NYS Music 20​13

Tag: otherwise

  • Review: OTHERWISE and THREE DAYS GRACE Rock The Dome

    This past Saturday, the Wise Guys, known as Otherwise, shared the stage with Three Days Grace at The Dome in Wallingford, Connecticut, where I had the incredible opportunity to witness this killer event.

    The lights dimmed and the excited chatter turned into cheers as the booming introductory music shook the floor of the venue. One by one, each member of Otherwise stepped into the red spotlight, the last to emerge from the shadows, Adrian Patrick. They started their set with their current single, “Die for You”, quickly followed by “Lighthouse” and “Vegas Girl”. Otherwise did not hesitate for one moment as they continued with “Silence Reigns” and probably one of the best break-up songs out there, “I Don’t Apologize”. The energy in the room just felt so unreal, definitely indescribable. Next to be played was “Full Circle”, “Scream Now” and one of their older tracks with a fantastic beat, “Stop, Drop and Roll”. Immediately following was their superb cover of Rage Against the Machine‘s track, “Killing in the Name of”, and at the start of that, fans began to throw up their horns and rock out. Of course, Otherwise saved the best for last, the song that got their name out there, “Soldiers”, a powerful track to finish their set with. As always, I am blown away with their performance, but now it was time for Three Days Grace to take the stage.

    three days grace5After waiting patiently for the crew to finish up their testing of the microphones, guitars and drums, the stage lights suddenly brightened the room and the volume of the music in the overhead speakers increased as Rage Against the Machine‘s “Killing in the Name of” began to play. Faint storm sound effects took over then The Dome was enveloped in darkness, with the exception of the WELCOME TO FABULOUS LAS VENUS CONNECTICUT sign and a blue hue light up the room. Then a familiar eerie song filled our ears, it was Nancy Sinatra‘s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. One by one, each member of Three Days Grace emerged from the shadows, then Barry Stock (guitarist) played the introduction to “Chalk Outline”, the cue for Matt Walst (vocals) to make his presence known. The crowd went wild once Walst appeared and began to bounce along the heavy beat. Three Days Grace did not hesitate for one moment as they continued with “Just Like You”, “Pain” and “The High Road”. Fans sang out with such a strong passion and some held up their horns. But Three Days Grace was just getting warmed up! The three days grace10killer set kept rolling with classics such as “Home”, “Get Out Alive”, “Break” and “The Good Life”. Finally it was time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Neil Sanderson’s legendary drum solo, briefly accompanied by keyboardist, Dani Rosenoer. Once he left, Neil continued doing what he does best: blowing the crowd away with his fantastic beats. The rest of Three Days Grace returned to play their current single, “Misery Loves My Company”, followed immediately by “World So Cold” and one of their many classics, “I Hate Everything About You”. Barry Stock then took a brief to give thanks to Matt and the fans for standing by them, as well as introducing Shawn Hamm to the stage to play their awesome cover of Limp Bizkit‘s “Break Stuff”. They finished their set with “Animal I Have Become”, “Never Too Late” and “Riot”. What a way to end a Saturday night!

    All in all, both bands were absolutely incredible. Be sure to check out both bands’ tour dates to see if their coming to a town near you. Their shows are ones you will not want to miss!

    Photos by: Kate Drexel

  • Review: 95 X Fest

    Twenty Two bands for $20! What!!! With a lineup that consists of Sick Puppies, Adam Gontier, Nonpoint, Trapt, Otherwise and more, how can you go wrong for $20!!! Add eleven of some of the area’s best local talent and you have this year’s 95 X fest.

    Held at the F Shed in Syracuse N.Y., I was kind of skeptical of this venue until I got there. The F Shed is like a big warehouse or, like its name, a shed. A huge shed, in fact, but really nice inside. So, like me, don’t judge the place until you actually see it, because it’s actually a really good venue for a concert.

    There were eleven local area bands, and they all sounded pretty good. So all you concert promoters out there looking for some good opening acts for future shows, check out the list of local bands that kicked @$$ on this show. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.

    First on the main stage was Another Lost Year. This is a really good up-and-coming band. Their singles are getting a lot of airplay on XM Octane. Their sound check went a little longer than they wanted, so they had to cut their set a little short, but this band still rocked the place. They connected and played to the crowd really well.

