NYS Music 20​16

Tag: Funk n Waffles

  • Vaporeyes Announce Release of “Golden Baron EP”

    Vaporeyes is back in downtown Syracuse in a very special way on Saturday, November 19 at Funk n Waffles Downtown, when longtime guitarist Jyms Tynyn will perform his final show with Vaporeyes. Come down and send Jyms off right and rage with Vaporeyes as they’ll be digging deep and getting crazy in what will also be their last show of 2016. Albany-based Lord Electro opens the night, with doors at 8, and cover $10.

    To make the show even a bigger can’t-miss show, Vaporeyes will be releasing their latest album, Golden Road EP, on November 19.

    Vaporeyes is a “psychedelic jam fusion” band whose sound seems to be constantly evolving. Sometimes tight as a tiger, sometimes strictly improvisation, sometimes electronic, dance, jazz, metal… but always trippy with a dose of in-the-moment flair. Vaporeyes has already shared the stage with such acts as Papadosio, RAQ, Tauk, Zoogma, Kung Fu, Aqueous, Brothers Past, DrFameus, and much more.

    Hailing from Albany, NY, Lord Electro is coming to open up the night. They released their Debut self titled record in 2015 and have been consistently performing across the Northeast. Having already shared the stage with such heavy hitters including: The New Deal, Roots of Creation, G-nome Project, Conehead Buddha and Lucid, Lord Electro is on a mission to make feet move and booties shake!

  • Charley Orlando Unveils Summer Tour Dates

    Charley Orlando, the folk-rock singer-songwriter from Glenville, will perform across Central New York this summer.

    The artist released the dates of his upcoming shows this week. He will perform solo at Funk n’ Waffles in downtown Syracuse at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 12. Tim Herron will also play that night.

    The following weekend, Orlando is scheduled to perform at Cortland Beer Company in Cortland and Art on the Porches in Syracuse on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, respectively. In the Friday show, the singer will be joined, as he often is, by the musicians of his band RUHA.

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    One of Orlando’s other projects — Pearly Baker’s Best, a Syracuse-based Grateful Dead tribute band — will play twice this summer. The group will be at Funk n’ Waffles on Saturday, July 9, as part of Hippie Ball II before appearing at Ray Brother’s BBQ in Bouckville for the Jerry Garcia Celebration on Friday, Aug. 5.

    Orlando has released 13 albums, most recently StarSeed in 2014. On his website, Orlando refers to the album as “an unconventional recording style creating rhythmic patterns and atmospheric layers in Ableton Live first, before adding guitar, harmonica, and finally vocals to each track.”

    Charley Orlando summer 2016 tour dates:

    • June 3 — Taste of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY — 5:45 p.m. (RUHA)
    • June 4 — Maxwells, Syracuse, NY — 7 p.m. (solo)
    • June 10 — Old City Hall, Oswego, NY — 7 p.m. (solo)
    • June 12 — Funk n’ Waffles, Syracuse, NY — 8 p.m. (solo)
    • June 17 — Cortland Beer Company, Cortland, NY — 8 p.m. (RUHA)
    • June 18 — Art on the Porches, Syracuse, NY — 11 a.m. (solo)
    • July 9 — Hippie Ball II, Funk n’ Waffles, Syracuse, NY — 8 p.m. (Pearly Baker’s Best)
    • July 31 — KMASE & Cones, The Ice Cream Stand, North Syracuse, NY — 12 p.m. (solo)
    • August 5 — Jerry Garcia Celebration, Ray Brother’s BBQ, Bouckville, NY — 8 p.m. (Pearly Baker’s Best)
    • August 13 — SeedStock VIII, Cortland, NY — 12 p.m. (RUHA)

    https://youtu.be/dUGkf-meigY

  • Fridays in June at Funk n Waffles Downtown, Presented by NYS Music

    NYS Music is once again proud to host Friday nights at Funk n Waffles in June. A stellar lineup of music is on tap all month long, with local and regional bands highlighting the month.

