NYS Music 20​14

Category: Capital Region

  • A Taste of Daemon Chili

    Daemon Chili – it’s an unrecognizable name with a more-than familiar taste.  While it’s a new menu item on the bill that makes up the New England music scene, a simple rearrangement of its letters reveals that it’s a dish Upstate fans have sampled before.  Michael Dion has escaped the Zoo and has created himself anew.  He’s rising up out of the pit and bringing the heat with him.

    Seasoned with attitude, aggression, electrics, and salty Pigpen-era blues, Dion’s got his latest musical concoction boiling in the cauldron. He’s hand-picked and sourced his ingredients locally, and wafting from the steam is a fresh, sophisticated, yet uncooked sound which spices up Dion’s sensible songwriting.  With a new album set to release this month, this Massachusetts-based seven piece is breaking the winter dormancy. Daemon Chili is bubbling at the scene, offering up a saucy new sound Upstate fans will soon come to crave – even after the hottest of days.

    There are no special orders with Daemon Chili – what you hear is what you get.  And what you get stems from the true core of Dion’s songwriting.  After making a difficult, yet self-respecting decision to part ways with his Hot Day at the Zoo brethren in August of 2013, Daemon Chili became Dion’s premier musical outlet.   Yet it’s been stewing for some time now – originally formed as a solo-side project in March of 2012, Dion created Daemon Chili to feed his hunger for more diverse musical tastes.  The burly, hoot-n-holler edge Dion brought to the Upstate roots/Americana scene was beginning to fade from Hot Day’s signature sound, and if Dion wished to stay true to himself as an artist, he needed to blaze new trails.  “When I left the band [HDATZ], I was ready to turn the page and start the next chapter of my musical career,” notes Dion.  “I knew that I would be going for a bigger, more aggressive sound, and as far as I’m concerned, this is the way my music was always meant to sound.”

    Daemon ChiliDrawing on a select group of highly acclaimed and talented musicians, Dion unearthed his roots to get the full flavor profile he was seeking in the creation of Daemon Chili.   “I went back to my college days at U-Mass Lowell where I was first exposed to great live music played by guys who had a lot of experience over me,” reflects Dion.  “These guys were ripping up the Lowell music scene, and so, naturally, they became my mentors.”  Specifically, there were two bands that had a profound impact on Dion in those days – the aggressive sound of rock n roll legends, Cotton Mouth and an instrumental jazz/funk quintet with, as Dion puts it, “a rhythm section straight from Hell” known as The Freelance Bishops.  Together, members from these two groups make for the complex flavor that is Daemon Chili.

    Cotton Mouth guitarists Jason Moretti (lead) and Tim Kochanski (rhythm) offer a taste of wild, unrestrained, nitty-gritty blues to what’s stewing in the pot, and balanced with that is the sophisticated, superior musicianship of The Freelance Bishops: Steve Benson (pedal steel/electric mandolin)/back-up bass), Jay Breen (drums), and Jeremy Parker (keys).  According to Dion, the process of forming Daemon Chili happened quite naturally, yet securing a bass player proved to be a bit tricky.

    The band’s latest recording showcases New Hampshire Seacoast legend Keith Foley holding it down on the low-end, but due to a recent band relocation, Matt Giannaros (Ryan Montbleau Band) has been recruited as Daemon Chili’s binding agent, effortlessly holding the band together as they compliment Dion’s songwriting in a new, murderous light. “I’m just happy to be in there somewhere, hanging on by a thread sometimes to keep up with these monsters,” attests Dion.  “I am a blue collar, working-class musician who just learned how to play as I went.  I hold no illusions that I would have any business on the same stage as any of these guys if I could not write music.”

    Daemon ChiliAnd while the talent of these monsters certainly add spice, heat, and texture to the band’s sound, the heartiness is in Dion’s songwriting – old familiar tunes coupled with new tales of inspiration are the meat and taters absorbing it all.  With Daemon Chili, the mixture’s just right, and it’s clear that Dion’s hit a sweet spot. In the short-time since the band’s inception, not only have they been nominated for “New Act of the Year” at the 2014 New England Music Awards, but their debut full-length album, Rise Up is set to release Saturday, March 22nd at Johnny D’s in Boston, MA with an online pre-release date of March 17th.

