Tag: buffalo

Local Limelight: Buffalo’s Aqueous

Buffalo’s Aqueous is:

Mike Gantzer: Guitar, Vocals
Dave Loss: Guitar, Keys, Vocals
Evan McPhaden: Bass
Nick Sonricker: Drums, Vocals

Mike, Dave, Evan, and Nick make up Aqueous, the four piece prog machine out of Buffalo, NY that is rapidly becoming known up and down the East coast. The band played over 125 shows in 2013 resulting in a tighter bond evident throughout their playing. It’s difficult to sum up their sound concisely though as they can quickly shift from one genre to the next effortlessly. To give you an idea, the guys have covered everyone from Elton John to Notorious B.I.G. and The Beatles to Metallica. Even still, there’s something very distinct about their sound mixing rock, prog phrasing, and a heavy focus on groove. Their attention to both structure and free-form improv leaves their shows wrapped in intrigue. If you really want to know what they’re all about, as cliché as it may be, you have to catch their live show.

The band recently released Live Nugs Volume 4 at the beginning of the year. Consisting of five live cuts of original songs from their fall tour, the album puts their current chops on display and is a perfect marker for growth through the Live Nug series. gave a glowing review of the album, claiming the tracks to be the “headiest to date.” Additionally, the band is set to do their first ever residency at Buffalo’s Nietzsche’s in February. On each of the four Wednesday’s of the month, Aqueous will be joined by a special guest and feature a different theme. The four bands playing in support are Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Mantras, Broccoli Samurai, and Big Something. Aqueous is even offering a pass for the whole month allowing you entry into each of the four shows for only $20. If you’re unable to make one of their hometown shows, don’t fret. Their spring 2014 schedule was just announced, and it looks as though it’ll be relatively easy to catch these guys if you’re anywhere in the Northeast.

What type of fan is Aqueous for?

Dave Loss: Honestly, Aqueous is for fans of music. Yes we do a lot of improv when we play live and are influenced by many of the major jam bands like Umphrey’s and Phish, but beyond that we all like many different types and styles of music and are always determined to keep things interesting and avoid being too repetitive. Oh and we always focus on keeping the groove. We are big on groove!

Mike Gantzer: I agree with Dave here. We try to put into one of our shows the things that move us most when we see shows; energy, interaction, occasional theatrics, and general fun. We certainly have a sound, but we believe that music should push and pull, and contrast is a beautiful thing. Mixing rock with reggae, funk with hip hop, metal with bluegrass etc. It’s wonderful as musicians to delve into different sounds and styles, and even better to see people react to that contrast.

Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

Dave Loss: Popular enough to where I don’t need a Facebook anymore and can strictly use Twitter……but seriously I would love to be at a point where I could play venues like the Town Ballroom here in Buffalo all over the country. Maybe even on a European tour! But really if I could make a living off playing and recording music, that would be a dream come true.

Mike Gantzer: Personally, my goal for the band is to play in Japan and do a European tour within the next five years, and make it to the West coast. We’re all grateful for the level of support we’ve been shown, and I think our priority is to keep building on that momentum and write and tour as much as possible.

Evan McPhaden: In the next five years I’d like to be able to tour more extensively, reaching the West coast would be amazing. Playing some of my favorite venues where I’ve seen bands that I love like the Town Ballroom. Ideally, if I could survive from playing music that would be all I need. Lastly, in the next five years I’d like to find a golden ticket and meet Willy Wonka.

Keep up on everything Aqueous via their Website, Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud pages.

January 28, 2014
An Upstate look at Rochester’s AFR

There’s a rumbling coming from Western New York as of late; or so it seems from the perspective of the editor’s desk here at Upstate Metal, as we’ve had our eyes forcibly opened ala Clockwork Orange to the music scene out of Rochester, New York.

The epicenter is discernablly originated from underneath whichever stage AFR plays. The heavy metal group phones out from the 585 Area Code, and in the short time since they formed in April of 2012, they’ve fostered a following with an enormous fan base – geographically speaking.

AFR comes off as an eclectic sounding band, listing a broad focus of infuences that range from Dream Theatre to Lamb of God. Signed by Buffalo’s Dead Trash Mob records, the boys like to describe their sound as, “if Pantera and Lamb Of God had a baby.”

Upstate Metal recently had the opportunity of communicating with the band’s bassist, Todd Church. Church is the neophyte of the band, stepping on board with AFR last October. As with many local rockers, Church has a day job to pay the bills. Only, as you’ll quickly learn, his day job is almost as interesting as his nighttime persona. We talk to him about that, and more, plus what fans should expect from the band in the next few months.

Hallisey: You joined the band in October of last year, right? Tell me a little bit about how you joined the crew, and what kind of struggles do you have being with a band that’s already struck out on its own before you came along?

Church: Actually the band was advertising on Craig’s list back in the summer of 2013 and during that time I went to see one of their shows to check them out and was really impressed with the show and the music. After the show, I met up with the guys and hit it off pretty good. The transition from me learning the songs and doing my first show was literally two weeks when the lead singer Alan called me up and asked me to play that coming weekend show at the Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY. Sometime in September. Surprisingly it went really well with the short time I had to learn their set list.

