Could the hiatus finally be over for Rock and Metal powerhouse Disturbed? Disturbed has posted recently a cartoon video clip of their mascot “The Guy,” laying down on a futuristic aged hospital bed looking to be brought back to life.
“>second video, The Guy’s hands and feet start to twitch.
Every Disturbed fan including myself, will be locked onto the bands Facebook page in anticipation of an official announcement as to what the videos actually mean. The band has currently been on hiatus since October of 2011. Since then all of the band members have found themselves playing in side projects.
Everybody needs to have some fun with proper dosage of Hudson Valley rock. That’s what Joe Duraes & The Skills are all about. Rooted in the lower Hudson Valley of NY (Peekskill, to be precise), JD&TS strips down the heavily wax-coated, over-produced sounds common to today’s records to the purer elements of a four-piece rock and roll band. Their focus on performing with a cohesive energy and engaging tunes has garnered attention and brought people back to more of their shows around town.
The band didn’t quite start as a band; rather a solo act of Joe Duraes with a regular residency at the Peekskill Coffee House and a few other small gigs here and there. It was early 2014 when things finally lined up and clicked to bring together a group of talented musicians to play the songs Duraes had previously written and work on new material as a band. Currently, Joe Duraes and The Skills is Joe Duraes (guitar, vocals), Rodman del Castillo (lead guitar), Steve Geller (bass/vocals), and Kevin Hupp (drums).
The band rolled out a much stronger, tighter sound with the debut of drummer Kevin Hupp at The Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake, NY on June 13, 2015.
Let’s hear what JD&TS had to share with NYS Music.
Steve Malinski: So Joe, what prompted you to form the band and how did it come about?
Joe Duraes: There are a couple of reasons. First because I wanted to have a band to play my songs with me. I missed having that for a long time, doing the solo gigs for a while. The other reason is I released Ebb Flow in 2013 and because that album was so well produced it just didn’t make sense for me to do all that work only to go play it solo/acoustic again. It was very necessary to get a band together for that, so people can get the full effect. I put the band together January 2014. I put a few ads on Craigslist for a drummer, bass player, and a guitar player and that’s how I found them.
SM: What are your backgrounds in music?
JD: For me, I’m really just self-taught. I started on guitar when I was 13, kind of following the footsteps of my older cousin who at the time was 18. My lessons were really listening to the records I picked up – they were my teachers. All the bands I had listened to over the years, that was my schooling. In my 20’s I was in my first band – well I was in my first band when I was 16 but we never played any gigs – Most of the bands were goth and alternative, so I kind of went through that phase. Then I stopped for about 13 years, a break for a while. I got back into it when I started writing songs again and a few of those made it to the Ebb and Flow record. So the Skills has really been like my baby for the last three years, including the recording process (even though the band has only been around for a year or so now). I was joking recently with Steve and Rodman that they were at their one-year mark and that I had to get them something – a pin or something.
Steve Geller: I’ve been a bass player for close to 30 years now, both road musician and studio musician. The most famous gig I had was with The Monkees. I’ve worked with a lot of me heroes – Pete Best (original drummer for the beatles), Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Buckethead, Jane Wiedland from The Go Go’s, just to name a few.
Rodman del Castillo: I started with a metal band – Planet Hate back in the early 90’s. From there I did my own thing in Manhattan with My Brothers Dream, kind of a typical rock thing. Did a lot of funk-rock type things and played CBGB’s a couple times. From there I went on with Elisabeth Withers, a singer who later signed with Blue Note Records. I wound up on tour with Janice Robinson – the opening act for Tina Turner on her 2000 tour. Then I came back to NY doing a blues, Hendrix type thing in the Village.
Kevin Hupp: In the last 15 years I’ve been producing records out of my studio and Joe came along and I was taken by his sound. We got along very well and I produced and played on his debut album. Fast forward: I’d seen him live a few times and the band sounded great. But as a producer and someone who knows the songs inside-out, something just wasn’t quite gelling. Last time I saw him live I was thinking to myself about who I could turn Joe on to the drums and I thought about it for a moment. So the next day I got a text from Joe about joining the band and we talked for a while. I thought it would be a lot of fun. Joe’s got a great live sound.
