Tag: syracuse

DATSIK Announce Ninja Nation Tour, Includes Stops in Buffalo, Syracuse, NYC

Hot off the brand new EP Down 4 My Ninjas, released by Firepower Records, which can be streamed below, ninja themed EDM DJ DATSIK announced the Ninja Nation Tour last night with special guest LOUDPVCK to open on select dates. The tour kicks off in Boston, MA on January 22 and will be stopping at the Terminal 5 in New York City January 24, also at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom on January 28, and at the F-Shed in Syracuse on January 29.

datsik ninja nation Some of the other guest on this tour will include ETC! ETC!, Kennedy Jones, Trolley Snatcha, Truth, Barely Alive, Bear Grillz, Fox Stevenson and Twine.

Tickets for the NYC show can be purchased here. For Buffalo click here. And for Syracuse click here.

The dates can be viewed below:

Thu	1/22	Boston, MA	House of Blues
Fri	1/23	Montreal, QC	Metropolis
Sat	1/24	New York City, NY	Terminal 5
Sun	1/25	Burlington, VT	Higher Ground
Wed	1/28	Buffalo, NY	Town Ballroom
Thu	1/29	Syracuse, NY	F Shed at The Market
Fri	1/30	Hartford, CT	The Dome
Sat	1/31	Philadelphia, PA	Electric Factory
Wed	2/4	Knoxville, TN	The International
Thu	2/5	Norfolk, VA	Norva
Fri	2/6	Washington, DC	Echostage
Sat	2/7	Richmond, VA	National
Sun	2/8	Pittsburgh, PA	The Altar Bar
Mon	2/9	Pittsburgh, PA	The Altar Bar
Wed	2/11	Cleveland, OH	House Of Blues
Thu	2/12	Cincinnati, OH	Bogart’s
Fri	2/13	Atlanta, GA	Opera
Sat	2/14	Detroit, MI	Royal Oak Music Theatre
Tue	2/17	Chattanooga, TN	Track 29
Wed	2/18	Urbana, IL	Canopy Club
Thu	2/19	Indianapolis, IN	Egyptian Room
Fri	2/20	Chicago, IL	Concord
Sat	2/21	Chicago, IL	Concord
Tue	2/24	Iowa City, IA	Blue Moose
Wed	2/25	Lincoln, NE	Bourbon Theatre
Thu	2/26	Milwaukee, WI	Miramar Theatre
Wed	3/4	Aspen, CO	Belly Up
Thu	3/5	Grand Junction, CO	Mesa Theater
Fri	3/6	Denver, CO	Ogden
Sat	3/7	Denver, CO	Ogden
Wed	3/11	San Diego, CA	Soma
Thu	3/12	Los Angeles, CA	Exchange
Fri	3/13	Riverside, CA	Riverside Auditorium
Sat	3/14	San Francisco, CA	Warfield
Sun	3/15	Reno, NV	The Knitting Factory
Wed	3/18	Victoria, BC	Distrikt
Thu	3/19	Edmonton, AB	Encore
Fri	3/20	Vancouver, BC	Commodore
Sat	3/21	Calgary, AB	Flames Central
Fri	3/27	Seattle, WA	Showbox Sodo
Sat	3/28	Portland, OR	Roseland Ballroom
Wed	4/1	Lubbock, TX	Wild West
Thu	4/2	San Marcos, TX	The Marc
Fri	4/3	Houston, TX	Stereo Live
Sat	4/4	El Paso, TX	Tricky Falls
Wed	4/8	Asheville, NC	The Orange Peel
Thu	4/9	Raleigh, NC	The Ritz
Fri	4/10	Charlotte, NC	Fillmore
Sat	4/11	Murfreesboro, TN	Tempt

December 28, 2014

The SAMMYS – Syracuse Area Music Awards Open Submissions for Their 2015 Edition

The 2015 Syracuse Area Music Awards, The SAMMYS, have opened submissions for the annual celebration of music and music history in Central NY.

