NYS Music 20​16

Category: News

  • Good Vibrations: Brian Wilson Breezes Into Syracuse This Summer

    This summer, the famed Beach Boys leader, Brian Wilson, breezes into Syracuse for a good vibrations performance at the Great New York State Fair. The legendary songwriter’s tour stop in Central New York is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the group’s iconic 1966 album, Pet Sounds, in which Wilson will perform in its entirety at Chevy Court on Aug. 29.

    Good Vibrations Brian Wilson A follow-up to 1965’s The Beach Boys Today! Wilson’s Pet Sounds became his masterpiece, and at the time, it was one of the most expensive albums produced, at a cost of more than $70,000. Although the album was not as commercially successful in the United States as it was in the United Kingdom, it is now considered to be one of the most influential, and first experimental, concept albums. The 36-minute psychedelic surf rock record — inspired by the Beatles’ Rubber Soul — moved the group from on-the-surface lyrics of girls, cars and California living to a more introspective side. On revisiting the album, Wilson, 73, told the Nottingham Post, “It was a happy time in my life. I was young and creative, and it brings back a lot of good memories for me.”

    On June 10, Capitol Records released a 50th anniversary collector’s edition of Pet Sounds that features a four CD/Blu-ray audio versions in a hardbound book and 180-gram vinyl editions in both mono and stereo, plus session outtakes, alternate mixes and unreleased live recordings. Touring in support of it, Wilson will be joined by former bandmates Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin to recreate the Beach Boys’ 11th studio album that features popular songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “Sloop John B” and “Caroline, No.” (Listen to the full album here.) Tour dates during this anniversary run also include stops at the Ottawa Jazz Festival on July 3, Toronto on July 4, Burlington, VT, on July 6, New York City’s Beacon Theater on Sept. 24 and at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on Sept. 28. The Chevy Court concert is set for Mon., Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.; the show is free with admission to the fair.

    According to Syracuse.com, Troy Waffner, acting fair director, dubbed the concert as a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” adding that, “this will be a magical night for fans of that band and album, but also a great night for others to discover some of the most important music of its time.”

  • Medeski Martin Wood Plan 25th Anniversary in New York City

    Although the jazz-funk fusion trio has been silent for bit, Medeski Martin and Wood recently announced the release of a new record this fall, followed by the news that the band would celebrate its 25th anniversary with two shows in New York City in October.

    MMW 25th anniversary

    After performances at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (July 22) and in Esslingen, Germany, (Sept. 2), John Medeski (keyboards), Billy Martin (drums) and Chris Wood (bass) will regroup for two nights at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. The Bleecker Street venue currently rests on the site of the old Village Gate where MMW played their first show together. The anniversary concerts are set for Oct. 19 and 20; special guests are soon to be added to the bill.

    As reported by Jambase, the news that MMW was back in the studio at work on a new album came from a Tweet by drummer Billy Martin:

    MMW dropped their debut album Notes From the Underground in 1992, and the group’s last release Free Magic came out in 2012 via the band’s label Indirecto Records. In 2011, MMW recorded brand new tracks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their musical journey together, and aptly named the compilation 20. This fall, the three-piece is releasing a collaborative recording with the 20-member ensemble Alarm Will Sound.

    Tickets for the quarter-century celebration — both single-day and two-night offerings — went on sale at noon today through the venue’s website.

  • Aqueous Announces New Drummer

    Buffalo groove rockers Aqueous announced they have ended their search for a drummer. After months of video submissions and touring auditions, the band announced via their Facebook page that Cincinnati native Rob Houk will solidify the quartet’s lineup.

    The official statement hit just as the band looks to hit the road with a strong summer festival touring schedule.

    aqueous new drummer

    ANNOUNCEMENT- We’d like to take a minute today and officially welcome the truly amazing Rob Houk to the Aqueous family as a full time member/drummer! We searched high and low to find the right fit, and not only is Rob an incredible musician that we all connected with immediately, but he’s also THE RADDEST dude- As many of you already know from having caught recent AQ sets with him behind the kit, this guy is the real deal, and we’re all feeling super inspired by what he’s brought to the table- get ready friends, big things coming. Welcome Rob!