    June 3 – Formula 5 with Michael Mwenso & The Shakes

    June Funk n Waffles Whether you enjoy jam, jazz, funk, reggae, or electro beats… the Capital District’s Formula 5 will satisfy your musical needs. Inspired by their jam band idols, the band creates original funk-filled tunes with stimulating and expressive lyrics, soaring melodies and an emphasis on solid instrumentation and improvisation. The group’s fan base continues to grow as they’ve opened for such headliners as Twiddle, Dopapod, Spiritual Rez, and the Heavy Pets; and took over stages at Catskill Chill, Disc Jam, The Big Up, Strange Creek, and Buffalove.

    Michael Mwenso and the Shakes present an improvisational execution of a powerful, soulful eclectic mix of soul/jazz/blues derived from  jazz legends such as Miles Davis and Lionel Hampton. The Harlem “mood” captivates audiences and reinforces the classic, historic feel one could relate to the late night NYC jazz scene. Soulfully driven vocals are backed up by the funky ensemble of horn-powered, bass-layered body of the Shakes.

    June 10 – Candid with Castle Creek

    The acclaimed hometown rockers, Candid, bring the people of Syracuse a familiar spark their growing, loyal fan base appreciates them for. The heavy-hitting rock band Candid has been on the scene since late 1998, playing alongside international renowned bands such as Fountains of Wayne, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Andrew W.K. and Strangefolk.

    Local barnyard burners Kim Monroe and Chris Eves are a powerful duo out of Syracuse. Using lyrically powerful ballads and a blues/jam influenced musicianship to captivate audiences throughout upstate New York all while maintaining their roots of familiar classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, and Pink Floyd. Castle Creek  leaves their own lasting mark on fans at each venue they perform.

    June 17 – William Thompson Funk Experiment with Binger and Ampevene

    Uplifting, interactive , and talented, the William Thompson Funk Experiment is sure to leave crowds jubilant and moving through the late night hours. Hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts, the William Thompson Funk Experiment can be compared to the party of Dopapod, Mister F, and Formula 5, and are sure to provide a powerful performance.

    Based out of Burlington, Vermont, Binger creates a unique sound, using the diverse musical soundscape of their collective influences. Elusively shedding any genre they manage to employ (often within the same song), Binger combines elements of progressive psychedelia, deep grooves of hip-hop, and improvisational jazz to create a style that gracefully skirts the line between delightful and perplexing; inventing a sound that reels you in and keeps you there with a cohesive, yet eclectic energy. 

    Ampevene delivers a highly energetic, atmospheric environment, tearing the borders between every genre at their disposal. Ampevene continues to set the bar high for progressive rock throughout New York, keeping spectators on their heels from their improvisational clash of metal and jazz.

    June 24- The New Daze with Space Bacon

    Since 2011, the atmospheric jam quartet, The New Daze, have been using their improvisational prowess to transcend jam rock as we know it, displaying an inter-dimensional  clash of musicianship . The New Daze are no strangers to Funk n Waffles, having graced the downtown stage many times. They are also scheduled to perform at historic venues such as Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont and Garcia’s in Port Chester. With all four of it’s members contributing vocals as well as wielding their instruments, each member has a crucial role in the direction of a performance. The New Daze, playing a unique set each night, creates its own sound of “electric boogified-rage-reggae-funk-crunch-goop”.

    If you like the concept of space, and a delicious side of breakfast meat, there is really no going wrong with Space Bacon. This jamtronica quartet based out of Brooklyn is sure to leave audiences dancing and uplifted as it creates an intense, immersive fusion of electronica and funk. Space Bacon is soon to play Disc Jam in Stephantown (June 9-12), along with artists such as Dopapod, Electron, Tauk, and many others. The quartet’s love for intergalactic pork and space-seasoned fresh cuts of funky-electronic trance is a spectacle one should not miss.

