Author: Mike Kohli

Warren Haynes’ 28th Annual Christmas Jam to Feature ‘The Last Waltz’

The hardest working man in rock and roll revealed the lineup for his annual Christmas party Thursday. The show takes place at the U.S. Cellular arena in Warren Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, NC on Dec. 10. A line-up loaded with talent features Haynes’ main vehicle, Gov’t Mule headlining, along with a who’s who of musicians celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Band’s final show as The Last Waltz Band.

Haynes started the Christmas Jam in 1988 at a local Asheville club as a benefit for local charities. For the past 18 years, he has used it as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. As of last year, the Jam has raised over $1.8 million for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

The 2016 version of the Christmas Jam happens Dec. 10 and is guaranteed to sell out quickly. Pre-sale tickets are available at noon Monday Oct. 24 with VIP packages also available. General sale begins Nov. 1. General admission tickets are $63 and a limited number of reserved seats are available for $73.

Performers this year, in addition to Gov’t Mule, include Bob Weir, Michael McDonald and Jamey Johnson with Alison Krauss. The Last Waltz Band features Haynes, McDonald, Johnson, Don Was, John Medeski and Terrence Higgins.

Other special guests scheduled to appear include Branford Marsalis, George Porter, Jr., Steve Kimock, Marcus King, Kevn Kinney, Audley Freed, “Steady Rollin’” Bob Margolin and Mike Barnes.

For more information on this year’s event, visit the Jam’s website. And while you’re mulling over whether you should attend, take a gander at this stellar version of “Stormy Monday” featuring Gregg Allman from the 2013 Jam.

October 21, 2016
“From One Chord to Another,” Sloan Celebrates a Landmark at Daryl’s House

Sloan has been at it for 25 years, but could easily have been a footnote in Canadian music history if not for their fortitude. Formed at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax in 1991, the alt-rock quartet has made a name for itself in its homeland, winning several East Coast Music Awards and a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album — 1996’s One Chord to Another. This album, however, almost never happened at all. Sloan was signed to Geffen Records early on, as label executives rushed to find the next Nirvana. As part of a burgeoning Halifax music scene that included Eric’s Trip and Thrush Hermit, that saw a gold rush to the maritime province from the labels, Sloan was the band that survived.

The band’s first two albums Smeared and Twice Removed were released on Geffen in 1992 and 1994 respectively. After a dispute with the label over lack of promotion for Twice Removed, the band took some time off, leading some to believe they had broken up. Sloan self-produced and self-released the follow-up to Twice Removed, One Chord to Another. Sunday night, the band rolled into Daryl’s House Club in Pawling for an intimate rendering of that landmark album on its 20th anniversary of release.

Sloan has made its bones sharing writing duties, vocals and instruments among the band’s four original members: Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, Patrick Pentland and Andrew Scott. Power chords, hand claps and Beatle-esque harmonies are hallmarks of the Sloan sound. All these elements were firmly in place for the intimate audience of hard core Sloan fans this night.

Make no mistake, this is not a simple pop band. To survive 25 years in the business requires more than just catchy songs. The lyrics from each of the members reveal a depth that belies the catchiness of the music.

Throughout the history of pop music, many of the most poignant songs have carried a sense of darkness. The Beatles exhibited this to the extreme in “Run For Your Life” from the Rubber Soul album. And while Sloan has never intro’ed a song as bluntly as John Lennon did with,”I’d rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man,” a quick glance at Sloan’s song titles bears this out: “Everything You’ve Done Wrong,” Nothing Left to Make Me Wanna Stay.” Sloan has the songwriting chops to turn a subject such as unrequited love into dark poetry with a pop melody.

