Category: Genres

Freekbass and ‘The Bump Assembly’ Turn Up the Heat in Allentown

A lot of bands say they have a hard time giving it their all at shows with poor turnouts. Freekbass and his band, The Bump Assembly, do not fall into this category.

Many local and national artists who have played in Buffalo, NY over the years have learned that competing against a Buffalo Bills game is not an easy task. That being said, when I walked into Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar (DBGB’s) on Thursday Nov 13 to watch Freekbass lay down his impressive slap bass licks and unmistakable funk sound, I was greeted by an overwhelming crowd of diehard Bills fans who had completely taken over the bar and restaurant, forcing Freekbass and his band to postpone their set until the game’s conclusion. And upon finally starting their first song, they were playing to a crowd of about 15 people, including NYS Music photographer Meredith Snow and myself

But did this stop them from putting on a captivating live show? Absolutely not.

The funkadelic three-piece treated the audience to their enraptured stage presence and dance routines, which could only be described as being choreographed by the Blues Brothers themselves. Nothing could stop them from presenting themselves and the music they love the way they wanted to do it. They probably would’ve done the same had they only been performing for the sound guy and bartender.

http://youtu.be/BjsZU2ceIOo&lt

It’s work ethic and dedication like that, that makes bands truly stand out. Their musicianship is uncanny and their collective heart is just as apparent and powerful. I would recommend them to any avid funk, r & b, or hip hop listener. Freekbass’ new album is called Everybody’s Feelin’ Real. Its been available online on bandcamp for the last three months – if you’re a fan of anything that falls into the space-groove funktronica category – go download a copy immediately.

November 25, 2014
Hearing Aide: King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard ‘I’m In Your Mind Fuzz’

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard is a name you are going to be hearing a lot of in the near future. Their latest album I’m In Your Mind Fuzz is out now and is a 42 minute psychedelic journey of proportions not seen in many years. All ten tracks seep right into one another without letting you catch your breath for more than a second, if you are even given a second. All seven members of the band meld into a beautiful creation on I’m In Your Mind Fuzz with no one member sticking out, making it a true group effort.

Although the band hails from Australia, they recorded much of the record at Daptone Studios in Brooklyn and in Hunter Mountain, New York. When I spoke to the band at a recent show in New York during their time here for the CMJ festival, they loved being in New York and recording in two different parts of the state. They especially liked Upstate New York and the openness of it all compared to New York City. The spaciness in parts of the record can most likely be attributed to the wide open land of Hunter Mountain.

The first four tracks come at you like a bullet. These 13 minutes are some of the tightest on the record and feel like one straight thought that the band decided to break up and name four separate things. Right off the bat the drums and distorted guitars of “I’m In You Mind” get your head moving along. Once the fuzzy vocals and harmonica come into the picture, you’re already hooked. The four tracks are straight out of the psychedelic sounds of bands like The 13th Floor Elevators. The music continues that way through the last seconds of “I’m In Your Mind Fuzz” before transitioning into “Empty” which slows down the proceedings slightly, but not enough for you to want to stop bopping along with what the Australians are producing for your ears and mind to take in.

The next highlight on the album is “Hot Water” that sounds as if it could be a Jethro Tull outtake, from the flute to the vocal delivery it is a spot on tribute to the great band. A brief respite of the beginning 40 seconds of “Am I In Heaven” gives you one more moment to catch your breath before the full punk and psychedelic sounds roar right back into your mind. “Slow Jam 1” and “Satan Speeds Up” bring the album to a slowed down dream like state. Beautiful vocal work and otherworldly effects on the guitar shine of these two tracks before the closing eight minute epic of “Her & I (Slow Jam II) bring it all home for the record. The band is at their most classic rock moment with this song, giving a performance reminiscent of The Doors or a jam from early Santana, and gives the listener a sense of accomplishment of completing the record on such a high note after everything that has been thrown at them.

King Gizzard picked the perfect name for this album as you feel in the beginning as if you are losing your mind with the sounds that are coming at you at such a rapid pace. As the record goes on though you go into a fuzz, along with the band, as you have no idea what will be thrown at you next. To have the band end the album with such a long track that could be played on any radio station in the world, despite it’s length, shows how confident this band is in their music. Run to your nearest record store, or your I-Tunes account, and get this album immediately and hope the band comes back to the states to play some live shows again soon, they are not to be missed.

