NYS Music 20​13

Tag: The Westcott Theater

  • Syracuse marks the end to Pop Evil’s headlining tour at the Westcott Theater

    Syracuse was the last stop on Pop Evil’s most recent tour, which ended on Sunday, November 24.

    95X turned the band’s final show into an all-day event that began with a private acoustic performance and finished with Pop Evil’s grand finale after a four-band rock show.

    Pop Evil’s lead, Leigh Kakaty, and guitarist, Nick Fuelling, arrived at Revolutions (Destiny USA) to meet, greet, and perform for a small group of lucky contest winners. 95X awarded 10 winners (plus their guests) the opportunity to watch Kakaty and Fuelling perform a couple acoustic songs. The quiet performance of “Torn to Pieces” and “Monster You Made” were enhanced by some light commentary. Leigh explained that he wrote “Torn to Pieces” after the death of his father. It was not intended to become a Pop Evil song, but according to Kakaty, the band was so supportive of it that they included it on their newest album, Onyx, and are now regularly performing it. Kakaty encouraged the small group to sing along to “Monster You Made”, from the 2010 album, War of Angels, sharing that it’s “amazing to see fans singing your songs back to you.”

    Kakaty and Fuelling accepted some questions from the group before food was served — and, given that it was football Sunday — most of the talk turned to sports. Kakaty referred to Sundays at home as “Michigan blue-collar brutality” because Detroit Lions fans have had to repeatedly endure constant losses.

    After Kakaty and Fuelling left the stage they socialized and had photos taken with the guests. The private affair culminated with a bowling match between the band members and the ultimate contest winner.

    After bowling, we sat down with Joshua “Chachi Riot” Marunde, Pop Evil’s energetic drummer, he is reminiscent of the famous Muppet drummer, Animal.  Marunde has contributed a lot to the band’s stage presence and attraction. It was Chachi’s “insane” drumming that kept my focus on the band at Rock on the Range back in May (2013). Unlike many other drummers, Chachi is not content sitting in the background. He is actively involved in the entire performance. He prefers to stand while drumming and only sits when he has to use his feet to work. He hammers his head as forcefully as he beats the drums, makes gestures, and (even though he doesn’t have a mic) sings along to every song. His madness is intoxicating and while all the members of Pop Evil are energetic performers, Chachi is a RIOT to watch. Needless to say, I was eager to meet him. In addition to being very down to earth, he is also very articulate and super motivated. He shared with us that the band is a very tight unit, working really hard to “make it” in the rock ‘n roll scene. Their hard work is paying off though; when “Trenches” hit #1 on the Rock Charts in June (2013) while they were touring in Nebraska, the band tour manager, Chris Iteen, suggested the band take an uncharacteristic break and celebrate with a night of karaoke. Upstate Metal asked about Pop Evil’s future and Chachi was about bursting at the seams because of their 2014 plans, but couldn’t share (yet). Instead, he encouraged us to keep a close eye out for an upcoming announcement.

    <Since the interview last week we found out the big news is an upcoming tour with Stone Sour.>

    After leaving Chachi and the rest of Pop Evil to get ready for their show, we went to The Westcott Theater near Syracuse University. Built in 1919 as a cinema, The Westcott was retrofitted into a live music venue in 2008. The small venue hosted four bands, starting with local band, Pacinello , followed by The Letter Black, then Eve To Adam and finally Black Oxygen before Pop Evil took the stage around 10:30.

    Despite the “late” hour on a snowy Sunday, the crowd was pumped up and ready to take in the Pop Evil experience. The fans who had been spread throughout the venue crunched in to the stage to get a closer look when Pop Evil opened with “Deal with the Devil”, currently playing on Sirius’s Octane and local rock stations like 95X. I loved their clean and simple stage set, which allowed us to focus on the performers (I especially loved that that drum kit was elevated to get a better view of Chachi Riot’s raving performance). Next up on the set list was the song that sold me in Ohio, “Hero”, then 12 more songs before they rejuvenated the group with a partial cover of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”.

