NYS Music 20​14

Category: Central NY

  • Musical Mix on Days 7 and 8 of The Great NY State Fair

    Days 7 and 8 brought a smorgasbord of musical sounds to The Great NY State Fair this year.  Although country music dominated the lineup these two days, rock and roll greats threw the one two punch needed to turn up the volume at the Grandstands.

    Day 7

    Michael Ray – As the day of the show approached, Carrie Underwood ticket holders were still uncertain of the upcoming opening act for the evening. As they arrived, they soon learned they would be greeted by newcomer Michael Ray, winner of the reality program “The Next”. The program, which aired on the CW network was a different type of reality program. This program was designed to help contestants, who are already established musical acts and bring to the table a built-in fan base, move on to the next level in their careers. Each contestant was mentored by four professionals in the business; Gloria Estefan, Joe Jonas, John Rich, or Nelly.  They then would compete to take their talents to the next level eliminating those until a victor was crowned. Mentored by John Rich of Big & Rich, it is apparent as he takes the stage why Michael Ray walked away victorious. He certainly nailed it with a few of his own songs and covers such as Friends in Low Places (Garth Brooks) and Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty). It is always refreshing to see artists with vocal diversity be able to nail covers as different as these artists are. To me it shows their true vocal talents. He was right at home up there and quickly won over the crowd like a pro. Unbeknownst to the audience at the time, the stage has been home to him since he was a toddler joining his musical family up there with his Kermit the Frog guitar. This cutie won over the audience this night, implanted his name in their minds, and setting the stage (as if he needed to) for the superstar, Carrie Underwood. Although he may have been an unknown name upon arrival, he certainly wasn’t by the time he departed.

    Carrie Underwood –
    Sometimes performers are just born to be superstars. Walking away with the 2005 title of American Idol, it didn’t take Carrie long to hit the road with her first hit album Some Hearts that included number one singles such as “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “Before He Cheats”.  Now a seasoned veteran with five studio albums under her belt, this petite superstar’s voice just blows you away with its strength and power.  As she took the stage at the Grandstands, she certainly didn’t disappoint fans as she belted out hit after hit, from a catalog a mile long of music she’s recorded over the last nine years.  In addition to her long list of hits, she also is extremely decorated with awards including six Grammy Awards, sixteen Billboard Music Awards, eleven Academy of Country Music Awards and seven American Music Awards, along with being nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.  We recently learned that one of these tunes “Two Black Cadillacs” will even be made into a television show.  She has been the face of numerous product endorsements, and very active in working together with several non-profit agencies to bring awareness to their causes.  All of this at the young age of 31.  Amazing!  Recently in the news just days after her NY State Fair performance, she shared with her fans her exciting announcement that she and husband, Mike Fisher (Nashville Predators hockey star), are expecting their first child.  This amazing young woman will be an amazing mother and we couldn’t be happier for Carrie and Mike and send them all the best as they begin their family.

    Set List:  Good Girl > Undo It > Wasted > See You Again > Two Black Cadillacs > Temporary Home > Last Name > Jesus Take The Wheel >We’re Young and Beautiful > Cowboy Casanova > So Small > One Way Ticket > Some Hearts > I Told You So > Flat on the Floor > All – American Girl > Leave Love Alone > Cupid’s Got a Shotgun > Blown Away > Encore – Paradise City > Before He Cheats

    Day 8

    Angie Johnson –
    Angie Johnson was the perfect choice to begin the salute to Veterans on Veterans Day at the Fair. Angie, herself a veteran serving in the US Air Force and currently a Missouri National Guard member, understands the trials and tribulations our military experience and how to bolster their spirits and give some peace and joy to them through her music. Donning the greatest red pumps (I so want a pair of those), they were the appropriate choice as she and her band heated up the crowd with each song they sang. One memorable tune was called “A Girl That No One Knew” which was co-written by Buffalo’s own Johnny Rzneik from the Goo Goo Dolls, showcased her talent and told her story. As most country musicians do, she writes about her life, her experiences, and her thoughts. This song was about her struggles to being discovered and given a chance as she paid her dues night after night in smokey bars. Almost giving up her dream on several occasions, the music business keeps pulling her back each time she thinks it’s over. Her talent is apparent despite her difficult struggles. Her song, Swagger, co-written with Phoenix Mendoza, is verification that this girl has talent, stage presence, and just plain rocks. And my admiration has nothing to do with her being a fellow St. Louis Cardinals fan, I swear.

    Eli Young Band –

    I wonder if Mike Eli and James Young ever foresaw their huge successful career as they sat in their dorm room at the University of North Texas playing guitar and singing.  These two later joined by Chris Thompson and Jon Jones are now known as the Eli Young Band.  With five studio albums under their belt, several number one songs, and a truckload full of nominations and awards (2011 ACM Song of the Year/Music Row Awards Breakthrough Artist), these four young men really can rock a crowd and set the stage on fire.  One of my favorites on my play list they are extremely talented musicians who can write and play like no other.  I found it interesting how they continued to refer to themselves as a “garage band”.  You know what I think?  I think it’s the roots of this “garage band” that gives them their charm.  They haven’t lost sight of entertaining their crowds, which I must say was packed to the gills at Chevy Court, and their love of the roots in country rock was apparent in their music and especially their encore of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps”.  Anyone that can rock out to their music and embrace their roots in southern country rock has my adoration forever.

    Set List: Revelations > 10,000 Towns > Skeletons > Love Songs > Dust > Prayer For The Road > Drunk Last Night > Even If It Breaks Your Heart > When It Rains > Oklahoma Girl > Guinevere > Small Town Kid > Crazy Girl > Encore – Gimme Three Steps

    Cheap Trick –

    Cheap Trick exploded onto the scene back in the late 1970’s carving out a niche with their hits and their electric live performances. However their beginning here in the states experienced a slow start. By 1978, Cheap Trick had released three albums here in the US to a luke warm reception. Surprising to know as the songs were some of today’s greatest rock and roll songs of the era, i.e.”I Want You to Want Me” and “Clock Strikes Ten”.  It wasn’t until the songs hit the big time in Japan and Cheap Trick recorded their live album in Budokan, that the US label took notice and re-released here.  They were finally recognized at that point and their American audiences couldn’t get enough of them.  Hailing from the Rockford, IL area, they even designated April 1st as “Cheap Trick Day” in the state; no joke.  Still as entertaining today as they were back in the 70’s and 80’s with their flamboyant costumes, and amazing stage presence, it certainly understandable how this group has been recognized as one of VH1’s 100 Greatest Artsist of Hard Rock.