This year’s event will be held at the spectacular Palace Theater in Eastwood, NY on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 pm. Live musical performances by area favorites, Grupo Pagan, Ruddy Well Band, Joanne Shenandoah and more will highlight the event. As has become tradition, their SAMMYS Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony will precede the main event on Thursday, March 5th, upstairs at The Dinosaur BBQ in downtown Syracuse. Both events sold-out in 2014, tickets will be on sale in February, 2015.

Submissions for consideration must be in a CD format only, with the official submission form that is available here along with all of the important instructions. Recordings released between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 are eligible, artists must be located in a 60 (sixty) mile radius of Syracuse. The deadline for submissions to be considered by the SAMMYS panel of judges is January 5, 2015.

The ever-popular “People’s Choice” awards submission/nomination period kicks off a bit later on January 1, 2015 and runs through January 13, 2015. The public is encouraged to participate and nominate their favorite local music artist, local music venue and local music series or festival for voting by the general public. Weekly online voting is set to begin on January 14, 2015. Thousands of local music fans and artists participate annually with last year’s winners being The Ruddy Well Band and Shifty’s (venue).

The SAMMYS Committee is proud to announce the World of Beer as the 2015 Title Sponsor. As well as recognize the support of WSYR-TV 9 & their Bridge Street program, 105.9 The Rebel, 93Q, 95X , New Country-WOLF 105.1, SubCat Music Studios, The Post Standard and Syracuse.com.

Keep up with all of the SAMMY announcements on Facebook and on Twitter and on their website.

December 5, 2014
Dark Star Orchestra set to raise the Dead at the Westcott Theater

Following their tradition of “continuing the Grateful Dead concert experience,” Dark Star Orchestra is back on the road, making a short stop at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater on December 1st.

For anyone who knows this 7 member tribute band extraordinaire, listening to their limited discography is just not enough to achieve the full DSO experience. They’ve extensively toured since their start in 1997, hitting up venues across the globe with the hopes of sharing the energetic spirit and fresh improvisational musicality that the Grateful Dead started so many years ago. It is this experience that breaks DSO apart from the cover band realm, giving them the musical flexibility and large following they have today.

While fans that attend a DSO should certainly be prepared to rock out to extensive Grateful Dead repertoire, DSO has a way of throwing in some surprises here and there, attributing to the Beatles and sometimes, Bob Marley. One thing I can say for sure is, you will not leave this concert on a sad note.

Make sure you head over to the Westcott around 7pm, and purchase your tickets online or at the door for $25. Make sure you follow DSO’s updates on their website and Facebook page, and come channel your inner dancing bear to kickoff this December!

December 1, 2014
Interview: Craig Campbell gets Loved by Syracuse

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill in Syracuse has done it again. National recording artist Craig Campbell partied with Syracuse Friday, November 14.

From the moment I met Craig Campbell I knew that he would not disappoint. Such an amazing talent with such respect and love for his fans. From the VIP meet and greet, through his entire show, and even after his performance by inviting every fan to his merchandise table for pictures and autographs, he proved just how important his fans truly are to him.

Performing his hit songs “Keep Them Kisses Coming”, “Outta My Head”, and “Family Man”, Craig proved to Syracuse just what a class act he is. He and his band left the crowd cheering after every song and wanting more. Inviting two special fans up on stage to enjoy a shot of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine (Big Orange Moonshine) and a beer while he played a few songs on the keyboard was simply amazing. He played a verse of Garth Brooks’ hit song “The Dance” and the entire place sang it right along with him. Best of all, Craig Campbell shared a little piece of a song he wrote that Garth Brooks performs on his new CD!
Craig’s entire performance was full of fun. I have to say that one of my favorite parts was while he was taking client’s cell phones and videoing himself singing and of course, making funny faces. I’m hoping he comes back to Syracuse many times. I would go to every show!

Kim Richer: Craig, thanks for taking the time to speak to . it’s so very nice to meet you.

Craig Campbell: You’re quite welcome. It’s my pleasure.

KR: So tell me a little about this tour you’re on.