Daryl’s House Club is an offshoot of Philly Soul legend and half of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Hall and Oates, Daryl Hall’s popular internet, now MTV Live show, Live From Daryl’s House. Hall opened the club in Pawling in 2014 as a venue to feature intimate gigs similar to those seen on his show. Tickets are sold as reserved seating or standing tickets and all reserved seats are at tables, allowing patrons to enjoy a meal and some drinks prior to and during a performance. The main performance space has room for a couple of hundred patrons. Wait staff meander in and out of the seated areas, taking orders and delivering dishes. It makes for a a dinner theater type atmosphere that doesn’t much allow for audience participation during a show, especially one for a band with such uptempo music.

This tour is a celebration of the band’s watershed moment. They’re playing the One Chord album in its entirety during the first set of each show. However, the music they were celebrating almost seemed like an afterthought as patrons ate their dinner during the performance. Murphy commented on this fact a couple of times during the set, “Finish chewing your food and sing along with us on this one,” he said, introducing “G Turns to D.”

Despite the limitations on audience participation, though with many in the crowd being in their late 30s/early 40s, there may not have been a whole lot of physical participation anyway. The band rallied through the album in its entirety. The participation in the chugging “G Turns to D” included many hand claps and singing along from those in attendance. A smooth transition into the Beatles, by way of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, “A Side Wins” had fans swaying in their seats.

The set concluded with “400 Metres,” a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Pavement album with its speak-talk lyrics. The hypnotizing keyboard presence mixed with Pentland’s guitar ended the set with a chill vibe reminiscent a late night ’70s FM radio show.

“Coax Me,” opened the second set, encouraging the devoted to sing along. This opened the doors to a rousing second set featuring many of Sloan’s greatest hits, including what is probably its best known song, “Money City Maniacs” as well as “Losing California,” a song requested all night long by some of the more boisterous fans in attendance.

The band seamlessly traded instruments and vocals throughout the night. Murphy stepped behind Scott’s sparse drum kit while Scott grabbed a guitar and sang and Ferguson took up the bass several times. The formula of equals behind this band is what has kept it going for 25 years. All four members contribute to the whole. And while there’s a formula to the sound, Sloan is far from formulaic. Their songs echo past eras, yet remain uniquely their own.

Those in attendance on this night were the Sloan faithful in downstate New York. Some traveling great distances to see their cult heroes in the intimacy of Daryl’s House. They were treated to a special show from one of music’s hardest working bands.

In a more fair world, Sloan would be playing a sold out show at Madison Square Garden rather than a small downstate club in front of noshing patrons on a Sunday night in October. Somehow, you can’t help but wonder if Sloan prefers it this way though.

Sloan’s One Chord to Another 20th Anniversary Tour continues throughout the U.S. in November, finishing with a show in Buffalo at the Iron Works Nov. 19.

Check out some fan-shot video of Sloan’s encore performance of “If it Feels Good, Do It” from the Daryl’s House Club show below.

October 18, 2016
Daft Punk Tour Rumors Pick Up Steam

The never-ending Daft Punk may be on tour again rumor has resurfaced; this time with a bit more fuel.

A mysterious website has appeared with nothing more than a black background and the word “ALIVE” in white. As Dancing Astronaut reports, further examination reveals a countdown timer within the “I” in “ALIVE” with an end date of Oct. 27, 2016.

Rumors began to surface last month on Reddit when fans discovered a link for the band on the Lollapalooza website, leading to speculation the reclusive French duo would be headlining Lollapalooza Chile.

Daft Punk hasn’t toured in 10 years. The previous tour in 2007 resulted in a live album, simply titled Alive. The first tour was in 1997 so it isn’t illogical to assume that 2017 could be the year for another tour.

The sleuths have been busy picking apart this new website. One Reddit user has broken down the source code of the website, determining that the numbers within it represent coordinates of major cities around the world.

The chatter in Daft Punk subreddits is trending towards a hoax in regards to the site but fans are holding out hope for another “Alive” tour for the coming year.

The duo has largely kept quiet in the three years since winning multiple Grammy awards in 2013 for the Random Access Memories album.

They most recently collaborated with the Wknd for the single “Starboy.”