SM: Can you tell us who some of your influences are?
JD: Gosh, I’m going to start with the Beatles. It depends a lot on the decade we’re talking about as I’ve been listening to music since I was five years old. Beatles, Led Zeppelin, U2, Nirvana, Peter Murphy, Bob Mould – I always play his stuff.
SG: The Beatles of course. I grew up in the 60’s. I watched the Ed Sullivan Show the night they were first on and it changed my life. I saw McCartney with the left-handed violin shaped bass and it was all over for me – “I want to learn how to do that!”
RdC: I started off digging “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter and that was it, I was pumped. When I was 9 my cousin asked if I could play this and I was like “no”. Also Clapton, the classic Hendrix. On into the 80’s and 90’s I was getting into the metal guys, Testament, some of the older acts. I liked to listen a lot and emulate their stuff.
KH: I’d say the one person I respect a lot is Dave Grohl because he basically came from behind the drum kit with Nirvana and now he’s one of the biggest artists out there and I love his band, what he does. Great drummer, great producer. I appreciate the mindset where a drummer can come to the front of the band and produce as well. There’s been a handful of those guys over the years.
SM: Each of you have a somewhat similar story behind joining up with Joe for the band. What can you say about that?
SG: I had been on the road non-stop for about six years and I was pretty burnt out and needed to be home. But I wanted to keep playing, not in a local classic rock cover band though. So I started answered some ads, went to some auditions. Then I saw an article in a paper on Joe and later an ad which happened to be Joe’s. We played together and knew right away that this was something that was interesting and I’d want to be involved with. It was too good not to become a part of.
RdC: I was just looking around on Craigslist and saw the ad. Joe and I spoke by phone several times and things started clicking. He mailed me the record, I liked it and started learning the stuff. There was a chemistry there.
Left to Right: Kevin Hupp, Steve Geller, Joe Duraes, Rodman del Castillo
SM: Kevin, since you already mentioned how you recently joined the band, how did you first get involved with Joe’s music before the Skills even came about?
KH: Joe was referred to me by Matt Turk, another artist in the Hudson Valley. Joe called me up and I listened to his songs. The cool thing is that Joe sounds like Joe, with a really identifiable voice and the things he brings to the songs. When you’re producing a record you look for things like that and things took off from there.
SM: And Joe, what’s the story behind Kevin joining the band in 2015?
JD: I met Kevin around 2012 when I hired him to produce ebb and flow and always wanted him in the band. I asked him several times but he politely declined because he wasn’t around. We’ve had a couple of drummers in the band and while they were good players they just weren’t the right fit for us. So we recently spoke to Kevin about going back to record in the studio again and I asked him like a hail-Mary pass and I asked him as a far-reaching question if he’d consider again joining the band. I didn’t expect in a million years for a reply but just 5 minutes later he said that he was actually thinking about that. So we talked, the four of us. I basically told him that he created the sound of the CD and that set the foundation for what became The Skills, we play those songs live. Every drummer we’ve had has basically been playing your parts so it just makes sense for you, as the creator of that rhythm and sound to be a part of the group.
SM: What’s the future looking like for Joe Duraes & The Skills?
JD: The future’s looking good now that Kevin is in the band. Kevin, being a world-class musician, drummer and producer for 35 years, brings with him a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge not just with playing drums but in music. You can be a drummer but if you’re not a musician you’re not a good drummer. We’re really looking forward to the door this will open for us. He has a lot of friends, and we have a lot of friends and it should bring us new opportunities to play bigger shows, bigger venues.
Joe Duraes & The Skills are online at their website, Facebook, YouTube, and ReverbNation where you can keep up with their show schedule. Check out the gallery below of some of their 2014 performances in Peekskill, at the River Street Beat Shop in Troy, NY and of Kevin Hupp’s June 2015 debut at The Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake, NY; but more importantly check them out live.
