To what was close to a homecoming show, hardcore veterans Biohazard and Sworn Enemy headlined a jam packed and spectacular night at Revolution Music Hall in Amityville, NY on March 27 to kickoff a brief US east coast run. There was also a special guest that played exclusively that night; Zire’s War, a new band lead by Life Of Agony guitarist Joey Zampella, who handles vocals and guitars. The night opened with sets from Diesel and Oath.
This was my first time at Revolution Music Hall. Make no mistake, this is a kick ass venue. It’s a pub with a small stage, a capacity of around 500, and a lot of cool monuments and posters to look at. The place has great sound, killer environment, and the best part, drinks and food are served during shows. And cleverly, they have curtains going around the front of the stage to keep closed between sets, which is not common at other similar sized venues around New York State.
The night started off with small set from Diesel, a local hardcore band from the area, who set the tone appropriately with six songs. Lots of energy, and very fitting to open for the headliners. Then the crowd was graced with a set from Oath, a metal band out of Hartford, CT. To be fair, as talented and entertaining this band was, they were out of place, however, the crowd was good to them.
Zire’s War was definitely a real treat to behold. If my research is accurate, this was the band’s second show ever, with their first being played back in October. They have no music released, just demos, but you can check out one of their songs here. I do believe this band will be big. It’s a lot different from Life Of Agony, certainly heavier than their later years. I don’t really know what to compare them to, I highly recommend to give them a listen and go see them when they announce more shows. Joey Zampella is a brutal vocalist and anchors a really talented band around him. They are clearly ready for more shows to play. The band started off with low tempo (but heavy) songs but finished with heavy, thrashier songs. The crowd absolutely loved them as did I. So be sure to follow this band close as 2015 rolls on.
After Zire’s War, Sworn Enemy ignited the crowd into a bloody knuckle fiasco. The floor erupted with dozens upon dozens of men slam dancing the fuck out of the venue. It did feel like a short setlist from Sworn Enemy, but there were some great fire starter songs in their set such as “We Hate,” “As Real As It Gets,” and their anthem “Sworn Enemy.” This band never disappoints.
Finally, Biohazard finished the night with a powerful set, playing songs from their first three (and best) albums. Kicking things off with “Shades Of Grey” and “What Makes Us Tick” they never fail to bring such a charismatic and energetic performance. I held the hope inside they would unleash new music, but obviously it wasn’t time yet. The big highlights of the set would definitely have to be “Urban Discipline,” “Love Denied,” and “Five Blocks To The Subway.” Even with some of the technical difficulties and other minor sound problems, they never let that get in the way of putting on a damn awesome show. They finished their set with their blockbuster anthem “Punishment” and their creed motto “Hold My Own.” Vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei thanked the crowd and said Biohazard will be back next year.
Overall a fantastic show for anyone looking to kick start their adrenaline or to get their hardcore jollies out of their system. My only complaint, it seemed like an awful long time to set up between bands, especially since every band minus Biohazard only played six to eight songs. But Revolution Music Hall is definitely a fitting venue for metal and hardcore shows. And now we eagerly await the next Biohazard and Sworn Enemy US tour, and the future of Zire’s War.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are bringing their own unique brand of funk to Brooklyn Bowl on April 1, and who knows what type of antics these birds are going to break out on April Fools Day. Based out of Baltimore, MD, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have been hard at work on the road, following the 2014 release of their aptly named sophomore album Psychology. Greg Ormont (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jeremy Schon (guitar, vocals), Ben Carrey (bass, vocals), and Alex Petropulos (drumagic, electro-swag) came up with the name of their band from a BF Skinner video shown in a college psychology class. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will be supported by Shwizz and Aqueous, and Ormont took time out of his busy electro-funk tour schedule for an interview with NYS Music.
Graig Adler: How long have you been on tour? When does it end? How many dates? When’s the last time you’ve been “home”?
Greg Ormont: We just finished a 27-day tour and returned home this Sunday. Brooklyn Bowl is only one of two shows this week before we take off the weekend after a super busy March.
GA: What has been your favorite venue so far? Which venue are you most excited to play?
GO: Brooklyn Bowl is definitely up there. We also love playing the 9:30 Club in D.C., the Fox Theater in Boulder, CO, among many others. I’m most excited for festival season. I’m also interested in seeing New
Mountain in Asheville, NC for the first time; I’ve only heard great things so far.
GA: Who is the best/worst driver in the band?
GO: That’s a touchy subject… let’s just say we’re all terrible drivers.
GA: What do you listen to while driving from city to city?
GO: On my last drive, I put on some Mitch Hedberg standup, followed by full albums of Sly and the Family Stone, Snarky Puppy, Deaf Scene, MGMT and Steely Dan.
GA: What’s your daily schedule like? How much time do you spend driving? Practicing? Writing new music?
GO: That depends on where we’re coming from and where we’re headed, but generally we wake up, grab local food and hit the road for 3-7 hours to soundcheck, where we’ll load in, soundcheck, grab dinner, rest up and rage a show. Sometimes we practice during soundcheck if timing and situation permits, and sometimes we practice in a friend of a friend’s house on our off days on the road, like we did in Lawrence, KS this
past Tuesday.