October 6, 2016
Syracuse Sounds of Music Association Honors DeSantis Family

The Syracuse Sounds of Music Association is holding its annual dinner Oct. 20 at Traditions at the Links in East Syracuse. The dinner is a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations as well as for Syracuse Symphoria, the successor to the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Syracuse Symphony guild. Money raised throughout the year is distributed through a grant process each December. This year’s dinner honors Mario and Maria DeSantis with the Ovation Award, an annual award presented for outstanding commitment to the Central New York music community. This year’s dinner honors Mario and Maria DeSantis and family with the Ovation Award, an annual award presented for outstanding commitment to the Central New York music community.

Mario DeSantis is best known as the leader of the DeSantis Orchestra. The band bearing his surname has been performing for 70 years and is now led by his daughter Maria, who has brought a modern flair to the orchestra.

For more than 20 years, the elder DeSantis provided the soundtrack to the long-running Syracuse children’s television show Magic Toy Shop. He also performed at the Baseball Hall of Fame for Cal Ripken, Jr.’s induction in 2007.

Syracuse Sounds of Music Association’s “Music Matters” event supports not only Symphoria but college music study scholarships as well as a variety of music non-profits in Central New York.

In the past year, the organization has raised over $35,000 through its various fundraisers and the Encore Thrift Shop it runs in Fayetteville. The money raised was distributed among several area non-profit music organizations, including CNY Association of Music Teachers, Syracuse Children’s Chorus, Syracuse Opera and the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation. The group also provided two $1000 scholarships to high school seniors planning to study music in college.

Reservations for the dinner can be made until Oct. 10 through the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association website.

Forty years ago, Central New York children were glued to their televisions watching the Magic Toy Shop. Take a step back in time to hear some of DeSantis’ work on the long-running show below.

October 4, 2016
MTV Live teams with nugs.net for Weekly Jam Series

Jam fans looking for a live fix at home will soon be able to get it via MTV Live beginning Oct. 2. The recently re-branded cable channel (formerly Palladia) has teamed up with nugs.net for a weekly series of live music from the nugs vaults called nugs.net Live Stash.

According to Jambase, the premiere episode airs this Sunday night and features a performance from the Disco Biscuits at their Camp Bisco festival this July. Each week’s broadcast will feature shows from the nugs.net vaults.

The show airs at 9:00 p.m. each Sunday and according to the Jambase post, Widespread Panic will be visiting living rooms across the country on Oct. 9 in a show taken from the band’s July visit to Red Rocks.

Further examination of the trailer (shown below) reveals clips from Dead and Company, Phil and Friends and moe.

September 28, 2016
Louisiana Legend Buckwheat Zydeco Dead at 68

Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr., the performer who brought the unique sounds of Louisiana zyedco music to the world, passed away early Saturday morning in Lafayette, LA at the age of 68. Dural had been battling lung cancer since 2013. His long time manager Ted Fox confirmed the death in a Facebook post today.

Dural, given the nickname “Buckwheat” in his youth due to his hair resembling that of the Little Rascals character, became synonymous with the regional music that he championed. He performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics as well as both of President Bill Clinton’s inaugurations.

Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr. of Buckwheat Zydeco died Saturday morning from lung cancer. He was 68.

Buckwheat Zydeco performed at the 2015 Syracuse Jazz Fest and provided one of the most entertaining and rollicking sets of the weekend. He had been scheduled to perform at the Earlville Opera House on Sept. 16 but was forced to cancel due to a recurrence of his lung cancer. In announcing the cancellation, Dural stated:

I hope everyone knows I truly believe ‘the show must go on’ and I’ve always tried to make that happen. But, I’ll need to fight this off first. So I’m sorry to say we will need to cancel or postpone some shows. But, you can’t beat the Wheat! I will be back. Soon. And, you can take that to your best bank.

