Twitter conversationalist, hotline recorder, and Phish bassist Mike Gordon, taking a break from his ongoing couch tour, is on the road in NYS with his solo band. Next week they’ll hit upstate New York hard, with stops in Buffalo, Syracuse (technically Baldwinsville), and Albany. After a few shows outside of New York, Mike will return to play down in Port Chester.
The tour has already seen the band debut a few originals as well as take on new covers of Fiona Apple, Here We Go Magic and Robert Palmer. Keyboardist Robert Walter was added to the touring band though he won’t be the only one playing the keys. The stage will feature an interactive synthesizer available for the audience to join in the fun. This could be your shot to jam with one of the greats! Dates and details below.
Read a past interview with Phish bassist Mike Gordon here.
June 16, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Doors 7pm, Show at 8pm Tickets $28
June 18, Paper Mill Island Amphitheater, Baldwinsville (outside Syracuse)
Doors 6pm, Show 7pm Tickets $30
June 19, The Egg, Albany
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm Tickets $31.25
June 27, Capitol Theater, Port Chester
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm Tickets $30/$45
Despite the large gathering of rowdy runners and music lovers alike, there were no arrests made at this event for disturbing the peace (that I’m aware of). More than 600 attendees though, came out to watch and cheer on both the runners who participated in the annual Runapalooza, the groups that played along the course, and the Adam Ezra Group as they made an official debut in Syracuse at the finish line. Adam joked around that although it was not technically the first time the band set up to play in the Syracuse region, they did consider this their first time playing here. After all, could they count a quick gig in a mall at a beer joint while patrons ate and drank? Funny enough, one of their fans that attended that un-debut show was present and accounted for this evening, and as she cheered on the group they thanked her for at least paying attention during her dinner to their music.
Adam Ezra Group – Runapalooza
As an occasional runner myself, I was tickled pink to hear that bands would play along the way of Fleet Feet‘s annual race held at Onondaga Community College. What better way to help motivate the runners along the 5k course. The day was gorgeous for a run, and runners of all ages participated in this event as onlookers rang cowbells and cheered them on as though it was the NYC Marathon. Side note to here; the cheering and the music and the encouragement, it does wonders for the runners to help them push through that last leg of the race. So thank you to all the supporters that help cheer them on.
This too was my debut Adam Ezra show. I had heard wonderful things about this band so this night had been penned on my calendar in ink for several months in eager anticipation. As the band began to play I was totally smitten by Adams raspy voice, his poignant lyrics, the catchy beats, and the synchronicity of his band. His humor was delightful and with a slight Boston accent at times, he cautiously mentioned to a crowd of Yankees fans anything Boston related. Yes, Adam Ezra is a wise man, and great musician that loves his fans and what he does.
The music had a perfect blend together. With Turtle on drums (and some of the best make shift instruments I’ve ever seen), Corinna Smith on fiddle (and co-member of “we think Alison Krauss rocks club”), Berklee graduate Francis Hickey who decided to live his dream while he could by playing on bass, Alex Martin who was told trumpet wasn’t cool so stuck with drums (so glad you went with the drums, you rock them), and finally Adam’s multi-talented cousin, Josh Gold on keyboards; each band member contributes amazing skills and quality without overpowered the other. With a gentle flow, they moved from song to song and around the stage seamlessly. With the absence of a setlist, this was a sure indicator that Adam plays music to each audience, as a gift to their needs and not his own. I loved their free spirits, and their positive aura was contagious.
At the end of the evening he solidified my opinion of being a great guy and free spirit as he brought his sole audience member from that original show (the one we aren’t counting) up on stage to sing along to the encore of John Denver’s “Country Roads.” His giving soul welcomed everyone over to his merch table to say hello and grab some music. All he asked is that you contribute what you could to the “love you box.” His goal, to share his music. Oh, and what beautiful music it is. Make sure you check them out next time they are in your neck of the woods. Until then, well worth the donation to the “love you box on-line.
Setlist: Drive, Sacred Ground, Hippie Girl, Devil’s Side, Let Your Hair Down, Life of a Thief, The Devil Came, Up To Boston, Burn Brightly, Steal Your Daughter, Free Fallin (Tom Petty), Country Roads (John Denver)
There may come a time when your favorite bands become older and stop performing live or for whatever reasons. In order to hear those special songs in a concert setting again, you may need to go see a tribute band to get that nostalgic feeling back.
