NYS Music 20​14

Tag: Rochester

  • ROCtober Kicks Off With The Kings of Metal: Judas Priest

    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.

    Jim Gilbert-Steel Panther-06

    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.

    Jim Gilbert-Judas Priest-08

    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!

    Jim Gilbert-Judas Priest-05

    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

    * Intro only

    [FinalTilesGallery id=’3′]

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band Rolls Into Rochester on September 25

    Rochester, NY will be the landing spot for the celebratory roots and blues explorations of the Tedeschi Trucks Band on Sept. 25. The eleven piece group combines Derek Trucks world-renowned guitar prowess as well as his wife Susan Tedeschi’s gritty vocals and equally potent guitar talents. Poly rhythmic undercurrents, golden horn exclamations and soulful renditions of classic covers and original compositions are on the docket for the evenings musical proceedings. The band will visit Rochester in support of their recent release, 2013’s Made Up Mind. 

    Tedeschi Trucks Band rochesterThe concert will feature the band’s diverse blend of swampy blues, jazz, funk and raga neatly decorated with the virtuosic slide guitar of bandleader and instrumentalist extraordinaire Derek Trucks. Unable to be categorized by genre, the Tedeschi Trucks band is music for the body and mind, developed by some of the finest musicians in the world, each member a shining star illuminating a detailed musical landscape.

    Tickets for the 7:30 performance are available through Ticketmaster for $39.00-89.00 or by contacting the Rochester Auditorium Theatre.

  • Hearing Aide: Neuroceptor ‘Reuptake’

    Neuroceptor, a four-piece electronica fusion group from Rochester has just released their first EP as a band, Reuptake. The group released the album on August 30 while playing the Purple Pig Music Festival in Naples, NY. Reuptake features six tracks that blend organic sounds with electronic beats.

    According to keys player Mike Lopresti, who also wrote and produced the album, “most of the tracks are inspired by some piece of nature or culture…the whole concept of Neuroceptor is blending electronica with these organic and natural inspirations.” With tracks like “Estuary Path”, “Roads of Spain”, and “Giant Earth Shattering”, Neuroceptor’s fascination between natural and synthetic dualities surfaces in both song titles and composition.

    neuroceptor reuptakeThe opening track, “Anura” is named after the Greek term for the genus classification of “toad.” The tune has an underwater feel, setting a fluid tone for the EP. Beginning with fast, snappy drumming and a tight bass line, the addition of melodic keys shore up the full sound. As the track progresses, a plethora of croaking sounds, produced with analog synthesizers, create an out-of-this-worldly amphibious effect. The electronica track, nearly seven minutes in length, gets intense in the middle, but returns to the melody for a gradual comedown as it closes.

    The aquatic vibe carriers over to the second track, “Ganges of Heaven”. Led by the guitar, this tune follows a more linear rock path than “Anura”. Third up, “Roads of Spain” introduces the band’s versatile side with a mix of reggae samples and ambient synth sounds. One could easily imagine blasting this jam at a summer beach party.

    “Estuary Path” showcases Lopresti’s production skills. Both eerie and ambient at once, the song has the most personality of any on the album. It commences with the flowing theme introduced in the first couple songs. A few minutes in, however, sharper, more menacing synthetic sounds are incorporated. The track progresses through a Daft Punk-esque section before closing with strange samples playing over the dance party version of The X-Files theme song. As a whole, the nearly nine-minute long song is a captivating journey with distinct sections.

    While Neuroceptor’s first self-titled EP was recorded solely by Lopresti, he recruited a band for a live show and they’re featured on the new album. “Reuptake is supposed to highlight us as a band,” Lopresti stated. “Giant Earth”, the fifth track, starts a bit slowly, but picks up with some funk in the middle and concludes with the most deeply layered and fullest sound on the EP. The finale, “Collective”, returns to reggae for an easy-listening ending to the album.

