NYS Music 20​15

Category: Manhattan

  • New Year’s Eve Across New York State

    Don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve? Music fans across New York State have got plenty of choices this Thursday. NYS Music helps you get there with the short list of NYE activities.

    Albany

    Moe. at the Palace Theatre. Tickets start at $42 in advance/$50 day of show

    Rustic Overtones at the Hollow with Special Guests Mirk. $10.27 in advance/$15 at the door

    Buffalo

    Funktional Flow at Buffalo Iron Works with special guests Adam Bronstein’s Freehand Band. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 day of show.

    Lazlo Hollyfeld, Rhubarb, Intrepid Travelers, and Folkfaces at Nietzsche’s. $5 at the door only.

    Ithaca

    Big Mean Sound Machine and Grey Gary at Upstairs at Lot 10, DJ ha-MEEN and Weazildust Downstairs at Lot 10. $20 in advance

    New York City

    DIIV at the Bowery Ballroom with special guest Tamaryn. $40

    Macy Gray at the Iridium Jazz Club. Tiered pricing tickets are currently available.

    Snarky Puppy at the Irving Plaza with special guests Breastfist. Tickets start at $50

    The Disco Biscuits and Consider the Source at the Playstation Theatre. Tickets starting at $69.50

    Port Chester

    Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Capitol Theatre with Soulive. Tickets range between $59.50 to $160

    Rochester

    Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad at the Historic German House with special guests Danielle Ponder & Tomorrow People and Funknut. Three Heads Brewing Tasting Party start at 7pm with an acoustic jam featuring members of GPGDS and Extended Family. Late night the party continues with Subsoil and Level 7 Hip Hop DJ Set. $20 in advance/$30 day of show.

    Mikaela Davis at the Bug Jar with Harmonica Lewinski and The Temptators. $10 in advance/$12 day of show

    Saratoga Springs

    Eastbound Jesus and Lucid at the Putnam Den. $15 in advance/$20 day of show.

    Turning Stone Casino in Verona

    Showtime, Gridley Paige, and Last Left at The Gig

    Ryan Brooks Kelly, The Beadle Brothers, and DVDJ Biggie at the Tin Rooster

    DJ Dread, Caroline D’Amore, and Joe Maz at Lava

    Isreal Hagan and Stroke and The Swooners at the Turquoise Tiger

    Syracuse

    Sophistafunk & Root Shock at Funk ‘n Waffles – Downtown.  $20 in advance/$25 day of show.

     Erie

    Aqueous at the Kings Rook Club. Two sets. $10 at the door only.

    Burlington

    Gang of Thieves at Nectar’s with The Tenderbellies. Gang of Thieves will be performing Are You Experienced by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in its entirety. $10 in advance/day of show

  • The Night Before Phishmas

    The Night Before Phishmas

    phishmas

    Twas’ the Night Before Phishmas
    And all through our nook,
    Not a creature was stirring,
    Not even a wook.
    The hoodies were hung by the chimney with care,
    In hopes The Phish from Vermont would soon be there.
    And I in my lot shirt and heady mama with her booze,
    Had just settled down for a quick winter snooze.

    When out in the lot there arose a great cheer
    I sprang from the bed to grab a fresh beer.
    Away to the Shakedown I flew like a flash,
    Cracked open a brew and smelled some faint hash.
    The moon shone down on the freshly laid out wares,
    As the cops walked around but clearly didn’t care.
    When what to my bloodshot eyes did I hear?
    But a mini VW bus with 6 n00bs driving it down the street in low gear.

    With a ginger for a driver, so torn and so frayed,
    I knew at that moment it must be Trey!
    Faster than a Llama, his phanners they came,
    And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
    “On Fee! On Rutherford! On Mule and Tela the spy!
    On Horse! On Guyute! On all of you guys!
    To the top of MSG! To the heart of the city!
    Now dance away! dance away! dance away so pretty!”

    As unsold extras that before the show did fly,
    When they meet with the ticketless, hoping for Divided Sky.
    So up to the rooftop the phanners they flew,
    With the VW bus full of jams, and Fish, Mike and Page too!
    And then just like that I heard on the roof,
    The dancing and jumping of each members foot.
    As I put on my dance shoes and was twisting around,
    Down the chimney Trey came with a Mound!