GA: If you could play in any venue/city in the country what would it be?
GO: Red Rocks, Madison Square Garden, does JamCruise count as “the country?” If yes, then also: the moon.
GA: We all know things happen on a long tour like this, what’s the worst thing that’s happened so far?
GO: Last Monday, we were supposed to play in Lawrence, KS with Consider the Source, but their trailer’s wheel fell off or something and they couldn’t make it. So we just played two sets without them, turned out
okay for us. If it’s not our van troubles, it’s another band’s trailer troubles…
We actually had a really smooth tour this month. Perhaps the worst thing to happen was visiting New Orleans on our day off… We all fell in love with the city and did not want to leave, ended up staying a little too long and had to drive 27 hours straight to Colorado to make it to our sound check on time. But we made it! With no time to spare.
GA: What band currently touring do you compare yourselves to or draw the most inspiration from?
GO: I’m not one for comparisons… we do our own thing. We see so much live music though, so I guess we combine elements of all the acts we see… that said, I personally draw a lot of inspiration from Phish and Lotus, as well as Soulive, Snarky Puppy, the New Mastersounds, the Talking Heads and many more. But I have huge ideas, and haven’t seen them performed by anyone else yet. Les Claypool gets kind of close to what I’m thinking, but in his own way…
GA: Have you had the chance to collaborate with any other artists/bands while on tour? Who was your favorite?
GO: We had the great Tom Hamilton (American Babies, JRAD, Brother’s Past) sit in on guitar during our late night set at AURA Music Festival and we had the phenomenal Joey Porter (Juno What, The Motet) crush the
keys in Denver and Boulder, CO. Both guys are tremendous musicians and awesome people, and they both sat in perfectly. Joey was particularly funky and meshed effortlessly in our musical pocket; it was like he had played with us 100 times. I’d love to have either gentleman come do it again if we’re in the same room.
We also had a fantastic sit-in on a Sunday show in Frisco, CO by a young traveler named Gina Sobel, who showed up with her flute and threw down some high-quality jazz-funk riffs over two of our songs. Nothing says, “Never miss a Sunday show” quite like a surprise guest flutist… and she killed it! I believe there are some clips of her sit-in on YouTube, as well as Joey Porter’s and Tom Hamilton’s performances with us this month.
GA: Who writes your setlists? How do you decide what you’re going to play night in and night out?
GO: Our guitarist Jeremy Schon pens most of our set lists, and then we discuss it as a group and make any changes we see fit, prior to the set. Jeremy keeps a running document of every set we’ve ever played, so he can see what we played at our most recent shows in the area to keep the next show different and interesting for that crowd. Once we’re on stage, however, anything goes. We often cut songs on the fly, or insert new ideas based off the mood, and generally go with the flow.
GA: As festival season approaches, which festival are you most excited about?
GO: Domefest!! We throw our own festival every year and I’m always most excited for it. It’s the ultimate gathering of our fanbase, The Flock, and we invite all of our favorite band-friends to play and enjoy the
weekend. We love watching Flockers meet each other for the first time, especially when they’re from different parts of the country. We’ve seen best friends meet and new romantic relationships form at Domefest, which is an amazing symptom of live music; we love bringing people together. This year, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is playing three nights, along with performances by Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, The Heavy Pets, The Mantras, BIG Something and many more amazing rising acts on May 28-30 at Trip’s Farm in Terra Alta, WV. Domefest is where fans discover their new favorite band, and bands find their new die-hard supporters; it’s a beautiful, absolutely raging weekend.
I’m similarly excited for All Good, which was my first major festival attended. Playing for that crowd on that stage will be a dream come true for most of us. I’m also super pumped for a few major festivals that we haven’t announced yet… as well as Summer Camp, which I’m told is too fun.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
As the doors opened to the historic Capitol Theatre in Portchester, NY your expected throng of dead heads waiting outside to get a spot on rail rushed inside the venue. Little did they know they were going to be treated to a full-blown rock show by openers Lions On The Moon. When you read about a band comprised of four young men ranging in ages 12 to 16 you may think it is a gimmick, but these four are far from that. Formed in spring of 2014, the band – Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer (lead guitar, vocals), Nicky Dylan Winegardner (lead vocals, guitar), Dylan Niederauer (bass), Henry Thomas (drums) these four play with the precision and chops that you would expect from a veteran headlining band.
Winegardner led Lions On The Moon on electric guitar through “Where Did We Go Right” and “Only Fun,” two original tunes before switching over to his acoustic guitar for “On Your Feet.” From there 12-year-old guitar prodigy generally referred to by his nickname “Taz” took over on vocals for his original penned tuned, the self titled “Lions On The Moon” inspired by The Nth Power’s “Walk on Water.” Winegardner went back to his electric guitar for “Party Mardi Gras” which featured bassist Dylan Neiderauer laying down some smooth, deep, melodic bass lines. Lions On The Moon followed up with a soulful cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” propelled by Thomas’ fast rhythmic drumming. What came next seemed to be a treat equally appreciated by the audience and the young band as they were joined on stage by pedal steel aficionado Robert Randolph for The Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post,” which featured a shredding guitar solo by “Taz” as he walked across the stage and played face to face with the veteran Randolph. Lions capped off their set with the original tune “Guitarmageddon” which sounded like it was penned by a group of young adults who still know how to have fun, not only on stage but in their song writing as well.
