NYS Music 20​14

Category: Features

  • Kung Fu and Groovestick: Upstate Funk Doubleheader

    kung-fu01-(1-of-1) Kim RicherNYS Music loves their funk so we wanted to make sure we sent our writers and photographers to both Kung Fu shows in Upstate, NY – Syracuse’s review features words and photos by Kim Richer and the Albany show is highlighted by writer Susan Rice. Keep reading for the details of both funktastic shows!

    Syracuse:
    Kung Fu had their game face on Friday night, bringing lethal doses of high-powered funk-fusion to the newly remodeled Westcott Theater in Syracuse.  Tim Palmieri’s undeniable ability to shred on the guitar, coupled with Todd Stoops skill at traversing the keys of four keyboards simultaneously left the crowd dancing and smiling.  Opening with the title track off of their latest release, “Tsar Bomba” Kung Fu graced the audience with a nice sampling of their extensive musical library.  They entertained with some newer material and then resorted back to classic fan favorites “Gung Ho” and “Bopcorn”.  The real treat of their performance was a funky perfect rendition of the Jimi Hendrix single, “Cross Town Traffic”.  Closing the show with encores “Hollywood Kisses” and “Do the Right Thing” Kung Fu left the crowd fully satisfied with a need to replace their worn out dance shoes.
    Opening the show, “The Chop Shop” and “Gridline” were very groovy and well fitted to prime the crowd.  They each gave a solid stage performance and their music was a perfect fit to prep the audience for Kung Fu, but the real elephant in the room Friday night was The Primate Fiasco.  They happened to be passing through Syracuse and stopped by to see Kung Fu.  They treated the crowd by playing acoustic ‘brasstronica’ street corner style sets, unplugged and in the middle of the dance floor; the way fans have come to expect it in festival campgrounds.  They played in between stage sets, bridging that gap when there is nothing to do except wait for the next act.  Before the show started, some fan sentiment outside the venue was less than enthused about The Westcott Theater’s new “No Re-Entry” policy.  That didn’t matter though, because once The Primate Fiasco started to play, nobody was leaving anyway.  The band was enveloped by a dance party and kept the energy at a high until the next band was ready on stage.  This worked so well that the crowd was begging Primate Fiasco to keep playing, even when Kung Fu was ready to begin.  A brilliant idea, I hope we see more of this at live shows!
    Photos by Kim Richer

    Albany:
    Saturday night at The Hollow was funktastic thanks to power groups Kung Fu and Albany’s own, Groovestick. The trio turned quintet performed a jazz funk fusion with raw energy and a unique sound. “Sharkbait” gave chilling harmonies and quaking bass line from Dan Gerken. Chris Carballeria is a key smashing jazz wizard, providing waves of organ soul. Guests got a special treat when Kung Fu guitarist Tim Palmieri joined in for chord climbing rockage. “Horde” one of their newest songs and a fast paced jazz jam with impeccable string stretching from Justin Hendricks, ended the set leaving the crowd fully charged up for Kung Fu.

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    The Capital District got round housed to the face with extreme funk served up by none other than the masters, Kung Fu. Front man, Rob Somerville blasted the venue with his explosive saxophone as Chris DeAngelis stood out with major plucking magnitude before the groove came back around in full band force. But the crowd went wild when Mister F mad man, Scott Hannay joined Todd Stoops went head to head over the keys to create the ultimate electric melody meltdown. The four song encore was the cherry on top, with the light-hearted funk of unstoppable buildups from the likes of “Loose” and a boogie get down of “Hollywood Kisses”. Kung Fu will return to the Upstate area on November 13 at The Waiting Room in Buffalo –  which can’t come soon enough.

    Photos by Bryan Lasky

  • Banjo Banjo: Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    “You ready Fleck? ‘I hope so’ ” and with that, Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck began their show at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on October 24 each alternating between six banjo throughout the night, the married duo of Fleck and Washburn embarked on a night of beautifully crafted duets, murder ballads and songs from their new album Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn. An Irish meets Appalachia “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” opened the night, the resonance of the banjo head echoing through the room. “Banjo Banjo” jokingly explained to the audience as the one song they wrote all summer, the simplicity of the title a nod to the toils of a married musical duo, the tune sounded as though it could be the soundtrack to one of those ‘traveling down the road’ montages in a movie.

    bela fleck abigail washburn banjo“Ride to You,” a song of longing, off their new album was a true highlight. Washburn’s voice and intonation adding gravity to the composition. Béla then stepped off to the side of the stage and performed a solo, captivating the audience and treating those left of center.

