NYS Music 20​14

Author: Staff Writer

  • Freekbass Brings His Special Brand of Funk to Buffalo

    Photo by Sonya Ziegler
    Photo by Sonya Ziegler

    Freekbass has been reinventing funk music for years, cultivating his own sound after having been birthed in Southern Ohio’s already rich funk scene. If you haven’t heard his sound yet, don’t make the mistake of assuming that he’ll turn out to be just another George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. His cutting-edge take on the genre he loves truly sets him apart from his musical touchstones.

    His style of funk bass playing brings an infectious bombardment of super low-end grooves and popping signature slap bass arrangements that ensure his albums and live performances aren’t soon forgotten.

    On Thursday, Nov. 13, Freekbass is bringing his CD release party to DBGBs (Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar) on Allen St. in downtown Buffalo. His new album is called Everybody’s Feelin’ Real, which is just another testament to his already well-known arsenal of heavy-hitting synthesizers and extreme bass licks, the combination of which can only be described as space-groove funktronica.

    So, if you find yourself craving a generous helping of new age funk this Thursday night, the likes of which will make you believe you’re watching Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Sly and the Family Stone all performing at the same time, along with Freekbass’s incomparable style of electric bass playing, get yourself down to DBGBs! The show starts at 9 pm.

  • Umphrey’s McGee at The Broome County Forum

    The jam band Umphrey’s McGee took the stage at the Broome County Forum on Wednesday, October 29. The GA show left the lower orchestra packed and an intimate environment for the dedicated fans that traveled and locals that indulged in the convenience. These fans know they’re always in for a new treat, with Umph constantly changing with the tide and adapting to the crowd.

    Amidst it’s fall touring of the Midwest and East Coast promoting the new album Similar Skin, the rarely hosting Forum had it in their cards to land a class act. Guitarist/vocalist Brendan Bayliss, guitarist/vocalist Jake Cinninger, keyboardist/pianist/vocalist Joel Cummins, drummer/vocalist Kris Myers, bassist Ryan Stasik, and percussionist Andy Farag, together form a Voltron-like beast as formidable as any other jam creation. They made sure to suit up for the Forum, providing plenty of their classics, spreading they’re new album exposure across the tour.

    Starting with “Jekyll & Hyde > Robot World”, Umph played a transforming “Walletsworth”, “Rocker Pt. 2”, “Anchor Drops”, a “Get in the Van” that explored thrashing to a paradise breeze and everywhere in-between, followed by a stanky legged “Smell the Mitten”, and clear fan favorite, a sixteen minute “Plunger” to wrap up the first set.

    The second set opened with “Search For”, followed by a “Much Obliged” that featured a “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (Paul Simon) jam. “Yoga Pants” then fooled me into thinking we we’re getting an “In the Kitchen”, instead it sounds like a song among the stars, where I’m sure we can agree “Yoga Pants” came from anyway. A nearly seventeen minute beastly “Hurt Bird Bath” would be a journey as the jam buildt and transitioned from one moment to the next. The next part of the journey was the win; it was Mario taking out Bowser back on NES, a “2×2 > Final Word > 2×2” that single-handedly stormed the castle, rescued the princess, earned her eternal love, and Hulk Hogan’ed off her chastity belt. In celebration, a Steely Dan cover of “Reelin in the Years” brought everyone on the same page of joy and nostalgia. An 11 minute “Conduit” would close out the second set.

    Umphreys (11)

    “WE WANT THE UMPH, GOTTA HAVE THAT UMPH!” – the familiar chant wasn’t heard on this evening, but the interactive band would never let its loyals down. They came out with a soul food serving of Waylon Jennings “Good Ol’ Boys”, and a send off a moving “Wife Soup” for dessert.

    Umphrey’s not only fails to disappoint, they’re still getting better. With a huge following across the country selling out theaters and headlining festivals, if you haven’t walked out of a venue with an “Umph Love” sticker lately, get off life support and get out there.

    Umphrey's McGee

    Umphrey’s McGee at The Broome County Forum Setlist via All Things Umphrey’s:
    Set 1: Jekyll & Hyde > Robot World > Walletsworth, Rocker Part 2, Anchor Drops > Get In The Van, Comma Later > Smell the Mitten, Plunger
    Set 2: Search 4, Much Obliged[1] > Yoga Pants > Hurt Bird Bath[2], 2×2 > Final Word > 2×2, Reelin’ in the Years, Conduit
    Encore: Good Ol’ Boys, Wife Soup
    [1] with 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon) jam
    [2] with Domino Theory teases

  • Boy Hits Car In CNY Over Fourth of July Weekend

    Article and Photos by Rebecca Clark – Twin Images Photography – Family time is an absolute must while celebrating the Fourth of July. When Boy Hits Car came into town to perform in Verona, NY on July 4th, it was as though they were returning back home for the holiday to visit their family.