    Journey –

    When someone asks me to list my favorite bands, Journey never fails to make my top ten list. Growing up in the 1980’s Journey was a part of everyone’s album, cassette, and dare I say without aging myself, 8-track collection. Their tunes were a staple then and still today, as you hear covers of some of their most popular songs played by national and local bands alike. Their popularity has not waned over the years. In fact, it’s refreshing to see younger generations appreciate their style of rock and roll. They were my first live show back in 1981 at the Syracuse Carrier Dome with their Open Arms tour, and I can recall it as though it was just yesterday. There was something about rock and roll performances in the 1960’s, ’70s and ’80s that focused on lyrics and musical composition. With guitar, drums, and bass solos taking center stage, it was more than just a show, it was a gift to the audiences. The band has evolved over the year with many changes,i.e. solo careers, collaborations with others, band changes etc. however here we are more than 30 years later and they still rock the crowd like they did all those years ago. As they took the stage at the Grandstands, it was apparent that the energy you felt back then was still there, and for those just experiencing their first Journey concert, something that will continue with a new generation of fans with Open Arms.

    As days seven and eight wound down, I reflected on how amazing the Great NY State Fair had been so far.  As I covered the shows and events over the course of these several days, I was able to take some time in between to really explore the different exhibits in the buildings, side entertainment, rides, and foods that make our fair so special.  I highly recommend to families to actually come more than one day, so that they don’t feel rushed.  By taking my time and exploring the buildings, seeing the parade more than one time, and taking time to taste some of what is offered, I felt as though I experienced the State Fair more than I ever had before.

  • Slaid Cleaves, A Folk Singer With an Endearing Voice and Stories to Tell

    On Thursday Sept. 11, Oneonta received a hefty dose of folk with Slaid Cleaves’ performance at the B Side Ballroom and Supper Club, the city’s classiest joint. With one of the most extensive bars in town, along with a delectable menu consisting of fresh seasonal foods and exotic nightly specials, those lucky enough to have made reservations or arrived early to B Side were greeted with pleasant aromas and tasty meals coming from the kitchen. By the time show time rolled around, the place had filled up quite nicely with lots of fans, as well as newcomers to the classic folk sounds and storytelling they were about to be treated to over the course of the evening. Slaid Cleaves surely did not disappoint in that department.

    Getting off to an abrupt start, Slaid was joined on stage by Chojo Jacques on alternating fiddle and mandolin. While Slaid is traditionally a solo performer, Chojo truly rounded out the sound, adding nice touches of sometimes Appalachian-style sometimes haunting-sounding fiddle and mandolin accompaniments. Opening with one of his more popular tunes, “Horseshoe Lounge” Slaid effectively warmed up the crowd with this mellow tune. One element that you must make note of when listening to Slaid is that it is extremely important to pay attention to his lyrics, as each song has a story to tell. Following his next tune “Drinkin’ Days” with a chorus of “My drinking days are over, but I’m still troublebound,” Slaid took the opportunity to compliment Oneonta for the hotel he is staying at that he can walk to from the venue, having a liquor store that he can also walk to that stays open until 10:00PM, the music store across the parking lot where he was able to procure a new capo for this evening’s performance, and its residents being so friendly and welcoming.

    After spouting all these positive accounts, Slaid explained that he was going to move on to some sad tunes that will still make the audience feel good and threw in a Woody Guthrie quote to further emphasize his point: “A folk musician’s job is to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.” That sentiment definitely seemed to resonate throughout the rest of his set. Intermixing stories in between his tunes had the effect of making the audience feel like they were sitting around the campfire devotedly listening to the wonderful stories Slaid had to tell and the songs he wanted to share. Touring in support of his new album Still Fighting the War, Slaid jokingly warned everyone not to listen to the album more than once a week since it will be at least another year until he puts out his next album. Yet of course he shared some material off that new album with the audience including “Whim of Iron” about his Aunt Prudence who had married his 92-year-old uncle, a strong lady ahead of her time living in New York City in the 1960’s; and “Texas Love Song” about how much pride Texans have in their own state. He also threw in some classics, including “Broke Down” which he wrote along with his buddy with whom he used to play in a garage band (the band was called The Magic Rats) and “Wishbones” which was actually a request from a group who had traveled three hours to see this show, so in an effort to not send the group back home feeling disappointed, Slaid obliged. Ending with his signature yodel, Slaid took a break before settling in to the second set.

    Again starting kind of nonchalantly without any announcement or fanfare, the audience quickly stopped their conversations when he started with “No Angel Knows”. Segueing from one relatively melancholy tune to another, the next song entitled “Cry” really hit a nerve. With a chorus of “Cry for your mama, Cry for your dad, Cry for everything you know they never had,” tears actually came to my eyes, as I used to see Slaid Cleaves with my mom every time he came into town, as my mom absolutely adored him. She has since passed away, so I took a hiatus from seeing Slaid for a bit myself, not wanting to deal with getting all choked up and emotional at his shows, but this song made me realize it’s OK to listen to his music and feel these emotions.

    Honoring an audience request he got for “Everette” during the break, Slaid asked for complete silence before he began, and prayed that he would remember all the words, as this song is extremely lyric-intensive, written by his friend Steve Brooks, about “what poets do”. At one point during this song, someone must have ordered a mixed drink that required shaking, which might have otherwise been distracting to a musician, but thankfully the bartender/owner of B Side, Wayne Carrington, happens to be a drummer, so he just started shaking along to the rhythm of the song. Soliciting any last-minute requests before he began the final portion of his show one fan asked him to play “Sinner’s Prayer” for which he said he might need help with the lyrics, so the fan ended up shouting out the lines that Slaid couldn’t remember.