    Only the 10-track EP is a Jackyl and Hyde of sorts.  As Dion notes, “the collective band name of Daemon Chili plays on the binary opposites of good and evil, fully embracing them both” and the same can certainly be said of the tracks on Rise Up.   The first five songs are Dion originals that feature members of Hot Day at the Zoo. Recorded at Wonka Studios in Lowell, MA, the tracks were originally intended to be released on South of the Storm, a HDATZ album that never saw the light of day.  “Regardless of how people feel, what we [HDATZ] created during that time is something I still believe in,” expresses Dion – a sentiment that played a large role in the decision to include: “Boom Boom Boom,” “Lay Your Burden Down,” “Madman on the Loose,” “Country Girl,” and “My Song to You” on Rise Up’s final cut.

    Daemon ChiliThe album switches gears with the last five tunes, moving away from ironed collars and finely- tuned acoustics to electrics, aggression, and dirty-rotten blues.  Recorded live at the Stone Church in Newmarket, NH on New Year’s Eve, these tracks feature the current Daemon Chili lineup (Giannaros excluded) and showcase new arrangements of old-favorites, “Gypsy Moon“ (Long Way Home) and “Boston Blues” (Zoograss), alongside fresh material.  And despite the shift, if there is one thing to be said about Dion, it’s that he’s a poet.  His English credentials aside, the lyrical content of his work offers a subtlety to his unapologetic nature – a spirit that is clearly emulated in the musical artistry of Daemon Chili.

    “Take Sounding,” Rise Up’s single and subsequently the latest tune Dion has written, is a prime example of this sentiment. Written as a gift to the godfather of his daughter and best friend (a sailor), “Take Sounding“ is splashing with oceanic terms and imagery; nautical and mythological elements move in waves throughout, and it sails along at a relaxed pace – yet the no-bullshit tone of the rest of the album is not washed away completely.  Not only is it a track that reflects Dion’s passion for songwriting, but the freshness of the material has allowed the guys of Daemon Chili to take ownership of it as well.

    Daemon ChiliAnother note-worthy track, “Blood Burning Moon,” is a metaphor for the shit in life – for the heaviness that brings you down, yet it offers a way to push through and traverse.  While listening, one can’t help but wonder if, in the third verse, Dion’s singing about the Hot Day fellas when he sings “I’ve come into the dark at the edge of the wood… and here and now must choose… between turning my back on my brothers for good… or leave the cross-roads singing the blues.”

    The creation of Daemon Chili and the release of Rise Up certainly offers a resolution to the above mentioned dilemma.  Had Dion decided to retire from music completely post-Hot Day, perhaps he would have been “Another Goodman Gone” before his time; yet he’s held his course and cast away all worries and pride.  “Understand, I never got into music for the money, the fame, or the thrill of the rock star lifestyle,” expresses Dion.  “I write and play music because it’s what keeps blood pumping through my veins.  It’s what gives me purpose and keeps me focused and driven and sane.  It is quite simply what defines me.”  Michael Dion is Daemon Chili.  Take it or leave it Upstate; with just one taste, plenty of folks will be left licking empty bowls.

    Daemon ChiliFor more information on Daemon Chili, including information on how to purchase Rise Up, please visit their website.

  • Skrillex Bringing The Mothership Tour to New York in June

    Skrillex is bringing “The Mothership Tour” to New York for three dates in June. The New York leg starts at The CMAC Peforming Arts Center in Canandaigua on June 2nd, and the next evening at  The Washington Avenue Armory in Albany.

    On June 7th, Skrillex will wrap up his New York leg at Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York City. Performing at these shows alongside Skrillex will be DJ Snake, What So Not, and Milo and Otis.

    Skrillex’s shows are always a party with blaring lights, lots of dancing, and concert goers leaving with nothing but smiles on their faces. Tickets go on sale for Albany and Canandaigua on Friday March 14th at 10AM. Governor’s Ball Tickets are available now.

    Here is a behind the scenes look at what to expect from the tour.

    Skrillex 2014 tour

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  • Upstate Metal is Merging with UpstateLIVE

    It is rare to find a music fan who devotes their time to only one type of music. When speaking with the musicians that you read about on our websites, you will find a huge diversity of bands that had influenced their love for music.

    And, that is the basis behind our most recent change.

    Upstate Live is excited to announce its merger with Upstate Metal. Each has focused on the same mission – to promote live music and the local talent here in the Empire State.

    Through the years, we have come to recognize the best way to follow through with this mission statement of ours would be to combine our efforts.  Music fanatics appreciate a wide spectrum of sound that carries them through different genres.  As these tastes mature and musicians continue to push the envelope on the characteristics that define their given category, it has become difficult to discern where one genre ends and another one begins.

