Jack White has announced a headline concert on January 30 at Madison Square Garden. This will be the first time White has played the venue since 2007 with his band The White Stripes. Jack White is touring behind is latest release Lazaretto, which came out earlier this year to rave reviews from around the country. Throughout this past summer he has headlined many festivals, including Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, and Osheaga, as well as his own shows around the world.
White has also announced that this past summer’s show from Bonnaroo will be released in a deluxe package from Third Man Records as the latest in from their “Vault Package” series. Included is the entire performance, that stretched an extra 45 minutes past its scheduled end, on a 3 LP vinyl set, a DVD of the performance, a poster, 4 pictures, and a custom television usb stick. The performance was streamed live as hit happened and right away was hailed as one of the greatest performances in Bonnaroo history. White always has a knack for giving it all to an audience that gives it right back to him. If an audience isn’t to his liking though he has cut the show short on occasions, including a show at Radio City Music Hall in 2012 after about an hour.
At every show this summer he has not only covered his solo catalog, but also tackled songs from his other bands The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, and The Raconteurs. His backing band is tremendous and they go into each show without a set list so the show can be produced on the fly. Although White has admitted that certain songs will be performed at each show, he has said there is no plan on stage. Be prepared to be wowed by White and his band this January. Tickets will be going on a pre-sale tomorrow at 10AM for Vault members, followed by a another pre-sale Thursday at 10AM for venue and Chase and Amex cardholders. Finally the public on-sale will be Friday October 10 at noon.
Buffalo’s Aqueous, one of New York’s fastest growing bands, has announced an October 21 release date for their 3rd studio effort Cycles. Featuring eight road tested originals and two brand new instrumentals, the album exemplifies a leap forward in songwriting and focus for the four-piece groove rock outfit.
Fans can now pre-order the album on the band’s merch page and stream the first track – “20/20”, which, like most Aqueous tunes, seamlessly mixes multiple influences into one coherent composition. Aqueous will play a three show Upstate New York run to celebrate the release along with North Carolina’s The Mantras. Catch the mini-tour Oct 23 in Ithaca NY at The Dock, Oct 24 at The Montage in Rochester, and a hometown show Oct 25 at Buffalo’s Iron Works.
“This is the most invested we’ve been in a studio effort so far; it feels really cohesive, and we were truly afforded the opportunity to spend the time elaborating on ideas and being thorough in our execution of them,” explained guitarist Mike Gantzer. “We all feel a true sense of accomplishment and excitement for our fans to hear this; it contains some of the most intense and thematic compositions in our catalog, and generally speaking feels like a profound step for us.”
Guitarist/keyboardist David Loss adds his own thoughts on the recording process – “I couldn’t be happier with the way this album came together. Everyone gave their best performances and I think it really shows. It was great to work with Justin Rose and Richie English again at GCR Audio in Buffalo as well as finally getting a chance to work with Jocko at More Sound. This was an all around great experience!”
Cycles was crowd funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign which fans helped exceed a $7000 goal by over $2000. Go grab yourself a pre-order and check out the full track listing below.
Cycles Track Listing
1. Dawn [1:00]
2. Kitty Chaser (Explosions) [9:39]
3. 20/20 [5:02]
4. The Median [6:41]
5. Skyway [8:47]
6. Complex Pt. I [8:11]
7. Wandering [1:56]
8. Complex Pt. II [9:04]
9. King for a Day [7:45]
10. Staring into the Sun [15:02]
When invited to cover the Second Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass & Arts Festival I did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity. What could be better than enjoying some amazing live music in the beautiful Adirondacks? Located in the Hamilton County hamlet of Speculator/Lake Pleasant, this day long event offered family fun with camping, music, vendors, and good eats. With a stellar line up of Swampcandy, Remsen Social Club, The Old Main, Sleep Man Banjo Boys, and Nick/Jay/Nigel from Floodwood, you couldn’t go wrong.