You know, the music that you can just close your eyes, listen, and fall in love with all over again. Most tribute bands do a great job at replicating the signature sounds and production of the original act they promote, and one band in particular that is at the top of the list is Brit Floyd. This group is named as the ‘World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Tribute Show’ and now, I can see why.
On May 20, Brit Floyd brought their 2015 Space & Time World Tour to the Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse and hammered the walls down, figuratively speaking. This world tour commemorates the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd and features music from their catalog along with tunes from the Syd Barrett era. The production of this show was nothing short of spectacular, featuring the arc lighting rig with the infamous circle rig in the middle, inflatables, smoke, projection screens, lasers, and much more.
There aren’t really enough words to describe how incredible this performance was. Tho, the highlights of the night, in my opinion, are as follows. The evening’s performance started off with a silent, dark audience paying full attention to a “Speak to Me” video compilation similar to that used by Pink Floyd in the mid 1990s.
The band covertly walked on stage, strapped in and slid into “Breathe,” segueing with “On the Run” into the ever popular ‘Time,” featuring Damien Darlington on vocals. For the next song, Angela Cervantes who is one of the backup singers, performed an intense, emotional version of ‘The Great Gig in the Sky” with Damian on Lap Steel guitar and Tom Ashbrook on Piano. Bringing “See Emily Play” from Floyds’ early days was a great treat for the crowd, as well. Closing out the first set was a polished version of Sheep, from the album Animals.
After a brief intermission, Brit Floyd hustled back to stage, eager to give us their all, and started with “One of These Days,” before playing “Louder Than Words” from the 2014 album The Endless River. Ian Catell on bass, locally from Syracuse, brought back some “Money” featuring some sexy Saxophone solos by Marcus Sholar, for his hometown. Soon came “Wish You Were Here” with Bobby Harrison leading the way on acoustic guitar. Warming the hearts of everyone present, the passionate crowd sang along to the words as if each person had written the words themselves. The band then gave introductions, including an intimate speech by Ian to his close friends and family in attendance. To end the set, came an enormous “Comfortably Numb” sang by the bass player.
‘The Show Must Go On’ kicked off the multi-song encore, paving the way for an incredible “In the Flesh” and “Run Like Hell.” To top off their performance in Syracuse, Brit Floyd gave an invaluable rendition of ‘Waiting for the Worms,’ ‘Stop,’ and “The Trial.” But before bidding adieu, the group assembled together in a row for a soft “Outside the Wall.”
In a nutshell, Brit Floyd is the next best thing to Pink Floyd themselves. The production and overall show they bring to fans is simply amazing and worth far more than what their tickets cost. They’re currently in the beginning of their world tour and hopefully we can catch them back around Syracuse in the next few years. If you haven’t seen them before nor made it to this show, you can order a copy of their Live at Red Rocks DVD from 2013, filmed in front of a sold out venue.
Set 1: Speak to Me, Breathe, On the Run, Time, The Great Gig in the Sky, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V), See Emily Play, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, Another Brick in the Wall (Part II), Keep Talking, On the Turning Away, Sheep
Set 2: One of These Days, Louder Than Words, Money, Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here, The Final Cut, Band Introductions, Comfortably Numb
Encore: The Show Must Go On, In the Flesh, Run Like Hell, Waiting for the Worms, Stop, The Trial, Outside the Wall
I can’t think of a better way to end this short week than with a short run filled with music along the way, and welcoming The Adam Ezra Group to Syracuse in true rock and run style. Making their debut performance here in Central NY, The Adam Ezra Group will welcome all runners at the finish line of the Fleet Feet Sport Runapalooza this Friday May 29 at 7:00pm at the Onondaga Community College.
Adam Ezra Group
The Fleet Feet Sports ‘s 2015 Runapalooza 5k Run/Walk will begin at 7:00pm and runners will enjoy four local bands along the 3.1 mile course with New England Music Awards Band of the 2013 Year, The Adam Ezra Group at the finish line waiting to celebrate this event around 7:45pm.
RUNapalooza 2015
Register for 5k Race and Post Race Party for only $30-which includes: 5k Race, Runapalooza Rock Shirt, concert, pizza, beer, etc. online through Wednesday afternoon or in person Friday. For those that just want to enjoy the finish line? Register for Party Only for $10 which includes concert, pizza, beer, etc. through Wednesday Afternoon online or in person on Friday.
Where else can you possibly get your exercise, awesome music without an iPod, free t-shirt, good eats, and some amazing Adam Ezra Group? See you all there Friday, May 29.
After Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar’s sudden closure this past weekend, several local bands found themselves with a few weekends free. In an effort to assist artists keep their schedules in tact, Revolutions together with East Coast Music Productions decided to step up and pick up one of the bands to keep the music rolling. Located directly across the corridor on the third floor at Destiny USA, Revolutions is another large chain venue offering patrons The Red Brick Grille eatery, together with two bars, 24 lanes of bowling, an arcade, and a live music venue.
Billy Lord
One of our recent ‘Artists To Watch’ national country music artist, Billy Lord, was one of the acts originally scheduled to perform at Toby Keith’s this coming week. Unfortunately the venue suddenly closed without notice to patrons, acts, or even staff. In true show biz fashion though the show will go on, just across the walkway this time.
The show is still May 23 and will begin at 8pm. The first 75 fans through the door will receive a signed copy of Billy’s newest CD, National Anthem — as well as a chance to win an acoustic guitar at the end of the evening. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online or at the door the night of the event.
Waking up to the news that our favorite country music venue in Syracuse, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, located in Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, packed up and moved out under a cloud of darkness was sad news for sure.
Parmalee – Toby Keith’s Syracuse
Covering the show Thursday night with Parmalee, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary, as the venue was packed to the gills to enjoy one of country music’s favorite groups. Wait staff was busily serving drinks and meals while patrons crowded the stage ready to party. Then again last night, country music star Chris Cagle was in town to perform to yet another packed bar. NYSMusic staff present covering the show were scooted out upon completion, raising red flags, while ladders littered the venue as signed guitars and memorabilia were beginning to be taken off the walls.
Chris Cagle – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill 5/16/15
Opening in 2013, the national chain who is named after one of country music’s legends, welcomed several national acts each month while featuring local country music artists throughout the years. Rumors of financial difficulties here and nationwide swirled around the venue. However, after the business caught up on local taxes last year, patrons thought those issues were behind them.
Although it’s named after country music’s Toby Keith, other than his name the country music star has no interest in the chain. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill was truly one we “loved” to work with, and it will be surely missed by all. We raise our red solo cups to a great run and bid farewell to one of our favorite venues.
UPDATE:
After a few days of letting the news sink in, I couldn’t help but feel that there was so much more to be said about the clandestine closing of Toby Keith’s over the weekend. NYSMusic.com worked closely with the corporate office over the course of the last year so I wanted to reach out to get their side of the story.
John Thomas, Vice President of Marketing for Boomtown Entertainment, parent company to Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill’s graciously spoke with me today regarding the closing. He explained that it was a financial decision surrounded by tense relations with Destiny USA. Assuring me that all questions about past due taxes had been taken care of, he was confident in stating that through litigation all questions will be answered and patrons will understand the decision more so at that time.
I asked him, why so secretive? Why not tell patrons and let them celebrate by raising a red solo cup at a farewell party? He stated that after eight years in the business, there really is never an easy way of doing this. I can see this point of view. If Toby’s announced, there would be backlash, if they didn’t announce, there would be backlash. Either way it’s a no win situation for all involved. John Thomas took this particular closing difficult as he had spent several years up in our area (Rochester) in radio programming, so this location was one he had a personal interest in seeing succeed. The market itself was very receptive, and the shows and crowds outstanding. In fact they had some amazing shows lined up for the remainder of the year for this location, so the closing of the location was not a decision they took lightly when making their decision.
John Thomas asked me to please relay this message to all that frequented the establishment. “It’s a sad day. We are upset that we’ve had to cease operations in Syracuse. We thank everyone in Upstate and Central NY, all of guests, patrons, staff, musicians, country music lovers, and our partner B104.7. It’s an unfortunately situation that we had to make that business decision, but we felt it was in our best interest, and we hope to announce something new in the near future.”
Leaving me wondering what that “something new in the near future” would be, I truly will miss the great times and good music I shared with my readers from Toby’s, and hold out hope that soon a new country music venue to will come to town that I once again can bring my readers all the latest and greatest from Nashville.
The best moments in life are often those that come with little planning – so when my buddy hit me up last Wednesday about making a last-minute trip to see ska/punk/funk legends Fishbone at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater – I said “Funk ya!” California’s Fishbone has been touring since 1979 and still features three original members – lead vocalist Angelo Moore, bassist John Norwood Fisher and “Dirty” Walter A Kibby II on trumpet. Add in Rocky George of Suicidal Tendencies fame on guitar, John Steward on drums, Jay Armant on trombone, and Paul Hampton on the keys and they become a force to be reckoned with. This is no watered down state fair nostalgia act, this is the real deal.