    Next up was a band I knew nothing about, but now I know very well. Allele took the main stage second. Front man Wally Wood has endless energy. I think he stood on the rail and sang with the crowd for half his performance.

    Girl On Fire is now the third band to play on the main stage. Their current single, “The Takedown,” is really hot. These guys put on a great live performance. During one song, singer Austin Held’s mic went dead, which prompted him to slam it on the ground in frustration. He then grabbed another mic and hit the next note right on cue.

    Mindset Evolution was the fourth band to play the main stage. Their current single, “Burn It Down,” is also played a lot on XM Octane. These guys won Battle Of The Bands in 2012, and they have really grown since a year ago when they were on the Uproar Festival. ME put in a really good live performance.

    Devour The Day was the fifth band to grace the main stage. Former Egypt Central members Joey Chicago and Blake Allison make up half the band. Their current single, “Good Man,” is in heavy rotation on the radio. I forgot how much energy these guys have. Insane! They will be touring with Hinder later this year so make sure you go and check them out.

    One of my favorite up and coming bands that were a late addition to this show’s lineup were slated in the sixth spot on the main stage. Otherwise took the stage next and brought the house down. Otherwise is one of the best live bands you could see. I love watching Adrian and the boys rock it. If you have never seen Otherwise, all I can say is what the hell are you waiting for? Adrian just connects with the crowd and pulls you in. Bassist Vassilios and Guitarist Andrew were so energized, I think they drank a whole case of Red Bull or something before the show. Vassilios even jumped in the crowd and played bass around all the fans for an entire song, which prompted Adrian to say “please don’t kill our bassist”.

    Disturbed members Mike and Dan, along with Evans Blue Member and singer Dan, make up the next band that were in the seventh spot on the main stage. Fight Or Flight were up next and they were better than I thought. I wasn’t feeling their cd that much yet, and their single, “First Of The Last,” is OK, but their live performance is really good. In fact, they were so good live you would think that they were a band for many years performing together.

    Trapt gets the eighth spot on the show. Trapt played a good mix of old and new tracks. They always put in a great live performance, but I prefer them on a more intimate stage setting. Singer Chris Taylor Brown makes you feel his emotions as he sings and is a great performer. Their current single, “Eye Of The Storm,” is starting to get a lot of airplay on the radio.

    This next band is another must-see band if you have never seen them. In the ninth spot on the main stage was Nonpoint. Elias and the boys are so much fun to watch live. They just come out and Kick @$$ form start to finish. I had the chance to hang out with the boys for a little bit on their tour bus, and we had a really random discussion about mushrooms. We also had a debate on who has better pizza, New York or Chicago?

    Former front man for Three Days Grace, Adam Gontier, was slated in the tenth spot for this show. I haven’t ever seen 3DG with Adam. Matt is a great fill in, but when I heard Adam sing those songs I was blown away. Adam said to the crowd, “Isn’t it nice to hear the guy who wrote the songs, sing the songs?” Adam is just amazing live, and at one point near the end of his set he climbed the scaffolding all the way up to the lights and just hung there for a bit. I thought he was going to jump into the crowd, but after hanging for a couple of minutes he came back down.

    Sick Puppies is slated as the headliners for this event. Shimon and the gang always put on a great show. I was watching them pump each other up backstage before their performance. Shimon really likes talking to the crowd before every song, which can be a little overkill. When you have been at a festival all day and you’re the last act please keep the talking to a minimum. A large stage means more room for Emma to jump and spin around on stage. This girl is just amazing live, and I don’t think I would ever get tired of watching her play. Anzai is of the best bassists you could ever see live.

    This was a really good event and one of my favorite concerts of the year. This event was very fan-friendly with all of the bands signing autographs at different times under the autograph tent. That, to me, is what a music festival should have. It’s really nice to shoot the $#!t with your favorite artist for a couple of minutes and get something signed or take a picture with them.

    Photographer JT Gilbert took a lot of really nice pictures of this event, and his one of Nonpoint is f’in awesome. If Nonpoint ever makes a live dvd, that pic should be the cover.