The headliner, Billy & The Kids, with only their third live performance as a supergroup, was put together by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann. Kreutzmann called on Tom Hamilton (guitar, Brothers Past/JRAD), Reed Mathis (bass, Tea Leaf Green), and Aron Magner (keyboard, The Disco Biscuits) to put a new spin on classic dead songs, and more specifically on this night songs from the classic Europe ’72 tour. The constant theme for the night was apparent right from the set opening “Cumberland Blues” each artist would add a little bit of their own style while keeping true to the original tune. Mathis took the lead right out the gate and seemed to be the stand out of the first set taking the lead on vocals for many of the tracks. Kreutzmann led his band through classic tunes “Tennessee Jed” and “Brown Eyed Woman” with Mathis taking the lead on vocals for both. “China Cat Sunflower” came next and led us through our first fully improvised jam of the night with Magner and Hamilton taking this one out for a long walk and bringing it back only to seamlessly segue into “Cassidy” followed by “I Know You Rider.” The group was finally joined on stage by announced guest for the night Robert Randolph who jumped right on his Pedal Steel and worked an instrumental version of “Not Fade Away.” Randolph then took the lead on the first set closer, and rarely covered Huey Smith’s “Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu.” This track was only covered by the Grateful Dead five times, all on their Europe ’72 tour.
The second set opened with just the core members of Billy & The Kids on stage with “Cold Rain and Snow” which had the crowd instantly back in the groove and singing along right out of the gate. It didn’t take long for Robert Randolph to join back on stage for “Dire Wolf” and “Sitting on Top of the World” which again featured Mathis working the vocals and his bass to steal the attention away from the rest of the band, they then segued into “Big River.” Randolph once again took the lead on “Hey Bo Diddley “> “Who Do You Love,” providing high kick dance moves and alternate lyrics “Just playing here with Billy & The Kids” shining a light on Kreutzmann who showed he hasn’t lost a step with a roaring drum solo and a smile ear to ear.
Mathis once again took the lead for “Ramble on Rose” before turning over the reigns to Hamilton on “Bertha” which featured the first stand-out keyboard solo of the night by Magner, showing everyone what he is truly capable of. Hamilton led the way through the remainder of the second set with “Loser” >” Deal” > “Loser” and “Casey Jones.” All five came back on stage for an encore performance of “Brokedown Palace” each member of the band took a turn with a verse before the drove it home with the full ensemble closing out the night. Fare Thee Well, Billy & The Kids will next be playing “Spring 1990” at Red Rocks amphitheater in Morrison, CO on April 20 and will return to the east coast for Peach Fest where they will be joined by Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir.
Given twelve hours and the world-famous Abbey Road Studio 2 to work with, Umphrey’s McGee cranked out an album. The London Session,which releases on April 7, features ten tracks including some old gems, a few tunes off 2014’s Similar Skin, a Beatles cover and a new favorite. TLS showcases the band’s versatility; each track adds a unique element and, when stacked on top of each other, we get a glimpse into the multi-layered, ever-evolving and unmistakable visage of Umphrey’s McGee.
We have all made memorable achievements in half a day or less, whether it was writing that 20-page final paper, painting the entire upstairs, or completing all the holiday gift shopping. Umphrey’s McGee has one-upped us all.
“Bad Friday” debuted on the last day of 2013 and made the cut for that year’s Hall of Fame album. Its popularity hasn’t waned and its flow has grown smoother each time played live. The London Session opens with its studio debut, a succinctly smooth, groovy jam. The vocals are on-point and riffs show off Umphrey’s funkier side.
Umphrey’s changes gears with “Rocker Part 2,” which also debuted on New Year’s Eve (2007) and has only been previously featured on a Hall of Fame album (2010). This song may exemplify the band as well as any one song on the album. It opens with warm piano parts, features high-energy percussion, and ends with heavy shredding.
The album’s tone shifts quickly again as the next three tracks originated on Similar Skin. Number three is an acoustic, yet fairly straightforward version of “No Diablo.” The acoustic arrangements added to the next tune, “Cut the Cable,” give it a folksier feel than its Similar Skin version and make it one of the most interesting new takes introduced in TLS. The fifth track, “Out of Order,” possesses one of the album’s supreme jams during its final two minutes.
Perfectly situated in the middle of TLS is “Glory.” Listen to it, take a deep breath, and listen again. If you’re having a bad day, listen twice more. You’re wont to find a more aptly titled song. The staple of live UM shows loses none of its triumphant splendor when brought to the studio for the first time.
“Plunger,” which is often a vessel into deep, heavy jams during live performances, comes next. TLS version is relatively tame, but perhaps the song that epitomizes Umphrey’s most on the album. With an upbeat tempo and similar vocal arrangements, “Comma Later” brings us back to the funky feel that “Bad Friday” opens the album with. The final original track on the album, “Eat,” delves once more into UM’s darker side.