Street Rock Mafia – a rap/funk/rock group from Utica. The Mafia’s genre is well stated as their sound lay somewhere in between Limp Bizkit, Ludacris and Syracuse’s own Sophistafunk. With ample guitar to go with the eloquent hip hop and subtle funk undertones – this band should have no trouble finding a varied audience as they continue to grow.
Finally it was time to grab one of the Westcott’s micro brews and get a spot up front for Fishbone. The audience was a bit sparse considering the history of this band, but that took little from the experience. The band came out to play one of their most well-known tunes “Party at Ground Zero” and immediately set the dance floor on fire. Showing no signs of age – vocalist/multi instrumentalist Moore was bouncing around the stage like an eighteen year old – and the rest of the band followed suit. The set featured a mix of old and new material and a spot on cover of the Sublime classic “Date Rape.” The band even managed to give a shout out to guitarist George’s old band – Suicidal Tendencies – with an extended head bang worthy jam around the tune “Institutionalized”. I, of course, immediately asked the bartender for a Pepsi, but he wouldn’t give me one.
Fishbone is touring heavily this year and was just announced as a headliner for September’s Last Daze of Summer festival at Sterling Stage in Sterling, NY. Put this band on your bucket list and find a way to see them. The last-minute journey to funkytown was well worth the five hours of sleep and the groggy morning after. And I finally got my Pepsi.
As Brothers Osborne performed at Kegs Canalside in Jordan, NY, the enthusiasm from the audience was just as loud and approving as their previous weekends audience at The Stagecoach Festival. Okay, maybe not as loud, but every bit as approving.
Saturday’s show featured the farewell performance from Sammy Award winner Briana Jessie as she sang her heart out before leaving to chase her dreams in Nashville. This little spitfire will do well down there with her amazing talent and driven personality, it won’t be long before you hear her name everywhere. NYSMusic.com wishes you well and can’t wait to cover a show for you on tour one day!!!
Brianna Jessie – Kegs Canalside
Another Syracuse native, Mick Fury, made his way home to Syracuse from Nashville as well for a one night performance opening for The Brothers Osborne. I was super psyched as this would be the first time I had the opportunity to see Mick’s live show, and he did not disappoint. Singing originals and some covers, Mick got the crowd a rocking, leaving them primed for The Brothers Osborne to take over. It never ceases to amaze me just how much talent we have here locally that eventually find their way to the big times. Can’t wait to say, I knew these two when.
Mick Fury – Kegs Canalside
I was happily anticipating this set as this would be the first time I really got to watch them play. I had covered them once before at a show but while working so I didn’t really get to sit and take it all in. As John and TJ Osborne took the stage, I loved them before they even began playing. Their stage setup included some cozy relaxing wall hangings, incense burning, macramé hangings, and everything groovy you could imagine making the set the most relaxing atmosphere. Then they began playing. TJ’s voice was low, and mellow, and just as smooth and throaty as can be while John’s playing took me away to another realm all together.
John is literally one of the best guitar players I’ve ever heard…amazing. Surrounding themselves with an amazing band, with Rochester native Pete Sternberg on bass, Adam Box on drums, and utility player and newcomer Jason Graumlich, the set was chocked full of amazing originals, outstanding covers and the night flew by before we knew it. Their laid back easy ways made us feel like we were just hanging out jamming with them. At one point in the show John yells out, “You may be a small but you are a mighty crowd”. That was the truth. We may not have been the large masses they had previously played to the weekend before at The Stagecoach Festival, but we sure raised some hell, sang along, screamed and shouted, and partied along with them all night!!
I highly recommend taking in their show if they get anywhere remotely closeby. These guys are amazing. Definitely going places as there are true to their sound, their style, and their music. Check out their latest single, “Stay A Little Longer” that is flying up the charts, and by all means purchase their album!! You won’t be disappointed.
Setlist: Let’s Go, Shoot, Sippin, The Last One, La Grance, Pins, Stay, Whiskey, Lonely, Hey Good Lookin’, Down Home,
Runnin, Rum, Shape, Natural High, Rocky Mountain Way, American Dreamers, 21 Summer, You Wreck Me, Going Down
On Thursday, May 14, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill will be welcoming one of country music’s hottest new groups, Parmalee, to their Syracuse location. Just off of the stage at 2015’s Stagecoach Festival, Parmalee will return to upstate New York to bring the rocking country music party to Central New York.