CC: Well this isn’t really a tour. I enjoy going out and playing at festivals, bars and honky tonks. The size of the venues are nice because it gives me a chance to be on a more personal level with my fans. The shows that I’ve had this year have been great. This is the busiest year I’ve ever had coming off a top 10 song with “Keep them kisses coming”. Things have been really good for me this year.

KR: That’s great! Now do you find that you have more freedom doing shows this way instead of doing a tour?

CC: Well, there’s pros and cons to everything. I want to be on a tour to expose my music to more people. I could go do shows all day long and have the same 1000, 2000 people show up but when you get on a tour you have the opportunity to play in front of 15,000 and there’s a good chance that many of those 15,000 have never heard of your or never heard any or your music so that’s the appealing side of being on a tour. You get to be in front of all of these people and try to get your music out to more as the percentage of exposure is way higher. There is something cool about doing your own show in a club, but then there is also something really neat about being able to play in front of a whole ton of people.

KR: That’s true, but I must say from a fan standpoint I love the smaller shows because it’s so much more fan friendly and on a much more personal level.

CC: Even more personal than that are the theater shows I’ve done where everyone is sitting down and you can talk to the fans and carry on and talk about the songs.

KR: If there is someone you could pick to go on tour with, who would it be?

CC: Oh gosh, I’d love to go out with Luke Bryan. I’d love to go out with Garth, Eric Church, anybody. I’ve made some good friends over the years in country music. It doesn’t matter to me because I know no matter who it is we are gonna have fun no matter what.

KR: Now I understand you come from a pretty large family in Georgia. Is anyone else musically inclined or are you the only one?

CC: Well, everyone on my mama’s side of the family had some sort of musical ability whether it be singing or just playing. I was always the only one that wanted to chase it down and pursue it.

KR: When you were young was there anyone that you aspired to be like?

CC: I was a big Travis Tritt fan. I listened to the way he sang, the way he wrote his songs and the way he played. He was a great musician. He was the all around music package, he could do it all, write, play and sing. He was someone that I absolutely looked up to.

KR: Have you had a chance to meet him?

CC: Yeah, actually he sang on my last record. He’s a really really nice guy. It was a must on my bucket list to meet him so having him sing on my record was icing on the cake!

KR: I love Travis Tritt myself. I also understand your wife played a part in your last album with the song “Topless”

CC: Yeah, we wrote it together. She’s an amazing singing and songwriter herself so she always has a place on my albums for at least one song. We wrote it and thought it would be perfect for that last record.

KR: Oh most definitely. It shows the fun side. A lot of married artists usually do something sweet and sentimental but it’s nice to see the fun side as a couple too.

CC: I feel like both of us have a really good sense of humor so that was perfect for us.

KR: Can we look forward to her performing with you live anytime?

CC: Yeah, when she is on the road with me or if we are in her hometown or my hometown she will get up and do a couple songs. Eventually I would like to have her sing on my album, so we’ll see. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

KR: I’m interested in hearing a little more about this corn hole tournament you host annually.

CC: During CMA Fest there is a lot going on. There are a lot of free shows, there’s golf tournaments and all these other events going on for charity. I have always been geared toward Colon Cancer and Colon Cancer Research and awareness and I though man, nobody is having a corn hole tournament, let’s have a corn hole tournament. So we started it two years ago and did it this past year and it was a great success. It actually was a big part of me becoming the spokesperson for Fight Colorectal Cancer which March is Fight Colorectal Cancer month and we are actually going to my next tournament in the month of March. It’s going to be bigger and better and Bayer Heath Care is going to sponsor it so it’s going to be huge.

KR: Oh, that’s fantastic. I look forward to seeing that. I’ve played corn hole and I can tell you that I am not the best.

CC: Oh you don’t have to be good as long as you’re having fun. That’s one of the reasons I chose that game. It’s fun and anyone can do it.

KR: Have you been to Syracuse before.

CC: No, I’ve been to the area but never to Syracuse before. We actually played with the Hootn-Anges when we were in NY before out at Kegs Canal side.

