Category: Special

Umphrey’s McGee hits the Beacon Theater and The Paramount this weekend with Joshua Redman

Following a monstrous “All In Time” second set opener on January 18, 2014, Brendan Bayliss stepped to the mic to thank those in attendance. He noted “The first time we played (in New York City) was in the basement of the Wetlands and there were about 20 people that got to see us because we were playing outside the door of the bathroom.” As expected, the South Bend progressive jam outfit will continue a two year tradition with their return to the Beacon Theater on January 16 and 17 with special guest Joshua Redman.

In their Beacon debut the six piece took on one night, but 2014 and this year have shown that just one wouldn’t be enough. The energy that is emitted from playing a big room has only seemed to fuel the progression in where they take their music and Jefferson Waful’s elaborate production. 2013’s “Ocean Billy” and 2014’s “Puppet String” indicate that a step up in size also speaks for the music. Umphrey’s has been known for their creative mashups and covers like “Life During Exodus” and Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi,” so even people unfamiliar with their material will recognize a few songs played.

Saxophonist Joshua Redman will add to the mix for both Beacon shows and the Huntington stop on Sunday. Redman has played with Umphrey’s before, the most notable being the 2013 New Years Eve run where they collaborated for a powerful “1348.” Look for something similar in energy when the seven musicians clash this time around.

Tickets for Saturday are sold out, but you can still purchase tickets for Friday at Ticketmaster. Doors for both shows are listed as eight, while the showtimes are at 9.

January 14, 2015
Hearing Aide: Turnstile ‘Nonstop Feeling’

Until January 13th, hardcore band Turnstile had not ever released a full album — but since 2010 they have gained a following of 32,000 devoted Facebook fans, all enthused by their live performances and demos. Especially known in the underground Albany scene, their followers are almost cultish, rejoicing at the release of their debut: NonStop Feeling.

In many ways, the word, ‘feeling,’ does not pair well with ‘hardcore band.’ However, one listen to a song like “Love Lasso,” the penultimate song — an instrumental — and you’ll soon understand. The title Non Stop Feeling could quite easily could refer to the idea that Turnstile’s efforts, energy, and hardness are nonstop insane and the second track, “Drop,” proves this. Thus, the “nonstop” and “feeling” work very well together.

It seems that there are few complaints one could have about this album. It should have been longer on one hand, but at the same time, its short, sweetness gives it a tasteful edge; like amazing sex: it lasts a certain amount of time, but it won’t leave your head for awhile.

Turnstile is composed of five gentlemen from Ohio, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. who share the uncanny ability to write a fully energetic album with deliberation, but carry immense emotional capacity at the same time. Their use of two guitars is especially impressive because it allows the band to carry an extra dimension of melody and a rounded out sound, while still being diligent with that nasty hardcore anger. Fans of Rage Against the Machine and Black Flag will enjoy songs such as “Addicted” and “Stress.” Even some of The Dillinger Escape Plan – like chaos echoes through the production of the album.

So far, it might sound to the reader like just another melodic hardcore album, but Nonstop Feeling goes a lot further than that. The great thing about it is the dynamics therein. Few times will bands — especially in hardcore — experiment enough to find ways to make melodies, slow songs, and ambiance work the way Turnstile does. For this reason, Non Stop Feeling is already gearing up to be one of the most memorable, brave, fierce releases of this year and Turnstile just earned themselves a new fan.

By the way, we definitely recommend going to see Turnstile at a show. Their New York dates are always famous. And whether you’re a hardcore junkie or you have never cared for the genre, these guys put on a show to be remembered.

NonStop Feeling from Turnstile can be purchased on iTunes, through the band, and at retailers.

Key tracks: “Love Lasso,” “Drop,” “Stress”

January 14, 2015
Bonnaroo Announces 2015 Lineup

In a crowd-sourced fashion Bonnaroo gave fans the opportunity to announce the festival’s 2015 lineup yesterday, quickly rallying up a trending rank on social media.

On June 11-14, Manchester, TN will host a smorgasbord of sounds – ranging from new indie digs to veterans of the music scene while spanning a range of genres. Billy Joel will be enjoying the outdoor stage amidst a record-setting run of shows for the piano man at Madison Square Garden, Mumford and Sons will have some new songs from their third studio album, following the band’s hiatus and false rumors of a break-up. Also joining the roster are Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Deadmau5, STS9, Ben Folds, Tears for Fears, Catfish and the Bottlemen, among many others including an oddman out: Slayer. Check out the lineup poster at the end of this article for the full roster of performers announced thus far.

Tickets for Bonnaroo 2015 go on sale this Friday January 17 at noon EST on the festival’s website.

January 14, 2015
Kung Fu and Twiddle Announce ‘Dirty Dozen Tour’

Two of the most buzzed about bands on the scene, Kung Fu and Twiddle, are joining forces for a twelve night co-headlining run kicking off April 1 in Buffalo, NY. The bands will take turns closing each night but to keep things interesting, it will not be announced in advance. Fans will have to arrive early to find out who takes the stage first. Kung Fu and Twiddle teamed up in December for a sold out show in New Haven, CT and have been rocking fests around the country, so tickets are expected to go quick.

