NYS Music 20​16

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  • MTV Rebooting “Unplugged”

    MTV’s once-popular live performance show “Unplugged,” which featured bands playing intimate and acoustic sets, is making a comeback on the station once known for its innovations in music broadcasting and promoting.

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    The show premiered with little fanfare late in 1989 with a performance by Squeeze. It slowly picked up steam and eventually started landing acts like Sinead O’Connor, Aerosmith and 10,000 Maniacs. It became a full-on phenomenon after a second-season performance by Paul McCartney that was released as a hugely popular album.

    The show then became a regular stop for contemporary acts like Nirvana and R.E.M., as well as musicians like Eric Clapton and Tony Bennett who were looking to reconnect with a younger audience. The show spawned many live recordings that sold millions of copies, turning “Unplugged” into a brand with a life of its own.

    A press release from MTV announced recently that the station would be revitalizing “Unplugged,” keeping much of what made it such a success in the ’90s. “Live performances are the beating heart of every episode and this show will provide a platform for artists to experiment with the unexpected, express their creativity in new ways and deliver one-off performances that will become inked in the public consciousness,” the release notes.

    With the popularity of new folk and Americana acts hitting fever pitch, the show should have plenty of material to keep the schedule full. Exact details of the launch have not yet been divulged, but we will update you here once more is known.

    https://youtu.be/WPH0Ag1jerc

  • Five Finger Death Punch Being Sued By Record Label

    According to a recent report by Blabbermouth, metal rockers Five Finger Death Punch are being sued by their record label Prospect Park for breach of contract. Prospect Park claims that the band is trying to cash in before their bandmate, frontman Ivan Moody, does something stupid or even dies. Moody is accused of being addicted to alcohol, and some worry that if things end in a train wreck, Five Finger Death Punch’s music catalog would end up worthless.

    Five Finger Death Punch. Photo by Jim 'JT' Gilbert / JTGphoto.com

    Five Finger Death Punch signed a four-album contract with Prospect Park in December 2012. The contract states that the band could not record any new material earlier than nine months after its latest release, unless the label agrees to it in writing. The band’s third studio album under contract, Got Your Six, was released Sept. 4, 2015. That means the band can’t start “any portion” of the new album in the agreement until June 4, 2016.

    Also under the agreement, the band is under contract to release two masters for a greatest hits album. The band refused to deliver the masters out of concern from Moody, and members plan on recording the greatest hits album on a new record label. Part of Prospect Park’s lawsuit states:

    Regrettably, with the encouragement and assistance of their entertainment lawyer and business manager, the members of FFDP have unequivocally repudiated their contractual obligations to permit Prospect Park to determine the recording elements of a new record and a greatest hits record. In doing so, the members of FFDP are shamelessly attempting to cash in before the anticipated downfall of their addicted bandmate.

    Prospect Park blames the band for rushing to record the fourth album that they are contracted to, disregarding the health and safety of Moody and ultimately destroying the band in the process. The record label says that the band has reached out numerous times with concern about Moody’s addiction getting out of control and fear he may not be there to fulfill his obligations to the band and the contract, thus seeking to capitalize as soon as possible at the expense of Moody’s health.

    Prospect Park also stated in the lawsuit, “Based on FFDP’s own assessment, Moody is unable to perform at the level required under Section 3.01 of the Recording Agreement for delivery of the Fourth Album’s master recordings or Greatest Hits Masters.”

    The lawsuit lists numerous text messages and emails from FFDP band members and represenatives. A message on Nov. 15, 2015 reads, “The writing is on the wall, and that, it’s a matter of time before Ivan hits the wall — and once he does — it will be too late to sell.” In an email received on Dec 3, 2015, band members wrote, “if Ivan does something stupid — dies…., goes away to jail — then the catalog is a bust — then we won’t be able to sell and we’ll be trying to salvage what we can — IF we can … so to me it’s imperative to make a move and sell.” One message even says that Moody is getting in the way of an eight-digit payday.

    The label states in the lawsuit some of the reasons why they want control over the recording elements. Some of those reasons include a precipitous decline in sales, the fact that radio has told the label that the band’s sound is getting “stale” and the disappointment that the band has failed to reach Platinum or Multi-Platinum level.

    During a show in Memphis in May 2015, Moody was accused of having an onstage meltdown, and some fans even thought the band split up as the rest of the band left Moody on the stage by himself after he made a remark about drummer Jeremy Spencer’s book. Spencer left the stage first and the rest of the band slowly followed. Moody soon after that released a statement blaming technical difficulties, and saying the band was in good standing with each other.

    At the end of March 2016, Moody was hospitalized, forcing the band to cancel their Australian tour, and a gig as a supporting act for Black Sabbath’s final run. Moody was admitted to the ER in his hometown of Denver and was said to make a full recovery. The band has recently notified Prospect Park that Moody is in an in-patient rehabilitation facility for an unknown duration of time.