    The old-timey murder ballad from Appalachia, “Pretty Polly” was introduced by Washburn, not surprisingly the chattier of the pair, and she told the story of a girl murdered and buried in a shallow grave, only to haunt her murderer – romantic stuff. From deep in the mountains of Western China, thick cloud cover experienced by Washburn over an extended visit spawned “The Sun is Out” a translated title sung in the original tongue, an uplifting antidote to the previous number.  A porch song from 1936, “Keys to the Kingdom” had a ‘You give me Fever’ sing along component complete with audience participation on chorus and snapping. The set ended on a high note, a buzz about the show growing steadily as many shuffled to the merchandise table, as 100% of sales would benefit The Clearwater Foundation, a cause near to the hearts of many in the audience.

    bela fleck abigail washburn banjoFleck came out alone to start the second set, dedicating a medley improv including portions of “Caravan” and “Big Country,” to his teachers who were in the audience; Marc Horowitz and Bill Keith, of whom Fleck added, “Without them, I’d be nothing.” Washburn joined shortly after, the two speaking to their individual banjo playing styles – Washburn, utilizing the clawhammer style with its African roots and Fleck with the three-finger style honed by Earl Scruggs and many others – combining for a truly pleasant binary-banjo sound. “Bring me my Queen” with lyrics “She takes all my love, all my notions, tears them all down to the ground. Oh, bring me my queen,” shared the dual nature of love, the pains and needs that come with territory.

    An original by Béla featured simple lyrics “What’cha gonna do when the land goes under the water” at an urgent pace and echoing the sing-along style of Pete Seeger, who Fleck remarked “is why a lot of us are good at singing along.” Another murder ballad/revenge song followed, this one a self-infused, more passionate number from Washburn, the reverberating head of the banjos contributing to the foreboding nature of the tune. An encore of “New South Africa” was preceded with the history of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones performing in South Africa upon Nelson Mandela becoming president of the ‘new’ country. With an encore of “I Sing I’m Happy, I Sing because I’m Free,” recalled by Washburn as her grandmother June’s favorite song, the crowd was enlivened as they set out into the crisp autumn night in Troy.

  • Hearing Aide: Obituary ‘Inked In Blood’

    albumTampa, FL based death metal veterans Obituary will release Inked In Blood on October 27 via Relapse Records making it their first album release in over five years. This, next to Cannibal Corpse’s A Skeletal Domain, is one of the biggest death metal releases of 2014. Last year, Obituary successfully crowd funded this album, but does the music deliver back to what the fans invested in?

    Right away the album kicks into high gear with “Century Of Lies” The drums and rhythm guitars sound clutch as ever, vocalist John Tardy may not have the pipes he had twenty years ago, but still delivers the haunting and monster-like vocals that still fit with the music and atmosphere. But his best vocals are showcased in the title track in the middle of the album.

    By the time we get to “Violent By Nature” and “Pain Inside,” the pace slows down a tad but still brings the traditional Obituary sound that we are still used to with blazing guitar solos in between verses. I will say the studio quality isn’t the greatest, but it adds a charm to the album giving it a more raw, old school sound.

    The drumming of Donald Tardy is still blazing fast, giving the band a true back-bone to keep the tunes running. The track “Visions In My Head” really showcase his talent with the all the tempo changes.

    When “Violence” starts, the tempo moves fast like it did at the beginning of the album, but the guitar tracks stand out more than they did previously with bone-crushing riffs and solos. That trend continues with the tracks “Deny You” and “Within A Dying Breed.” It’s clear the album’s best tracks are the longer songs that are deeper into the album.

    The album ends tastefully with” Paralyzed With Fear” making you want more from this band. Obituary has put out a death metal masterpiece and showing their as vital as ever.

