NYS Music 20​14

Tag: putnam den

  • Photo Gallery: Robert DeLong and Kip Chapman Celebrate WEQXmas at Putnam Den

    Robert DeLong and Kip Chapman Celebrated WEQXmas at Putnam Den this past weekend.

  • Best of Upstate 2014: The Venues

    In our 2014 Best of Upstate series, we have so far looked at the Best Albums and Best Festivals of 2014. Today we look at the music venues throughout Upstate NY. The region is blessed with incredible clubs, theatres and arena throughout the state, all bringing in a wide range of musical acts for the population living in Upstate New York, and drawing in music fans from outside our region.

    Best Club

    The Hollow Bar & Kitchen

    Honorable Mentions

    Upstate Concert Hall

    Brooklyn Bowl

    Buffalo Iron Works

    Garcia’s

    Putnam Den

    Best Theatre

    The Capitol Theatre

    Honorable Mentions

    The Palace Theatre

    The State Theatre

    Town Ballroom

    Best Arena/Amphitheater

    SPAC

    Honorable Mentions

    CMAC

    Ntelos Wireless Pavilion

    NYS Fairgrounds

    Artpark

    Bethel Woods

  • Montbleau Brings Exciting Lineup to Saratoga Springs

    If you go to a Ryan Montbleau show and you leave with both your face and feet hurting, you know it was a good one. It’s that type of sound that is upbeat and fun to dance to, but it’s also uplifting, it’s honest, it’s real, it’s those often simple yet insightful lyrics that can connect and bring a smile to your face for the duration of the set. It’s a blend of the most feel good parts of folk, soul, and rock, that has found a nice, cozy, welcoming home in the jam band world.

    montbleau saratoga springsAfter the Ryan Montbleau Band split up at the end of 2013, fans were nervous, curious and excited to see what type of project he’d jump into next. For those fearing a complete change, that they would no longer hear old favorites live, it seems there couldn’t have been a better outcome. Over the past year Montbleau has called upon a rotating cast of musicians to accompany him, in some cases for entire tours, at times only for a show or two.

    The lineup on hand at the Den was truly a treat: Beau Sasser on keys, John Kimock on drums, Marc Friedman on bass, and Mike Dillon on vibraphone/percussion. If you ever see a lineup that says “featuring Mike Dillon on vibraphone” go, just go. After becoming familiar with his unique style in previous Les Claypool side projects, hearing those sounds over those nice Montbleau melodies put a completely different twist on the sound. Sasser brought some serious funk on the keys, and the Kimock/Friedman rhythm section held down the base of whichever direction the band decided to go, proving to be incredibly solid, yet fluid when needed.

    Saturday night at the Putnam Den, Montbleau’s demeanor throughout the set showed that he was reinvigorated, genuinely happy and excited to be pushing his songs, and himself, in new directions. He proved to be on point both being a band leader, and member. Guiding the rest of the band with subtle cues of where he wanted the music go, but being generous with letting everyone else take the spotlight from time to time, showcasing the admirable level of musicianship the group of men brought to the stage. Songs stayed true to structure, while morphing in style just enough to give them new life. Every so often the smile on Montbleau’s face lit up the room as Dillion or Sasser grabbed one of his songs and put a healthy dose of their own signature flavor on it, perhaps taking it to places even he didn’t know it could go.

