NYS Music 20​14

Category: Albany

  • 518 Drummers Union Clinic at Trick Shot

    Trick Shot Billiards and Music Hall in Clifton Park host the 2nd Annual 518 Drummers Union clinic Tuesday, August 26.

    The clinic features John Glassbrenner and Brian Zink. Proceeds from the clinic goes towards a benefit for Zink’s behalf.

    Zink, drummer for the local band Fort Rooster, suffered considerable losses from a resent fire. The promotional poster described it as a “total loss.”

    “As for how we got the idea for the clinic, it first started off as a brainstorm of mine because I saw a lot of articles about drum clinics and said, ‘I can do that right at Trick Shot featuring local talent.’,” said Greg Gamache, head audio and production engineer at Trick Shot. “I have all the resources. So I contacted Brian and John and they were in. We got the backing from Parkway Music to help with sponsorship also.”

    Zink has won multiple Guitar Center Drum Offs in recent years.

    Glassbrenner is the drummer for the death metal band Incontinence. The band that hails out of Schenectady is finalizing their latest album, Infecting Paranoid Minds.

    “Jason Bittner (of Shadows Fall) graciously donated an autographed ride cymbal to be raffled off during the clinic,” said Gamache. “The cymbal was used exclusively on the Dimebag tribute song ‘Leave It Alone”, written by Tristan Grigsby and also features Dave Ellefson and Tim Ripper Owens.”

    Trick Shot is located at 1602 Rte 9 in Clifton Park. 518 Drummers Union event starts at 6 p.m. and scheduled to last until 9:30 p.m. A $5 cover gets you into the show, along with food and drink specials, and a 50/50 raffle. Donations are also accepted.

  • ‘World War Trio’ Starts With Consider the Source

    Marin (L) and Ferrara (R) jamming together.
    Marin (L) and Ferrara (R) jamming together.

    New York-based Consider the Source has announced the first installment of their new studio project, World War Trio.  On October 31st, they will release the first disc, an EP entitled “Put Another Rock In That Bag”.  The Halloween treat features Jeff Mann playing drums in the studio with CTS for the first time alongside incredibly unique stunt-guitarist Gabriel Marin and virtuosic bassist John Ferrara. The Middle Eastern/Sci-Fi fusion trio will release the rest of World War Trio as a full, double-album in the Spring of 2015.

    Fans have grown accustomed to face-melting, heavy improvisational shows from the improg group, but “Another Rock” will demonstrate some of their other tricks. “We felt this piece needed its own release,” says bassist John Ferrara. “It is our longest and most in-depth composition to date. It is going to have six distinct movements, about 25 minutes in length.”  The epic piece showcases the band’s compositional prowess and features one movement composed by Jan Zehrfeld, guitarist of Munich-based Panzerballet.  The EP will also include a Making of World War Trio documentary.

    “Another Rock”, marks the band’s first studio release since 2010’s That’s What’s Up.  The band has been playing since Marin and Ferrara met in 2004 and has two other studio releases: 2007’s Esperanto and 2009’s Are You Watching Closely?  Since finding Mann on Craigslist in 2012, the group has released two live albums, but this is their first studio venture as the current Consider the Source.  Yesterday, exactly two years after playing his first show with the band, Mann wrote: “It feels like we’re just getting started. I am so grateful to be able to play with the best musicians in the world for the best fans in the world.”    

    IMG_6046

    Upstate New York will be treated to the first live version of “Put Another Rock In That Bag”, as the Sourcerors will play the EP in its entirety at the Parish Public House in Albany on Halloween night. The band recently played The Hollow in Albany and has plenty of Upstate dates planned this fall. They will be playing the Catskill Chill and Night Light festivals in Hancock and Sherman, NY, respectively. Canton, NY, gets two free sets on September 11th, and Dopapod will join them for shows at Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Den on September 27th and Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall on October 2nd.

    Check out a trailer of the new material here.

  • Rock’s Newest Stars, Nothing More, Offers High-Energy Performance

    When Jonny Hawkins was cut from his San Antonio elementary school chorus, he adopted the belief that he couldn’t sing. But he loved music, and he isn’t a quitter, so he turned to drums. By the time he was in middle school, he had joined with Daniel Oliver and Mark Vollelunga to form the band Nothing More. As the group developed and began to seriously consider a career as a rock band, Hawkins began to question the life-long belief that he couldn’t sing. Questioning that belief allowed Hawkins to uncover a surprising and strong talent. Today he is lead singer of Nothing More, and the band is working its way to the top of the charts.

