meets Classic Tour.

Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year’s to you all from UpstateMetal!

December 25, 2013
Ocupanther Three-Hour Set on DubLand Rochester

When Ocupanther plays Rochester, even the most loyal fans can expect a few surprises and sharp new tunes. December 6th was no exception as Ocupanther returned to Dubland Underground on a snowy Friday night that saw a room full of old friends and curious new faces. Ocupanther has a knack for capturing these types of diverse audiences, and the reason is two fold.

First, the music is captivatingly genre-bending, but still accessible on a broader level. The bands opening song for the evening, “The Great Oxygenation”, is a perfect example of such. With patiently buoyant synth grooves layered on top of warm, locomotive bass lines and heavily syncopated percussion, Ocupanther welcomes listeners like greeting an old friend. “TGO” then launched directly into “Yerkrewrun”, a new song in the lineup, which took the energy of the room to the next level while showcasing the groups ability to write some damn complex music, building patterns and changing time without losing their signature meditative peaks-and-valleys.

The second major factor of Ocupanther’s appeal, a band priding themselves on composition over improvisation, are their studio efforts. For a band that doesn’t play too frequently, they are workhorses when it comes to writing and preparing. The night showcased seven songs that have yet to appear on an album, all of which showed new depths of musicianship and warm beats marrying dark rhythms. Their two albums, Progressor (off which the group played four tracks on Friday) and Troncoso (three tracks) are of a sound quality and caliber rarely seen on an ‘independent’ level. This craftsmanship and attention to detail is refreshing in a scene that is often dominated by quantity over quantity and one-off chance happenings.

All that said, the Ocupanther live show is an experience in its own right, guaranteeing audiences will move from beginning to end. Some favorites of Friday evening included the new, pumping dance tune, “Obtuse Snoot”, late-set dueling guitar machine guns covered by a steady rhythm section on “Gunther Splitchicks”, and a welcome instrumental cover of “I Feel Love”. Once again Ocupanther threw the type of party you can’t afford to miss on a Friday night (especially when the show is free) while proving their chops on a musical and professional level and continuing to look forward. With a new album on the horizon, expect more big surprises and music that stirs the pot of what to expect from our local scene.

See Ocupanther January 28th at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo at 9pm with Ajamaja and DejaFuze.

Setlist: The Great Oxygenation> Yerkrewrun> Misunderstanding Hugs, Treat Me Like A Telescope*, Stompgoat, Progressor, Mike Chases His Pony, I Feel Love#, Ghostless, Gunter Splitchiks, Pyromancer>Obtuse Snoot, Naga Jolokia, Fraktura, Troncoso

Encore: Holy Jeffery

* First Time Played
# Donna Summer Cover

December 23, 2013
Magical Connection – John Sebastian at the Cafe Veritas

John Sebastian performed solo acoustic at the Cafe Veritas in Rochester on December 7th was not only a musical cross-section of Sebastian’s hall of fame career, but an intimate investigation of the roots of the music that has influenced generations. The softly lit room was accented by candles and featured as its centerpiece a slightly elevated wooden stage and large colorful peace symbol.

The sold out crowd welcomed Sebastian who appeared, dressed in black with acoustic guitar and bright flashing smile. After gently chiding an audience member who was preparing to take pictures, Sebastian made it clear he wanted the crowds undivided and complete attention. The show traced Sebastian’s beginnings as a Greenwich Village folk musician, gazed as his numerous gold records as a member of the Lovin Spoonful, and examined his love of jug band and blues music.

To start the show, Sebastian began to pick the bluesy opening to Mississippi John Hurt’s ‘I’m Satisfied’. Sebastian’s voice still reveals glimpses of his younger throat that once contained honey, but now has a pinch of gravel and a slight blues man’s rasp. Through out the evening Sebastian would frame the songs with extended dialogues expressing the genesis of his songwriting, his Lovin Spoonful band mates, influences and family. The following chunky slice of finger picked blues called ‘Don’t Stop’ prefaced a trio of Lovin Spoonful tracks who many in the crowd were highly anticipating. Sebastian paused prior to these numbers and spoke nostalgically about his love for Motown and how it influenced his development as an artist. During this discussion Sebastian started to strum the classic Motown hit ‘Heatwave’ slowly speeding the riff up, eventually morphing it into the introduction of the Spoonful’s own ‘Do You Believe In Magic?. An amazing glimpse into the genesis of one of the 1960’s most enduring songs, and a prime example of the concert’s’ enjoyable ‘show and tell’ makeup.