KR: Are you working on a new album or are any new projects coming up?

CC: Yeah, my record label actually closed last May so I’ve been trying to get that worked out. Now that it is, I will have some announcements in the next few weeks.

KR: If there was anything in your career you could change, what would it be?

CC: I signed my record deal without having a manager. At the time it sounded like a good idea but in retrospect it wasn’t a great choice. Just because there were no checks and balances. There was nobody on my side holding anybody accountable. For the most part though we’ve done really well and I would do it all over again.

KR: Have you always wanted to sing and write music?

CC: Yeah, even in high school I was at the bars as often as I could trying to get in with the bands to see if they would let me go in and sing a couple of songs. After graduation, I knew that music was something I couldn’t shake so I decided to move to Nashville and chase it down.

KR: What was your journey like when you got to Nashville?

CC: It was long but I was making a good living in Nashville singing demos, playing and writing songs. I played piano for Tracy Bird and Luke Bryan. I got to do some really cool things and was putting food on the table so that was a success as far as I’m concerned.

KR: Has country music always been the choice?

CC: Yes, that’s all I know.

KR: If I were to grab your ipod would it all be country?

CC: I listen to some other stuff. I like good singing. I love Bruno Mars, Adele, Boyz to Men, Brian McKnight but it’s about 98% country.

KR: If you could sing with one person past or present, who would it be?

CC: Definitely Keith Whitley

KR: If you could give one piece of advice someone following your path, what would it be?

CC: It’s either all or nothing. You have to be 100% and not take no for an answer.

KR: Do you have any regrets?

CC: Nope, not one. Every decision I’ve made has either been based on gut feeling, or prayed about it or decisions my wife and I have made together. It’s all good stuff.

November 23, 2014
Interview: Thompson Square – Bringing Country to Syracuse

Toby Keith’s I love this Bar and Grill, Syracuse hosted one hell of a party Saturday, October 25. Long before music was to begin, the place was jam-packed with country fans of all ages waiting for Nashville’s very own married duo country sensation, Thompson Square to take the stage.

Local favorites TJ Sacco and the Urban Cowboys took the stage to get the party started. Performing songs from artists such as Brantley Gilbert, Eric Church and Gary Allan, they captivated the fans and rocked their set. Just back from a visit to Nashville, Briana Jessie joined Sacco and the guys on stage and owned it. Belting out songs by Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, and Carrie Underwood, their high energy show had the crowd roaring and begging for more.

The room went dark and you could feel the anticipation in the air. It was time for Thompson Square to take the stage. With the crowd chanting their name and the cheers for the music to continue, the band members of Thompson Square took their spots and played their instruments to the light show and the crowds’ cheers. The energy and anticipation grew until Shawna and Keifer joined their band on the stage. Floor shaking and music thumping, the crowd greeted Thompson Square with a warm Syracuse welcome!

This award-winning duo shares their life with the world and gives the fans a peek into their personal lives with the music they write and perform. While other artists try to keep as much private as possible, this humble duo invites us to experience their life right along side them. Performing their hit songs “I Got You,” “Glass” and “I Can’t Outrun You” they displayed their passion for music and each other through the undeniable chemistry we all witnessed.

Prior to the show, I had the opportunity to meet this amazing duo on their tour bus and do an interview for NYS Music. Nervous and excited all at the same time, I couldn’t believe I was going to meet one of my favorite country performers. Oh and did I mention this was my very 1st interview ever! Talk about nerves, but of course, Shawna and Keifer were so welcoming and down to earth.

Kim Richer – NYS Music: Thank you so much for agreeing to speak with NYS Music. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. This is my very first interview and I’m a huge fan so please excuse my jitters.

Shawna – Thompson Square: How exciting for you. So nice to meet you, but you shouldn’t have told Keifer this was your first interview, he’ll make ya pay. Hahahaha

Keifer – Thompson Square: Yup, you probably shouldn’t have shared that with me.

KR: Do you find that as a married couple performing as a duo you have hit different obstacles than you would have as a solo artist?