Hallisey: You’re a chemist, scientist? Is being a musician your alter ego?

Church: Definitely, I’m an Environmental Scientist these days; listening to a little Lamb of God or Pantera while working away! It’s always been kind of a joke in just about all the bands I’ve been in over the years. I would tell people I’m a scientist and everyone would be like, yeah right!

Hallisey: I don’t assume you’re cooking meth in an RV out in the New Mexico desert, am I right?

Church: Laughs. No! I’m pretty much tied to a computer these days. I currently work as a consultant providing chemistry/biology technical support to project teams and field sampling teams globally.

Hallisey: Is rock and roll a dream or a pastime for you? Do you see professional aspirations conflicting with your music?

Church: I never did or will quit the dream! I’ve been a musician most of my life starting in my elementary band playing the trombone. I’ve played in metal bands for long time. At one point in my life toured with my metal band throughout Michigan whom is still together but under different name now. Fortunately my job is pretty demanding but also flexible as well so seems to work out good. It would definitely be an easy decision on which way to go if the opportunity and money was right!

Hallisey: Speaking of music, how involved are you in the song writing?

Church: I’m at a point now with AFR that I am contributing to the music writing process with our upcoming EP that we have been working on. Each of us encourage each other to help with the writing process so it’s actually a fun and rewarding process.

Hallisey: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Church: As with most musicians and artists alike, inspiration comes from the soul. We all have a history whether good or bad, and being able to convey it to the music is incredibly fulfilling.

Hallisey: Who are your idols, and what characteristics do you try to take from them into your own play?

Church: I have been a huge fan of music in general as long as I can remember listening to my parents old Motown and classic rock records growing up. After being introduced to Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath, I knew that is what I wanted to do! Throughout the years, I would have to say Steve Harris from Iron Maiden as well as Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo were also huge influences on me as well. Robert is a madman to watch play!

Hallisey: I often hear musicians today speak of being involved in a battle to revitalize rock and roll. How do you feel being a part of such a scene where pop culture seems to have left it behind?

Church: I definitely have witnessed that over the years. Not only with music but even dealing with venues/clubs who have completely changed their lineup due to low attendance with the Rock culture and changing over to country music in hopes to draw more crowds. I’m not sure if that has changed today, but believe the metal/rock scene is just as strong today. I’ve always been involved with original bands and finding venues and getting large crowds to come see you has always been challenging.

We have been blessed with great venues and fans across upstate New York and don’t really feel that there is a battle at all and that there is always a place for metal.

Hallisey: What do you bring to the table for the band, that makes this band shine?

Church: When I first saw AFR play live, I felt a connection with the music and vibe instantly. I’d like to think I bring a prominent and heavy but unique sound quality that I believe will compliment what is already a powerful sound.

Hallisey: What does the band bring to the table for metal, to help metal make a comeback?

Church: Since I’ve been in upstate NY I have seen a lot of great cover and original bands. I think AFR stands out from the crowd with the some familiarity of the their sound but yet uniqueness which I see draws listeners interested from the first note until the last. Its been a great experience this far and looking forward to the future of this band.

Hallisey: You guys are working on a new EP, how far along are you with that?

Church: Yeah, we have been working really hard on our new upcoming EP since late November early December and pretty excited about. We have a few songs that are completed now but we wanted to spend the time to give our fans more than just a single release or two. It’s definitely going to have a new heavy feel but keep true to our roots.

Hallisey: When can we expect a release?

Church: Our first EP, A Hero to Villains, which was released in 2012 under the Buffalo, NY record label Dead Trash Mob Records, has had a really good response and we’re expecting to release our new upcoming EP late spring/early summer 2014.

Hallisey: A radio show in Germany knows about you guys. How does that happen, and does that obligate you guys to cover a David Hasselhoff tune or two?

Church: Well, if we end up touring Germany, we will be sure to call our ride “K.I.T.T.”! Laughs.

Today, it’s almost endless on how or where to advertise at a touch of a button. You can find out music on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Facebook, Reverbnation and more. One of the best ways is always by word of mouth and the social networking apps like Facebook but of course, you still have to have a descent product so people do pass along. Its been great how our fan base has been growing and spreading to new fans worldwide, including Germany, in such a short amount of time.

For more band info, you can find us here:

www.facebook.com/AFRmetalrochester

www.reverbnation.com/artist/afrmetalrochester

AFR comprises of Alan Rohr (Vocals), Ledwing Hernandez (Guitars), Zach Sweedler (Guitars), Todd Church (Bass), and Brandon Lewis (Drums). (Photo Credit: Courtesy of AFR)

January 27, 2014
Dollar Diplomacy is rockin’ the Falls

A local band from Buffalo, New York that goes by the name of Dollar Diplomacy is making quite a name for themselves.

Dollar Diplomacy is Brad Martynowicz (lead vocals), Tyler Wright (lead guitar, rhythm guitar), John Harrington (percussions) and their newest member, Zenon Maciejewski (bass and back up vocals).

