NYS Music 20​16

Category: Genres

  • Fridays in April at Parish Public House, Presented by NYS Music

    NYS Music is proud to announce the lineup for Fridays in April at Parish Public House, one of Albany’s premier music venues with a taste of New Orleans infused throughout the beer selection, decor and menu.

    April 8 – The Deadbeats

    Playing the music of The Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Janis Joplin and so much more! The Deadbeats are based in New Paltz/Albany, NY, and have been one of the hardest working bands in the Northeast since their inception in 1993.  In all the years of playing together, they have amassed a large and loyal following of fans who appreciate the open ended, participatory nature of their performances. Along with a virtually inexhaustible repertoire of cover tunes, they have a considerable amount of original material. The Deadbeats are actually able to please most of the people most of the time. The Deadbeats play the first Friday of every month at the Parish Public House and every Wednesday night at The Low Beat.

    April 15 – Blind Owl Band

    Hailing from Saranac Lake, NY, in the heart of the Adirondack mountains, The Blind Owl Band has been creating what they call Freight Train String Music since 2010. And a freight train it truly is. Although the quartet’s sound is rooted in traditional stringed instruments (guitar, basses, banjo and mandolin), their music surges forward with the strength and power of a hundred-ton diesel locomotive. Songs barrel down the tracks with momentum and intensity normally found in much heavier, heavily amplified music. They’ve played on almost every festival east of the Mississippi and shared the stage with countless artists across all genres of the musical spectrum. Looking ahead into 2016, the band will begin recording their as-yet-untitled third full length album in early spring, with an eye toward a mid-summer release. This freight train has no one conductor but four shovel boys pushing the limits of their engine night after night, so climb aboard and get ready for a one-of-a-kind ride.

    April 22 – MOVE Music Festival

    The MOVE Music Festival is a Indian ledge Music Group production. The festival will consist of approximately 100 acts performing at venues across Albany, New York on April 22-24 2016. The main purpose of this event is to give exposure to regional talent through live performances at select venues and provide musicians with insight on how to conduct their careers in today’s independent music scene. Music starts at 6pm on Friday, April 22 with multiple bands performing throughout the evening. Check back for updates when the schedule is released.

    April 29 – Lord Electro

    Hailing from Albany, NY Lord Electro quickly emerged on the scene in 2015 with their organic high energy Live-Electro/trance music. This has proven to generate quite the dance party! After making a name for themselves with their first show at Bellstock 21 LE played a run of Summer and Fall dates in markets across NY and New England including opening for The New Deal in Saratoga, NY this past November. With experienced musicians Dan Gerken (Timbre Coup, Groovestick) and Steve Mink (Digital Dharma) behind the tones and the addition of Jordan “George” LeFleur on the drumkit this trio is a force to be reckoned with and a magnificent display of organic improv on the dance floor.

  • DATSIK Is Bringing His Robotic Funky Sounds Back To The Queen City

    Troy Beetles, the Canadian born DJ / Producer better known as DATSIK will be in the Queen City of Buffalo April 7th.

    datsik queenIf you were wondering where his stage name is derived from, it comes from his XBOX gamer tag. Since hitting the Dubstep scene in 2008 he has steadily been a force to be reckoned with. In 2009 alone he had 7 number one releases on Beatport. In 2012 his debut album Vitamin D was released. That same year he started his own record label, Firepower Records.

    DATSIK has collaborated with huge names in the music business such as The Crystal Method, Diplo, Jonathan Davis (Korn) and Method Man. He has performed with artists of the likes of Steve Aoki, Nero, Rusko, and Bassnectar. Datsik has played venues all across the world and at festivals such as EDC Las Vegas, Electric Zoo, Ultra Music Festival and Coachella. He will be bringing his self described dark, robotic, funky and gangster sounds to the Town Ballroom Thursday April 7th.

    Show starts at 8 and is sold out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpiuyFpYMFo

  • The New Mastersounds to Headline 3-Night Weekend at Brooklyn Bowl

    The New Mastersounds have a simple mission: create and share an ebullient energy with a receptive audience. They’ve been accomplishing this swimmingly with their bouncy, funky instrumental grooves for a decade. New York City will have its chance to get down New Mastersounds-style for three consecutive nights at Brooklyn Bowl on April 14-16.