The London Session concludes with an homage to the band that made Abbey Road famous, a cover of The Beatle’s “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” A fan-favorite UM cover, the tune is an exclamation point at the end of a brilliantly produced album. Umphrey’s puts its own mark on the song while honoring the original. The first cover to make an UM studio album is the final piece to a diverse and delicious album.
Less than a year after dropping Similar Skin, Umphrey’s McGee have unleashed another fantastic album that highlights UM’s versatility and originality. Whether your prefer their upbeat dance tunes, heavy rockers, folksier ballads, or prefer a cover, The London Session packs it all into ten tight tracks.
In a Facebook message to his followers, Scott Weiland announced the passing of long time friend and guitarist, Jeremy Brown. Scheduled to perform Monday evening in Hollywood featuring new music from upcoming album, Blaster, Scott and bandmates became concerned when Jeremy was more than an hour late. Shortly thereafter, they received the call.
“We received a call today about my friend Jeremy Brown that has shaken me to the core. We were all concerned this afternoon when Jeremy didn’t show up for a long-scheduled rehearsal for tonight’s album release show at School Night. An hour later, Jeremy’s family called us to say that he had passed away. I am in shock right now, everyone that knows him is devastated. It is a terrible loss that goes beyond words. He is one of my best friends, a truest friend and one of the most gifted guitar players that I’ve ever known. A true genius. It’s impossible to explain how much he will be missed and what a hole this will leave in our hearts. A post on Facebook feels so trite and small compared to the love that I have for him and for the talent that has passed on but I felt it was necessary to at least start here. Please keep his family in your thoughts.”
Playing with The Wildabouts and Scott Weiland for seven years, Jeremy’s soulful style brought life to whatever he played. NYS Music and our readers send keeping family and friends our thoughts during this difficult time.
Jeremy Brown – The Wildabout – Utica Music and Arts Festival 2013
The Dirty Dozen Tour features 12 massive performances from Co-Headlining musical acts of Twiddle and Kung-Fu. Syracuse will be their second date of the run, following Buffalo, before traveling to Albany, New York City and making their way for Atlanta. Due to the fact that both bands will be headlining the tour, fans will have to arrive early to the venue to see who will take stage first. These two groups have been dedicated to their growing fan base and the music community by scheduling non-stop tour dates, as well as planning to release soundboard audio of their live shows this spring and summer. Fans can also see both bands in June at the Saranac Brewery in Utica, NY opening for moe.
Twiddle-City Bisco 2013
Since emerging onto the music scene, Kung Fu has single-handedly redefined what it means to “bring the funk.” These gentleman have brought their own unique sound, fusing the unlikely genres of funk, electronic, jam, jazz and much more. Kung Fu has become a staple at many big name festivals as well as the smaller festivals, home town bars and venues. Seeing this band live is more than just a performance, but an experience. Kung Fu’s live performances have been referred to as “jaw dropping” and “musically mesmerizing.” Taking stage with the equally talented Twiddle will just mean that you’ll have to really brace yourself for a fantastic night of live music.
Twiddle has taken the jam band music scene by storm, completely dismantling any preconceptions and notions on how far a group of guys from a small town in Vermont could really go. Over the past few years Twiddle has acquired a following to (no pun intended) beat the band. Fans of Twiddle travel far and wide to enjoy their live performances. Much like Kung Fu, Twiddle has also masterfully blended a unique array of genres including funk, reggae, jazz and bluegrass. The band has a very unique understanding of each other on stage and off so their performances are nothing short of amazing. Each performance within the Dirty Dozen Tour will showcase two phenomenal bands who have redefined genres within their own respects and also made great strides for genres which may have been otherwise overlooked.
Dirty Dozen Tour Dates:
4/1 – Buffalo, NY | Iron Works
4/2 – Syracuse, NY | Westcott Theater
4/3 – New York, NY | Irving Plaza
4/4 – Clifton Park, NY | Upstate Concert Hall
4/8 – State College, PA | Levels
4/9 – Pittsburgh, PA | The Rex Theatre
4/10 – Philadelphia, PA | TLA
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 – Atlanta, GA | Terminal West
Tickets are expected to go quick so don’t wait to buy them at the door.
It doesn’t matter if you were a child of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, or the new millennium, you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know who the Eagles are. There are only a handful of rock songs that I catalog as classic rock and roll. These are the ones that have had the ability to pass over generation to generation only gaining popularity and momentum each time played. “Hotel California,” written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Fry is one in this category.
Don Felder Turning Stone Casino
It was with eager anticipation that together with a packed audience on March 24, The Turning Stone Casino welcomed Don Felder and his star-studded band to the Showroom. As I awaited the show to begin, you could feel the audience’s excitement and eagerness to begin their evening. After all they knew they were in the presence of a musical legend.