    The last several songs of the second set consisted of songs taking us from Slaid’s humble beginnings in Maine to his instant rise to stardom in Texas. Singing about his childhood neighbor Willie in “Horses” letting us know that “If it weren’t for horses and divorces, I’d be a lot better off today,” the audience was treated to a much-needed chuckle, as this song followed the much sadder number “Green Mountains and Me” about a soldier’s wife missing her husband. Paying tribute to the Texas family who had taken him and his wife under their wings when they first moved to Texas, Slaid sang his well-known tune “New Years Day” which he had written about and dedicated to one of the members of his Texas family. Finishing off the set with his popular “One Good Year” Slaid graciously thanked the audience for coming out on a school night, but rather than bothering to leave the stage before the encore, he made the choice to bypass that process and went right into it. This encore was quite special though, as he and Chojo decided to play acoustically and actually walked through the audience while playing a gospel tune off his new album called “Go for the Gold”. Being a small and intimate venue they were able to walk through the entire place and give everyone a good view and opportunity to hear what they were preaching.

    It is rare to see a musician and an audience have such an intimate connection, but it was very enjoyable to see that happening. It was almost as if the boundary between the band and the crowd was nonexistent. From the woman in the front of the venue singing along to every lyric, to the man at the next table over who had never before seen Slaid but kept smiling and saying “Sweet!” Slaid more than satisfied his loyal fans, and gained new ones at the same time. Be sure not to miss Slaid Cleaves the next time he comes to your town.

  • Black Label Society, Hatebreed and Butcher Babies Announce Tour, Includes Syracuse Stop

    This past Tuesday Sept. 16, E One Records announced a winter tour featuring Black Label Society, Hatebreed, and Butcher Babies. Including a stop in Syracuse, N.Y. Saturday, Jan. 10 at the F Shed At The Regional Market.

    Black Label Society is currently touring in support of their latest album Catacombs of the Black Vatican. This tour will mark the first time since 2006 that the band has played in Syracuse. Hatebreed, unleashed their latest album The Divinity of Purpose last year and came to Syracuse in February of 2013. Butcher Babies, who toured with Black Label Society earlier this spring, will be releasing a covers EP entitled Uncovered, on Sept. 30.

    Tickets for the F-Shed Show can be purchased here, this Friday Sept. 19 at 10AM.

    Tour Dates: tour

    12/28 — Spokane, Wash. — Knitting Factory

    12/29 — Vancouver, British Columbia — The Commodore Ballroom

    12/30 — Kelowna, British Columbia — Kelowna Community Theatre

    12/31 — Calgary, Alberta — Flames Central

    1/2 — Edmonton, Alberta — Shaw Conference Centre

    1/3 — Regina, Saskatchewan — Conexus Arts Centre

    1/4 — Winnipeg, Manitoba — The Burton Cummings Theatre

    1/5 — Thunder Bay, Ontario — Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

    1/7 — London, Ontario — London Music Hall

    1/8 — Toronto, Ontario — Kool Haus (The Guvernment)

    1/9 — Montreal, Quebec — Le Métropolis de Montréal

    1/10 — Syracuse, N.Y. — F SHED at The Market

    1/12 — Reading, Pa. — Reverb

    1/13 — Portland, Maine — State Theatre, Portland, Maine

    1/14 — Hartford, Conn. — The Webster

    1/16 — Royal Oak, Mich. — Royal Oak Music Theatre

    1/17 — Columbus, Ohio — LC Pavilion

    1/18 — Charlotte, N.C. – The Fillmore Charlotte

    1/20 — Oklahoma City, Okla. — Diamond Ballroom

    1/21 — Kansas City, Mo. — Arvest Bank Theater At the Midland

    1/22 — Omaha, Neb. — Sokol Auditorium

  • Eric Paslay to Visit Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill Syracuse

    Since opening their doors at Destiny USA in Syracuse, NY, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill has consistently brought the party to town.  This Saturday, September 20th, at 10pm, join in welcoming Eric Paslay, one country music’s newest favorites to town.

    Eric Paslay
    Eric Paslay

    Eric Paslay best known for his current hits “Song About A Girl” and “Friday Night”, is a multi-talented performer who not only plays but is one of Nashville’s most talented songwriters, co-penning hits such as “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” recorded by Jake Owens, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” recorded by Eli Young Band, and Love & Theft’s “Angel Eyes”.

    This young man standing 6’4″ not only makes a presence physically on stage, but he also brings the party and gets the crowd a rocking.   will be there to cover and bring you highlights from the evening.  Show starts at 9pm with opening act Hootn’ Anges, immediately followed by Eric.  Advanced tickets can be purchased online or at the door the evening of.

  • Rock and Roll Dominates The Great New York State Fair

    With a wonderful start to The Great New York State Fair, we dug the rock and roll to bring more of what is to come.  Already covering Days 1, 2, and 3, we couldn’t wait to get back out to bring you more of the outstanding line up scheduled for Fair attendees.

    rock and roll state fair
    Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party – Great NY State Fair Chevy Court

    DAY FIVE – Rap, Rock , and Country Collide to an Explosive Show

    Some basic musical math here – What do you get when you add Rap + Country + Rock & Roll? You get Kid Rock and Big Smo of course.  Rocking the Grandstands on Day 5, this unlikely pairing of the Detroit rocker and Tennesee country star seemed a bit out of place, but this trend of marrying those artists from Motown and those from the country music capital of Nashville just seem to work these days.  Big Smo came out and rocked the crowd getting them ready for the main event, Kid Rock.  This guy has a presence and attitude I just wouldn’t mess with, adding to the reasons I think these two were the perfect pairing.  Both are no nonsense, this is who I am, without apologies types.  Delivering country in a hip hop rap style, Big Smo certainly has found a way to deliver his music his way, to an audience that eats it up.