    Trey was dressed to the nines, and Mike in purple pants
    Page munched on a sandwich, Fish simply danced.
    The bundle of jams Trey had flung on his back,
    Made him look like a traveler, just opening his pack.
    His eyes how they sparkled! His gingerness so merry!
    His cheeks were like free roses, his nose like Jerry’s!
    His floppy head of hair and rounded glasses framed his face,
    And his beard was red as he ran like an antelope in space.

    The stump of Mike’s bass was held tight in his hands
    It fucked my face with the smoke, something quite grand;
    Page had a smiling face and a nice new shirt on his chest,
    And when he laughed it was like he had brought in the Dude – his absolute best!
    Fish was chubby and stout, like a hellborn child elf,
    And I laughed when I saw him and I enjoyed myself;
    A wink of his eye and a hi-hat intro,
    And soon began to surrender to the flow

    They spoke not a word, it was a silent vocal jam,
    And filled all the hoodies with dry goods merch, hot damn!
    And they touched their heads as the evening shocked their brain,
    They each gave a nod, and up the chimney they went as they came.
    Trey sprang to the VW bus and to his team gave Reba’s whistle,
    And away they all flew towards the Mountains in the Mistle.
    But I heard him exclaim, as some green tea he poured,

    “MERRY PHISHMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD TOUR!”

    Safe travels to New York City!

  • Musical Happenings in NYC Pre- and Post-Phish Shows

    Phish will return to New York City’s Madison Square Garden for a four night New Year’s run. While Phish might be the main event, there are many shows happening around the city both before and after Phish that fans might interested in checking out. Here’s a rundown of those shows – both those being billed as Phish after-parties and those that are not.

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    Many New York bands are represented in those performing around the Phish shows, including some of the after-parties. On Wednesday night, Jersey City’s Lil Joe and the ill Picards will bring their funk to Leftfield on Ludlow Chromatropic will join forces with Sprocket to form ChromaSprocket. They will perform with special guests Natalie Cressman and Peter Apfelbaum of the Trey Anastasio Band at Lucille’s at B.B. King’s also on Wednesday night. Late night on New Year’s Eve, Snarky Puppy will play Irving Plaza.

    On Friday night, Nyack’s ShwizZ will join forces with FiKus to perform as ShwiKus and play tribute to P-Funk at Lucille’s. Saturday night brings Elise Testone and an all star lineup, including Todd Stoops, Natalie Cressman and Michael Ray, leading a James Brown Dance Party at B.B. Kings. ShwiKus will also be at Lucille’s again, this time playing an ’80s set. One ticket gets you into both of those shows. Dopapod will be at the Grammercy Theatre. Finally, Ha Ha the Moose, made up by members of moe., will bring their off-centered musical theatre to Irving Plaza. You can expect nothing but the unexpected from “The Moose.”

    james_brown_dance_party

    Wednesday, Dec. 30
    Post-Phish:
    Tower of Power @ B.B. King’s Blues Club – 10 p.m.
    Kevin Hedge and Louie Vega @ Cielo – 10 p.m.
    Joseph King @ Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3 – 10 p.m.
    The Bad Plus @ Village Vanguard – 10:30 p.m.
    *Start Making Sense @ Irving Plaza – 11 p.m.
    Disco Biscuits w/ Horizon Wireless @ PlayStation Theatre – 11 p.m.
    *Particle w/ New Riders of the Purple Sage @ The Cutting Room – 11:55 p.m.
    *ChromaSprocket (Chromatropic x Sprocket w/ Natalie Cressman and Peter Apfelbaum) @ Lucille’s at B.B. King’s – 11:55 p.m.
    *Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom – 11:59 p.m.
    *Lil Joe and the ill Picards @ Leftfield on Ludlow – midnight

    New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31
    Post-Phish:
    *Snarky Puppy @ Irving Plaza – 2 a.m. (technically on Jan. 1)

    Friday, Jan. 1
    Pre-Phish:
    *Holly Bowling @ The Cutting Room – 4 p.m to 6 p.m.
    Frank & Tony, Taimur Agha, Ray Zuniga, Nikola Baytala, Ted Krisko, Willie Graff, Alex Graham & More TBA @ The Panther Room – 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. (technically ends Jan. 2)

    Post-Phish:
    The Bad Plus @ Village Vanguard – 10:30 p.m.
    Disco Biscuits w/ Animal Rexx @ PlayStation Theatre – 11 p.m.
    *Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe @ Irving Plaza – 11:30 p.m.
    *Dead Sessions @ The Cutting Room – 11:55 p.m.
    *Pink Talking Phish @ Highline Ballroom – 11:55 p.m.
    *ShwiKus plays P-Funk (ShwizZ + FiKus = ShwiKus) @ Lucille’s at B.B. King’s – 11:55 p.m.
    The Motet @ B.B. King’s – 11:59 p.m.