  • Daemon Chili to Tour This Summer

    Massachusetts-based American Roots Rock quintet Daemon Chili is hitting the road this summer in support of their sophomore album released earlier this year, titled Mercy of the Sea.

    Their 10-city tour is set to start June 3 in New Hampshire before trekking though New York with two stops in SaranacLake and Syracuse following shortly after. Their tour wraps up at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City on Oct. 8.

    Daemon Chili - Promo photo - Copyright Coleman Rogers

    Daemon Chili is made up of five members including singer Michael Dion (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) formerly of Hot Day at the Zoo, Steve Benson (pedal steel, electric mandolin), Jason Moretti (lead guitar), Jay Breen (drums) and Jason Samiagio (bass). The group formed in the fall of 2013 and quickly hit the studio to begin recording. Their first album, titled Rise Up, was released in 2014 to great reviews of their transition from acoustic string band to a roots rock force.

    Mercy of the Sea details provided by the bands website:

    The band’s second album, Mercy of the Sea (2016), is Daemon Chili’s first official full-length studio effort, which peaked out at number 5 on the Relix/Jambands.com Radio charts. This album marks the band’s unquestionable metamorphosis into a musical outfit that truly defies genre categorization. The album also features a myriad of additional musicians whose talents help to round out a sophisticated musical juggernaut that heaves up-and-down with purpose and intention. The lineup includes Max Chase (Amulus) on keys; Nick Heys (Hot Day at the Zoo) on piano; Seth Bailin, Mike Kaskiewicz, Alex Allman (The Party Band) on horns; and Jes Sheldon (The Lightkeepers) on backing vocals.

    June 3 – Manchester, NH @ Shaskeen

    June 17 – Saranac Lake, NY @ The Waterhole

    June 18 – Syracuse, NY @ Funk N Waffles Downtown

    June 23 – Portsmouth, NH @ Thirsty Moose

    July 1 – Peterborough, NH @ Harlow’s Pub

    July 30 – Lowell, MA @ Dudley’s

    Aug 12 – Worceter, MA @ Beatnik’s

    Aug 22 – Portsmouth, NH @ The Players’ Ring

    Aug 26 – Waterville, ME @ Mainely Brews

    Aug 27 – Old Town, ME @ The Boomhouse

    Oct 8 – New York, NY @ Arlene’s Grocery

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–AtlxiYp3w[/embedyt]

  • Spiritual Rez Northeast Run Blankets New York State

    High energy ska and funk is headed towards New York this week with Spiritual Rez’s 2016 Northeast Tour. With live performances that elicit an incredibly powerful blend of reggae, rock, ska and jam, the group has been on a cross country tour amid the release of their upcoming album due out this summer. 

    The Northeast Tour brings the group to Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Erie, Brooklyn, New Haven, Boston, Portland, Burlington and Saratoga Springs over a two week period, providing ample opportunities for you to dance the night away and walk into work exhausted but smiling the next morning.

    The as of yet untitled album, slated for an early summer release, was recorded in Los Angeles at Jim Kaufman Productions under the direction of Kenny Carkeet (Awolnation) and Max Collins (Eve 6). One of the many collaborators that took part in the album is trombonist Billy Kottage of Reel Big Fish, who is featured on the track “Bad Girl.” More jaw dropping collaborations will be revealed around the album’s release.

  • New York Minute: Charley Orlando Shares Vision for the Syracuse Music Scene

    OrlandoOn any given afternoon in Syracuse, it is highly probable Charley Orlando will be spotted leaping nimbly to the stage to adjust sound equipment, prepping for the evening show. The sprightly Funk ‘N’ Waffles talent buyer keeps busy between selecting acts for the downtown Syracuse and university locations. He has become the gatekeeper for a flourishing downtown venue that stands as a go-to destination for music lovers thirsting for a dose of live music.

    Aside from his technical dexterity, Orlando is also skilled in the art of compromise, acting as chief liaison between musicians and venues. With decades of experience performing in his own bands and booking acts for other venues, Orlando can empathize with the needs and desires of both parties to cultivate exciting show lineups. Behind every jaw dropping drum solo, contemplative guitar riff and danceworthy jam is a man devoted to elevating the Syracuse music scene.