Nick, Nigel & Braids – 2nd Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Swampcandy – As the party began, first up was Swampcandy, the duo of Joey Mitchell and Ruben Dobbs, who brought the beat with their stand up bass and ganjo, rocking those early attendees who had arrived early to secure the perfect spot up front . These two young men bring to an audience a full piece band as they play and sing original tunes that express life as they know it.
The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys – 2nd Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Remsen Social Club – These four young men, Bryan Davies on tenor banjo, guitar, wash tub, bass, and vocals; Tim Slusarcyzk on upright bass, harp, and vocals; Ben carrier on guitar, mandolin, harp, 5 string banjo, and vocals; and Chris Taylor on Gatling harps, mouth harp, harmonica in a beer can (yes you read that correctly) and vocals bring something unique with their bluegrass, Americana sound. Playing a mix of original music, such as “Over You Darlin” and “Am I Best” along with some all time favorite covers such as “Stuck In the Middle With You” by Stellars Wheel, they had the crowd wound up and ready for their day long of music and fun.
Remsen Social Club – 2nd Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival
The Old Main– The Old Main showed up ready to give the attendees a show and then some. With Seth Becker on guitar, harmonica, and vocals; Robb Nash on upright bass, tin whistle, and vocals; Gavin Bailey on piano, accordion, and backup vocals; and Mitch Eckler on drums and backup vocals, this quartet certainly sounded as though they had been playing together for ages. With two full sets to be performed, Seth and Nash took the stage first doing a whole set that included many originals and several covers of some of my favorite songs, such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Crazy” and “Winding Road”. The versatility of these two to be able to switch from bluegrass to rock to country was seamless, just as their transition to the second set when the whole band joined them on stage to entertain the attendees for the remaining time. Continuing the party for another hour, they were joined on stage by Chris Taylor from the Remsen Social Club on his harmonica in a beer can contraption that produced a unique reverberation and sound I must add . Audience members could be found volleying beach balls, singing, and dancing along with the quartet for the entire time. If I had to describe their performance to someone who couldn’t be there…words such as fun, energetic, enlivened, would be a few words chosen to do so.
2n Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival Vendors
Sleepy Man Banjo Boys – For those who have yet to see these three young men, let me tell you there is nothing sleepy about them. The three brothers, Tommy, Robbie, and Jonny Mizzone, that make up The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, have achieved huge success in their genre, all by the ages of 16, 14, and 11 years old. Seriously? Oh you betcha ladies and gentlemen. As I stood there with my jaw gaping, these three totally mesmerized me with their musical prowess and skill. They are not new however to the music scene as they have just released their third album. Already appearing at The Grand Old Opry and on the David Letterman Show, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys have acquired quite the following, and now have even more with those that saw them for the first time up to Oak Mountain.
Nick, Nigel, & Braids – Always a favorite anywhere they attend, Nick, Nigel, & Braids closed out the Bluegrass Festival in true style. Their ability to bring the party everywhere they go makes them a favorite at every venue they play. With Nigel (Zach) on stand up bass and guitar, Nick on vocals, guitar, and banjo, and Jason (Braids) on mandolin and vocals, a dance party ensues each time they play. Bringing the true spirit of the bluegrass sound from the Appalachian Mountains all the way to our Adirondack Mountains, I can think of no one better to close the Second Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival than Central NY’s very own Nick, Nigel, & Braids. Whether playing individually, as a duo, or with the other members of Floodwood, their distinctive sound is the essence of true Americana music.
As the day wound down, the weather held out, the embers of the bonfire burned down, attendees departed and with a pep in their step and a tune in their heads, they looked forward to the Third Annual Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival.
All is quiet in the rural community of Newstead, but this past summer, the rural, Western New York community served as a battleground in what has become a war on noise, with laws against sound in need.
The fight against noise pollution has been all the rage in 2014. In January, the USA Today published a story stating noise as the leading quality of life complaint in, of all places, New York City. The fight has even hit Bourbon Street, where New Orleans’ city council is addressing whether or not to strengthen its own noise ordinances.