    Overall, a fantastic album that really takes the listener back into the nasty swamps of Tampa and showcase what true death metal is all about. Clearly the Kickstarter campaign worked out quite nicely for both the band and the fans.

    You can purchase the album here.

    Key Tracks: Back On Top, Violence, Inked In Blood, Deny You

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  • Martin Scorese To Produce Grateful Dead Documentary

    Hot off of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Martin Scorese, known for his award winning directing, screen writing, and producer, announced he was going to start working on a Grateful Dead documentary as an executive producer.

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    The surviving members of The Dead have given Scorese the green light to film this documentary (title TBD) to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the band’s founding.

    Amir Bar-Lev, known for his documentaries such as “Happy Valley” and “The Tillman Story” is slated to direct the movie.

    The band has released the following statement via CBSNews.com:

    “Millions of stories have been told about the Grateful Dead over the years. With our 50th Anniversary coming up, we thought it might just be time to tell one ourselves and Amir is the perfect guy to help us do it, needless to say, we are humbled to be collaborating with Martin Scorsese.”

    Scorese added: “The Grateful Dead were more than just a band. They were their own planet, populated by millions of devoted fans. I’m very happy that this picture is being made and proud to be involved.”

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    Well known as the “Godfathers of Jam Bands,” The Grateful Dead were also ranked 57th in The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. And in 2011, their Barton Hall Concert at Cornell University from 1977 was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. To date, The Grateful Dead have sold more than 35 million albums worldwide.

  • Hearing Aid: Aqueous Release New Album: ‘Cycles’

    Aqueous have more than cemented their reputation as a powerful, young band on the rise with the release of their new album Cycles, which was officially released on October 21. The new album features a collection of heavy-hitting material full of raw emotion and supremacy. One of the most impressive aspects about this band’s range is their uncanny ability to seamlessly drop into a thick, heavy, pocket funk groove with such conviction. The aggressive direction of the music can turn on a dime and take the listener on a full ride of different directions as each member complements the overall sound flawlessly. The band seems to be intertwined on a much deeper level than sheer talent, they seem to have a much more appreciating understanding of their craft and each other’s role as one unit. Having already developed a reputation for themselves around the festival circuit, Aqueous are currently juggling a nice touring schedule that lead up to their album release party in Buffalo on October 25 at the Buffalo Iron Works.

    aqueous cyclesThe album opens up with “Dawn” an eerie instrumental string arrangement that could have easily been embedded in a classic 1950’s film before dropping into “Kitty Chaser (Explosions)” which gives the listener a full taste of the band’s broad range. Right out of the gates the band works its way into an abstract groove that builds a perfect loop for experimentation. The song builds nicely and it’s refreshing to listen to something so organically driven and original. The music is very much precise, well rehearsed and calculated but still leaves plenty of room to breath for improvisation. Clocking in at just less than 10 minutes of prowess, “Kitty Chaser” is full of energy and sheer power that serves as a great introduction to the new album and all it has to offer.

    “2020” keeps the energy consistent and showcases the adept connection between [former drummer] Nick Sonricker on drums and Evan McPhaden on bass. The rhythm section works with unconventional times signatures that create a nice platform for Dave Loss and Mike Gantzer to paint over. The piercing guitar solos are full of energy and the music is nothing short of astoundingly beautiful. “The Median” creatively intertwines the song’s lyrics with a collection of different chords strumming, including an upstroke reggae feel before launching into an ambient groove of bass popping funk that finds deeper direction with the work of a synth. “Skyway” features an impressive blend of genres that’s primarily fueled by heavy guitar, something notably similar to Umphrey’s McGee and their sound. Blending elements of reggae, funk and progressive rock seem to be an easy task for the young blossoming band and at times the music takes a direction of maturity that speaks volumes well beyond the band’s years.