    Overall, the six tracks on Neuroceptor’s Reuptake blend electronic and instrumental sounds to create a well-balanced, smoothly flowing album. Each song is both easy to listen and dance to, while there are certain nuanced points that may require a couple listens to fully appreciate. You can listen to more of Neuroceptor here, and they will next be playing live on September 20.

    Key Tracks: Anura, Estuary Path, Giant Earth Shattering

    neuroceptor 2

  • Rochester’s Sirens and Sailors Experience “Every Band’s Nightmare”

    Upstate NY’s metalcore band, Sirens and Sailors, is living “every band’s nightmare” right now. According to several posts to social media, the band is currently experiencing a devastating crisis overseas. While on a European tour with Scottish band, To Kill Achilles, they returned to their van to find that everything “down to [their] toiletries” had been stolen.

    According to a recent Facebook post by one of the band members, they have been left with nothing, and that this experience is “one of the most devastating things to ever happen to us as a touring band.” Despite their former commitment to “earning their keep” and resisting the urge to start a crowd-funding program (such as Kickstarter) to support them, Sirens and Sailors now has “no other option” and are asking fans to help out. Their tour-mates, To Kill Achilles, are also using the power of social media to encourage fans to support. More details and up-to-date Twitter feeds are available at http://sirensandsailorsmusic.com/tour/ and https://www.facebook.com/sandsmusic?fref=nf.

    Sirens and Sailors was scheduled to play in the Czech Republic on August 28 and in Belgium on August 29. This is the band’s first European tour. Formed in Rochester in 2005, this five piece band has been actively “earning their keep.” They released Sirens & Sailors in 2007 and Still Breathing in 2010, and Skeletons in 2013, all available at iTunes.

  • Hearing Aide: My Plastic Sun EP ‘All of This’

    all of this ep cover

    Wednesday, August 13 marks the drop date for My Plastic Sun’s latest EP entitled All of This, another three song excursion into the dreamy, indie, power-pop, ambient world occupied by the likes of Coldplay, Radiohead and The Beatles.

    The band remains hard to pin down as each track expresses a different part of their collective musical soul, echoing their influences while creating new horizons musically. Lyrically they’ll make you play each piece repeatedly, wanting to embrace the depth of the story while floating along with the swelling melodies. While My Plastic Sun continues their tradition of self-recording, they’ve enlisted the mixing magic of L.A. based, Grammy Award winner Greg Collins (U2, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.) to take the helm. As you might expect, the results are remarkable.

    The single “All of This” opens and immediately grabs your senses with a rich, layered, signature sound that will be familiar, yet fresh, to those who know the band and auditory bliss to new listeners. Roy’s experience in the studio gave Greg all he needed to mix a chart-topping single, all wrapped up for worldwide consumption. It tastes of Morrissey melancholy blended with OMD romanticism fronting The Church, only better. One moment it’s sparse and dark, the next swirling in textural waves. Johnny’s voice is so expressive and heartfelt, with a range and depth of character that is remarkable, yet somehow shows another level on this song. The band is so distinct, yet approachable, dynamic, but comfortable. The result jumps from the speakers in the shape of an instant earworm.

    “We Are Free” is pure, lush, romanticism, a poetic love song highlighting Johnny’s vocal dexterity and the band’s uncanny way with a hook. Roy and Johnny keep setting the bar higher as a songwriting team; they know their strengths and magnify them through the individual talents at their demand. The soft, bright, soft, bright builds and the twist in the chorus makes you wonder if the protagonist is in love or broken-hearted, pretty much what all of the greatest pop songs do. There is an element that’s left to the listener to personalize, difficult for many, these guys make it seamless.

    The ending piece, “Your Prayer” is especially poignant with the recent loss of Robin Williams at his own hand. You can feel the emotion drip from Johnny’s voice as he tells this tale of those who stand strong for another through the pain of depression and addiction. There’s an element of Thom Yorke channeling here, the soar to falsetto is emotive and realizing, the depth of topic, takes me right back to the first paragraph. Radiohead, The Beatles and splash in a little Butch Vig for color. Brilliant stuff.