Located 25 miles northeast of Buffalo, Newstead boasts a population of approximately 8,500 people. Some of which reside in the trailer park community of Quarry Hill Estates, who last November spoke to the town board to complain of noise levels coming from a neighboring venue. The then-proposed law was subsequently nicknamed “Braun’s Law” named after Braun’s Concert Cove.
Braun’s Bar & Grill boasts an “outdoor” venue that includes a spacious canopy built in part to limit noise from disturbing neighboring property owners. (Photo Credit: Braun’s Bar & Grill/Facebook)
Braun’s Concert Cove was established in 2012 to compliment the bar and grill owned by Ray Braun. The footprint of the property is located on Main Street, approximately 2600 feet from Quarry Hill Estates. It has two predominate structures; one of which is the bar and grill, the other is the “cove” that resembles something similar to an airplane hangar. One local music reviewer described how the structure dwarfed a mid-week concert audience of 500 people.
From this stage, several hard rock acts have played to crowds numbering in the thousands. Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, Pop Evil, Sebastian Bach, Jackyl – have all recently performed. On September 6, Winger played Braun’s last concert. It was a contract already negotiated before Braun’s Law passed.
Braun’s Law had nearly passed back in April, but one abstention from council member, Marybeth Whiting prevented a majority vote. At the time, Whiting said she wanted to research the subject further. In July, when the Town Board advertised it would bring the subject back for a vote, an online firestorm erupted. This time, all the weight was placed on Whiting’s vote. With just a few days before the board meeting, Braun quickly took to Facebook, posting Whiting’s picture and phone numbers at the town office, including her personal cell phone number and email address.
HERE SHE IS!!!,” read the post on the Brauns Bar & Grill Facebook page, “the council woman who is voting YES to the ‘Brauns law’ as they call it, to put us out of concert business. … Email her, call her, call her office. LET HER KNOW!!! ASK HER WHY?”
Before passing into law, Whiting addressed the attention she received from her opposition. She cited the names of neighboring communities with noise laws – Clarence, Lancaster and Townawanda. She also named cities outside of New York, with continued reputations for hosting live music, despite the presence of noise laws – Red Rocks, New Orleans and Austin.
“This isn’t rocket science,” said Whiting, from her seat on the board. “The town of Newstead isn’t any different from any of these communities. Whether it’s loud noise or residents in place – more often than not there is a noise ordinance in place. It is an effort for everyone to coexist, not to close any one business down.”
“It would be wrong to conclude that my vote counts any more than anyone else’s on this board. However, Mr. Braun has chosen to single me out in very vile, demeaning and derogatory ways. In doing so, Mr. Braun has shown this entire community the type of person he really is. Life is full of choices. I could have chosen to respond in kind, but I did not.”
The thread of comments referenced in this article was promptly deleted from the Braun’s Concert Cove Facebook page within the days following the town board meeting.
“I attended the town board meeting that was held awhile back on this matter,” said Newstead resident Deborah Loke, who brought along a decibel meter. The amplified voices within the Town Hall on that evening peaked at 99.1 decibels, she said.
“At the time I brought up the Basket Factory Restaurant in Middleport that was shut down by their town board. The business was very renown, but due to the short-sightedness of their town passing an extremely low noise ordinance, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back and it was shut down a short time later.”
Here in Upstate New York, we’ve covered news regarding Frost Ridge Campgrounds in Le Roy, where town officials are combating against campground owners hosting outdoor concerts. In the college town of Amherst, lawmakers recently disallowed the use of loud speakers from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., affecting fast food drive-thrus. And, in July, the Town of Newstead included a noise ordinance into its own law books – outlawing noises louder than 80 decibels after 9 p.m., and 65 decibels after 11 p.m.
In favorable atmospheric conditions, a sound registering at 110-decibels can be heard from a distance of 12 miles away. The sound of an electric shaver registers at approximately 80 decibels.