The third event at CMAC’s 2015 Summer Concert Series, Ed Sheeran was what I would refer to as a winning musical trifecta wrapped in a “Lego House.” With the combination of stellar weather + stellar crowd + stellar music, CMAC couldn’t have planned it any better. This show sold out it’s 15,000 capacity within a 24 hour period of time as just one of several great shows planned for the series, the summer sure has kicked off with a bang.
Ed Sheeran – CMAC
As the long and winding crowds made their way in to take their seats, it was apparent that Ed Sheeran’s music held mass appeal to multiple generations. In a matter of minutes the green grassy area up above on the lawn filled in that you couldn’t see a blade of grass anywhere. Yes there were crazed teenagers everywhere sporting “X” t-shirts, carrying signs, and even letters to spell out ED! There were also adults of all kinds, and trust me they were not there just because their daughters needed rides. They too danced and sang along the entire night.
Opening the evening was the UK sensation Rixton. The energy level of these four young men blew me away. Was totally impressed by their musical talent and their showmanship. They had the crowd at hello. I’ve seen numerous opening acts prime an audience for the main show over the course of my career, however they were one song in and the audience was on their feet dancing and singing along. Amazing. With Jake Roche on vocals, Charley Bagnall on lead guitar and vocals, Danny Wilkin on keyboards, bass, and vocals and Lewi Morgan laying down the beat on drums, their energy levels were contagious. Singing hits from their recently released album, Let The Road, they engaged the audience by pitting section vs. section, pointing out audience members, and just rousing everyone out of the seats. It was fun to watch and even more fun to photograph.
Ed Sheeran – CMAC
With a quick set change, Ed Sheeran took the stage. A man, a guitar, some platforms, two mics, and a loop pedal. That’s all this amazing musician needed to put on a show that blew the roof off the place. This young man’s musical abilities astound me. He played non-stop, gave more than 110% on each song and was the whole band rolled into one. His writing ability and ability to mesh melodies together and sing/rap them seamlessly blew my mind.
Ed Sheeran – CMAC
As he sang, his eyes were closed feeling everything from within and projecting out to the audience where they took hold of it and became part of the show. The entire audience sang along, waved their arms, flashed their cell phones and became as immersed as he was in each and every number. One audience member was so emerged she stormed the stage to see him. Ed so graciously agreed to take a selfie prior to her being escorted out. His kindness and love for his fans is well known as he takes the time to join one fan recently on stage at a local mall while she performed his cover of “Thinking Out Loud.”
In addition to his outstanding performance, his visual production was top notch projecting animations and videography of Ed (with some amazing special effects) as he performed behind him on stage side screens. The moments matched the music perfectly and the show was an auditory and visual celebration. So glad I was there to celebrate with him. Okay CMAC, this show will be a hard one to follow. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next. Stay tune readers for our next show from CMAC.
Setlist: I’m a Mess, Lego House, Don’t/Loyal/No Diggity/Nina, Drunk, Take It Back/Superstition/Ain’t No Sunshine, Photograph, Bloodstream, Tenerife Sea, Thinking Out Loud, Feeling Good/I See Fire, I Was Made to Love Her (Stevie Wonder cover), The A Team, Give Me Love
Todd Rundgren released his 25th album, Global, on April 7 and immediately set out on a 34 date North American tour. Having had the pleasure of seeing Todd in concert several times, reading some of the early reviews didn’t surprise me at all. If you expect to hear “I Saw The Light,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Hello, It’s Me,” TR never disappoints, but, he may make you wait and tease you a few times before giving in. I grabbed a couple of quotes from a good friend’s Facebook posting post-show, before delving deeper.
“Todd always brings his own cutting edge and set his own parameters, very few artists are this talented and confident. If fans struggle with change and evolution, they should choose another artist to follow.”
“It takes a lot of courage as a fan to follow him with an open-mind, but the rewards are worth the effort”, Tommy Allen.
