NYS Music 20​15

Tag: Music News

  • Anders Kjølholm Parts From Volbeat

    Bassist Anders Kjølholm has decided to call it a career after 14 years with his brothers in the Danish psychobilly rock group Volbeat.

    The parting so far has been mutual, and with no official word as to why Kjølholm is parting ways with Volbeat, but music skeptics add that Kjølholm may have been forced out from Volbeat.

    The parting comes days after Volbeat was accused of stealing the sound and style of the band Life Of Agony, which singer Michael Poulsen denies.

    Kjølholm has been with Volbeat from the band’s beginning in 2001. Kjølholm released a brief statement about the parting:

    It has been a great experience to be part of the Volbeat family for so long, and I wish Michael, Jon and Rob, everyone involved with the band and of course all the fans, all the best on the continued journey.

    Volbeat vocalist Michael Poulsen and drummer Jon Larsen talked about the matter:

    Anders has been a loyal friend and bandmate since 2001. We’ve toured most parts of the world and shared experiences that only few bands get to do. We’re very thankful for this and wish Anders all the best in the future.

    Volbeat plans to tour relentlessly in 2016 with a brand new sixth studio album in the works. The band debuted a new track from the upcoming album during a live set on Aug. 1 at Tusindarsskoven in Odense, Denmark.

    Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen stated back in May to local Ohio radio station 99.7 The Blitz that he has been writing songs on the road and plans to hit the studio sometime in November. He also stated that the band has rehearsed around five new songs during their soundcheck.

  • Thomas Ayad, Mercury Records Executive, Among Paris Concert Casualties

    In the wake of Friday’s attacks in Paris, the identities of the victims are being released. NYS Music previously reported on the deaths of Eagles of Death Metal Merchandise Manager, Nick Alexander and music journalist Guillame B. Decherf. It is now being reported that Thomas Ayad, an executive with Mercury Records, whose parent company, Universal Music Group has offices in Paris, was also among the 89 killed by the gunmen at Bataclan music hall. Ayad was 34 years old.

    Thomas-Ayad

    Promoters have announced that the remaining 20 dates of the Eagles of Death Metal’s European tour have been canceled so that the band members and crew could return home to their families. All members of the band safely escaped the venue. Founding member Josh Homme, also a founding member of Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age was not with the band on its Eurpoean tour.

    Universal Music Group Chairman Lucien Grainge issued a letter to the Los Angeles Times on Saturday in response to the attacks:

    Dear Colleagues:

    Today, I’m writing to you with a heavy heart.  

    We, like so many around the world, are struggling with last night’s horrific tragedy in France.

    Paris is in our thoughts and prayers.  We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims as well as our fervent wishes for healing for all of those affected by this senseless violence.

    This is especially painful and personal for all of us.  As many of you know, the band Eagles of Death Metal is part of the UMe and Mercury France family.  The band and its crew as well as our own teams from Mercury and other UMG staffs were present at the Bataclan theater for last night’s show.

    At this point, we have confirmed that Thomas Ayad, an international product manager for Mercury Records lost his life in the attack on the theater.  This is an unspeakably appalling tragedy.  I cannot even begin to express the depth of my sorrow.  On behalf of everyone here at UMG, we extend our most profound sympathies to his parents and all of his friends and family.

    We will update you further as information permits.  In the meantime, please send all healing thoughts and prayers for those affected by this heinous act.

    Today is a dark day.  We are a family. Let’s support one another as we grapple with the weight of this darkness.

    Sincerely,

    Lucian 

  • A Tribe Called Quest to Reunite on Jimmy Fallon

    NBC has announced that hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest will reunite once again, as the group is booked to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

    The appearance is in part to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their 1990 debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

    Fallon’s backing band The Roots’ drummer and bandleader Questlove has strong ties to A Tribe Called Quest, being close with Q-Tip.

    tribeA special edition reissue of the album will also be released today. The reissue was remastered by longtime Tribe engineer Bob Power and will feature remixes by Pharrell, Cee-Lo Green and J. Cole.