    In the UK where there are no John Scofields or Galactics to create a rich jazz-funk jam tapestry, The New Mastersounds started out as a band filling that void with free reign. Nowadays they run widely in the US festival circuit and collaborate with Mike Dillon, Grace Potter, Maceo Parker and Art Neville. Their music is fast and relentlessly euphoric.

    The Saturday date at Brooklyn Bowl will also include an afternoon family show for all ages beginning at noon, in addition to the show that evening. The matinee appearance has become a tradition for the band over their last two appearances in Brooklyn. The New Mastersounds first appeared at the Bowl in 2010, and three-night runs have occurred there at least once yearly since 2013. New York funk fans are doubtless hungry to have them back.

    Brooklyn’s own Moon Hooch will support The New Mastersounds on Thursday, April 14. Their primitive dance music played in sax-sax-drums power trio format is sophisticated and provocative. In a league with other contemporary artists who blur the line between live acoustic performance and sleek electronica production, Moon Hooch have an unprecedented sound and an attitude that’s always carrying them into new musical territory. Aficionados will want to be there at 8 PM when they get the party started at Brooklyn Bowl, kicking off a three-night weekend with The New Mastersounds.

  • Thursdays at Funk n Waffles, Presented by NYS Music

    NYS Music is once again proud to host Thursday nights at Funk n Waffles in April. A stellar lineup of music is on tap across multiple genres.

    Thursday April 7 MISTER F and THE HEAVY PETS

    Formed in 2013 from members of Northeast regional acts Timbre Coup and Capital Zen, Mister F is an eclectic, high-energy 4-piece band that takes a no-holds-barred approach to blending genres while keeping your feet moving. The members of Mister F are no strangers to the music community.  Their first show on March 1, 2013 was so well-received that they’ve taken their show on the road to cities as far as Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA and are even performing with their previous bands at festivals such as Mountain Jam, Summer Camp, Camp Bisco, moe.down, and snoe.down.

    The Heavy Pets are an American rock band that blends rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, disco and reggae with rock & roll. Called “A living, breathing force of nature,” by Relix Magazine, the Pets are known for their soulful songcraft and powerhouse live performances. Riding high on the success of their most recent studio effort, Two Horses, look out for The Heavy Pets as they continue to hit the road hard.

    Thursday April 14 ROOT SHOCK and THE CORNERSTONE

    Formed in the winter of 2012 by regional veteran musicians, Root SHOCK blends roots reggae, dancehall, heavy drum & bass, and soulful vocals with conscious lyrics into positive dance music that will make you want to move!  Spearheaded by the stunning vocals of Jessica Brown, the band has been surprising and delighting crowds across the Central New York region and beyond with their unique high-energy style. Root SHOCK’s love of reggae music flows deep.  The band’s dedication to spreading music with a positive message has paid off in entertaining, elevating, and energizing music lovers of all walks of life in a wide range of settings!

    Root SHOCK will be anchoring a monthly Syracuse reggae night designed to bring the best and most diverse acts that modern reggae has to offer to the area. They’re not stopping there, though; Root SHOCK recording their first studio album and are set to hit the road to spread their uplifting message and vibes and take their renowned live performances to the masses!

    Fronted by lead singer, songwriter, rhythm guitarist Jackson Wetherbee, The Cornerstone is a Reggae, Rock, Funk band hailing from the South Shore of Boston, Massachusetts. The band also features musicians formerly of The Aldous Collins Band and Last Call, two New England Music Award winning bands. Their sound is similar to that of Spiritual Rez, UB40, The Police, Sublime and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They put on a fun, energetic show where crowds dance, groove, and sing along to their tunes.