    From my first listen I’ve championed this band. The combination of talents and their range, mixed with the extraordinary songwriting provides the listener with a world-class product that rivals any being made today. My Plastic Sun has been opening some big doors this year receiving strong airplay on Sirius XM’s The Coffee House with “Couldn’t Love You More” being the top-played song for ten weeks running. This bringing the band the opportunity to record live in the SiriusXM studios and perform live on The Coffee House. Don’t let this band pass you by, they’re offering the new EP as a download for free on their SoundCloud page. Check them out online and spread the word, this band is on the rise!

    My Plastic Sun is:

    Johnny Cummings (pictured on the album cover): lead vocals, piano, synths, organ, mellotrons, lead electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass, and banjo

    Roy Stein: drums, percussion, sampling and programming, assorted keyboards and synths, electric and acoustic guitars, and background vocals

    Sam (Overhand Sam) Snyder: electric and acoustic guitars

    Kyle Vock: electric and upright bass.

    Follow My Plastic Sun

    Website | Facebook | Twitter

  • Dopapod Fall Tour 2014 Announced

    Brooklyn’s Dopapod announced yesterday an extensive 2014 fall national tour that includes several dates in Upstate New York.

    Early fall will find them headlining a show in Saratoga Springs on September 27.  They play Rochester on October 2 with supporting act Consider the Source opening.

    They come back through the state later on in October to support Umphrey’s McGee at Niagara Falls on the 23rd and in Binghamton on the 29th before finishing up with Space Carnival at the Oneonta Theatre in Oneonta on November 1.

    Check out the entire tour graphic below and mark your calendars for some Dopapod rage!

    dopatour

  • Dark Star Orchestra will be all over New York State this Fall

    Dark Star Orchestra will be coming back to New York this fall with a tour that will let you dance throughout the state this November. The tour will see the Grateful Dead Tribute act start in Buffalo’s The Town Ballroom on November 12. This will be followed closely with stops at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown and the Palace Theatre in Albany on the 14 and 15 respectively. Prior to two nights at Higher Ground on the 24 and 25, the tour will stop at The State Theatre of Ithaca on the 17 and the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie on November 20.

    dark star orchestra FallFollowing Thanksgiving, DSO will be playing New York City’s Best Buy Theatre for a two night stand on the 28th and 29th. The New York portion of the tour wraps up on December 1st at Syracuse’s Palace Theatre. Tickets for these shows go on sale this coming week. All the dates are below.

    11/12 The Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY
    11/13 The Danforth Music Hall Theatre Toronto, ON
    11/14 Reg Lenna Civic Center Jamestown, NY
    11/15 Palace Theatre Albany, NY
    11/17 The State Theatre of Ithaca Ithaca, NY
    11/19 Mayo Performing Arts Center Morristown, NJ
    11/20 Mid Hudson Civic Center Poughkeepsie, NY
    11/21 Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel Providence, RIp the 
    11/22 The Dome at Oakdale Wallingford, CT
    11/24 Higher Ground (Ballroom) Burlington, VT
    11/25 Higher Ground (Ballroom) Burlington, VT
    11/26 Penn’s Peak Jim Thorpe, PA
    11/28 Best Buy Theater New York, NY
    11/29 Best Buy Theater New York, NY
    12/01 Palace Theatre Syracuse, NY
    12/03 Paramount Theatre Rutland, VT
    12/04 State Theatre Portland, ME
    12/05 Calvin Theater Northampton, MA
    12/06 Lowell Memorial Auditorium Lowell, MA

  • Ozzy Osbourne To Release ‘Memoirs Of A Madman’ CD/DVD October 7

    The Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne has had a very colorful career with his years in Black Sabbath, as well as a solo career that saw him sell over 50 million albums and earn a Grammy award. On October 7, Memoirs Of A Madman CD/DVD will be unleashed to the masses including a CD of radio singles spanning Ozzy’s career.

    memoirs of a madmanThe track listing will include the following;

