NYS Music 20​14

Category: Features

  • Hearing Aide: String Cheese Incident “Song in My Head”

    It has been nine years since The String Cheese Incident have released a studio album, and with the spring release of Song in My Head, they put forth their best recording since 2001’s Outside Inside. In this, their 20th year as a band, fans old and new will easily enjoy this perfect album for summer, complete with an island music vibe, catchy lyrics and A+ production via Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads).

    String Cheese has an interesting identity as a band. Are they bluegrass? Jamgrass? Jamgrass with an EDM tilt? Something new altogether? Elements of each of these are found within the songs on Song in My Head, none of them overpowering each other, but rather complementing one another and adding to the overall sound of each track. Pulling from the talents of all band members to assemble these tracks, Song in My Head is start to finish a thorough and complete album from a band that has taken time off in recent years, had their respective side-projects (EOTO, Kyle Hollingsworth Band. Emmitt-Nershi Band among them) and now returns stronger than before.

    Starting off with “Colorado Bluebird Sky”, the Centennial State may have found a new state anthem amid their Green Rush. An auto-biographical tale from Bill Nershi, the song reflects on a trip out west to see what can be found, and the home he loves and reflects on, with an incredibly upbeat rhythm to kick off the album. “Betray the Dark” takes a shadowy rumba-vibe, while “Let’s Go Outside” puts forth a grinding psychedelic trance with a strong hook, a mark of many SCI numbers, keeping familiarity strong and high. “Song In My Head” is a pure ear worm with a meta-title, whereas happy, upbeat island music can be found in “Can’t Wait Another Day”, which has the feel of the classic “Round the Wheel”, followed by the foot-stompin’ hillbilly rock delivered in “So Far From Home”.

    Kyle Hollingsworth’s “Rosie” has a little of everything and is truly a song that can breathe life into a party or set, as it has done so since debuting in 2011; meshing electronica with jamgrass is no small feat and this song is the highlight of their renewed song-writing as a band. A soft landing comes in “Stay Through” but the cap to the album is the powerful “Colliding”, meandering at times but with a punch to it, highlighted by a hypnotic mandolin from Michael Kang. Overall, Song in My Head does not disappoint in the least, consistent and complete from start to finish. Pick up a copy here

    Key Tracks: Colorado Bluebird Sky, Song in My Head, Rosie, Colliding

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  • Art of Oderus Urungus to be displayed in Brooklyn gallery

    Starting Saturday May 3rd, a Brooklyn art gallery will be displaying art from the late Dave Brockie, also known as Oderus Urungus of the shock group GWAR, died suddenly in March. The cause of death has still gone undetermined.

    MF Gallery is having a special memorial art show dedicated Brockie. Part of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Dave Brockie Foundation.

    Brockie was a visual artists through different mediums and he collaborated often with MF Gallery; from his solo show / performance in 2004 to GWAR’s Crack-a-Thon in 2010 and 2011, according the a recent press release from Freeman Promotions.

    The MF Gallery will open its doors to for the opening party at 7pm. Music by GWAR, Death Piggy and DBX will play throughout the night, and there will be projections of various GWAR / Dave Brockie videos. Admission is free and open to all ages.

    Opening night will be a “Cash & Carry” sale, with one third of the proceeds going to The Dave Brockie Foundation. Donations can also be made directly to The Dave Brockie Foundation at: . The art from the show will be available for viewing and purchasing online.

    MF Gallery is located at 213 Bond St. in Brooklyn, NY. Contact Martina Secondo Russo at (917) 446-8681 or info@MFgallery.net.

    [embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baExq6xNhQ8[/embedyt]

  • Is Cry to the Blind on the cusp?

    If you haven’t seen Cry to the Blind by the end of this year, you haven’t been trying.

    “Shows are coming in like crazy!” said band manager, Tommy “The Don” Casserino.  Announcements have been reporting out with a fury over the past few weeks.

    Last week it was announced they will be opening for Framing Hanley for one show in Watertown, NY on May 15th at Exhibition Hall. Wednesday, CTTB was named to 95X‘s XFest for Saturday, June 21st in Syracuse, NY.  Adelita’s Way heads the playbill. And, yesterday, the East End Music Festival listed them among nine different acts to play on Friday, June 13th in the band’s hometown of Rochester, NY.

    After the 95X Fest announcement, Casserino said, “Without the 95x Crew there would be no local support for the bands.”

    Casserino also revealed that Rock Rage Radio approached the band for a possible tour.

    “Cry to the Blind is a band that gives you 110% of what they do,” said Casserino. “My hats off to Radio Contraband for pushing ‘Wrecking Ball,’ and opening doors for the band.”

    Last December, the band released a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” taking the No. 1 pop single and making into a hard rock track of their own.  The accompanying YouTube video went viral, earning them enough attention to gain play time on Sirius Octane.