    The idea of questioning beliefs is the theme of Nothing More’s 2014 self-titled album. The band performed to a small but enthusiastic crowd at Upstate Concert Hall on Aug. 15, 2014. Using their own experiences as inspiration, songs like “This is the Time (Ballast)” encourages listeners to open their eyes and not be blind to reality. “Mr. MTV” is about greed and gluttony, pointing out a very real problem in America today, which is an insatiable need (want) for material things that don’t truly satisfy.  

    Nothing More’s music and message were received well by fans. Almost everyone crowded towards the stage once the band came out, leaving many open bar stools (which is extremely rare at this venue). The band brought on Paul O’Brien for drums, allowing Hawkins to move to the front of the stage as lead vocalist. It’s great fun to watch him bang on his small auxiliary drum-set, but even when he isn’t drumming, he clearly wants to bang on something.

    Hawkins wasn’t the only one with energy though. All the guys were into the performance. Of note was the inclusion of an interesting prop used to mount the bass guitar and allowed Hawkins, Oliver and Vollelunga to play the instrument together. The choreographed performance of “Salem” was also high energy, giving all four musicians the chance to drum together.

    The opening acts, too, had a lot of energy. Into Shadow, an Oneonta-based band, opened the night with a distinctly ’90s sound. Sleepwave, a new group led by Spencer Chamberlain, former lead singer of the immensely popular Christian metal band, Underoath, is a very interesting blend of influences and styles. They mix ’80s headbanging with sounds reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails, Green Day, and Jane’s Addiction. Chamberlain’s dramatic performance makes it appear as if he was in severe emotional pain, but that passion does keep eyes on the stage.

    All three bands have upcoming tour dates; Nothing More is continuing on a very ambitious schedule well into October.

    Nothing More – Website | Facebook

    Sleepwave – Website | Facebook

    Into Shadows – Website | Facebook

  • Triumph: More than a Tribute to the Disco Biscuits

    Albany’s newest place to grab a bite to eat and catch a great live show isn’t really that new at all. Parish Public House, formerly Red Square, has completely redone the whole establishment to make it a quaint southern style restaurant serving such Louisiana favorites as Boudin Balls, Alligator Bites, and of course the Po Boy. Don’t let the charming decor fool you though, the Parish still has a stage and some of the best live music around. Saturday night was no exception, as Squid Parade and Triumph: A Tribute to the Disco Biscuits, had the place jumping.

    Squid Parade took the stage first with their eccentric style of the jamtronica sound. Zak Westbrooks guitar playing was spot on, soaring to heights only a special lot of musicians can reach. Straight away the Squids had the place vibing out to their fast paced wall sweating groove and this remained the aura throughout their set.

    Being a tribute band comes with a certain stigma attached to it. Why don’t they just write their own music if they’re so good? Why wouldn’t they want to have their own identity? These questions are fair and reasonable, however in the case of Triumph these stigmas do not ring true. Featuring members of B.A Dario and Resident Frequency, original bands with their own songs, but once in awhile, this actually only being their third show as Triumph, they like to have fun and play tribute to one of the hottest bands around: The Disco Biscuits.

    Not only did they play the music of the band, they were playing tribute to, they composed their jamming around the Biscuits as well. With dark and dirty beats from drummer/vocalist Brad Greene, taking the audience through a journey that seemingly was Bisco. At times having to look up on stage and realize it was Bryce Hughes on guitar, and not Jon Gutwillig. During the “Therapy” jam, many teases were thrown in, mostly by the keys of Aaron Nackoul and bassist John Kelly riffing on “Confrontation”, only to bring the jam into “Orchestra Theme”. This was impressive to say the least and the party was just getting started as the band told everyone they would be back for a second set. This set was indeed a tribute to Biscuits style of set writing. “Astronaut” was the foundation for the whole set, being thrown in with a plethora of other songs only to end the set as it began with “Astronaut.”

    When you hear a tribute band is coming to town, and if you like the band they’re playing homage too, don’t just shrug it off and assume its going to be gaudy or hokey, because in the case of Triumph, you would’ve been disappointed if it was missed.

    Setlist:

    Set 1: Plan B>Helicopters>Spacebirdmatingcall, Therapy>Orchestra Theme>Therapy
    Set 2: Astronaut>Cyclone>I-man, Bombs, Mr Don>Astronaut
    E: M.E.M.P.H.I.S

  • Bella Terra, Back and Better Than Ever for 2014

    The beautifully scenic back drop of Upstate New York, art, music, and vendors means it must be time for another year of Bella Terra. Since 2009 Bella Terra has made its mark on the Upstate festival scene bringing a collaboration of multi-genre artists that span from Hip Hop, EDM, drum and bass, jam, bluegrass and much more. Since its start, Bella Terra has made its reputation known as a small town, tight knit festival with the capacity for major acts and artists.