    I also got to exchange a few words with Dan from Disturbed/Fight or Flight. He was drinking some really good red wine in a plastic solo cup. After I asked him what he was drinking, he told me, “Hey I have to switch it up from beer every now and then.” Funny.

    I also got to hold Adam Gontier’s Terminator-inspired mic stand which had to weigh about fifty pounds.

    Congrats to 95 X for putting on a really great event, despite the fact that a rival radio station that had their own event a week earlier pulled a classless move and held a free concert the same time and day of this event. I didn’t matter though, because on this day this was the place to be.

  • Review: OTHERWISE Dominates the Stage at Bearfest

    IMG_4239The booming introductory music to Otherwise’s setlist filled the eager ears of the Wise Ones at Bearfest, all crowding in closer and closer to the barricade, animated cheers escaping from them as one by one each band member made their appearance, Corky Gainsford (drums), Vassilios “V” Metropoulos (bass), Andrew Pugh (guitar), Ryan Patrick (guitar), then finally, Adrian Patrick (vocals) emerged from behind the crates. His deep, powerful voice washed over the crowd as he began to sing “Die for You”, the fans shouted out the rest of the chorus as he held out the mic towards them. Next was “Lighthouse” which Adrian dedicated to all the “good girls”, followed by “the song that goes out to all the bad girls”, their party anthem, “Vegas Girl”. The number of fans increased every second, eager for more of Otherwise; however, they were just getting warmed up. The next to play was “Silence Reigns” followed by their single, “I Don’t Apologize”, the fans belting out the lyrics whole-heartedly, their eyes stared in wonder as Otherwise continued to unleash their unbelievable energy.

    IMG_4263The fun didn’t stop there; Adrian then encouraged the Wise Ones to raise their middle fingers as they began to chant, “fuck you” rapidly, starting up the next song, “Full Circle”. This was followed by “Scream Now” and from one of their earlier records, Some Kind of Alchemy, “Stop, Drop, and Roll”. The music changed abruptly to a familiar tune, “Killing in the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine. Fans head-banged to the rhythm of the song, pumped fists and rocker horns in the air as well as mouthed the lyrics enthusiastically. To say the least, Otherwise did a killer cover. Of course, the band saved the best for last, the song that got their name out there, “Soldiers”. At the end of the song, Adrian jumped off the stage and ran towards the barricade, bringing the mic to the fans and having them harmonize with the band, and then he stood on top of the railing, one hell of a way to end an awesome setlist.

    As always, Otherwise brought their game to the stage. No matter the size of the crowd, they always have a way to connect with their ever-growing fan base.

  • Preview: SEVENDUST to Black Out the Northeast with DEVOUR THE DAY and OTHERWISE

    This week, Sevendust makes their mark with killer openers Devour the Day and Otherwise in the Northeast area, including Poughkeepsie, NY tomorrow night.

    Sevendust:

    Formed in 1994 in Atlanta, GA, Sevendust consists of Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Clint Lowery (guitar), John Connolly (guitar), Vince Hornsby (bass) and Morgan Rose (drums). Since the successful release of their debut self-titled record in 1997, Sevendust has a total of nine records and 30 singles, including their recent album, Black Out the Sun. They made an appearance at this year’s Rock on the Range on May 19th. This band is eager to show the crowd what they have up their sleeves.

    Otherwise:

    Hailing from Las Vegas, NV, the Patrick brothers, Adrian (vocals) and Ryan (guitar), Andrew Pugh (guitar), Vassilios Metropoulos (bass), and Corky Gainsford (drums) are more than ready to knock everyone out of the ballpark with their never-disappointing performance of songs off their record, True Love Never Dies. To say the least, these Wise Guys are ready to knock everyone out of the ballpark.

    Devour the Day:

    From Memphis, TN, former members of the alternative metal band, Egypt Central, Blake Allison (vocals) and Joey “Chicago” Walser (bass) created the band now known as Devour the Day in 2012. Their debut record, Time & Pressure, was released on May 7, 2013 and have been touring since with tour members, Jeff James (guitar) and Dustin Schoenhofer (drums). They are more than ready to crush the stage with their unique style in music.

    All in all, a killer lineup, though it may last a short while. Below are the following tour dates, this is one performance you will not want to miss.