    When asked about the landmark album, Q-Tip stated:

    I had this album in my head for years before I did it. Looking at it over all, to see the thoughts of a 16-year-old gain any kind of acknowledgement makes me feel like I have arrived. But to see it in this incarnation…I’m Humbled.

    Phife Dawg also chimed in about the album:

    Epic LP that was way before its time! Q-Tip’s thought process was beyond genius, an album that 25 years later, you can still listen to from top to bottom!!!!

    When A Tribe Called Quest split in 1998, the group stated that they wouldn’t play any more live shows together. Since then, and over the last 20 years, we have seen the group reunite a handful of times since their split, one time coming six years later in 2004 when the group made an appearance at Rock the Bells.

    A Tribe Called Quest’s most recent appearance together came as the opening act on the two New York stops at Madison Square Garden on Kanye West’s Yeezus Tour. Q-Tip stated that this would be the group’s last performance together.

    A Tribe Called Quest can also be seen on Saturday, Nov. 14, for their official anniversary party at the Santos Party House in New York City.

    A Tribe Called Quest is Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White. White left Tribe in 1991 after the group’s first album.

  • Dr. Know of Bad Brains is Upgraded from Critical Condition

    Better news for fans of Bad Brains. Gary “Dr. Know” Miller, guitarist for the seminal D.C. hardcore band, was admitted to the hospital on November 3 in critical condition and placed on life support. On Tuesday, the band announced through its Facebook page that Miller is no longer considered critical but remains under the watchful eye of doctors. The nature of Miller’s illness has not been disclosed and the family has asked for privacy as he heals.

    The Family of Gary (Dr. Know) Miller and the entire Bad Brains family would like to thank everyone for their well…

    Posted by Bad Brains on Tuesday, November 10, 2015

    Good will and PMA (Positive Mental Attitude, a mantra of Bad Brains) are flooding social media for Miller’s continued improvement. Mickey Melchiondo of Ween posted on his Facebook: “Pray for him, or at least smoke a huge spliff and keep him in your thoughts.” And Corey Glover, lead singer of Living Colour and devotee of Bad Brains, wrote, “Sending #PMA healing vibes, and positive energy to #DrKnow of #BadBrains — I urge you to do the same.”

    Dr.-Know-Bad-Brains-2009-billboard-650

    Bad Brains was formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977 and quickly rose to prominence in the hardcore scene. The band incorporated elements of punk, hardcore, jazz and reggae into their sound to create a unique style of music that became hugely influential to not only black musicians looking to break into the hardcore scene, but all punk in general. The band was prominently featured in Dave Grohl’s HBO documentary Sonic Highways alongside Fugazi/Minor Threat leader Ian MacKaye.

  • Tool Planning Winter Tour

    Tool fans that have been waiting forever for good news can finally get pumped, as it appears the reclusive foursome will be planning a winter tour this January.

    The prog-metal group’s last studio album 10,000 Days dropped close to ten years ago and their last tour that even touched the Eastern side of the country was in 2012. Yesterday someone posted a cryptic message on their Facebook page indicating dates for a 2016 tour would be dropping soon:

    No dates or other info has been released. Tool most recently played The Monster Mash music festival in Tempe, AZ this past Halloween. The band played the entire show dressed as Led Zeppelin and busted out a rare cover of “No Quarter.” Fans of course are hoping this announcement will also come with news on the bands long awaited next album, with previous band statements indicating most of it is complete.

    Stay tuned as we gather more information on this developing story.

  • Bass Legend Jaco Pastorius’ Documentary to Premiere in Syracuse

    The Palace Theater in Syracuse is the place to be this Black Friday, Nov. 27, with the premiere of the new Jaco Pastorius documentary, JACO, at 8 p.m. (doors at 7).

    Not only that, the Sound Garden in Armory Square will host a DVD release event at 2 p.m. that will feature the film’s executive producer, Robert Trujillo, world-renowned bassist from Metallica and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member. There will be a signing opportunity and an exclusive limited edition of the JACO DVD packaged with a CD of music from the film, interspersed with Jaco’s voice and a track from Trujillo’s Mass Mental project.