    In the coming weeks, regular readers of may notice a few new names.  With the merger, we welcome within the talented writers and photographers that helped earn success for Upstate Metal.  This talented group of writers, photographers and editors will only enhance our ability to spread great music across the state to bring you the coverage you have already come to expect from us.

    In addition, you should expect to see a new look to our website very soon.  It is not all about aesthetics. We promise this will help all of our readers to navigate clearly by region, genre, and news category.

  • The Gaslight Anthem and White Denim Teaming Up for One Night Only

    The Gaslight Anthem and special guests White Denim are coming to Upstate Concert Hall on June 19th for a great billing that is happening for one night only.

    The Gaslight Anthem and White Denim The Gaslight Anthem hails from New Jersey and have been critically acclaimed by many, once sharing the stage with New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen. The band boasts an impressive tour schedule with worldwide stops. Their music is heavily influenced by punk, rock, and Americana –  all coming together to give them a very unique sound.

    White Denim, based out of Austin, Texas, have been taking their psychedelic-blues rock all over the country in the past year. They have been gaining steam as of late and are looking at a big year to come, with upcoming appearances at SXSW, Bonnaroo and Firefly music festivals. Tonight you can check out White Denim when they perform live on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as they broadcast from the 28th annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX.

    This show is surely a great one for those in the Capitol Region! Tickets for The Gaslight Anthem and White Denim are on sale now.

  • Conspirator Warm up Putnam Den on a Cold Night

    The wind blew a brisk arctic breeze as fans of Conspirator stood outside waiting to see the band. Upon entering Putnam Den and looking over the sea of flat brimmed hats adorned with various pins, the stage was set for a memorable evening of livetronica played by some of the best in the business.

    Albany heroes, Digital Dharma took the stage to open the night. The keys of Eliot Kershner got the crowd hopping and wailing from the start, a glorious way to get the night going with a positive vibe. The beats went on and Aaron Zarabi’s drums combined with Steve Mink’s bass tightly held the groove together as Kershner and guitarist Brian McQuade kept a stunning harmony. This went on for quite some time and allowed the crowd to get loose and have a great time. Then they started to sing. This was just weird and misplaced. Losing the crowd as they looked around in bewilderment, as the goofy sound took away from the sweet groove that was in place. However, this would quickly be overshadowed when the next song, “Better Off Alone”, came raging in with wailing guitar and sweet sampling. The guys were back on track, perfectly setting the night up for Conspirator.

    Setlist: Aeronautics -> Shag Moonstruck -> Better Off Alone -> Mission Control

    After a short break, it was time for Conspirator to take the stage and the crowd was more than ready. The energy was pulsating through the room and the band definitely fed off of this. Coming at the crowd hard right off the bat with a tune “Saw Sir” featuring Aron Magner’s outstanding keys. The mix of Marc Brownstein’s bass and the drums of Torch made the groove completely unstoppable. This led into the fan favorite “Feed the Wolf”, a song featuring a catchy chorus driven by the keyboard that led to high fives and screaming. You could tell the guys enjoyed this one as smiles appeared across all of their faces. Conspirator has been leaning towards more of a jammy-sound as of late and this was most apparent when guitarist extraordinaire Chris Michetti tore up the next few songs. As the main soloist, Magner’s keys were out of this world throughout the entire evening. Torch had many high points as well, keeping all the feet in the audience moving.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfiLg0EJW8s&w=560&h=315]

    There’s the obvious comparison to the Disco Biscuits that the band constantly draws, but if this show was any indicator, they have successfully taken on an entity all their own.

    Set 1: Saw Sir >Feed the Wolf>Brooklyn Bridge>Right Wrong>Special Kind

    Set 2: Park Ave >Up>Retrograde>Pow Wow>Hellsing

    Encore: Hammerdown

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzSjY02AS5k&w=560&h=315]

  • Band of Horses Pack The Egg on their Acoustic Tour

    Band of Horses set free remarkable talent inside The Egg’s acoustic heaven on February 23, leaving a deep mark on the 900+ people inside the Hart Theatre. With only about half of the audience seated, the group’s long time friend, Sera Cahoone, warmed up the room with her soft, sultry, simple sound, along with the steel pedal guitar mastery of Jason Kardong. Sera’s casual stories about ten years of touring were happily received– especially the one of the rat eating her leftover dinner at a dumpy hotel, although  it is not the premise behind the song, “Shitty Hotel”; that tale followed.

    The few hundred fans still milling in the lobby during Cahoone’s performance made their way to their seats just in time to hear three powerful voices backed by a clean piano perform the dramatic ballad, “St. Augustine”. Though classified as Indie, Southern Rock or Alternative Country, seeing and hearing Band of Horses, you can sense the Seattle influence. There is a distinct grunge feel to the look and sound of these guys, but the Southern influence is heavy as well.