“She probably is a good lady,” stated Braun, of Whiting. “But making a bad decision that we need more answers to is what I want. I did not build this massive place on approval of town to have six regulars come in for a beer and sandwich in the afternoon. How will that pay for this place? No tax credits here. No funding here either. … No one knows the behind the scenes we have done to make this happen, nor will many care, but I’m not going down without answers or a fight.
Someone needs to pay me my money back if this is how it can [come to be] and can be pushed out of a town that approved it.”
The comparison the town board attempted to draw between Newstead and Austin was to argue how communities, large and small, face similar challenges, establish noise ordinances, and still support live music.
But, the Texas city goes beyond establishing decibel thresholds.
“Austin’s approach to sound is more than enforcement,” said Don Pitts, Manager of the Music & Entertainment Division of The City of Austin’s Economic Development Department. “What we’ve learned over the past five years is that you can’t solely depend on enforcement.
The Music Office conducts an investigation for each amplified sound application and we prepare a report recommending approval or denial of the application and any appropriate conditions and restrictions. We base our report on the following criteria below. We also use cut off times and days of weeks among other things to mitigate the impact to nearby residents.”
The entertainment division first assesses whether or not a venue is suitable for providing outdoor music. The office considers several factors, including local topography and proximity to residential and commercial property.
The governing body that administers over a city of nearly 900,000 people is apparently conscious of how surround buildings can serve as a buffer as well, as they also look into building design, the construction of the stage and orientation of speakers. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has a stake in nurturing the local music scene. Pitts explained that a joint effort between his office and local venue owners created a program to assist business owners prepare an acceptable environment for all to enjoy.
“The Music Venue Assistance Program (MVAP) is an innovative program based on the Music Division’s music venue case study work with Cedar Street Courtyard and Black Heart Bar, and launched in 2013 with Council support,” said Pitts. “MVAP assists qualified venues to acquire sound mitigation technologies through a low-interest emergency personal loan program, and also provides them with best practices expertise for deploying those technologies with maximum efficacy.
This program has already proved to be a win-win solution for neighborhoods and venues alike, creating high-quality listening experiences for music patrons, while simultaneously providing significant reduction of sound bleed in residential areas.”
Drawing comparisons between Newstead and Austin leaves much for speculation. Both sides of the argument state that Braun’s Concert Cove was cooperating with the suggestions from the town board, which one could compare to Austin’s MVAP program. However, it remains to uncertain as to whether or not Braun’s would even pass Austin’s initial review process due to how closely it stands to an existing residential area. Nonetheless, it is clear Newstead did not follow Austin’s lead, despite its own comparisons.
As the changing of leaves usher summer away in New York’s Upstate, the fallout from Braun’s Law continues into the winter months. Councilmember Whiting resigned from her post on August 5. Her letter to her compatriots stated she no longer wanted to be a politician.
Braun immediately invoked words of litigation before the board placed the law into effect. However, as of the drafting of this article, he has not filed a lawsuit.
Nas celebrated the 20th anniversary of his famed debut LP Illmatic at the Palace Theatre in Albany on Friday October 3, 2014, the unofficial kick-off of the tour. The previous night he played at Rochester’s Main Street Armory, but it was not the full show, as the film “Time is Illmatic” was not shown at the venue. Albany got the full treatment and the crowd loved it. Fans spanning from teenagers to 50-year-olds packed the sold-out show and made their way to their seats as the lights dimmed at 9:15 p.m. and the film started.
This film not only gives the history of the album, but Nas’s family history. In the beginning of the film Nas states how “he just wanted to be something” and throughout the story, every person interviewed said how they knew Nas would rise out of the Queensbridge housing projects to do something special. Growing up in the projects was hard for Nas and his brother Jabari, especially after their mother kicked their father out of the house. His father, Olu Dara, was a jazz musician when he was younger and made sure that Nas learned the importantance of music and as a child he played with the instruments that were laying around the house, slowly sparking his venture into rap. Fannie Ann Jones, his mother, raised him and his brother afterwards and the brothers both expressed a lot of grief over her passing.