‘You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice’, and a definitive version of ‘Younger Girl’ followed, musically warming up the crowd who watched in rapt amazement. Sebastian encouraged a singalong atmosphere, and smiled often, singing directly to the crowd like an old time Greenwich folkie. His perfect guitar strikes emitting golden notes, clear as a winter night, expressed immaculately by the acoustics of the room. Sebastian switched between two hollow bodied acoustic/electric guitars throughout the evening, both instruments delivering clarity and tone, his voice, slightly weary from the years, but full of expressiveness and rich personality.

After the excitement created by the mini Spoonful set, John quieted things down, first speaking of his children and wife lovingly, then performing a version of ‘Strings of Your Heart’ as fragile as a bird’s egg. Keeping with the theme Sebastian then, in beautifully tender fashion delivered an instrumental lullaby he used to put his boys to sleep with. Intricate and weightless, Sebastian eyes were closed tight, lost in the music, picking the crystalline melody, an absolute high point of the evening.

Sebastian then leaned on his guitar and proceeded to tell a humorous anecdote about his going out of style at least ‘four or five times’ over his career, and that one of the times he went back in style was with ‘Welcome Back’. A jubilant singalong followed with Sebastian crooning the popular theme song he wrote for the historic television comedy. Highly enjoyable, and truly a piece of ‘good time music’ as the Spoonful’s credo used to be, the crowd responded with tremendous applause.

Another solid track off of Sebastian and Grisman’s 2007 album Satisfied came next with ‘Passing Fantasy’, before moving into another developed dialog where Sebastian explained in greater detail his relationship with Mississippi John Hurt. Sebastian then displayed a few finger picking techniques ‘borrowed’ from Hurt using the examples to slide seamlessly into a stomping version of ‘Lovin You’, the opening song from 1968’s Hums of the Lovin Spoonful. The show reached a grand peak and a pair of Lovin Spoonful numbers followed quickly and definitively closed the 75 minute set. ‘Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?’ and ‘Daydream’, perhaps the most beloved song in the Spoonful catalog, closed the show to a complete standing ovation. Sebastian a true entertainer, playing to the crowd, interacting with them on musical and conversational levels left the stage to boisterous applause.

But luckily for us in the crowd, Sebastian had one final surprise in store, reappearing with only a harmonica in hand to stand solo at the microphone. Sebastian, who’s father was a famous classically trained harmonica player, instilled in him a love and respect for the instrument. Sebastian stated that in his home, ‘the harmonica was not a toy’, so for those of us in the crowd that were hoping for a bit of harp playing, we were in for a treat. Sebastian plowed trough an extended harp journey that wailed and wined with the breath of rock and roll and blues, displaying all the tricks of this virtuosic player. The performance could have concluded only one way, and Sebastian hit it perfectly with an awe inspiring display.

John Sebastian created a musical atmosphere at the Cafe Veritas that encouraged attentiveness, revealed musical secrets, and encouraged audience interaction. The performance hearkened back to the early coffee house performances of the 1960’s in content as well as attentiveness by the performer. It’s refreshing to witness an artist so at ease with his legacy, and concentrated on delivering the goods to his audience even after all of these years.

December 17, 2013
Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City Tour

Following two great sets by the talented Rochester band “Aminal” and the New York band, “MS MR”, Vampire Weekend took the Main Street Armory stage by storm. They jumped right in, opening with the hugely popular track, “Diane Young” off of their new album Modern Vampires of the City. The crowd was hooked immediately, going wild at first note of the familiar song with screams and applause.

The energy inside the Armory in Rochester was as high off the stage as it was on. Fans sang, snapped iPhone photos and danced along with each tune the band turned out. Boyishly handsome front man Ezra Koenig delivered a smooth and passionate performance during the nearly 90-minute set.

Vampire Weekend has a sound like no other; one that has become easily recognizable and points to a bright future for the talented band. The bouncy “A-Punk,” one of their biggest hits, had the crowd hopping in rhythm while singing along with the band “Hey, hey, hey!” Playing other favorites such as, “Holiday”, which became popular thanks in part to a Honda commercial, “Horchata” and “Unbelievers” kept the audience happily cheering from beginning to end. They ended the night with a 3-song encore and bid the final farewell with the tune, “Walcott”. A song close to their hearts and one they end every show with.