    The acoustic tour, promoting their recently released Acoustic at the Ryman album, is a short-lived experience with only 13 performances scheduled and Albany was the eighth stop. The stage setup at The Hart Theater included rugs, a floor lamp spouting a plain living room shade, and an old record player, creating a homey, comfortable experience meant to mimic what is supposed to be a laid-back, toned-down experience. That’s a tough act to achieve when using gigantic equipment such as a baby grand piano, a bass, and whole host of guitar varieties — not to mention the massive vocals.

    The relaxed scene was in direct opposition to the powerfully strong sound that was consistently offered. One thing is for sure — these guys know sound. Whether solo or collaborative, each piece was well balanced, offering the same commanding intensity with one voice as with all the instruments together. The music was very well written for acoustic performance, and the inclusion of the toned-down drums was brilliant.

    Their songs are deep, penetrating and sometimes heart-breaking. The high quality of the group’s talent, performed in a theater designed to perfectly move sound resulted in beautiful, potent and dramatic music. I went to this show to hear “Laredo,” became intrigued by “Ode to LRC” and was seriously moved by “No One’s Gonna Love You.” Crowd favorites included “Is There a Ghost” and “Funeral.”

    Just before wrapping up their set, the band’s founder and lead, Ben Bridwell, announced their “fake last song,” offering a refreshingly humorous perspective on the strangely accepted “encore” ritual that both musicians and fans accept, despite the insincerity of it. But it was worth the two minute wait. Just before the encore, the band members walked through the crowd to pass out little plastic egg-shaker sound-makers to the entire audience. (These instruments had the band’s name printed on them – a brilliant marketing strategy!) The crowd was encouraged to join in the performance – and wow – this was almost as good as having everyone know every word to the song and loudly sing it. Actually, maybe this was better. Again, a testament to this group’s sense of sound, this instrument could not possibly be offensive or off-key. It was soft enough to complement the band’s music, yet still offer crowd participation. So not only do the Band of Horses know sound; they also know how to draw people in!

  • Mister F Celebrates Year One at Red Square

    On March 1st, 2013, Albany was introduced to Mister F, a group comprised of members of Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, with an electronic-meets-progressive rock sound. One year later, after 97 shows at 48 venues across 16 states, Mister F celebrated their first anniversary with a vibrant and excited crowd at Red Square.

    With opener Formula 5 filling in for an ailing Aqueous (feel better Mike!), the Brothers Pickering, Matt and Ben, Scott Hannay and Andrew Chamberlaine played a two hour set, complete with a surprise cover of “This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)”, a rearranged “Vocoder”, where the double-time parts were half-time and the half-time parts were double-time, and an accelerating “Jump the Shark” to close the set. An occasion worth celebrating, Mister F has another big show on April 11th, the release party for their debut album The F Stands Four. 2014 is shaping up quite nicely for one of Albany’s hottest acts.

    Download the entire show from Archive.org

    Mister F at Red Square Setlist: Answer the Dawg, Deal Breaker, Treadmill, Everything You Say, Naive Melody, Vocoder^, Oasis > Eye Level, Get Used to it, Hedgehog, This one goes to 11 > Unisex Collider > This one goes to 11, Shit Catapult%, Jump the Shark.

    Encore: Oh my Dayum > On and On
    ^ inside-out
    % debut

  • Lucid Lights Up The Hollow

    Lucid swung by The Hollow on February 22nd and turned the venue into a dance floor. Openers Way Down, a local three-piece jazz rock band, started the show with a mix of covers and originals to the crowd’s delight. A fun take on Ween’s “Roses Are Free” had more of a Phish vibe to it than Ween, much to the crowd’s enjoyment. All three members are fantastic on their instruments, showing high skill levels on all of the songs, but vocals could use some improvement. Don’t let that stop you from seeing them though, as their musicianship is fantastic.

    20140222 - Lucid 9

    Lucid barely fit the whole band on the small stage of The Hollow and broke out the funk right away. Jaime Armstrong’s saxophone and Lowell Wurster’s percussion-work continuously pushed the band throughout the night. The songs came at a blazing pace, seamlessly never stopping. They introduced a new drummer in Chris English, and even though it was his first show, he did a fantastic job of keeping things interesting behind the kit.  They played late into the night with nothing but smiles on stage and throughout the crowd. Make sure to catch Lucid out on tour as they regularly play throughout Upstate New York.