    You might have expected after a long tour for the band to drag a little. Not Pop Evil. They gave the same energy and quality to the couple hundred at the Westcott in late November as they did to tens of thousands at Rock on the Range in May. The band has often said that their songs are meant to send a message to their fans; one of inspiration. Many of their songs deal with loss, failure and (here’s the message) working hard to overcome adversity. Their final song, “Trenches”, speaks to just that, and Pop Evil gave it everything they had. The band left the stage expressing gratitude to 95X for supporting them, and to the fans for being a part of the tour’s last show.

    After their short 10 day break, Pop Evil will pick up the pace once again with at least 11 shows scheduled in the Midwest in December.

    Set List: Deal with the Devil, Hero, Flawed, Somebody Like You, 100 in a 55, Torn to Pieces, Goodbye My Friend, Sick Sense, Boss’s Daughter, Divide, Behind Closed Doors, Monster You Made, Last Man Standing, partial cover of Eye of the Tiger, and Trenches

  • Rubblebucket at the Westcott Theatre, November 20th

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    The lights gracefully brighten the stage and the audience finds themselves looking at colorful scarves draped across the microphone. It was only last fall that this Brooklyn based band played a sold-out show here in Syracuse and tonight, the Westcott Theatre is packed with a returning jubilant crowd gathered to see one of their favorite jam bands play. To the right is a middle-aged woman in a wheelchair, circling around in anticipation as singer Kalmia Traver aligns her saxophone carefully next to the mic. To the left are a red plastic cup holding college students chanting, “Rubblebucket” repeatedly. It is evident this band appeals to more than just one social scene. Armed with their wide pallet of instruments, the eight-member band takes on the stage like a stirring of galloping ponies, ready to show the town how to have a good time.

    The band opens with “Bikes”, which brings back the tootsie-rolling, toe tinkling feeling of the early Free Design records. Traver showers the crowd with glitter and pulls out crowd pleaser after crowd pleaser from her setlist. In the middle of the band’s performance of “L’homme”, she casually pulls off the bright yellow scarf from around her painted face, to reveal a clean-shaven head, with a heart shaped buzz cut in the center that she dyed red. One can leave it up to Traver to even turn her recovery from ovarian cancer into a fashion statement. Traver, who had to cancel her summer shows because of her sickness, seems to have emerged even better than before. Her humming-to-the-flowers melody in “Silly Fathers” makes that apparent.

    By the end of the night, everyone left the show a little worn out from all the “silly” dancing encouraged by the band, but the huge smiles plastered on their faces said that the experience was worthwhile, even if that meant showing up to work a little hung-over the next morning.

  • See Rubblebucket Perform at The Westcott Theater

    November drifts into December as you watch your calendar pages saunter down to the week before Thanksgiving. Now you are left bewildered, scratching your head in search of a good way to kill time before you take the train home for the annual Turkey Day festivities. Look no further—Brooklyn based post-genre Rubblebucket is notorious for pulling out horns, synths, guitars, and smile inducing harmonies out of their red bag.

    They put up raucous live shows, along with their handmade giant robot puppets and love-tunnels, to larger and larger crowds across the US, receiving love and affection from Paste, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Wall Street Journal, SPIN and so many more. Stereogum hails the record’s “tricky arrangements, whistle solos, and disco guitar leads” and Paste Magazine calls the album “instrumentally rich but catchy enough to ass-kick Katy Perry off the pop charts (in a just world)—mega-melodic without sacrificing an ounce of atmosphere or creativity.”

    Over the past year, Rubblebucket has played several festivals, collaborated with Questlove for a Fela Kuti compilation, and made their late night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live. All while writing and recording new material that will come in the form of the “Save Charlie” EP that also serves as a teaser to an album to come in 2014. So after you pack your bags, make sure to stop by the Westcott Theater this coming Wednesday to check out the line blurring seven-piece group that holds the reputation of upstaging even the jolly bearded old man when they come to town.

    [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/10695209″ width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

  • Electric Lineup: Conspirator, SOLARiS, Mister F at Westcott Theater, October 11th

    As summer fades and fall begins, the festival season comes to a close once again. The endless lineups of favorite bands, the coming together of masses of people and the weekend-long festivities will return in a number of months, but until then, we have shows like the one put on by Conspirator, SOLARiS, and Mister F at the Westcott Theater on October 11th. Located just outside Syracuse University’s campus, the Westcott Theater hosted an audience composed of both students and locals, bridging the gap between the University and its surrounding community.

