NYS Music along with Positive Mental Trip present 13 Jam for Tots shows throughout New York State (and one in Connecticut) to help those most in need this holiday season. Fans who attend any of these shows are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for a child age 2-12.
Eight bands are part of the Jam for Tots lineup this year, a charitable effort that brings live music and holiday season charity. Luke Weiler (Positive Mental Trip) has brought this series of shows to venues around Northeast, and has been expanded this year to span across New York State and includes 87/90 artists Intrepid Travelers, Cousin Earth, Formula 5, Space Carnival, Gowanus and Let’s Be Leonard, as well as Funkworthy and Chinatown Lights.
Bring an unwrapped gift for a 2-12 year old and the gifts will be gathered by USMC representatives. Give back to those most in need this holiday season and enjoy a great show at the same time!
It was a chilly night at Martyr’s in Chicago on November 11, 1997, when a group of like-minded musicians got together to spin their takes on a band beloved by an intrinsic fan base — one that is both fun loving and importunate at the same time.
No one involved that night could have predicted what was blooming, as the original members of The Grateful Dead tribute group Dark Star Orchestra got together to have some fun and jam out.
On Saturday night, at the Palace Theater in Albany, a band that has seen 24 different members come through its turnstiles will ring in a very special 20th anniversary of playing Grateful Dead music. Whether they’re recreating a setlist from 1973, or piecing together their own show, Dark Star Orchestra has displayed some very impressive staying power. They are a touring force, filling theaters across the country and headlining festivals during the summer while performing more than 2,700 shows in their history.
But the piece that holds it all together is what built the Grateful Dead community in the first place: the fans. For a group that had almost no expectations, Dark Star has exceeded in keeping together something that took 30 years to build.
“We had no idea this band would take over our life,” said Rob Koritz, who fills the role of Mickey Hart in Dark Star. “It’s so fantastic. Anyone who plays music for a living, they want some sort of security and longevity. I think we are doing the music justice.”
None of the members from that Chicago night remain in the band, but the ethos plays on. The Grateful Dead had to simply endure many times of their existence, whether is was a death in the band, or a health scare, or anything in between. In 1966, they were playing the Acid Tests, and in 1995 they were selling out massive football stadiums. Dark Star Orchestra has trucked on in a way that preserves what Jerry Garcia and company made into a lifestyle.
But make no mistake, Dark Star isn’t a knock off in any way. To embody the spirit of a group the way that Dark Star has is an impressive feat.
“We are Deadheads too,” Koritz said. “We recognize that. Our hope is that we do the music justice. We are going to do what we have been doing for all these years this weekend. We work hard for this music and all we hope is that the fans receive it the same way.”
In an era where there is no shortage of Grateful Dead tribute music, Dark Star Orchestra has persevered. They stick to a simple script, one that brings a simple and pure form to those who weren’t around when the Grateful Dead were alive and well.
Koritz, though, doesn’t view what Dark Star is doing as starting a trend in the scene. It doesn’t take much to go out and see a Grateful Dead band, he says, and he understands that any competition is natural, if not warranted.
“We weren’t pioneers,” Koritz said. “Every town has a Grateful Dead cover band. You can see it any night of the week. In reality, we did it on a national level where there’s no dearth of Dead bands. Greensky Bluegrass does Dead stuff, and that’s incredible. It’s a testament to the music. Every band has its twists. It’s kind of like comparing this to the originals. No one is better than another, and everyone adds a unique take.”
Albany, and more specifically the Palace Theater, is a special venue for the band which has been making their November show an annual tradition, sometimes happening on Thanksgiving weekend. Koritz said the band adores the theater and the magic that it brings, especially because of the crowd it draws.
“We love the Palace,” he said. “The fans in Albany are just so great and honestly, it’s why we keep choosing to come back. The energy. It’s one of the bigger rooms we fill up. When the Palace gets rocking, you can see the balcony swaying and it gives the band an extra boost.”
Show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., and while Koritz didn’t divulge too much, he did lead on that this special show isn’t lost on the band.
“We have a few special things in store, for sure,” he added. “We’re going to stand out a bit.”
The 2017 Halloween season got off to a frighteningly good start last weekend courtesy of a small and intimate party in The Berkshires that featured some of the region’s burgeoning musical acts. Bands from Upstate NY and Western MA, along with an intimate collection of 200 some-odd live music lovers, assembled at the rustic H.A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA for a brief, yet utterly enjoyable, festival of nostalgic music and musical costumes and the third rendition of its Halloween Horror Camp. With each band playing a predesignated set of covers from other artists, the opportunities to “dress up” both in costume and musically ran rampant this cool October evening.