    As Kid Rock came out, he rocked the stage belting out hit after hit in his hip hop, rap, country southern rock style and he didn’t disappoint. Ever evolving, Kid Rock has made his mark on the music industry his own way with no excuses.  With a career, including multiple hits, multiple awards, and such a diverse catalog of music for followers, he continues to grow in the music field, and also in his merchandising field with his hands into his latest venture of brewing up some “Badass Beer”.  Kid Rock is about his fans.  Taking a stand on increasing pricing for live show tickets during his 2013 tour, Kid Rock went against the current of increasing prices and all tickets were $20 with each beer was $4, and without fees associated if purchased through area Walmarts.  This proved to be a huge success in increasing attendance and sales at shows, and putting the kibosh to out pricing tickets for regular joes who want to enjoy live concerts.

    These two unlikely performers give the impression of being rebels, and going against the current upstream; however what you don’t see behind the scenes is they are two of the best business men in the business with talents of not only musical skills…but producing, acting, merchandising, writing, and so many other talents. This translates to the stage and the energy felt from this show once again solidifies that although genres may be completely different, entertainers unconventional, the music comes from the soul and no matter where it originated, and by whom, music is a unifying language.

    DAY SIX –  Rocking Around the Clock at The Great NY State Fair

    Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party.  For those of you who are unfamiliar who Bowzer is, let me introduce you. Bowzer, also know as Jon Bauman, was part of the famous group Sha Na Na. Sha Na Na introduced new generations to the world of the 1950’s and 60’s, poodle skirts, and the emergence of rock and roll. As I looked around the full crowd sitting at Chevy Court, it was apparent that his charm and timeless tunes are still transcending generations and being enjoyed by those young and old. Bowzer & The Stingrays along with Rocky & The Rollers brought a few of their special friends to the Rock & Roll Party. Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Johnny Cantardo (formerly of Sha Na Na), and the Duke of Earl Gene Chandler often joined Bowzer on the road over the years and on this day these gentlemen truly entertained the crowd with tunes such as “Lovers Never Say Goodbye” by the Flamingos, “Rocking Robin”, “Only Have Eyes for You”, and of course “Duke of Earl”. These spry young men still got it, and I must add Mr. Gene Chandler was one of the most dapper men I’ve ever seen with the greatest blue suede shoes ever made.

    This was my first time seeing Jon ‘Bowzer’ Bauman live, and he didn’t disappoint. Being in the audience when Grease was first released in the theaters, his appearance in the movie was one of my favorite scenes of the whole film. The twist, the jitterbugging, and of course the Hand Jive was electric and timeless. If transcendence was a reality, I would have been right there with them. Those in attendance at Chevy Court received a free lesson and/or refresher course on how to Hand Jive, and as I looked around seeing the entire audience participating was a bit nostalgic.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY5pmzmiDO8?list=RDfY5pmzmiDO8

    A little known fact about Jon Bauman: he is a classically trained pianist, studying at the acclaimed Julliard School of Music at the age of 12 in New York City. He treated the audience this day to a taste of Chopin’s etude in A- Flat Major, which was his mother’s favorite tune. Spectacular doesn’t begin to describe this moving performance. He is truly talented. His mother’s dream was to see him perform at Carnegie Hall. She was able to see this dream, as he joked 
“Even if the music was ‘Shama Lama Ding Dong’.” Despite the humid temps and scorching sun, it was fun to watch these legends and the audience enjoy these timeless classics.

    Over to the Grandstands on Day 6 we had The Wallflowers and Train.  Opening to a full crowd, Jakob Dylan along with his band, The Wallflowers, came out ready to make their mark and leave an impression. Unlike their name, they certainly didn’t blend in like a wallflower, instead they stood out. Being the first time I’ve ever seen him, I found myself very drawn to Jakob’s unique voice. To me it was the perfect blend of the family tone with a Bruce Springsteen’esq sound to it. It was strong, yet sultry, and addictive; it a pleasant surprise. Taking the last few years to tour solo, Jakob was ready to get back together with the band and tour this summer. Being known as the son of a legendary musician has to be difficult. I admire and respect how he’s carved a sound and presence out for himself that makes him stand alone as the gifted musician he is. The first, but definitely not the last time I’ll catch a show with Jakob, for sure.

    Warmed up and ready to hit the stage, Train barreled through onto the stage like the force they are. Emerging in the 1998 with their Top 10 hit “Meet Virginia”, these guys came right back in 2001 with the Grammy award winning song “Drops of Jupiter” solidifying their place in history as a force to be reckoned with. Here we are 16 years later, numerous hits, numerous awards, and miles and miles of touring on the road, Train is now known as one of the most loved groups out there today. With Pat Monahan on lead vocals, percussion, harmonica, acoustic guitar, trumpet, saxophone, vibraphone, megaphone; Jimmy Stafford on lead guitar, mandolin, ukulele, slide guitar, backing vocals; Jerry Becker on rhythm guitar, keyboards, piano, Hammond organ, slide guitar, percussion, backing vocals; Hector Maldonado on bass guitar, rhythm guitar, percussion, backing vocals; and Drew Shoals on drums these guys belted out hit after hit, with audience members singing along and rocking the Grandstands as though a freight train was barreling through.

    Set List – Calling All Angels > 50 Ways to Say Goodbye >If It’s Love > Get To Me > Meet Virginia > Bulletproof Picasso > What Is And Should Never Be > Look To The Sky > Bruises > Save Me San Francisco > Free > Angel In Blue Jeans > Marry Me > Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest of Your Life > Soul Sister > Drive By > Drops of Jupiter > Dream On ( Aerosmith)

    Night Ranger – Getting pretty good at the dodging and weaving amongst the crowd, I high tailed it over to Chevy Court just in time to see the end of Night Ranger’s encore performance of “Sister Christian”.  Wow!  They still got it.  With the crowd on their feet cheering and singing along, I managed to grab a few shots for the readers to see these legends in action.

