The duo will kick off the American Roots & Branches concert series with Sony Landreth on the electric guitar and Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro and lap-steel. Landreth hails from Louisiana and is a known as “the King of Slydeco”, for his strong Cajun musical styling. He has appeared on albums with Eric Clapton, Gov’t Mule, Little Feat and Jimmy Buffett. Cashdollar is one of our own, calling Woodstock, NY home, where she learned to play from such bluegrass legends as John Herald, Paul Butterfield, Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band. She is a five-time Grammy award winner and was the first female to be inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
Tickets for Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are $28 and are still available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, by telephone 518-473-1845 or online. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience blues music like you have never heard it before.
Northern Rock band, Eastbound Jesus will be taking over Red Square in Albany this weekend, where they will be recording their first ever live album. Eastbound Jesus most recently opened up for moe. for their New Year’s Run at The Palace Theater and this will be their first time playing in their home of the Capital Region in 2014. The six-piece band gains fans all over the Upstate NY region singing about cold weather, whiskey and women with fast picking strings and a hot foot stomping rhythm. Be on the lookout for their live album release, set to drop in late winter or early spring.
Each night, the doors open at 8pm with first acts on at 9pm. Driftwood will be kicking off Friday night and fiddler Claire Byrne will be sitting in for some tunes with EBJ. Binghamton’s Driftwood is an all string quartet with a burning passion for folk rock that is contagious almost instantly. The Blind Spots will open up Saturday night and keyboardist Tony Meier will join EBJ for some music later in the night. The female led vocalist, Maddy Walsh has been compared to every great female vocalist you can think of and is sure to catch you by surprise. This Rock Indie band from Ithaca has a bold sound that grows with every show.
Do not miss the Eastbound Jesus live album recording or these Guthrie Bell Productions shows that are proof that Upstate NY has the best home grown talent. Tickets are $10 online or $12 at the door.
Relix.com announced the “Friends” that will be joining Phil Lesh for 8 shows at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, and as part of an exclusive deal with Relix, Phil & Friends will play a sting of shows at the popular venue, with the first set of shows in April 2014.
Today Phil’s “friends” were confirmed to be – For the first segment, Lesh will be joined by Furthur band mates John Kadlecik, Joe Russo and Jeff Chimenti as well as the husband/wife duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams. Phil’s band for the second segment will be made up of Russo, Kadlecik, Jackie Greene and Marco Benevento. A pre-sale for the Cap shows starts on Wednesday, February 5 at 10 a.m. ET with the general onsale to follow a week from today. These shows will take place in two segments: April 2 – 5 and April 9 – 12.
In addition, Lesh also has a visit booked to Shapiro’s new Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas on April 18 – 20. His band for these shows will be made up of John Scofield, John Medeski, Joe Russo and Jackie Greene. Tickets to see Phil in Vegas go on sale tomorrow, February 1, at 1 p.m. ET via BrooklynBowl.com.
Walt Disney did it. William Shakespeare did too. It’s taking the metal of another one’s work, and spinning it into your own gold. It’s the alchemy of the creative mind. It’s declaring the statement, “I can take your idea, and make it better.” Cry to the Blind, a five-piece heavy rock band out of Rochester, NY, declared such a statement last month after walking into Oblivion Studios to record an already established hit. One month and more than 90,000 YouTube views later, the band has itself, what a growing contingent of fans and followers think, is gold.
“The past month or so has been pretty weird,” said Jon Lamanna, the band’s lead singer. Back in December, the band loaded up a studio video of their recording of Miley Cyrus’ mega-hit, Wrecking Ball. The reception to their hard rock version has been nothing short of exceptional, first leading to play time on local radio stations, and precipitating to national attention on Nikki Sixx’s syndicated show, and now satellite radio. It wasn’t long before they obtained mechanical rights from the copyright owner to allow them to perform and sell their version of the song.
“The energy and the excitement level at our shows, and online, are at a level I’ve never seen before. People just seem like they really believe in us now.”
It’s really inspiring to see.”
Rochester’s Cry to the Blind is basking in the glow of newly found attention. (Photo Credit: CTTB/Facebook)
The band has released three CDs independently since 2009. They are a heavy, modern rock band, who market themselves as a “therapeutic release” for their fans. They like to promote a “positive spin on the negative energy that surrounds us every day,” as stated on their Facebook page.
Jon explained that the inspiration to record the song came from a simple turn of his car’s radio dial, as he started his commute to work one November morning.
“The first time I heard the song, I thought it would make a great rock song. We’ve never done a cover. [This was] just a random idea. I texted Jesse (Maty), our guitar player, and said, ‘hey, have you heard that Miley Cyrus song “Wrecking Ball? I think it would be awesome as a rock song.’ He was like, ‘yeah, why not? Let’s give it a shot.’ He wasn’t into it as much as I was. But, when I polled the other guys in the band, they were really excited about it. .. As soon as we started rehearsing it, it sounded phenomenal.”