    Now, the boys will take to the stage with Framing Hanley as one of the concert’s opening acts in Watertown.  Framing Hanley is a legitimate Top 10 talent that has been out of the circuit for a few years.  This tour is in support of their latest album The Sum of Who We Are, which is their first release since severing ties with Silent Majority and signing with Imagen Records.

    The band had filmed a video for a new release “Unbroken” in partnership with Imagen Records back in March.  Casserino said the video is to be released soon.

    Cry to the Blind is not signed with any record labels as of yet, but the pairing up with Imagen appears to be something worth keeping an eye on for the near future.

  • Cali Law Dawg Drops Festival Knowledge

    Within hours a music festival can turn a small campground into a small village surpassing the population totals of many neighboring town per Cali Law Dawg

    For example, the Catskills Chill Music Festival, which boasts a modest capacity of 5,000 people each year, dwarfs the number of residents in the village of Millerton in Dutchess County, which has a population of 938.

    Those who go to festivals understand the dynamics that separate these shows from one-night concerts. Virtual neighborhoods are established. Unique social mores are recognized and followed. And, though money still rules the land, a trade and barter system is more commonplace.

    The Festival Lawyer, as he is known on Twitter, is a contributing writer on Showbams and regularly dispenses legal advise for festival goers.  Wednesday, he released such advise as music lovers start to gear up for the summer season.

    “@festivallawyer [is] a really great guy and resource,” said Editor-in-Chief Pete Mason. On the latest information shared by the music councilor, Mason said, ” It revolves around safety at festivals, knowing what you took, being smart about who you take things from at festivals. I know that doesn’t sound ‘newsworthy’ but for festival goers, it very much is. This dude is smart.”

    The advise shared may be of particular interest for those who care to indulge in activities that, if caught and reported in a newspaper, would require us to add “allegedly” in front of the act.  With that said, we at don’t condone or recommend such activities.

    But, a little knowledge is always good to have.

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  • Summer Comes Early to Plattsburgh

    Summer usually comes much later up North, but don’t you tell that to the people of Plattsburgh, NY. This weekend, you won’t be able to swing a dead cat without hitting a live music performance.

    Conehead Buddha
    Conehead Buddha

    Plattsburgh First Weekends starts off the monolithic musical weekend Friday, at 2 pm from Trinity Park.  Street performances and other fun activities are promised, while Mambo Combo is set to perform on City Hall Pl. at 5 pm.

    Then, at 7 pm, the ROTA Gallery will host several acts consisting of The Fox & The Feather, Allison Lutz, Theresa Hartford and TPZ.

    But, wait, if you really want to take this crazy train you may be forced to a decision between seeing Conehead Buddha at Olive Ridley’s at 9 pm, or Mister F at the Monopole at 10 pm.

    20140125 Mister F 8
    Mister F takes to the stage back in January.

    Round Two of musical events gives plenty of time for recuperation, as the first show does not start until 7 pm.  Here, the ROTA Gallery will again play host to several acts – Cave Needles, Vincent & The Virgins, Jesus & The Psychonauts, and Judee Mango.

    If you choose to part ways from the Gallery, it may be because you need a cup of coffee.  The Koffee Kat will have Justin Vancour on their intimate stage setting by 8 pm.

    And, by 9 pm, the Monopole will play host to Albany jam band Groovestick.

  • Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance Announces 2014 Lineup – Dickie Betts, Anders Osborne, Donna The Buffalo and Many More!

    One of the longest running annual music festivals in the country announced the artist lineup for their 2014 installment Thursday and lucky for NYS Music readers; that festival is centrally nestled in Upstate New York.

    Grassroots Festival 2014 Lineup Celebrating their 24th festival this year, Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance unveiled the artists who will be gracing the multiple stages at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds July 17-20.

    Spawned as a brainchild from Grassroots host band, Donna The Buffalo, the 2014 Grassroots lineup has some notable national acts coming to the Finger Lakes. In addition to multiple sets from the aforementioned Donna the Buffalo, other Upstate artists include The Horseflies, John Brown’s Body, Sim Redmond Band and Jimkata, just to name a few.

    However, some of the headlining artists should also assist the box office with ticket sales. (Not that Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance has ever had an issue attracting music lovers.)

    “We’re very excited about the lineup,” Festival co-founder and Donna the Buffalo front man Jeb Puryea told on Thursday following the artist lineup. “This year, we’re pretty happy about having Dickey Betts & Great Southern coming. I mean, that’s pretty awesome. We’re also pumped to have Lake Street Dive coming this year. They’re an awesome band, who is real up and coming, so we’re lucky to have them coming by this year.”