“Just a killer show, filled with positive energy from the girls (The Global Singers) and the DJ (DaM FunK). Todd was in fantastic voice and delivered all of the songs with passion. The choreography and light show turned the whole thing into a very immersive experience. Don’t listen to the bad reviews on the internet, this is a very unique and futuristic show,” said Mark Doyle.
Honestly, it took several spins of Global to get the feel, but being familiar with his previous release, State, it warmed me quicker to the work. The opener, “Evrybody” sounds like a slap in the face to the entitled or a call to arms for the populace. Either way it sets the tone for the album. As on most albums, it’s all Todd, all of the time. Almost exactly the way he would take it on tour. “Flesh & Blood,” another EDM-like tome that pokes fun at DJs while showing what really can be done electronically with real lyrics that have something to say. The verses sting, the chorus, “You’ve got free will, but you’re flesh and blood” simplifies and drives the message. Keep in mind this man is one of the fathers of multi-media, usually several steps ahead of the game, ultimately disenfranchising some. A pity really. “Rise” is right to the heart of the state of things, yes, globally. He speaks directly to the Romanesque status of civilization, “Time’s ticking away, time keeps ticking away. If we don’t rise, then we will fall.” Pretty simple and right on the point. This leads into “Holyland,” a rhythmic adventure into the definition of what that is exactly. Everything. If this track doesn’t hit home, you’re simply not paying attention.
“Blind” slows the pace a blue-eyed, soulful bit and illuminates the false-flag of media. “I’m not a scientist, everybody likes to brag these days. And yet they still insist, twisting all the facts their way.” Directly aimed at climate-change deniers, god-trusting book wavers, that believe all will be taken care of for them, perhaps still on the entitled ones. Shielding their eyes from the reality in front of them. “You have to be blind, blind, blind. Eyes that will not see it. (Writing’s on the wall.)” “Earth Mother” kicks back into EDM as a anthemic call to action, from a Rosa Parks reference to the choruses repeated message, “Can I get a shout-out from my sisters, a shout out from my girls. Now go out there and change the world. “Global Nation” flows right into the theme of one world, one cause, one solution. “Calling out to the planet, calling out to the world. (Global Nation) I wanna wrap my arms around the world, wrap my arms around the world and dance.”
TR always has his moment when his heart bleeds out, “Soothe” is this record’s example. His lyrical emotions move you, the timbre of his wavering voice speaks directly to the listener, whomever it may be. Something TR does exquisitely. This is chicken-skin arms material. “Maybe I can’t make gray skies turn blue, but I can soothe you. When your lovers are untrue. And the whole world seems out to hurt you. Know that I would try, everything I knew, to soothe you. I will soothe you.” “Terra Firma” sequences forward analogously as a tale of the intrepid explorer casting-off to someplace unknown. With solid ground being the love and home he left behind, “I am off to great adventures, leaving you behind. Far beyond the border and I have no clue what I will find. But the thought of home never leaves my mind, no. Though the minutes stretch to hours and the hours stretch to days. With the trials and tribulations, well it seems like I’m so far away. And it’s just too high a price to pay. There’s one thing I can always say. Whenever I feel the rain I put my faith in terra firma. And I’m never far away, because you’re my terra firma. (terra firma) Whenever I feel alone, I go home to terra firma. (terra firma) The place I can call my own, because you’re my terra firma (terra firma).”
“Fate” poses destiny as a card game and addiction that everyone seemingly has. The future being out of our hands like a roulette wheel spinning out of control. No one wants to face up to the realities of our time, it’s easier to rely on fate than make an effort to change. Manifest destiny, worldwide. “Skyscraper” shines the light on the trappings of civilization. Buildings and cars, partying with friends, living in the moment with no regard for what’s ahead. “This Island Earth” closes and wraps it all up, neatly exposing what needs to be for change to happen, allowing the future a chance to exist beyond man’s current course. “There is no other place in this universe, like this island earth. We fantasize about this spoiling other planets, like this island earth.”