    The music takes an interesting turn with the “Complex Pt. I >Wandering>Complex Pt. II” as the band experiments with an extensive palate of effects that complements the music’s complexity well. It’s not uncommon for musicians to hide behind effects that mask any sort of true identity, often acting as a distraction. However, Aqueous uses effects creatively that add to their sound in a compelling fashion and these effects don’t deteriorate the overall quality and direction of the music. The level of control and authority the band has with their unique sound is inspiring and exciting to say the least. “King For A Day” kicks off with a building tone that eventually explodes into full swing where the listener is met with the lyrics before the band breaks off into a melodic jam fueled by soaring guitar and a heavy heartbeat rhythmic section.

    The album closes with “Starring Into the Sun”, a 15-minute adventure packed full of talent and soul. The many layers of this song can be perceived in several different ways. There’s a collection of something for everyone through this number as the musical spectrum can be as broad as heavy, distortion infused power chords, all the way to a soft melodic breakdown on the keys. The extensive and uplifting psychedelic jam can be compared to something from Pink Floyd. The song melodically builds upon itself and as it continues to unfold the band pushes into new ground valiantly as the band never once losing control of the reigns.

    It’s clear that Aqueous will be a force to be reckoned with for a very long time. The next wave of jam bands is upon us as these musicians have redefined many beloved subgenres by pushing their musical limits to a refreshing level of genre-bending authenticity. Aqueous are in full pursuit of something organically driven and original and there’s no sign of slowing down.

    Key Tracks: The Median, Complex Pt. II, Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Staring Into the Sun

    *Editor’s Note – New drummer Ryan Nogle took over duties for Nick in August 2014 after recording completed

    Website |Bandcamp | Tour | Facebook | Twitter

  • GWAR in Buffalo: A Night to Remember; An Homage to Be Proud Of

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    On Sunday, Oct. 19, Buffalo’s Town Ballroom was treated to a timeless spectacle, in the likes of which metalheads have simply come to expect from the one and only GWAR. Only this time around, something very different was in the atmosphere. It was the kind of family-like atmosphere you’d typically feel around the Thanksgiving dinner table or at a Fourth of July barbecue.

    On March 23 of this year, the band lost longtime frontman and friend, Dave Brockie, to an accidental heroin overdose. Since his passing, many have been skeptical about GWAR’s fate in the metal universe, but that didn’t stop an impressive crowd of loyal fans from storming the gates of hell to greet the “scumdogs” head on.

    Many diehard GWAR supporters made themselves known with their signature white wife-beaters and tee shirts, featuring hand-drawn fan art and brandings, proudly displaying the words “Hail Oderus”, referring to Brockie’s stage name, in bold black Sharpie. The masses showed up early to take in the entire event from start to finish, not missing a single beat or a single excuse to mosh during the opening acts.

    American Sharks from Austin, Texas, kicked off the night with a relentless assault of punishing chords, driving melodic vocals and pulverizing punk beats. For only a three-piece, they started the night off right, creating energy amongst the GWAR and Decapitated fans alike, paving the way for a night they’ll all remember for years to come. As it was my first time hearing them, I can say that they instantly reminded me of a cross between Danzig-era Misfits and Black Sabbath. I found it very refreshing, and from what I heard, the majority of the crowd seemed to agree. These guys even announced that they had a black and white vinyl for sale at their merch table, which fans could color in for a chance to win six hundred and sixty-six dollars; one of the most unique gimmicks I’ve ever heard from a band.

    However, the infamous death metal tyrants, Decapitated, were another story all together. They got the crowd amped with their soundcheck by abruptly breaking into “Walk” by Pantera before moseying off stage to cast an ominious cloud over the night. Their well-received soundcheck was then immediately followed up by an eerie drum, bass, and guitar intro on a backtrack, which shook the venue to its core with overwhelming bass bombs. The overall feel reminded me of the beginning of a Ridley Scott film, before they quickly switched gears and started their first song. The same merciless death and thrash metal vibe their fans know and love was on full display, with all-powerful low growls courtesy of vocalist, Rafal Rasta Piotrowski leading the charge. The guys are currently promoting their latest album, Blood Mantra, which in my opinion is a must-listen for any old or new fans of death or thrash metal.