Keifer: I don’t think we’ve faced many obstacles, but we are finding that maybe people think that our shows won’t be as much fun or exciting since we are a married couple that we don’t like to party, but we do. I think that’s really the only misconception.

Shawna: The only other weird thing is that when we are off the road and home just the two of us it’s strange. We are constantly out here with our crew and our band, it’s almost like we are living two separate lives. It’s just a little strange.

KR: So, is it true that you met eachother at a singing competition?

Keifer: Yes, we met at a competition in Nashville back in 1996. We met the first day of the competition and we’ve been together ever since.

KR: Did you know right away that you were each the one?

Shawna: Yes, I know it sounds really cheesey but that’s the way it was. It was crazy.

KR: How did all of this start for each of you? Did you have an influence growing up?

Shawna: I’ve known since I was like 5 that this is what I wanted to do. At 5 I went to an Alabama concert and the way they entertained and they were so massive. I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be on stage. My dad also played music and sang so I was around it growing up and it just felt so natural.

Keifer: I always wanted to do this. I was really shy as a young kid. It took me a while to come out of my shell. I was always playing a guitar and dancing around as a kid but when I was 14 I started writing music and at 15 I snuck into a place and performed. It’s such an intimate thing to perform songs you have written. Once I had that first show, you couldn’t shut me up after that.

KR: So you are dropping a new album next year.

Keifer: Yes, Spring time maybe.

Shawna: Or at least a single. We just started recording.

KR: If you could perform with anyone on stage, dead or alive, who would it be?

Keifer: Bruce Springsteen for sure.

Shawna: Etta James or Elvis would be awesome too.

KR: If you could give someone wanting to follow in your footsteps to become a star what advice would you tell them?

Keifer: I would say make damn sure you want to do this because you have to give everything but your soul to get there. You literally choose to be poor, choose to be frustrated, choose to be heartbroken. The payoff from a satisfaction standpoint is so worth it.

Shawna: All the heartbreak and hard times we have had to endure is worth it. But it’s true, it is very hard work.

Keifer: I don’t feel like we’ve made it yet. I feel like we are still paying our dues and I’m fine with that. We have a long way to go, I hope.

Shawna: What’s really weird too is you speak to some of these huge artists like Jason Aldean and he’ll still say to this day, it can all be gone like that and go away tomorrow, so everyday is a battle to stay on top.

KR: Well you guys are doing a kick ass job so keep it up!

Shawna and Keifer: Thank you so much.

While watching Shawna and Keifer perform it resonated with me that they are just as raw and honest on stage as they are sitting across from you at a table.

October 31, 2014
Interview: Escape The Fate at Rockstar Uproar at the New York State Fair

Escape The Fate have been making waves in rock and metal the past few years and currently are on this year’s Rockstar Energy Uproar Tour, headlining the Festival Stage in support of their latest album Ungrateful. I was honored to get the opportunity to spend a couple of minutes getting to know them. Drummer Robert Ortiz and guitarist “Thrasher” Bell were kind enough to invite me into their tour bus and gave me some insightful information on their music, the tour, and how rock and metal music is finally getting some recognition it deserves. Listen to the interview here or read it transcribed below.

Jay Saint G: So far, how’s the tour been going?

Robert Ortiz: It’s been going great man every show has been crazy it has been a good time I really enjoyed it and we have played some headliners and intimate shows; just added them to fill in the dates when we haven’t been doing Uproar and those have been going great too cuz it gave us the chance to get up close to our fans, and that we haven’t done in while and it’s been good.

Jay Saint G: I understand you’re from Upstate as well?

Thrasher Bell: Yeah, born and raised in Albany, NY. I used to play Saratoga Winters and Valentines growing up. It’s awesome to bring this package to Syracuse this year.

Jay Saint G: Very nice. Also, I know Maria Brink from, In This Moment, is from the same area if I’m not mistaken, so have you guys played any shows together?

Thrasher Bell: No, we didn’t.