    Saturday, Jan. 2
    Pre-Phish:
    PhanArt Presents: Skyscraper is Grand @ Hotel Pennsylvania – 12-7 p.m.
    *New Mastersounds @ The Cutting Room – 4 p.m.
    Touchpants @ American Beauty NYC – 5 p.m.

    Post-Phish:
    *Ha Ha the Moose (Rob, Chuck and Jim from moe.) @ Irving Plaza – 10:30pm
    The Bad Plus @ Village Vanguard – 10:30pm
    *Dopapod @ Grammercy Theatre – 11 p.m.
    Disco Biscuits @ PlayStation Theatre – 11 p.m.
    BIGYUKI @ Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 – 11 p.m.
    Subset @ Webster Hall – 11 p.m.
    *The James Brown Dance Party (Michael Ray, Natalie Cressman, Chris Bullock, Todd Stoops, Fred Thomas & Moussey Thompson, Adam Chase & Matthew Chase, Elise Testone) @ B.B. King’s – 11:55 p.m.
    *ShwiKus plays The 80s @ Lucille’s at B.B. King’s – 11:55 p.m.
    *New Mastersounds @ The Cutting Room – midnight
    Walker Adams @ Rockwood Music Hall – midnight

    * billed as Phish after-party

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBT1UgsWm-M[/embedyt]

  • NAP Dials It in at Palisades

    NAP is a three piece, post-punk New York City band.  With Pat Glass on drums, Nate Cepis on guitar and vocals, and Andy Cush on bass and lead vocals, they have a dynamic unlike anything else.  The first time I saw NAP play was when they formed two years ago and their intensity pulled me in instantly.  I remember how refreshing it felt to be hooked on a band so quickly.
    ThomasMcKenna_NAP_01
    On Friday, December 11th,  I watched the trio perform at Palisades in Brooklyn and they delivered yet again. It was sweaty, loud, and absolutely intoxicating. Their stage presence was captivating; dead eyes, screaming vocals, and head banging fit seamlessly with their perfectly simple lyrics.  At a NAP show everything comes together and makes you want to drink cheap beer and party.  What more could you ask for from live music?

    New York City is a sea of young musicians making their presence known and voices heard.  NAP’s raw performance style and unconventional sound genuinely sets them apart from the rest.

  • Birthday Bash at Starland Ballroom was a hit with Life Of Agony and Walls Of JerichoWalls Of JerichoBirthday Bash at Starland Ballroom was a hit with Life Of Agony and Walls Of Jericho

    On Sunday December 6, Life Of Agony frontwoman Mina Caputo celebrated her birthday playing their last US show of 2015 and boy did they make it memorable.  The show was held at Sayreville, New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom, and this was my first visit to the venue.  Let me start off by saying how awesome that venue is.  The stage is big, can be seen from just about anywhere, with a nice open floor with bars in every corner of the building.  Great sound, great service and I would go back in a heartbeat.

    Detroit hardcore outfit Walls Of Jericho opened the show with a small but stellar set.  Like the headliners, this band has not been touring a whole lot and have been playing select shows so it was a real treat to have been able to see them.  “Fuck The American Dream” was definitely the highlight of their set.

    I was very giddy to be seeing Life Of Agony again.  I was fortunate enough to have seen them a few months back at the East Coast Tsunami Fest, so I already had a grasp on what to expect.  But this time through, there was more to celebrate and even better, Life Of Agony played a longer set.  The band played just about everything off their trademark debut album River Runs Red and select songs off the rest of their catalog.

    They kicked off their set with “Bad Seed” and right into “River  Runs Red” and the crowd erupted.  One thing that makes this band so special is the way they utilize and share the stage with one another.  Guitarist Joey Z. and Bassist Alan Robert were constantly moving, with singer Mina anchoring the stage and using her golden vocals behind the mic.   Its fascinating watching Mina on stage because of someone who is so physically small have the lung power to belt those songs out the way they’re meant to be heard out is really a sight to behold.  And of course Sal Abruscato is a stud behind the drum kit.  Everything sounded loud, clean and crystal clear.  No feedback. Nothing overpowering.