    The set was definitely a crowd-pleaser, the packed dance floor at the Putnam Den barely stopped moving throughout the night as the band played through favorites such as “Dead Set”, “Eggs”, “I Can’t Wait”, and “75 and Sunny”. As the rest of the band took a short set break, Montbleau remained on stage for three solo acoustic songs, playing “Chariot” with many in the crowd singing along before welcoming the band back on stage. Commenting that “it’s nice to come to Saratoga, where the crowd sings all the songs back”, Montbleau let the crowd know he doesn’t forget that a stop in Saratoga always means a full room and a party loving group of music fans. Before closing out the show, the night’s opening act, Jesse Dee, was brought up on stage to join in on a couple of songs. His big, soulful voice helped fill the room with warmth. There was also a surprise visit from moe.’s Vinnie Amico, who lives locally, joining Dillon on percussion. The group performed the Beatles classic “With A Little Help From My Friends”, which in some circumstances could receive an eye roll due to a “this song again!?” reaction from a crowd, but on this night it got a pass. It could sum up the evening’s performance, and perhaps even Montbleau’s current touring band situation, as he picks up friends and musicians as he traverses the country town to town, gaining from them help and inspiration.

    With the always changing group of musicians, now there is perhaps more reason than ever to catch a Ryan Montbleau show wherever, and whenever you can. Because while the songs may remain the same, the sound and the energy is in a constant state of growth that seems to be as exciting for the people in front of the stage, as it is for the performers on it.

  • Funk Sessions at Putnam Den with The New Mastersounds

    The Heard opened a night of funk at Putnam Den, bringing blazing Chicago funk along with them courtesy of a solid horn section, who would later join The New Mastersounds for a few numbers. With guitarist Eddie Roberts leading the ultratight rhythm section, the night was full of instrumental funk that dipped into various subgenres of their signature sound, including funk of the late 60’s and early 70’s, surf rock, boogie, disco and Sly and the Family Stone-level peaks when accompanied by the horns. Little is left on the stage when the Leeds quartet plays and Saratoga Springs was fortunate to have such high caliber musicians in town. Here’s hoping to a quick return to the Capital Region. Check out their new album Therapy and see them in 2015 when they likely return to the Northeast for festival dates.

    Setlist: Soulshine, All I Want, MRG, Yo Moma, Each to their own, This ain’t work, Pure, MM’s, Upstairs*, Fast Man*, Surfin, Burnt Back, Freckles>Be Yourself>Knees, 33*, Nervous*

    Encore: 20 minutes of funk

    *with The Heard horns

  • Aqueous and Formula 5 join forces for Saturday Night fun in Saratoga

    Two of Upstate’s own, Aqueous and Formula 5, took the stage October 11 for a night of tight improvisational jams with covers and original music at The Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs. Both bands brought their dance groove to festivals all over Upstate this year such as Catskill Chill and Peach Music Fest with both appearing at Backwoods Pondfest.

    Formula 5 kicked off the night with their classic energetic “Excalibur” before gearing straight into a funky rocking  “Earthbound Tim” from their new latet album Edging on Catastrophe. Bringing up Aqueous guitarist Dave Loss for the Talking Heads cover “Uh Oh Love Comes to Town” brought out the best in the band as they helped stretch the melody.  “Nu-Gen” showcased psychedelic spacey keys from Mike McDonald, astounding guitar work from Joe Davis on “Coming Home” before going straight back into “Nu-Gen”. Formula 5 will be headed up to the North Country of Plattsburgh on Nov 15th and The Hollow in Albany on Nov 28th with The Heavy Pets.

    Setlist: Excalibur -> Earthbound Tim, Uh Oh Love Comes to Town*, Nu-Gen -> Coming Home -> Nu-Gen, Catch Me, Music Never Stopped

    * w/ Dave Loss of Aqueous on guitar, Talking Heads cover, “Strange Times” (Aqueous) teases

    The four piece groove rock band Aqueous has been getting fans excited for their new album Cycles, coming out October 25, making the crowd eager to hear some fresh and original tunes. The soft keys from Dave Loss of “Staring into the Sun” started the set before the song took a dark turn with strong rifts  from Mike Gantzer and wailing in sync vocals before diving into a psychedelic “Origami”. As the night progressed, so did the music with nonstop segues of climactic buildups and genre fusion. Drummer and newest member to the group Ryan Nogle proved to be a great fit as he put a unique touch to the familiar rhythm of Aqueous. Evan McPhaden dropped steady deep bass notes during The Police’s “Synchronicity II” and the night ended with guitarist Joe Davis of Formula 5 joining in for extra rock voltage on “The Median”. Catch Aqueous all over Upstate this week with The Mantras in Ithaca, Rochester and Buffalo for their official album release party on the 25th at Iron Works.