    The festival will be held this weekend, August 21-24 on Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, New York. Get your tickets for Bella Terra Music Festival now! Here is a look at the MUST SEE acts this weekend at Bella Terra.

    BT1
    Thursday

    Break Science (8:15-10): A Brooklyn based electronic duo who, since their first arrival on the scene has took the EDM scene on full force making themselves known as one of the best. Borahm Lee spinning and Adam Deitch (Lettuce) on the drums have quickly been acknowledged as one of the must see acts for any music festival.

    Indobox (10-11:30): Indobox is an energy packed electronic-dance-rock collaboration of Joey Zarick on guitar, bass and vocals, Mike Carter on guitar and vocals, Steve Learson on keyboards and synth bass, and Jules Jenssen on drums. These guys always bring a solid set of dancing and energy.

    BT2
    Friday

    Conspirator (8:30-11): A side project of Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein of the Disco Biscuits, Conspirator has attracted attention since their start on the music scene as an electronic-music power house. While their sound differs greatly from their roots in the Biscuits, Conspirator has done a phenomenal job of setting themselves apart and creating a new sound.

    Abakus (11-12:15): Russ Davies is a British electronic musician who goes by the alias Abakus as well as Cinnamon Chasers (He will be playing under the alias Cinnamon Chasers on Friday night, 7:30-8:30). Russ Davies separates the two aliases with very separate styles and sounds so it will definitely be interesting to see both acts and see the versatility of this artist.
    BT3
    Saturday

    Digital Dharma (4:30-5:30): Digital Dharma is an Upstate New York native band focusing primarily on improvisational electronic music. Deriving influences from the likes of the Disco Biscuits, The New Deal and Lotus, you will see the similarities in instrumental technique as well as the exponential talent from each member of the band.

    DJ Leila (5:15-6): Leila has taken on the drum and bass scene as perhaps one of the most well known female DJs in the Capital District. Don’t get it twisted: the fact that she is female doesn’t set her apart from the male dominated DJ world, it is her raw and unbridled talent and love for the dirty bass and beats that makes her one of the best. Make sure you check her out at the Red Bull Truck.

    Dr. Fameus(5:30-7:30): Dr. Fameus is Allen Aucoin, drummer of the Disco Biscuits, with a side project as an outlet to delve further into the melding of drums and electronic music. Obviously it is very drum-centered and it may throw you off to see that the only person on stage is sitting behind a drum set, nonetheless it is not an act you want to miss.
    BT4

    Sunday

    Jimkata  (4:30-5:30): A staple of the Northeast jam-scene since as early as 2006, Jimkata has made their mark in the world of music. With a devoted following and a unique sound this is one Sunday act you certainly do not want to miss.

    Mentally Ill (5:45-6:30): Mentally Ill takes the stage with vengeance and his sets are certainly not for the weak of heart. Leading the Albany drum and bass scene for years Mentally Ill (along with his counterpart Leila) have single-handedly introduced the Upstate music scene to a world of heavy bass and shattering beats. Make sure you get down to his Sunday set for some day-time dNb.

  • Nas Kicking off Illmatic’s 20th Anniversary in New York

    nas 2014 tour

    This year marked the 20th anniversary of Illmatic by Nas and he has dedicated the entire year to this landmark album. This fall he will be touring in support of not only the album, but also the documentary film Nas: Time is Illmatic. This film follows the making of the album to how it is seen and heard today. The film will open theatrically via the Tribeca Film Festival on October 1st followed by a nationwide expansion to follow. At these shows not only will Nas play the album from front to back, but at most stops the documentary will be shown as well.

    “I want to thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and the Tribeca Film family for all of the love and support they’ve given Time Is Illmatic,” said Nas. “It is an honor to be in partnership with them, and I feel there is a cultural kinship bonded by the city of New York.”

    “When we started this project, Erik Parker and I couldn’t imagine that audiences would one day be able to experience the film with a live performance of Illmatic, the album that started it all. It will make each night a truly special moment for the culture. We are sure people of all generations will be inspired by the story of Nas, the Jones family, and electrified by a live performance,” said One9.

    The tour kicks off at Rochester’s Main Street Armory on October 2 and stops at Albany’s Palace Theatre on October 3. Unfortunately Rochester will not have a screening of the documentary, but Albany will. These shows are sure to be special and tickets go on sale this Friday August 15th.

