School Bus Yellow is a four piece improvisational jam rock band from Upstate NY, covering a range of classic hits and fresh, original material. Opening the night with a few groovy, light-hearted numbers such as “Chump Change” and the Grateful Dead’s “Franklin’s Tower” getting the crowd energized for the night ahead. School Busy Yellow stretch funky spontaneous melodies and rock rhythms for a captivating contagious dance vibe. Catching the audience completely off guard was their fun-loving bust outs of “Sweet Dreams” and “Busta Move” with fierce drum work from Gregory Finely. This band is fast ride with experienced drivers, be sure to hop on and buckle up.
Click here to stream and download their set from Parish Public House on March 6 now.
Most New Englanders may recognize Jen Durkin as lead singer from Deep Banana Blackout who are a staple at the Gathering of the Vibes for the late night sets. Durkin, rightfully nicknamed “Pipes” debuted her new funk project, The Business, last fall at The Catskill Chill, spreading soulful vocals alongside her brother Johnny Durkin on drums, Darian Cunning on guitar, Rich Zurkowski on bass and keyboardists Jesse Gibbon. Jen Durkin produces mighty alto vocals as she rocks the microphone and a cowbell in high fashion style. Zurkowski slaps out a funky bass rhythm while Gibbon plays a jazzy melody and Cunning is pure rock n roll guitar attitude. The group has flawless chemistry as they climb continuous peaks of harmonies, fusing together old school funk and new age soul with nonstop energy. Be sure to catch Jen Durkin & The Business Saturday April 4 at Brooklyn Bowl, NYC with Dumpstaphunk.
The 2015 SAMMY awards dinner held upstairs at Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse on March 6 brought together music fans, musicians and promoters alike to honor some of Syracuse’s finest at the Syracuse Area Music Awards
With emcee Dave Frisina of of 105.9 introducing special guests the honorees included a music educator, producer, local band, early rock ‘n’ roller, guitarist and a muumuu wearing drummer.
Stacey Waterman of Eastern Artists presented Professor David Rezak of the Bandier School at Syracuse University with the Music Educator award. She joked that 90% of his graduates work in the industry while the other 10% are musicians, while referencing notable alumni who Prof. Rezak has been a mentor and teacher to over the course of his career. Upon taking to the podium, Rezak responded by noting “It’s all about the music, it’s all about the song. I am happy to have been a part of the music of Syracuse”
State Senator John A. DeFrancisco took the podium to share proclamations for all honorees this evening, noting that “music and arts in this community are the heart and soul of Syracuse.
Guitarist Loren Barriger, who at 6 years old played the Grand Ol’ Opry, emotionally thanked family and friends who encouraged him throughout this life of music. Ron Wray introduced Bobby Comstock, who was on the original American Bandstand, wrote a rock version of “Tennessee Waltz”, worked with Alan Free who coined the term ‘Rock n Roll’ and played Madison Square Garden 50 times. Upon taking to the podium, Bobby said “I did all that?”, while reflecting on playing with Chuck Berry, in Chicago with blues greats but noted that every story comes back to Syracuse. Comstock had a great deal of memories and thank you’s to give from his storied career.
Chris Goss, producer and musician (Masters of Reality, Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss) has been a major influence on the desert rock genre and was honored as such. Referring to his career path, he said “It’s not a job, it’s a vocation; you do it out of love.” He mentioned that Seattle, a dark and dreary city, much like Syracuse, gave birth to Soundgarden and Nirvana, because instead of going outside, kids would go inside, look inward and listen to music. “Good music comes out of dark places.”
The Works, a local act who did it their way and in their own style are one of the most storied local Syracuse acts and were known for playing local clubs on a weekly basis in the 70s and 80s. If you weren’t playing music, you were seeing local music and supporting local music, a sentiment that is relevant in towns and cities across the state and country. As The Works put it, “It’s a brotherhood.”
Jon Fishman was introduced by his father, Leonard, who spoke of his late wife Mimi’s memory and presence at early Phish shows playing the vacuum with her son. He received great laughter and applause saying “I don’t know if you know this, but my son wears a dress”. While it is well known among his fans that Fish is a self-educated drummer who still practices daily, Jon cited Dave Hamlin and Bob Gulloti who taught him how to play the drums. Having been in only one band his entire career, the adventurous and spiritual unit of Phish has allowed him to make a living by moving music out of his parent’s basement to UVM, then to Goddard College, and on the road with Phish, and now with his wife and 5 children.