    Setlist:  Staring into the Sun > Origami, 20/20, Random Company > Synchronicity II > The Median*

    Encore: Uncle Phil’s Parachute

    *with Joe Davis from Formula 5

  • Super 400 Shreds Putnam Den

    Putnam Den was the site of one of the hottest shows that is going to be seen anywhere, at anytime on Friday, October 3 with Super 400. The bar was packed, first with patrons surrounded around the TVs watching the baseball playoffs but when Suitable Groove took this stage the bar became sparse and the stage area began to fill up to get a better look at opening act of the evening.

    Opening up with the hoppy dance track “Up to the Front”, which grabbed everyone’s attention with an energy matched by few. The solos where abounding as each member added their own uniqueness to the bands sound. The drummer, Ian Henderson, did not just hold the songs together with his rhythmic beats, he also sang lead vocals, a complicated task. Bassist Eric Johnson helped in this as well as he laid down beats in which keyboardist Chadd Portwine, who was filled with energy, danced around getting the crowd even more engaged then they already were. The guitar playing of Wayne Chaet, however, was a very high energy groove, a Suitable Groove if you will. They also had the ability to bring it back down to the songs original composition. This was the perfect opening act for what was to come next with Super 400 ready to take the stage.

    The energetic “Be My Friend” opened up Super 400‘s set and had the crowd eating out of their hands from the onset and there was no turning back. This and many of their songs featured shredding guitar solos from Kenny Hohman, but unlike many bands where guitars solos are the feature of the band, this was not the deal with Super 400. They focused more on the songs, the lyrics and the melodies which complemented the songs to perfection. Lori Friday added a higher pitch and slower vocal that matched Hohman’s more raspy southern rock feel. Friday however was not just a backing vocalist by any stretch of the imaginations, taking leads on many tracks that still wasn’t her highlighted skill. She laid down sick bass solos and had the crowd in awe. She was tearing it up to the point drummer Joe Daly and her were almost dueling, which just brought the energy lever higher. The show was amazing in every aspect.

    Playing covers of the Beatles “Don’t Let me Down,” to Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet,” and new renditions of standards that have been heard hundreds of times, but with Super 400 playing them it seemed as if it was the first time they were ever heard. Everyone in attendance was blown away, and although it was a free show, people said they would have had no problem paying to see this spectacle, a statement to just how fantastic the night was.

  • Dopapod Kick Fall Tour off at Putnam Den

    On this unseasonably warm Saturday night Sept. 27, people flooded into Putnam Den to see and hear some of the best live music around with Consider The Source and Dopapod. The vibe was chill, most people waiting for the bands to come on were talking about the music. This was a good sign of what was in store. There was a wide array of ages 18 and up (in some cases way up) but regardless of what age, everyone was there to get down and have fun.

    Consider the Source, a power trio out of New York City opened to a packed room, which became more and more engulfed as the seconds went on. Starting with a slow melodic piece that was reminiscent of Pink Floyd; a treat to many in attendance and a good sign of what the evening had in store. The lead Guitarist, Gabrielle Marin, played a double neck guitar possessing many different effects; one emulating a horn which was out of this world. Fans were looking around to see where the horn layer was, which there wasn’t, it was just on the guitar, this was brilliant as well as impressive. The drums played by John Olsen, laid down a sweet groove to jam over, which usually the drum and bass do together. Which they did do to a point  but the bass player, John Ferrara, had many solos of his own. Showing that this band was, well, a band. There is no real way to describe the sound of Consider The Source but ‘Thrash Jam’ could fit. They did just that, holding the audience’s attention while getting them ready for Dopapod.