Key Tracks: I’m In Your Mind, Cellophane, Her & I (Slow Jam II)

November 25, 2014
Pink Talking Fish Announce 2015 Winter Tour Dates

Pink Floyd – Talking Heads – Phish: they’re all great bands as we already know. How about a band that weaves the sounds of all three in an out of their setlist, creating a sound well beyond a typical cover band? Pink Talking Fish does just that, and the hybrid tribute fusion band has today announced winter tour dates spanning December through March. They have plenty of chances to escape the Northeast winter in 2015 with a handful of dates in Florida before returning to the Northeast with shows in Saratoga Springs, NY, New York City, Stowe, VT and more.

Buffalo’s Aqueous will be appearing with Pink Talking Fish for a performance of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ in Philadelphia on February 6. Their other two ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ performances will feature The Recovery Act performing the music of Stevie Wonder (Boulder, CO) and The Z3 featuring Ed Mann – Funky Takes on Frank Zappa (Boston, MA).

Pink Talking Fish will also be adding an event, PHUNK THE WINTER! during their NYC performance at the Gramercy Theatre on February 7. Joining the band will be special guest ShwiKus Plays P-Funk, adding some Parliament Funkadelic into the mix.

For more information please check out the official band website and Facebook Page.

Pink Talking Fish Tour Dates:

2014:

December 10th – Live From AURA Studios in Boca Raton, FL (Free Video Webcast)*
December 11th – Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar in Jupiter, FL*
December 12th – The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, FL*
December 13th – Dunedin Brewery in Dunedin, FL*

2015:

January 3rd – The Rusty Nail in Stowe, VT
January 16th – The Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO (Dark Side Of The Moon Performance)**
January 17th & 18th – Quixotes True Blue in Denver, CO (The Music Never Stops Making Sense – Intertwining sets with very special guest act TBA)
February 6th – The Ardmore Theatre in Philadelphia, PA (Dark Side Of The Moon Performance)$
February 7th – The Gramercy Theatre in New York, NY (PHUNK THE WINTER! w/ special guests ShwiKus Plays P-Funk)
February 20th – Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, NY
February 21st – The Spot Underground in Providence, RI
March 28th – The Middle East in Boston, MA (Dark Side Of The Moon Performance)$$

* w/ Members of The Heavy Pets
** w/ The Recovery Act performing The Music of Stevie Wonder
$ w/ Aqueous
$$ w/ The Z3 performing Funky Takes on The Music of Frank Zappa

November 25, 2014
Hearing Aide: Big Ol Dirty Bucket: Bucket Express

One of the best things to recently come out of the Boston area is not surprisingly big, loud and dirty. The 10 piece funk band, Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket has come out with a new album, Bucket Express, a collection of modern day noise with a vintage soul that everyone can get down to. The 10 track album features songs with strong vocals alongside 70’s funk and soul melodies with a dash of Latin and hip hop, making it the ideal album for any social gathering. The album features members from Parliament Funkadelic, Fishbone and Galactic, who were big influences on BODB from day one.

The album starts with the booming funk of the brass section and ear grabbing vocals by Sarah ‘Lil Shrimp’ Seminski on “Mr. Boom Boom” with classic rock n roll guitar riffs and rhythm that instantly set the bar high for the rest of the album. “Real MC” features stand out back to back solos from each brass section for a jazz infused flavor with organ chilling chords as spitting fluid vocal work starts for a modern hip hop twist. “Miz Green” brings out the funk with heavy bass notes, electronic beat bops and the sensual and powerful stylings of Seminski. The album’s title song, “Bucket Express”, gives great representation of the group with the rhythm of a locomotive that builds up the energy with hip hop melodies and spotlight work on each instrument for a funk free for all. “Boss Hogg” squeezes the juice out of that organ and serious guitar shredding proves that they are their own boss. “Can’t Get No Release” has harmonious vocals singing powerful lyrics of growth with the band providing crescendo after crescendo of soul.

The romance starts to heat up on “Get To Know You Better” with dreamy key work, hot drum work and straight forward lyrics of passion. “Fine Fly Woman” has frequent buildups with fast strumming that gets those hips swinging. The album starts to wind down with its last two tracks as “Central Ave Blues” with a big city, back alley night club kinda feel. “Vidalia” is a serious slow groove in comparison to the rest of the heart racing tracks but it stretches out Seminski’s gorgeous vocal range, making it the perfect come down to the album.

