NYS Music 20​13

Tag: Glens Falls

  • Touchpants Show in Glens Falls a Perfect Compliment to Phish

    Sandy’s Clam Bar was the perfect location for Jon Fishman’s side project Touchpants to play a post-Phish show on October 23rd. Although the show didn’t start until 1am Thursday morning, the crowd was full of energy and abuzz about the incredible performance at Glens Falls Civic Center just a few hours before.

    What unfolded at Sandy’s was a show that makes Dr. Dirty look like ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic – both are masters of parody and comedic music, but Touchpants, well, they took things to a new low. A very deep, dark low.

    And it was awesome.

    touchpantsThe stage was set with three toilets (lid down) for Chris Friday (guitar/vocals), Colby Dix (guitar/vocals) and Jon Fishman behind the drum kit. Bassist Aram Bedrosian stood at stage right all night, giving the band a beat that kept things progressing, even though every bit of the show, short of written setlist, was shot from the hip and had no sense of organization to the show. Therein lay the highlight of Touchpants – the band performs songs like “Penis Slap” and “Mushroom Tattoo”, discusses prolapsed colons and finds Colby Dix wandering through the crowd to talk-sing to anyone in his path, all the while the band keeps playing on stage.

    The crowd fed off the hilarity onstage and encouraged more from the crowd. If a lyric or comment toed the line, whether the audience laughed or groaned, the line was getting crossed like a shot from a cannon. This show is not for the faint of heart or those who cannot take a joke, or for anyone with an early bedtime – the show lasted until 3:30am, with the bar lights coming on while the band was still playing.

    If a Phish show was rated like a movie, generally, most shows would be PG-13 – a rating that is a step above child’s play, even when they play “Fuck Your Face”. Touchpants has the same intersection of humor and music, but would easily get an NC-17, if not an X, if that rating were still used today. Disturbingly hilarious, devoid of setlist continuity and interspersed with inside jokes and roast-worthy comments to fans, Touchpants is the ultimate post-Phish show. That’s how good it was.

    Highlight: 20 minute version of “Mushroom Tattoo”

  • Phish Returns to Glens Falls in Grand Fashion

    When Phish announced their fall tour plans a few months back, the Glens Falls Civic Center date jumped right out at me. I was lucky enough to attend the Halloween ’94 show there that catapulted the band into the mainstream, and sent me from coast to coast the next two plus years following the band around. I was not going to miss it!

    After a rock solid show in Rochester the day before, and after picking up my friend Adam in Herkimer, we set off for Glens Falls. Arriving in town around 4:30, the Civic Center was in view and the crowd (and the police) were already surrounding the building. The ’94 show did have some bad moments as those shut out started to rush the gates and throw bottles at police. This time around, the police presence was beefed up around the venue, but the preshow crowd was mild mannered at best with most smiling and chatting among phriends.

    Several preshow parties were in effect, and after parking off Elm and South, I set off for 42 Degrees. Specializing in custom made glass works, 42 Degrees is one of the premier head shops in all of Upstate NY. With in-house glass blowing, and munchies and drinks available, 42 Degrees was packed by the time I arrived. My next stop was Aimee’s Dinner & Movie, which hosted an art show featuring some of the scene’s best artists, and the next door Wallabee’s Jazz Bar, where local favorites High Peaks Band were laying it down for the masses. Check them out when you can they deliver!

    From there I ventured over to the Downtown City Tavern to catch a set by Acoustically Speaking, featuring Mik Bondy and Kat Walkerson of The Garcia Project. This stripped down duo features Mik on guitar while both he and Kat share vocal duties. Their soulful renditions of Garcia Band favorites meshed perfectly with my Octoberfest preshow draft. After talking with Mik and Kat on their break, I headed over to the Civic Center to get my credentials and check in for the main event.

    Although I had a floor ticket for this one, I headed instead to the upper level behind the stage to snag some dancing space. Not surprisingly, I ran into some other ’94s up there looking for some space as well. It wasn’t long before I found a sweet spot as the lights lowered and the band appeared on stage. The energy was already amped up considerably, and when the opening notes of “Back in the USSR” started, it was like a flame to gasoline as the place erupted. It brought me back for sure, and the lyric “Gee it’s good to be back home” really nailed the moment. Phish left no doubt that this was not a total throwback, when the opening guitar licks of “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” sent us all back to the future; Trey was on his game already.

    Next up was “Water in the Sky”, which gave me a chance to catch my breath and my second wind. I would need it as a seven minute “Undermind” showcasing Page’s funkiness led to a midset “David Bowie” reminiscent of a mid-90’s version, clocking in at just over 10 minutes. Old school favorites “Golgi Apparatus” and “Gumbo” were next, followed by Mike Gordon’s “Yarmouth Road”, which debuted at SPAC this summer. The old school feel continued with “Camel Walk” and “Horn”, and was followed by a decent but standard version of “Limb by Limb”.

    phish returns glens falls

    “I Didn’t Know” was next, which brought Fishman and his vacuum out behind his kit. Trey asked “For 19 years we’ve all been wondering, is he gonna do it again??”, referring to Fishman getting naked at Glens Falls Civic Center the last time they played. He replied: ” I can if you want, but I doubt you want that”. The set ended with a standard version of “Split Open and Melt” that did feature some Trey licks towards the end. On paper this was a decent set at best, but if you were there, the place was rocking and the energy was intense.