Jay Saint G: Figured I’d ask. I understand the band has gone through quite some changes since Dying Is The Latest Fashion and some transitions in the band if you want to give some background on that.

Robert Ortiz: The band has been ever-evolving this is our 10^th year.A band is hard thing to keep together especially rock ‘n’ roll. We just roll with the punches, the important thing is where do we go from here, we have a lot of love for what we’ve done with each album and each member and there’s a great history and we want to continue and make more history.

Jay Saint G: I see you guys are under Eleven Seven Records, who have been one of the more prominent rock labels in the last decade. How long have you guys been with Eleven Seven Records?

Both: I believe about a year and a half.

Thrasher Bell: They’re a good rock label.

Jay Saint G: If I may ask..you guys have been hitting radio hard with “Picture Perfect”, the latest single?

Robert Ortiz: Yea we hit it hard too with “One For The Money” and we figured it was the right time now to release “Picture Perfect” which is more of a ballad-type song. Its a somber song, not a depression song but deals with loss and having to overcome and learn from the things you may have missed out with the loved one during the time they spent with you. This year I lost my grandfather at the middle of our tour.

Jay Saint G: Condolences.

Robert Ortiz: Thank you. It was a really difficult thing to deal with and playing that song really helps me deal with it. It’s what it’s all about so we are hoping that this song can get on radio stations and reach people’s ears and maybe help them through a tough time.

Jay Saint G: Yeah I saw the video, very moving, so if you haven’t seen it, check it on Escape the Fate Vevo on YouTube.

Thrasher Bell: Yeah check it out at escapethefate.com is a good source for all our videos and tour dates.

Jay Saint G: I have to ask, have you guys played central New York?

Thrasher Bell: Yeah, I played all over New York.

Jay Saint G: What about the great New York State Fair at all?

Robert Ortiz: No, this is the first time. We played Albany and Buffalo, but never Syracuse. This is my first time at the State Fair. I’m looking forward to our show, I’ve seen all the bands before so I might go around and enjoy all the sights and sounds of what’s going on today.

Jay Saint G: I believe this is the second or third time Uproar has been to the fair, and as a native of Syracuse myself, when you’re here at the fair, you got to indulge in some of those deep-fried Oreos and wine slushies and fried Twinkies.

Thrasher Bell: So this is where it’s at. My inner fat kid is stoked!

Jay Saint G: Gianelli Sausage, Dinosaur BBQ, Tully’s and their tenders.

Robert Ortiz: Ok so what’s the spot I have to hit?

Thrasher Bell: I heard they have fried chicken and Krispy Kreme.

Jay Saint G: Yes there’s a place called sticks and things, they have shark on stick, alligator on a stick, it’s a pretty big hit here along with Dinosaur BBQ. They’re famous here in Syracuse, Rochester, New York City, but there’s all those tiny places you gotta hit like Jim’s Fried Specialties, they’ll fry anything! I get fat just thinking about it. I think I clogged an artery just talking about it.

Robert Ortiz: So what you’re saying is this day is going to take four or five years off my life.

Jay Saint G: I certainly hope not.

Robert Ortiz: I hope so cuz it will be worth it cuz it sounds amazing.

Jay Saint G: I think the fair is the only thing that keeps central New York going, so I gotta ask, going back to music, and less food, what was some of your musical influences?

Thrasher Bell: I was influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Slash, Eddie Van Halen, then took off to progressive metal.

Robert Ortiz: I was raised as a metal head. My parents were rockers. They raised me with the classics like Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses and Metallica and all that awesome ’80s metal and then I fell in love with the big four of thrash metal that was all my shit. And that’s what influenced me to play metal, and then led to some of the newer bands like Thrice and Avenged Sevenfold. All that stuff that was new when I was in high school. And, now it’s almost everything. If it touches me in some way and I like it and it finds its way into everything I do. I always go back to those classic fuckin’ rock and metal bands that will always be in my heart.

Thrasher Bell: Yeah, anything they play on 103.5/103.9 The Edge.