At 50, Jon says he still feels like he is 8 years old when playing the drums and is “still getting away with this … I’m just drumming.” He found it odd to be receiving a lifetime achievement award at 50 but recognizes that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” referencing both the band and the community of Phish.
Fish also came clean and told his father that he snuck out on more than one occasion in the late 1970s to walk a mile to Manley Field House to see Frank Zappa and King Crimson, incredibly influential shows for the young Henrietta that led him down his career path towards recognition from his peers in his hometown of Syracuse.
On Friday, March 6 at The Palace Theater on James Street, the SAMMY awards were handed to a cadre of local musicians who had earned recognition of their peers and fans.
Best Pop: Nick & Noah
Best Blues: Castle Creek
Best Rock: William Gruff
Best Country: Megan Lee
Best Alterative: Leah Shenandoah
Best Jam Band: Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate
Best Jazz: Nick Ziobro
Best Americana: Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
Best R&B: Brownskin Band
Best Hip-Hop/Rap: Nick Case a.k.a. Decoy
Best Other: Samba Laranja
Best Hard Rock: Nineball
Best Singer/Songwriter: Alanna-Marie Boudreau
Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist: Spring Street Family Band
People’s Choice awards included:
Best Artist: Briana Jessie
Best Venue: Kegs Canal Side
Best Festival: FoxFest
Phish has announced their latest archival release with their show from December 16, 1999 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC. This is the first release from Fall 1999, performed at N.C. State University, and one of the final shows before Phish performed before their historic millennium concert at Big Cypress just two weeks later.
12/16/99 was recorded by Paul Languedoc to digital multitrack, mixed/mastered by Jon Altschiller. You can order the album at LivePhish.com or with the LivePhish App
Set 1: Wilson > Chalk Dust Torture, Lawn Boy, Limb By Limb, Horn, Back on the Train, Roggae, Heavy Things, Camel Walk, Possum
Set 2: Sand, The Mango Song, Wading in the Velvet Sea[1] > Tweezer > Runaway Jim
Encore: Bittersweet Motel > Tweezer Reprise
UPDATE: Phish today announced a SiriusXM listening party for this release – check it out below.
This Thursday & Friday, Phish archivist Kevin Shapiro guest hosts “Gone Phishin” and will share with listeners a behind-the-scenes tour of Phish’s newest archival release Raleigh ’99. Sets start at 9pm ET each night exclusively on SiriusXM Jam_ON, Channel 29.
Despite a steady afternoon snowfall that carried into the evening, the room filled with fervent fans; yet, likely because of the snow, the club never became unbearably crowded, allowing listeners to dance freely. Club Helsinki provided the perfect space for the North Mississippi Osborne Experience to launch into an intimate Sunday night jamboree in support of its recent album release, Freedom & Dreams.
Candlelit tables lined the exterior of Hudson’s Club Helsinki while mismatched, low-lit globes and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Steady waves of tantalizing aromas floated around the space as servers weaved through the crowd, serving pot pies and pie a-la-modes. More than twenty guitars lined racks or rested in stands on March 1, waiting to be played by a rotating arrangement of outstanding musicians.
The evening’s musical portion kicked off with North Mississippi Allstar Luther Dickinson and Anders Osborne facing each other and trading licks on electric acoustic guitars. The jam flowed into a smooth tune, “Let it Roll,” before Osborne exited the stage and Cody Dickinson and Lightnin’ Malcolm took up the drums and bass respectively. Luther Dickinson picked up the electric and put on a display with the slide. The trio played a couple folksy tunes—“Going Home on the Morning Train” and “Mean Ol’ Wind Died Down”—that raised the crowd’s energy. They shifted tempos a few times before settling down into a slow, stirring cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train A Comin’” featuring an ultra-clean guitar solo from Luther Dickinson.