When taken as a whole, this album is yet another message from a very old soul, living on the cutting edge of technology. Drawing distinct lines between reality and fantasy, fate and destiny, what can and cannot be. A statement from one of the bravest, deepest songwriters of our time that is not to be ignored.
Of course TR has multiple platforms to read and learn from. Check out more on facebook and his website.
Key Tracks: They’re all key tracks, it’s Todd Rundgren! Check out “Terra Firma” and “Soothe,” they crush.
Every once in a while the music industry often has break out artists that stand out, as a little bit different and unique. At times these musicians begin a new musical culture. We saw that as Elvis introduced rock ‘n’ roll. The Beatles took the Ed Sullivan show by storm, Diana Ross & The Supremes lead the Motown revolution, KISS began a hair-band revolution. Tupac made his mark in hip hop/rap, and Kurt Cobain became legendary as part of the grunge phase. It’s been a while since this musical culture shifted.
As I cover shows across the state I see a trend occurring. I notice more so often than not, a great majority of musicians are returning to the basics. You know, a good song, a great voice, a clear instrument, and not so much lighting that they become a figment amongst smoke and mirrors. Yes, these are the bands and musicians that seem to be making their way today in the sea of musical opportunities.
Enter Jonathan Jackson +Enation. Most of the readers know Jackson as Avery on ABC’s hit television show, Nashville, where he plays a musician. On the show Avery’s character stands out as unique and special, and not fitting the form of the traditional country music we’ve grown accustomed to.
Joined in Enation is Jackson’s older brother, also an accomplished actor, Richard Lee Jackson, and Daniel Sweatt — who is one of the most talented musicians out there. Together these three blend together in a perfect mix that makes up one heck of a rock band. Yes I said a rock band.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
When I first came across this band I was surprised to learn how long they’ve played together, and although I was late to the party, I was so happy to have gotten there. Touring currently with their fourth album, these three have been perfecting their craft. Striving to capture that energy from their live show. Radio Cinematic I believe has achieved just that. Having heard their album before their live performance I questioned and hoped whether their live show would live up to my expectations. Well it did just that, and then far exceeded those expectations.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
Opening the evening was a local Pop/Rock/Alternative/Indie band from the Ithaca area called Maple Hill. These four young men were quite energetic. Not only did they prime the crowd for the main event, they were actually quite humorous and entertaining throughout their own set. Their new album, Headspace will be released June 19, 2015. Joel Beckwith (Bass), St. John Faulkner (Drums), Max Gaeta (Lead Guitar), and Kristian Wood-Gaiger (Vocals/Guitar) amped up the crowd with original music and remixed covers such as Drake’s, “We’re Going Home”.
They thoroughly surprised and delighted me with their style, sound, and high energy performance. I highly recommend if you are in the area of The Dock (415 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca, NY 14850) June 18, you should stop by and join them to help celebrate their record release party from 7-10pm. All ages are welcome and the cover charge is only $5.
Maple Hill – Westcott Theater
Then came Jonathan, Richard, and Daniel who from the moment the spot light hit Jonathan at the piano and he began to sing, I was totally blown away. Opening with “Young World’s Riot,” Jonathan’s voice along with his piano permeated your soul.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
As they moved into the rest of the set, Richard’s percussion laid down a constant rhythm while Daniel’s bass and resounding vocals added to Jonathan’s, and together they found a synchronicity that not only encapsulated the live sound they were striving to achieve on the album, but far exceeded my expectations. From the moment they began playing right up to the end, I was in a hypnotic trance. In addition to mesmerizing the entire audience, they took the time to recognize a special guest on her birthday and dedicated a song to the sweet young lady.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
These kind young men were gracious, appreciative, and as famous as they all are in their own rights between television and movie stardom, you wouldn’t know it as their humility was refreshing. As they wrapped up the evening, Jonathan took to the piano once again to close out the show as he began, with Young World’s Riot, moving me almost to tears.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
I highly recommend if they come anywhere within driving distance (or if you’re up for a road trip) to take in one of the shows on the second leg of the Radio Cinematic Tour this year. If you can’t catch them live this time around, by all means head straight to their website to purchase this album. You will be glad you did.