    Then, finally, the “scumdogs of the universe” themselves appeared before an awestruck crowd, with theatrics meant to send chills down your spine. But despite their usual displays of blood, guts, alien monsters, and just downright gore, you still can’t help but get the impression that in the end, they’re just here to warm our hearts. Their songs are fun and energetic. Even their merch table caters to the masses with an array of comics, action figures, cartoon shirts and hoodies, and even onesies! That’s right! Want your newborn or toddler to be immersed in the GWAR universe right from the beginning of their lives, then check out their hilarious onesies. You won’t regret it.

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    As for their set, they covered their entire discography, treating us to classics as well as newer material off of their latest album, Battle Maximus. But more importantly, Buffalo was introduced to their two newest members, Blothar and Vulvatron. Now armed with two lead vocalists, Blothar, the “male barbarian from the distant past”, and Vulvatron, “the female cybernetic assassin from the distant future”, delivered an action packed set, complete with ritualistic sacrifices and blood-squirting breasts, courtesy of Vulvatron’s demonic tendencies. And although she didn’t make an appearance until much later in their performance, she clearly isn’t the type who needs to keep up appearances in order to maintain a commanding presence.

    All in all, it was a great night and none left disappointed. I can only hope to have just as much fun and be just as captivated at future shows. Hail Oderus!

  • Asia’s Gravitas Tour Comes To Turning Stone

    Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, the popular music of that time was an eclectic mix for certain. The politically driven folk type songs of the 60’s were being replaced with a fun mix of Motown disco and R&B, a new wave of synthesized pop, Southern and hard rock, a cross over at times from country radio and adult contemporary to the top 40, heavy metal and punk rock bands, and a taste of what we commonly refer to today as rap. During this time we also saw an influx of pop and rock from across the pond. These English artists brought to us some amazing music, and a culture all their own. Vinyl albums were purchased for their artwork, and listened to from start to finish introducing listeners to not only the popular music, but the B side which many times was as good if not better than those songs chosen for release by the record companies. It was a pleasure being able to grow up during this era and be open to listening to so many genres of music. Trying to pick just one favorite during this time period is near to impossible. However there are several favorites that come to mind, one being Asia. and their Gravitas Tour.

    I can remember well the summer I wore out my first Asia album. It was the summer of 1982 and I was just getting ready to begin my senior year at GHS. This was their first album, and as Asia hit the charts, each single released climbed the charts with record speeds. It was one of those albums that you could listen to from start to finish with the first song being as awesome as the next.  There was something about the arrangements of synthesizer and percussion, mixed with the greatest lyrics and strings that made this rock and roll, classic and timeless.

    Asia - Turning Stone Showroom
    Asia – Turning Stone Showroom

    I had a chance to speak with Geoff Downes from Asia prior the show about their longevity in the business, their newest album Gravitas, and touring in America.  We spoke of how New York seems to be the point of origin each time they kick off a tour.  They’ve played the Turning Stone several times now.  We also spoke of the huge success of their initial album Asia, that earned them two Grammy nominations.  They were so excited with how America embraced them and the  wonderful memories that went along with their initial tour.  Since that day they’ve had the opportunity to travel world wide sharing their music with their fans and building memories as they toured.  The first album set the bar high and held to encourage them to continue in their unique sound over the course of the next 30+ years as they played together.  Even as they worked on solo projects and collaborated with other bands, they found themselves reuniting and continuing to record album after album. In 2013 the stress of touring with two bands at the same time, lead  Steve Howe to the decision to retire from Asia and dedicate 100% of his work time to Yes.  John Wetton returned at that time, and they immediately began recording Gravitas.  Asia continues to play to audiences all over the world, some new fans, and many tried and true fans.  They enjoy bringing their music to everyone, and spoke of how appreciative they are to still be able to play to their fans night after night.

    I spoke to Geoffe about Roger Dean.  Roger Dean was asked originally to come up with the album art for their self-titled debut album. The unique dragon he designed seemed to epitomize everything they were trying to accomplish with their music and became a signature look. We agreed that people tend to buy the albums not only for the music but for the wonderful artwork that came on the exterior.  Geoffe pointed out that although the artwork is still here on CDs, it’s not the full size effect they used to be able to give listeners along with the vinyl.  What they used to be able to offer to the listener was an entire package of their music, an experience.  So as one would listen to the album they could scour the album, look at the lyrics, and experience the entire album in a unique way.  They continued to feature Roger’s artwork on album after album, personally one of my favorite things about this group.  They know when they’ve got something right, and they just continue to do that.  Geoff and I agreed we could have talked for hours about all the experiences they’ve had over the years, but I thanked him for sharing his time and hung up with even more anticipation for the show the next evening.