    Lending to the down-home vibe, no one artist really ever outshines the others 80+ artists each year at Grassroots, but Puryear was quick to mention that Lake Street Dive, who recently donned the March issue of Rolling Stone was heralded by the publication with “This Year’s Best New Band” tag.

    “I am also personally excited to have Anders Osborne coming by this year,” Puryear added.

    Other notable acts include regulars Preston Frank and His Family Zydeco Band, Keith Frank and Soileau Zydeco, Danay Suarez, Driftwood, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Jim Lauderdale, Big Mean Sound Machine, Black Castle, The Speckers, Afrobeta, Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate and Keith Secola and His Wild Band of Indians.

    Ranging from Americana to alt-country, roots/reggae to afrobeat and bluegrass to jam, Grassroots continues to provide festival goers with one of the most eclectic lineups in the country, let alone Upstate New York. Many also still contend the no-hassle, on-festival grounds camping with local foods and drink are some of the most affordable and hospitable atmosphere one can still find amongst music festivals.

    For a complete list of artists visiting Trumansburg in July, visit www.grassrootsfest.org or @GrassrootsFest on twitter.

    Four-day festival passes are currently on sale for $115 or at the gate for $130.

  • Dopapod, Aqueous and Mister F Put On One Heck Of A Show Saturday, April 26th

    cowbell-4Waiting Room in Buffalo has been booking great show after show this year, and is becoming one of the places to be for live music. The event that they hosted last Saturday night was just short of spectacular. It provided the perfect combination of an up and coming band with Mister F, a band that is one step away from exploding on the jam scene in Aqueous, and a band that continues to close out shows, making you want more, in Dopapod.

    Walking into the venue you heard to start the night was the guitar playing from Andrew Chamberlaine of Mister F, who kept you looking for more and the dexterity in his fingers as his soloing became mind altering, hooking you into their set. Where Chamberlaine was the center of the attention, Scott Hannay (keys, guitar, bass) was the heart and soul of the group. His smile and charisma throughout the set brought everyone onto the stage and got the crowd amped up for the night, the perfect situation for the opening band.

    cowbell-26Aqueous, from North Tonawanda, continue to get bigger and better with every show they play. They not only know how to play music, they can effortlessly transition from song to song. They opened the show right out of the gate with “Gordon’s Mule > Complex” and would roll from song to song with ease, giving the fans no time to take a break. The strongest part of the band is just how well each other feeds off of each other. Mike Gantzer and Dave Loss both are able to mix their guitar sounds together and at the same time respect each others playing where it doesn’t drown one another out. Dopapod’s Rob Compa joined the band on stage during “Strange Times” bringing three different guitars together. The real backbone for this group is Nick Sonricker and Evan McPhaden who both provide the perfect beats and bass to let Gantzer and Loss explore their respected guitar fret boards, providing the listener a musical journey to wherever they want to take them. The end of their set brought such great energy to the floor with a cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”, with Mister F’s Scott Hannay on keyboard . One of Aqueous’ strongest assets is bringing a cover to their show and making it their own. Aqueous is not only becoming one of Buffalo’s greatest musical gems they are turning into one of the must see bands on tour right now.

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    There is so much love between Aqueous and Dopapod and it shone brightly when Rob Compa came on stage sporting an Aqueous button on his guitar strap. Compa has such a humble approach to his guitar and in mere minutes his improvisational skills turn up the heat in any room. Luke Stratton’s lights were exceptionally well done, often providing the perfect backdrop to the show. They seemed to accompany Compa’s guitar playing perfectly and even taking his extensive solos to another level. Eli Winderman (keys) and Rob Compa (guitar) pair so well together, feeding off each other and giving each other some ideas of where to go next. Chuck Jones (bass) and Scotty Zwang (drums) provide the perfect time table for Compa and Winderman to improvise throughout the night. Highlighted especially by “Eight Years Ended” as well as an impressive run with “Donkey Kong Theme > Present Ghosts > My Elephant Vs. Your Elephant”. Dopapod continues to be a force to reckon with. There is no wonder they have been invited to some of the biggest festivals and their talent to take music from one point to another is incredible.

    Aqueous Setlist: Gordon’s Mule > Complex, The Median > Staring into the Sun > Kitty Chaser (Explosions), Strange Times*** > Complex II, Highway Star^$
    ** w/ Rob Compa from Dopapod
    ^ Aqueous debut, Deep Purple cover
    $ with Scott Hannay from Mister F

    Dopapod Setlist: Bluetooth, Flipped, King Harvest*, Like A Ball, 8 Years Ended, Donkey Kong Theme > Present Ghosts > My Elephant Vs. Your Elephant, Picture in Picture^
    *The Band cover; for Rob’s dad
    ^with Scott Hannay from Mister F on keys

  • Hearing Aide: The Brummy Brothers ‘On Our Way’

    BrumBrosThe Brummy Brothers created their first full-length album of Neo-Traditional Bluegrass songs with lyrical stanzas fitting the modern-day doldrums and delights, titled On Our Way. “Cell Phone Blues” is the bluegrass answer to text message break-ups in a playful song. A touch of naughty is recognized in “No Good” when the pluck of the banjo hangs on the strumming edge of the guitar leading into the “stars, they light my way because the no good can’t travel in the day.” Guest, George Maher taunts and teases with his trumpet. But, ho-hum, the doldrums won’t get these boys down. Redemption enters the disc with “Wise and Jaded.”