    On a Wednesday afternoon, Orlando took a quick break from his frenzied activity to kick back and discuss his key role at Funk ‘N’ Waffles. Manifesting a calm and collected presence, Orlando’s demeanor in conversation curiously juxtaposed the preceding flourish of activity. He instead channeled energy into exuberant responses, offering a sincerity through dialogue layered with gracious and friendly expression:

    Ally Dean: You are the talent buyer for Funk ‘N’ Waffles. What has been your mission since the onset of your role with this venue?

    Charley Orlando: To create a mid sized music venue for touring and local acts. To concentrate on a music community and grow it to a healthy point where musicians and venues all work together to prop up the music scene in CNY. Also the venue is designed to do all kinds of events besides music so we love doing community oriented events.

    AD: What are your future goals for the venue?

    CO: To keep growing the scene and the venue. To bring in bigger and bigger acts to a small intimate venue. To just be the best this place can be.

    AD: Funk is a pretty sought after venue in Syracuse so you have plenty of acts soliciting a spot on the stage (I remember you quoted a staggering number of emails since December…) Are there bands on your radar that you have reached out to hoping to bring to the venue in the near future?

    CO: We do get an enormous amount of inquiries (22,000+ emails since December of 2014). Really every band is on my radar. I am always looking for the next unique band. There is a lot of “same” going on out there so when I come across something that turns my head I go right for it. There are a number of great bands I have reached out to that will blow the walls off Funk … but I keep them close to my chest until it’s solid. Takes a bit to really dial in a top notch show.

    AD: Are there aspects of Funk you would like to see changed, either with the physical venue or with the process for getting bands there?

    CO: Funk is ever-evolving and that’s why I love it here. Sam Levey and Adam Gold and I work really well together and are always a step ahead of where we need to be. Kind of a dream team for me. The ideas are always flying and stuff gets done fast when we decide to move forward. Really we all want the same thing: the best venue in CNY.

    AD: Pearly Baker’s Best and RUHA are your two current musical endeavors; what are your intentions with those projects?

    CO: To have fun playing music. Pearly is a Grateful Dead Tribute Band so it’s pretty easy to get the right gigs and the band is sooooooo good! Everyone really knows The Dead and have seen them play (w/ Jerry Garcia) many times so we have close ties to the music. RUHA is a very unique original project that mixes acoustic guitar, organ, piano and ableton live triggers to fill it out. Great for festivals! Plus I love playing solo and do that quite a bit.

    AD: Aaaand to keep things fun … are you feelin’ the Bern?

    CO: Maximum Bern! Very into the message! It speaks to me … LOVE! Huh what a concept! April 15 Fuel the Bern’ is at the Palace Theater in Syracuse and April 16 Berning Man is at Anthology in Rochester. Two very important events for people that want change to come about!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiel8ObUkHM

  • Saturday Nights in March at Funk n Waffles Presented by NYS Music

    Spring has sprung, and the funk is deep at Funk n Waffles in Syracuse. NYS Music is proud to present these great shows on Saturday nights throughout March at the popular downtown Syracuse venue.

    March 5 – Gigantosaurus Rex with Baked Potatoes

    Gigantosaurus Rex is angular, obtuse, and dynamic and while they are not a jamband, they bring a crushing sound created by three musicians.

    Baked Potatoes is a 7 piece reggae band from Oneonta who love to put smiles on people’s faces. The Potatoes have been mastering their live performance with countless Upstate NY concerts playing with Sammy Adams, HR, The Sheds, The Fat Piece & many more. Having just released their debut EP, Waiting For The Weekend, Baked Potatoes is a band that will keep you dancing & wanting more.

    March 12 – Our Friends Band with Folk Faces and Primo Ganso

    Grooverockers Our Friend Band brings blues and funk and push musical boundaries through live improvisation and fresh takes on pre-existing material.