Dural was born in Lafayette, LA in 1947. His father, Stanley Dural, Sr., was a farmer and Cajun accordionist. The younger Dural resisted his father’s music at first, gravitating towards playing the organ in the funk band he formed in 1971.

Dural and his son, Sir Reginald, performing at the 2015 Syracuse Jazz Fest

While performing with famed zydeco bandleader Clifton Chenier in the late ’70s, Dural took up his father’s instrument, eventually venturing out on his own to form Buckwheat Zydeco.

Dural and his band were the first zydeco band signed to a major label, signing with Island Records in 1987 for the Grammy nominated On a Night Like This. Throughout his career, he performed with Eric Clapton, U2, Ry Cooder, Keith Richards and Robert Plant.

Dural is survived by his wife, Bernite Dural; two sons, Sir Reginald M. Dural and Stanley Paul Dural III and three daughters, April Germain Dural, Stacie Durham and Tomorrow Lynn Dural.

September 24, 2016
Saranac 2016 Concert Series ‘Going Out in Style’ with Dropkick Murphys

Saranac Brewery in Utica closed out its 2016 summer concert series with a bang Wednesday night. Dropkick Murphys’ 20th anniversary tour rolled into Varick Street, leaving a mass of sweaty and delirious flat-capped and kilted fans in its wake. The band last visited Utica in this very location on Sept. 20, 2012, and as Fred Matt mentioned when introducing the band, were the first to grace the Saranac stage in 2007.

The Celtic punk band has made a steady climb into mass consciousness since its formation in Quincy, MA in 1996. In 2004 the band re-imagined the song, “Tessie,” a song that helped push the Boston Red Sox to the first ever World Series title in 1903. The Dropkick Murphys’ version of the song is now one of three that is played at Fenway Park following each Red Sox victory.

The Murphys wear their love of hometown and the working man/woman proudly on their collective sleeves. This was made ever more present on this night when, prior to performing “Bastards on Parade” midway through the set, the band was presented with the first and only ever “You Give a Shit” Award by members of the local IBEW/CWA unit for their support of the union during the recent Verizon strike.

The show began with a rousing sing-along of the traditional Irish ballad “The Foggy Dew” and quickly escalated from there. “Out of Our Heads,” with the chant of “Here we go!” revving up the crowd, set the pace for the next hour and a half.

The Murphys faithful were given a bit of a scare early on during “Famous for Nothing,” when vocalist Al Barr took one step too many at the front of the stage and almost took a header into the pit. Fortunately, he recovered quickly and those not paying attention to the stage probably didn’t even notice the brief misstep.The band employs dual lead singers. Al Barr provides the gravelly yet melodic Oi! style vocals while band founder Ken Casey lends his slightly gentler voice to the trad-Irish and rousing pub rockers when taking leads. In addition to the boisterous front men, the band also employs some top notch musicians in drummer Matt Kelly, guitarist James Lynch and multi-instrumentalists Tim Brennan and Jeff DaRosa. Brennan is imposing and animated. Whether he’s ripping chords on lead guitar or squeezing out notes on the accordion, his tall frame looms large onstage.

It isn’t often a mosh pit forms at Saranac, but when Dropkick Murphys are in town, you can be sure one does. The pit formed early and was active throughout the night, especially when the band broke into the first song they ever recorded, “Barroom Hero.”Throughout the show, the band recognized the dedication of its fans. Casey invited one enthusiastic audience member to the stage to take his job for a song of his choice. The fan traveled from Raleigh, NC to see the band and Casey recognized him as one of their most die hard fans as he allowed him to take the lead on “Devil’s Brigade.” Following the performance, Casey said of the aspiring vocalist, “What he lacks in melody, he makes up for in enthusiasm.” A big hug between them sealed the arrangement and the fan headed back to the crowd.

