Author: Thomas Sgroi

Tim Reynolds and TR3 Rock The Tralf

The Tralf was packed with loyal Dave Matthews Band followers everywhere and you could hear the banter all around the venue. It was a chance for the loyal fan base to catch longtime DMB collaborator and more recent a regular member of the group in action, TR3.

Tim Britt opened up things with his acoustic guitar and a microphone. Britt is heavily influenced by Dave Matthews and it could be seen throughout his act, particularly in his heavy rhythm guitar playing. Britt is also somewhat of a one man band as he creates sounds and loops them while playing over them in a very similar style to Keller Williams. His cover of Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc.” is amazing to listen to but yet even more amazing to watch him go through the setup of the song with his loop pedals. It’s no reason Tim was awarded Best Solo artist for two years in a row in Buffalo. Britt was joined on stage with Steve Amuso (guitar) and Rocco Amuso (Saxaphone) from the band Of The Cuff.

Tim Britt Setlist: Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve , Planes, Two Times Sick, Feel Good Inc., Up In The Air, Old Friend, Breakdown, The Days

There may have been a lot of DMB fans in attendance trying to get a glimpse of Tim Reynolds (guitar, vocals) but they didn’t expect to be amazed in such a way. TR3 has so much different elements in their show that it is truly amazing to see how three people command one stage. Reynolds is such a great guitar player and has the ability to play so many genres and make it look effortless. TR3 started the night off with a classical acoustic instrumental called “Lonely Woman” and soon after weaved through the night with jazz, funk and rock songs. Reynolds is really a master of the guitar, yet very humbling at the same time. It was very apparent Reynolds was having such a good time on stage with the group as well as the audience with the smiles throughout the night. Mick Vaughn (bass, vocals) and Dan Martier (drums, vocals) are very solid backing up Reynolds as most trios do. Vaughn was a true crowd-pleaser with some of the funkiest dance moves seen on a bassist in sometime. “Cave Man” proved to be an interesting instrumental that was played in the dark as the band whore only lights on their heads to look like eyes in a cave. TR3 even showed how well they can play other songs and make it their own, covering “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull really got the entire crowd going and really fueled the finish of the show.

TR3 Setlist : Lonely Woman, New Solutions, See You In Your Dreams, Non-Violent Approach, Evathing I Believe, Highway, Sweet Spot, Missle Comin At Ya, Kool, All Over The Place, Running From People, Caveman, Victory Express, Lips Like Sugar, Dracula, Showbiz Kids, ICU, Industrial Complex, Aqualung, Mercury Direct
Encore: In The Zone

Tim Britt and Friends

Tim Reynolds and TR3

February 18, 2014
Rusted Root to Rock Iron Works on Tuesday February 18th

Rusted Root will be visiting the Buffalo area Tuesday night at the newly opened Iron Works in downtown Buffalo. Rusted Root has been touring for over 20 years and they know how to put on a great show, combining acoustic rock, world styled music and heavy international influenced percussion section.

The band hails from Pittsburgh and is led by Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar), I was fortunate enough to catch up with Michael before he started the seven-stop tour which includes three shows in New York, You can purchase tickets through Iron Works. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $25 day of show. Doors open at 7 pm.

Thomas Sgroi: Michael, I wanted to touch base with you regarding your upcoming tour, looks like their will be seven stops, starting tomorrow, I was wondering how the band is doing, any current projects or anything in the pipeline for Rusted Root?

Michael Glabicki: Well were getting ready to start a new record, it’s just in the writing stage right now and pretty much have 20 songs put aside and we’re going to start breaking them out in sound check, and get some arrangements going and you know that’s how we start our record. We will try to get them in live into the show as quick as possible and see how fans react to them and see their reaction to the arrangement.

TS: Now you guys come up to Buffalo quite a bit. Is there something that keeps you coming back? Do we show support hopefully (laughs)?

MG: Yeah, it feels sorta like home to us you know. The fans are fantastic for us, in how they let loose and we have a lot of fun their.

TS: Yeah, I got turned onto you guys when you came to Blue Heron Music Festival, and more recently at The Peach Music Festival and really had a great time.

MG: Oh yeah, that was fun, that was a good one.

TS: I guess personally, what do you do when not touring?

MG: Just hanging out with family really, and my dog, that’s really a great time for me (laughs).

TS: What kind of dog do you have?

MG: We have a black lab mix.

TS: Cool, we just got a dog in June, I know how that is (laughs). So we are new to the whole thing, always an adventure.

TS: You’ve band a band for 20 plus years now, how has the music changed since you started?