They changed up the second verse to make it rhythmic and heavy, which was (the band’s drummer), Jay Talarico’s idea. Together with Ryan Mcfaul on guitars and Kory Maclauchlan on bass, Jon said, “I think that’s what makes the song stand out.”
Since Cyrus released the song last August, Wrecking Ball has topped the pop charts in 13 different countries, including the United States. There have been a number of different cover versions released, including that from Rumer Willis, the 25-year-old daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis.
Today, up to 40 radio stations, including Sirius Octane, is playing their song, and the positive feedback just keeps building. Jon said that the band has yet to be signed by a label; however, he says people who they’ve spoken to in the past, are coming back to talk.
“[We’re] pretty confident that things are going to continue to snowball in a good direction for us.”
Cry to the Blind play next at The Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY on Saturday, February 15.
It was announced yesterday that Elvis Costello and The Roots will be coming to The Capitol Theatre in Portchester, NY on March 12.
Their album Wise Up Ghost that was released last year was a fantastic album by two great acts melding their individual sounds together into a beautiful unified thought. Their one and only show at The Brooklyn Bowl last year was named one of ‘s Best Shows.
This is the only announced East Coast show at the moment and is sure to sellout immediately. The show goes on sale Friday January 31ST at Noon.
Watch as they play the title track to the album at the Brooklyn Bowl last September below.
There are bands that just don’t know when it is appropriate to hang it up. Tuesday, however, people witnessed Mötley Crüe‘s Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee in a Hollywood hotel at a signing ceremony for a “cessation of touring agreement” and their retirement.
The terms of the agreement are to take effect after what has been dubbed their retirement tour, which is to start later this year and conclude in 2015. In legal terms, once the tour ends, each member has agreed to never tour as Mötley Crüe again.
Livenation announced that general sales for tickets will start this Friday, with some tickets being made available for as little as $15.
This is not a time to mourn or cry. This goes for a celebration to a band that said, “Let’s do it our way.”
Mötley Crüe started out of Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip in 1981 to reach the successes of multiple Las Vegas residencies, car commercials, Hot Tub Time Machine, a New York Times bestseller, 80 million records sold, and famous girlfriends galore before all was said and done more than 30 years later. If Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll was in the dictionary, there, you would see “Mötley Crüe.” This band has done it all.
“If I was playing at small clubs and county festivals in front of a small crowd with just one or two original members, THEN I would be sad,” said Nikki Sixx, founder, main song writer, and the brains of the Crue operation. Which is why 2014 is a good time to call it quits.
Upstate New York is fortunate enough to have shows scheduled in Darien (CT), Saratoga, and Syracuse. Sharing the playbill will be legendary rock artist, Alice Cooper giving everyone in New York the last chance to FINALLY experience what a Mötley Crüe show is all about. And, it gives fans a chance to bid farewell and say “thank you” one last time.
Anyone who is a fan Mötley Crüe, or even if you’re NOT a fan of them, but are a big fan of rock and roll and metal should read the book The Dirt to really get a taste and an appreciation of how far this band has gone to reach success, and understand the hardships of being in a dysfunctional band.
Tommy Lee has been doing his thing as a DJ and has done some experimental music along the way.
Nikki Sixx seems to have struck thunder twice with his alternate band Sixx A.M., while Vince Neil is still touring with his solo band and releasing material.
Mick Mars deals with ankylosing spondylitis. According to the National Library of Medicine, Ankylosing spondylitis is a long‑term type of arthritis. It affects the bones and joints at the base of the spine where it connects with the pelvis. These joints become swollen and inflamed. Over time, the affected spinal bones join together. Despite his condition, Mars has some musical calibrations of his own.
In all fairness, The Crüe has nothing more to prove. It has all been done.
This will be one last time to “Shout at the Devil,” so catch Mötley Crüe with Alice Cooper in upstate New York at any of the following dates:
Aug. 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing. Arts Center
Aug. 31 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing. Arts Center
Bogies executive, and Albany scene heavyweight, Mike Valente recently put out a call for donations to the renowned club for what he calls a “facelift.” The proprieter is seeking help in the tune of $10,000 to cover overdue upkeep costs and miscellaneous upgrades.
Specifically, Valente noted that the money would cover a leaking roof, bad floors, and general “rejuvenation.” And as any band who has played there knows, new mic stands would be great.
An account was established at gofundme.com to administer donations.