    Five Finger Death Punch is slated to play many of the major rock festivals this May including headlining the opening night at the first-ever Rock’N Derby in Schaghticoke on May 20. The band days ago confirmed a fall tour with Shinedown and Sixx: A.M., and a coast-to-coast tour of Canada with Papa Roach and Sixx: A.M.

  • Hearing Aide: Rogue Wave “Delusions of Grand Fur”

    Rogue Wave Delusions of Grand FurCalifornia based Rogue Wave’s six studio album Delusions of Grand Fur – the band’s first release since 2013’s Nightingale Floors – is a progression, if not a departure, from their customary sound. Despite the change of pace, Delusions of Grand Fur provides a welcome and sometimes synth-fueled soundtrack representative of the mellow, coastal sounds of the West Coast. Recorded and produced by the band in their own home studio in Oakland, Delusions of Grand Fur is representative of spring with tracks such as “California Bride” and “Ocean.”

    Rogue Wave is a quartet led by Zach Rogue, who also serves as the principle song-writer. The space between Delusions of Grand Fur and previous albums, and the band’s self-led production, has allowed for growth and experimentation that is apparent on this album. The title itself – a pun meant to emphasize the misconceptions of life in a band – also places emphasis on the listener not to underestimate or enter with preconceived expectations concerning the band’s sound.

    The album opens with “Take it Slow,” particularly reminiscent of The Shins, and sets the tone for the remainder of the album. This leads into the following two tracks “In the Morning” and “California Bride,” the latter showcasing beach-y and pop-y lyrics, with melancholy undertones. While “What is Left to Solve” initially sounds like a departure, with the heavier bass, after a few listens it fits in with the album as a whole.

    Falling” similarly is mellow and harmonic, again pairing positive melodies with more somber lyrics, such as: “We live in an era where everything is for sale.” Lyrics such as these feel particularly relevant given the state of the current primary elections. The next track “Curious Me” is reminiscent of Elliot Smith in sound if not in theme.

    Perhaps a favorite track on the album is “Ocean,” departing from the mellow themes to supply a refreshingly more upbeat and pop-ish reprieve. Though different, it still fits with the remainder of the album. Overall, this is a solid release, if at times certain tracks seem a bit too derivative of The Shins and Simon and Garfunkel (particularly, “Fallen”). Similarly, while enjoyable, the repetition of lyrics in other songs (“Look At Me”) can be a bit trying. These minor aspects aside, this is a great album to sit back and relax to.

    Delusions of Grand Fur is released on Friday, April 29. They are on tour this spring and summer with Hey Marseille and Floating Action.

    Key Tracks: Curious Me, Oceans, Falling

    Catch Rouge Wave on their upcoming tour:

    5/5/16 Oakland, CA @ Starline Ballroom
    5/6/16 Mill Valley, CA @ Sweetwater Music Hall
    5/7/16 San Francisco, CA @ The independent
    5/10/16 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
    5/11/16 Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall
    5/12/16 Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
    5/13/16 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
    5/14/16 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
    5/15/16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
    5/17/16 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
    5/18/16 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
    5/19/16 Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
    5/20/16 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
    5/21/16 St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
    5/22/16 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
    5/24/16 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
    5/25/16 Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club
    5/26/16 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
    6/9/16 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
    6/11/16 Austin, TX @ Mohawk Outdoors
    6/12/16 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
    6/17/16 Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom

  • Falling Stars Fest at Boathouse Beer Garden

    Boathouse Beer Garden will host the Falling Stars Fest on Thursday, June 30.

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    The Boathouse Beer Garden in Romulus is hosting the Falling Stars Fest, which features New Riders of the Purple Sage, Terrapin Flyer and Evil City String Band.

    New Riders of the Purple Sage formed in the ’60s with Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Spencer Dryden of Jefferson Airplane as part of the band. They are seen as one of the pioneers of the country rock sound that took hold in the late ’60s with bands and artists like Bob Dylan, the Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Having retired in 1997, they reunited briefly in 2001 and were honored with a lifetime achievement award from High Times magazine. The band reunited with original members Buddy Cage and Dave Nelson in 2005 and have released two studio albums and a live album since the reunion.

    Terrapin Flyer consists of Melvin Seals, a longtime member of the Jerry Garcia Band; Tom Constanten, former keyboardist for the Grateful Dead from 1968-70; and Mark Karan, a longtime member of Ratdog and guitarist for the Other Ones on their 1998 and 2000 tours.

    The Evil City String Band is an old-time Appalachian string band from Ithaca.