Then, the musicians started playing musical chairs. Cody Dickinson picked up a six-string, renowned drummer and Louisiana native Brian Blade sat in on the kit, and Luther Dickinson and Malcolm remained on the guitar and bass for an upbeat, instrumental rocker. The room was grooving and got a little rowdy when everyone on stage grabbed a percussion instrument, waded into the crowd, and encouraged a sing along of “Granny Does Your Dog Bite?”
Luther Dickinson kept marching right off the stage and Osborne reappeared with his bassist, Carl Dufresne, for reggae-esque Osborne original “Marmelade.” While Allstars front-man Luther Dickinson exudes a calm, quiet confidence on stage, Osborne’s booming voice is rivaled by his enormous stage presence. Upon taking the stage, he stole the room’s attention and his vocals sounded superb in Club Helsinki’s open space.
The long set concluded with everyone on stage. Luther Dickinson and Osborne mesmerized onlookers while trading off between lead and slide guitars. They rolled through old New Orleans’ folk classics as well as originals. Cody Dickinson led a fiery folk tune on the washboard before they closed out with Osborne’s “On the Road to Charlie Parker.” With all the musicians playing and the crowd singing along, the hard-rocking jam highlighted a great evening of music.
Nearly two and a half hours after the show commenced, the world-class musicians wrapped it up to the chagrin of adoring fans. The North Mississippi Osborne Experience did their best, however, to reiterate the old adage that one should never miss a Sunday show.
This is Pagan folk metal from Finland at its best. Many people condemn the genre and many of its greatest bands as Renaissance festival nerds with cool guitars and war paint. But Ensiferum raises the bar ever so slightly with every release, making them pioneers of sorts in the folk metal game. One Man Army is a perfect example of the band’s unique approach to their genre.
Ensiferum (The Sword Bearer) never hold back when it comes to their powerful chorus driven war songs with their 1,000 year old feel, but fully embrace their heavy nature as well. Since they are a metal band at their core, they have to represent. The opening track, “March of War” is beautifully composed with an array of old-world string instruments, “Burden of the Fallen” could come straight out of the “Lord of the Rings” or “Hobbit” films, and the closing track “Neito Pohjolan” naturally has its Finnish roots, but can at times be easily mistaken for an American country/western tune. The whole album is full of their usual bells and whistles, choirs singing backup harmonies reminiscent of blockbuster soundtracks like “Braveheart” and plenty of references to the very heart of the band’s name and their love of their heritage; clashing swords and bloody battlefields. Fans of this genre won’t be disappointed, but those weary on folk metal may not appreciate 11 straight tracks with said formula.
“Axe of Judgment” forces the listener into an all-out war zone. “Cry For the Earthbound” and “Warrior Without A War” transport you back to ancient bloodstained ruins, despite Earthbound’s borderline poppy female vocals in the bridge. “Two of Spades” is an upbeat Celtic dance party, which instantly had me thinking of Bilbo Baggins’s 111th birthday party in “The Fellowship of the Ring”. And, wouldn’t you know it? Ensiferum decide to throw you a curveball and end the album with a cover of the theme from Rawhide.
So, once again, any avid listener of folk metal can’t hate this album. Metal purists will either hate it, be bored with it, or both (presumably), and those who simply dabble in folk metal might grow tired of Ensiferum’s consistent battle anthem formula. But all in all, I think this is a great opportunity for those open to taking the “folk metal challenge”, to open their hearts and minds to this wonderfully fun genre! Cheers!
Key tracks: One Man Army, Cry For the Earthbound, Burden of the Fallen
Keg’s Canal Side hosted a country party featuring Joe Nichols. With a packed house and great entertainment, the below freezing temps didn’t seem to matter. Sam Grow took the stage before Joe Nichols and got the party started. Performing to the rowdy crowd seemed to just add to Sam’s excitement and the crowd was more than willing to share their love for country music with Sam as he opened the show.
Joe Nichols brought his humble yet charismatic persona to the stage and the fans couldn’t contain themselves. From the moment the band played their first note the fans were engaged and enjoyed the fun to be had by all. Performing hit songs “Tequila Make Her Clothes Come Off” and “Sunny and 75” the entire place sang along. Of course Joe had to add to the fun with his version of country rap while he performed “Big Butts”.