The Murphys’ affinity for boxing is not a secret. Their 2005 album The Warrior’s Code was dedicated to Lowell, MA light welterweight fighter “Irish” Mickey Ward. Ward is most famous for his three epic battles versus Arturo Gatti in the early 2000s, fights that are still discussed in boxing circles today. Casey has even formed his own boxing promotion company, Murphys Boxing, promoting Danny O’Connor and Spike O’Sullivan.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, a quick drive up I-90 from Utica. Barr recognized the museum’s Executive Director Ed Brophy, who was one of the night’s attendees, as the band broke into the titular song from their Mickey Ward-inspired album to a roar from the crowd.

The biggest surprise of the night was when the opening notes of the Cars’ “Just What I Needed” began. Some with puzzled faces looked around for recognition of the song, while others of older vintage immediately recognized the Boston new wavers’ song. This one wasn’t too well-received by those in attendance, at least not those who were the most vocal the majority of the night, but it was a nice surprise to hear it mixed into the setlist.

The set ended with the high energy songs the band has made its trademark beginning with “Rose Tattoo,” a Murphys original that could easily be mistaken for a trad-Irish song. Originally released on the band’s 2013 Signed and Sealed in Blood album, the band re-recorded it with Bruce Springsteen for the For Boston Charity EP to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. A ripping version of “Going Out in Style,” a song that will be played at many a Murphys fans’ funeral in future years, followed.Starting with the most famous banjo notes to open a song, the unmistakable “The State of Massachusetts” whipped up the crowd and the mosh pit and merged into the traditional “The Irish Rover” to close the set.

While encores are a given these days, the crowd still found it advantageous to encourage the band to return to the stage with the “Let’s go Murphys!” chant heard at each show. The band returned after a brief rest to Brennan’s accordion intro of the Woody Guthrie penned “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” a song made famous for its inclusion in Martin Scorsese’s Irish mob movie The Departed and a song that has become synonymous with Boston itself.

Continuing the fan-love, Casey invited all the ladies in the house to join the boys onstage for their last call classic, “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced.” Suddenly the Saranac stage was packed with fans bouncing and singing along to Casey’s ode to the beer goggles.

Casey then chose one lucky female fan to sing the parts of the modern day Murphys’ version of the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York.” While the guest vocalist required some assistance with the lyrics from Casey, the fan held her own surprisingly well, much to the delight of those in attendance.

The night, and Saranac’s summer concert series, ended with a cover of the Sam Cooke soul classic “Having a Party” and a party it was, and there was no better way to finish off the summer. The crowd was left wanting more, exactly what Dropkick Murphys were striving for.

Dropkick Murphys Setlist: Out of Our Heads, The Boys Are Back, Famous for Nothing, The Gang’s All Here, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, Sunshine Highway, Sunday Hardcore Matinee, Bastards on Parade, Worker’s Song, As One, Cruel, Barroom Hero, Devil’s Brigade, You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover), Memories Remain, The Warrior’s Code, The Gauntlet, Just What I Needed (the Cars cover), Rose Tattoo, Going Out in Style, The State of Massachusetts, The Irish Rover (traditional)
Encore: I’m Shipping Up to Boston, Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced, The Dirty Glass, Having a Party (Sam Cooke cover)

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September 23, 2016
Holly Bowling Announces New Album Date, Tracklist for “Better Left Unsung”

Holly Bowling’s crowd-funded album now has a release date and a track list. Bowling’s set of solo classical arrangements of Grateful Dead songs, Better Left Unsung, is set for release Dec. 9 on the Royal Potato Family label.

To date, Bowling has raised 38 per cent of her goal, with less than 60 days remaining in the crowd funding campaign.

The three-LP/two-CD set includes over two hours of music:

Help On The Way > Slipnot!
Franklin’s Tower
Cassidy
Bird Song
Wharf Rat
Unbroken Chain
Crazy Fingers
Cryptical Envelopment > The Other One
Row Jimmy
Terrapin Station (Suite)
Eyes Of The World (6/18/74 Louisville, KY)
China Doll
Dark Star

Bowling revealed a sneak peak of what’s to come in a Jambase session for the magazine’s Twenty Years Later series, in which she also performs Buffalo’s own Ani DiFranco’s “Dilate” from the 1996 album of the same name.