    Building on the momentum that had started this awesome entertainment lineup at The Great NY State Fair, I couldn’t wait to keep this going and capturing all the events planned ahead, all the sights there to see, and of course all the foods yet to try. Stay tuned as brings you more coverage of the 2014 Great New York State Fair.

  • moe.down 15 Goes out With a Bang as Festival Season Draws to a Close

    As with all of the 14 years prior, this summer’s moe.down 15 festival held in Turin, New York was nothing short of a remarkable live music gala featuring acts from Upstate NY and across the country. This festival would not be in existence however, if it were not for moe. themselves. moe. has not only become a pioneer of the jam-rock genre, but the band has also influenced the festival scene like few others. Turin’s beautiful Snow Ridge Ski Resort has been the host of this event for 13 years now and has seen many different types of performers from all genres, but with one common theme… moe.!

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    The Snow Ridge Ski Resort, nestled just outside of Turin, is a prime location for such a festival. The area is somewhat secluded, with several parallel ski slopes serving as the festival grounds. Though smaller than previous years, the camping areas are located on the slopes along either side of the main venue. The main slope serves as a natural stadium, where festivalgoers can look out over the grounds and the two stages at the bottom of the hill. Though sometimes a hazard during heavy rains, this past Labor Day served up just the right kind of weather for a festival. As to be expected at any festival, there was some rain, but it came briefly in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday and did not seem to cause any issues for campers.

    moe.down is not just your run-of-the-mill festival. In times where festivals try their best to get as many artists as possible, sometimes with upward of one hundred performers, moe.down keeps their lineup small, allowing artists to play two or three sets. This may not seem like big deal, but for anyone who has attended, they know that it gives listeners the opportunity for much more depth in their musical experience. Instead of festivalgoers seeing new band after new band and getting a bit overwhelmed in the process, one can get to know a band over the weekend by watching multiple sets and seeing how versatile a band’s music can be and how they have evolved as a group.

    On Friday, Aug. 29 the music began just after 6pm, but most campers had gotten there much earlier, some even showing up a full day before the festivities started. It did not take long for the adjacent hills to turn into a small tent city, especially since the main campground space had been cut nearly in half compared to previous years, eliminating one whole ski slope as a camping option. Ohio’s The Werks kicked off the fest with the first of their three sets. This jam quartet played almost their entire repertoire, as they alternated sets with Lotus and moe. themselves. The Werks played many of their popular songs including “Duck Farm”, featuring high-energy solos from lead guitarist Chris Houser. One of the group’s most distinct elements in their music is the presence of the electronic synthesizer and sound manipulations, creating what has been called “Psychedelic Dance Rock”. Each set proved to be more impressive than the last with several cover,s including a great rendition of “Pink Panther” that was a real treat for all in attendance.

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    Jam seemed to be the only thing on the menu Friday night as Lotus took to the stage, asserting themselves as one of the powerhouses of the genre. With a unique hybrid of jam/rock and electronic dance music, Lotus never fails to keep the crowd on their toes and dancing wildly, even after the music stopped. Similar to The Werks, Lotus incorporates many electronic samples that can be enjoyed by everyone, from classic jam fans to younger drum and bass lovers. After the dueling Lotus and The Werks sets, the air became heavy with anticipation as the moment everyone had been waiting for drew near. Yes, of course, that meant none other than moe.! The Upstate legends made their way to the Mountain Stage for their first set of the weekend and all the moe.rons (the name given to the die-hard moe. fans) were in a frenzy. There was not an unsatisfied person in the venue as moe. performed a set that can best be described as a “Meat sandwich.” moe. began with their song “Meat”, a song with a heavy rock feel that is filled with screaming guitar solos, lightning fast bass playing, and intense percussion throughout. This was a common theme throughout the set, returning to “Meat” in the middle and then ending the night with one final mighty “Meat” jam. There would have been no better way for the band to open the weekend and really get the party started.

    moe.down has two very special groups that are there to support festivalgoers of all backgrounds. The first is a women’s support group, the Yodeladies, who have a tent set up in the venue to aid women in whatever way they can. The other group, the Happy Hour Heroes, is also there for those who choose to remain drug and alcohol free and need support and information on that choice. Both groups get their names from moe. songs, “Yodelittle” and “Happy Hour Hero.” The festival grounds is also filled with many vendors selling their local and handmade goods, as well as ecofriendly products made of various recycled materials. Though there is not an art gallery on the grounds like some other fests, the Snow Ridge Ski Resort has ski lifts running all weekend for those wanting to get a better view of the festival. From atop the slopes, one can see the beautiful rolling hills and Western Adirondacks of the surrounding area and it is a perfect spot to catch the sunrise and sunset.

    American Babies started things off on Saturday with two sets of their soulful rock and roll, with Conehead Buddha playing in between. Conehead is known for their large presence with eight musicians on stage, creating an extremely energetic sound that is a mix of ska and funk. moe. wasn’t far behind, playing their first afternoon set, which seemed to be a warm up for their double feature later in the night.

    Though the weekend was mostly filled with jam/rock performances, one act that certainly set itself apart was Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang. Claypool is known for his following of what might be best called “eclectic and extraordinary fans”, and his music clearly shows why. Best known for his music with Primus and Oysterhead, his Duo De Twang was much different, providing a much more mellow bluegrass and folk/blues feel, covering Jerry Garcia and playing some traditional Canadian songs. There was something a bit off with Les that day however. Maybe it was his lack of fondness for the hippie crowd or something personal, but his loyal fans could easily tell something wasn’t right. At one point, mid-performance, he stopped after attempting some of his famous “fancy finger waggling” and apologized to the crowd saying, “the devil’s inside me no longer”, referencing his inability to play the bass like he used to. The rest of the set was rather odd, with a lot of talking about his life and what seemed to be a hint of sadness. He ended by playing his South Park theme song several times and “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”, one of his hit songs with Primus, before stopping not a minute after he was scheduled to end. Many including myself were somewhat baffled and hope that the devil will find his way back into Les’ fingers once more.