    Falling Star Fest starts at 6:30 p.m. June 30. Tickets are on sale now at an early bird rate of $25 through June 1, when they increase to $30. Tickets bought at the door will be $35.

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

  • Hearing Aide: Future Rock ‘Long Ago’

    12967984_10154068406074250_61455032667498911_oFuture Rock’s music dances on elegantly etched lines of melody, while their sleek rock beat creates waves in the
    electronic tune; a favorable combination that
    won’t let listeners stand still.     Long Ago, their newly released album, stands out from the rest of their work, as the band continues to experiment with the boundaries between groovy melodies, skillful songwriting and what it means to be a modern dance-rock group. Coupled with the addition of DJ/producer/singer Tibaut Bowman and the exquisite voice of Anna Soltys, the Future Rock trio’s fifth full-length album shows growth in their pursuit of that fusion.

    “Take It Back” kicks off the seven-track album wearing their evolution proudly: we are instantly drawn into the music with Soltys’ voice opening the song, and then pulled up by the Chicago-based group’s fist-pumping beats. Bowman helps tie in what the group does best, plunging their beat to a depth that slows Future Rock’s usual brisk rhythm. “Long Ago” is a track that stays with you, like a bubble of dreamy haze that picks you up and floats you around. The three tracks without Soltys’ voice showcase the band’s synthesis of jumping meters and weaving in and out of progressive house through artful movement of the keys and pulse.

    The album title is an interesting alliance between the group name and their direction: Long Ago by Future Rock. The group has commented saying this union invokes their combination of reaching new heights, while returning to masterful songwriting. The trio includes Mickey Kellerman on keys, Darren Heitz on drums and Felix Moreno on bass guitar.  This is an album you won’t want to miss if you’re interested in the direction that Future Rock is going in. 

    Key tracks: “Take It Back,” “Long Ago,” “A Better Way”

  • Squirrel Nut Zippers Return to the Road

    The ’90s-nostalgia boomlet has revived yet another decade-defining sound — juke-y, jive-y, neo-swing. This summer the Squirrel Nut Zippers will resurface for a seven-date tour.

    Announced yesterday via the band’s Facebook page, the tour kicks off on June 29 in Tucson, Arizona, and currently caps with an appearance at the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, North Carolina. The closest the Zippers will come to New York state is Virginia; but hang tight, swing kids, as fall shows are in the works.

    The Chapel Hill, North Carolina, band made noise with the release of their second album, Hot, in 1996, (featuring the chart-topping hit “Hell”), and in honor of the 20th anniversary of this commercial success, the Zippers decided to return to the road. For this limited run, founding members James “Jimbo” Mathus and Chris Phillips recruited the talent of singer Ingrid Lucia (Flying Neutrino) and noted New Orleans musicians to join the new stage show. Phillips commented on the band’s reunion in the statement:

    The band has been quiet for long enough. Honestly, the songs from such a unique and rambunctious catalog never get old on stage. When it was brought to my attention that 2016 was the 20th anniversary of Hot I knew the timing was right. We take great pleasure in the sense of togetherness we maintain with audiences that have such a wide age range — from young to old and those in between. Even the old are young at heart when they are at a Squirrel Nut Zippers show…

    In other words, press your zoot suits, and get ready for a blast from the past. Most tickets are on sale now through the venue box offices or online; see the full set of tour dates below.

    Squirrel Nut Zippers tour dates:

    6/29 – Rialto – Tucson, AZ
    6/30 – Marquee – Tempe, AZ
    7/1 – Orpheum – Flagstaff, AZ
    7/3 – Deer Valley Resort – Park City, UT
    9/3 – Sausalito Arts Festival – Sausalito, CA
    10/18 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
    10/23 – LEAF Festival – Black Mountain, NC

  • Twiddle Impresses in Plumpty Dumpty Tour Finale in Ithaca

    It had been a decade since I’d been to Ithaca. The final show of Twiddle‘s Plumpty Dumpty tour was more than enough reason to make the drive from Buffalo. I’m sure glad I did.

    Plumpty Dumpty TourIt was my first time being at The Haunt. It’s a great intimate venue. The security and staff there were nothing but “frendly” and helpful. The Haunt is historic in its own right. Seeing some of the bands pictures hung on the wall it just felt right that Twiddle was closing their spring tour there.

    Space Carnival opened up the night. They brought high energy to the stage and the crowd loved it. Their final song for the night was a cover of Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long.” Keep an eye and an ear out for these up-and-comers.

    Twiddle opened  with a great “Polluted Beauty,” one of my favorite songs off their latest Plump Chapter 1. Some of the guys were not feeling 100 percent healthy after spending a month on the road but you couldn’t tell with the way they hit the stage.

    Mihali Sauvolidis took flight from the start, shredding apart the 20-minute “Polluted Beauty.” Twiddle is on fire right now. In my eyes the sky really is the limit for these guys.