Normally used for Boy Scout camping purposes, the main lodge was transformed into a dance hall of sorts and nearby cabins were available for additional purchase as well for those that preferred bunk beds instead of roughing it outdoors. In fact, in a really unique twist, “campers” weren’t even informed of the event’s location until about 48 hours beforehand when an e-mail was sent to ticket holders. All that was known was that it would be somewhere in the 413 area code of MA. Those that were willing to put their faith in a party with no address were rewarded with a night of music that spanned multiple eras and genres.
One of the earlier acts of the day of Halloween Horror Camp 3 was Creamery Station who performed a “Watkins Glen” themed set of Dead and Allman Brothers tunes. With band members feeding into the holiday spirit and adorned in full body cow costumes, classic tunes like “Deal” and “Statesboro Blues” greeted still arriving guests and those still setting up tents and camps. A cover of The Band’s signature hit “The Weight” was also included in this engaging early set of music.
Shifting courses a bit, a set of Daft Punk covers followed, delivered by Northampton’s own Mammal Dap with assistance from Mary Corson on vocals. Together, they did justice to Daft Punk’s seminal album Discovery in a performance that covered nearly the entire recording. Songs like “One More Time,” “Voyager” and “Too Long” seemed to get the dance floor moving a little steadier and served as a great precursor for things to come.
Albany’s own Formula 5 then delivered one of the more anticipated sets of the evening with a blistering set of Phish covers. Beginning with a well jammed “AC/DC Bag” that fed directly into “Story of the Ghost,” the Upstate NY jam outfit did not disappoint with its cover set of one of their inspirations. A crisp “2001” kept the rave vibe alive and well in the main lodge but one of the true gems of the set was “Reba” and a corresponding jam that was melodious and powerful all at once. The same could be said for the rousing rendition of “Harry Hood” that followed later in the set before a customary “Cavern” set closer.
Cosmic Dust Bunnies then turned back the clock and took everyone on a musical romp through the 80s with a long set of covers from the era of hair spray and cassette tapes. Songs like “Superfreak” and “Word Up” gave the start of their set a retro dance vibe before the New Haven rockers settled into more pop hits like “Everybody Wants To Rule the World” and the ever present Rick Astley classic “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The Bunnies continued to impress and up the ante with standout takes of “Dirty Diana,” “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Panama.” The selection and variety of artists that were covered in this set was really impressive and a fun take of Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” helped bring a close to it.
Strange Machines, a Boston-based rock fusion act, then threw it back even further with a standout set of songs by The Doors. A full throttle version of “L.A. Woman” kicked things off and a fun “Love Me Two Times” > “Higher Ground” > “Love Me Two Times” sequence showcased the band’s ability to stylistically bob and weave. The “Riders on the Storm” and “Strange Days” that came towards the end of the set offered a true psychedelic tone to the evening that proved not all the music tonight had to be upbeat and poppy in order to be enjoyed.
The party kept going well into the hours of Sunday morning courtesy of a Bassnectar themed DJ set from Uncle Bob and a stellar set from lespecial chock full of Primus covers, a sound the band has really honed of late. The final set from Roots of Creation featured Grateful Dead and Rage Against the Machine songs intertwined and throwing the crowd into a final frenzy of the night, while Kerry Quirk gave the fans what everyone wants late at night, a healthy dose of Madonna. Those that stayed and camped overnight were welcomed with a community breakfast in the morning to help recharge before leaving the wilderness and returning to civilization. Halloween Horror Camp has all the feel of a remote festival with a powerhouse music lineup combined with a backwoods campfire among friends.
Nietzsche’s dropped the lineup for the 2017 edition of their FolkFest, which takes place next week at the famed Buffalo club. The second annual FolkFest features headliner Jonathan Richman and NYS Music 87/90 act Folkfaces.
After a successful inaugural year, Nietzsche’s brings back their FolkFest for 2017. The fest kicks off on Wednesday, Nov. 8 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 11. Jonathan Richman, known for his work with the Modern Lovers, headlines the festival on Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
Tyler Westcott and Dr. Jazz kick off the festivities on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with some old time swing and gypsy jazz. The headliner on Wednesday is the Oddjob Ensemble from Santa Rosa, California at 10 p.m. Following them is 18 Wheels and a Crowbar.
Thursday night features the Heenan Brothers followed by local act the Observers. The Dishonest Fiddlers, of Northeast Pennsylvania headline the night at 10:30 p.m. Rockabilly Steve and RB3 close out the night at midnight.
The fest starts to heat up on Friday with Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird from Rochester headlining the night at 11:30 p.m. The music kicks off with Cooper and Gin at 10 p.m. followed by Utica’s the Old Main at 10:30 pm. Ryan Sutherland and Dave Brown cap off the night at 1 a.m.