    After some random acts of kindness during the intermission, I headed down to the floor, just to the right of Chris Kuroda and the light board. “Rock and Roll” opened the set with a bounce and some ripping guitar from Trey. The groove slowed and “Seven Below” emerged, a standard version that gained momentum towards the end, which led to a spirited version of “Alaska”.

    The set’s highlight was the 14 minute “Twist”, complete with full band exploration for the first time all night. CK was on fire as well, and his new light rig was put to the test. A very soothing “Wading in the Velvet Sea” followed, one of the best versions I’ve seen or heard, which led to “Harry Hood”, featuring a glow stick war that wouldn’t quit. The place was going crazy for sure, and the “Chalkdust Torture” that followed continued the late set dance party proper.

    After a very loud and lengthy ovation, the band reappeared, and Trey spoke about how great it was to play near Burlington and in Upstate New York in particular, and that many friends and family from the past 30 years were there to help celebrate. The band then revisited their Halloween past with a fitting “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to wrap it up.

    Exiting the arena, everyone was smiling from ear to ear, all of us knowing we were a part of Phish history once again.  Fans ended their night at Hotshots, were Albany’s Mister F and Vermont’s Twiddle, or Touchpants, for the perfect nightcaps to an incredible day of live music in Upstate New York.

  • Set the Gearshift to Upstate NY – Phish Return to Rochester and Glens Falls

    With the start of Phish’s fall tour in Hampton this past weekend, few things are more exciting than the anticipation of an Upstate New York show. Rochester and Glens Falls are gearing up for two raging Phish shows that have been 19 and 13 years in the making, respectively. Local businesses and fans are ready, and has your guide to all that is happening in Rochester and Glens Falls before and after the shows this week.

    phish rochester glens falls
    photo by Danny Clinch

    On Tuesday October 22, Phish will play the Blue Cross Arena (War Memorial) in Rochester. The documentary Bittersweet Motel, directed by Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover) features footage from the band’s December 11th, 1997 performance, including the rehearsal and debut of Ween’s “Roses Are Free”.

    The next night, Wednesday October 23, Phish will return to the Glens Falls Civic Center for the first time since October 31st, 1994, when they covered the Beatles’ White Album in its entirety. This epic performance not only started the band’s musical costume tradition, but also launched the band into the general mainstream.

    Tickets for the Rochester show are still on sale at Ticketmaster and at the venue box office, while the 6,806-capacity Glens Falls show is sold out! Use CashorTrade.org to find extras!

    Below is a list of pre and post show events, as well as maps of the area. Have fun and see you at the shows!!

    Upon arrival in Rochester, take the Plymouth and Broad exit off I-490. There is underground parking on Broad Street and an outdoor main lot on the corner of Court Street. and Exchange Street., but parking naturally fills up quickly as you would suspect. On Court Street you will find Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, an Upstate New York favorite for good reason, so get there early and grab a table and a bite to eat. In a rush – grab food at the bar and enjoy a great selection of beers.

    Rochester post-shows include The Goods @ Dinosaur BBQ (99 Court Street) and Universe Shark and The Blind Owl Band @ The Montage (50 Chestnut Street), which starts at 10pm and is 18+.

    Glens Falls has two big pre-show events planned, both within walking distance to the venue. 42º and Manifest Glassworks present glass blowers collaboration, special deals, a live broadcast with Jeff from WEQX’s “Jam-N-Toast” and refreshments at 42º, located at 23 Park Street, a mere 0.2 miles from Glens Falls Civic Center. The show goes from 12-6pm. There will also be an Art Show @ Aimiee’s Dinner & A Movie, located at 190 Glen Street featuring many Phish artists, including Isadora Bullock, Pin Me Down Designs, Bill Pompeii of Pompeii Prints, PhanArt, StuPINdous Creations and many more from 2-630pm. For food, The Post-Star has some suggestions on dining, but you can find many places to eat just wandering around downtown. It’s a small town, you’ll find good eats around every corner.

    Post show, Glens Falls has two great shows, both right in town and a short walk from the Civic Center. Twiddle and Mister F will be at Hot Shots Sports Bar, located at 45 South St. If you can’t get a ticket to Phish, this show starts at 10pm and is 21+. The other post-show is Touchpants at Sandy’s Clam Bar, featuring Jon Fishman! Sandy’s is located at 41 South Street and this show is SOLD OUT!

    Enjoy the shows in Upstate New York everyone!