    My favorite part of the night was hearing the instrumental “Wasabi Eruption” > “The Box.” The set list for the night was very plump with Plump. We look forward to what Twiddle has in store with Plump Chapter 2.

    Twiddle ended the night with the crowd-pleaser “Lost In The Cold.” All in all it was a beautiful night. The crowd was nothing but friendly, especially to my pregnant girlfriend. With this upward trajectory, don’t expect to see Twiddle playing at such intimate venues for much longer.

    Next up for Twiddle is their May 7 date at the historic The Capitol Theater in Port Chester. If you are planning on attending, get your tickets soon. It will sell out.

    Space Carnival: Rango >Regal Krad , Entree The Giant, Pilb, Uh Oh, I slipped My Disco, Cyberia, Moon Boots, All Night Long (Lionel Richie cover)

    Twiddle: Polluted Beauty, Wasabi Eruption> The Box, Syncopated Healing, Amydst The Midst, White Light
    Encore : Lost In The Cold

    Setlist provided by uTwiddle

  • Exclusive Interview: Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle

    Tim Merrill of Sugar Foot Photography sat down with Ryan Dempsey, keys player for Vermont’s hottest “three dimensional” rock band, to talk Twiddle tour, influences, favorite bands, and even a bit of politics.

    Check out the video interview below.

    Catch Twiddle next in New York May 7 at the Capital Theatre in Port Chester, and July 8 at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown.

    Full Tour Information

  • Tony Markellis Spring Schedule

    Bassist Tony Markellis keeps himself quite busy this spring when he is not touring with the Trey Anastasio Band. He is scheduled to play a number of shows throughout New York and nearby this spring.

    tony markellis springMarkellis, of Saratoga Springs, recently joined Floodwood, the bluegrass side project of moe.’s Vinnie Amico. He’ll join them at many shows throughout New York, starting this week. He also plays with a variety of other musicians in the area and can be seen throughout New York, primarily in the Capital Region.

    He joins Grateful Dead tribute band Dead Set on May 20 at the Westcott in Syracuse. He will also be at Summer Camp Music Festival with Floodwood. His full set of dates can be seen below.

    Tony Markellis spring dates:
    Thursday 4/28 – Floodwood – Nectar’s, Burlington, VT
    Friday 4/29 – Floodwood – The Hollow, Albany, NY
    Saturday 4/30 – Floodwood – Garcia’s, Port Chester, NY
    Sunday 5/1 – Caffè Lena Folkathon Benefit with Jo Henley (3:30 p.m.), Michael Jerling (7:45 p.m.), New Standard (8:30 p.m.) – Saratoga Springs, NY
    Thursday 5/12 – Floodwood – NaNola, Malta, NY (9 p.m.)
    Friday 5/13 – Melick, Maul & Markellis – First Reformed Church, Selkirk, NY
    Saturday 5/14 – Jeanne O’Connor and the New Standard – One Caroline, Saratoga Springs, NY (9 p.m.)
    Wednesday 5/18 – Michael Jerling – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thursday 5/19 – Floodwood – Abilene, Rochester, NY (9 p.m.)
    Friday 5/20 – Dead Set – Westcott, Syracuse, NY
    Saturday 5/21 – Jay Barady & Nick Piccinnini – Oneonta Theater, Oneonta, NY
    Wednesday 5/25 – Jo Henley Trio – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thurs-Sun 5/26-29 – Floodwood – Summer Camp Festival, Chillicothe, IL
    Wednesday 6/1 – Jeanne O’Connor Trio – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thursday 6/2 – Floodwood – Outer Space, Hamden, CT
    Friday 6/3 –Floodwood – Smoke Signals, Lake Placid, NY
    Saturday 6/4 – Floodwood – Taste of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY (7 p.m.)
    Wednesday 6/8 – Bob Warren – Little Theater on the Farm, Ft. Edward, NY
    Thursday 6/9 – Floodwood – NaNola, Malta, NY (9 p.m.)

  • The Wild Feathers MOVE at The Hollow

    Hardworking Nashville-based band, The Wild Feathers made their first appearance in Albany on Friday April 22 as part of the weekend wide MOVE Music Festival.

    Music lovers filled into The Hollow awaiting an 11:30pm appearance from the band who feature original members, Ricky Young, (guitar, vocals), Taylor Burns, (guitar, vocals), Joel King, (bass, vocals), and Ben Dumas, (drums). Burns’ explosive vocals meshed perfectly with Young and King who all share lead vocals during the 13-song set.

    Fan favorite, The Ceiling closed out the set which drew Young into the audience. Shining on guitar was Nashville guitar phenom Daniel Donato who makes an instant impact and valuable addition to The Wild Feathers’ live show.

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