Bucket Express is easy to have on repeat and helps to forget the weight of the world with the heavy funk. Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket has an unmistakable ear for creating a fresh fusion of sound that appeals to generations across the spectrum as each track is a stand-alone piece of delight and surprise. After this past Halloween, keyboardist Brett Badolato and singer Sarah Seminski have parted ways with the band but The Bucket shall continue on with their journey of funk. There will be some big shoes to fill for sure but we hope that the Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket finds themselves somewhere in Upstate NY for the new year ahead.

Key Tracks: Bucket Express, Can’t Get No Release, Vidalia

Bucket Express is available for free streaming on Soundcloud as well as clicking here for their website plus live performances too.

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November 24, 2014
The Night The Music Lived: Black 47 Brings 25 Year Career Full-Circle in NYC With The Last, Last Call

The hustle and bustle of Times Square was weaving in and around 42^nd and 8^th as usual for a Saturday night as The Bronx invaded Midtown at one floor below street level for a night filled with the heartiest crock of Irish rock around. New York City’s Black 47 pulled out all the stops at B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill on November 15 for their final performance ever, marking over 2,400 shows for the band’s 25-year career (that’s more shows than the Grateful Dead played in 30 years). The band wouldn’t let the last guitar chord ring without first thanking their fans with a performance that would help bring proper closure to what has meant a lot to many of them over the years.

In one way, the night was like any other Black 47 show – good friends, intimate venue, pints flowing, and plenty of happy dancing feet. Surely the band could have sold out a larger venue but that would have taken away from the experience of a Black 47 show (and for the record, this show sold out early in September, more than two months beforehand). As frontman Larry Kirwan told early in the fall, he sees the band’s legacy as being known for doing what they want and as a band for the moment. They kept true to their style and flow by having a fantastic music club bursting at the seams with friends and memories rather than a concert hall where people wouldn’t be as connected with each other.

Larry Kirwan

Speaking of friends, many of Black 47’s guest musicians from over the years and past band members joined them on stage throughout the evening. Mary Courtney, a traditional Irish singer and musician, appeared early in the evening. Joining the band later was Bronx-based musician and long-time member of the Saturday Night Live band Christine “The Beehive Queen” Ohlman (who, after singing on “Blood Wedding,” had to beeline back to the SNL set for the show’s taping). To much applause Larry Kirwan’s partner in crime in the founding of Black 47, Chris Byrne (who left the band in 2000 to focus on other music projects) came back to the stage twice to sing with the band. Also joining the band on stage throughout the night were Rory Kirwan (Larry’s son), Irish dancer Jake James, substitute piper Andrew Sharp (who filled in for Mulvanerty on some weeknight gigs), Rob “The Ginz” Graziano, good friend and occasional fill-in bass player. Even two of the band’s dedicated behind-the-scenes guys “Staten Island” Tom Marlow and P2 joined the band on stage for a few choruses of “Gloria” during the encore – more on that shortly.

It seems that after 25 years it must be one heck of a mind-bender to plan the final, ultimate set list. Regardless of whatever roshambo and coin-tossing that may have gone on to cut songs or leave songs on the set list (even right up until the show with last-minute changes), the final selection was solid and well-suited for the over two-hour sendoff and captured a bit of every flavor of the band’s catalog.

For those familiar with Black 47, they know that the live experience with the band is hard to top, especially with the musicianship on stage. This shone strong through the entire set as the band flaunted its talent even more so than usual for this final show; the guys took the opportunity to stretch their arms as a group one last time. The core of the band was solid as always and the horns/pipes were as on top of their game as they could be. While there is a lot more that can be said about this, two particular crowd-invoking moments came from Geoff Blythe’s soaring notes on the ballads “Fanatic Heart” and “Mychal,” a song honoring FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge who lost his life in the 9/11 attacks.