This winter, Kung Fu will also hit the road with Lotus and Galactic while Twiddle plays an extended 10-day run in Colorado. For a complete list of tour dates and tickets visit: www.KungFuMusic.com and www.TwiddleMusic.com.

Dirty Dozen Tour Dates
4/1 – Buffalo, NY | Iron Works
4/2 – TBA
4/3 – New York, NY | Irving Plaza
4/4 – Clifton Park, NY | Upstate Concert Hall
4/8 – TBA
4/9 – State College, PA | Levels
4/10 – Pittsburgh, PA | The Rex Theatre
4/11 – Baltimore, MD | Rams Head Live
4/12 – Richmond, VA | The Broadberry
4/14 – Greensboro, NC | Blind Tiger
4/15 – Charlotte, NC | The Chop House
4/16 – TBA

Kung Fu | Facebook | Twitter

Twiddle | Facebook | Twitter

January 13, 2015
Hearing Aide: Stellar Young ‘Vessels’

Known as one of Albany’s most distinct rock acts, Stellar Young are back with a new effort, Vessels. With great tracks such as “Helen, I…” and “We Got Away,” one would be hard pressed to deny the musicianship and writing ability of Stellar Young. Vessels is not just a good album, though, it is a breath of fresh air (if you’ll pardon the cliche) on the modern rock scene. It’s one of those albums that you can close your eyes to and relax. It’s definitely on par with some of the legends of this generation and days before.

They say every great band has an X – Factor. Stellar Young has five.

It starts with Dave Parker. He’s not just a bass player. He’s a f*cking weapon. The man had his start in Kingston, about an hour outside Albany, recording the likes of Weerd Science (of Coheed and Cambria fame) and has gone as part of Stellar to Applehead Recordings in Woodstock, where the band worked with engineer Chris Bittner to make Vessels sound like a million bucks.

All song compositions, including lyrics, are attributed to the entire band, but the broadcaster of those lyrics, John Glenn (not the astronaut) has the voice of a god; each lyric is sung with deep emotion and thought — allowing the listener to insert him or herself into the soundscape. And one live performance will have audiences convinced he is damn close to pitch perfect. On “Hitting Reset,” those high notes will leave you amazed. And his synth playing adds a new dimension to the music — one of ambiance and emotion.

“Red Lights” shows off the perfect partnership between guitarists Kyle Hatch and Erik Flora. While a lot of bands choose simply to go with a single guitarist for their own reasons, the match of Flora and Hatch remains a gold team. The two guitarists have the ability to “weave” between one another, creating a slight chaos, but also a tasteful depth. Their dirty tones work well with Glenn’s voice — think something between The Killers and The Rolling Stones.

Curt Mulick is no stranger to the drumset, either. He delivers a dynamic performance, often alternating styles for the broadest spectrum. One song that high lights his ability to do this would be “Nomad.” Not every performance is played in any traditional style, but Mulick is the driving force, the glue that kept this album together.

Overall, Vessels, is simply an album very well done. Stellar Young is no longer some underdog and they definitely don’t fit into the profile of local band anymore. It’s quite the surprise

January 13, 2015
Vinyl – Albums Live: V to Perform at The Palace Theater in Syracuse on January 17

Vinyl – Albums Live: V, hits The Palace Theater in Syracuse on Saturday, January 17 at 7 pm. In conjunction with K Mase Productions and 105.9 The Rebel, this year’s edition will feature three classic rock albums performed by an all-star troupe of Syracuse area musicians arranged by founders Robyn Stockdale and Bob Kane. This is the fifth year Vinyl – Albums Live, has presented their format, previously highlighting such events as Taste Of Syracuse, Fox Fest and playing clubs, now they’ve grown exponentially and found a home at the majestic Palace Theater in Eastwood.

While striving to re-produce the quality of the original recordings, they’ve used an evolving line-up of musicians that is selected by their particular skills and love of certain artists. “The goal of the series is two fold. First and foremost, the series was created to allow live music fans to experience performances of complete music albums the way they remember listening to them, in the order that the original artists intended them to be heard.” Each edition features performers new to the bands and each year expands their catalog with new material. “We bring together performers that share a mutual love and respect for this music, but don’t usually get the opportunity to collaborate and take the stage with one another.” This year they’re reaching into the 70’s and selecting three iconic rock albums that mark significant moments in the careers of each artist. Billy Joel’s The Stranger, Bob Seger’s Night Moves and Paul McCartney and Wings’ Band On The Run will be brought to life in their entirety.

Bill Joel’s 1977 album The Stranger will be performed by: Prime Time Horns: Brian Bird, Tom Machuga,Tom Hillenbrand, Bob Caraher, Paul Valentino, and Tony Greene, with Dave Kane, Bob Kane, Tim Robinson and Chris Eves.

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band’s 1976 album Night Moves will be performed by: Mark Westers, Eric Wilson, Andy Comstock, Todd Stiles, John Kapusniak and Chris Eves.