    Other highlights of the set included “Other Side Of The River” and “Respect” to me was the most fun to hear live, but later the band took a moment to help a fan have his moment.  Just after performing “Lost At 22,”  this fan was invited on stage to propose to his girlfriend (which takes LOTS of guts).  Another special moment was Joey Z got the crowd to sing happy birthday to Mina which was lots of fun.  But the most special moment of the night, Mina and Joey Z performed a very heartfelt tribute to Scott Weiland by performing an acoustic cover of Stone Temple Pilots “Plush.”  Anyone familiar with that version of that song will tell you that they did that song JUSTICE.

    The rest of the band came out and finished with a few more songs off River Runs Red and closed with “Underground” to put a stamp on what was the most memorable concert experience I have had the pleasure of covering in quite some time.

    From what I gather, Life Of Agony is gearing up to a brief European tour in January, and no other shows have been announced as of yet.  Obviously if we hear about it, NYS Music will let fans know, but the point is, this show was special moment, so if we are lucky enough to get more shows from Life Of Agony here on the east coast, you need to go see them.

  • Darlingside Releases Additional Northeast Dates

    Rising folk quartet Darlingside will head to the Northeast this winter, with several dates in New York state.

    The indie four-piece is scheduled to play at Daryl’s House in Pawling Jan. 13, Club Helsinki in Hudson Jan. 14, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs Jan. 15 and two nights at Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 2 in New York City on Jan. 16 and 17 before dates in the Midwestern states and West Coast.

    The Massachusetts-based band — Don Mitchell (guitar, banjo), Auyon Mukharji (violin, mandolin), Harris Paseltiner (cello, guitar) and David Senft (bass) — met as students at Williams College and have been playing together for six years. Their textured, collective sound is being hailed as unique and genre-fresh by music critics and the like, with much praise being given to the group’s method of performing around a single microphone.

    Paseltiner said in a release announcing the dates:

    Each song and set of lyrics are created by all of us together, a sort of ‘group stream-of-consciousness.’ So we moved away from a single lead vocalist and started gravitating towards singing in unison, passing the melody around, or harmonizing in four parts through an entire song.”

    These additional tour dates are in support of the group’s latest album Birds Say; the 13-track release dropped in September and it is the second album on Nashville company Thirty Tigers, which also manages clients like Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson. Darlingside’s extended string of dates come off the heels of a successful fall run, including sharing the bill with Grammy-nominated Patty Griffin. Tickets for all 2016 dates are on sale now through the band’s website. But if you can’t wait until the New Year, Darlingside is booked at Milkboy in Philadelphia this Wednesday.

  • Blinded By The Price: New York Questions Springsteen Ticket Reselling

    Every music fan has endured the online ticketing rush; when the clock strikes on-sale time, it’s a frustrating game of repeatedly hitting refresh, chancing each click until that next one successfully  unfreezes the screen to show items in your cart. But in truth, most concertgoers stick it out to avoid being forced to pay for high-priced resale tickets, or missing out on the show entirely.

    While the secondary market has improved with the creation of fan-based campaigns and startups on a mission to embrace the face value, professional ticket brokering is still finding a way to flood the resale market. And New Jersey’s blue-jean boss Bruce Springsteen is the latest artist to fall victim (again) in the never-ending battle against ticket scalping.

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    Tickets for Springsteen‘s 2016 tour will be released at 10 a.m. today through Ticketmaster and Live Nation, but the New York Times reported Tuesday that hundreds of seats were already listed by resellers online with single-ticket prices beginning at $5,000.

    Thankfully, these eyebrow-raising listings led New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to send the involved sites letters that questioned the act of false advertising under state general business law, since sellers could not yet have the tickets in possession.

    The NYT also said that the sites in question — StubHub, TicketNetwork, Vivid Seats — either remained confident in their refund policy for invalid tickets or removed listings for concerts in New York until the public on-sale date. Schneiderman’s office called the removal of listings a victory for consumers and pledged to continue to work on the issue.

    Springsteen and the E Street Band are set to tour the country, making stops for two nights in New York City (Jan. 24 and 27), Albany (Feb. 8), Buffalo (Feb. 25) and Rochester (Feb. 27). Springsteen is touring in support of the box-set release of “The Ties That Bind: The River Collection,” and this run is a nod to the Boss’ career-making 1980 “The River” tour.