Jonathan Jackson + Enation – Westcott Theater
Setlist: Maple Hill
Never Enough (original)
Well, Well, Well, How the Turntables (original)
Argyle (original)
Hold on, We’re Going Home (Drake cover)
Space to Grow (original)
Stomping Ground (original)
Jack Blinked (original)
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Set List: Jonathan Jackson +Enation
Young World’s Riot
Ascending
Things You’ve Never Seen
Kicked In The Head
The One I Love
Everything Is Possible
All The Best
Let The Beauty Out
I See God In You
The Hands of Your Drug
Let Me Out
The Fly
The National Anthem
Corduroy
In My Tree
A Far Away Reality
Keep Asking Why
The Morning Of The Rain
Eyes of Grace (Birthday Dedication to Miss Lily)
Young World’s Riot
Starset Society of N.Y can get ready to see Starset in a whole new way.
For the second time ever the band will hold a audio/visual event inside of a planetarium. Thursday June 25 at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, fans can witness Starset’s space themed music in a unique way — with original visual content to match the bands tunes. Space is limited to see the cinematic rockers in this intimate setting. Tickets are $20.oo and can be purchased through Vanderbilt or at the door day of show.
They’re from Australia. Weird — but awesome, right?
Here is the cover from the latest US release, the appropriately titled, Oddments.
Weird… but awesome. right?
They’ll be bringing their heavy fuzzed out psychedelic rock show to the Bug Jar, with its weird but awesome upside down apartment hanging from the ceiling, on Wednesday, June 17. It promises to be a crazy topsy-turvy time, don’t miss it.
Doors open at 8pm, music kicks off at 9pm with local Rochester bands Drippers and Hot Mayonnaise. Tickets are $8 in advance available here, or $10 at the door.
When Water Street Music Hall came back on the scene last year after a short liquor license renewal process, they promised to bring some big acts to town that had previously skipped over Rochester as The War On Drugs coming to town, in support of their critically-acclaimed 2014 release Lost in the Dream on Monday, qualifies as such a show.
The Adam Granduciel-led band took the stage to a packed crowd in front of a backdrop of large blocky white c-shapes washed in shifting LED lights. “Burning” opened what would be a set heavy on material off their latest album. Granduciel painted his Dylan-inspired American rock songs atop landscapes produced by his backing band of David Hartley on bass, Charlie Hall on drums, and Robbie Bennett, Jon Natchez and Anthony LaMarca all on various keyboards. It was more keys then I had expected at this show. Though Natchez frequently switched to flugelhorn or saxophone and LaMarca played some guitars. And Hall added in some synthesized drum beats here and there. With broad strokes they smudged the lines between electric and organic. It didn’t matter if it was the honk of a horn or the pounding of keys, the sound of the band melded together into a singular matte for Granduciel to work from.
The songs existed in the blurred out area between singer/songwriter and rock and roll. They were twisted, turned and kneaded in between that space, languidly oozing from place to place. There was no hurry to get moving, and with no real desire to sharpen or peak. It was blurred out head bobbing music. At times maybe Granduciel was a bit too generous with the smudge stick and songs could almost be indistinguishable from each other, many taking shape as a slow build to a mid-level peak, similarly paced and similarly gloomy.
But amongst that potential monotony came plenty of shining masterpieces worthy of hanging on to. A mid-set “An Ocean in Between the Waves” made generous use of punctuated “Woos!” and “Yeahs!” providing energetic oomph before fizzling out and segueing into the slinky groover “Disappearing.” The funky bass line backed up one of the more fiery guitar solos of the evening before ending on a mellow repetitive sequence that I could have sat inside forever. “Under the Pressure” featured some colorful interplay between saxophone and guitar which then blasted into a quick but rocking jam. Uninterested in giving up too quickly, Granduciel crouched down to his pedals and fiddled with his palette, adding to his band’s wash of sound before reentering the space of the song yet again for a triumphant finish.