Paul McCartney & Wings’ 1973 album Band on the Run will be performed by: Pete Szymanski, Steve Schad, Gary Frenay, Kristopher Heels and Arty Lenin.

Backing vocals for Vinyl – Albums Live: V will be performed by Lisa Romano, Joanna Nix Jewett and Kim Monroe, guest musicians are Jon Kane on percussion and John Rohde on sax/flute.

Stockdale and Kane’s combined passions for vinyl and music in general brought them to create the Vinyl – Albums Live franchise five years ago as a vehicle for them to perform and produce events that would be unique, while not being tied to repetition. It keeps them fresh, challenged and each time reaching to outdo the previous year’s performances, not an easy task after some of their earlier productions. Led Zeppelin 4, The Who Who’s Next, U2 Achtung Baby, Pearl Jam Ten and Blind Faith Blind Faith are just some of their previously performed albums. You can check them out on the web and on facebook.

Vinyl – Albums Live: V is sponsored by AmeriCU Credit Union, Syracuse New Times and StudioDOG Pro. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Signature Music, holistic education for teen musicians in Syracuse.

Multi-tiered ticketing is available at Soundgarden in Armory Square, The Palace Theater or

January 13, 2015
Spaceland Releases Live Video, ‘Stay’

Spaceland, an Albany-based Indie rock band, have released a live video for “Stay,” taken from their debut album, Empty Worlds, on January 8th.

The band consists of three brothers, Peter Bombard (lead vocals, guitar, and key), Ryan Bombard (bass and backing vocals), and Kris Bombard (drums), who wrote and recorded their debut album after a successful Kickstarter campaign to help them build a studio.

Empty Worlds can be purchased directly from the band, streamed through their BandCamp page, or on iTunes.

January 13, 2015
Poughkeepsie’s Playhouse: Bardavon 1869 Opera House

Located on Market Street in downtown Poughkeepsie, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House has drawn world-renowned stars to its stage for nearly a century and a half. The theater was originally dubbed the Collingwood Opera House when its doors opened on February 1, 1869, named after original owner James Collingwood. Multiple renovations later, the Bardavon boasts the title of being New York State’s longest continuously running theater.

The theater officially opened as the Bardavon Theatre on January 1, 1923, looking much like it does today. The original unique high dome ceiling remained, but the theater was transformed to house films in addition to live performances. From the roaring 20’s to 1975, the Bardavon was one of New York’s premier movie houses which also featured vaudeville shows and plays. It was scheduled to be demolished in 1975 before the Dutchess County Arts Council and a group of locals created the Concerned Citizens to Save the Bardavon group. They leased the historic building and created the Bardavon 1869 Opera House not-for-profit corporation to protect the beloved theater’s future. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.

Today, the Bardavon Opera House hosts live concerts, school performances, and other events. The theater’s original Wurlitzer Organ, originally installed in 1928, was sold off in the 1960’s but has since been re-installed and is now a cherished reminder of the Bardavon’s celebrated history. Tours of the 1,150 seat historic theater, which the Hudson Valley Philharmonic calls home, are offered to groups and the public.

Since its doors opened, the Bardavon has hosted performances by Mark Twain, John Phillips Sousa, Frank Sinatra, Greg Allman, Art Garfunkel, Levon Helm, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, and Al Pacino. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt both frequented the historic theater while the Talking Heads, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Blue Man Group, The Felice Brothers, and Dark Star Orchestra have all taken stage at the Bardavon.

Arlo Guthrie at the Bardavon (2014).

With strong public support and recognition in the National Registry secured, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House’s impressive resume should continue to grow as the 21^st century rolls on.

January 13, 2015
Dave Matthews Band Reveal 2015 Summer Tour Dates

The summer concert updates will soon be rolling in and Dave Matthews Band wasted no time in 2015 to reveal theirs. The 47 date tour will visit a lot of their familiar grounds and with three dates in New York. DMB will play Wantagh, NY on June 9 and SPAC on July 3 and 4. The band will not be making it to Western NY at Darien Lake but you can never tell if maybe it can be squeezed in on the way up to Toronto on July 21. The tour will kick off on May 13 in Austin, TX and close out on September 13 in Phoenix, AZ.

Tickets will go on sale starting with Warehouse members on January 15 and will also debut their new ticket payment plan as well. Tickets for the general public go on sale February 13.

January 13, 2015
Formula 5 Heats Up Funk N Waffles Downtown

A cold January 9 got a whole lot warmer at Funk ‘N Waffles downtown Syracuse location. Syracuse based Vaporeyes opened things up nicely before Albany-area based Formula 5 took the stage around 11pm. Right from their first song “Coming Home,” I was impressed, these guys show a musical maturity past their years while still maintaining a presence of fun onstage. They combine elements of jazz, electro, funk, and a little reggae to their jam formula. A very sold rhythm section coupled with blistering guitars and creative keys make Formula 5 worth venturing out in any weather.

January 12, 2015