Original post:

Pianist Holly Bowling, best known for her piano renditions of Phish songs, has announced a new album. Bowling is crowd-sourcing the new album through Pledgemusic entitled Better Left Unsung that reinterprets the music of the Grateful Dead for piano.

Featured on the upcoming three LP,two CD album are her versions of the Dead classics “Eyes of the World,” a completely hand-transcribed interpretation of the 6-18-74 Freedom Hall rendition from Louisville and a “Terrapin Station” suite.

Bowling’s tour kicks off in Columbus, OH Aug. 24 and heads west, including four dates in Colorado. New York stops on the tour include the Night Lights Music Festival in Sherman on Aug. 27 and Brooklyn Comes Alive on Oct. 22.

Holly Bowling Upcoming 2016 Dates:

~~Aug. 24 – with Joe Marcinek Ban – Columbus, OH~~
~~Aug. 25 – with Joe Marcinek Band – St Charles, IL~~
~~Aug. 27 – Night Lights Music Festival – Sherman, NY~~
~~Aug. 31 – Owsley’s Golden Road – Boulder, CO~~
~~Sep. 1 – Quixote’s True Blue – Denver, CO~~
Sep. 2 – Quixote’s True Blue – Denver, CO
Sep. 3 – Quixotes True Blue – Denver, CO
Sep. 7 – Tin Pan – Henrico, VA
Sep. 8 – The Shed – Durham, NC
Sep. 9 – The Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC
Sep. 10 – The Music Farm – Columbia, SC
Sep. 11 – The Gray Eagle – Asheville, NC
Sep. 22 – Lost Sierra Hoedown – Blairsden, CA
Oct. 13 – Lunalight Music and Arts Festival – Darlington, MD
Oct. 22 – Brooklyn Comes Alive – New York, NY
Oct. 23 – The Towne Crier – Beacon, NY

Check out Bowling’s piano rendition of Phish’s “Harry Hood” from a performance in Seattle this past spring and check her out on tour.

September 13, 2016
Dopapod Reunites with Former Drummer

Berklee-born, Brooklyn-based improv specialists Dopapod are going with the Fro. The band announced a reunion with drummer Neal “Fro” Evans Wednesday. Evans stepped away from the band in 2013 for personal reasons and was replaced by Scotty Zwang.

Speaking to Evans’ homecoming, a statement released by the band said, “As we count our blessings for every moment we’ve experienced while surrounded by a wonderfully supportive family of fans, we’ve also found ourselves recounting the original chemistry that undeniably forged the path that we’re grateful to be walking.”

Zwang appears to be exiting the band under cordial circumstances and is working on other projects.

Evans’ first shows back behind the kit will be at the Resonance Festival in Thornville, OH and Catskill Chill festival in Lakewood, PA at the end of September.

Dopapod recently announced an extensive fall tour with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.The tour kicks off in Jacksonville, FL on Oct. 5 and includes several New York stops throughout the trek. The Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, Syracuse’s Westcott Theater and Buffalo Iron Works will all get an upstate taste of the “DopaPong” fall tour, while Irving Plaza is paid a visit later in the tour.

Dopapod/Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Fall Tour:

Oct. 5 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904 Music Hall
Oct. 6 – Gainesville, FL – High Dive
Oct. 7 – St. Petersburg, FL – The State Theatre
Oct. 8 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Oct. 9 – Orlando, FL – Venue 578
Oct. 11 – Macon GA – Cox Capitol Theatre
Oct. 12 – Columbia, SC – Music Farm
Oct. 13 – Richmond, VA – The National* w/ The New Deal
Oct. 14 – Darlington, MD – Luna Light Festival
Oct. 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Den
Oct. 27 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
Oct. 28 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground* w/ West End Blend
Oct. 29 – Northampton, MA – Pearl Street
Nov. 2 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
Nov. 3 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
Nov. 4 – TBA
Nov. 5 – Morgantown, WV -Mainstage*
Nov. 10 – State College, PA – The State Theatre
Nov. 11 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
Nov. 12 – TBA
Nov. 17 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Nov. 18 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Nov. 30 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Dec. 1 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Dec. 2 – Charleston, SC – The Pourhouse
Dec, 3 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Dec. 6 – Chattanooga, TN – Revelry Room
Dec. 7 – Nashville, TN – Exit / In
Dec. 8 – St. Louis, MO – Ready Room
Dec. 9 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
Dec. 10 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Dec. 11 – Champaign, IL – The Accord
Dec. 14 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Blind Pig
Dec. 15 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery
Dec. 16 – Milwaukee, WI – The Miramar Theatre
Dec. 17 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre

Check out the full GoFro view of Evans performing at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston back in February 2013 for a glimpse of what will come with his re-entry.

https://youtu.be/pjOTDAoeGdo

September 8, 2016
Melvins Make Quick Work of the Westcott

There’s an old adage in baseball, “Get ’em on, get ’em over, get ’em in.” In other words, get the show going, keep it going and bring it on home. Washington work horses Melvins did just that on a sweaty summer Friday night at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater.

Melvins (Buzz Osborne – guitar/vocals, Dale Crover – drums/vocals, Steven Shane McDonald – bass/vocals) have been at it since 1983. When one draws the family tree of Seattle rock music, the Melvins would occupy several branches of said tree. Influential in their sound and the scene they helped forge, it is not a big leap to say that without the Melvins there would be no Nirvana.

Under the glare of red stage lights the entire show, there were no mincing words, no time wasted. The band took the stage and immediately stepped into the psychedelic wash of “Eye Flys.” The near capacity crowd entered the zone, swaying and head bobbing to the lengthy intro.

A quick segue into a hyped-up cover of KISS’ “Deuce” followed. Osborne, with his trademark mane a blur, created riffs that echoed those of Ace Frehley in his ’70s heyday.

The band ripped through a setlist from its vast catalog spanning 33 years. They are currently touring their new album Basses Loaded, an album recorded with a plethora of bassists that includes Krist Novoselic of Nirvana fame, Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle, Fantomas and Tomahawk and Jeff Pinkus from Butthole Surfers.

Current bassist Steven Shane McDonald, sporting a black shirt labeling his profession in KISS-style font, was front and center the majority of the show. He spent the night revving up the crowd with pure showmanship and a solid focus on the low end. If the band’s history is any indication, McDonald’s tenure in the band may be short-lived, as Melvins tend to employ more bassists than the fictional Spinal Tap did drummers. However, it would serve Osborne and Crover well to keep McDonald on board for the long haul. He brings a spirit of energy to the band that would be difficult to replace.

A chunky take on Alice Cooper’s “Halo of Flies” worked up the crowd as Osborne delivered superb riffs reminiscent of Tony Iommi. Crover’s tribal drums held the faithful captive throughout this take on the Cooper classic.

What truly captured fans’ attention however, was the appearance of “AMAZON” from The Maggot album. The song took on an epic feeling of a looming apocalypse. Osborne whirled around the stage during the instrumental parts as Crover mesmerized with more tribal beats. McDonald particularly shone during this performance. It was during “AMAZON” that the trio truly seemed to gel.

The show closed with the new dirgy bass-heavy jam “The Decay of Lying” and the equally sludgy Houdini classic “Night Goat” before giving way to the new album’s closer “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” (Yes, THAT “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”).

As the satisfied crowd dispersed to the sounds of Ronnie James Dio singing his classic Sabbath tune “Neon Nights,” the steam rising from the worked-up crowd provided a visual metaphor for what this legendary band did to this little venue in the Syracuse art district.

September 3, 2016