    Dates:

    Poughkeepsie, NY – 7/23

    Dewey Beach, DE – 7/24

    Allentown, PA – 7/25

  • OTHERWISE at Tammany Hall in NYC

    The crowd began to fill the empty spaces of Tammany Hall in NYC, mixed animated chatter bouncing off the walls. White and green lights reflected off of the red velvet curtains, giving the venue a very intimate setting. Four chairs sat there pleasantly on the stage, as well as a drum kit, waiting for its master to beat on its drums. Then the overhead lights dimmed as the stage lights brightened, and one by one, the members of Otherwise emerged from the shadows, making their way to the empty seats, with acoustic guitars, fans crying out their name, overjoyed to see their favorite Vegas boys. Their faces lit up at the sight of the fans who had gone out of their way just to see them.
    otherwise.tammany46They all sat down and began the set with “Lighthouse”; Adrian Patrick’s voice, as always, made the hairs on the back of everybody’s neck stand up. The ever-adoring Wise Ones cheered excitedly and mouthed the lyrics passionately. Next to play was the band’s unofficial party anthem, “Vegas Girl”, followed by “Silence Reigns” and their current single, “I Don’t Apologize (1000 Pictures)”. The set slowed to the tearjerker track, “Heaven”, and then sped up again with “Shapes of Metal”, “Crimson”, and “Spartacus”. Sadly, the incredible night had to come to a close, as Otherwise ended their set with a Billy Idol cover, “Rebel Yell”, and the well-known beautifully powerful song as the finale, “Soldiers”.

    All in all, these soldiers of music did one hell of a job for a last minutes performance. The songs on the set were chosen very wisely, the energy in the room was magnificent, every sound lit up every fiber of the fans’ beings, and as always the band was very connected with the fans. That night, Otherwise made their mark yet again. This summer, they are to tour with Sevendust and Devour the Day. Be sure to check their Facebook to see when the party hits a town near you.

  • Interview: OTHERWISE

    Otherwise, meaning other than supposed, different if you will. That is the best way to describe this incredible band, Otherwise. “We don’t really look like your typical rock band and we’re trying not to sound like your typical rock band. And there’s something for everybody, you might not get what you expect,” says Adrian Patrick, the band’s front man, to Upstate Metal’s Kate Drexel, on their tour bus. “At least that’s our goal, that’s one of our goals artistically.” It definitely seems like they have reached that goal with their ever-growing fan base.

    Originally from Sin City, Las Vegas, Otherwise, consisting of the Patrick brothers, Adrian and Ryan (lead guitarist/vocals), Corky Gainsford (drummer/vocals), Andrew Pugh (guitarist/vocals), Vassilios Metropoulos (bass/vocals), has made their mark across the country, and touched the fans’ hearts with their sound and powerful lyrics. “It’s an amazing feeling to show at a place you’ve never really heard of, that you didn’t know existed. Then people there are singing back your words, even if it’s one person singing back your song lyrics, it’s still like, wow, that’s really happening.”

    You may recognize one of their songs being played on Octane, one that has played for at least two years now, “Soldiers”. Back in October of 2011, during the 48 Hours Festival, the band met up with Jose Mangin, Sirius Octane’s program director who they had previously met at the Mayhem Festival in 2010, and while they were convening during the Sevendust set, they gave him a demo of the song. Adrian then tells the story about the song, adding, “it’s very spiritual.” “48 Hours Festival was the last show we got to do with our cousin, Ivan Patrick. He was our drum tech, he had a bunk on the bus, he was part of our crew for many, many years. Me and him are the exact same age, he was my twin, and two weeks later, he died on his bike on Halloween night, but before passing away, he came into Corky’s garage and he sang on ‘Soldiers’.”

    For all the die-hard In This Moment fans, you may recognize Adrian’s killer vocals in the fiery passionate duet with Maria, “The Promise”, that was eventually followed by a steamy music video filled with spine-chilling primal screams. Definitely an amazing metal duet that’s hard to forget. However, Adrian revealed that he was not their first choice. “Initially, I was just supposed to be laying down guide-tracks for a more well-known singer, you know, they had a long list of people they were contacting and it just so happened that the planets aligned, with all the red-tape and the record labels and management and people’s schedules, and the label liked what I did enough to say, ‘Dude, this sounds great, let’s put him on the album.’” After “The Promise” was heard, those die-hard In This Moment fans became Otherwise fans as well.