MG: I think its gotten a little more matured, it’s gotten in a lot of ways more dynamic and a bit more emotional across the spectrum, we just find new avenues as we go and picked basically new doorways into other dimensions and emotions and connect them up in different ways and make them more and more legit. For us, that’s the goal, keep withstanding and growing in the universe.

TS: Is there anything you wanted to share with the fans or anything else on your mind?

MG: Well, we’re still supporting the last record

TS: The Movement?

MG: Yeah, and you know it’s picking up, the fans are really enjoying it and the critics love the record, which is always nice, that never happened before (laughs).

TS: That does make it easier (laughs)

MG: Yeah and the fans showing up and knowing all the words is great.

TS: That’s basically it, I look forward to catching up with you all on Tuesday night.

MG: Great, Looking forward to it.

So, there you have it. Try and make it out to the show to catch Michael and the rest of the band, they may even slip some new tunes in and see what kind of reaction they get. It should be a stellar show.

February 16, 2014
Buffalove Music Festival Completes 2014 Lineup And It’s A Heater

The Buffalove Music Festival rounded out its 2014 lineup with the final headliner added which was announced during a special Buffalove announcement show this past Friday, February 14th at Neitzches.

Jimkata will be headlining the festival with Aqueous, Funktional Flow, Slip Madigan and Mister F all of whom will be playing two sets each.

The festival will also include over 20 other bands sure to please fans of all genres of music. Cody Conway, the man behind the music festival really hit this one out of the park and making the second year for this festival, a true winner.

The festival will run from June 19-21st in Silver Creek, NY at The Willow Creek Winery. Tickets include 3 nights of camping and music.This is an all ages show and gates open on Thursday 6/19/14 at 4pm. Look for the schedule of times in the near future. This is one you will not want to miss.

Tickets can be purchased through www.buffalove2014.brownpapertickets.com advance $50 and day of show $65

Additional info can be found at www.buffalovemusicfest.com

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February 15, 2014
Donna The Buffalo Never Seem to Disappoint in Buffalo

You know that feeling that is produced when your friends and family are around you? The feeling of comfort and just pure positive vibes filling the room? This is how Donna The Buffalo, hailing from Trumansburg, NY, made the crowd feel on Saturday, February 8th at The Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo. It’s as if you’re at a backyard party hosted by the special people in your life. There was no opener on this night but they didn’t need one because DTB filled the entire nigh, getting fans up and moving with their 27 song set.

DTB started off the night with one of their most recognizable tunes in their catalog with “In This Life”. Jeb Puryear (guitar, vocals) with the very catchy intro and Tara Nevins (fiddle, accordion, guitar,vocals) accompanied with the equally snappy accordion intro got the entire crowd moving.

One of Donna the Buffalo’s traits is not having a setlist before the show and feeding off what the crowd is interested in hearing. Several times Puryear and Dave McCracken (Keys) took notes from fans asking for certain songs and special birthday announcements. The ability to give the fans the ultimate experience and home type feeling is what DTB is all about. Kyle Spark (Bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums) rounded out the band and provided a very solid background to the sound that is DTB, one that is rustic and very authentic.

“40 Days and 40 Nights” is such a uplifting and excitable song from the moment Puryear strums the very recognizable intro. Closing the set with “No Place Like The Right Time” was a highlight of the night, one of the bands top singles and fan favorites to date. There truly is something magically between Puryear and Nevins and it shined bright with their first encore song, “There Must Be”. Nevins fiddle cuts through the crowd and the hearts of everyone and includes Nevins and Puryear on stage . The night was capped off by a growing single, “Working on That” off their most recent album, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday and put the finishing touches on what was a great night filled with friends and concert family.

Donna The Buffalo has some time to rest after three straight shows, and will be heading to The Virgina Key Grassroots Festival on February 21-22. Catch DTB when they headline The Great Blue Heron Music Festival on July 5-7 in Sherman, NY

Setlist: In This Life, Temporary Misery,Tonight Tomorrow and Yesterday, One Day at a Time, Everyday, Love and Gasoline, These Are Better Days, I Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely > Cornbread, I Love My Tribe, I Can Fly, Forty Days and Forty Nights, Broken Record, Ms. Parsley, Ancient Arms, In the Shade, No Sad Songs, Heaven on the Earth, What Money Cannot Buy, Deeds of a Few, Funkyside, Love Time, No Place Like the Right Time

Encore: There Must Be, Chocolate 3-Step (Yeah You Right) > Gimme Just a Little Time, Working on That

February 14, 2014
moe. Playing Two Nights in Syracuse at The F Shed

moe. will be bringing their A Game to The F Shed at The Market this coming weekend, February 14-15. Fans of all music will be in for a treat as moe. will bring their improvisational rock show to the Syracuse music scene.