    Their story is a romantic tale of meeting the right people at the right time. The Brummy Brothers have been charming their way through clubs from Maryland to Maine for the better part of two years, which has earned them some notoriety. However, with the dream in their hearts and the love of their fans, it was as simple as a Facebook post and an encouraging band manager that landed them not only in the studio, but also into the proverbial loving arms of violinist and producer, Timothy Carbone. All the pieces fell into place.

    The delights of life don’t fall short in this album either. The appealing nugget of “Weed, Whiskey, Women” would surely entice a crowd in this quick-to-learn sing-a-long. Timothy Carbone sits-in on piano, adding a frisky energy to the lively lyrics “nothing like being horny, drunk, stoned and laughing.” No bluegrass album would be complete without a breakdown of sorts and the Brummy’s hit their mark with instrumental, “Hub City Hoedown.”
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    The light and breezy travel songs offer a glimpse of beginning a life on the road, both metaphorical and literal as in “60 Miles to Boston;” the harmonization is a breadth of fresh air. “Cruisin’”, another travel tune utilizing a striking blend of vocal quality could easily become the annual Jam Cruise anthem.

    The cohesive approach to the sound and camaraderie of Andrew Morris (Guitar) and Russell Gottlieb (Banjo) and brothers Dave (Standup bass) and Eric Brumberg (Mandolin) bring forth a delightful and lively collection of songs. The Brummy Brothers kick off a late spring and early summer tour May 10th at the Susquehanna Breakdown Music Festival in Scranton, PA.
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    Key Tracks: Weed, Whiskey, Women, Cruisin’, No Good

  • Black Label Society, Down, Devil You Know, Butcher Babies lead Revolver Golden Gods Tour, Rocking Upstate Concert Hall Monday, May 5th

    Supporting the release of the well received new album Catacombs of the Black Vatican, Black Label Society returns to Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park for the first time in over a decade with Revolver Golden Gods Tour. Black Label Society returns with a new lineup with Zakk Wylde leading the way along with new drummer Jeff Fabb, (ex In This Moment) and new guitarist Dario Lorina (Lizzy Borden) and long time bassist John DeServio.blsWylde1

    New Orleans metal supergroup Down take the co-headlining slot in support of their upcoming EP Down IV Part II. Longtime guitarist Kirk Windstein left Down to focus on Crowbar fulltime and was replaced by their guitar tech Pat Bruders. This would mark the first time in five years Down invaded Upstate Concert Hall.Down-2014-Pic-2

    In a radio interview conducted back in February, Joe D of 95X, (WAQX) spoke with Zakk Wylde he confirmed that there may be a Pantera jam with Down’s Phil Anselmo on this tour. Check out the interview here.Devil-You-Know-2014

    Devil You Know, which features former Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones, makes their Upstate New York debut on this tour. Devil You Know is supporting their debut album The Beauty of Destruction which is out now. Butcher Babies are slated to open the show in support of their debut album Goliath which was released last summer.

    Doors will open at 6:30PM and show starts at 7:30PM. This show is expected to sell out so pick up your tickets here.

  • Jam Cruise 13 Announces Lineup

    Jam Cruise 13 has announced their lineup for the next musical voyage at sea – joining this year’s lineup will be, Pretty Lights with a live band, Umphrey’s McGee, The Word, Galactic, G Love & Special Sauce, Lettuce, John Scolfield Uber Jam Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Snarky Puppy,

    A Jam Cruise 13 Tribute to Jerry Garcia featuring: Steve Kimock, Bobby Vega, Jeff Chimenti, Bill Vitt, Dan Lebowitz and John Kimock, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Motet, Break Science, Elephant Revival, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds and more… The MSC Divina will set sail for Jam Cruise Jan. 6th – 11th, 2015, with ports in Miami, FL, Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya, Mexico.

    Jam Cruise is entering year 13 as the premier musical cruise. Some important sates to remember for your cruise are: May 5th pre-book tokens will be sent out to those who pre-booked their accommodations, May 8th – 14th pre-book tokens will be sent out and May 18th will begin the general ticket onsale.

    For ticket prices and cabin rental rates please visit the Jam Cruise website for detailed information.

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    For ticket prices and cabin rental rates please visit the Jam Cruise website for detailed information.