    Trujillo, who is known world-wide, didn’t pick-up a bass until he heard Pastorius play. While his own playing took a different path, the flamboyant Pastorius had his influences on him and many, many other bassists including Flea and Sting, to name just a few. Pastorius was larger than life and a iconic player — he may well have changed the direction of modern music single-handedly.

    The day marks the official world-wide DVD release of JACO, and the two events have much traction behind the tour de force of Sound Garden GM Eric Brush, Syracuse Jazz Fest founder Frank Malfitano, The Palace Theater GM Paul Valenti and The Syracuse International Film Festival founder Owen Shapiro and Executive Director Mike Massurin. The organizers stated, “This Northeast National Premiere screening of the JACO documentary in Syracuse is a ground-breaking event that has come together because music, film, locally-based arts, cultural organizations and institutions have come to recognize the value that this kind of collaboration can bring to the community.”

    JACO-speakers
    left to right: Christine (Owen) Shapiro and Mike Massurin/ Syracuse International Film Fest, Frank Malfitano/ Syracuse Jazz Fest Sound Garden GM/ Host Eric Brush.

    Brush met Trujillo a few years ago at the N.A.M.M. convention, where they discussed indie record stores and the movie; this is what led Sound Garden to be selected as location for the DVD release. Out of all independent stores, nationwide! The event is also giving a big nod to Record Store Day, another incredible get for Brush and The Sound Garden. Malfitano’s long history with The Jaco Pastorius Big Band and the Pastorius family made him a natural, so much so that he was invited to be master of ceremonies at Jaco’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at The Broward Center of The Performing Arts. Add to them the cache of The Syracuse International Film Festival and the beautiful Palace Theater, and the team was complete.

    JACO is produced by Robert Trujillo in association with Passion Pictures (Searching For Sugar Man, Project Nim), and the film is co-directed by Paul Marchand and Stephen Kijak. Together they tell the remarkable and tragic tale of Pastorius’ much too short life with never-seen-before 8mm film, photos and audio recordings including exclusive material from the Pastorius family archive.

    This may well be the only big-screen viewing of JACO, ever. Do not miss out. Even better, go to the DVD Release Event at The Sound Garden, buy a DVD and get a free ticket to the screening later that evening! (This offer stands for the first 200 people taking advantage of it only.) This guarantees you a seat because the screening is FREE, yes, free, but there is limited seating. Trujillo will not only be at the signing event, he will introduce the film at The Palace Theater as well.

    More info available at The Palace Theater’s website and The Sound Garden website.

    Photography: Sandra Jackson/ Sublunar Studios

    https://youtu.be/nI0znixksZs

  • Dion and Paul Simon to Release “New York Is My Home” Duet Friday

    Two of New York’s big names in music are no stranger to each other. Back in 2009, Paul Simon joined long-time friend Dion onstage at Madison Square Garden to help sing Dion’s “The Wanderer” as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary concerts.

    Dion Paul Simon

    Dion DiMucci, better known simply as Dion, first became popular in the wave of early 1960s pop (as Dion and the Belmonts) and later adopted more mature aspects in his music giving him another boost in the music world. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 by Lou Reed.

    “New York Is My Home” is the title track off of an album Dion is set to release in February, marking his 29th studio album. The song features fellow New York City musician Paul Simon and is dedicated to the fullness of life in New York.

    The single “New York Is My Home” can be ordered and downloaded online through iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

    Aside from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Anniversary concert, Dion and Simon performed together at Radio City Music Hall in 1987 and recorded “Written On The Subway Walls/Little Star” on Dion’s 1989 release Yo Frankie. Check out the video of that below, featuring both Dion and Simon.

    The Belmonts still perform today as a doo-wop trio.

  • Original Motorhead Drummer Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor Dies at 61

    Original Motorhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor died Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the age of 61 after a lengthy illness. Former bandmate “Fast” Eddie Clarke confirmed the news on his Facebook page Thursday.