Syracuse is no stranger to the band and being close to home for the group their should be plenty of faithful fans in attendance. moe. is coming off an incredibly showing when they played at The Capitol Theatre for the Wetlands 25th anniversary and will not be slowing down as they play for two nights to Syracuse.

moe. has also made the Wetlands 25th Anniversary soundboards free to their fans which can be downloaded from their website. The shows featured a lot of special guests including Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, John Medeski, Conehead Buddha Horns, and many more.

Tickets can be purchased at The F Shed At The Market $30 General Admission $75 VIP.

February 13, 2014
Greensky Bluegrass Entertains The Town Ballroom on a Winter-Laced Wednesday

Fans of all music genres convened at The Town Ballroom on Wednesday, February 5 for Greensky Bluegrass. It was a heck of a storm all day long in the Buffalo area, however, it didn’t keep the die hard music lovers away.

Tumbleweed Wanderers opened the night off and came out strong despite nearly missing out on the opportunity because their van had broken down. They got the crowd ready for the nights headliner and gained a solid reaction from there on stage flare to their great sound. The Tumbleweed Wanders, hailing from a much warmer climate in Northern California mentioned the cold on a few occasions.

Headliner Greensky Bluegrass may be a bluegrass band but have hints of all sorts of genres and know how to get a crowd involved. Greensky’s uncanny ability to get the crowd moving with uplifting jams also featured one of the best light shows to date for the bluegrass scene. The quintet from Michigan is led by all members at any given time. Dave Bruzza (guitar), Anders Beck (dobro), Mike Devol (upright bass), Mike Bont (banjo) and Paul Hoffman (mandolin) all know how to step up and take charge, as was apparent throughout the night. If you had looked through the crowd it was apparent fans were really having a good time. The band wasted no time and jumped right into it, showing that they were ready to play right out of the gate. There was plenty of banter throughout the night, saying how cool it was to play in Buffalo despite the weather. In true Greensky Bluegrass tradition, they took a song and really made it their own with their rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” into brilliant bluegrass.

The Tumbleweed Wanderers

Greensky Bluegrass

February 11, 2014
Tim Reynolds and TR3 to Rock the Tralf Music Hall

The legendary talented guitar virtuso Tim Reynolds will be bringing his band TR3 on stage Monday, February 10th at The Tralf Music Hall. Tim Reynolds, well known for his collaboration with Dave Matthews, will be joined on stage with Mick Vaughn (bass/vocals) and Dan Martier (drums/vocals). TR3 fuses different genres of music together producing a unique show not to miss.

Tim Britt, a Buffalo based artist, will be opening for TR3. He has been awarded the best original solo artist nightlife music award for two years in a row. Tim is a very talented musician who plays the acoustic guitar and has a Dave Matthews sound quality. Tim most recently opened for Boyd Tinsley from The Dave Matthews Band. You will want to make sure you get to the show early to catch his set.

Tickets for Tim Reynolds and TR3 at the Tralf Music Hall can be purchased through The Tralf Music Hall $18 or $22 day of show

February 7, 2014
Donna The Buffalo Stampedes Across New York State

Donna The Buffalo will be taking their herd across New York state with their winter tour with stops in Saratoga Springs at Putnam Den on Thursday February 6th, Beacon at The Towne Crier on Friday, February 7th and Buffalo at The Tralf Music Hall on Saturday, February 8th. Donna The Buffalo, coming off their latest album release, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday will be bringing their jamboree-styled bluegrass party to a venue close to you and surely will not be one to miss as they never fail to produce a great night out. Donna The Buffalo, founded in Trumansburg, NY consists of Tara Nevins (Vocals, Guitar) with her bag full of instruments, Jeb Puryear (vocal, guitar), Kyle Spark (bass), Mark Raudabaugh (drums) and David Mccracken (keys).

Tickets for Donna The Buffalo across New York can be purchased on each venues respective websites or at the door day of show, so head out and enjoy what will be a great show.

February 6th- Putnam Den– Saratoga Springs, NY $17/ Day of Show $20

February 7th- The Towne Crier– Beacon, NY $25/Day of Show $30

February 8th- The Tralf Music Hall– Buffalo, NY $18/Day of Show $20

February 5, 2014
Tralf Music Hall Dances the Night away with Three Different Takes on the Music of the Grateful Dead

“Three bands, three sets, no repeats” is how they billed it and I couldn’t have said it better. On Saturday, January 18th, the Grateful Dans, Workingman’s Dead, and The Maniacs brought their tributes of the GratefulDead to the Tralf Music Hall in downtown Buffalo. Each band had their own unique take on the legendary band, with multiple generations of fans in attendance, ready to dance the night away.