Then there were moments that were just plain fun. A lot of dancing was had throughout the night, particularly during a set of reels early on (something the band does live and only has recorded on their Live In New York City album, bootlegs aside.) During “Rockin’ the Bronx” Joe “Bearclaw” Burcaw turned his bass amp up a little to pound out some licks rivaling that of Stanley Clarke as Fred Parcells (trombone), Geoffrey Blythe (sax), Joseph Mulvanerty (uilleann pipes) and Tom Hamlin (drums) joined in for a free-form jam before Kirwan returned to the stage to get the audience singing along with one more chorus on the song. Like a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with rice thrown during the wedding scene, cigarettes rained on the stage during the opening of “40 Shades of Blue” at the line of selling a soul for a cigarette outside of CBGB. Not to mention the band’s sense of humor between songs which kept spirits high.

A lot of Black 47’s music has carried at least some sort of wide range of emotions with it. Perhaps the most profound moment was during the band’s powerful political song “James Connolly,” a repertoire-defining song about the great Irish labor organizer. The passionate crowd raised fists of solidarity in the air as a banner of Connolly unfurled on stage next to a Starry Plough flag. A few people in the audience were so eager to raise a flag of their own that they passed it up on stage to be held up. Other moments commanded respect during the songs, such as “Mychal,” as the room fell near dead silent – a scene that seems to be witnessed less and less frequently at shows these days.

Before it was all over, the set was closed with “Funky Céili,” the band’s song that got extended MTV airplay in 1993 and opened the encore with “Maria’s Wedding,” the song Black 47 played on their first network TV appearance with David Letterman in the same year. Finally, the flood gates opened for an all-out jam on “Gloria” leading into a chorus of “I Fought The Law” with just about everyone in the place singing along. All of the guests who could stick around to the end of the gig came back out for one more old-fashioned rock ‘n roll jam. Thought they did not end the show with their own material, it was certainly a positive, high energy rock ‘n roll way to wrap up 25 years.

As a last tip of the hat to the crowd, Bearclaw, Mulvanerty, and Graziano sang an a capella “Happy Trails” while friends in the audience shared one last hug over Black 47 some others quickly flocked to a line to say hello to Kirwan after the show. It was a bittersweet moment as the stage went silent and the din of the crowd was all that remained.

Many fans have taken to the “25 Years of Black 47” fan-run group on Facebook sharing memories about their first Black 47 shows and have been sharing numerous photos and videos from their final few shows.

The gigs may be over, but the music lives on. Long live Black 47!

Setlist: Green Suede Shoes, The Big Fellah, Livin’ In America (with Mary Courtney, vocals, and Jake James), The Reels (with Jake James), Three Little Birds / Desperate, Danny Boy, Culchie Prince, Fanatic Heart, Rockin’ the Bronx, Five Points (with Andrew Sharp, flute, and Jake James), Fire of Freedom (with Rory Kirwan, vocals), Mychal, Walk All The Days (with Chris Byrne, vocals), Blood Wedding (with Christine Ohlmann, vocals), James Connolly (with Jake James, bodhrán), 40 Shades of Blue, Funky Céili

Encore: Maria’s Wedding, Gloria / I Fought The Law

*links are to full-length video from the show

Be sure to follow Black 47’s YouTube page for more full-length videos from their final performances as they are posted.

(Video Credits: Lee Harwig for “Gloria” and Rory’s rap during “Fire of Freedom”; Mike O’Connor for “Funky Céili” and “40 Shades of Blue;” and Joey “Knobs” Juntunen/Dan “Bojo” Boujoulian for “Livin’ In America,” “Fire of Freedom,” and “Walk All The Days.” )

November 24, 2014
Interview: Craig Campbell gets Loved by Syracuse

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill in Syracuse has done it again. National recording artist Craig Campbell partied with Syracuse Friday, November 14.

From the moment I met Craig Campbell I knew that he would not disappoint. Such an amazing talent with such respect and love for his fans. From the VIP meet and greet, through his entire show, and even after his performance by inviting every fan to his merchandise table for pictures and autographs, he proved just how important his fans truly are to him.

Performing his hit songs “Keep Them Kisses Coming”, “Outta My Head”, and “Family Man”, Craig proved to Syracuse just what a class act he is. He and his band left the crowd cheering after every song and wanting more. Inviting two special fans up on stage to enjoy a shot of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine (Big Orange Moonshine) and a beer while he played a few songs on the keyboard was simply amazing. He played a verse of Garth Brooks’ hit song “The Dance” and the entire place sang it right along with him. Best of all, Craig Campbell shared a little piece of a song he wrote that Garth Brooks performs on his new CD!
Craig’s entire performance was full of fun. I have to say that one of my favorite parts was while he was taking client’s cell phones and videoing himself singing and of course, making funny faces. I’m hoping he comes back to Syracuse many times. I would go to every show!