    Living in Vegas can have its perks, especially in mind-blowing experiences, ones where they have to be told in song. Some songs have a chilling effect, some have the effect of tugging the fans’ heartstrings (like “Heaven”), all of them have deep and powerful meanings, filled with Ryan’s amazing riffs, according to Adrian where their ideas come from. “Most of our ideas start with a riff that my brother has, he’s a very prolific writer. I mean, he picks up a guitar and a riff comes out and whether we use it or not, he’s always got some new ideas, so usually I’d say about 99% of the stuff is sparked. My brother is a spark, we all just kind of add to the fire…as far as lyric content goes, most of it is experiential, I write from experience. Although some guys are very good at telling a story about something they’ve never experienced or been through, …I try to stay away from that, because to me, it’s not genuine. Maybe it is genuine…to me it’s like I’m not gonna write about something I have no idea about.” The content of the lyrics are about those they have lost along the way to where they are now, about love, hate and anger. One of the songs they performed April 2nd at the Webster, was about an accident they should not have walked away from. These lyrics are the kind that really have the gears turned, that has everybody thinking about a deeper meaning behind these amazing words.

    Otherwise has had the opportunity to tour with the Canadian rock band, My Darkest Days. When asked about the tour, Adrian explained that their booking agent from TKO Booking, Andrew Goodfriend, was the one that set that up. “A lot of times the next step is based on relationships…and that was a good tour for us, it was a lot of fun, a lot of small bars, a lot of cool clubs and a lot of great crowds.” Before their headline tour, Otherwise shared the stage with Papa Roach, and after their headline, they will continue to tour with the band as well as perform at the Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio this summer.

    While touring all over the nation, quite a few venues stuck out for them such as Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD and Rock Junction in West Greenwich, RI. However, there is one that really hits home for them: The Roxy in Los Angeles. “It’s very special to us because that’s where we pretty much got signed out of and they always do a really good job with sound. They’re total pros and it’s always a great vibe.” It seems wherever this band goes, they manage to set an incredible vibe, one that makes you feel like they are truly connecting with their fans.

    Be sure to check out Otherwise on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/otherwiseofficial), and follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@weareotherwise) for tour dates and updates, and check out their debut record in stores now, True Love Never Dies.

  • Review: OTHERWISE hits the Northeast

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    The crew began setting up the small stage before the crowd, as they began to pile in closer and closer. Band members, Corky Gainsford (drums) and Vassilios Metropoulos (bass) stepped on the stage, preparing their instruments for the exciting night ahead of us. The testing of the instruments and mics had the crowd itching for the band to start playing. Some of the girls cheered and squealed excitedly as Adrian Patrick (lead vocals) passed through the crowd, his hood up, darkening his face, heading towards the bar room, pacing, prepping himself to blow us away with his powerful pipes. Both the other Patrick brother, Ryan (lead guitar), and Andrew Pugh (guitar) stepped upon the testing his guitar, the anticipation rising with every waking second.

    DSC_1016

    Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, the lights to dim and the familiar sound of the very first track on their record, True Love Never Dies, filled the ears of the concertgoers, letting the crowd know the crazy night was to begin. Adrian made his way through the crowd yet again and used two fans (or in Otherwise terms, “Wise Onez”) as support as he stepped upon the stage. The familiar guitar riff began to the tune; “Die For You” got the whole crowd pumping their fists and bouncing to the rhythm, some whipping their hair in a wild manner. Adrian began to sing the lyrics with the voice the crowd all knew and loved. Needless to say, his primal scream blew everybody away. After the performance of the first song and “Lighthouse”, the crowd was really ready to rock to what Adrian said was their “party anthem”, “Vegas Girl”. The catchy guitar riffs played by the incredible Ryan bounced off the walls of the tiny venue, the some of the women in cheered drunkenly as they raised their drinks in the air and moved their bodies to the rhythm of the song. Adrian’s moves on the stage had the ladies cheering louder, whipping their hair crazily. The energy in the room whilst the song was playing was insane; this band knew how to get their fellow Wise Onez going. The next song to play was their latest single, “I Don’t Apologize (1000 Pictures)”, to which the whole crowd sang along to the words heard on the radio. Adrian moved closer to the fans, reached out to them, grabbing their hands, giving them a sense of the connection between the band and their ever-adoring fans.