Parmalee – Stagecoach 2015 (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
Touring now with their debut album with Stoney Creek Records, Feels Like Carolina, and just finishing up a sound check at the Stagecoach Festival, Matt Thomas took a moment to say hi to NYSMusic.com readers and talk with me about the journey, and what it means to the group to be so loved by fans.
Kathy Stockbridge (KS): Hi Matt, so nice to speak with you. You guys have a huge following up here in Central NY and we are so excited to welcome you to Toby Keith’s in Syracuse.
Matt Thomas (MT): We can’t wait! It’s always fun up there seeing the crowds and all.
KS: Every band has a story on how they’ve made their way in the music business. Yours has been rather exciting along the way. Starting from the beginning, you hail from a small two-light-town in North Carolina where I read that when you guys practiced, the town was so small everyone knew it and you would have to end practices by 11pm.
MT: Yeah, everybody like us had to get up and go to work so we’d make sure we’d stop by 11pm.
KS: Now growing up in a musical family did your father and mother encourage your musical education?
MT: Oh yeah. I played with my dad in his band growing up. He was the kind of guy you always looked up to, and my mom played piano at church. They were always encouraging to us to play.
Photo Credit Unknown
KS: And when you were younger, what kinda places did you play? What was it like to finally get that moment up on stage?
MT: We would play anywhere anyone would have ya. That was the deal. We played back porches, trailers, private parties until we could get to where we could play the clubs. People would hire ya but pretty much starting out on the back porches though.
KS: Then your cousin, Barry, and friend, Josh, joined in. Were they with you both during those garage band days and joining your father on stage?
MT: Yeah, we were going out there doing what we could to get our name out there. You kinda just play for people that’ll have ya, then you start getting paid for it..and you move on up from there…take gigs and start writing music and I think most people start off like that in little hole in the wall places.
KS: Have you always been country, blues, and rock or did the sound you have today kinda evolve into your distinctive sound as you guys played together more?
MT: That’s what we were all brought up on, and we were influenced by everything. But that was the first stuff we heard; the country, soul, blues, sound while we were growing up. There’s a lot of stuff I love though, we listened to everything. Being a guitar player I was influenced by the great guitar players Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, and all those guys. Classic guitar players; I listened to a lot of those guys to learn how to play.
KS: Yeah, Stevie Ray Vaughn, that’s one musician I would have loved to see play. What an amazing musician.
MT: Yeah, me too.
KS: You’ve had a tumultuous time getting your music out there. Many artists take on a long and winding road trip, but your road was way bumpier than most. Take us on a road trip leaving Parmale, NC and tell us where it took ya
MT: Being based out of Parmale, we played regionally as much as we could. We played a lot up and down the east coast over the years tying to catch on and developing a fan base. Did a lot of shows up in New York. We never had an opportunity to play out west at all until we got signed and put out our first single to country radio. We never really had the chance till then to tour the country. Thankful for that hit that allowed us to go everywhere. We just took all the opportunities that we could at that time trying to make something happen. But mostly the southeast region where we would just burn it up. It was our top market. A lot of times we would play the weekends because we were working all week too. So we would only play three nights a week for a long time.
KS: While out on the road playing gigs, a horrible event occurred when two men decided to rob you one night after a gig at gunpoint. Briefly tell our readers that may no know the story, what happened that evening.
MT: We played a show and as we were leaving two guys tried to rob us by basically pulling us into our RV and wanting cash money. They fired on us, and Scott who has a license to carry, returned fire and we had a gun fight in the RV. Scott was shot three times and spent 40 days in the hospital . It was a bad deal. But we came out of it, and four months later we did our showcase for Broken Bow Records which got us our record deal.
KS: I read how your fans and the music community rallied around you and were very supportive. What did that mean to you guys?
MT: Oh it was great. We realized that we had connected with people on another level and that we meant something to them so much that they would get together and help us out. It was awesome. They helped pay for all our medical expenses, daily expenses, and really helped get us back on our feet. It was pretty awesome.
KS: Now that you have those dark times behind you share some highlights with our readers.
MT: We’ve been able to travel the country, number one single, and we’ve had four top 40 singles now, two are top five. It’s been great being able to achieve our life long dreams out here. Then there’s those cool things like traveling the country and going to the awards shows, just being a part of the whole experience.
KS: Well I’m so happy for you guys, and yes, talk to me a little about the ACM’s you attended.
MT: Oh my it was amazing, it was the biggest show. It was unbelievable how many people who were inside that arena, it was crazy. It was a spectacle to see, was great seeing all the other artists play and hang out…was such fun walking the red carpet. We had some good times.