    On the other side of the coin, we’d like to sincerely thank ALL of the wonderful drummers who put in time and effort submitting great applications and specifically thank those who helped fill the spot temporarily and keep AQ going while we figured it all out, we deeply appreciate how much work everyone put in and means so much- THANK YOU! Onward.

    Aqueous announced in December 2015 that they were looking for a new drummer.  The band made the decision to not only make the search public, but to also extend the search nationally. Houk told NYS Music that he learned of the band’s search quickly via Facebook. “The day they announced it, that was all I saw on my news feed. There’s a ton of AQ [Aqueous]  fans in Cincinnati, so all of my friends were posting about it.”

    A few weeks after a video audition,  the band met with Houk. After that audition proved to be a success, the band gave Houk the opportunity to play with them at the Original Mother’s in Chicago on March 24. That led to Houk sitting in with the band as they hit the road in Colorado and the Midwest at the beginning of April.

    Aqueous and Houk made their way back to Buffalo on April 9, where Houk got to experience playing with the band in their hometown, an experience Houk said he enjoyed.

    The energy of that room was something I had never felt before honestly. The amount of love the city of Buffalo has for AQ is something really special. In was truly an honor to play for a crowd of people that care so much about the band. I immediately felt at home.

    Houk has a variety of musical experience behind the kit, spending time in bands spanning a variety of genres including punk and hip-hop. He is also the resident studio drummer Colemine Records, a funk and soul label based out of Loveland, Ohio. He recently played with the Cincinnati based livetronica band Ethosine.

    Among his favorite bands of all time, Houk notes a list of artists, some of which Aqueous has shared the stage with. “Some of my favorite bands of all time are Umphrey’s McGee, Dopapod, Papadosio, Ween… There’s a long list. I try to find influence in everything I listen to.”

    Houk will play his first show as the band’s official drummer in Buffalo this Wednesday when hometown fans of Aqueous can catch the band play a free show at Buffalo’s Larkin Square. The band has already kicked off the summer with festival spots at Summer Camp, Domefest and the Paradise Music Festival. You can check out Aqueous with Houk behind the kit this summer at Electric Forest, Peach Fest and Disc Jam as well as Western New York-area festivals including Buffalove and Night Lights Festival.

  • Songs at Mirror Lake Music Lineup Features Anders Osborn, Elephant Revival

    Songs at Mirror Lake returns this summer to Mid’s Park in Lake Placid for its 11th season of free music, featuring a lineup of national acts like Anders Osborn and Elephant Revival.Songs at Mirror Lake Lineup

    Songs at Mirror Lakeis sponsored by The Pines Inn and presented by Adirondack “By Owner.” The free music series has been bringing nationally known acts to Lake Placid for 11 years to Mid’s Park on Main Street, right on the shore of Mirror Lake. As in the past, each of the seven nights of music have a different theme. The concerts are held at the new band shell rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy the music in the park.

    The Pines Inn is a local historic hotel within walking distance of all Main Street in Lake Placid has to offer. Adirondack “By Owner” is a website featuring over 1,000 listings of vacation rentals, properties for sale and timeshares available all by owner.

    Songs at Mirror Lake runs for seven consecutive Tuesdays June 28 through August 9. All concerts start at 7 p.m.

    Songs at Mirror Lake Summer 2016 Lineup

    June 28: Blues Night with Popa Chubby
    July 5: The Band Night with The Weight
    July 12: Local Jam Night with Annie in the Water
    July 19: Americana Night with Elephant Revival
    July 26: Reggae Night with Junior Marvin’s Wailers
    August 2: New Orleans Boogie Night with Marcia Ball
    August 9: Rock Night with Anders Osborne

  • Prophets of Rage Announce Full U.S. Tour

    Prophets of Rage, consisting of members of Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy, will head out on a full tour of the U.S. starting mid-August in Virginia and closing out in October in California. The tour includes two stops in New York on Aug. 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Aug. 28 at Jones Beach.