  • PhanArt Show Announced for Phish New Year’s Run

    PhanArt has announced their latest Phish-inspired art show, called Skyscraper is Grand, will be held on Jan. 2 in the Gold room at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City.

    phanart phishThe show will feature a wide variety of artists selling merchandise ranging from posters to pins to hats to sunglasses. The artists represented include The Art of Ryan Kerrigan, Isadora Bullock, Uncle John’s Outfitters and John Warner Studios. Pin makers Pin Me Down, Zenster Designs, Andrew Bryant, 10 Minute Tube Designs and Solomon Productions will be in attendance with a selection of their work, including designs specifically made for Phish’s New Year’s run and Mexico shows. First-time exhibitors include You Enjoy My Shades and His End Was the Road. They will have clothing, pins, patches and sunglasses with them.

    The Mockingbird Foundation, the non-profit organization associated with Phish.net, will sell prints from the third edition of their Phish Companion, the ultimate guide to the band and their music. Artists represented in the book include David Welker, DKNG, AJ Masthay and Justin Helton.

    Setting the tone for the show will be a playlist curated by Wyllys.

    From the press release:

    PhanArt exhibitions have been held in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami since 2013 and represent a continued effort to promote and exhibit original and unique Phish inspired concert art from a wide variety of artists.

    The eclectic artists featured at this event show the broad scope of Phish related art and capture the inspiration of the band in their art. Phish’s creative fan base makes amazing art inspired by the band, their music and the locales they play.

    As with all PhanArt shows, admission to Skyscraper is Grand will be free of charge. Poster tubes will be available for purchase. Any special edition works exclusively available for purchase at the show can be previewed at PhanArt’s website.

    Skyscraper is Grand will take place from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    NYSMusic, along with We’ve Got it Simple and The Philosophy School of Phish, is sponsoring Skyscraper is Grand.

  • Ampevene Announces Winter Tour

    Ampevene, a refreshing new band coming out of Albany, NY embarks on their inaugural Winter Tour, starting this Saturday, December 12 at Parish Public House in Albany. Ampevene has been making a name for themselves combining elements of rock, jazz, metal, funk and the avant-garde, hypnotizing and painting pictures though the wild musical ride that it creates.

    Previously sharing the stage with acclaimed nationally touring acts such as Moon Hooch, Consider The Source, and Aqueous, as well as playing popular festivals Larkfest and Bellstock, Ampevene draws influence from artists including The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, Primus, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fusion-era Miles Davis.

    Featuring Gabe Stallman (Guitar/Vocals/Keys), Bob Morris (Drums), Ava Smith (Keyboard), Mack Hogan (Bass), they have been called “Improv trippy jazz fusion Pink Floyd on acid” (Ralph Renna, Capital Underground), this young and funky quartet find their groove quickly and are a local talent to keep an eye on, and are a live show not to be missed.

    Ampevene Winter Tour 2016 Dates

    December 12 Albany, NY Parish Public House
    December 20 New York, NY The Delancey
    December 23 Syracuse, NY Funk N Waffles
    December 27 New York, NY Pianos
    January 24 Burlington, VT Radio Bean
    January 27 Providence, RI The Spot
    February 12 Oneonta, NY Black Oak Tavern
    February 20 Troy, NY Dinosaur BBQ
    February 25 Winooski, VT Monkey House

  • Anthrax’s Scott Ian Announces Spoken Word In Kingston December 30

    As the long awaited 11th album from Anthrax For All Kings is set for a February 26, 2016 release via Megaforce Records, fans in the Hudson Valley area can get excited for a one-off spoken word appearance from guitarist Scott Ian, who did a successful spoken word tour last year.

    Scheduled for Dec. 30 at BSP in Kingston, Ian will share tour stories, crazy encounters and other highlights over his three decade-plus career.

    Ian wrote when announcing the show on his website:

    It’s my birthday party! Come hear some crazy stories and killer music from me and the Paul Green Rock Academy rippers. It’s your New Year’s Eve warmup!
    In related news, Anthrax recently announced they will be touring with Lamb Of God.  Tour dates are below:
    Jan. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA@ Stage AE (Indoor)
    Jan. 16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
    Jan. 17 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
    Jan. 19 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
    Jan. 22 – Norfolk, VA @ Constant Convocation Center
    Jan. 23 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
    Jan. 24 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents Oakdale
    Jan. 28 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
    Jan. 29 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
    Jan. 30 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
    Jan. 31 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room
    Feb. 02 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
    Feb. 04 – Houston, TX @ Revention Music Center
    Feb. 05 – Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
    Feb. 06 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Pavilion –
    Feb. 08 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
    Feb. 09 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
    Feb. 11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
    Feb. 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
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