The 30-year old-club has gone into decline, and as Valente wrote, “there are some costs and expenses that go beyond our reach.” He further explained that he has never seen a profit off of the shows put on at the club — even those that have featured renowned talents as Black Flag and Born of Osiris. All money goes into expenses such as staffing — who have donated time before because of their love of the music over the tight finances, add Valente.
As such, the financial woes have clipped advertising for shows.
Located on Albany’s Ontario Street, Bogies is one of the most important venues in the scene, especially for up – and – coming bands. To keep it running, is a necessity.
Within the first 24 hours, $890 was raised by 29 donors. Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so here, either publicly or anonymously:
Oliver Withöft died January 20 at 49. We’re late to report, but it would be remissible of us here at Upstate Metal to not recognize the loss of Century Media co-owner Oliver Withöft.
Withöft fell ill several months ago, and ultimately succumbed to the illness on January 20th. Coupled with the fact he died at such a young age, Century Media had only just celebrated their 25th anniversary. Withöft had been with the independent record label for all but the first 18 months.
Century Media has a worldwide influence upon the music industry, and we’re indebted to their dedicated employees for helping us provide the information to our readers, and bring us some of the best music available to music lovers.
Born in Dortmund, Germany in 1964, Withöft studied linguistics, business and history in both Germany and the U.K. Robert Kampf started Century Media Records 25 years ago simply to create a suitable label home for his own band, Despair. He was looking for a trustworthy and strong partner to lead the company with and found this person in his best friend and fellow musician Oliver Withöft, who joined the company eighteen months later, sharing the same love and passion for music, and metal in particular. Since that very day, these two friends developed one of the most important independent record labels on the planet. Today the company has around 100 people on payroll in Dortmund, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Melbourne and the Netherlands. A lot of musical careers were developed over the years: Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall, Suicide Silence, In This Moment, Otherwise, Iced Earth, Die Broilers, Arch Enemy and Heaven Shall Burn are just a few of them. Century Media became a brand name recognized across the world. Oliver Withöft was always the strategic, legal and financial mind behind the organization. He was not only a strong fighter for the company, but also a very intelligent and forward-thinking leader. When the music industry drastically changed in the ’90s, he was the first to think about new ways to adapt to the needs and challenges of the rapidly-changing market. We have lost a great man with an amazing sense of humor, a warrior, and an overall very human being. Oliver leaves behind a wife, Judith, and their three daughters.
Antje Lange, CEO of Century Media Records: “I learned a lot from him in regards to business, the world and life. He was an extremely smart and visionary business man who cared a lot about the people working for him. He was one of the most open-minded and knowledgeable persons I have ever met. Oliver was responsible for a lot of successful artists’ careers and an impressive amount of albums that had an impact in the music world. It has never been easy for him, but he was a strong fighter. A great man with an amazing sense of humor whose departure leaves a large gap in our lives.”
Ula Gehret, who handles business affairs for Century Media Records with his company Clandestine: “He had a razor-sharp intellect and keen business acumen, and as a number of people can attest to, he was not someone you wanted to be sitting across from at a negotiating table. After a few years at the label, he introduced me to how legal contracts worked. Eventually, with training, that became my full-time occupation. It is no exaggeration to say that without his tutelage and patience, I would not be where I am today, doing something I love, and with principle. He was my mentor.”
Oliver was a very special person who touched many people’s lives in a positive and special way. This is a tremendous loss for all who knew him and it will take some time for us to grieve the passing of such a great person.
“Oliver was always a winner, one of those that I somehow thought would live forever. A genius, a friend and the best advisor I’ve ever had. It was all him behind the scenes.”
–Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land
“Oliver and Robert had the guts, trust and belief to sign us when we were just a bunch of kids trying to play metal. Without these guys, I doubt we would be where we are today. He was not the easiest to work with back in the day, but a very cool guy.”
–Ola Lindgren, Grave
For those who would like to honor his memory:
His family have asked that – instead of sending flowers – they would appreciate it if you could donate to “The Oliver Withöft Scholarship”, a fund raised as part of the Kindred Project (www.thekindredproject.gl).
Donation reference:
Account holder: Kindred Project Oliver Withoeft
Reference: The Oliver Withoeft Scholarship
IBAN: GI89 BARC 0204 5216 2863 922
SWIFT: BARCGIGI
If you would like to share your memories and condolences, please email:
In October 2007 At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg told Blabbermouth.net, “No new record will be recorded. The legacy of Slaughter of the Soul will remain intact. It would be fun to write together, but not under the name of At The Gates.” This was further backed by guitarist Anders Björler, when he said, “It would be pointless to release something more than ten years after Slaughter of the Soul… it would just disappoint people.”
Well, times have changed.
The pioneers of melodic death metal, At The Gates, announced a change of heart and are following up on the recent success of reunion concerts with a planned release of a follow-up to Slaughter of the Soul.