Don Felder, best known as lead guitarist of The Eagles, is one of rock and rolls leading guitarists of all times. Inducted with his bandmates in 1998 in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Don Felder has been recognized as one of the elite musicians and songwriters of all times. When talking with a friend recently about The Eagles, he stated that in all of their music, “there was not one throw away lyric”. I agree wholeheartedly. As I sat listening to the music this evening I couldn’t help but notice the lack of pomp and circumstance on stage. There were no fancy sets, no logo backdrops or drum kits, no fancy lighting, and not even a merchandise table set up outside the doors. Tonight’s show wasn’t about anything but music. I contemplated this, how indicative of this generation of musicians and songwriters. At the time their music was popular and their tours crossing continents, it was only the lyrics and composition of music that brought the feelings. Visual effects were nice, but not necessary. Lyrics had a message, musical composition featured the talent of each instrument, and the combination of the two together evoked emotions. So as I sat there enjoying this show, I became part of the music in a new way that today’s audiences don’t often see. It’s a shame really that many will not see or appreciate music without all the visual effects to carry the point across.
With that aside, for those of you unfamiliar with Don Felder, shame on you. Don began his musical journey at the age of 10 when he traded a handful of cherry bombs for a used guitar. I do believe he got the better end of that trade, or should I say, we did. You see, this trade was prompted by, who other than, Elvis Presley as Don watched him on The Ed Sullivan Show. Mental note, I wonder how many of today’s artists began their musical journey after seeing an artist on the Ed Sullivan show?
Growing up in Gainesville, Florida, Don learned guitar and played throughout his teenage years with his childhood friend Stephen Sills and Bernie Leadon. There must have been something in the water down there in Gainesville. In Don’s high yearbook his band’s photo was featured along side his friend Tom Petty’s band. In fact, Don actually gave Tom Petty guitar lessons. It was also during this time he learned slide guitar from friend Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers. Forget the Fountain of Youth, I want to drink from their musical water fountain.
After graduation, Don found himself in Boston with good friend Bernie working in a recording studio. It was working with Bernie that he was introduced and hired to accompany The Eagles on slide guitar for their new song “Good Day In Hell”. That’s all it took. Immediately following that session, Don Felder became the new Eagle. With a country sound at that time, Don’s input helped to bring the band new audiences with his added rock and roll edgy style in their new music.
As both composers and writers, the team of bandmates churned out hit after hit. How could they not with each and every member having such talent. Individually they each were a storm of musical genius, however together they were a musical tornado. Shortly after Don’s joining the band, they wrote and produced their legendary album Hotel California. Coming to the guys with his musical demo of Hotel California, they sat down and gave lyrics to what would become one of rock and roll’s most memorable songs of all time. With Don and Joe Walsh’s guitar solo at the end of Hotel California, it is no wonder they have been considered one of rock and rolls greatest guitar teams ever. The lyrics evoke a sense of mystery and drama that metaphorically represented to them a time in the music business that sucked them in, however as much as they may want, they could never leave. Well at least for a few more years that is. In 1980 The Eagles broke up. Working individually on successful careers, it was in 1980 after “Common Thread” was made that we saw the original bandmates reunite for the “Hell Freezes Over” live performance for MTV. It was on this live performance we get a glimpse into Don’s original Spanish flavor in his guitar solo at the end of the Hotel California. A live rendition that is absolutely one of my favorites.
This reunion became short lived however as differences still continued, and amongst lawsuits and hard feelings, the band split for a final time. This however hasn’t held Don back. Working in the industry with legendary musicians like the Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Nicks, and Kenny Loggins to name a few, Don’s music continued to find it’s way to the recording studio, movies, and television. He is known for his work with Gibson and in 2010 they honored him with two signature reissues of the Don Felder Hotel California 1959 Les Paul and the Don Felder Hotel California EDS-1275 guitars. This avid guitar collector has never sold any of his guitars, and this photojournalist would love an opportunity to one day see this extensive collection and photograph it. A girl can dream!
Moss has not grown on this rock and roller however, touring extensively over the years with bands such as Styx and Foreigner, and even penning a New York Times Bestselling book, “My Life in The Eagles (1974-2001). This therapeutic non-fiction allowed Don to tell his side of the story as well as move onward and upward, which he has so graciously done.
As he and the band took the stage last evening, I couldn’t help feel as though I was in the presence of greatness. Joining him was an elite group of the most talented musicians in the world. On bass we had Shem von Schroeck who played with Kenny Loggins and Ambrosia, on drums/percussion was Chris Ralles who played with Pat Benetar, on keyboards was Timothy Drury who played with The Eagles and Whitesnake, and last but not least was the one who helped keep Don on his toes on guitar, Greg Suran. Greg was lovingly referred to as the “young whippersnapper” and who has played with Joe Walsh, the Goo Goo Dolls, and the B52’s. Yes, the stage was peppered with some of the most amazing musicians in the world.
As Don began his set with Already Gone and One of These Nights, the crowd began to warm up. It was the third song into the set though that took me by surprise. Don asked, who in the audience liked Stevie Ray Vaughn? Hello, who doesn’t like Stevie Ray Vaughn? It was at this moment I realized this man’s extensive vocal and musical talent far exceeded what I expected, as he rocked the crowd playing Pride And Joy. I could have left at this moment completely satisfied, however I’m glad I didn’t because as the night went on, and the songs played on, he only got better and better. In fact I must make note and tell you this. Sometimes a musician sounds wonderful on an album and then live his voice can be strained and not sound quite a clear. This was the exact opposite for Don. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with his vocals. His voice is so very smooth, so very strong, and so very melodic that I’m shocked he wasn’t front/lead vocals on more numbers for The Eagles.