    01. Crazy Train 02. Mr. Crowley 03. Flying High Again 04. Over The Mountain 05. Bark At The Moon 06. The Ultimate Sin 07. Miracle Man 08. No More Tears (edit) 09. Mama, I’m Coming Home 10. Road To Nowhere 11. Perry Mason 12. I Just Want You 13. Gets Me Through 14. Dreamer 15. I Don’t Wanna Stop 16. Life Won’t Wait 17. Let Me Hear You Scream

    The DVD set is a real treat – It includes music videos showcasing Ozzy’s entire solo career, including never before seen video footage, behind the scenes footage, and never before released concert footage. It also features a concert in Rochester with Randy Rhoads on guitar that was filmed in 1981.

    Most footage comes from out of print VHS tapes, and other rare material.

    The DVD includes:

    DVD 1

    The Music Videos

    * Bark At The Moon * So Tired * The Ultimate Sin * Lightning Strikes * Crazy Train * Miracle Man * Crazy Babies * Breaking All The Rules * No More Tears * Mama, I’m Coming Home * Mr. Tinkertrain * Time After Time * Road To Nowhere * I Don’t Want To Change The World (Live) * Changes * Perry Mason * I Just Want You * See You On The Other Side * Back On Earth * Gets Me Through * Dreamer * In My Life * I Don’t Wanna Stop * Let Me Hear You Scream * Life Won’t Wait * Let It Die

    Bonus

    * Mama, I’m Coming Home (alternate version) * The Making of Let Me Hear You Scream * The Making of Life Won’t Wait

    DVD 2

    Rochester, NY 1981

    * I Don’t Know * Suicide Solution * Mr. Crowley * Crazy Train

    Ozzy’s Bunker

    Albuquerque, NM 1982

    * Over The Mountain

    MTV 1982 New York, NY 1982

    * Fairies Wear Boots (clip)

    Ozzy’s Bunker

    Entertainment USA 1984 Kansas City, MO 1986 (Jake E Lee, Phil Soussan, Randy Castillo)

    * Bark At The Moon * Never Know Why

    Ozzy’s Bunker

    * Killer Of Giants * Thank God For The Bomb * Secret Loser

    Ozzy’s Bunker

    Philadelphia, PA 1989 (Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)

    * Bloodbath In Paradise * Tattooed Dancer * Miracle Man

    MTV 1989 Marquee, UK 1991 (Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)

    * Bark At The Moon (clip)

    Studio 1992

    San Diego, CA 1992 (Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)

    * I Don’t Want To Change The World * Road To Nowhere

    Japan 1992

    * Ozzy’s Bunker * No More Tears

    Studio 1992

    * Desire

    MTV 1992

    * Mama, I’m Coming Home

    Studio 1992

    * “Ozzmosis” Recording Session 1995

    Ozzfest 1996 (Joe Holmes, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)

    * Perry Mason

    Fame & Fortune

    Tokyo, Japan 2001 (Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)

    * Gets Me Through

    Fame & Fortune

    Ozzfest 2007 (Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin)

    * Not Going Away

    “Black Rain” Photo Shoot

    Las Vegas, NV 2007 (Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin, Adam Wakeman)

    * I Don’t Wanna Stop

    “Scream” Recording Session 2010

    London, England 2010 (Gus G, Blasko, Tommy Clufetos, Adam Wakeman)

    * Let Me Hear You Scream

    Bonus

    Philadelphia, PA 1989 (Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)

    * Flying High Again

    Tokyo, Japan 2001 (Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)

    * Believer

    Memorirs Of A Madman will also be released on a two-LP set and two-LP picture disc set configuration.

    Currently Ozzy Osbourne just wrapped up a tour with Black Sabbath, and is expected to return to his solo career before Black Sabbath hits the road again.

  • Primus Awards GOLDEN TICKET to Albany, NYC and Rochester

    Oompa Loompa Doopity Doo, has an announcement for you! Primus has announced their fall tour which includes Golden Ticket dates in Albany (10/24), New York City (10/31) and Rochester (11/02).

    primus golden ticketIf you didn’t get the hints, this tour will be Willy Wonka themed with the moniker “Primus and the Chocolate Factory”.