  • Triumph to Invoke The Disco Biscuits at The Parish Public House

    This coming Friday, August 15, will be a pretty heady evening at the newly revamped Parish Public House in downtown Albany. People will come from all over to see what has changed at the historic venue once know as Red Square. Last weekend in Washington, DC and at the Gathering of the Vibes, the Disco Biscuits put on some of their most historic shows, playing with Grateful Dead drummers, Billy Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart. This was a rare appearance for all involved, as the rhythm devils, Hart and Kreutzmann have not played together since 2009, and the Disco Biscuits have played sporadically over the last few years, leaving songs that fans love to fall into a “Great Abyss”. This is where Triumph: a Tribute to the Disco Biscuits comes in.

    Forming out of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, members of B.A Dario and Resident Frequency have come together to bring these adored songs out of obscurity. They will be bringing their take on these songs to Parish Public House 8 pm on Friday, August 15th, with special guests, the very experimental and abstract Squid Parade. This is a night any fan of transfusion should not miss. Take a listen for yourself below to these great live versions of both bands.

    Tickets for the show are $10 the door.

    Triumph on Archive.org

    Squid Parade

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4IyHg2IT5M

  • Origin and King Parrot Start National Tour in Clifton Park

    On Wednesday August 13, Origin and King Parrot start their month-long adventure of bringing crushing metal to the masses of America. This first show is also a homecoming, of sorts, for  some members of Origin, as it is close to their stomping grounds and is the only East Coast date on the entire tour. Playing within the intimate confines of Trickshot Billards in Clifton Park, N.Y., all the bands featured on this bill will be in rare form, showcasing metal all night long.

    Origin
    ORIGIN. Photo provided.

    Starting at 6 p.m., Declension, and then The Killing Condition, will bring serious hometown metal to the stage and should not be missed. Origin cut their teeth on stages much like this one, and it is always a treat to see what the local music pool has to offer. Brutal local flavor, served right up front.

    Following them is Abolishment of Flesh, on loan from Texas, who aim to bring the full performance of their combo of black, thrash and death metal to the stage. Beyond Creation from Quebec, Canada unleash their relentless assault of progressive death metal next, and by then the show will be almost ready to hit its boiling point. King Parrot will surely tip the scale right over with their heavy Australian brand of thrash metal tearing the final pieces off the roof, and setting the stage for the headliner.

    Origin, hailing first from Kansas, the band was the incredible brain child of Paul Ryan (guitar) and former member Jeremy Turner (bass), later eventually replaced by Mike Flores (bass/vocals). Through different line-up changes, the four piece now features Jason Keyser (vocals) and John Longstreth (drums). Jason and John both call Upstate New York home, and seeing this powerhouse band come to this area is a rare treat. Their new album, Omnipresent, has been getting great reviews since it’s release on Nuclear Blast and Agonia Records in July. A mix of the great grind and death metal tropes that Origin is known for, along with fresh melodic and majestic musical ideas, songs like the tour title ‘All Things Dead’ will be a high point in a night of great metal moments.

    King Parrot. Photo Provided.
    King Parrot. Photo Provided.

    This show is a product of the ever-growing Joelggernaut Productions and champions of the local scene Needlewurks Tattoo and Body Piercing in Clifton Park. The crowd attending Trickshots August 13 will be in for a night of awesome metal, savage brutality, and the chance to tell others that they were there to witness it all. Doors at 5pm. Hail Space.

    Ticket and Show info at:

    https://www.facebook.com/events/245691705627410/

    Declension

    https://www.facebook.com/DeclensionNY

    The Killing Condition

    https://www.facebook.com/thekillingcondition

    Abolishment of Flesh

    https://www.facebook.com/abolishmentoffleshofficial

    Beyond Creation

    https://www.facebook.com/BeyondCreationOfficial/info

    King Parrot

    https://www.facebook.com/kingparrotband/info

    ORIGIN

    http://media.nuclearblast.de/shoplanding/2014/origin/index.html

    Needlewurks CP

    http://needlewurkstattoo.com/home.html

    Joelggernaut Production

    https://www.facebook.com/JoelggernautProductions

  • Municipal Waste and Madball Set to Play Bogie’s

    Thrash metal outfit Municipal Waste and New York City veteran hardcore group Madball are playing Bogies in Albany tonight in attempt to make a decent draw to potentially save the business, or at least, keep the steady stream of heavy shows coming to the venue.

    Upstate Black N Blue, owned by Mike Valente, released the following statement yesterday on their Facebook page.