Dollar Diplomacy self-describes itself as a heavy-blues rock band with vocalist Martynowicz adding that they are “very jamming”. Their biggest influence is the immortal powerhouse band, Led Zeppelin.

The band’s first time performing was in 2011 when theyopened up for Davy Zee And The Renegades in Ellicottville, New York for Oktoberfest. The band had a different identity at the time, playing under the name Cut Short with a different bassist. The post-concert rush ended however and a few months later, Cut Short broke up. Wright and Harrington tried forming a new band and had multiple different members but nothing was working until they asked Martynowicz to help form a band. They had a solid line up for a year with all the remaining original members of Cut Short until the band changed the name to Dollar Diplomacy. Maciejewski later joined the band after their original bassist left the band a few months later.

The band’s unique name actually came from a history lecture when Harrington was sitting in class and his professor mentioned President William Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” and the name stuck ever since.

When asked how the band works for song writing and composing, the band described that they start with a rough draft of an idea and keep revising the idea over and over until they are kind of content with the end product, figuring out ways to make new songs work for them rather than them working for the new songs. Collectively, the entire band collaborates on a new works, however, the band is in consensus that Wright and Harrington are the main songwriters. As a band they compose and write lyrics together but they all agreed Wright and Harrington are the main songwriters.

Wright explained how at their last practice they wrote a song that they were definitely eager to perform. Wright said that he had a riff that he has been excited to play, at practice he said he just started the new riff and rest of the band joined in and, spontaneously, they formed a new song. Martynowicz added that he recorded the song on his phone and he started writing corresponding lyrics for it. Afterwards, they performed it as a band to see what works and what doesn’t.

The band finds it boring to play the same old songs over and over again and they often eventually reach a point where change is needed. At this point, they re-enter the song writing process.

The band was set to record an album last December. They have yet to be signed to a record label but they have been putting songs on their Facebook page and have been going to local Hot Topic’s and giving out demo CDs. There is currently no set release date on the album but their album will be available both on CDs and on ITunes.

Dollar Diplomacy performed with, Reloaded at Niagara Falls Hard Rock Café on January 10th.

January 23, 2014
NYErie: Aqueous Brings in 2014 in Style

Buffalo’s Aqueous had a busy and fruitful 2013. Having played over 125 shows including multiple major festivals, the band chose their home away from home at The Crooked I in Erie, PA to close the year out in grand style. Despite close to blizzard like conditions for much of the afternoon, Erie’s music lovers were not deterred as the venue filled from end to end as the show raged on. The I is a fantastic place, chosen by staff as one of the best small venues in 2013. Run by co-owners Marty Schwab and Tracy Evans, The I prides itself on fair prices, a well trained and accommodating staff, top notch promotion and booking, and first and foremost respect and fair treatment to musicians.

Aqueous hit the stage running a bit after 10 with an extra exploratory version of original “The Median”. The band, made up of guitarists Mike Gantzer and David Loss, bassist Evan McPhaden and drummer Nick Sonricker were all decked out in their finest dress clothes for the entirety of the show. During original “Coyote Run”, local axe wizard Eric Brewer sat in for a goosebump riddled guitar duel with Mike. The first set stuck mostly with the bands original material with plenty of jamming which rang well with the masses crowding the stage. A debut, “Complex Part II” anchored the middle of with aplomb, and the boys closed out with a first time played cover of Toto’s classic “Africa” including some fancy choreographed dance moves.

A quick set break later, the band retook the stage right before midnight and counted down into 2014 with the crowd. After an obligatory quick instrumental take on “Auld Lang Syne” everyone and their mom, and their mom’s mom, were taken completely by surprise as the band dropped into a full spot on cover of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”. Gratuitous headbanging ensued. Several originals followed with Aqueous’s usual spot on jamming all over the place. Not done with the evenings surprises yet, the entirety of The Beatles Abbey Road (side 2) finished out the set with 300+ of Erie’s jamizens singing along to every word. Sad you didn’t go? The entirety of the show was captured on audio and video so keep an eye out!

Aqueous also released their newest live CD Live Nugs: Volume 4 at the show, which can be purchased here.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/127580768″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Catch Aqueous in Upstate this winter on January 18th at The Hollow in Albany w/ Wild Adriatic, January 24th at Balloons in Ellicottville and every Wednesday in February at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo.

Setlist

Set 1: The Median, Skyway > Eon Don, Complex Part II#, Coyote Run^, Africa ##

Set 2: Auld Lang Syne > Master of Puppets ### > Origami, Dave’s Song > Kitty Chaser (Explosions),
King For A Day > Willy is 40, All In, Mean Mr. Mustard #### > Polythene Pam #### >
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window #### > Golden Slumbers #### > Carry that Weight #### > The End ####

Encore: Her Majesty #### > Warren in the Window

# First time played original
^ with Eric Brewer on guitar
## First time played, Toto cover
### First time played, Metallica cover
#### First time played, The Beatles cover(to end of set)

January 7, 2014