KS: You excited about Stagecoach this weekend? Is this your first time performing there?
MT: Oh yeah, that’s gonna be off the hook. We actually just got done with our sound check. We’ve been wanting to get out here the last few years, and it just worked out that. But it’s going to be great.
KS: I will be front row watching you guys this weekend on AXS.TV. Where else will we see you guys at this year?
MT: Oh we’re playing all over the place this year…fans can just check out our schedule online. It’s hard to keep the schedule in our heads.
KS: It must be so hard on your guys trying to keep your bearings at where you ‘re at all the time as your touring everywhere. You guys are really fan oriented. I notice you are constantly retweeting and scheduling YouTube chats with fans. I think that’s amazing how you do that. How do you fit it all in?
MT: We make sure we put it on our schedule. We have a media team that helps too.
KS: It’s so good to have people. Well at each interview I try to give the fans an insight into the personalities of their favorite musicians with a social speed round…mind playing along?
MT: Yeah sure.
KS: You’re on the road…you’re super hungry…you see this and you make the bus pull off every times!!!
MT:Chick-fil-A
KS: You all get a day off and decide to go to the movies. The town you’re in is so small that I only has a Dairy Queen and movie theater that plays previously released movies. After discussion ensues..you all decide on a) National Lampoons European Vacation b)Godfather c)Die Hard or d)The Notebook
MT:National Lampoons European Vacation
KS: What’s on your playlist right now?
MT: I like to listen to Pandora so my playlists have the Frank Sinatra Radio on, Today’s Top Hits, Country, just about everything.
KS: ____________reminds me of home
MT:Smell of pine trees
KS: As a writer I need to describe each of you in one word only…What one word/adjective describes… Matt:Scatterbrained Scott:Neat Barry:Messy Josh:Prompt
As we completed our conversation I couldn’t help but be in awe of their determination and drive to achieve what they loved, music. I could totally relate to the working the 9 to 5 job to support their passion of music. By traveling countless hours, playing anywhere they could get an audience, these four men only had one goal in mind, reaching the country music fans worldwide and living their dreams. So happy to see that although a bumpy road, they’ve finally found the path that brings them to all country fans.
Hope to see everyone May 14, at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill, at Destiny in Syracuse.
From the deep dark recesses of the little sleepy town of Lodi, NJ, something hulking and monstrous emerged, and it’s called Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein!
Starting his musical rampage as the most notorious axe-man for the horror punk legends the Misfits in 1980, Doyle’s reign of terror has spanned the last 35 years with recently unleashing upon the masses his newest project simply titled Doyle. The “Abominator” tour made a brief stop at Syracuse’s famed Lost Horizon on Friday May 1, 2015.
I was fortunate enough to get a brief interview with the monster himself. Despite his hulking and terrifying appearance, Doyle is actually a really down to earth and fun guy to chat with. We spoke briefly about the “Abominator” tour, hot sauce, his favorite Ramone and the follow-up to “Abominator”.
The tour has already seen the band debut a few originals as well as take on new covers of Fiona Apple, Here We Go Magic and Robert Palmer. Keyboardist Robert Walter was added to the touring band though he won’t be the only one playing the keys. The stage will feature an interactive synthesizer available for the audience to join in the fun. This could be your shot to jam with one of the greats! Dates and details below.
On May 20, Brit Floyd brought their 2015 Space & Time World Tour to the 
After a brief intermission, Brit Floyd hustled back to stage, eager to give us their all, and started with “One of These Days,” before playing “Louder Than Words” from the 2014 album The Endless River. Ian Catell on bass, locally from Syracuse, brought back some “Money” featuring some sexy Saxophone solos by Marcus Sholar, for his hometown. Soon came “Wish You Were Here” with Bobby Harrison leading the way on acoustic guitar. Warming the hearts of everyone present, the passionate crowd sang along to the words as if each person had written the words themselves. The band then gave introductions, including an intimate speech by Ian to his close friends and family in attendance. To end the set, came an enormous “Comfortably Numb” sang by the bass player.
In a nutshell, Brit Floyd is the next best thing to Pink Floyd themselves. The production and overall show they bring to fans is simply amazing and worth far more than what their tickets cost. They’re currently in the beginning of their world tour and hopefully we can catch them back around Syracuse in the next few years. If you haven’t seen them before nor made it to this show, you can order a copy of their Live at Red Rocks DVD from 2013, filmed in front of a sold out venue.