    “Here’s the deal. If you care about hardcore and metal, come out tomorrow night (Thursday) to Bogies for MADBALL AND MUNICIPAL WASTE. This is a big tour. It shouldn’t draw less than 400 people in any city. But if we get less than 200 people tomorrow it shows a steady downward trend in attendance and bogies will have to make a decision about whether we can continue to taking a beating and lose money trying to stay open and provide a home to countless bands and people for underground music. So if you want. Bogies to stay open and you like hardcore and metal you better be there on Thursday (Aug 7)”

    Municipal Waste’s latest release The Fatal Feast was released back in 2012 and has been steadily touring in support of that album ever since. Madball’s latest release Hardcore Lives was released just last month.

    Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are only $18 at the door. Honestly, this show should be insane. Metal and hardcore fans need to get off their couches for this show and not only support two phenomenal bands, but help save a venue that has done so much for heavy music in the Capital Region.

    mp pic

    madball pic

  • Massry Center for the Arts Announces 2014-2015 Season

    The Massry Center for the Arts announced their schedule for the Premier Performances series for the upcoming 2014-2015 season that kicks off in September.

    Premiere Performances is a series of musical presentations that reflects the mission of The College of Saint Rose and calls attention to the importance and the position of the Massry Center for the Arts and the College in the cultural life of the Capital Region.

    The schedule showcases a number of gems that include a Grammy Award winner and a number of internationally recognized talent.

    John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, takes to the stage September 27. On March 14, 2-time Grammy Award winning artist, Terrance Simien, brings a taste of Louisiana Creole to Upstate New York. Russian guitarist Anton Baranov has earned numerous accolades in the world of international guitar competitions, including the Koblenz Guitar Competition, Andrés Segovia Competition, Agustín Barrios Competition, Robert Vidal Competition, and Pittaluga Guitar Competition – and he plays to a local audience on April 12. And, come December, Albany can celebrate the holidays with The College of Saint Rose as they present It’s a Jazzy Christmas! A Celebration of Vince Guaraldi’s Holiday Jazz Music, an unforgettable, family friendly evening of Guaraldi’s signature style of jazz made famous in the “Peanuts” holiday specials.

    The Massry Center for the Arts, provides a showcase for music and the visual arts at The College of Saint Rose. It is located at 1002 Madison Avenue in Albany. More than an academic facility, the Massry Center is a 46,000 square-foot “cultural focal point” to establish St. Rose’s mission as an engaged urban campus.

    Featuring the Kathleen McManus Picotte Recital Hall, the Esther Massry Gallery, and the William Randolph Hearst Music Wing, the Massry Center for the Arts serves as the primary venue for concerts and exhibitions by the college’s students and faculty each year, and a performance and exhibition space for talented artists, musicians, vocalists and orchestras from around the world.

    To purchase tickets to any of the performances listed below, please visit the school’s website.

    Premier Performances 2014-2015

    massry

    Mehregan – Celebrating Women of the Middle East:  9/12/2014 | 7:30pm | $20 / $10 Student |

    Saint Rose Camerata: 9/20/2014 | 7:30pm | FREE

    An Evening with John Pizzarelli Quartet: 9/27/2014 | 7:30pm | $30 / $15 Student

    Mary Lambert with Howie Day: 10/17/2014 | 7:30pm | $30 / $15 Student

    The Weight – Playing the music of The Band with Sean Rowe: 11/14/2014 | 7:30pm | $25 / $15 Student

    Saint Rose Camerata: 11/15/2014 | 7:30pm | FREE

    It’s a Jazzy Christmas! Massry Center Family Concert: 12/5/2014 | 6:00pm | $20 / $10 Student/ Free for Children 5 and under (ticket required)

    An Evening with Tim Reynolds Solo Acoustic: 1/29/2015 | 7:30pm | $25 / $15 Student

    Gleb Ivanov— Solo Piano Recital: 1/30/ 2015 | 7:30pm | $20 / $10 Student

    Saint Rose Camerata: 2/14/2015 | 7:30pm | FREE

    The Bridge Jazz Fest Presented with the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall: 2/27 & 2/28/2015 | 5:30 | Massry Center for the Arts and the Troy Music Hall | $40/ $30 student per night or $60 / $40 Student for both nights

    NOLA FEST with Terrance Simien: 3/14/2015 | 7:30pm | $20 / $10 Student

    Saint Rose Camerata: 4/11/2015 | 7:30pm | FREE

    Guitar Foundation of America Concert with Anton Baranov – Presented with the Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York: 4/12/2015 | 7:30pm | $20 / $10 Student

    The Funky Meters: 4/16/2015 | 7:30pm | $45 / $20 Student