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    Saturday’s jams were far from over though, with up-and-coming festival favorites Twiddle playing three sets on the get.down stage. The trio’s endless jams explored the limits of jam, rock, and some of their own renditions of the classics, including a medley of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” with their song “When It Rains It Poors”. Between Twiddle’s sets, the late ’90s Gypsy punk rockers Gogol Bordello showed they still have all the energy they did fifteen years ago. The crowd was belting out the lyrics with the band to “Break The Spell” and “Wunderlust King”, and then finishing the set by yelling “Goodbye Forever!” as the band exited the stage in a dramatic fashion.

    moe. came in with a bang, starting off with “Bullet” and its lyrics, “We are all waiting, for the main event.”, but it was obvious that this was in fact it. They were later joined by the Conehead Buddha brass section with moe.’s song “Nebraska” before ending their second set. Before the third and final set of the evening began, moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey took center stage to thank all who helped make the festival possible and all those in attendance for coming out. He finished by saying just how special moe.down was to him and the band, and that it was the highlight of their year. The third set saw some variation, starting off slow and bluesy and then morphing into a lighter Caribbean feel with Rob switching basses and Al getting out his double neck guitar. Then, for a very special solo, Chuck broke out a talkbox, an instrument used by Peter Frampton that allows the player to manipulate an instrument’s sound by using a plastic tube held in their mouth. Towards the end of the set, the Conehead Buddha horns reentered with a Paul Simon cover and “Threw It All Away”.

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    All the moe.rons were partying extra hard Saturday night and into Sunday morning, despite the filling in of “The Ditch”, an iconic part of the moe.down festival. There were even a few sorrowful chants of “Where’s the ditch?!”, but there were still a good number of people paying tribute to it by dancing atop the mound of gravel that now stands in its place. It seemed that most people were still asleep at noon when Wild Adriatic began their first set. Slowly, people made their way to the venue for Jerry Douglas Band’s bluegrass led by Jerry himself on the dobro. Staying on a somewhat blues theme, Soulive took to the Mountain Stage. The band is made up of Alan Evans of Alan Evans’ Playonbrother, his brother Neal who is typically seen with Lettuce, and is led by guitarist Eric Krasno, known for his work with Lettuce as well. The band played several songs off their album Rubber Soulive, and you could tell by the look on Krasno’s face that his sweet yet sorrowful solo during their cover of “Eleanor Rigby” came from somewhere deep within.

    There was more in store for the bluegrass lovers at the fest with Al and Vinnie of moe. performing with one of their side projects, Floodwood. The group made their first appearance on stage at moe.down several years ago, bringing together veterans of the string-band world for this all-star ensemble. The moe.rons were especially excited to see their favorite moe. musicians and they burst into applause as mandolin player Jay Barady jumped down into the crowd for a solo during “It’s A Long Way To Virginia”.

    It was right back to the electric jams after Floodwood, with O.A.R.’s rock and Americana tunes. The band covered Sublime’s “Pawn Shop” and ended with an incredible medley of “Revolution” and Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry”. Upstate’s own, Aqueous performed two sets, playing “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” just to make sure that no one in the crowd was thinking about going home early. Their groove-rock was a perfect recipe for dancing, letting festivalgoers let loose one more time before the weekend was over. Aqueous’ set was nothing short of over the top intensity as the mountain resonated with their infectious rhythms and solos.

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    It was then finally time for what could be either called the best or worst moment of the weekend… moe.’s final sets. After ending their second to last set with “Water”, the crowd didn’t budge as all the moe.rons made sure they locked down their spot for the second jam. Aqueous played for only about 30 minutes before giving way to moe. to finish things off. It was all about Chuck for the final set and the crowd could not be kept quiet. He led things off with “Puebla” and soloed for what seemed like an eternity, shredding every note as if it would be his last. There were only about five songs, each about fifteen or twenty minutes long, but it was an outstanding exhibit of the musicians’ impressive endurance. The guys took a short break to announce this year’s moe.down Mayor as the infamous “Rex”, much to Rob’s dismay, before returning to their final song. It seemed only right that moe. ended moe.down 15 singing the words “I’ll find my way back to you” from their song “Rebubula”. You could tell that the crowd wanted more, but the were only left with fireworks as they smiled thoughtfully, thinking about the unforgettable weekend that they had just taken part in.

    It was another great year for moe.down and the moe.rons with good vibes and good music supplied all around. The Snow Ridge Ski Resort was happy to be home to moe. and we hope it will continue to host this great Upstate fest for many years to come.

    All Photos by: Chris Cleary

    FRIDAY

    SATURDAY

    SUNDAY

  • Hot with Sweater Weather at the NY State Fair

    It was ironic to say the least, but perfect blue skies and sunshine were the backdrop for a band best known for their song “Sweater Weather”. This past Friday afternoon, the California indie rock band known as The Neighbourhood killed it on the stage of Chevy Court at the Great NY State Fair.

    Sweater WeatherEven though they formed in 2011 and are relative newcomers to the music scene, the band was welcomed by fans as they took the stage to screams and applause. For just under an hour, this group of musicians gave a performance with their unique sound. The band has strong characteristics that come through in every song. They flawlessly combine an upbeat, pop rock style with catchy lyrics and sexy groove. Then, they top it off with just enough dark/mysterious edge that singer Jesse Rutherford’s vocals capture perfectly. The sensual tone in his voice is something so many strive to achieve, yet he does without any effort.

    Chevy Court is in the heart of the Fair, surrounded by the buildings, people could enjoy the music as they walked between exhibits, activities, wine/moonshine slushy stands, beer gardens, and about the best fried food on the planet (Fried Specialties had the most incredible creation called the Twinx (Twix, stuffed inside a Twinkie, wrapped in bacon, and then deep-fried – Jim Hasbrouck you are genius).

    These guys drew fans of all ages. However, these young men definitely had a strong fan base of females. The teenaged and 20-ish girls were heart-felt and passionately screaming at the band “I love you!”.

    The attendees showed their appreciation for this free show by their pure energetic reaction to the melodies being shared with them. The excitement was due largely to the frontmans’ ability to get the audience engaged and participating – from raising their hands in the air to singing along with him.