    Dopapod opened with “Indian Girls”, a very danceable groove layered by heavy beats provided by two percussionists and the bass. This one kept the energy that CTS left going, and even raising the bar. It was on and the party was just about to get into full swing. Dopapod took their groove to another level with “Brooklyn Bridge”, and by adding in vocals, this made their jams actual songs to sing along too, and many people did. Smiles were abounding as people sang along and a small sense of family was felt throughout the crowd. This showed they were not a one trick pony who could come out and lay down heavy beats and just move on to the next heavy track, which so many bands tend to.

    The compositions of Dopapod were very complex. All four members of the band, including Adrian Tramontano from Kung Fu as a guest percussionist, were very intricate parts of these songs and everyone stayed tightly together, not losing a beat for a second. It may have seemed as if they were all over the place, but with a careful ear you could tell they were 100% on the same page. This was sheer brilliance. This led into a dark trance like groove keeping their overall sound, their feel, which isn’t very easy to do when shifting so drastically. With Dopapod’s heavy build ups, there was only one place for them to go: the peak. When they reached this peak it was second to very few. The lights went up, the crowd roared, and the payoff was well worth the wait. Eli Winderman’s keys and Rob Compa’s guitar took fans to another world, the world which is known as Dopapod.

  • Jesus Christ and the Hallucinogenic Allstars Bring Salvation and Metal to the Putnam Den

    The time had come for metal to return to Saratoga Springs. On Friday, Sept. 5, the Putnam Den held court for Jesus Christ and the Hallucinogenic Allstars (JCHA) monthly residency, where they bring the best in hard rock and metal from locals to bands up and down the East Coast. Unfortunately for this show, Surfacing from Brooklyn had to drop off last-minute due to vehicle troubles. The three remaining bands though from the local scene were primed to give up their offerings to the gods of metal, and to the wanting masses gathered at the venue.

    First up was Crown of Vultures, from Albany. Formerly known as the band Vacant, they have a progressive, heavy sound reminiscent of bands like Tool or Chevelle. The singer did his best to croon in that vein over the music, but their set was lackluster. People were already milling about the venue as they took to the stage, but a dynamically flat performance did not grab too much attention. Not sure where this band might fit, but in the bulging heavy scene that breathes metal and hard rock, this band sounded reserved and gave an almost boring performance. Their set was peppered with some great driving riffs, but they were too few and far between, with some stumbles along the way by the drums. They are a budding band though, which has been re-tooled with new members, so look for them to hopefully coalesce into a powerful outfit soon enough.

    Next up was Foaming at the Mouth, who flanked the stage with two towering posters, depicting a screaming girl writhing in the dirt. With that image in full display, the two-member band took no time diving into their first song. Guttural vocals being slung by both the guitarist and drummer, they instantly redeemed the show. Playing their own brand of crushing metal, with elements of death metal and grooving riff-rock, the sound paralleled to Lamb of God and Dying Fetus. With a brand new music video that dropped the same day and a new CD coming out in December, these guys are on a fast track to turn heads and melt faces. The absence of a bass player was never felt, as the onslaught of sound and technical prowess of the guitarist won the crowd over, gaining huge responses after each song. Both guys looked at ease and truly enjoying being on stage, even covering a Death song almost flawlessly.

    Resident pushers of all things stoner rock, JCHA prepped the stage with all their tricks. They took their traditional whiskey shot onstage, served by their bearded bartender-slash-light tech. They then launched into a barrage of sound and laser lights that instantly took over the audience. The band commanded the best sound of the night from the Putnam Den, but the vocals of bassist Dustin were a little overpowering at times, losing the drums in the mix. But these were only small technical problems that were made up for by the energetic performance the band produced. Jon, the guitarist, showed the crowd his brilliant talent through precise riffs and big solos. Ross beat his drums like they owed him money, but kept the floor held down throughout the performance. Dual vocal harmonies from Dustin and Jon, and well-timed lights and smoke brought the performance higher than a casual listener might have anticipated. At one point, during a cover of “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent, Jake the bartender stepped out from behind his stage bar to mix a drink in the faces of the audience, adding to the intense fun being had by the band on stage.