As the film went on, some in the audience got a little restless, but a vast majority quietly sat in their seats, watching and listening to the tale of how this great record came to fruition. Notable names in the hip-hop community, such as Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Pharrell, and J. Cole, all held the album in high regard and how it has always been apart of their lives since it came out in 1994.
The great Dr. Cornel West also spoke how the album not only was great for hip-hop, but also how it was great for young black men to hear a man not just rap, but also send a message and talk about his feelings. Illmatic is notable for how Nas expressed his anger against the crack epidemic and the poor neighborhoods of Queensbridge. He wasn’t just rapping to make a living, Nas was rapping to be heard. The film’s archival footage of a young Nas rapping in front of New York crowds is astonishing to watch as he takes over everyone’s attention in a matter of a few verses.
The movie ended with Nas talking about how the album was his philosophy and a way of life. Despite dropping out of school in the 8th grade, Nas was happy to state that he was still teaching himself lessons and rules about life on his own and didn’t drop out and disappear into jail or death, like many of his friends did along the way. Once the film ended, the crowd began to roar as the screen lifted up and “The Genesis” began playing. Nas slowly strode out to the stage to one of the most raucous crowds that the Palace Theatre in Albany has ever seen. Many people walked down the aisles to the stage, people were standing on chairs to take pictures, and there was even a woman on her boyfriend’s shoulders for a song. The whole scene, although chaotic, was just another part of the celebration for the album and no patron got out of hand.
Nas was all smiles for the hour or so he was on stage. Going through the entire album front to back, Nas gave everything he had into the songs. “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The World is Yours,” “One Love” and “Represent” really drove the crowd crazy. During the performance, he thanked producers and collaborators of the album as well as those who inspired him to make the record.
Only being a short drive to New York City, he continued to thank Albany for coming out and embracing the album. Nas thanked those who made the trip Upstate to Albany for the last New York show of the tour. A double shot of “Hate Me Now” and “Made You Look” closed the evening out after he finished up Illmatic.
With the whole evening over it felt like the crowd wanted more, but walking off stage with his entourage and DJ, Nas left the building and nothing but smiles could be seen on people’s faces. History had been served and embraced by Albany. It’s not every day that you get to hear a legendary album played front to back and get the history behind it. Nas’s Time is Illmatic Tour is one for the record books and is not to be missed.
Syracuse’s own Country Swagg Band, opened for Colt Ford at Toby Keith’s Syracuse, Friday night September 26. Performing covers of big stars such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, Country Swagg brought their “A” game to get the party started. As always, they did not disappoint. The show was packed with high intensity and yes, lots of fun too.
Lead guitarist, Tim Horst, just amazes me with that guitar. It’s hard enough playing it while in front of you, but he plays it backwards and up behind his head. During a sweet sentimental moment just after singing “Say Yes” written by lead vocalist Mike Johnson, he professed his love for his new bride of two weeks to the crowd. The fans, of course, just ate it up. Nothing like a country fairytale. The crowd sang along to every song and showed their support for this local country group; several Country Swagg T-shirts were even seen in the sea of people.
Country Swagg Band
Georgia native, Colt Ford hit the stage with his bass thumping mix of country/rock and hip hop to a huge crowd of fans ready to bring down the house. Colt Ford and his guys showed their love of the USA through some of their music and of course the American flag that hung from Colt’s shotgun mic stand. They saluted our veterans and troops with heartfelt lyrics that brought a few tears to the fans. Then it was back to the high energy, chest thumping bass that just takes control of your body and you’re unconsciously dancing away. He was set to party all night. Ford rocked the stage all while showing the crowd his fancy footwork and shaking his hips – reaching into the crowd grabbing cell phones to take selfies, handing them back to aw struck fans was the highlight of the evening.
Another highlight of this performance was when he asked the drummer for a stick and reached out into the crowd handing it to a young boy. Following that, one of the crew members approached the boy with a stack of picks. The smile on his face was priceless. Such a class act;
Ford sang of everything country, farmers to home cooked meals and truckers and hot country girls. They knew how to party and strike a chord in every fan there. The guys left the stage only to come back out to a chanting crowd to perform a cover of Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself”. Then they saluted the crows and America, all bowing together while Colt Fold raised his mic stand and waved the American Flag.