As if my musical crush couldn’t get any larger, the man has a sense of humor to boot. That’s the equivalent to a musical hat trick for me; voice/musicality, stage presence/audience attention, and humor. Yep, I was over the moon happy to be covering this show and bringing this to my readers, as Don teased how he wrote the song Tequila Sunrise about his new friend Jose’. Jose’ Cuervo that is. It was on this particular song that I took note of how well this group harmonized together. Then came Seven Bridges Road. For anyone who has seen Don’s live show, you will know exactly what I’m talking about here. Originally as a warmup song vocally for the group, I would say that they surpassed warm up right to red-hot. Wow! Again, did I mention how well these men harmonize together? Thank you. That is all I can say about this song. Thank you.
I sat listening to these songs, one right after another, of hit after hit; Those Shoes, Witchy Woman, The Long Run, Heartache Tonight, and Life In the Fast Lane. Let me tell you, it was a set list of some of the most famous rock songs of all times. However it was an original call Girls In Black that really impressed me. This song truly rocked. Was one of my favorites of the night.
As the crowd cheered for an encore, the band took the stage for one of my personal favorites “Take It Easy”. I found myself amongst those standing and singing along like a teenage groupie. Then out to the stage came the double neck guitar. Yep, we all knew what was coming, and deliver he did. Was a highlight in my career, I must say, to see Don Felder with that double neck guitar performing Hotel California within a few feet.
As the song ended, and the crowd came to their feet chanting and clapping, I knew that this show was truly special. Don brings his passion of music to audiences sharing with them one heartfelt performance. No matter how many are in the audience, he brings you an intimate performance without pomp and circumstance. This toned down, music first approach showcased not only the songs sang, but the musicians singing them.
For more information on Don’s Tour Calendar, please visit donfelder.com to see if they will be coming to a venue near you.
Shana Falana has been making waves all over the United States and Europe officially since 2011, releasing two albums on Bandcamp and a cassette only document of earlier work, is now releasing her debut LP titled Set Your Lightning Fire Free. The album was put together in just a week and was taken with the approach of think of an idea, get it on tape, and move on, which has not hurt the record one bit. Shana usually is one to labor over arrangements and piecing takes together to make the perfect song, but she wanted to try something different for her first album. Joining Shana full-time now is Mike Amari on drums and he helps a great deal in filling the voids between Shana’s beautiful abstract ideas. Their creative force makes for a great pairing of sound that will make you revisit Set Your Lightning Fire Free again and again.
The album gets going with “Gone” and has Shana layering her own vocals on top of one another over dreamy synthesizers that is all chugged along by Mike’s constant beat and is a great opener for a record. Right off the bat you are diving head first into psychedelic pop and that is where you stay for the entirety of the record. In songs “Heavenstay” and “Know UR Mine” the ’80s new wave sound, that has slowly making a comeback, has been turned just a little askew and brought into the 21st century by Shana and Mike. “Go” is a heavy song both lyrically and musically, bringing in some middle-eastern instrumentation alongside a howling Shana. “Anything” sees the duo go for an industrial sound that give an early Nine Inch Nails vibe. “There’s Away” has some of the best instrumentation on the album to go along with Shana’s vocals sending the song continuously farther into the ether of psychedelia through the almost six minutes that it lovingly takes up on the record.
Shana on past tours has used visuals behind her to make the whole show more of an art piece than a concert. The music on Set Your Lightning Fire Free is set up to perfectly go along with these visuals. The pulsating guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and strong drumming on all the new songs that Shana Falana has laid down on the debut record will only be more pleasing in person. Starting with a week run in New York including April 2nd at The Low Beat, April 3 at BSP Kingston, April 4 at Shea Stadium, and April 7 at Bug Jar, the Kingstoners will criss-cross the country through May to support the record. Though it is officially released on April 7th, the band will have copies on tour.
Welcome to Round 5 or better known as the “Final Four” of NYS Music’s March Madness 2016! This tournament-style competition includes the remaining 4 bands and artists who call New York their home.
This year’s 4 brackets were based on genres of music – Funk/Jam/Reggae, Metal/Rock, Bluegrass/Folk/Americana and Indie/EDM. Each bracket has 16 New York bands in their respective region, battling it out to reach the Final Four and claim this year’s title. Bands were chosen based upon their origins in New York and popularity in their respective genres. To look back on the battles, view previous rounds: Round 1 (64 teams), Round 2 (32 teams), Round 3 (16 teams), and Round 4 (8 teams).
In Round 4 we had some close matchups, but ultimately only four survived and started the cross genre matches. Representing the Folk/Bluegrass/Americana/Country category is the 8th seed out of the Albany area, Eastbound Jesus. They will be going against the winner of the EDM/Indie/Other genre 3) Jimkata.
In the other matchup, the Jam/Funk/Reggae genre winner and New York legends and the only 1 seed remaining moe. will be facing up to the winner of the Metal/Rock/Punk division Wild Adriatic.