The fans just couldn’t get enough. After leaving the stage at the end of their set, the fans cheered until he and the band came back and performed two more hit songs.
I look forward to several more shows as Keg’s Canal Side in Jordan, New York. The staff was amazing and very attentive to all patrons. With the nice weather, they will host a number of acts at their new outdoor stage.
Since 2004, The Agonist have released three full-length albums. In March of 2014, they announced a lineup change when original vocalist, Alissa White-Gluz, left to join Arch Enemy. Vicky Psarakis then assumed her new role as The Agonist‘s lead vocalist. Eye of Providence (All Seeing Eye of God) is their newest release and has been available since February 24th, 2015, but be warned! Diehard Agonist fans beware! The majority of this album makes me feel as though there is an entirely new band present!
Vicky Psarakis’s vocals are on point but they bring a noticeable change to the band’s overall sound right off the bat. The guitars have also switched up their dynamic a bit. In this instance, the leads are more memorable than the riffing, and the riffs themselves seem to be more melody driven than I’m accustomed to. Any longtime Agonist fan might agree that this slightly new guitar direction makes for a necessary musical “double-take”, before you’re able to just take in the music. As for the production, this record screams studio magic, but that tends to only further take away from the raw, raunchy sound I used to associate with The Agonist. Structurally speaking, most of these tunes are simpler and more repetitive, often implementing the “verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, end” formula, which once again seems so unlike this band. Take this review with a grain of salt though. If you were iffy about The Agonist before for any reason, Eye of Providence may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Vicky’s vocals are fantastic and I was actually more impressed by her cleans than I was her screams. Her vocal melodies just feel more tasteful than Alyssa’s, I suppose. Then again, if you’re an Agonist scream era fan, prepare for predominant crisp cleans throughout the entire record. I’d say that 75% of the vocals are clean singing from start to finish. The screams are there, the screams are solid, but it’s not the same. The ratio of cleans to screams only left me wanting more vocal diversity.
Guitar-wise, I can’t tell if they’re using different effects or a different tuning, but there’s a noticeable tone change on this album that I like a great deal. It makes the heavy parts heavier and the intricate parts crisper.
Key Tracks: Gates of Horn and Ivory, My Witness, Your Victim, I Endeavor
When all was said and done, I didn’t like this album, but I also didn’t dislike it. I guess we fans of the original Agonist sound may just have to tread carefully before accepting Eye of Providence into our music libraries. Cheers!
Asleep at the Wheel pulled into The Egg along with openers The Quebe Sisters on Sunday night as the city began to thaw from its terrible winter. The groups seemed to not only bring nice weather with them, but they played some scorching hot “Texas swing” for the enraptured crowd. Having this wonderful genre of music played in such a great venue is a treat for Upstate New York, as it’s a rarity for it come around here. To make the evening even better, there was plenty of comedy coming from the stage from both bands throughout their performances.
First up were The Quebe Sisters, Grace,, Sohpia, and Hulda, whom all laid down some amazing fiddle work along with beautiful harmonies. The sisters were joined by Katy and Penny Clark who continuously traded instruments throughout the show including mandolin, piano, guitar, and banjo. The sound that was being made by these amazing women on stage could have been taken from a radio from the 50’s or right off the stage at The Grand Ole Opry. Their set went by in a flash, like their hands playing various instruments, and the crowd gave the ladies a standing ovation as they exited the stage.
Asleep at the Wheel strode on stage in all of their glory shortly after and took The Egg to the heart of Texas very quickly. 45 years on the road has not slowed the band down one note. Playing some great tunes like “Route 66”, “Big Balls in Cowtown” and “Miles and Miles in Texas” let the crowd hoot, holler, stomp their feet, and sing along. Throughout the night they paid tribute to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys and they did a great job honoring the king of Texas swing, as they do on their latest guest filled album Still the King.
Ray Benson is of course the focal point of the band as he has been there since the beginning and he tells some great stories throughout the show, but everyone else was just as amazing. Eddie Rivers blew the crowd away throughout the night on the steel guitar, while Katie Shore did the same on fiddle. Emily Gimble’s hand flew on the piano and her voice was soaring over the crowd. Dave Sanger and Dave Miller on drums and bass respectively kept the train rolling all night. After the show was over, both bands were out in the lobby meeting and signing things for the audience. Hopefully more old-school country can come throughout New York State to keep us warm throughout the whole year.