Grateful Dans had a laid back approach and got the party started with the fan favorite “Wharf Rat”. Danny Lynn Wilson (lead vocals/guitar) was backed by a band that looked to be playing with one and other for quite a some time. Grateful Dans also incorporated a different approach with background vocalist Amy Svensson playing flute alongside select tunes. Danny Sturner (vocals/keys) played with a lot of enthusiasm starting off “Big Boss Man”, noting “This is one of Pig Pen’s.” You can checkout the Grateful Dans at their next event ‘Back to the Hotel’ on February 15th at the Broadway Hotel in North Tonawanda.

Workingman’s Dead recreated the closest sound to the original Dead. The crowd came alive and the energy in the room really showed it. Kevin Barry (lead vocals/guitar) had the uncanny ability to vocally sound so much like Bob Weir, leading some to think he may have been on stage with them. Mike Hogan (vocals/guitar) nailed down the late Jerry Garcia’s sound so well it was bone chilling. Rick Ruhmel (Keys) was a very strong player, and along side Mark Chamberlin (Bass) really filled out songs nicely. Devin McDonnell and Rob Oshei didn’t seem to miss a beat on drums and you could tell these six guys on stage were a very tight band. They opened with “Scarlet Begonias”, and once into their second song “Jack Straw”, they really lit the fire. The Workingman’s Dead were able to get the crowd really moving with their renditions of “Harder They Come”, “Birdsong” and “Gimme Some Lovin’”. The crowd looked to dance with the same energy and enthusiasm as if they were at an original Dead show. The Workingman’s Dead will be live again tonight, Thursday, January 30th at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo.

The Maniacs closed out the night of Grateful Dead music at the Tralf Music Hall with continuing energy. Hitting their stride with several fan favorites including “Playing In The Band” , “Uncle Johns Band” and “Shakedown Street”, Mark Hitchcock (Drums) was clearly the heart of the band and his energy with the band and the crowd was evident, coming out from behind the kit to the front of the stage. Bryan Staddon is an incredible guitar player and played well to the crowd, clearly enjoying what he was doing. Dennis Reed Jr. on the rhythm guitar was well rounded and along with Gavin Petrie and Tony Petrocelli completed a well playing Dead tribute band. The Maniacs bring their tribute to the Dead on February 7th at the Forum on Maple Rd, show at 9pm.

January 30, 2014
The Waiting Room Comes Alive with The Werks and Funktional Flow

It was cold night on Wednesday in downtown Buffalo, however this was not the scene at The Waiting Room, one of the hottest venues to catch a show. You could sense it in the air that there was going to be a sort of dance frenzy that would make it feel as if it was a summertime festival.

Funktional Flow started off the night, and for people who have not seen these guys in action you are completely missing out. Funktional Flow is a four-man group full of talent from Ben Whelan (Bass), Jeff Kuebler (guitar, vocals), Jim Edgar (drums) and Mike Szcepanik (guitar and vocals), who play well together and it shows on stage. Ben Whelan just enjoys to really lay down the groove, and that is very evident with his emotional playing. Mike Szcepanik is an unbelievable guitar player, and a real hidden gem in the Buffalo music scene. His guitar work on a cover of Phish’s “Slave To The Traffic Light” was on point and really tore the roof off with their rendition. Funktional Flow’s next show is in Oneonta, NY on January 30th at Black Oak Tavern.

The Werks headlined the evening and brought their “A” game. The tour started in Buffalo, but didn’t seem like their first show as they were firing on all cylinders. Hailing from Dayton, OH, they have been really heating up the Jam circuit and it really shows through their fanbase. Chris Houser (guitar and vocals), Rob Chafin (drums, vocals), Dino Dimitrouleas (bass) and Dan Shaw (keys, filling in for Norman Dimitrouleas) embrace their fans and their show feeds off the energy of the crowd. Houser is a very talented guitarist with a very laid back vibe. Houser brings the fans on a musical road trip with is extensive soloing, making him a real joy to watch and listen to on stage.

The Werks opened the Waiting Room show with “Guido”, which got the crowd moving and shaking from start to finish. When they played Deep Purple’s “Hush” the crowd was singing and dancing right along. I was personally happy to hear them play the fan favorite “Duck Farm” which I had on a daily rotation on my phone leading up to the show. Chafin on the kit with his side stage setup really brought the drums to the forefront during “Hard to Find > Drums > Hard to Find”. Dimitrouleas and Shaw bring a lot to the table and their interactions with the crowd really put a warm smile on your face. The Werks closed with “Burning Groove”, another fan favorite.

January 28, 2014