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    Before fans could see headlining act Conspirator’s elaborate display of visuals , the crowd’s light-up hula-hoops provided aesthetic entertainment during the evening’s first act, Mister F.  Made up of members from Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, Mister F’s music fuses the progressive, funk, and rock elements found in the group members’ outside projects. Utilizing a five-string bass and a seven-string guitar, Mister F’s uncommon instrumentation set the dance-dominated tone for the rest of the evening..

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    Following Mister F’s set, fellow Upstate New Yorkers SOLARiS continued the night’s electro instrumental theme with their 3-piece fusion tunes. Although SOLARiS played an opening set, the extendedness of their jams and the crowd’s participation created an environment reminiscent of any headlining act. Drummer Daniel Scott Lyons’ ability to direct tempo changes with his quick-paced clicks influenced smooth transitions and allowed the band to jam without pause for almost the entire set.

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    As Conspirator took the stage against a backdrop of sun and palm trees, bassist Marc Brownstein introduced the band’s newest member, known simply as Torch. Brownstein explained that while Conspirator has played in Syracuse more than almost any other city, Friday night marked the first time in town for the band’s most recent addition. Inexperience, however, played no role in their set. As Conspirator’s jams evolved from slow grooves to an all-involved dance scene, the togetherness exemplified in the crowd also showed in the band’s ability to flow from jam to jam.

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    Conspirator’s electronic backdrop altered with the band’s music. The sun and palm trees that once occupied the set’s beginnings transformed throughout the show, creating abstract patterns representative of the band’s psychedelic tunes. While the season most closely associated with sun and palm trees has transitioned into the recent past as well, experiencing a show like this is always a fine way to spend Friday night.

    Setlist: Right/Wrong -> Onamewa -> Flash Mob -> Velvet Red -> Up -> Dynasty ->Orch Theme -> Hellsling
    Encore: Caves of the East

    Photos by Lorenzo Cook

  • Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Brings Westcott to New Plane

    Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brought its brand of classic and masterfully innovative improvisational jazz funk to the Westcott Theater on September 17th. Comprised of an ensemble of veteran-status, time-tested talent, Tiny Universe was able to maintain a captivating energy that after a very long set, left listeners wanting even more. And they delivered.

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    How was this possible you ask? Karl Denson is a machine. Plain and simple. Don’t let the gray hairs on his beard mislead you. His presence and music are loud, energetic, fast, strong, and beautifully complex. This guy tears through airwaves like they were toilet paper. Based on his insanely muscular build, it looks like he could tear through a phone book or two also. But as Karl wowed us with his wild funky jazz lines, he reassured us that he was not just one mean-blowin’, jacked badass, but more of that wise, cool uncle-type that pushes you to be your best. About two thirds of the way through the set, he took the audience aside and gave us guys a pep talk on how to effectively get your groove back. It included a lesson on “Washing your a**.” It was funny, endearing and a great segue into a groovy jam.

    It wasn’t all about Karl though. Given, Lenny Kravitz’s band and Slightly Stoopid are pretty big credentials, but Denson’s counterparts were nothing to be scoffed at. Chris Littlefield held down the a somber, poetic and often avant garde vibe on the trumpet and flugelhorn, while a young-looking DJ Williams kept an explosive energy in his solos and a tight-funky sound to his rhythm guitar. Although these two players served as the pillars in support of Denson’s mastery, all of the band’s music was worthy of praise. Of special note to this humble listener was a long improv set based on a classic by David “Fathead” Newman (saxophonist for Ray Charles and Herbie Mann) called “Front Money.” It was hot. And as an encore they played their take on “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes.  This song also featured a sick solo from the brassy-sassy female trombonist from the Mike Dillon Band. It was a great way to end a night of great music.

  • Dopapod is Coming to The Westcott Theater in October – Featuring Minority Report

    Experimental Funk Rock Band Dopapod is coming to The Westcott Theater in October, featuring opening acts – Auburn, NY natives Minority Report (Funk, Reggae, Groove and Rock) and whiskey jam rock band, Sassafras Jenkins from Utica, NY. This is a pretty impressive line up for local area musicians and should not be missed.