Follow the festival headliner show with Jonathan Richman, there is a second late night show with second tier headliners the Crooked North at 10 p.m. The late show also features NYS Music 87/90 act Folkfaces at 11:30 p.m. followed by Pine Fever at 12:30 a.m. The festival concludes at 1:30 a.m. with Chris James and Mama G.
Admission for Wednesday and Thursday nights is $5. Friday and Saturday’s late night run $10 with Saturday’s headliner set costing $15 to get in. All shows are 21 and over, though minors will be admitted when accompanied by an adult.
Nietszche’s FolkFest 2017 Lineup
Wednesday, Nov. 8
Oddjob Ensemble
18 Wheels and a Crowbar
Tyler Westcott and Dr. Jazz
No Illusions
Bess Greenberg
Tough Old Bird
Old Time Hoedown
Cairde “That’s Irish for Friends”
Mike & Kathy
Thursday, Nov. 9
The Dishonest Fiddlers
The Observers
The Heenan Brothers
Rockabilly Steve & RB3
Greg Barresi
Nickel City String Band
James Robert Kibby
Friday, Nov. 10
Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird
The Old Main
Cooper and Gin
Ryan Sutherland and Dave Brown
Saturday, Nov. 11
Jonathan Richman
Folkfaces
Pine Fever
The Crooked North
Chris James & Mama G
Freight train string quartet, The Blind Owl Band of Saranac NY, is returning to Rochester, NY this weekend to host a spookily impressive Halloween Bash. Accompanied by local favorites, The Honey Smugglers and Folkfaces, The Blind Owl Band Halloween Bash will place on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 pm at Anthology in Rochester, NY. Advanced tickets are $15 and the gate price is $18.
The Blind Owl Band is a 4-piece string band, featuring Arthur Buezo (Guitar, Vocals), Christian Cardiello, (Double Bass, Fretless Bass), James Ford, (Banjo Vocals) and Eric Munley (Mandolin, Vocals). After first harnessing the rawness of traditional bluegrass instrumentation, the band taken the genre into an entire new dimension, crossing between genres of bluegrass, folk, country, and soul, infused with their own unique Appalachian Mountain sound. The fast-fingered, high energy, cohesive group explores their live performance with an element of improvisation, gaining energy from their audience.
Fresh off releasing their third studio album Skeezy Patty earlier this month, The Blind Owl Band is hungry to put on the show of our dreams. In the five years prior to Skeezy Patty, the quartet have played over 700 shows across 17 states, building their rowdy & dedicated fan base across the east coast. Every show brings back the energy of the last, and the Halloween Bash will be no exception. Grab your tickets here!
After a September residency at local Buffalo dwelling, Nietzches, Intrepid Travelers packed up their sets chock-full of themes and set their sights on new residencies. Week one offered tunes from the British Invasion, spanning from the expected efforts of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, The Who, Cream, and Jimi Hendrix while week two introduced a set list that spelled out”Witty Tarbox.”
Carefully crafted to spell its theme out with the first letter in each track, week two ripped through an eclectic combination of tunes by pairing Pink Floyd, Rush, Talking Heads and Lotus covers in the company of Diana Ross and Dr. Dre. Sam Pavlovich was introduced as the new bassist in Intrepid Travelers and sat in on “Take Me to the River,” “YYZ,” “Xxplosive,” and “Funky Duck.”
The third week of the IT residency treated fans to an intersteller set appropriately in place with Space Junk acting as supporting act. The night unveiled “Space Odyssey,” “Satellite of Love,” “Rocket Man,” “Great Gig in the Sky,” “Standing on the Moon,” and other intergalactic classic rock favorites. The fourth and final week closed out a wildly executed residency with a final theme as a play on “dirt,” with musical support from Dirty Blanket. Also acting as David Neimanis’ last as a member of Intrepid Travelers, the group welcomed covers of musical giants Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Phish, Primus, Lettuce and more, with the help of Ellen Pieroni on saxophone.
Let’s Be Leonard have released Live at Nectar’s, from their June 16, 2017 performance at the fabled Burlington venue. Tune in below and check out Let’s Be Leonard on their Fall Tour!
I’m not even sure where to begin; my mind is spinning out of control trying to wrap itself around the news of yet another massive tragedy on American soil.
The headlines read something like “50 Dead, More Than 200 Injured in Las Vegas Mass Shooting,” and I still cannot process this. A 64-year old man from the 32nd floor of a resort hotel mowed down concertgoers attending a performance by country music superstar Jason Aldean.
Human beings who went out to smile, dance and engage with like minded people were destroyed with clicks of a trigger.
This is not OK.