    por-performance

    Prophets of Rage tour dates:
    Aug. 19 – Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
    Aug. 20 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
    Aug. 21 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
    Aug. 23 – Hartford, CT @ The Xfinity Theatre
    Aug. 24 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
    Aug. 26 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
    Aug. 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
    Aug. 28 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
    Aug. 30 – Noblesville, IN @ Klipsch Music Center
    Aug. 31 – Burgettstown, PA @ First Niagra Pavilion
    Sept. 1 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
    Sept. 3 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Sept. 4 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Sept. 5 – Kansas City, MO @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
    Sept. 7 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Sept. 10 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
    Sept. 11 – Ridgefield, WA @ Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre
    Sept. 13 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
    Sept. 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
    Sept. 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
    Sept. 25 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion
    Sept. 27 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
    Sept. 29 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
    Oct. 1 – Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Oct. 2 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater
    Oct. 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
    Oct. 5 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
    Oct. 7 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
    Oct. 8 – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
    Oct. 9 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
    Oct. 11 – El Paso, TX @ El Paso County Coliseum
    Oct. 12 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheatre
    Oct. 14 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Event Center
    Oct. 16 – Chula Vista, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre

    Original post:

    The rumored reunion of Rage Against the Machine is here. Prophets of Rage play tonight at Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles.

    POR-SQ

    While not quite a reunion of Rage Against the Machine, Prophets of Rage consists of Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine; Chuck D and DJ Lord of Public Enemy; and B-Real of Cypress Hill.

    In a press release, the band said:

    We can no longer stand on the sidelines of history. Dangerous times demand dangerous songs. It’s time to take the power back. It’s time to make America RAGE again.

    The six musicians will join forces for a show at Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles tonight at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ[/embedyt]

  • Tragically Hip Frontman Diagnosed with Brain Cancer

    Charismatic Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has brain cancer. The news was shared on the band’s website early Tuesday morning. A press conference with more details, is scheduled to be held at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto at 11 a.m.

    Tragically Hip CancerDespite the devastating news, the iconic Canadian band still plans to tour one more time this summer. In the statement, band members said:

    This feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord, and for all of us. What we in The Hip receive, each time we play together, is a connection; with each other; with music and it’s magic; and during the shows, a special connection with all of you, our incredible fans.

    Further details on the tour should be released later in the week.

    According to the announcement, the 52 year-old Downie, who has four kids and is married to Laura Leigh Usher, was diagnosed in December. The band continues, “Since then, obviously, he’s endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard. In privacy along with his family, and through all of this, we’ve been standing by him.”

    The Tragically Hip can trace its origins to the Kingston, Ontario bar scene in 1983. Downie, along with drummer Johnny Fay, bassist Gord Sinclair and guitarists Rob Baker and Paul Langlois, has served as a Canadian ambassador since the band’s breakout single “New Orleans is Sinking” in 1989, a song that, throughout the years, has served as Downie’s laboratory for improvisation.

    While the band never did break it big in the United States, cities along and near the Canadian border have been frequent tour stops for the 14-time Juno Award-winning band. The Hip’s trio of albums in the mid-’90s (Road Apples, Fully Completely and Day For Night) cemented the band’s status as Canadian royalty.

    Downie has not only been one of the most charismatic frontmen in rock and roll for almost 30 years, he’s also been a mentor to many Canadian artists. On the band’s lone live album, Live Between Us, Downie introduces the song “Grace, Too” by thanking the opening act: “This one is for the Rheostatics. We are all richer for having seen them tonight.” That hat tip from Downie exposed the Rheostatics to thousands of people who had otherwise not heard of them. This gesture is the epitome of Gord Downie.

    https://twitter.com/annetdonahue/status/735092272707035136

    The band is set to release its 14th studio album, Man Machine Poem, through Universal Canada on June 14. Two singles have been released thus far with titles that may have foreshadowed today’s announcement,”Tired as Fuck” and “In a World Possessed by the Human Mind.”