    Thursday April 21 SPIRITUAL REZ and GRAYAK

    With their latest release, Apocalypse Whenever, Boston’s beloved reggae-rock funkateers Spiritual Rez deliver their most triumphant musical offering yet. Produced by lead singer Toft Willingham, co-produced by bassist Jesse Shaternick, and mastered by legendary engineer Howie Weinberg (Ramones, Beastie Boys, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers), the 14-track collection of infectious anthems is chock-full of rollicking guitar riffs, ocean-bathed melodies, swagger-centric basslines, crisp soaring horns, and ska-infused jam sections that have come to define Rez’s progressive signature sound. While their groove is primarily rooted in rock, reggae, and funk traditions, the septet draws stylistic influence from nearly every musical movement of the 20th century. Over the past nine years, Rez has tirelessly toured the country ten times over, cemented their status as a consistent festival favorite, and honed their exhilarating live show into an incomparable, unabashed musical extravaganza. They have shared the stage with artistic visionaries including Toots and the Maytals, Rubblebucket, Gogol Bordello, the Dirty Heads, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Jimmy Buffett, and Bernie Worrell. Evoking their personal power animals, they fearlessly forge into a bold new chapter of their epic musical journey and prepare to hit the road for a nationwide tour once more….

    Thursday April 28 JERRY JOSEPH AND THE JACKMORMONS

    Joseph is a prolific and accomplished songwriter who has written hits for Widespread Panic. He has released 30 albums in his more than 30 year career, not only as a solo artist, but also with the Jackmormons, supergroup Stockholm Syndrome, his burning two-piece The Denmark Veseys, and with his beloved 80s cult band, Little Women.  Playing over 150 shows around the globe a year, Joseph is a relentless live performer.  He has toured with Vic Chesnutt, Chris Whitley and Walter Salas-Humara, just to name a few. Not only has he toured Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast with the Jackmormons, but also solo through Nicaragua, Mexico, south-east Asia, Israel, Nepal, Lebanon, and the bulk of Europe.  Most recently he volunteered as a rock school music teacher in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over the years, Joseph and his Jackmormons have shown a penchant for picking a spot on a map, taking over a town, and putting on a festival. Last year, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons released a live concert DVD, Nicaragua, recorded over three nights just outside of Rivas, Nicaragua. Joseph was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in October 2015. He will be touring in Mexico, Australia and New Zealand this Winter and Spring in addition to the States. Check the Jackmormons’ web site for tour dates.

  • Country Music Mourns Legendary Star, Merle Haggard

    On April 6, 2016, the country music world lost one of the truly great trail blazing musicians of our generation. Born exactly 79 years previously to the date, Haggard was raised by a his widowed mother in a small town outside of Bakersfield, California in a boxcar that had been converted into their home.

    The young Haggard found himself in and out of trouble and juvenile detention homes for much of his young life, until he finally landed himself in Folsom Prison, where his experiences there would map out his future destiny.

    merle haggardMusic first became a part of his life when he was given a hand me down guitar by his brother.  The self taught Haggard never considered it anything but a hobby until at at Lefty Frizzle concert, Lefty overheard Haggard singing along to some music and insisted that he take to the stage to sing before he went on.  Liking the experience he decided to take up music as a career finding himself playing at local night spots. Not enough to make ends meet, Haggard once again found himself in trouble with the law.  It was the stint at Folsom that he made two life changing decisions; to clean up his act, and after seeing Johnny Cash perform at Folsom, to make music his focus instead of trouble.

    The timing of Haggard’s release from Folsom coincided with the new country music movement happening in the Bakersfield area.  Tired of the orchestrated sound Nashville was churning out, a new sound with an upbeat tempo, electrified guitars, and newly emerging rock and roll together with the tried and true sound of swing music, created a new country sound; that we now consider the Bakersfield Country sound. Considered to be one of the founders of this sound during that time, Merle Haggard carved out a niche that fit him perfectly.  Not too formal, a little bit rowdy, and a lot of bit energetic, this country  musician began working with some of today most revered country musicians.

    Known for thirty eight number one songs, this decorated musician’s style was a bit in your face at the time.  His songwriting skills and ability to play multiple instruments just added to his charm.  One of his most loved songs would be “Okie from Muskogee.”  Written as a satirical jibe at students who were protesting against the war, Haggard felt compelled to tell them how it was.  The tongue in cheek lyrics, set the tone and image we all knew and grew to love.  His ability to deliver music penetrated you with a stare and bad boy image liking him to the James Dean of country music.