In fact, as I sit here at my desk with tears streaming down my face, all I can envision is being in that field, bobbing my head in tune with the melody, only to have that moment of zen blown up and turned into a bloody mess of fear, terror and horror.
Music is a unifying force in our world. Since the dawn of time, humans have trekked all over the world to enjoy to take in one of the oldest and most pure forms of art. Its subjectivity is what makes it so unique and uncanny; whatever music you love, it’s the best, and no one can take that from you.
This guy has now taken that elation away from so many. But unfortunately, I view this act of terror as one that will ultimately lead to all sorts of arguments on gun control and all that comes along with it.
I’m not talking about any of that here. I am talking about not allowing a monster to instill fear into people, and thus making people all over question whether to attend the concert they have tickets to next Friday night. We escape the mundane when we go to a show.
We leave our problems at the office, the stress of daily life at home, when we go out and dance.
Yet, now people are growing wary and scared of going into large crowds because a coward of a man destroyed the lives of so many.
What used to be a unifying force — music — is now linked to what is creating a divide, and I am here to tell you that we must fight that with all our might, will and passion.
Always be vigilant when in public. Take note of things that seem out of place. Try to keep things safe in whatever way you can.
But don’t you dare skip that concert. Don’t throw away your tickets and definitely don’t stop seeing your favorite music live.
If you do allow the fear to take over your ways, you allow people like this man to win.
Take a stand. Go buy concert tickets. Enjoy the show.
Be part of overcoming terror, and not succumbing to what those horrendous people want.
Don’t let the weather deceive you, believe it or not, autumn began on September 22. Festival season in New York is nearing it’s close and festival goers are itching for a few last hurrahs. Next weekend, locals will be traveling to The Fall Down Music Festival at The “G” Lodge in Hannibal, NY. Presented by local booking and promotion company Hey Dude After Hours, The Fall Down is an intimate Central NY based music festival specializing in string music, jam bands, and singer-songwriters. Progressive string band Floodwood will be the headliner. Floodwood is lead by national talents of Vinnie Amico (moe) and Tony Markellis (Trey Anastasio Band). The Fall Down will take place next week at The “G” Lodge (81 Keller Rd, Hannibal, NY) on October 6th and 7th. Get your weekend passes for $50 here!
Take a glance below and click the play button. You’ll find a Rochester Groovecast podcast episode. This episode is a preview of the upcoming 2nd annual The Fall Down Music Festival. During the episode, you’ll listen to The Crooked North, Floodwood, Haewa, The Dwayne Johnsons, Folkfaces, Dirty Blanket, Timothy Braley, and Jungle Steve & The Gysophelias. All of these bands will be at this year’s The Fall Down Music Festival. If you scroll even further down, you’ll find a detailed episode timestamp.
Timestamp: 00:00: The Crooked North- Hop High My Lulu Gal 03:24: Introduction 06:19: The Crooked North- You Don’t Fit In 10:02: Floodwood- Waiting For The Punchline (Moe Cover) 18:58: Floodwood- Caught 24:22: Haewa- Chem De-Vision 28:04: Haewa- Swampin 33:37: The Dwayne Jonhsons- About That 37:17: The Dwayne Johnsons- Cold Pizza 41:24: Folkfaces- Angels And Demons 44:31: Folkfaces- Freedom Fries 48:24: Dirty Blanket- My Getaway 54:28: Dirty Blanket- Getting In The Way 57:58: Timothy Braley- Graceland (Paul Simon Cover) 1:02:15: Conclusion 1:03:55: Jungle Steve- Safe & Sound
Starbird was joined by Joe Davis of Formula 5 on vocals and guitar, Scott Hannay of Mister F on keys, and Connor Dunn of Let’s Be Leonard on tenor saxophone. Check out this funky rendition of the 1973 tune.
Eight bands are part of the Jam for Tots lineup this year, a charitable effort that brings live music and holiday season charity. Luke Weiler (Positive Mental Trip) has brought this series of shows to venues around Northeast, and has been expanded this year to span across New York State and includes 87/90 artists Intrepid Travelers, Cousin Earth, Formula 5, Space Carnival, Gowanus and Let’s Be Leonard, as well as Funkworthy and Chinatown Lights.
Normally used for Boy Scout camping purposes, the main lodge was transformed into a dance hall of sorts and nearby cabins were available for additional purchase as well for those that preferred bunk beds instead of roughing it outdoors. In fact, in a really unique twist, “campers” weren’t even informed of the event’s location until about 48 hours beforehand when an e-mail was sent to ticket holders. All that was known was that it would be somewhere in the 413 area code of MA. Those that were willing to put their faith in a party with no address were rewarded with a night of music that spanned multiple eras and genres.