    Auburn local musical group Minority Report will be opening for the amazing Dopapod on October 4th at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY. This is an all- ages show doors open at 8pm show starts at 9pm, tickets are $12-$15. Also on the bill for the night is Sassafras Jenkins.

    Minority Report has been featured on the front page of Auburn NY Citizen Entertainment section and also will be playing at the Utica Music and Arts Festival (taking place September 13th & 14th). Influences of Minority Report include artists such as Bob Marley, Greg Howe, Marcus Miller, In Living Color, Ben Harper, The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and Stevie Wonder. Their song selection gives a little something for everyone of all different musical tastes. They really know how to make the audience move around and dance. Comprised mainly of Old Skool Funk, Reggae, Groove and Rock, and representing the city of Auburn,NY – this should be an awesome show that won’t disappoint.

    Tickets for this show are available from band members or online at www.thewestcotttheater.com and www.upstateshows.com. You can grab tickets at The Sound Garden in Syracuse, NY. Come out and support your local musicians at The Wescott Theater!!!!

  • Turkuaz Lays Down the Funk on the Westcott Theater

    Brooklyn based power funk/soul/jam band Turkuaz dropped it hard on the Westcott Theater Saturday June 29th. Although a relatively smaller event in terms of attendance, Turkuaz fans and all the funky people in the house got down to the sound with no lack of soul.

    Turkuaz is a ten-piece band with a solid battalion of horns, rhythm, vocals and chords that round out a funky groove. Their compositions reflect an innovative and musically sophisticated take on the often repetitive funk sound – think James Brown telling you to “get on up” over and over again. Turkuaz has taken funk to a whole new level by composing multilayered, multi-movement funk orchestrations. If funk-opera were a thing, Turkuaz would be the originators. Their songs suggested a foundation built around tight and well-balanced vocal arrangements that utilized a number of band members. Slightly raspy and classically punchy guitarist Dave Brandwein traded off lead vocals with smoother, soulful, baritone sax player Josh Schwartz, while the team of midriff showing, short-skirt sporting, hip-shaking “back-up” vocalists Geneva Williams and Sammi Garett brought that unequivocal soul sister sound loud, proud and crystal clear. The band’s trumpet player, Chris Brouwers, even chimed in with some high harmonies on a number or two.

    But back to business folks…The backbone of any funk group is of course, the bass. Floppy-hat wearing, shadow-dwelling Taylor Shell played laser-accurate, complex lines while executing with an interesting muddy-thuddy sound (reminiscent of reggae bass). This was another funk contrast, as a lot of funk hits hard on the treble end, accenting the highly percussive slapping and popping innovated by Bootsy Collins of Parliament Funkadelic. This effect brings the baseline to the forefront as a lead instrument. While Shell’s bass lines provided a rhythmic and technically interesting platform to work off of, they somewhat melted into the heartbeat of the overall sound, sometimes drowned out a bit by the bass drum, delivered by the vigorous Michelangelo Carubba.

    Turkuaz continued this trend of funk-innovation and non-traditional experimentation throughout the night, as they demonstrated their ability to improvise well enough to hang with any jammin Jerry-Lovin’ audience. Worth noting is the  screaming saxophone solo by Greg Sanderson and a tripped-out, phaser-laden trumpet interlude by Chris Brouwers. Top the night off with a classic cover of “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave to get the crowd singing along and this one was the bag. Turkuaz was captivating and refreshing to listen to, sexy to watch, and as all good funk typically should be, a funkin heck of a good time.

    For up to date information on the band and tour dates please visit Turkazband.com

  • Hollerback Productions Celebrates Ten Years of Great Acts with Club D’Elf and Marco Benevento

    Hollerback Productions celebrated ten years of presenting great music, brought about by the vision and hard work of Dan Mastronardi, with a special anniversary show on Friday, May 31st at The Westcott Theater.  The show at Hollerback Productions featured one of the first big bands booked by Dan, the highly esteemed jazz/prog/dance/world music group Club D’Elf, with special guest, indie/jazz innovator Marco Benevento.  Following a genuinely heartwarming, albeit awkwardly delivered speech by Dan Mastronardi, Syracuse music fans whooped with supportive thankfulness for the people that have helped construct the Syracuse scene.