    As Asia took the stage the following night, I couldn’t help feel an excitement seeing one of my all time favorite bands for the first time play hit after hit, and found myself still knowing all the words and all the notes that were coming next.  Their unique sound of percussion, electric guitar, keyboards, organ, synthesizers, and vocals meld perfectly together to bring you the unique rock sound that sets them apart from other bands of the time. Their songs can be heard over and over again still today in television, movies, and this timelessness is what gives them music longevity.
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    To watch them live was an experience. Geoff floored me with his ability to play his 9 piece keyboard rig simultaneously, while John Wetton and Carl Palmer hit the notes with such preciseness you wondered if it was live or Memorex.   The newcomer Sam Coulson added an edge with his electric guitar and solos and proved to me that Asia will withstand the test of time with new life, new music, and new fans as time goes on.  The new album they are touring with, Gravitas, means dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner.  Although it has a few of these serious traits, I think once you give a listen, you will agree that it’s purely magic, and proof that great music is timeless.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJpIhXlfRKY]

    Setlist: Sole Survivor>Wildest Dreams>Time Again>Valkyrie>Voice of America>The Smile Has Left Your Eyes>An Extraordinary Life>Days Like These>Go>Don’t Cry>Drum Solo>Only Time Will Tell>Open Your Eyes> Heat of the Moment

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  • Audien LiFTs the Crowd on Club’s Opening Night in Buffalo

    LiFT Nightclub in downtown Buffalo sure picked the right guy to blow the doors off its grand opening this past Friday night. The club brought Audien to town who was fresh off his Sunday stint at TomorrowWorld and is generally blowing up as of late. His set was sandwiched between local support from Jesse Aaron & DJ3 who also added stellar performances to the night. Formally known as Rendezvous, the club changed names and moved uptown, settling in between Darcy McGee’s and Skybar on Franklin Street. The spot is a perfect one as it was near capacity for its kickoff.

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    Audien

    The club is located on the second floor, but walking in, patrons were greeted with a friendly bartender named Sara who was keeping busy as nearly everyone stopped for a drink to start the night off before heading upstairs. The club itself had an exceptional layout with an array of lights spread throughout, a balcony if you wanted to step outside, and an elevated DJ booth that allowed everyone in the room to keep a close eye on the artists while they kept the music going.

    First up was Jesse Aaron, and judging from the already assembled crowd, you would have thought it was the ten-year anniversary of the club and not its opening night. His set had bodies packing the dance floor and bouncing off one another as he got the night started on the right foot. The sound in club was exception and no matter where you were dancing, you could feel the music hitting hard. You could tell the crowd was ready to go and weren’t waiting for Audien who was up next.

    Audien

    As seamlessly as Jesse Aaron dipped in and out of songs, the transition between his set and Audien was just as smooth with many not even noticing the switch as they were deep into the music. Factory Nightlife, the promotion group who put together the lineup did a fantastic job as the three DJ’s fit together extremely well. As Audien’s hands touched down, the energy in the room reached its peak and his layering of classic and contemporary pulsated through the floor. He had complete control over the rhythm, slowing things down to a grinding tempo before building it back up to a peak full of momentum and drive. The slow rolling builds between the blissful highs and ambient passages kept the crowd transfixed. His remix of Michael Jackson’s “Slave to the Music” was so tight and its incessant beat propelled the night forward.

    Thanks to Justin Bondi, here’s a video recapping the amazing night and the start of something great at LiFT! Check out his website here for more information.

    As his set wound down, the energy was certainly not. DJ3, also known as Jillie Wags, was up and the crowd wasn’t going to let her off the hook. The near capacity crowd was staying the night until they were pushed out the door. Throughout her set you could feel her energy and the crowd parlayed that back, continuing to dance well past 2am. Speaking with her following her set, she said she played that night for her brother who passed away earlier this year after his 25th birthday in May. You could tell she was laying it all out as the set was dripping with emotion. It’s no wonder the majority of the crowd closed the place down and stayed the entire night.