Round 5 voting begins Monday, March 30 at Noon and ends on Wednesday April 1st at midnight. Round 6, or the Championships, will begin on April 2nd at noon.
The Script is a band that will be timeless to me forever. We all have one. Perhaps because they were our first live show, perhaps they were our first crush, or perhaps they made music that moved us when we needed it most. Whatever the backstory, we each have that one band, that one artist that holds a special meaning to us. We may even have more than one, but no matter where we are, we know when they come to town we must see them and when we hear them on the radio, we must crank it up. The Script is that band for me. They hold a special place in my heart as they were the band that forever changed my life and my direction of photography.
The Script – Great NY State Fair 2011
Popular in their native Ireland and nearby UK, The Script hit American charts in 2010 with their single “Breakeven” and as they exploded on to the scene here, their American following began to amass. It was the summer of 2011 when I heard that they would be playing The Great NY State Fair. As a freelance photographer at the time, I wanted to see if I could get a photo pass for the day to cover the two free shows at Chevy Court. So with camera in hand and my nicest smile in the bag, off I went to try and secure one. I had heard a song or two from each band, and thought it would be really cool to add these photos to my portfolio of bands that I knew would one day be huge. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a journey that has led me to where I am today.
The Script – NY State Fair 2011
Thanks to a few kind souls that day, I lucked out and was granted a photo pass for the afternoon show to cover Hot Chelle Rae. In fact, little did I know that this day would be the beginning of my five seconds of fame as well. As I shot photos of the meet and greet, the Hot Chelle Rae team was also shooting footage for a new video they were creating for their next single, “I Like It Like That.” Included in that video was the footage from Syracuse and okay, it was more like one half of a second at 2:46/.47 that I was spotted in the frame, but hey, I’m in it! #superstar. As the day proceeded I hoped that management would allow me to stay on and photograph the evening show. As I began to leave the back stage area, a crew member for The Script, told me to hang on and thanks to him, I was allowed to shoot the first three songs for the evening show with The Script. I had shot other shows locally, of other bands, but this was different. This was a band that was international. This was a band that I just knew would be something larger than this moment.
As I positioned myself in the pit area, I knew I only had the first three songs to shoot so I hunkered down in my best angle to capture the moment when it began, when the band takes the stage and when the crowd erupts. The stage was darkened to complete blackness as the music began. As the intro to “You Won’t Feel A Thing” began all you heard was guitar, then some percussion was added, and then bass and back ground vocals were added. The upbeat tempo kept speeding up like a race nearing the finish line when all of a sudden it kicked into overdrive and spotlight bursts open and Danny bursts onto the stage as he exploded into the song. It was at this very moment that my life changed. To this day, there has been no other intro music that has ever given me that rush of adrenaline. To this day, every time I hear this song, it brings me back to that very moment in time and that high I felt. I can clearly say, that was the very moment I fell in love with band photography, and from that moment since, I have thrown my heart and soul into it like no other passion I have ever experienced.
Since that the initial day, I have happily sat back and watched this trio of Irish musicians grow their fan base, their catalog of albums, and expand their musical creativity to shine like the stars I knew they were. With four albums now under their belt and numerous tours, working along side some of today’s biggest stars, it was apparent that others also saw their talent and knew they were in the presence of great musicians. A pinnacle of their career had to be in 2009 when they opened for Sir Paul McCartney at New York’s Citi Field. I can only image how they felt having that opportunity to speak with Sir Paul about music, discuss their collective journeys, and garner advice from a legendary star. If that wasn’t enough, it was shortly after that that they had the chance to open for U2 in their hometown of Dublin as well. Since my initial show, it seemed as though The Script had continued to tour non-stop. Danny participated in the UK’s version of The Voice, and like a snowball rolling down hill, they never slowed down throughout the entire time. Keeping an eye on tour dates for areas in and around the surrounding states and New York, I just kept missing them. Whether my schedule conflicted, I couldn’t secure credentials, or they were not available to our area, I patiently waited knowing one day they would come back, or I would be able to travel to one of their shows. It was a happy day when I found out that they would be coming to the Main Street Armory in Rochester. It would be full circle for me to once again enjoy the show with the band that helped me fall in love with band photography.
Opening the evening was local musician Amanda Peers. Amanda’s set began the evening by rocking out the crowd with her strong soulful sound. A native to Rochester, Amanda was seen as part of Gwen Stephanie’s team on the seventh season of The Voice. Working with artists such as The Spin Doctors and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Amanda’s melodic sound was the perfect preface to begin the evening and get this eager audience primed for the following acts.
Amanda Peers – Main Street Armory, Rochester NY
Next up was Oh Honey. Oh Honey, named specifically after an episode on How I Met Your Mother, burst onto the scene in 2013, and since have been opening for artists such as The Fray, James Blunt, and American Authors. Their unique indie rock sound draws you in and hooks and before you know it. Their single “Be Okay” has been covered by the Glee cast, and has been featured in the ABC show Selfie, a Chili’s commercial, and commercial for The Hundred Foot Journey. Their first studio album is eagerly awaited by fans for release in spring of 2015. Their addictive sound and energetic performance is a certain indicator that they have a special quality and we will be seeing more of them in the near future.