The wanting crowd was treated to a lengthy encore that saw the band ditch their latest works and dive deeper into their catalog, before finishing up with a quick but tasty cover of Ronnie Wood’s “Mystifies Me.”
Setlist
Burning, Arms Like Boulders, Baby Missiles, Lost in the Dream, An Ocean in Between the Waves, Disappearing, Red Eyes, Eyes to the Wind, Under the Pressure, In Reverse, Come to the City
Encore: Black Water Falls, Buenos Aires Beach, I Was There, Coming Through, Mystifies Me (Ronnie Wood Cover)
David Gilmour will tour North America in 2016, the first time in a decade.
The Pink Floyd lead guitarist revealed details during an appearance over the weekend alongside wife and lyricist Polly Samson at the Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas in Ireland.
During the question-and-answer session with Scottish writer Andrew O’Hagan, entitled “Lost for words,” Gilmour revealed the name of his new solo album due out in September: Rattle That Lock.
During an autograph session after the discussion, Gilmour told a fan that he has plans to tour North America in 2016, according to the Pink Floyd-themed podcast Brain Damage hosted by Matt Leonard, aka “the Doctor.”
Leonard also includes in the podcast a quick preview of two new songs that will be on the album, “Boots on the Ground” and the bluesy “Girl with a Yellow Dress” (around 1:30). The material was played from Gilmour’s iPhone, Leonard said in the podcast.
Also during the session, Gilmour and Samson “touched on lyric writing and the nature of creativity, amongst other topics” and “the process of writing lyrics for both On An Island and The Division Bell, Polly expanded on the collaborative nature of her writing for David and Pink Floyd, and how rewarding it has proved to be,” according to Gilmour’s Facebook page.
Gilmour is set to embark on a sold-out European tour this fall:
Sept. 12 – Pula, Croatia
Sept. 14 – Verona, Italy
Sept. 15 – Florence, Italy
Sept. 17 – Orange, France
Sept. 19 – Oberhausen, Germany
Sept. 23, 24, 25; Oct. 2, 3 – London, UK
Central New York are you ready? It’s time to put the rumor’s to rest and see which bands held up and which bands we just in fact rumor’s. So finally, Syracuse’sK-Rock has announced the line-up for their 20th Anniversary edition of K-Rockathon, which will take place on Saturday July 25th, at the Chevy Court located inside the NYS Fairgrounds.
Some bands leaked the date early, confirming that they would in fact be on the show, just to have their post on social media sites taken down ten minutes later. The week leading up to the announcement, opener’s for the show confirmed on their social media sites that they would be there without it disappearing minutes later.
Now let’s hope for a bigger security presence, more food vendors than beer vendors, a cleaning crew to monitor garbage thrown about the area and finally the ability to keep the plastic cap to your water bottle this year!
The band didn’t quite start as a band; rather a solo act of Joe Duraes with a regular residency at the Peekskill Coffee House and a few other small gigs here and there. It was early 2014 when things finally lined up and clicked to bring together a group of talented musicians to play the songs Duraes had previously written and work on new material as a band. Currently, Joe Duraes and The Skills is Joe Duraes (guitar, vocals), Rodman del Castillo (lead guitar), Steve Geller (bass/vocals), and Kevin Hupp (drums).
The songs existed in the blurred out area between singer/songwriter and rock and roll. They were twisted, turned and kneaded in between that space, languidly oozing from place to place. There was no hurry to get moving, and with no real desire to sharpen or peak. It was blurred out head bobbing music. At times maybe Granduciel was a bit too generous with the smudge stick and songs could almost be indistinguishable from each other, many taking shape as a slow build to a mid-level peak, similarly paced and similarly gloomy.
During an autograph session after the discussion, Gilmour told a fan that he has plans to tour North America in 2016, according to the 
Some bands leaked the date early, confirming that they would in fact be on the show, just to have their post on social media sites taken down ten minutes later. The week leading up to the announcement, opener’s for the show confirmed on their social media sites that they would be there without it disappearing minutes later.