Setlist: Diane Young, White Sky, Cape Cod Kwasssa Kwassa, Unbelievers, Holiday, Step, Finger Back, Horchata, Everlasting Arms, Cousins, California English, A-Punk, Boston (Ladies of Cambridge), Ya Hey, Campus, Oxford Comma, Giving Up the Gun

Encore: Hannah Hunt, One (Blake’s Got a New Face), Walcott

December 10, 2013
Ocupanther Playing a Free Show at Dub Land Underground in Rochester on December 6th

Rochester New York’s Ocupanther has had a big year. Between their critically acclaimed spring 2013 release Progressor and multiple appearances with some major league artists, including Marco Benevento, Schleigho, The Grandmothers of Invention, Jimkata, Twiddle and more, the band is gaining some well deserved traction in the music loving community.

They will bring this buzz and their own unique brand of progressive filthy funk psychedelia to the Dub Land Underground for a free two set hometown show. December 6th, 18+ 10PM FREE (surcharge for under 21). Mark your calenders now, this show is not to be missed!

December 2, 2013
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian at Cafe Veritas on December 7th

On Friday December 7^th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member John Sebastian will be playing an intimate solo acoustic performance at the Cafe Veritas in Rochester, NY. Sebastian is one of rock and roll’s most prolific singer/ songwriters, beginning his journey as a founding member of the Lovin Spoonful, then moving through a fruitful career as solo artist and most recently performing as a member of the ‘J’ band, and collaborating with David Grisman.

The iconic vision of Sebastian performing solo, enveloped in tye dye at Woodstock 1969 is indelibly etched into the graffiti filled walls of rock history. Sebastian, remembered for such towering classics as ‘Daydream’, ‘You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice’, ‘Darlin Be Home Soon’, ‘Summer In the City’ and ‘Welcome Back’ will tell tales of his hazy days in rock, in addition to picking, singing, and blowing some of the most lonesome blues harp you will ever hear. You know that smokin’ harmonica on the Doors track ‘Roadhouse Blues’? That’s Sebastian.

General admission tickets for John Sebastian at Cafe Veritas are available for $25.00 and $50.00. The upper level price includes early entry and a meet and greet with Sebastian. You can purchase tickets here. The evening of music and conversation begins at 7:30. Do not miss this rare opportunity to witness the music of a rock legend in a cozy and personal environment.

November 25, 2013
Aqueous and Tauk Join Forces for Two Nights in Upstate, NY

Experimental and progressive Rock, powerhouses – Aqueous and Tauk will play 2 Upstate, NY shows this week. Both bands have continued to grow from high school bands to Nationally performing, festival favorites. There is no doubt that the musical bonds that brought them together have produced some of the East Coast’s most spectacular funktastic rock infused musical acts – Aqueous and Tauk may be separate bands but their paths are shared on a journey to musical stardom.

Aqueous and special guests Tauk will first play Dubland Underground in Rochester, NY on November 15th. Show starts at 10PM and tickets are $7 and this is an 18+ ages show.

The experimental duo then heads to Buffalo on November 16th to play Nietzsches . Show starts at 10PM and tickets are $7, this is an 21+ show. For more information on where to purchase tickets please go HERE.

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Aqueous | Tauk

November 13, 2013
Preview: All That Remains set to return to CNY and Capital Region

All That Remains is set to bring their heavy melodic metal-core sound back to the Capital Region on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, N.Y., and Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y.

Opening for the show at both venues will be hard alternative post grunge rockers Soil.

All That Remains:

From Springfield, Massachusetts, Philip Labonte (vocals), Mike Martin (guitar), Oli Herbert (Guitar), Jeanne Sagen (bass), Jason Costa (drums). Formed in 1998, ATR has recorded 6 studio albums and 1 live album, in their 15 year history including Behind Silence and Solitude (2002), This Darkened Heart (2004), The Fall of Ideals ( 2006), Overcome (2008), For We Are Many (2010) and current album A War You Cannot Win (2012).