Jay Saint G: Yes, great stations. I always check it out whenever I travel to Albany I put it on The Edge. Another question, is there any music you guys are listening to right now that may be out of the ordinary?

Thrasher Bell: Interesting one, we are listening to Jay Z right now which is classic to me.

Robert Ortiz: To me if I haven’t heard it its new to me. I tend to dive into weird stuff that will make me think like why was this artist huge? And I just never heard them? Maybe it’s before my time or a scene I was never into, so ill go back , or if its Mexican music or fucking some pop artist or anything like that, I always dive into it, last few months its been fucking Vicente Fernández, the mariachi music. He’s the man. I’ve been jamming that, but it’s weird and I love it so I don’t care. Lately been getting into this new band that just signed with our label what are they called? They’re getting huge on the radio…what are they called?

Thrasher Bell: Nothing More.

Robert Ortiz: Yeah, Nothing More. That’s one I’ve been listening to.

Jay Saint G: Yes, they just played a local festival here in Syracuse called 95x Fest. They absolutely killed it. Them and Otherwise blew all the other bands out of the water and that was my first exposure to Nothing More and they have been rapidly growing. It’s good to see that kind of music making that dominance to mainstream radio. It’s kind of refreshing to hear that.

Robert Ortiz: Yeah and that’s where I was coming from. We are definitely in the same vibe as them. They seem to somehow finally be breaking the mold of rock n roll radio has been the last 10 years. And I don’t think rock radio has taken a lot of chances, and they’re taking a big chance with them and it opens the doors for different bands that you know…that kids have been following for a long time. That style. That genre. Kids have been following, and that’s the direction rock has been going the last 10 years and now there’s finally one going balls to the wall with that sound and making that and growing that sound. And people may not have given that style of music that chance. In rock music they never would have given that chance back then and they are now.

Jay Saint G: Any chance we will see Escape the Fate and Nothing More tour together in the near future?

Thrasher Bell: I did tweet them that I was listening to their new record at the gym and they offered to do a little tour with us. So it’s a possibility.

Jay Saint G: We will keep our fingers crossed, and will be first to release that news.

Robert Ortiz: Honestly that tour would be awesome. We should call that the new face of rock radio

Jay Saint G: The Revolution.

Robert Ortiz: Yeah, the rock revolution tour

Jay Saint G: That would be killer. I don’t want to keep you guys too much longer. Couple more questions; Any crazy stories from the tour so far?

Thrasher Bell: Godsmack threw an after party. It was cool to hang with those guys so they had a lot of cool stories to share.

Jay Saint G: Yeah, them and Buckcherry are the veterans of the tour so they must have crazy stories to share.

Robert Ortiz: Honestly nothing crazy yet. But that drum solo that Godsmack does, everyone needs to see that because it’s such a spectacle.

Jay Saint G: You guys have been together 10 years and growing strong. Do you guys have any advice for up and coming bands that just started and how they can make it in rock n roll?

Thrasher Bell: I would say try to find a unique voice. And stick to your guns and practice, practice, practice. You want to rehearse before your shows and play as many shows as possible. And that’s how you grow as a band.

Robert Ortiz: I would say follow what’s in your heart. If you like it, someone else will like it.

August 30, 2014
The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is Coming to the NY State Fair

The 5^th Annual Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival is coming to the NYS fairgrounds August 22. This year’s festival may be the best yet with names such as Godsmack, Skillet, These Raven Skies, and many more performing. The full afternoon and evening event begins at 2PM.

Beginning in the afternoon on the festival stage will be Escape the Fate, Redlight King, 3 Years Hollow, Tattered, and SuicideGirls. Also performing will be UPROAR 2013 Battle of the Bands winner, Sons of Revelry.

Headlining on the Rockstar Energy main stage will be Godsmack. They are touring in support of their sixth full length album, 100hp, which debuted August 5, 2014. The metal legends have sold over twenty-million records since their start in 1995. This will be their second time at UPROAR.