As the curtain is lowered at 7pm on October 11, 2014 on Enter The Haggis, at the Wescott Theater, in Syracuse, NY, attendees commonly known as Haggis Heads, will close a chapter to a much-loved book, and open a new one. The title of the new book? Jubilee Riots. A name that invokes chaos, but in a fun exuberant manner. Fitting as these five musicians are known to take a crowd and incite utter chaos with their electric, eclectic, gripping sound.
Enter The Haggis
As we bid them farewell we also welcome a new sound, a new path, and a new opportunity to support our friends in their new adventure. Enter The Haggis aka Jubilee Riots has extended to NYS Music’s readers the opportunity to win (Post) one of three sets of two tickets to their final show on October 11, 2014. All you need to do is go to the link on the NYS Music’s Facebook page, and follow the directions to enter. It’s simple..you must first “Like” the NYS Music Facebook page…then go to the Jubilee Riots page and “Like” them, and then comment in the post as to who you will bring.
Enter The Haggis
Be a part of history, and a part of the future by showing your support of live music in Upstate New York and Enter The Haggis as they move ahead to new adventures. The chance to win ends Sunday, October 6, 2014, at midnight so don’t hesitate to win your chance to be part of history at the farewell show of the year. Winners will be announced the morning of October 7, 2014 on the NYS Music’s Facebook page. Good luck to all who enter and see you there at the show.
The various capacities to love and the relationships that can contain love are explored throughout the film Love is Strange, an accurate film title if there ever was one. Directed by Ira Sachs, the film explores the bounds of love when distance of varying degrees is placed between two individuals.
Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) get married after 40 years together, once New York State legalized marriage equality in 2012. Soon after they return from their honeymoon, George is fired from his job as music director at a Catholic school, causing a disarray of finances, with Ben a retired artist, who has hair reminiscent of Bruce Dern in last year’s Nebraska. Without money to afford their apartment, Ben and George have to rely on separate family and friends to provide them with temporary accommodations, after decades of being together. With their living and lifestyle fundamentally changed, these two men in their 60s and 70s face a difficult transition as they adjust to their loved ones who welcome them willingly into their lives.
George takes up at the house of two gay cops, who introduce George to Game of Thrones, have party nights (a little too often, even for cops) and leave their guest without a place to lay his head some nights; he is treated as a peer and not a recently fired school teacher in his 60s. Ben meanwhile takes up with his nephew Elliot (Darren E. Burrows), his wife Kate (Marisa Tomei) and their teen son Joey (Charlie Tahan), with whom he shares the lower bunk in his room. Relationships develop under extenuating circumstances for all involved, as both Ben and George are all but imposing on their friends and family, left with no other option but to rely on their loved ones, for they are quite homeless without them. Thrust into family situations – arguments, work and parenting aspects – Ben has to mind himself, and does so at times but at others interrupts the work and daily life routines of Joey and Kate in particular. Even when presented with the option of government assistance to find housing doesn’t seem to pan out for them, and with only a niece in Poughkeepsie as an option, a true lack of income and shelter makes the reality of the situation even direr and ultimately heartbreaking.
With a soundtrack full of selections from Chopin (most notably Chopin’s Nocturne No 8 in D Flat Major Op 27-2 in an emotional scene between George and a student), Alfred Schnittke and Henryk Wieniawski, the mood of the film is kept hopeful, never dark or foreboding. Even while Ben and George are getting on with their respective lives – apart, for the first time in 40 years – they show signs of separation and the physical and emotional toll that it takes upon them. George looks sad and dejected while Ben looks distant and finds a muse in his art – beginning a painting of a lone teen standing on a rooftop on the Upper East Side. In one of the limited scenes Molina and Lithgow share together, George makes his way across town to see Ben, and following a tearful embrace, take over Joey’s room, splitting bunk beds. Eventually, separated by mere feet, Ben says to George, “I missed your body next to mine and I won’t let bad engineering get in the way”. Of all the moments in the film that exemplify love, this is one of the truest moments.