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    Club D’elf then took the stage and fell instantly into a deep, bass-driven, psychedelic groove, laying down a warm and cosmic blanket of ambient sound and tribal rhythm, while masterful solo work was interwoven by the ‘Club’s’ highly gifted musicians.  Each artist brought their own worldly and masterful sound to Club D’Elf’s droning yet complex jam-compositions.  Besides talent, the Club boasted a diverse arsenal of cool toys.  Bass player and Club D’Elf originator Mike Rivard switched between a low profile, futuristic-looking stand-up electric bass and a standard electric bass, while world music master Brahim Fribgane traded off between hand-drums and a stringed Lutar, that poured out exotic and timeless-sounding melodies that could have come straight out of a National Geographic documentary.

    Together with Marco’s soulful, and dare I say “pretty” melodies on keys and Hammond Organ, Club D’Elf entertained, intrigued, and mesmerized listeners.  Unlike many popular improvisational groups and jam bands, Club D’Elf focused on laying down well-crafted, often danceable bass-lines and rhythms, while placing the lead guitar in a chord-dominated supportive role.  This kept the crowd moving and allowed space for lead instruments to develop melodies and themes spontaneously and collaborate on composition in the moment.  Many times throughout the night, I watched as the members of the club traded knowing and joyful glances, as they felt the music come together organically.  This, my fellow fans, is always a beautiful thing.

  • Club D’Elf and Marco Benevento hit Syracuse and Albany this weekend!

    Syracuse’s Westcott Theater and Albany’s Red Square open their doors to a modern experimental supergroup Friday May 31st and Saturday June 1st as Club D’Elf is accompanied by organist and composer Marco Benevento, of the critically acclaimed Benevento/Russo Duo. Club D’Elf defies convention and classification, as they draw on influences from electronica, jazz, dub, progressive rock and traditional and world music.

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    Led by bassist/composer Mike Rivard, the Club D’Elf “club” is designed to be a constantly evolving and revolving musical brotherhood, regularly rotating members, hosting superb artists and incorporating new sounds.  Club guests have included legends John Medeski and Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood, the hip hop/jazz crossover artist DJ Logic, Marc Ribot, Skerik and of course Marco Benevento.  These uniquely gifted talents keep Club D’Elf fresh with new ideas and spontaneity.  This isn’t Mike Rivard’s first rodeo either; Mike brings his experience laying down grooves for big names such as Morphine, Aimee Mann, G Love and Jonathan Brooke among others.  Club D’Elf’s sound grows out of this rhythmic root, past tradition and custom, into the cosmos.  Who knows where listeners may end up when Marco Benevento’s graceful piano melodies dance over Mike Rivard’s deep, thuddy Morroccan trance bass lines?  No matter where you end up, this show is sure to keep your mind fed and your body grooving.

    Tickets are $15.00 at the Westcott Theater and the show starts at 10pm.  At the Red Square the show is $12 and $15 at the door, show starts at 8pm.

  • Bela Fleck and The Marcus Roberts Trio Play The Westcott May 8th

    Tomorrow, May 8 at 7 p.m., banjo extraordinaire Bela Fleck will bring his masterful sound to the Westcott Theater in Syracuse with the Marcus Roberts Trio for an evening full of musical virtuosity. Except the four men will come together to display their sound together.

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    Chances are you know of Fleck as the man who revolutionized the banjo through relentless touring with his band the Flecktones, who are currently on hiatus. He has sat in with countless musicians spanning his career, which began when his father gifted him a banjo at age 15. The Marcus Roberts Trio is led by its namesake. The ever-changing cast of musicians currently features founder Roberts, who grew up in Florida with a gospel style background, on piano. Tennessee native Rodney Jordan will be playing the upright bass, while Jason Marsalis, nephew of legendary musician Wynton Marsalis, will be playing drums.
    The show is sure to be a fun, yet intimate, time. The Westcott has a history of hosting some of the most famous musical acts while providing fans with an up-close, and very personal view of the men and women on stage.
    Tickets for the show are on sale now at thewestcotttheater.com for $35 advance, and $40 the day of.