    The group of musicians Haggard became associated with included Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, and so many greats too numerous to mention. Their shenangigans were widely followed, and their music just as loved as their outgoing personalities.   Forever known as Poncho and Lefty, Haggard and Willie Nelson will always be considered two peas in a pod.

    Gathering award after award, not only by himself, but also as a collaborator, Merle Haggard continued to sing up until right before he passed. His music and style influenced so many of today’s artists and can be heard in references throughout so many songs. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, recipient of numerous Country Music Association awards, Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Haggard was continuously recognized for his contributions to country music.  Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 1994, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977, and a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010, it was all in a days work to Haggard.

    Married several times, it was later in life that Haggard was able to settle down and enjoy life as it should be.  Leaving a legacy of six children, it was his role as a father that touched me the most.  In an interview I saw recently on AXS TV, Dan Rather interviews Merle Haggard and gives the viewer a peek of his personality.  I can recall thinking to myself at the time, boy I wish I could meet him and cover one of his shows.  Yes, he was an amazing musician, but what an interesting person he was, and I so wanted to learn more about him.  This weekend Merle Haggard The Big Interview with Dan Rather on AXS TV will once again air.  Please check your local listings and watch.  It will be there you see the man behind the image, the man behind the music, and see he was an amazing man.

     This peek inside of Merle Haggard’s life, has been shared by his youngest son, Ben Haggard throughout the years.  It was in a recent post on Instagram I was notified of Haggard’s passing.  As I scrolled through Ben’s photos, I noticed one of Haggard that was really a cool black and white.  As I opened it, it was this quote that spoke volumes. What would be his final Father’s Day together, his son Ben, posted this message last year to his father on  Instagram.
    “Everyone thinks you know him, and in a lot of way you do through his music, cause it’s honest.  But I’ve seen a different side, a father.  He has been the best dad anyone could ask for… has shared the gift of music, what love should be, ..how to be a friend, and (how to) keep your word…I love you Dad, Happy Father’s Day”.

    The love and respect they shared shone bright.  If the family had the opportunity to share about their father, husband, brother, etc. I’m sure it would be about the man he was, as the music was a given, it was the man he grew to be that made Merle Haggard a true legend and loved worldwide.

    A photo posted by Ben Haggard (@benhaggard) on

  • Hearing Aide: David Gilmour ‘Rattle That Lock’

    In the former Pink Floyd guitarist’s recent solo release Rattle That Lock, David Gilmour, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, continues on his journey of exploring his own sound and style without confining himself within boundaries.

    rattle that lockPrior to Rattle That Lock, Gilmour’s previous solo release On An Island was released almost a decade earlier in 2006. In the span of that near decade, terminal frost glazed over Pink Floyd’s wind-swept field as the band sealed its continuance with the concluding release, The Endless River.

    In the later years of Pink Floyd after Roger Waters left, it was Gilmour’s creative bounty that gave the band a generationally different sound from its psychedelic roots, a trait that progressed all the way from A Momentary Lapse of Reason to the final song on The Endless River, “Louder Than Words.”

    After Pink Floyd’s The Endless River set an incredibly high bar for future work from the PF family, one might expect Rattle That Lock to be a sort of continuance of that album. Instead, Gilmour crouches beneath the eminence of Pink Floyd’s shuttered doors and reaches his hand back to On An Island, met by a hand reaching back from the shadows.

    Though a significant portion of Rattle That Lock is exploratory in nature, Gilmour gives us three tracks whose sound can be traced back to Pink Floyd’s Momentary Lapse of Reason, the first post-Waters album where he took the forefront of the creative body. The title track “Rattle That Lock” has a clever premise behind the music, where Gilmour turns a jingle heard in the mass transit system in France into a strong beat rock groove.  “In Any Tongue” takes the ballad form similar to “On The Turning Away,” with an orchestration that embosses an added beauty to that sound. “Today” shares some elements of Momentary Lapse of Reason, though resounds more with 80s rock brightness heard on Gilmour’s solo 1984 release About Face.

    The album commences with Gilmour asserting his ethereal guitar sound blended with a simple acoustic harmony, essentially translating his name through his guitar from the start. From there, Rattle That Lock does not follow a story line per se but has a clear structure as Gilmour weaves in and around exploring different musical elements anchored by his inimitable sound and intrinsic ability to compose and navigate the fretboard in all of the landscapes on the album. Just as it starts, Gilmour concludes the album with an instrumental précis that captures the essence of his renowned performance.

