Author: zack luckin

Hearing Aide: Irv Lyons Jr. “I Love the Night”

Oneida Nation Native Irv Lyons Jr. has just released his debut album, I Love the Night. Lyons’ three-man band hailing from Camillus, New York has a vintage Rock & Roll sound crossed with Americana love songs.

The trio consisting of Mike Casale on bass, Jim Bianchi on drums, and Irv Lyons Jr. on lead guitar and vocals, combine for an unforgettable album of love songs that are filled with passion and some psychedelic sound effects.

Lyons is no novice to Americana music however; he is part of another better known group called The Fabulous Ripcords who have a similar style incorporating blues, Latin, and roots music. Irv Lyons Jr.’s ten-track debut should solidify his name in the Americana Romance genre.

The opening track, “Wanna Be With You”, is a solid tune about a burning yearning for that dream women. All he asks is that through night and day, rain or shine, she will always be by his side. The song then goes into an amazing jam section where Lyons’ guitar solo, reminiscent of Carlos Santana, leaving the listener stunned. “Like A Machine” conveys Lyons’ insatiable urge to be with the woman he loves. From her hair to her perfume, everything reminds him of her unconditional love.

“Slide” is a driving rock song about being lost in a world without the love he once knew and all he wants to do is drive, leaving all his worries behind. “Why Can’t We Live Together” is a slower ballad expressing the sadness and confusion behind a problem that has troubled couples since the beginning of time. His love is unstoppable, but he just can’t bear to live without her. “Rude” is a fiery number about an impudent girl with a bad attitude and no manners that no man can stand.

“If You Love Me” is an acoustic jam featuring an unknown female vocalist. The song asks that if a person could love another so much, how could they keep doing those terrible things. All they want is to be treated right by the person they love. “Strong Hold” is another tune about a deep love featuring the female vocalist, but this time things are going a little rough. The only answer is to hold on tight and try and make it better. “Bedroom Eyes” is a fast paced number about making love to a dream woman. The distorted vocals makes for a psychedelic sound that adds a distinct flare to the album. “Be My Baby” is another acoustic jam with distorted vocals that stands out from the rest. This unique song tries to persuade a woman to give Lyons’ a chance to show how he can be better than her other man. The final and title track on the album, “I Love The Night,” reveals Lyon’s Latin influence with a fast groove and a message of how serene and blissful the night can be.

Irv Lyons Jr.’s new album can be purchased on Amazon or CD Baby. You can follow the band online via Facebook and ReverbNation.

Key Tracks: Be My Baby, Like A Machine, Wanna Be With You

February 12, 2014
Man Man and Xenia Rubinos Turn The Haunt Into Their Own Laboratory for a Night of Experimental Jam

Ithacans and Man Man fans alike came to The Haunt on Wednesday, January 29^th, for what was no less than a spectacular show of music new and old. Though it may have been -5 degrees out, that did not stop people, including many local college kids, from coming down for a night of dancing, fun, and maybe even a little crowd surfing.

Xenia Rubinos of Brooklyn, kicked off the night with her very own creation of electronic rock fusion that served as a perfect set up for Man Man’s unique sound. Rubinos and drummer Marco Buccelli are unlike anything many have ever heard before. Their music is filled with constantly varying time signatures, contrasting chords, and vocals that can only be described as soulfullypunk. The set consisted of many songs from their 2013 album Magic Trix, including “When You Come” and “Help.” With the house completely full, the band ended with two unreleased songs, “Black Stars” and “Motorcycle Song”, and finally a crowd favorite, “Hair Receding.” Xenia Rubinos is quickly making a name for herself as she continues her countrywide tour with Man Man.