    Folkfaces out of Buffalo play a rowdy blend of rootsy folk, jazz, and blues, fusing classic forms with contemporary feelings and irresistibly danceable energy. Their inspiration comes from the mountains of Appalachia to the deltas of Mississippi, the swamps of Louisiana to the Concrete Jungle of the Rustbelt. Specializing in merriment and sticking it to the system, Folkfaces make the crowd dance and the hierarchy shatter.

    March 19 – Root SHOCK with Mosaic Foundation

    Root SHOCK blends roots reggae, dancehall, heavy drum & bass, and soulful vocals with conscious lyrics into positive dance music will make you want to move. The band has been surprising and delighting crowds across the Central New York region and beyond, bringing their unique high-energy style spearheaded by the stunning vocals of Jessica Brown to a wide range of settings. 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! 2016 promises to be an explosive year for Root Shock, as they’ve finally made time to record their first studio album, are 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; the band is set to hit the road to spread their uplifting message and vibes and take their renowned live performances to the masses!

    With a style as unique as its members are diverse, Mosaic Foundation is forward thinking reggae that stays true to the roots. Formed in 2009 and based in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the band has grown a loyal following, thanks to electric live performances and three studio releases. Blending roots, ska, dub, dance-hall and beyond, Mosaic is an exploration in reggae that is pushed to the limits and sometimes spills over. With lyrics that inspire dancing in the moment, and activate the mind in reflection, the songs encourage positivity, sustainable living and community.

    March 26 – Big Mean Sound Machine

    A thunderous dance party that fuses Afrobeat, Jazz, Funk,and Psychedelia, Big Mean Sound Machine is charting new musical territory with it’s latest release Contraband, recorded live in summer and winter of 2013. Big Mean continually re-defines the boundaries of dance music; meditation meets party time.

    All shows start at 8pm each night. Visit Funk n Waffles for more info.

  • Annie in the Water w/ St. Lenox Take the Spotlight

    Annie in the Water brought a huge crowd to Funk ‘n Waffles located in downtown Syracuse Friday night, two party buses of about 90 people from Hamilton NY pulled in, more than half of them were Colgate University students.

    Opener St. Lenox took the stage as a solo act and immediately captivated the roaring crowd with his incredible voice, catching the attention of passerby’s who peered in the window out of curiosity, before entering.

    Annie in the Water is proving to be one of the most formidable funk bands that has ever occupied Funk ‘n Waffles and it was to no surprise that they immediately captivated the crowd.

    Those who are familiar with the band know that this tenacious trio haven’t had a bass player for quite some time, but it took them by surprise to see they welcomed back an old friend Lucas Singleton from Albany NY. Lucas has played with Michael Lashomb and Brad Hester in the past and he was undoubtedly a great addition to the show. Brad Hester also introduced a significantly new instrument to the mix, the Jamboxx, which plays high quality impressive digital sounds and is still under development.

    Stay tuned for their newest album to be released this year!

  • Annie in the Water returning to Funk ‘n Waffles with St. Lenox

    On Friday, February 5 Annie in the Water will be returning to Funk ‘n Waffles with St. Lenox  who are sure to bring a unique mix to downtown Syracuse.

    Annie in the Water whose roots remain in Watertown NY, will be making their second stop on their 2016 Tour here in Syracuse NY, bringing their positive vibes to numerous venues throughout Vermont, Maine, Potsdam NY, Troy NY, Wilmington NY and their homestead Watertown. Founding members Brad Hester (vocals/percussion/guitar/looper) and Michael Lashomb (guitar/vocals) and featured member Dillon Goodfriend (keys) are sure warm the atmosphere with a mixture of high energy reggae/rock and uplifting lyricism.