Love is Strange portrays the many various ways that love is unique, odd and strange, amazing and beautiful, separately or all at the same time. Through the numerous relationships that develop over the course of the film, we see connections between characters are various levels – friends, family, spouse, co-worker and student – each demonstrating a different facet to the grand scope of love. While love is strange, Love is Strange is a fantastic romance film set in a present day reality that is accessible and moving.
Retired? Definitely not. Fans in Rochester lined up around the block on a beautiful, early autumn evening in Rochester to catch the eponymous demigods and kings of metal Judas Priest kick off their world tour. The band had previously announced their retirement in 2011, but thankfully decided that the metal must live on. Despite multiple lineup changes over the years, most of the band’s core remained intact with head screamer Rob Halford, guitarist Glenn Tipton, founding member Ian Hill, and long-time drummer Scott Travis. Joining them to replace the departed K.K. Downing would be Richie Faulkner formerly of the Lauren Harris band.
Kicking things off, reportedly (repeatedly on stage by Steel Panther themselves) for a $50 paycheck, was Los Angeles, California’s Steel Panther. Well known for reviving the once stagnant metal scene on the historical Sunset Strip, Panther’s show falls somewhere between Motley Crue and your mom’s worst freaking nightmares. Featuring songs like “Asian Hooker” “Gold Diggin’ Ho” and “17 Girls in a Row,” the band had the audience simultaneously head-banging and laughing their asses off for their hour set. Don’t worry guys, we were laughing WITH you, not at you.
As set break ensued, the black-clad masses rushed to grab a smoke or a cold Labatt’s while the time of the legends entrance drew near. A mishmash of an audience with as many gray maned old timers and grizzled bikers as excited youngsters. A giant Priest banner shrouded the stage as fans surged – and in many cases stumbled – towards the front. The house music suddenly blared the Black Sabbath metal anthem “War Pigs” as palpable excitement ignited throughout the throngs of attendees. The curtain dropped and the true kings of metal broke directly into the last and first songs respectively from their brand new 2014 release Redeemer of Souls – “Battle Cry” and “Dragonaut”. With such a rich history of 40+ years of albums, it’s refreshing and a sign of huge cojones to see Priest engaging the crowd with brand new material right off the bat and throughout the night.
After some brief and apropos banter from Mr. Halford, the band continued with two tracks from the bands impressive catalog – 1982’s “Devil’s Child” and 1976’s “Victim of Changes” – before continuing to showcase their new material with “Halls of Valhalla”. One more new song would make an appearance – title track “Redeemer of Souls” – before the band finished out the set with a grand m/etal finale of hits. ’84s “Jawbreaker” had the crowd in a signing, headbanging frenzy and everyone’s favorite “Breaking the Law” only amped the energy up to new levels. Naturally, no Priest show is complete without a Harley revving across the stage and this one would be no exception with Rob revving his bike fittingly to the tune of “Hell Bent for Leather”.
As the clock approached midnight, the band came out for a quick encore and bid the well satiated crowd adieu. Forty (plus) years of metal and this band shows no signs of decay. We can only pray (to the devil) for 40 more. Sad you missed the fun? Our ROCtober article has all the big shows coming to town, so get off your couch and go see some live music!
Steel Panther Setlist
Pussy Whipped, Party Like Tomorrow is the End of the World, Asian Hooker, Tiger Woods, Gold Diggin’ Ho, Girl From Oklahoma, Community Property, Eyes of a Panther, 17 Girls in a Row, Gloryhole, Death to all but Metal, Party all Day
Judas Priest Setlist
Battle Cry * > Dragonaut, Metal Gods, Devil’s Child, Victim of Changes, Halls of Valhalla, Love Bites, march of the Damned, Turbo Lover, Redeemer of Souls, Beyond the Realms, Jawbreaker, Breaking the Law, Hell Bent for Leather
Encore: You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Living after Midnight
As with any new album that’s headed for another spin, it’s usually for one of two reasons: the band either had some potential on that first go-around, peaking your general curiosity, or the rarer option where you can’t help but race to start it over. Mingo Fishtrap definitely falls into the latter with their latest album On Time.