    All and all, the three DJ’s put together an incredible night of music and the club played a great host as it kicked off its opening night. Clearly this is the place to be if you’re looking for solid electronic music in and around Buffalo. Factory Nightlife’s next show at LiFT will be NIGHTMARE ON FRANKLIN ST. on Halloween featuring EDX and local support from Jesse Aaron & Swagglerock. Grab your tickets here and make sure to check this place out if you’re ready to dance late into the night.

    Photos by: Micheline V.

  • Jack Bruce, Singer and Bassist for Cream, dies at 71

    Jack Bruce, singer and bassist for the legendary band Cream, has passed away at the age of 71. His family confirmed his death on Bruce’s Facebook page:

    “It is with great sadness that we, Jack’s family, announce the passing of our beloved Jack: husband, father, granddad, and all round legend. The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.”  

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    Cream was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 with original members Ginger Baker (drummer) and Eric Clapton (guitarist/ singer). Bruce co-wrote hit singles like “White Room,” “SWLABR,” and “Sunshine of Your Live” with Clapton. Cream released four studio albums in a matter of three years. Cream sold 35 million albums in over two years and was awarded the world’s first platinum disc for their album Wheels of Fire.

    Cream broke up in 1968 and Bruce started his successful solo career over the next 45 years. His latest album was Silver Rails, which was released March 2014. In 2006, Cream received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

    Publicist Claire Singers said that Bruce died at his home in Suffolk, England.

  • Led Zeppelin Releases Alt. Version Of Stairway to Heaven

    Thirty-three years later, Led Zeppelin has released an alternate version to their now uber-classic, “Stairway To Heaven”. This rendition, also recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, offers a warmer, gentler version of the tune, with slightly less twang in favor of more subdued details. The tone seems to be more dream-like, with minor details added throughout and dialed in mid-range fuzz accompanying the definitive guitar licks. An overarching statement of “Stairway To Heaven” could be that this version ‘rounded the pointy edges’; some of the bite is gone from the original version, but the trade-off is more meditative and psychedelic.

    The new track precedes October 28 deluxe reissue of Led Zeppelin IV and House of The Holy, which were remastered by Jimmy Page and will include an additional record of new music. Both albums will be available in CD, digital and vinyl formats. The band also re-released Led Zepplin through Led Zeppelin III in June, so they appear to be making their way through the entire catalogue.

    Led Zeppelin IV Deluxe Reissue Tracklist:

    Disc One:
    01. Black Dog
    02. Rock And Roll
    03. The Battle of Evermore
    04. Stairway To Heaven
    05. Misty Mountain Hop
    06. Four Sticks
    07. Going To California
    08. When The Levee Breaks

    Disc Two:
    01. Black Dog – Basic Track With Guitar Overdubs
    02. Rock And Roll – Alternate Mix
    03. The Battle Of Evermore – Mandolin/Guitar Mix From Headley Grange
    04. Stairway To Heaven – Sunset Sound Mix
    05. Misty Mountain Hop – Alternate Mix
    06. Four Sticks – Alternate Mix
    07. Going To California – Mandolin/Guitar Mix
    08. When The Levee Breaks – Alternate UK Mix


    Houses of the Holy     Deluxe Reissue Tracklist:

    Disc One:
    01. The Song Remains The Same
    02. The Rain Song
    03. Over The Hills And Far Away
    04. The Crunge
    05. Dancing Days
    06. D’yer Mak’er
    07. No Quarter
    08. The Ocean

    Disc Two:
    01. The Song Remains The Same – Guitar Overdub Reference Mix
    02. The Rain Song – Mix Minus Piano
    03. Over The Hills And Far Away – Guitar Mix Backing Track
    04. The Crunge – Rough Mix – Keys Up
    05. Dancing Days – Rough Mix With Vocal
    06. No Quarter – Rough Mix With JPJ Keyboard Overdubs – No Vocal
    07. The Ocean – Working Mix