  • Animals as Leaders leads unique mixed genre show in CP

    Although the debate over whether or not God exists has raged for centuries, watching Animals As Leaders’ guitarist Tosin Abasi can make audiences believe the Big Man is walking amongst them.

    animals as leaders
    Boombox

    The boys headlined a show that promised an assortment of different types of music for concert revelers at Upstate Concert Hall on March 1st.  Mixed genre shows are a foreign concept. They’re not yet popular in America with few big ticket shows giving credence to metal, jazz, and electronic dance at one event. This idea, however, is regular in European festivals.

    Abasi, Javier Reyes (guitar) and Matt Garska (drums) could be considered among the best musicians in the world. Their headlining slot saw some of their easily recognizable stamps, such as “Tempting Time,” “Point to Point,” and “CAFO.” Their unwavering ability to stay true to their original sound – which has evolved with every release – is remarkable. By the time Weightless came out, Navene Koperweis (the Faceless, Navene K) had jumped on drums and gave the second effort more depth of field than the first album.

    But for this album – and tour – Animals as Leaders are utilizing the talents of Matt Garska, whose ability to command each obscure song might leave the most hardened music enthusiasts wide – mouthed. While Garska mastered every older song, the band also played three newer songs, “Tooth and Claw,” “Lippincott,” and “Cascade,” which showcased both Reyes and Garska more than before.

    Animals as Leaders experimentation from the start of the set to the end easily impressed both hard fans and those who had never heard the band play before. In hearing the newer songs especially, it was clear that the band will not grow tired.

    After their set, the band took time to speak with fans about their instruments — they play eight strings and sometimes use oddly – shaped guitars that look they have just been cut from a tree — their style, as they don’t have a bass player, musical sense, and other matters, including Abasi’s obscure fashion sense.

    However, Animals as Leaders were not the only defining force on this show. After the Burial, Navene K, and Chon supported the bill and got the attention they deserved as well.

    Take for example Chon, who are essentially a (mostly instrumental) jazz quartet on crack. Although the audience was comprised of a few devoted fans, but it seemed that most people hadn’t heard them before that night. Many people might theorize that instrumental music, such as Scale the Summit, is hard to relate to because it has no actual message for listeners to be devoted to. By the end of the set, Chon was given the legendary “One More Song!” chant (they were not allowed because of set constraint).

    Although Chon may just be getting their foot in the door, their use of clean guitar tones, jazz and fusion, and downright strange melodies will take them places. Although they might not be “metal” by classic terms, they have our stamp of approval – not to mention the hundreds they impressed at Upstate Concert Hall.

    Chon’s music was not the most obscure. The night took a strange turn as soon as former Animals as Leaders drummer Navene K took the stage. His slot comprised of his current electronic project, in which he is the only member.

    Although the audience kept an open mind to the electronic beats, one could tell that the mosh pit – type crowd did not really know how to respond to the beats and sounds. Navene K played on a strange drum set, but with the melodies he had written, one could easily tell that he is certainly a positive force for the metal community. He thanked the crowd for keeping an open mind by the end of the set. “I didn’t expect to be taking this on tour,” he said.

    Inclusive with the light show, sound, and everything else, the presence of After the Burial was larger than life. The band was received in a profound enthusiasm. It was a typical metal show: circle pit, mosh, wall of death, and crowd surfing. They came out as silhouettes, stood as giants, and played each song with the incredible fierceness.

    The band played some of their famous numbers, including a behind – the – back guitar performance of “Berzerker” by Justin Lowe. Additionally, they played songs off of their latest record, Wolves Within. Rarely faltering, drummer Dan Carle provided a prominent beat to every note the band played.

    After the Burial’s defining moments were those in which the audience was commanded by their presence on stage. Although it may have seemed dangerous at times, they earned fans new and hardened the loyalties of their followers. Each band brought something different to the table to create a one of a kind experience. Although this type of show is not common, promoters certainly made the right choice in placing these four bands together.

  • Deer Tick Coming to The Hollow This Friday

    Deer TickDeer Tick will be coming to the Capital Region this Friday, March 7th to The Hollow. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, their music is made up of a mixture of rock, country, blues, rock, and folk. Their many influences include Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, The Replacements and Nirvana, whom they all have covered in concert. On special occasions they have played as Deervana, paying tribute to Nirvana by only playing their music throughout the evening. They are touring behind their latest album Negativity that came out last fall that has garnered rave reviews around the country. Their live show is full of energy and the crowd on Friday should be ready for an intimate evening. Deer Tick has been on the rise so this could be the last chance to see the band in such a small space.