    They raffled a beautiful piece of art from local artist Alexis Herzog, who paints live during their set. The only downfall was that the stage lights were too dim to make out the piece being raffled, and she was working on the side of the stage in virtual darkness, making it hard to see what she was producing. There was still a good crowd as the show went on past 12:30 AM, and JCHA livened it up by unconventionally launching into three cover songs in a row. The fans that remained were still hungry for more, and they graced them with a brand new song as their final offering of the night.

    JCHA will be performing again Sept. 12 at Monirae’s in Pennelville, NY, as well as Sept. 19 at Sharpshooters in Amsterdam, NY.

    Setlist: Greed Makes You Fatter, Great Sage, Stranglehold, Late and Lost, The Mountain, Extension, Never Clean, Bear Steak, Green Machine, Children of the Grave, Ommision, Dying in Leather

  • Thank Jesus, Metal Returns to Saratoga

    The Saratoga Springs, New York horse racing tourists are going home, students are going back to school, and the metal is returning to the Putnam Den. Hometown hard rockers Thank Jesus Christ and the Hallucinogenic Allstars [JCHA] are offering up a great night of music on Friday, September 5th. Five dollars will get you through the door, and into a night heavy on the music and the fun.

    JCHA has been hosting a monthly heavy music residency at the Den, whose reputation leans toward jam music.  The monthly onslaughts have been importing talent from around the northeast along with other local heavy hitters.  This month is no different except that instead of it’s normal Thursday occurrence, Metal is invading the Saratoga prime-time, a sacred Friday night.

    Crown of Vultures, formerly Vacant, from Albany, will bring their progressive metal to the stage. Then the incredible two man assault of Foaming at the Mouth is an act not to be missed, bringing black and death metal to heights you might not soon forget. Surfacing, from Brooklyn will round out the eclectic night with metalcore reminiscent of Miss May I, and are poised to release their debut full length CD in October.

    JCHA is the premier stoner heavy rock band in the region, and along with their on stage bartender/light show technician, will project a performance that has to be seen to be believed. Local artist Alexis Herzog will be painting live during the show, and her finished work from the previous show will be raffled off to one lucky winner, courtesy of only the price of admission.

    Summer is over, fall is about to begin. Friday nights in beautiful Saratoga Springs can be unfiltered excitement during this time, as businesses are resetting from a busy season, and ready to entice the Upstate crowd to come out. Have faith, for JCHA, along with the Putnam Den, promise to provide you with a great show to have some fun, and bang your head.

  • Pink Talking Fish Swimming Through Northeast This Fall

    Pink Talking Fish, with the wonderful combination of musical influences from Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish, will once again make their way around New York and the rest of the Northeast this fall.

    The band loves to weave in and out of all three bands’ repertoires without a pause, making this band one of the most interesting tribute acts out there today. It’s no secret how much New York loves all three of these bands, and the band is playing the most shows in that state to satisfy the crowds. The first New York date is on October 18 at New York City’s The Cutting Room. The following Thursday and Friday will see the band tackle The Wescott Theatre and Putnam Den respectively.

    “There’s some serious energy when it comes to live music in Upstate New York,” said Eric Gould, the band’s bassist. “I went to college in Ithaca so, between attending shows all around the region during my time there and touring with Particle, I have a special place in my soul for this music scene. So psyched about late night Bella Terra and the 1-2 punch of Syracuse/Saratoga. We are going to have no repeats between those 2 shows so that people have an opportunity for a multiple show run PTF experience and catch a bit of the “tour fever”.”

    The last time they were at Putnam Den was a great show and it sounds like this time will be more of the same. The full tour can be seen below.

    pink talking fish 2014