At The Gates plan to release a new album this fall, their first since 1995. (Photo Credit: Daniel Falk/Century Media Records)
Century Media Records recently announced that the rockers from Sweden – hence, why the genre is also known as “Swedecore” – are currently working on a new album. The follow-up, which is tentatively planned for release by October or November, is nearly 20 years in the making.
“We are fully aware that we have made some very drastic statements in interviews as well as the closing words on the DVD about the longevity of AT THE GATES,” stated band members in a recent press release, “but things change, situations change and people change. When Anders sent the first song last summer, we had zero expectations of the outcome. We only knew one thing – That it sounded amazing! At the time we weren’t even sure there would be an album, but as things progressed, more songs came into existence, and we knew we were on to something great.”
At The Gates started off in 1990, and achieved success four years later after the release of their third album Terminal Spirit Disease. In 1995, the band reached the apex of their success after the release of Slaughter of the Soul. Unfortunately, the band broke up immediately afterwards in 1996. Since then, they have held reunion concerts, starting with the first in 2008.
Said the band, “So, here we are almost 24 years since the birth of AT THE GATES, and some 18+ years since our latest album ‘Slaughter Of The Soul’. A lot of years have passed and we have embarked on some life-changing reunion tours and shows the last couple of years. So, why make a new album you might ask, and why now? Well, what we learned from the last couple of years hanging out and playing shows together, is that we enjoy what we do to the fullest extent. We love playing music together, and we love to hang out as friends. But, as a musician, we constantly write new music.
It’s a huge part of our identities.”
Century Media Records added: “We are extremely proud and super excited to have teamed up with one of the most legendary and influential bands in metal. AT THE GATES have not only been a staff favourite since their very inception, but also a group of members that we individually like, respect and are always glad to support. As the reunion shows of the recent years have demonstrated, AT THE GATES are currently on top of their game and more relevant than ever before within and for the metal scene of these days. We truly look forward to pushing AT THE GATES to new heights with their new album ‘At War With Reality’. Let’s…GO!!!”
Most recently, AT THE GATES has launched the following two teaser clips to introduce their return:
08.03.2014–Trondheim (Norway)–Trondheim Metal Fest / http://trondheimmetalfest.no
26.04.2014–Santiago (Chile)–The Metal Fest / http://www.themetalfest.cl
23.05.2014–Baltimore (US)–Maryland Death Fest / http://www.marylanddeathfest.com
10.07.2014–Neskaupstadur (Iceland)–Eistnaflug Festival / http://www.eistnaflug.is
(More shows to be announced soon)
AT THE GATES line-up 2014:
Tomas Lindberg – Vocals
Anders Björler – Guitars
Martin Larsson – Guitars
Jonas Björler – Bass
Adrian Erlandsson – Drums
AT THE GATES Discography:
Gardens Of Grief / EP – 1991
The Red In The Sky Is Ours – 1992
With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness – 1993
Terminal Spirit Disease – 1994
Slaughter Of The Soul – 1995
Purgatory Unleashed / Live – 2010Stay tuned about AT THE GATES’ upcoming studio album, At War With Reality, and the band’s future live schedule coming soon!
One of the true up and coming bands in America is taking its act back to where it all began for them. Brooklyn’s own Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds play Friday night at the venerable Brooklyn Bowl and they have a special treat in store for those in attendance in the form of a musical cover. The powerful eight-piece, brass infused musical outfit will present their take on one of the more iconic rock albums of all time: Led Zeppelin IV. In a “thank you” of sorts, the band gave their fans the opportunity to pick their choice of the musical cover with an online poll that offered 10 different album selections.
This performance is bound to be memorable not only because of the musical content, but also due to the deep ties Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds has with Brooklyn. The group, which is the brainchild of Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow) and her brother Jackson, honed its craft with gigs at small bars and musical residencies throughout Brooklyn. Their unique hybrid of soulful rock and infectious funk is now being met with critical acclaim nationwide. Throw in cover songs of one of the most revered groups in rock history and Friday’s performance has the potential for greatness.
Zongo Junction will be opening and doors will be open at 6 p.m. with a start time slated for 8 p.m. Tickets are $12.
Today Phil’s “friends” were confirmed to be – For the first segment, Lesh will be joined by Furthur band mates John Kadlecik, Joe Russo and Jeff Chimenti as well as the husband/wife duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams. Phil’s band for the second segment will be made up of Russo, Kadlecik, Jackie Greene and Marco Benevento. A pre-sale for the Cap shows starts on Wednesday, February 5 at 10 a.m. ET with the general onsale to follow a week from today. These shows will take place in two segments: April 2 – 5 and April 9 – 12.