Oh Honey – Main Street Armory, Rochester NY
The next act was one I had been waiting to shoot for a long time to mark off my bucket list. Discovering him through digital radio, Mat Kearney’s music was definitely part of my every day playlist. When Mat Kearney took the stage it was a wonderful surprise to learn that Mat’s family is originally from Rochester (Irondequoit). His grandfather and father, had quite the interesting and sordid past. It was fun to learn the details of what seemed to be a made for tv journey, was in actuality, his real life story. The story and journey begins with Mat’s grandfather running a gambling ring out of a fake cigar shop until being put out business by the mob, to his father following Pink Floyd through Europe, to living in Hawaii where he met Mat’s mother as they worked together as a ship hand and mermaid, to becoming a law abiding citizen and lawyer raising a family. Joking around in an interview once, Mat once said “you can’t make this stuff up”. It’s these first hand experiences that Mat has lived through that have helped propel his musical writing style. His heartfelt songs come from life, from feelings, and it’s this music that caught my ear, and piqued my curiosity about this musician. Not setting out to become a musician, it wasn’t long after arriving in Nashville that he just knew this was where he needed to stay and what he needed to do with his life. Now eight years and five albums later, Mat Kearney has established himself in the music business as a top notch songwriter and performer. Touring with greats such as John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Owl City, and Brad Paisley, Mat has found his calling,. In 2007 VH1 labeled him as one of their “You Oughta Know” artists, and this I wholeheartedly agree with this designation. He definitely is someone I would suggest you listen to, as his quiet laidback style of music, has longevity and he will be around forever.
Mat Kearney – Main Street Armory, Rochester, NY
As the crowd eagerly awaited The Script to take the stage, I fretted, would it not live up to my memory of them? Had I taken a moment and placed it in a category that cannot be usurped? As they began their set with “Paint The Town Green” from their new album No Sound Without Silence, their entrance was grand!!! The one thing I love about these guys, is their lighting is top notch. As a photographer, it makes for the best photos having the subjects backlit. I also love their stage setup. With Danny O’Donoghue on lead vocals, keyboard, and guitar, he’s right front and center. Well at least while he’s standing still that is. He’s one of those musicians that truly plays to his audience. He has no problem getting out in the crowd with his audience several times throughout his shows and he’s very energetic. With Mark Sheehan on lead guitar and vocals, he plays both sides of the stage, and I have to say that man can shredd! One of my favorite things about their stage setup is where Glen Power who plays drums and backing vocals is situated. His drum kit is set side stage with the front facing inward so that the audience, and photographers, have a great vantage of him while he plays. Also touring again with the lads is Benjamin Sergeant who plays bass guitar and backing vocals. Was glad to see him there this time again, and new this time around was Rodney Alejandro on keyboards. These two accompanying musicians, although set back, are still accessible visually for everyone to see. Excellent placement guys. As the years passed by, and as I cover more shows throughout the state, I noticed that this was not the norm for both placement and lighting. So when I come across a band that has these features, I’m very thankful for making my job easier. Now add in that these guys can really write, sing, and perform, it makes for one hell of a show. Playing both new songs such as “Superheroes”, “The Energy Never Dies”, and “No Good In Goodbye”, and favorites such as “Breakeven”, “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, and “For The First Time”, the show flew by as the audience fed off of them, and they the audience. As they left the stage, I thought to myself, they lived up to the hype in my head. Then it happened…the stage was dark, the guitar began, the percussion was added, and then bass and back ground vocals began as Danny once again began and the lights went up. I was there again. I was standing side stage watching where my love began, with the song that began it. They did it. They surpassed my memories and made new ones, as the band that began it all for me. Thanks Danny, Mark, Glen, Benjamin, and Rodney for beginning my journey down this road of music journalism. It’s been the greatest journey, and the road lays in front of me for so many more adventures. Hope to see you again along the way.
This was my first time at Revolution Music Hall. Make no mistake, this is a kick ass venue. It’s a pub with a small stage, a capacity of around 500, and a lot of cool monuments and posters to look at. The place has great sound, killer environment, and the best part, drinks and food are served during shows. And cleverly, they have curtains going around the front of the stage to keep closed between sets, which is not common at other similar sized venues around New York State.
After Zire’s War, Sworn Enemy ignited the crowd into a bloody knuckle fiasco. The floor erupted with dozens upon dozens of men slam dancing the fuck out of the venue. It did feel like a short setlist from Sworn Enemy, but there were some great fire starter songs in their set such as “We Hate,” “As Real As It Gets,” and their anthem “Sworn Enemy.” This band never disappoints.
Overall a fantastic show for anyone looking to kick start their adrenaline or to get their hardcore jollies out of their system. My only complaint, it seemed like an awful long time to set up between bands, especially since every band minus Biohazard only played six to eight songs. But Revolution Music Hall is definitely a fitting venue for metal and hardcore shows. And now we eagerly await the next Biohazard and Sworn Enemy US tour, and the future of Zire’s War.
Graig Adler: How long have you been on tour? When does it end? How many dates? When’s the last time you’ve been “home”?