    Alongside the tour Les and friends will release their 8th studio album, aptly named “Primus and the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble“. The announcement also came with a first listen of the debut single “Pure Imagination”. These are sure to be hot golden tickets, don’t delay!

    Primus Fall Tour 2014

    October 22 – Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
    October 24 – Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
    October 25 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
    October 26 – Burlington, VT @ Flynn Center for Performing Arts
    October 28 – Waterbury, CT @ Palace Theater
    October 29 – Baltimore, MD @ Hippodrome
    October 31 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
    November 1 – New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theatre
    November 2 – Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory
    November 3 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
    November 5 – St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House
    November 7 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
    November 8 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
    November 9 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
    November 11 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater
    November 12 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
    November 14 – Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
    November 15 – Austin, TX @ ACL live at the Moody Theater
    November 16 – Dallas, TX @ The Majestic Theatre
    November 17 – San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theatre
    November 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre Phoenix
    November 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre LA

  • Hearing Aide: AFR “Psychopath of Rightousness”

    Aaron Smith, of the Rochester-based, metal core band AFR, turns the drums into a concussion instrument. Throwing their latest EP, Psychopath of Rightousness, into my stereo only reminds me of how my high school music teacher had it so wrong to call them otherwise. Psychopathofrighteousnesscover

    AFR dropped the EP late last month, their second in two years. It consists of six, heavy tracks that promise to beat the hell out of your ears once you’re done. In fact, the band’s bassist Todd Church received my email shortly after I was done listening, simply stated: “Wow!”

    AFR is a five-piece band, featuring two guitarists and a bassist, that had started out back in the spring of 2012. Naturally, there has been a few line-up changes. Church was brought into the fold last year, and Aaron replaces Brandon Lewis behind the drum kit. Despite the short amount of time, the group is already signed to a label (Dead Trash Mob Records/Buffalo), and they’ve garnered a healthy respect from local fans for their abundance of showmanship, with or without the support from the crowd.

    Psychopath comes at the heels of last year’s release, A Hero to Villians, which in itself was a polished display of talent. Edwin Hernandez and Zack Sweedler continue to supply some tight guitar riffs, and Church lays down the bassline. Alan Rohr’s lyrical presentation again lends the band its metal core characteristics. But, what seems to separate this newest release from the last is its focus on the percussion. There is a subtle shift to the bass and percussion that gives Psychopath a slightly, but noticeably, harder sound than their last EP.

    Each track starts off quickly, with the exception of “DeFeo”. Amityville Horror fans will recognize the name and correctly associate the song title with that of the tragic events which ultimately inspired the book and subsequent movies. This track starts off with audio from a news broadcast reporting the details of the murders, scantly accompanied by guitar and cymbal, before tearing through their power chords. Otherwise, the boys like to rip it up right at the start.  Perhaps the best example of this would be “Bring on the Destructor”.

    Destructor is a favorite. It sets the tone for the rest of the EP.  The report from Smith’s drums is what resonates with me after putting the headset down. Those familiar with AFR’s repertoire won’t be disappointed. But, that hard edge was achieved through a subtle tweak in focus towards the percussion and bass from the new guys.

    AFR valiantly represents the emerging music scene out of Rochester. It’s a scene that has the attention of people in and out of New York State. And, with that said, the fact that this band is only two years in the game, and already making a name for themselves, is a testament that speaks louder than their music. (If that’s even possible.)

    You can purchase Psychopath of Rightousness from iTunes or through Reverbnation.

    Key Tracks: Bring on the Destructor, One in the Chamber, DeFeo

    Tour dates:

    August 2 – Rochester – Firehouse Saloon

    August 5, 6 – Syracuse – Lost Horizon (BATTLECROSS headliner)

    August 15 – Canandaigua – Villager Pub

    August 16 – Jordan – Hagefest (2-day fest)

    August 30 – Bridgewater – Xtravaganza2 (2-day fest) at Club Aqua