    As fireworks went off outside, Boy Hits Car was lighting it up inside playing a killer set as though there were thousands of people in the audience. Boy Hits Car’s love for performing in Upstate NY is truly evident, and the feeling is mutual as the crowd was rocking out to all of their songs, jumping up and down, head banging, and dancing by all who ventured out to the show.

    Touring with their new album, All That Led Us Here, it was very exciting to finally see them perform their new song “The Extremist”, as well as fan favorites.  On the final song of the night, “Benkei”, lead singer Cregg Rondell amped up the performance,  literally, as he climbed up the amplifiers and began crowd surfing.

    boy hits car
    Veer Union

    As the night came to a close, Boy Hits Car turned over the wheel to allow The Veer Union to close out the show,  leaving the crowd satisfied yet wanting more.

  • Photo Gallery: Twiddle’s Post-Phish Fourth of July Show

    Vermont’s Twiddle played The Putnam Den, after Phish, on July 4th. Famed photographer Andrew Scott Blackstein was there to capture the show.

  • Poughkeepsie Wanted Rock and Volbeat Delivered

    Poughkeepsie was long overdue for a rock show on Tuesday night when Volbeat, Trivium, and Digital Summer came to town. The Mid-Hudson Civic Center was beginning to fill up when Digital Summer hit the stage early. Kicking things off early didn’t stop anyone from getting right into it. The hard rock newcomers had the stage presence of a headlining act, getting the crowd moving with their contagious energy. Most impressively, the band featured 13 year old Austin Rios on drums, who could easily give his much older peers a run for their money.

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    Trivium kept the night going, powering through a 45 minute set packed with hits. The guitar driven tracks were accompanied by the powerful vocals from frontman Matt Heafy, who got the crowd jumping and singing along on tracks like “” as well as the band’s latest single, “Strife”. They saved he best for last, building up anticipation with an eerie drum intro and light show to match before kicking things into high gear one last time. Mosh pits broke out while the entire audience screamed “In Waves” each time the chorus hit.

    Despite being entertained by a surprisingly musical soundcheck, fans began to grow anxious for headliner Volbeat to take the stage. Just before 10pm chants for the band were met with the dimming of the lights. They immediately  jumped into “Doc Holliday”, featuring the first of countless solos from guitarist Rob Cagiano. Amid hits such as “Lola Montez” and “Heaven Nor Hell” singer Michael Poulsen joked around with the crowd and talked about some of his influences growing up, including Johnny Cash. A cover of “Ring of Fire” fit Poulsen’s voice perfectly, with the audience drowning him out on occasion.

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    With an extensive catalog to choose from, the band did their best to fit in a few songs from each, including energetic dance along track “Sad Man’s Tongue” from their 2007 release Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil. Fans were in for a treat on “Evelyn”, when Trivium’s Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu joined Volbeat on stage. Heafy provided the screams on the heavier track, with Poulsen’s distinctive voice on the chorus, making the crowd go absolutely insane for the all-star combination. Following “Still Counting” the audience were desperate for more, chanting for one final song until the band finally made their return. The 4 song encore came to a close with older tracks “Thanks” and “The Mirror and the Ripper.” The punk rock tracks had the audience jumping along from front to back for one last time. Simply put, Volbeat are a fun band to see live. For both old and new fans, it’s nearly impossible to not dance along with a smile on your face throughout the entire set.

  • One Last Party at Rochester’s Dub Land Underground

    After seven years, Dub Land Underground will be closing their doors for good—but not without one more jam-packed evening bringing together some of Rochester’s favorite bands. Dub Land, which has been a staple of Rochester’s music venues (specifically for jam bands and psychedelic DJs), is ready to say goodbye with a bang, featuring sets from area favorites Roots Collider, Haewa, Mosaic Foundation, Ocupanther, Neurocepter and Tim Tones. There will also be DJ sets throughout the night, with past RIPROC artists throwing down one last set.

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    The farewell is sure to be bittersweet, but local music fans can expect to see Dub Land go out on a high note, with music starting at 7PM and lasting until 4AM. The show is this Friday, January 10th, and with tickets costing only $10 (21+) / $15 (18+) for virtually nine hours of non-stop tunes, Dub Land’s Last Call is the only show in town.