Kim Richer: Craig, thanks for taking the time to speak to . it’s so very nice to meet you.

Craig Campbell: You’re quite welcome. It’s my pleasure.

KR: So tell me a little about this tour you’re on.

CC: Well this isn’t really a tour. I enjoy going out and playing at festivals, bars and honky tonks. The size of the venues are nice because it gives me a chance to be on a more personal level with my fans. The shows that I’ve had this year have been great. This is the busiest year I’ve ever had coming off a top 10 song with “Keep them kisses coming”. Things have been really good for me this year.

KR: That’s great! Now do you find that you have more freedom doing shows this way instead of doing a tour?

CC: Well, there’s pros and cons to everything. I want to be on a tour to expose my music to more people. I could go do shows all day long and have the same 1000, 2000 people show up but when you get on a tour you have the opportunity to play in front of 15,000 and there’s a good chance that many of those 15,000 have never heard of your or never heard any or your music so that’s the appealing side of being on a tour. You get to be in front of all of these people and try to get your music out to more as the percentage of exposure is way higher. There is something cool about doing your own show in a club, but then there is also something really neat about being able to play in front of a whole ton of people.

KR: That’s true, but I must say from a fan standpoint I love the smaller shows because it’s so much more fan friendly and on a much more personal level.

CC: Even more personal than that are the theater shows I’ve done where everyone is sitting down and you can talk to the fans and carry on and talk about the songs.

KR: If there is someone you could pick to go on tour with, who would it be?

CC: Oh gosh, I’d love to go out with Luke Bryan. I’d love to go out with Garth, Eric Church, anybody. I’ve made some good friends over the years in country music. It doesn’t matter to me because I know no matter who it is we are gonna have fun no matter what.

KR: Now I understand you come from a pretty large family in Georgia. Is anyone else musically inclined or are you the only one?

CC: Well, everyone on my mama’s side of the family had some sort of musical ability whether it be singing or just playing. I was always the only one that wanted to chase it down and pursue it.

KR: When you were young was there anyone that you aspired to be like?

CC: I was a big Travis Tritt fan. I listened to the way he sang, the way he wrote his songs and the way he played. He was a great musician. He was the all around music package, he could do it all, write, play and sing. He was someone that I absolutely looked up to.

KR: Have you had a chance to meet him?

CC: Yeah, actually he sang on my last record. He’s a really really nice guy. It was a must on my bucket list to meet him so having him sing on my record was icing on the cake!

KR: I love Travis Tritt myself. I also understand your wife played a part in your last album with the song “Topless”

CC: Yeah, we wrote it together. She’s an amazing singing and songwriter herself so she always has a place on my albums for at least one song. We wrote it and thought it would be perfect for that last record.

KR: Oh most definitely. It shows the fun side. A lot of married artists usually do something sweet and sentimental but it’s nice to see the fun side as a couple too.

CC: I feel like both of us have a really good sense of humor so that was perfect for us.

KR: Can we look forward to her performing with you live anytime?

CC: Yeah, when she is on the road with me or if we are in her hometown or my hometown she will get up and do a couple songs. Eventually I would like to have her sing on my album, so we’ll see. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

KR: I’m interested in hearing a little more about this corn hole tournament you host annually.

CC: During CMA Fest there is a lot going on. There are a lot of free shows, there’s golf tournaments and all these other events going on for charity. I have always been geared toward Colon Cancer and Colon Cancer Research and awareness and I though man, nobody is having a corn hole tournament, let’s have a corn hole tournament. So we started it two years ago and did it this past year and it was a great success. It actually was a big part of me becoming the spokesperson for Fight Colorectal Cancer which March is Fight Colorectal Cancer month and we are actually going to my next tournament in the month of March. It’s going to be bigger and better and Bayer Heath Care is going to sponsor it so it’s going to be huge.

KR: Oh, that’s fantastic. I look forward to seeing that. I’ve played corn hole and I can tell you that I am not the best.

CC: Oh you don’t have to be good as long as you’re having fun. That’s one of the reasons I chose that game. It’s fun and anyone can do it.