With the crowd primed and ready to go, Man Man took the stage for an epic journey through sound. As Honus Honus made his way to the microphone, wearing a glittered cape with the rest of the band in skeleton consumes, you could feel the crowd’s excitement brewing. Starting with a 2006 tune, “Feather”, Man Man got right to work. The band played a broad selection of their songs, from nearly all of their six albums, which allowed one to see the transformations Man Man has made over the past 10 years. Featuring many songs from their most recent album, On Oni Pond, the wild cast of musicians performed on instruments ranging from hubcaps to the flugelhorn. Xenia Rubinos added supporting vocals, joining the band for “Zebra” and “Pink Wonton”, which also included a fan onstage for a brief moment before he dove into a sea of hands. Man Man’s performance was a one of a kind event that should be a must see for everyone. Their outstanding musicianship, unpredictability, and Honus Honus’ extravagant costumes made it a party that will not soon be forgot. “El Azteca,” a number best described as a fight song, gave the crowd one last opportunity to dance their hearts out as Man Man’s stellar return to Ithaca concluded.

February 4, 2014
Man Man set to Play The Haunt With Xenia Rubinos January 29

Man Man will be performing with Xenia Rubinos at Ithaca’s The Haunt on Wednesday January 29^th. Man Man is an energetic five-man crew that hails from Philadelphia. Since the band’s formation in 2003, they have been making music that cannot be contained by a single genre, but can only be categorized as experimental.

Man Man’s unique sound seems to have many influences and hints of 50’s rock & roll, psychedelic jam, Russian folk, and something that’s completely their own. Focused around leader singer and pianist Honus Honus, the band’s music uses instruments ranging from spoons to Chinese funeral horns. Their fifth and most recent album On Oni Pond, released in 2013, exhibits a new or possibly just another side of Man Man that seems more mellow and soulful.

Man Man’s upcoming show is part of their countrywide tour with Xenia Rubinos, an equally unique group that has combined rock, funk, soul, and Latin music in a way that has never been done before. Last year the band released their debut album, Magic Trix, and has been quickly gaining popularity. Man Man and Xenia Rubinos should combine for an amazing and exceptional show that Ithacans are bound to love. The performance begins at 9 pm and will cost $15 at the door.

January 27, 2014
Sophistafunk Hosts Landmark Theater’s New Year’s Eve Bash

The Landmark Theater in Syracuse was the place to be to ring in 2014. Sophistafunk hosted 40 Below’s B(e)LOW-OUT New Year’s Eve Bash and tickets were sold out almost as soon as the show was announced. Everyone in attendance was dressed to the nines for the classiest party in the city that included an open bar, VIP lounge with private DJ, hors d’oeuvres, photo booth, and a silent auction with items from local vendors. Sophistafunk’s keyboarder Adam Gold started the party as DJ, playing tunes ranging from new hip-hop to some old funk and soul standards.

photo by Wesley Feuz

Shortly after 10pm, Jack Brown and crew took the stage to start off the show. The first set was a mix of new songs and old, including crowd favorites, “Gimme Some Space” and “Gotta Walk” featuring keyboard solos by Adam Gold. For the majority of the first set, the third story stage and dance floor stayed mostly empty. The party’s guests were enjoying gourmet food and deserts and bidding on local goods downstairs until just before midnight, when everyone amassed upstairs for complimentary champagne to bring in the New Year with the band and dance the night away.

photo by Wesley Feuz

After a short break, Sophistafunk turned it up to a new level, bringing the funk they’ve become notorious for. Jack Brown’s progressive lyrics backed by a solid rhythm section, keys, and effects were the perfect vessel for the band’s positive message. “Hard Enough,” from their new album Freedom Is, also seemed to be a fan favorite. Sophistafunk also included some older hip-hop classics from Notorious B.I.G. and “So Fresh and So Clean” by Outkast. The Landmark Theater was home to what proved to be the best party in upstate New York and had the best hip-hop funk trio in existence to make it truly epic.

photo by Wesley Feuz

January 20, 2014
The New Daze Rock The Montage

The Montage Music Hall was rockin’ Saturday January 11, with a performance kicked off at 10pm by an up-and-coming band from Syracuse, The New Daze.

The band’s set was started with a medley, beginning with “Uncle Stremnf,” merging into a new version of one of their older songs, “Sloth Fingers”, a tease of The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Sir Psycho Sexy”, and ending with a reprise of “Uncle Stremnf.” For only three guys, The New Daze brought a huge sound that couldn’t be tamed. The few people who were in attendance seemed mesmerized by psychedelic sound effects and guitar solos. The New Daze was accompanied by Steve Graf on percussion for their entire set and had keyboardist Mike McDonald of Formula 5 sit in for “Mike’s Song.” Their set closed with the track, “Off Brand,” from the band’s first album.