    Tragically Hip performed in Canandaigua last July 4, playing its Fully Completely album fully and completely.

    Click through below and turn up the volume for the Hip’s Woodstock ’99 performance of “Courage (For Hugh MacLennan)”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuRh6zLOVH4

  • Bands on the Bricks at Rochester Public Market Reveals 2016 Lineup

    Bands on the Bricks is back for summer 2016 at Rochester’s Public Market. The free Friday evening concert series kicks off at the Union Street location on July 8, and this year’s lineup includes Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Donna the Buffalo, Turkuaz and Aqueous, among others.

    The concert series welcomes July with an opening evening show dubbed Latino Night, created in partnership with the local Puerto Rican Festival, followed by Three Heads Brewing Night on July 15 with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Rochester’s own Suburban Plaza. July 22 is the Food Truck BBQ Contest for the Rohrbach Brewing Company Night with Cats Under the Stars: A Jerry Garcia Band Tribute and Flour City’s Subsoil, before Donna the Buffalo headlines on July 29 and Turkuaz with the Buffalo-based rock group Aqueous on Aug. 5.

    Bands On the Bricks takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday starting July 8 and ending Aug. 5 at the City of Rochester’s Public Market — seating is limited, so don’t forget your folding chair. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and remember, no shoes, no shirt, no entry.

    Bands on the Bricks summer concert series 2016:

    7/8 – Latino Night in partnership with the Puerto Rican Festival of Rochester, Inc.
    7/15 – Three Heads Brewing Night with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Suburban Plaza
    7/22 – Food Truck BBQ Contest Night with Cats Under The Stars: Tribute to Jerry Garcia Band and Subsoil
    7/29 – Donna the Buffalo
    8/5 – Turkuaz with special guest Aqueous

  • Supergroup Saudade Led By Deftones Frontman

    Deftones frontman Chino Moreno is next in line to get involved in a supergroup. Moreno, who has also been involved with other side projects like Crosses, Palms and Team Sleep, will now front the supergroup Saudade. Saudade will also feature Bad Brains guitarist Dr. Know, former Bad Brains and current Cro-Mags drummer Maxwell “Mackie” Jayson, jazz keyboardist John Medeski and Moreno’s Crosses/Team Sleep bandmate bassist Chuck Doom.

    Deftones and Incubus-4054

    The band released their first single, also titled “Saudade.” The track is a four-minute-and-some-change instrumental that can be downloaded for free through BitTorrent Bundle. Curious music fans can also unlock the music video by sharing an email address.

    Moreno started his music career when he formed the Deftones in 1988 with high school friends Abe Cunningham (drums) and Stephen Carpenter (guitar). Moreno has seen some highs and lows during his career. In 2001, Moreno and the Deftones won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance for their song “Elite,” off the band’s certified platinum third studio album White Pony.

    In that same year, Moreno suffered inflammation on his right vocal cord and partial paralysis of the left vocal cord while on tour with Godsmack. Against doctor’s orders, Moreno sang the softer melodies of the lyrics while bassist Chi Cheng performed the screaming parts of each song so the band didn’t have to cancel the remaining shows on the tour.

    In November 2008, while working on what would’ve been the Deftones sixth studio album titled Eros, bassist Chi Cheng was severely injured in an automobile accident, leaving him in a partially conscious state until his death more than four years later in April 2013. To this date, the band has no desire to finish the album.

    The Deftones would later recruit Sergio Vega to replace Cheng on bass and release the album Diamond Eyes in 2010.

    https://youtu.be/nAi-J49LqPM

  • Once at Proctors Captivates with Enchanting Music and Love Story

    Think about the first time you heard your favorite band. Remember that feeling when you discovered the way that certain music changes you? Well, that’s the feeling you’ll get again after seeing Once at Proctors.

    Once is a musical like no other. You’ll be transported to Ireland – the only set is an intimate Dublin bar that transforms into a music store, a home, a bank, and a music studio just with lighting and the changing of tables and chairs. Most unique about the show is that the actors double as the orchestra, all of them singing and playing their own instruments on stage.