    RIP Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor (1954-2015)
    RIP Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor (1954-2015)

    Taylor, along with Clarke and Ian “Lemmy” Kilminster, formed the groundbreaking metal band Motorhead in 1975, and in the process influenced hundreds of metal musicians since.

    Taylor served two stints in Motorhead (1975-1984/1987-1992), playing on the band’s first seven albums, including the groundbreaking albums Ace of Spades, Iron Fist and Overkill. 

    Clarke eulogized Taylor on his Facebook page Thursday:

    My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes.  I have known Phil since he was 21 and he was one hell of a character. Fortunately, we made some fantastic music together and I have many many fond memories of our time together.  Rest in peace, Phil!
    Taylor’s original exit from Motorhead, while never confirmed by him, was said to have been the result of a dispute with Clarke and Kilmister during the recording of a cover of Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” with shock rocker Wendy O. Williams.
    Taylor and Clarke rejoined Motorhead onstage at a show Nov. 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England.

  • Popular Free Canalside Concert Series to Stay in Buffalo

    Buffalo music fans are rejoicing today after news that the popular, free Thursday Central Wharf concert series will be back Canalside next summer. The decision comes after concerns were raised by nearby residents and a controversial vote by the Buffalo Common Council.

    The concert series will continue, at least for next summer at the Central Wharf where the series has been held since 2012. Bizjournals.com has reported that Global Spectrum, which manages the Canalside property for the Erie County Harbor Development Council and books the concerts, is already working on landing national acts for the 2016 summer season.

    Earlier this fall, residents of the nearby Marine Drive Apartments complained about the noise from the shows and problems related to the large crowds of concertgoers. The Buffalo Common Council agreed with the Marine Drive residents and pushed for the concerts to be moved. The vote caused outrage and appeared to be a hasty decision made based on a small amount of complaints.

    Moving the concert series to the city’s Outer Harbor property was suggested, but the move was highly contested by area businesses, mostly bars and restaurants. They argued a moved to the new location would hurt the growth of their businesses as well as the continued development of the Central Wharf property.

    The concert series began in 1987 and was held in Buffalo’s Layfette Square. Organizers moved the event in summer 2012 to accommodate the series’ growing success. Past artists have included a variety of acts of musical genres. This past summer featured free music from Umphrey’s McGee, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, EnVogue, Everclear, Yonder Mountain String Band and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. This past summer, more than 150,000 people attended one of the free harbor Thursday shows.

  • Allen Toussaint, New Orleans Royalty, Dies at 77

    Legendary New Orleans composer and pianist Allen Toussaint has died from an apparent heart attack at his hotel following a performance in Madrid, Spain early Tuesday morning. Toussaint’s daughter, Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux confirmed her father‘s death to the The New York Times Tuesday.

    Mr. Toussaint was scheduled to perform in London and Belgium following his Madrid performance.

    Toussaint McCartney

    Mr. Toussaint frequently collaborated with his fellow New Orleans musicians as well as rock luminaries such as Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello. Costello recently said of him, “There was no one on the planet who cared more about New Orleans than this man.”

    Born in 1938 in the working class section of New Orleans known as Gert Town, Mr. Toussaint taught himself to play the piano and released his first album in 1958.

    His songs were recorded by many, including the Rolling Stones and The Who, both taking turns at his song “Fortune Teller.” The song was posted on the Rolling Stones Twitter feed Tuesday morning. Phish has often covered his “On Your Way Down.”

    Other musicians have also posted messages celebrating the life of Mr. Toussaint:

    Forced to relocate to New York due to Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Toussaint was a frequent perfomer at Joe’s Pub. The move rejuvenated his career and he eventually returned to New Orleans, performing often at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

    Mr. Toussaint gained fame outside of his home town with his 1975 solo album Southern Nights. Glen Campbell also had a hit with the title song.  He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame and received the National Medal of the Arts from President Obama.

    Mr. Toussaint, humbly stated on his website, “I’m not accustomed to talking about myself, I talk in the studio with musicians. Or through my songs.”