    The setlist changed to a slower song off their album, dedicated to lost loved ones, “Heaven”. It definitely was a beautiful, heartfelt song that tugged the heartstrings. Some fans pulled out their phones, using the backlight as a lighter and some used their lighter app, they all waved them to the tempo of the song. What was really touching was the passion and emotion in Adrian’s eyes. He then proceeded to tell the fans about their songs coming from the heart, that their music speaks the truth. He also talked about very eerie topics that gave the crowd a bit of the chills including how they have been in car accidents that they shouldn’t have walked away from. The band then played two back-to-back songs, “Shapes of Metal” and “Stop, Drop, and Roll”, both amazing songs that will haunt the back of the fans minds for quite sometime; those songs brought the high-energy vibe. After playing “Crimson”, Adrian took the liberty in introducing his amazing band mates, then Adrian encouraged the fans to scream for the opening bands, to scream for Otherwise and to scream for themselves, introducing, “Scream Now”. His ever-chilling scream had the hairs on the back of everyone’s neck stand. The crowd jumped to the beat of the drums.

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    Soon enough, the crowd got the hint the final act was coming to a close. Adrian stood tall, as did the rest of the band, as he encouraged the Wise Onez to pound their heart with their fist to the following the recognizable beat that Corky was playing. The pounding turned to clapping as Adrian sang the lyrics to the song that helped them become well known, “Soldiers”. He harmonized with the fans and continued to reach out to them, grabbing a fan by the hair, bringing him close and brought the mic to his face for him to sing with him. The connection in the room as the crowd sang along was unbelievable; it was such a strong feeling of engagement, it was almost very chilling. Adrian then jumped into the crowd, continuing to perform and bond with the fans. It was then really shown that this is a band that is passionate about their music; this is a band that is passionate about their fans. The band before the Wise Onez, they are a band of brothers, they are soldiers.

    The night left the crowd in such a buzz. Wild, enthusiastic grins were plastered upon their faces. They got to meet the band, took pictures with them and received autographs. The brisk, cold air washed over the faces of the fans as they left the venue, their ears rang with the incredible setlist played before them. This was a night that will never be forgotten, a night where the spotlight revealed the true soldiers of music.

  • Preview: OTHERWISE with GIRL ON FIRE in CNY April 3rd

    After touring with Papa Roach, Otherwise is playing at the Webster Theater Underground in Hartford, CT on Tuesday, April 2nd.  This will be the band’s first time playing the venue since before the release of their debut record, True Love Never Dies. Opening for them is Girl on Fire. A night full of excitement, head banging, and killer guitar riffs await the rock lovers of Hartford, CT on April 2nd and then in Upstate New York at The Uptown Theater in Utica Wednesday night.

    Otherwise_Photo1_2013_HR

    OTHERWISE:

    Originally from sin city, Las Vegas, this four-pieced hard rock alternative band is one that has put their blood, sweat, and tears into their debut album, True Love Never Dies. The band consists of the Patrick brothers, Adrian (vocals) and Ryan (guitar/vocals), Vassilios Metropoulos (bass/vocals), and Corky Gainsford (drums/vocals). You may recognize Adrian’s voice from the metal duet done with In This Moment’s Maria Brink, “The Promise”, for their third record, A Star-Crossed Wasteland, accompanied by a steamy music video. The band first gained notice by having their leading single, “Soldiers” played nationally through Sirius XM’s Octane channel, yet they remained unsigned at the time. Finally, when they signed with Century Media, Otherwise was produced by Jay Baumgardner (Godsmack, Bush, Papa Roach, Seether, Sevendust, and P.O.D.). Most certainly, the band’s music will be haunting the back of your mind for quite some time.

    All in all, a very great line up, one that will leave the crowd buzzing for a long while.  Get ready for a rocking and kick-ass night! This will be an explosive experience that will leave your ears ringing for quite sometime!