Despite the lack of a crowd, the Montage was roaring as The New Daze exited and the bandtook the spotlight. The intense jam started with their song “Perch Above the Earth,” followed by “The Fall” which included a sampling of Herbie Hancock’s classic, “Chameleon.” Mike McDonald’s piano and lead vocals were key in providing the band with its soulful sound.

The set continued with more long jams featuring guitar and bass solos that kept the crowd moving. “3 Ring Circus,” from their self-titled debut album featured Collin Jones of Hawea and Ocupanther on guitar as he displayed his mastery of guitar and manipulation his effects pedal. Don Nix’s song “Goin’ Down” was followed by an original, “Earthbound Tim”, with samples from Phish’s “Guyute.” The set wound down with another medley of “Pedro” and “Hottentot” by Medeski, Scofield, Martin, and Wood, finishing with two new originals titled “Rising Tide” and “Nu-Gen.” The small crowd sounded like well over 100 as they showed some love for the awesome performance.

The New Daze Setlist

Uncle Stremnf > Sloth Fingers % > Uncle Stremnf, Until September > Silly Me > When Prigs Fly, Sunroof Cop*, Pumpkins, Mike’s Song#, Don’t Touch My Tractor, Off Brand

*The New Daze debut
#with Mike McDonald of Formula 5 on keys
% “Sir Psycho Sexy” tease
entire set with Steve Graf on percussion

Formula 5 Setlist

Perch Above the Earth, The Fall#, Catch Me, The Ride -> 3 Ring Circus* -> Goin Down@ -> Earthbound Tim$, Pedro -> Hottentot^ -> Pedro, Rising Tide, Nu-Gen

# “Chameleon” (Herbie Hancock) tease
* with Collin Jones on guitar ( Haewa / OCUPANTHER)
@ Don Nix Cover (Jeff Beck arrangement)
$ “Guyute” (Phish) teases
^ Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood cover (partial)

January 17, 2014
Hearing Aide: Waydown Wailers “State of the Union”

Woodstock Records’ new release of the Waydown Wailers and their debut album State of the Union is sure to be a successful premier for the new band. Waydown Wailers are a new mix of old sounds, bringing together classic rock and the blues with a jamband twist. Similar to other bands produced under the Woodstock Records label, the Wailers consists of soothing layered instrumentals paired with lyrics that some might call ‘Freedom Music.’ The band seems to have a variety of influences that range from the Grateful Dead to AC/DC, with music having anything from soft folk intros to twangy country guitar.

The Upstate New York band is a four man crew consisting of brothers Christian and Dave Parker on rhythm and lead guitar, Conner Pelkey playing bass, and Michael “Scruffy” Scriminger on drums. Dave Parker is the lead singer and songwriter of the group and his brother Christian says “Waydown Wailers wouldn’t have the same effect without my brother’s great ability to take a song and give it life.” The album was producer by Aaron Hurwitz, better known as Professor Louie of Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, veterans of Woodstock Records.

The title track off the Waydown Wailers album starts with a classic Rock & Roll guitar riff joined by a driving rhythm section. “State of the Union” is exactly what it sounds like, a song about the current state of affairs in our country and the truth behind the politicians that run it. This is a freedom song from a past era, but the message is as relevant now than ever before. “The Man” is another story about the heartlessness of big government with a big guitar solo section that finishes the song in extremely energetic fashion and compensates for vocals that leave something to be desired. The closing song “My Girl”, is one of the highlights, from the debut album, although the vocals could be stronger, but the Jam-Rock sound the song provides is outstanding. Filled with funky bass and psychedelic guitar solos that sound like they belong in the festival scene, “My Girl”, is a perfect finish to a strong first album.

Key Tracks: State of the Union, The Man, My Girl

The Waydown Wailers new album can be found on iTunes and Amazon. You can follow or contact the band themselves through their website, Facebook and Twitter.

January 15, 2014