KR: Have you been to Syracuse before.

CC: No, I’ve been to the area but never to Syracuse before. We actually played with the Hootn-Anges when we were in NY before out at Kegs Canal side.

KR: Are you working on a new album or are any new projects coming up?

CC: Yeah, my record label actually closed last May so I’ve been trying to get that worked out. Now that it is, I will have some announcements in the next few weeks.

KR: If there was anything in your career you could change, what would it be?

CC: I signed my record deal without having a manager. At the time it sounded like a good idea but in retrospect it wasn’t a great choice. Just because there were no checks and balances. There was nobody on my side holding anybody accountable. For the most part though we’ve done really well and I would do it all over again.

KR: Have you always wanted to sing and write music?

CC: Yeah, even in high school I was at the bars as often as I could trying to get in with the bands to see if they would let me go in and sing a couple of songs. After graduation, I knew that music was something I couldn’t shake so I decided to move to Nashville and chase it down.

KR: What was your journey like when you got to Nashville?

CC: It was long but I was making a good living in Nashville singing demos, playing and writing songs. I played piano for Tracy Bird and Luke Bryan. I got to do some really cool things and was putting food on the table so that was a success as far as I’m concerned.

KR: Has country music always been the choice?

CC: Yes, that’s all I know.

KR: If I were to grab your ipod would it all be country?

CC: I listen to some other stuff. I like good singing. I love Bruno Mars, Adele, Boyz to Men, Brian McKnight but it’s about 98% country.

KR: If you could sing with one person past or present, who would it be?

CC: Definitely Keith Whitley

KR: If you could give one piece of advice someone following your path, what would it be?

CC: It’s either all or nothing. You have to be 100% and not take no for an answer.

KR: Do you have any regrets?

CC: Nope, not one. Every decision I’ve made has either been based on gut feeling, or prayed about it or decisions my wife and I have made together. It’s all good stuff.

November 23, 2014
Opeth – In Flames – Red Fang Coming to NYC and More

Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth – riding the momentum of last year’s release Pale Communication – launch “Communion Of Sirens Tour” presented by Northern Music Co. of the U.K. and If Music Store. Fellow headbanging Swede’s In Flame – supporting their album Sirens – and Portland, Oregon heavy metal outfit Red Fang will provide support for Opeth. Tour starts Dec 3 in Chicago and ends Dec 21 in Toronto including a stop at Terminal 5 in New York City on the 18th.

Tickets for that show can be purchased here.

Communion of Sirens Tour

12/03 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater
12/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
12/05 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
12/06 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater
12/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield
12/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
12/10 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee Theater
12/12 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
12/13 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live
12/15 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
12/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
12/18 – New York @ Terminal 5
12/19 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium
12/20 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
12/21 – Toronto, ON @ Koolhaus

November 21, 2014
Heavy Pets Release EP ‘Stolen Smile’ and Winter Tour

The Heavy Pets have released Stolen Smile, the third in a series of self-produced EPs the band has been working on amidst their rigorous tour schedule, which recently surpassed 1,000 performances after their show at Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida. Following the success of the first two in the series, Two Horses and Rags and Aces, the Pets stuck to the same formula of tracking and mixing close to home at South Florida’s Power Station Recording Studios. The release again showcases the work of multiple contributors.

The two-track recording features another fresh tune penned by Mike Garulli in the down-tempo atmospheric “Giant Birds,” first heard live in the Fall of 2013. “Sigismondi” is a dynamic Jim Wuest dance number that has matured over a longer road life but developed into the unique sonic journey captured in a fresh light for this release. Stolen Smile is available as a Limited Edition 7” vinyl record (pre-order), CD and through all digital download and streaming sites as of November 18, 2014.

The Heavy Pets have also announced their Third Annual Florida Holiday Run which makes stops at the Crowbar in Tampa on Thursday 12/18, 1904 Music Hall in Jacksonville on Friday 12/19 and Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday 12/20. Each night will feature the one-and-only Roosevelt Collier (The Lee Boys) on pedal steel guitar and top regional acts Greenhouse Lounge, Squeedlepuss and The Funky Nuggets as well as a local charity raising money and collecting toys for the holidays.