    With Gilmour’s exploration on Rattle That Lock, the album features a few welcome surprises, though perhaps consternations to some. He incorporates jazz in a couple of spots including interludes on “Dancing Right In Front Of Me” and the jazz combo setting of “The Girl In The Yellow Dress,” along with an overall mellower tone than in previous recordings. Reading through the liner notes, it is easy to grin a bit as the cast of guest musicians reveals itself. David Crosby and Graham Nash, who also sang on On An Island make a return, and Gabriel Gilmour (David’s son), Jools Holland, and Roger Eno (brother of Brian Eno) all contribute piano parts. His touring band also includes many of the studio musicians who recorded with Gilmour on this album.

    One striking moment on the album is when Roger Eno’s separated piano chords introduce “A Boat Lies Waiting” before Gilmour layers his guitar on top. With the theme of The Endless River still firmly planted in mind, the recognition of this song as a veneration to the late Rick Wright is almost instantaneous. In today’s multimedia setting, Gilmour has released several music videos on his YouTube channel to accompany the album, including “Faces of Stone,” “Rattle That Lock,” “In Any Tongue,” “Today,” and “The Girl In The Yellow Dress.”

    Complimenting the music are the lyrics penned mostly by Gilmour’s wife Polly Samson. Most notably, the powerful “In Any Tongue” prods at hearstrings with a blunt perspective and conflict of a soldier – no sugar is enough to bring sweetness to his cup / I know sorrow tastes the same on any tongue. Gilmour’s lyrical writing on a few of the songs complements Samson’s well and is as fluid and lucid as the music itself.

    Rattle That Lock diverges from the standards and expectations set by Pink Floyd’s final years as Gilmour greets an old friend and picks up where two left off those several years ago. It may take more than one listen to settle in but with more consideration beyond just one listen Rattle That Lock strikes a deep chord of appreciation for the music. But, it is not a bad thing that more than one listen might be required. It shows that Gilmour has done something noteworthy with Rattle That Lock: he has invoked us to think about the music just a little bit more.

    Key Tracks: Rattle That Lock, In Any Tongue, The Girl In The Yellow Dress

    Be sure to catch Gilmour’s final North American tour stops this weekend in New York City and follow NYS Music for a review of his performances. He is at Radio City Music Hall Sunday April 10 and at Madison Square Garden Monday and Tuesday April 11/12.

  • Spring Fling Tour Invades Rochester’s Armory

    When you work up a sweat at a show, you know you’ve had a good time. The Easter eve stop of the Spring Fling tour at Rochester’s Main Street Armory made sure the 6500 in attendance did just that. The package tour, headlined by Bowling Green, KY natives, Cage the Elephant along with Silversun Pickups, Foals and Bear Hands, may become one of those hallmark tours mentioned years from now. This show puts together four perfectly complementing artists, all proving the state of rock and roll is alive and quite well, thank you.

    https://youtu.be/uBeohY2O2PA

    Headliners Cage the Elephant had the sold out crowd eating out of their hands from the opening notes of “Cry Baby.” Lead singer Matt Schultz’s stage presence evokes the spirit of peak Iggy Pop or Mick Jagger. Shortly into the set, his red sport coat and shirt were shed and audience members were surfing the crowd. This is the band the young crowd was here to see and a band sure to make waves in the mainstream if its current live show is any indication.

    Like many great bands, Cage the Elephant is best heard in a live setting. Shultz commands your attention and the band is top notch. Particularly impressive was the interaction the audience had with the band during its performance. For an “indie” band, Cage the Elephant surely engages the masses. This was particularly exhibited during Cage’s “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” from their 2008 debut. Fans held their hands high in the air while singing along while others made attempts to surf the crowd.