Widespread Panic will open its summer tour in Lewiston before a short Northeast run heads south and west. The Georgia-based bluesy jammers are set to play at Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston — near Niagara Falls — on Tuesday, June 16.
That’s the band’s only New York stop, but they’ll be nearby when they play Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston on June 17, Jay Peak in Vermont June 19, and Pittsburgh June 21. As an added rage rested treat – special guest Umphrey’s McGee will open the Jay Peak and Philly shows. After that, they head south and west to a variety of locations, with longer runs in Texas and Colorado.
Panic is also on the Lockn’ Music Festival bill in September. The band is about to embark on a spring tour that winds throughout the U.S. and includes a two–day Brooklyn run in April.
Tickets for Widespread Panic in Lewiston will go on sale March 28 online or by phone at 888-223-6000. The other Northeast summer tour dates go on sale March 13 and 14.
One of the most memorable and critically acclaimed albums of last year was The War on Drugs’ Lost in the Dream. The Philly PA based band has quickly become an underground favorite – drawing huge audiences and festival spots with little to no radio support. New York will get some “Drugs” this spring with two stops – June 7 at The Governor’s Ball festival on Randall’s Island in NYC and June 8 at Water Street Music Hall in Rochester.
Ticket’s for both are on sale already – $260 for a three day pass to Governor’s Ball and $22 for Water Street. Get them while they last! Check out the whole tour and listen to Lost in the Dream below.
War on Drugs Spring/Summer 2015
03/27/15 Philadelphia, PA at Tower Theater
03/28/15 Norfolk, VA at The NorVA
03/29/15 Richmond, VA at The National
03/31/15 Knoxville, TN at Bijou Theater
04/01/15 Chattanooga, TN at Track 29
04/02/15 Athens, GA at Georgia Theatre
04/03/15 Birmingham, AL at Iron City
04/04/15 Memphis, TN at Minglewood Hall
04/05/15 Tulsa, OK at Cain’s Ballroom
04/07/15 Albuquerque, NM at The Historic El Rey Theater
04/08/15 El Paso, TX at Tricky Falls
04/09/15 Phoenix, AZ at The Pressroom
04/11/15 Indio, California at Coachella
04/14/15 Ventura, California at Ventura Theater
04/15/15 Pioneertown, California at Pappy & Harriet’s SOLD OUT
04/18/15 Indio, California at Coachella
05/21/15 Portland, OR at Crystal Ballroom
05/22/15 – 05/25/15 George, WA at Sasquatch Music Festival
05/24/15 Vancouver, BC at Vogue Theatre
06/06/15 – 06/07/15 Toronto at Field Trip Music & Arts
06/07/15 New York, New York at Governor’s Ball
06/08/15 Rochester, NY at Water Street Music Hall
06/09/15 Pittsburgh, PA at Stage AE
06/10/15 Covington, KY at The Madison Theater
06/11/15 – 06/14/15 Manchester, TN at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
06/12/15 Indianapolis, IN at Vogue
06/15/15 Tampa, FL at The Ritz
06/16/15 Miami Beach, FL at The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason
06/17/15 Orlando, FL at The Beacham Theatre
06/18/15 Charlotte, NC at Amos’ Southend
06/20/15 Washington DC at 9:30 Club
06/25/15 – 06/28/15 Werchter Festival Park at Rock Werchter
06/26/15 St Gallen at Open Air
06/28/15 De Groene Heuvels at Down the Rabbit Hole
07/01/15 – 07/04/15 Roskilde at Roskilde
07/02/15 – 07/05/15 Barcelona at Vida Festival
08/11/15 – 08/15/15 Oslo at Oya
08/13/15 – 08/15/15 Gothenburg at Way Out West
08/14/15 – 08/16/15 Helsinki at Flow Festival
09/04/15 – 09/06/15 Laois at Electric Picnic
09/06/15 Wiltshire at End Of The Road
12/16/99 was recorded by Paul Languedoc to digital multitrack, mixed/mastered by Jon Altschiller. You can order the album at