Soil:

From Chicago, Illinois, Ryan McCombs (vocals), Tim King (bass), Adam Zadel (guitar). Formed in 1997, Soil has recorded 6 studio albums in their 16 year history including Throttle Junkies (1999), Scars (2001), Redefine (2004), True Self (2006), Picture Perfect ( 2009) and current album Whole (2013).

Original vocalist Ryan McCombs is back with Soil to make the original line-up complete. McCombs left the band in 2004 to be with his family and resurfaced in 2005 as lead vocalist for Drowning Pool.

Other December Tour Dates:

Dec 2 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall **

Dec 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights *

Dec 5 – Ashwaubenon, WI @ Green Bay Distillery

Dec 6 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom

Dec 7 – Joliet, Il @ Mojoe’s

Dec 10 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm **

Dec 11 – Johnson City, TN @ Capones *

Dec 13 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live! ***

Dec 14 – Syracuse, NY @ The Wolcott Theater

Dec 15 – Clifton Park NY @ Upstate Concert Hall

Dec 28 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street ****

* Motionless In White

** Motionless In White/Soil

*** Asking Alexandria/Devour The Day & more

**** Jasta

November 12, 2013
Donna the Buffalo Performs at The Armory on Saturday 11/16

Donna the Buffalo’s upcoming performance in Rochester, NY at Water Street Music Hall on Saturday, November 16th with Sim Redmond Band has been moved to The Armory on East Main Street. Tickets already purchased for Water Street will be honored at The Armory.

With Water Street under new ownership recently and going through some changes, this re-location of scheduled performers was inevitable. Donna The Buffalo has been a staple of the Upstate, NY music scene for 2 decades, so making sure this show still went on was critical to our local music scene.

Donna The Buffalo will play the Main Street Armory with The Sim Redmond Band on Saturday, November 16th. Doors open at 8PM, tickets can be purchased at the venue box office or ONLINE for $20 in advance and $25 at the door, this is an all ages show. For more information you can contact the venue at (585) 232-3221.

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November 4, 2013
Pop Evil is set to invade the Capital Region this fall with Eve To Adam, The Letter Black & Black Oxygen

Pop Evil Fall 2013 Flier

Pop Evil returns to the capital region this fall Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, N.Y. in support of their new studio album, “ONYX”.

Special Guest also on the show include Eve To Adam, The Letter Black, and Black Oxygen.

POP EVIL:

From Grand Rapids, Michigan, Leigh Kakaty (vocals), Davey Grahs (guitar), Nick Fuelling (guitar), Chachi Roit (drums) and Matt DiRito (bass). In the last five years, Pop Evil has released three studio albums including Lipstick On The Mirror (2008), War Of Angels (2011) and current album Onyx (2013).

THE LETTER BLACK:

From Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the band consists of husband and wife Sarah Anthony (vocals) and Mark Anthony (vocals/guitar), Matt Beal (bass) and Justin Brown (drums). The Letter Black has released three studio albums and an independent album since 2007 including Stand (2007 independent), Hanging By A Thread (2010), Hanging By A Remix (2012) and current album Rebuild (2013).

EVE TO ADAM:

From New York, N.Y., this three-man band consists of Taki Sassaris (vocals), Alex Sassaris (drums) and Gaurav Bali (guitar). Eve To Adam now has four studio albums since 2001 including Auburn Slip (2001), Queens To Eden (2007), Banquet For A Starving Dog (2011) and current studio album Locked & Loaded (2013).

Black Oxygen:

From Kansas City, Missouri, this three-man band consists of David Lyle (vocals/lead guitar), Nick Lyle (drums) and Jordan Myer (bass). Black Oxygen has one studio album called, The American Dream (2012).

Other Tour Dates Include:

Nov 8 – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero

Nov 9 – Libertyville, IL @ Austin’s Fuel Room

Nov 10 – Wausau,WI @ The Fillmore

Nov 12 – Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock

Nov 14 – Johnson City, TN @ Capones

Nov 15 – Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar

Nov 17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

Nov 18 – Fayetteville, NC @ The Drunk Horse Pub

Nov 20 – Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans Music Hall

Nov 22 – Clifton Park, N.Y @ Upstate Concert Hall

Nov 23 – Quincy, MA @ WAAF

Nov 24 – Syracuse, N.Y @ The Westcott Theater

Pop Evil also has posted on their Facebook page that the first 20 fans who show proof of purchase of the Onyx album at the Merch table will get to meet the band.

November 4, 2013