    Spring Fling TourCage had tough acts to follow on this night. The earlier bands on the bill all delivered solid performances. Veteran Los Angelinos, Silversun Pickups could very well have been the headliners on this tour. The Pickups have been indie rock stalwarts since their debut Carnavas in 2006. Lead singer Brian Aubert and bassist Nikki Monninger have an onstage chemistry akin to an older brother and younger sister. Aubert introduced the new song “Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)” as Monninger’s first foray into lead vocals. She responded as being nervous putting herself out there but performed the song beautifully, winning over the audience. The Pickups set ended with a raucous version of their first charting song, “Lazy Eye.” Aubert’s vocal were hardly necessary as the crowd sang along word for word. It was a solid ending to a solid performance by one of indie rock’s most versatile bands.

    Foals performed early, and while still working to win over the American public, they made it known that they wouldn’t be an opening act for long in the states. These Brits performed a set reminiscent of Joy Division meets the Clash. Lead vocalist Yannis Philippakis has a manic stage presence that makes you take notice. Foals will be making their presence known to the American mainstream in short order.

    Brooklyn-based band Bear Hands opened the night. Out of the four bands on the bill, Bear Hands were the most indie of the bunch. Several times throughout the brief yet energetic set, one could imagine Interpol or the Smiths onstage. But Bear Hands absolutely proved their worth on this bill of indie heavyweights. We’ll be hearing more from this band in the future.

    The Spring Fling tour has wrapped but Cage the Elephant is continuing to tour. Upcoming in New York is a date with Portugal, the Man and Broncho at the Times Union Center in Albany on May 11. You can also catch them at Summerstge in Central Park on May 16 and 17.

  • Hearing Aide: The Heroic Enthusiasts “Memory Wheel”

    Rochester’s self-described “new wave influenced indie-pop” group The Heroic Enthusiasts have spun their new EP Memory Wheel and landed on a unique combination of musical genres.

    album

    Released in February 2016 on Jam Tom Music, the guitar-heavy tracks combined with lyrics delivered with a slight English accent put off a progressive rock vibe with a slight 1980’s tone. That’s no surprise as the group is led by James Tabbi and Tom Ferrara on vocals and guitar, both of whom are math majors and music lovers of Sicilian descent.

    Tabbi and Ferrara have weaved intricate guitar stylings and open-for-interpretation lyrics into a soundtrack reflective of the tangled melodies of track 2, Falling of the Drop, which runs the gamut of emotions from a sense of foreboding to a feeling of release, a reminder that through music we we truly are “all one.”

    “Suspended, connected, singularity of thought, the falling of the drop. In silent reflection, more powerful than fear, the falling of the drop.”

    The lyrics in track 4 Broken Liquid could be about anything from broken friendships, regrets, love or loss.

    “We say we’re friends but never can speak again. Leftover thoughts, discarded with broken plans. Isn’t this how it always ends”

    The Heroic Enthusiasts (3), photo credit Jason Wilder

    Professionals by day, Tabbi and Ferrara started playing together performing covers, but soon realized they wanted to write their own songs. They’ve since recorded eleven songs as The Heroic Enthusiasts since 2013, four of which are featured on their first EP Memory Wheel, also featuring Dexter Redic on bass and Mike James on drums. The album is worth taking a spin, especially for those who enjoy a methodical and progressive approach to music.

  • Wyclef Jean Takes on the Brooklyn Bowl, NY

    Grammy winning artist Wyclef Jean brought the house down Tuesday night during his second performance at the Brooklyn Bowl.  His DJ bumped the beats as Wyclef freestyled his way onto the stage mic in hand rhyming about Brooklyn, Haiti, politics and music…and even gave a shout out to the girl with the camera in the front row (that would be me!)  He wowed the crowd with eccentric dance moves, multiple costume changes, instrument maneuvers, and guitar rifts with his teeth.

    wyclef jean brooklyn bowlThe Bowl was energized from the moment Wyclef set foot on the stage. Cell phone cameras were in the air the entire night and fans were dancing in the bowling lanes as he weaved his way through tracks like “911” and “Hips Don’t Lie.”  During his new single “My Girl” with Sasha Mari, over 100 multi-colored flashing foam glow sticks were thrown into the crowd and fans from the front row were pulled onto the stage to dance with Clef and his backup dancers from Studio L Dance Co.  A fan favorite, “Killing Me Softly” was performed by Canadian jazz, pop, and soul singer Nikki Yanofsky, whose big voice filled the room over the sound of the crowd belting out of the lyrics with her.  Another special moment of the evening came when Wyclef welcomed his sister Melky onto the stage to perform a super soulful version of Leela James’ song “A Change is Gonna Come.”

    wyclef jean brooklyn bowlIt is evident why the Brooklyn Bowl added a second Wyclef show to their schedule.  He is a passionate performer who lights up a room with his talents.  He remains relevant to his fans and is always looking for the next big thing.  Be sure to keep your eyes out for his new album Carnival III which is expected to release mid-September.