Joining Godsmack on the main stage will be Skillet and These Raven Skies. Ranked as one of the top five hardest working bands in 2011 by songkick.com, Skillet has sold over two-million records in their eight years together. They are touring to promote their new album Rise, which was released in 2013. These Raven Skies is the band formerly known as Dreams of Reason; They are touring to promote their debut album as These Raven Skies.

Don’t miss your chance to attend one of the hottest tours of the summer! Buy your Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival tickets here!

August 6, 2014
One Last Shot To Play Vans Warped Tour

Syracuse punk band, One Last Shot will play the Kevin Says stage at this year’s Vans Warped Tour at Darien Lake, NY on July 8.

One Last Shot has been touring all over New York and gained fans in the process. They were nominated for a Sammy, the highly coveted music award in the Syracuse music scene, for the area’s Best Metal Band. The band is featured in the February and August 2014 issues of Alternative Press Magazine.

Last Halloween, the band released their full length album, Bastards of the Plague. The album has songs featuring William Control of Aiden and, and Matt Good of From First To Last.

Keep up to date with One Last Shot on their Pure Volume page and buy Bastards of the Plague HERE.

July 5, 2014
Fox Fest Blows Up CNY Festival Scene In Year 5

As Fox Fest approaches year five of its festival run, the growth of the event in its own right is noteworthy. What began as a blending of three friends’ annual parties, has now taken on a scale enviable by many regional festivals. Located in the pastoral hills south of Syracuse, Fox Fest is a non-profit event that annually donates its proceeds to honorable charities; this year’s proceeds will go to the Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider Foundation, a local Marine who lost his life serving our country in 2011 while in Afghanistan.

The festival is organized by George Ryan and Kelly Nichols, held on their property in Navarino, and sponsored by a large group of local businesses, residents and attendees. There’s a full professional production provided by Wizzard Sound Corporation including staging, PA system, and lighting, while local food vendors like Limp Lizard BBQ provide food and refreshments at reasonable rates. It’s a family-friendly event that allows camping, coolers full of whatever you choose, and the open space to enjoy yourselves while security by Onondaga County Sheriffs keeps things safe, but not restrictive.

Each year, Fox Fest tries to bridge musical genres, bringing a little bit of a taste for everyone while keeping to a high standard of performance that matches their event. Previous headliners have included Childhood’s End – A Tribute To Pink Floyd, Vinyl Albums – LIVE, Frostbit Blue and local favorites Emerald City. This year’s roster features the return of TJ Sacco and The Urban Cowboys, Dave Porter (the former front man of regional legend and national recording artists 805) with his bass and drum robot, Bob, ‘80s metal monsters Three Inch Fury, and the remarkable Tiger and Off The Reservation as headliners. With twelve solid hours of music, including eight bands and three acoustic acts to play during change-overs, Fox Fest is easily one of the most musically diverse events of the year.

The event will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 3242 Fox Road in Syracuse, from 12:00 pm until 12:00 am. Admission is gained through a donation to the event which gets you entrance and an event t-shirt that functions as your ticket. $24.00 pre-pay includes the t-shirt or $25.00 at the gate with no t-shirt. Call or text 315-382-5896 OR e-mail bruddyryan (at) hotmail.com or gryan (at) billrapp.com and they’ll send you a form or even fill it out for you! The donation deadline is coming up fast (July 11), and you don’t want to miss out on “the biggest backyard party of the summer”, so get your donation in soon to join a couple thousand of your closest friends!

July 1, 2014
Saving Abel and Syn City Cowboys To Rock Upstate NY This Weekend

Corinth, Mississippi rockers Saving Abel return to CNY this Friday night at Monirae’s in Pennellville, NY. Saving Abel is now fronted by Scotty Austin who has replaced singer Jared Weeks as of last year. Kansas City, Missouri rockers Syn City Cowboys are set to open. 95X (WAQX) is the main sponsor of the show. Saving Abel will also be playing at the Washington Avenue Armory with rapper Immortal Technique this Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased for Syracuse here. Tickets for Albany can be purchased here.

June 4, 2014