Winter tour dates:

11/19: Buffalo, NY @ Iron Works w/ Skypilot ***POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER***
11/20: Syracuse, NY Wescott Theater w/ EOTO, Conspirator
11/21: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl w/ The Motet
11/22: Alston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall w/ The Motet
11/25: Fairfield, CT @ FTC StageOne w/ The Nth Power
11/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall w/ Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Montoj
11/28: Albany, NY @ The Hollow w/ Formula 5, Gowanus
11/29: Providence, RI @ Spot Underground w/ Spogga, Sgt Baker & The Clones, Daybreakers
11/30: Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry w/ Silo Effect
12/18: Tampa, FL @ Crowbar w/ Roosevelt Collier, Greenhouse Lounge
12/19: Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall w/ Roosevelt Collier, Squeedlepuss
12/20: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room w/ Roosevelt Collier, Greenhouse Lounge, The Funky Nuggets
12/31: Miami, FL @ Will Call (Post Phish > Sunrise)
01/03: Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club in The Tabernacle (Post Umphrey’s McGee)
3/6-8: Live Oak, FL for AURA Music & Arts Festival @ Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

November 21, 2014
BIG Something proves they are a BIG deal at Parish Public House

North Carolina’s BIG Something made the trek to Albany’s Parish Public House formally known as Red Square, for a night of alternative rock with some original groove. The Capital District was greeted with the first sight of snow that night on the 13th as BIG Something prepared to heat up Broadway. The 6 piece band began the night with some Pink Floyd and a Edgar Winter “Frankenstein”, definitely a solid start.

The BIG Something has a bigger than life sound, as they rock out loud with a fusion improv of funk, jazz and hip hop. Casey Cranford is a double threat with his captivating EWI (electronic wind instrument) as well as saxophone playing. Josh Kagel has an ear for hitting all the right notes whether it’s alternating reality on his keyboard/synth or on trumpet. Jesse Hensley surges vibrating psychedelic rifts as Doug Marshall’s steady bass notes heighten the trip.

After a wide and diverse sampling of their musical influences, BIG Something performed some of their original work off their latest album, Truth Serum which was released at the beginning of the month. Click here to listen and download the album. “Megalodon” a slamming funk of a hip hop song with collaborations from DJ logic on their latest album had high voltage guitar, blaring horns and ear catching album scratching. “Capt. D” is like discovering a heavy punk rock club with a tropical Caribbean theme, refreshingly rebellious and alarmingly inviting. “Sirens” had each instrument screaming for attention with psychedelic echoes coming from all angles. The evening ended with their amped up rock rendition of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” followed by an all-out jamgrass encore of “Amanda Lynn” with front man, Nick MacDaniels strumming the life out of a mandolin. BIG Something is the next big thing! As BIG Something continues to spread their highly energetic unique sound, be on the lookout for tour dates and their 4th annual festival, The BIG What?! June 25-27th in North Carolina.

Setlist: Welcome to the Machine > Saturday Night Zombie > Frankenstein > Pinky’s Ride, UFOs are Real, A Simple Vision > Mr. Roboto, Megalodon, Capt. D Sirens > Love Generator > Baba O’Riley
Encore: Amanda Lynn

November 20, 2014
Gov’t Mule Tour Closes at State Theatre Ithaca

Gov’t Mule closed out their twentieth anniversary fall tour at the State Theatre in Ithaca on November 15, pulling out all of the stops and in the words of Warren Haynes regarding the last show of the tour, making sure, ‘Anything Goes!’ Indeed this fact was true as the Mule blasted out a career spanning set that featured multiple and extended instrumental interludes and definitive renditions of multiple Mule jam vehicles.

The band hit the stage at 8:20 with late-comers still stumbling their way to their seats as the group developed a spacey swell. Haynes used some deft manipulations of feedback immediately before dropping coin into slot with the twisted groove of ‘Bad Man Walkin’. The hallmark of this introductory set is not only the expected holographic Haynes guitar explorations, but the dirty sock funk laid down by the sturdy rhythm section. ‘Inside Outside Woman Blues’ continues this trend with the first ‘big’ jam of the evening, culminating in a knotted guitar/bass battle between bassist Carlsson and Haynes. Keyboardist Danny Louis is also a major proponent of the grooves being developed on the evening lending spongy Rhodes asides and Moogy colorizations.