    Andrew Choi is the incredibly talented singer/songwriter behind St. Lenox, with Chris Hills / Nick Fed (guitar), Jorge Vega/Brandon Vitruls and Todd Celmar (drums), Chris Bolognese (bass) and Fritz Chrysler (mp3 Player). St. Lenox is a smooth mixture of jazz, classical music and electronica. Andrew Choi’s will surely bring some depth to the stage with some powerful lyrics from his debut album Ten Songs About Memory and Hope released on January 20, 2015. Andrew hopes to release their newest album titled Ten songs from my American Gothic in the Spring of 2016.

    Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm. Get tickets here.

  • NYS Music Presents Wednesdays at Funk n Waffles Downtown

    Winter is upon us in New York and if you’re in Syracuse, you’ll need to find some place to warm up. May we suggest some Funk n Waffles? NYS Music presents bands from around New York State, every Wednesday throughout January.

    January 6 – Faces of the Damned, Wagner 3000, Pale Green Stars

    Faces of Damned grew out of years of late night shows with founders Anthony DiRosa and Andres Echenique. Anthony was the lead singer/guitarist for the punk and horror punk bands Plan 607 and Dead Holiday. Andres was bass player for Crankdaddy, a pop punk band. These bands were a key part of the punk scene in Syracuse in the early 2000s.

    Wagner 3000 is an alternative to the alternative bands. From Syracuse, Wagner 3000 performs music that simultaneously showcases a previously unseen musical spectacle among the widest range of captivating songs found in a show today. Mingling with vast aspects of influence From Bowie, UFO, AC/DC, NIN, Nirvana, King Crimson, and the ever so enchanting carnival music (and many other sources). Wagner has the capability to tingle all your moods and senses.

    Pale Green Stars has just been mistaken for one of those cow-punk power trios you might find rocking a stage behind chicken wire at some wayward Texas roadhouse. Pale Green Stars is letting its New York grown cow-punk steer deep into the heart of Texarkana as they redefine gut-bucket twang with a punkadelic cutting edge that’s as sharp as a barbershop straight razor. (Jeff Herrell – South Bend Tribune)

    January 13 – The Bog Brothers

    The Bog Brothers were formed by a group of like-minded musicians in the Central New York area who share a love of playing Americana music and having a good time doing it. Mike Gridley (aka “Griz”) leads the group, playing mandolin, banjo and providing lead vocals. He is joined by Marc Odin on guitar and his longtime musical accomplice Steve Buck on bass and vocals. Mike Lounsbery adds harmonica, percussion and vocals, West Coast resident Taylor Bucci provides drums and vocals (when schedule permits), and Scott Wilson rounds out the group on dobro.

    January 20 – Caleb Liber & Judge Gazza

    Caleb Liber (Telegraph Hill Acoustic) will bring his acoustic guitar along with a wide range of musical styles including indie rock, post rock, post hardcore, metal, punk, post punk, grunge, electronica, acoustic and folk.
    Judge Gazza is a retro swampy blues musician originating from Syracuse New York. He brings his growling vocals, raw barebones Peavey powered slide guitar and pounding Converse Chuck Taylor hill stomp rhythmic beats to the back corners and sidewalks outside punk rock shows and the campfires of metal band summer festivals all over Central and Western New York. Judge Gazza’s first EP, It’s All Fun & Games, was released June 28th 2015 on cassette tape via LRS Records of Syracuse NY.

    January 27 – RUHA with special guest Corey Paige

    RUHA is the brain child of long time touring musician Charley Orlando. This time around RUHA is Brian Lauri on Keys and Vocals filling in the space between Charley’s acoustic guitar and vocals. The duo is massive sounding and unique for 2 people.

    Corey Paige is a SAMMY Award winning singer-songwriter from Syracuse, NY. His influences include Elliott Smith, Radiohead, Elvis Costello, and Soul Coughing. After five studio albums and more than a decade as frontman for rock band Candid, he’s currently working on new material for his first solo album.

    Doors open at 7pm each night with music starting at 8pm. Enjoy a variety of bands that call New York State home every Wednesday night at Funk n Waffles, and some great food too!