  • Metal Allegiance All-Star Lineup Jams In Rochester

    Friday night was the ultimate jam night at the Montage Music Hall in Rochester, NY. The all-star lineup known as Metal Allegiance stopped in town on April 1st to give metal fans a night to remember. The band is made up of the best of the best when it comes to metal musicians. Metal Allegiance features current and past members of bands such as Testament, Dream Theater, Death Angel, Guns N’ Roses and more.

    Taking over vocal duties for the evening were Chuck Billy of Testament and Mark Osegueda of Death Angel. Together these guys ripped through a setlist that consisted of both metal classics and original songs. The guitars for the evening were provided by Chuck Billy’s bandmate in Testament Alex Skolnick and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, who was, until recently, a member of Guns N’ Roses. On drums for the evening was Mike Portnoy, who has been a member of Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold. Finishing off the lineup on bass was Mark Menghi, the founder of Metal Allegiance.

    Even though attendance at the Montage Music Hall was low, the band didn’t seem to care. Mark Osegueda made it clear throughout the night that these guys were out on the road to celebrate heavy metal music and have fun. The celebration of metal started with a cover of “Electric Eye” by Judas Priest featuring Osegueda on vocals. Next up were two Iron Maiden covers that the crowd instantly got into. Chuck Billy took the vocals for “Wrathchild” and it was incredible to hear him do more Iron Maiden. The cover of “Powerslave” featured on Testament’s last studio album was a personal favorite.

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    The night wasn’t all covers for Metal Allegiance. In 2015, Metal Allegiance penned a deal with Nuclear Blast to release a full-length album of original material. The self-titled album featured a who’s-who from the metal scene, including David Ellefson of Megadeth, Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer, Randy Blythe of Lamb of God and many others. The deluxe edition of the album included one cover of the Dio song “We Rock” that included Chris Jericho, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Phil Demmel, Mike Portnoy, Alex Skolnick, Mark Osegueda and more. With the core of Metal Allegiance in Rochester on Saturday, the group ripped through originals “Can’t Kill The Devil”, “Dying Song” and “Pledge of Allegiance”. These three songs mixed right in with the covers and definitely showed these all-stars are capable of anything.

    Wrapping up the second half of the night were covers of Black Sabbath, Kiss, Van Halen, AC/DC, Motörhead and Metallica. While Skolnick took out his inner Eddie Van Halen, Bumblefoot took a break to watch him make Eddie’s work seem easy. Skolnick also rocked a Gibson SG similar to Tony Iommi’s for the Black Sabbath tunes.

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    It’s unfortunate that Rochester couldn’t draw more fans for an awesome Friday night show. This Metal Allegiance all-star lineup probably won’t be back in the area anytime soon because of the difficulties in working around everyone’s schedules. For those who did make the show, they witnessed some of the absolute best cover the absolute best along with some awesome original tunes.

    To keep up to date with tour dates and new releases, check out the Metal Allegiance Facebook Page and Official Website.

    Setlist:

    Electric Eye (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Ides of March

    Wrathchild (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Can’t Kill The Devil (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Fast As A Shark (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Balls To The Wall (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Heaven & Hell (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Creeping Death (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Territory (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Dying Song (Vocals: Mark Osegueda and Chuck Billy)

    Pledge Of Allegiance (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Lord Of This World (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Into The Void (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    God Of Thunder (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Running With The Devil (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Eruption

    Whole Lotta Rosie (Vocals: Mark Osegueda)

    Iron Fist (Vocals: Chuck Billy)

    Seek And Destroy (Vocals: Mark Osegueda and Chuck Billy)

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