A jam then constructed with hammer and nails resulted in the shady chugging introduction of ‘Broke Down on the Brazos’ from Mule’s 2009 LP, By A Thread. Haynes deconstructed the outro jam in a blue flurry of quotes, smoothly revealing obscured melodies with every quote. ‘Brazos’ fell perfectly into a sprawling ‘Tributary Jam’ allowing Louis to explore his sonic stamp collection while exchanging licks across stage with Haynes.

‘Whisper in Your Soul’ followed and was dedicated to Grace Potter by Haynes. The shimmering track is the appropriate cool down period for the set even though it splashes into watery wah-wah’s guitars by its conclusion. Haynes and Mule standard, ‘Banks of the Deep End’, made a welcome appearance keeping the damper down and did not stray from the theme of cultivating funky blues rhythms that had been developed over the evening.

Following a restful duo of tracks, Haynes donned the slide for the first time the evening during the show highlight, ‘Devil Likes It Slow’, surpassing 13 minutes. A plethora of thematic snapshots are examined while Carlsson forgoes the steps and heads straight for the stars with his bass virtuosity. The composition becomes elastic when Louis steps forward for a Herbie Hancock impression while Haynes lays back with jazzy interjections. Musical summits are reached and then left behind for greater things. Inspiring musicianship is the hallmark for the Mule and this particular jam leaves no doubt.

‘Thorazine Shuffle’ then closes the powerful set while also sandwiching the punchy smirk of 2013’s ‘Funny Little Tragedy’. This is a runaway train of a jam that careens around corners before peaking and leaving the excited crowd anticipating the second set. It’s hard to believe the band could follow the previous jamming on ‘Devil’ with anything, but again they come up in spades by topping themselves yet again.

The tight quarters and cramped bathrooms of the historic State Theatre were no match for the camaraderie enjoyed over the break due to the Mule’s superior and joyful playing. After such a well jammed out first set, the second set was sure to be brimming with musical surprises. As to not blow the roof off of the place after the incendiary close of the first set, the Mule eased it in with the slick guitar buoyancy and undulating bass of ‘Done Got Wise’ followed by the refreshing Reggae drift of ‘Scared To Live’, both found on 2013’s Shout!.

Properly warmed up and ready to kick, the band jumped into a funktified reading of the Betts/Haynes composition ‘Kind of Bird’, a song built for musical madness and a song performed by Mule since their inception. Here it is given a moody long distance reading with a full on ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed’ jam as well as a quote from the Turtles, ‘Happy Together’. ‘King of Bird’ spotlights stellar playing, seamless segues and stratospheric playing by the entire band. The venue gathers a late night haze, the temperature rose in the balcony and the Mule turned the assembled crowd to putty. Bird calls glided over rolling thunder, before coagulating into a massive scrubbing froth of swelling musical foam. Multifaceted and dynamic jams are lead by Haynes but given momentum by Louis and Carlsson who came in for a slamming landing at the only natural resting place, the expansive mine field of a Matt Abts drum solo. Woah.

‘I Think You Know What I Mean’ slinked through the bar room door, the influence of its distinctive drum beat reflected in the version of Led Zeppelin’s ‘When the Levee Breaks’ that it envelops. Haynes slipped the slide on his finger again for this song suite, bringing much of the collected crowd to its feet. The natural progression between songs is hand in glove as Haynes weaves the band between compositional boxcars. Two more song pairs combine to culminate the evening in a way that only the Mule can. The kinetic cowbell driven ‘Bad Little Doggie’ is a crowd favorite and defiantly breaks its lead to act as a prelude to the evenings second Zeppelin reference, a floor stomping ‘How Many More Years’. Played with the Zeppelin arrangement but dictated in the classic Howlin’ Wolf fashion. Rising and falling like the seasonal waves on Cayuga Lake the song disintegrates into a crowd clapping conglomerate before reprising intensely.

The band returns to ecstatic applause for their encore and responded in kind by playing a pair of Mule standards road tested, recognizable and as comfortable as dependable winter gloves. Undeniable proof of who is still one of the finest live bands in the land. ‘Mule’ and ‘Soulshine’ close the evening paired fittingly in what is a celebration of a great band, touched by tragedy, luck, respect, talent, change, stability and undeniable abilities. Lets raise our glasses to another twenty for Gov’t Mule, Warren, Matt and Allen’s original vision, unchanged and still kickin.

November 20, 2014