For longtime fans, their talent might be old news, but there are many who have never heard the name, and that needs to change quickly! The band has been around almost 20 years now and they’ve been riding a wave lately that has lead to them finding new fans. As with any listener nowadays, there is simply a fire hose-stream of music with only so much you can drink. Occasionally, and unfortunately in my case, bands nowadays can elude the most exploratory of listeners. The album was released this past June, and even if you missed their appearance at Jazz Fest in Rochester, the band is headed back to The Egg in Albany on Oct. 4 and The Club at Water Street in Rochester on Oct. 5. If you’re anywhere in the region, you’re not going to want to miss these shows.
The opener “End of the World” is a feel-good kick-off to the album, despite the tracks name. The dark and sexy side shown throughout the verses strikes the perfect contrast for the upbeat chorus that has an intoxicatingly good melody to it. If this is the entrance, Mingo provides a warm welcome and a full tour of their sound.
For those seeking solid lyrics and a soul-soothing voice, Roger Blevins, Jr. delivers an all-encompassing approach that is as rich in history as it is deep in emotion. The complimentary instrumentation that strikes a balance between providing a solid backbone and touching various genres rounds out the rest of what you’ll hear; you’re going to dig this album. Mingo Fishtrap does a phenomenal job at mixing blues, jazz, soul, and funk into a beautiful array of color and sound. To be blunt, as long as you have some ears and a pulse, this is going to get your foot tapping and put a smile on your face.
Throughout the album, there are incredible displays of musicianship. The solo on “Things Ain’t What They Was” is the first time I’ve heard a hint of Derek Trucks influence performed flawlessly. That tip of the hat also rears its face on “Born Without a Heart”. The vocal depth and emotion in “Silver Lining” pulls at your soul and is immediately in tune to life’s natural rhythm. Everything simply feels right with these guys. The piano solo on “Silver Lining” is another must-hear on this album. In fact, if you’re going to give this band a small taste-test, fast forward to the 3:30 mark and just let it play. The solo closes the song on a stroll that turns into its own entity, complete with a raging attitude and swagger.
Austin, Texas has always been a hotbed for music, raising acts like Willie Nelson and Ciara, to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, and Nelly. Mingo embraces their eclectic heritage and shares in the talent that their hometown is known for. On Time is exceptional from start to finish and I would strongly recommend you put the fire hose down to take a drink from the deep waters of Mingo’s diverse and refreshing sound.
Roger Blevins, Jr.- guitar and vocals
Chip Vayenas- drums and backup vocals
Dane Farnsworth- organ and keys
Mikel Urdy- Percussion and backup vocals
Roger Blevins, Sr.- bass
Steve Butts- trumpet and flugelhorn
Dan Bechdolt- tenor/alto sax and backup vocals
Zol Waterhouse – Trombone
Key Tracks: Too Far Gone, Fireproof, Silver Lining
Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) get married after 40 years together, once New York State legalized marriage equality in 2012. Soon after they return from their honeymoon, George is fired from his job as music director at a Catholic school, causing a disarray of finances, with Ben a retired artist, who has hair reminiscent of Bruce Dern in last year’s Nebraska. Without money to afford their apartment, Ben and George have to rely on separate family and friends to provide them with temporary accommodations, after decades of being together. With their living and lifestyle fundamentally changed, these two men in their 60s and 70s face a difficult transition as they adjust to their loved ones who welcome them willingly into their lives.
As with any new album that’s headed for another spin, it’s usually for one of two reasons: the band either had some potential on that first go-around, peaking your general curiosity, or the rarer option where you can’t help but race to start it over. 