    It’s the story of Guy, an Irish street musician and vacuum-cleaner repairman, who is still overcoming a tough breakup. We meet him when he is ready to give up on his music career, until Girl, a Czech singer-pianist, comes along. They begin making music together and quickly change each other’s lives.

    Theatre-goers are invited to enjoy the real on-stage bar before the show, and, unlike any Broadway show I’ve seen before, most of the cast comes out about 15 minutes before the show for a jam session. From the very first note, it sets the captivating atmosphere of the evening and reminds you that this isn’t your normal Broadway show.

    once the broadway musical

    The house lights didn’t even begin to dim when Sam Cieri, who plays Guy, began the first song of the night, LEAVE. But you become so enveloped in Cieri’s unique voice and the power he puts behind the music, that you don’t even notice when the lights finally go out.

    Mackenzie Lesser-Boy, who plays Girl, makes you fall in love with her immediately with her charm and quirky personality. Her chemistry with Cieri is so strong you’ll catch yourself leaning forward in your seat waiting for a kiss between the two.

    The Oscar-winning song from the show (and movie the musical is based on), FALLING SLOWLY, is only the second song of the show with a reprise at the end. But in-between, you’ll be immersed in all of the enchanting songs like GOLD, IF YOU WANT ME, and WHEN YOUR MINDS MADE UP.

    Once isn’t a Big Broadway show. It doesn’t have big dance numbers or bright costumes. But it does have a real story with real music that will resonate with you, and not just on the drive home. It’ll stay with you when you wake up the next day and go with you into the next week, reminding you of the power of the perfect song. It gives you that feeling like you’ve just discovered the way music can change you, all over again.

    When: Now – May 15
    Where: Proctors Theatre, 432 State Street Schenectady NY
    Tickets: $20-$80 on proctors.org

  • Family of Woodstock Announces Bob Dylan 75th Birthday Celebration

    With the exception of perhaps the Band, no other musical act is as synonymous with Woodstock as the legendary Bob Dylan. It is only fitting that a celebration of his 75 years on Earth be celebrated with music in the iconic town.

    dylan2016-2

    On Sunday, May 29, Family of Woodstock presents the eighth annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock. The event includes esteemed folk guitarist Happy Traum, who played with Dylan in his Woodstock days of the late ’60s and early ’70s. John Sebastian, Arlen Roth and Larry Campbell also join the list of musicians who’ve played with Dylan in the past who will celebrate him at this birthday celebration.

    Other noteworthy musicians on the bill include blues guitarist Bill Sims Jr., Kate Pierson of the B-52s, up-and-coming harpist Mikaela Davis and Jared Samuel of the Invisible Familiars.

    Local guests include NeeNee Rushie (The Big Takeover) and Kenny Siegel and Blueberry of Johnny Society. Returning guests include Eric Redd, Doug Yoe and Carme Senski, Marc Black, Jules Shear and Robert Burke Warren.

    In addition to the music, there will also be a raffle of two classic Elliott Landy Dylan portraits. Proceeds of the event go to Family of Woodstock’s 24-hour hotline and the John Herald Fund, which helps local musicians with small financial needs. The event is sponsored by Radio Woodstock – 100.1 and the Bearsville Theater Complex.

    Seats are available for $45 and standing room tickets are $25. Tickets can be purchased via radiowoodstock.com/concerts. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show is at 8:30 p.m. The event also includes a special champagne reception for $100 and $65 Golden Circle ticket holders at 6:30 p.m.

    Lineup includes:

    Happy Traum
    Connor Kennedy & Minstrel-
    Larry Campbell
    John Sebastian
    Kate Pierson
    Jules Shear
    Arlen Roth
    Doug Yoel & Carmen Senski
    Marc Black
    Robert Burke Warren
    Eric Redd
    Bill Simms, Jr.
    NeeNee Rushie (The Big Takeover)
    Jay Collins
    Jared Samuel (Invisible Familiars)
    Brian Hollander
    Kenny Siegel & Blueberry (Johnny Society) –
    Mikaela Davis