    Lead singer, Jesse Rutherford, smirked and absorbed his fans adoring yells with ease and a sense of cool aloofness that seem to make the girls want him more. As the first song “Female Robbery” started, the singer covered his face with his tattooed-covered arm, protecting his eyes. He later stated they had not seen the sun recently since they had been in Europe, chuckling, followed by saying, “This is awesome”.

    Keeping true to their “look” of being a clean, monochromatic aesthetic, all members wore black and white with Rutherford somehow wearing a black beanie on the hot sunny day. The pale skin tone along with asking the audience to pretend it was night, leads me to believe these guys do not get to see daylight all that much. That did not inhibit their performance or energy.

    A subtle demeanor from guitarist Jerry Freedman during his solo on the song “Baby Came Home” had a powerful, confident playing that captured the mood. Soft lingering notes seemed to float from the stage into the air, carrying them away in the imaginations of what the song meant to each person.

    Their new song “Dangerous” was laid out in their set. While it kept with the band’s sound, it had a different groove and feel to make you want to find out what else they have in store next. This is a band to keep an eye on and watch bloom and boom into the music scene even more.

    Set List: Female Robbery, Everybody’s Watching Me (Uh-Oh), Let It Go, Jealou$y, W.D.Y.W.F.M.?, Baby Came Home, A Little Death, Wires, How, Lurk, Dangerous, Sweater Weather, Afraid

  • Joan Jett and The Black Hearts Rocked The Chevy Court at The Great New York State Fair

    The New York State Fair is always brining fantastic artists to Central New York. This year they struck gold when Rock And Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett And The Blackhearts performed for free at the Chevy Court stage at the Great New York State Fair on Wednesday, August 27.

    Joan Jett and The Black Hearts – Great New York State Fair Chevy Court

    There was easily about seven thousand fairgoers gathered for their hour and fifteen minute set. No opening act. No nonsense. Just straight up classic punk. Currently, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts are touring in support of their latest album, Unvarnished. There were five songs off that album sprinkled into their set, along with their more notable hits and The Runaways’ classics.

    The band opened with “Bad Reputation” and The Runaways’ classic “Cherry Bomb”. Joan Jett is clearly on her A game and sounded better now than she did seven years ago when she played the state fair the previous time. And very notably, the band was clicking on all cylinders as well. Keyboardist Kenny Laguna, guitarist Dougie Needles, drummer Thommy Price, and bassist Acey Slade all showed great chemistry and great backing vocals to the entire performance.

    Some of the bigger highlights of their set would have to be “Touch Me There”, a new song that she co-wrote with Dave Grohl titled “Any Weather”, and her cover of “Crimson and Clover”, which the crowd went nuts for. Also, the crowd went crazy for “I Love Rock and Roll” as expected.

    The band ended with a three-song encore, featuring “Reality Mentality”, “Real Wild Child”, and a cover of “Everyday People”

    Overall it was a great show, and possibly the best Chevy Court concert in YEARS.

  • Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate with Sophistafunk; Syracuse Artists Collaborate and Fuse Worldly Sounds

    A European tour can do a lot for an artist or group. It can bring a performer to a new level of recognition and exposure. It can allow for a performer to invite a partner in crime to open for them and effectively “bring/put them up.” It can allow a performer to meet artists from all over the globe and form new collaborations and projects. It can also crystallize the love of one’s hometown where it all started, and bring an artist back for a nostalgic homecoming. For Sekou Kouyate and Joe Driscoll, Syracuse native and one-man “band” hero, touring Europe did just that.

    Joe Driscoll Sekou KouyateBesides providing a fresh fan-base, touring Europe allowed Joe Driscoll to bring along fellow Syracuse-based hip-hop heads, and inexorable party-starters, Sophistafunk. This “Euro-tripping” also facilitated Joe’s acquaintance and partnership with an absurdly gifted musician by the name of Sekou Kouyate. Joe and Sekou met at the Nuit Metis (Mixed Night) Festival in Marseille, France and developed a unique, multi-cultural sound that gave birth to the album Faya. This album, like all albums, required promotion and therefore a tour schedule. This tour brought the family back together where the roots of these musical branches started: Syracuse, including and especially the Westcott Theater. On Friday, August 22, the Westcott packed itself while Sophistafunk, Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate, and a host of other supporting local musicians played their hearts out for the hometown fans.

    Sophistafunk, led by the dual hype-man and frontman in one, Jack Brown, played time-honored songs from both full length studio albums, Freedom Is and Twentyeleven. As always, Brown laid down the intellect and positivity on songs like “Gotta Walk”. As expected, Emanuel Washington, known as E-Man, rocked the house with that heavy and tight drum sound, especially on songs like the dance-inspiring “Wil’ Out”. As presumed, Adam Gold churned out those chunky-funky lines on the keys/organ on songs like “Freedom Is”. And as a super-special, highly unexpected, and highly enjoyed surprise, Sophistafunk covered the soulful and sexy “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” by Outkast. “’Nuff said.”


    After saying goodbye to Sophistafunk (temporarily), Joe Driscoll and Sekou wasted no time getting the audience back up and dancing. Joe’s funky, reggae-infused, hip-hop melodic style of guitar provided a solid grounding and space for Sekou to add his signature hummingbird-fast arpeggios and angelic riffs in between beats. Sekou, to understate it completely, plays the kora. The kora is an instrument made partly from a humongous gourd, called a calabash, covered with cow hide, and is “formally” classified as a “double-bridge-harp-lute.” When played masterfully, this “double-bridge-harp-lute” makes music that is silky, swift, exotic, and truly exquisite. This sound, along with Sekou’s vocals, sung in Soussou (with spot-on accompaniment by Joe), symbiotically fuse with Joe’s increasingly impressive guitar work to create music that is worldly and graceful, yet familiar and catchy.

    Joe told stories, both between songs and lyrically, throughout the set. Joe commented on everything from loving and appreciating your roots; to the inevitably deepening experience of traveling the world and meeting special people with whom you connect; to the visualization of lighting a fire in your heart and then lighting someone else’s (the meaning behind the title song “Faya”). Joe’s reflective and socially conscious verses painted pictures of the many “vampires” in ghettos around the world in “Ghetto Many”, and warned of the “deepest threat”: the figurative Babylon in the song “Wonamati”; which means, “It’s got to stop.”

    Joe also made sure to play a whole new (Sekou infused) take on classic Joe Driscoll favorites, like the sweetly melodic “Mixtape Champs” and the smooth, autobiographic “Origin Myth”. This song brought onstage Sophistafunk, DJ Afar, a Syracuse saxophone player named “Hollywood”, and a very talented female trombonist whose name was unfortunately missed by this writer…for an all out Syracuse hip-hop/funk/world-beat jam session. This multi-song jam served as a fitting conclusion to a night all about roots, collaboration, and love for one’s neighbor and neighborhood.

  • Rockstar Uproar Rocks The Great New York State Fair, Despite Poor Weather and Lukewarm Ticket Sales

    It was a rainy and miserable day on August 22 at the Great New York State Fair. However, some great hard rock rolled through the grandstand. There were some problems going into the show. First and foremost, Seether, Buckcherry, and These Raven Skies DID NOT appear at this stop due to outside conflict of interest, which may have hurt the ticket sales. On top of that, there seemed to be a lack of promotion behind this show. I would be worried if Rockstar Uproar will stop in Syracuse next year.

    Doors originally were supposed to open at 2pm that day, but due to the amount of bands that pulled, the show started at 3pm. The first set of bands performed on the smaller “Festival Stage” which was set on the dirt track right next to the grandstand stage. I did like how the vender tents and autograph tents were positioned on the far side of the track. The stage itself looked and sounded great. There was only one problem. Dirt track and rain is a messy situation. But bloody hell, it’s rock and roll. The first band Blame Anchor did a fine job opening the set. There must have been only 400 people when they started. Blame Anchor was the band that won the battle of the bands competition to be part of Rockstar Uproar. I think their fifteen minutes of fame pending the rest of the tour will pan out for them. Blame Anchor played a very short set, but made it count. They had a Godsmack vibe to them.

    Bad Seed Rising played their half hour set. They’re just kids, but they impressed. It’s really hard for bands in their teens to really take off with rock and metal, but I believe Bad Seed Rising can make it in this harsh industry if they stick to their guns. They’ve got some real heart and talent.

    Canada’s Sons Of Reverly are definitely the odd band out of this line up, which is not a bad thing. It just shows they got something to prove as they’re an unsigned indie band. They were the winners of last year’s Rockstar Uproar battle of the bands. This year they made it on to a permanent slot. The fascinating thing about watching them is how they eventually won the crowd completely over by the end of their set. They seem to have a little flavor of Rush, but they have some heavy songs and songs that people can relate too. I would imagine this band will be signed within the next year. I had the privilege of interviewing them after their set.

    Tattered and Three Years Hollow played good and heavy sets, but it was festival stage headliners Escape The Fate that really made that stage explode and laid the foundation. They played a fast and heavy set and egged on the crowed, too, to get them going. Clearly, a hungry band that continues to grow and make an impact on the radio and on the road. It was surprising they were not on the main stage because they clearly belonged there on this tour. By the time Escape The Fate finished, there must have been about three thousand people in attendance. Not exactly staggering numbers for a grandstand show at the fair, but the people who were there were lucky to see Escape The Fate perform.

    After Escape The Fate graced the stage and the festival stage closed down, Pop Evil opened the main stage. There was only one problem. It was almost an hour before Pop Evil started. I understand setting up the stage and production is hard work, but there was no reason for it be that long. Especially the fact that this show had two stages. But despite the long wait, Pop Evil clicked on all cylinders and was definitely a highlight of the entire show. Their set consisted of songs from all three of their albums. Songs like “100 In A 55”, “Dance With The Devil”, and “Last Man Standing” were great and had awesome performances. Pop Evil is certainly making big splashes and really solidifying themselves as a premiere headlining act.

    Because of the shortage of bands that were originally billed, it was yet another long ridiculous wait for Skillet. It may have been worth it though as Skillet was easily the best band on the bill. They’re production was bigger than it ever was. They had violinists on stage with them too; it was such a spectacle. There was a lot of energy put into their performance, and it was a nice change of pace to hear music with a positive message too. Skillet played most of their hits, but the song that stood out the most was definitely “Awake and Alive”, which had a slightly different take on it than we are used to hearing. I did find it a little odd that Skillet, who are strong Christian believers, were on the same bill with Godsmack because Sully Erna is a member of the Church of Satan. But it’s about the music, not the beliefs.

    Godsmack, of course, headlined the show. Now don’t get it twisted, Godsmack ALWAYS puts on a great show. Even if they’re off a little on a night, you’re always going to get a great show from them. Now, I have seen Godsmack multiple times. For the past decade, the band has been no stranger to Syracuse and the rest of Upstate New York, so I’m sure there are a lot of people who have seen them multiple times. That being said, they seem to have lost a little fire in their performance that night. It was still a great show, but the energy that I am used to seeing from Godsmack over the years, I did not see at Uproar. Most notably in lead guitarist Tony Rombola. He’s very talented and was a nice guy when I met him a few years back, but it just seemed he lacked the passion he used to have on stage. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt though as maybe it was an off night or that the band is a little rusty from taking the last couple of years off. As far as their set, it was a good mixture of their classic hits and some songs off of their latest release 1000 HP. Of course, the one thing that stood out during the show was the dual percussion solo between Sully Erna and Shannon Larkin. Always enjoyable to see. And during “Whatever”, Erna threw beers at the crowd and invited some fans on stage – most notably the guy with the HUGE afro that fascinated Erna. It was pretty amusing.

    Overall, it was a good lineup, but could have been so much more if Seether and Buckcherry were able to make the bill. I think fans would have gotten a much better bang for their buck and the show would have had MUCH better attendance.