NYS Music 20​17

Category: Features

  • Amy Helm Pays Tribute to Petty in Rochester

    Friday October 6 at Funk n Waffles Music Hall in Rochester started with one voice and one guitar, as Woodstock’s Connor Kennedy took the stage to warm up the stage for Amy Helm. He would end the night, as part of Helm’s band, on a two-neck guitar. Three and four-part harmonies would be the centerpiece of Helm’s set, which culminated with five songs by Tom Petty songs as a part of a six-song encore. One two three four five six… though Amy Helm and band put on a show that was anything but paint-by-numbers.

    Amy Helm PettyKennedy highlighted his emotive country-ready voice in a short set of fresh original folk tunes. He was appropriately decked out in denim head to toe, though he admitted a “clerical error” in not wearing his Nick Tahoe’s tee. During “Down by the Water” a voice emerged from the audience, in perfect harmony. Amy Helm, enjoying the set from the crowd, decided to sing along, beautifully “sitting in” without taking the stage. His set ended with him seated at the Rhodes, to play the title track off of his excellent just-released album, Somewhere.

    Helm’s set started with a small hiccup, as Kennedy had some guitar amplification issues. The rest of the band soldiered on, extending the beginning of “Didn’t It Rain” into a funky little jam, complete with improvised vocals. They funked, but didn’t waffle. As soon as the guitar was ready, the band immediately clicked into the song proper, as if it was part of the plan all along. The rest of the set went on without a hitch, mixing and matching genres like soul, R&B, roots, country, funk and blues. “Rescue Me” took on a southern rock feel and “Cotton and the Cane,” a new song co-written with Mary Gauthier,  showed more twang, but the band’s incredible harmonies were present throughout. They mixed in two great ones from the late great Alan Toussaint, “Yes We Can Can” and “Freedom for the Stallion,” both times Helm remarked how relevant the lyrics still were in our current time. The set closed with a searing rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me in the Morning,” which opened with some thumping bass from Ted Pecchio, closed with a rollicking solo from Sean Dickson on drums, and was pure fire in between.

    The encore opened with another cover, one of more recent significance, a near a capella rendition of Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” with only the Rhodes and some very subtle bass and drums as accompaniment. A beautiful tribute, but wait, there’s more. Helm said they knew in the lead up to this gig, a part of a quick three-show stint, they would need to play a Petty song. But once the time grew closer, they realized they couldn’t just play one, they needed to play five. So the encore became a mini Tom Petty tribute set. They continued on, with “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” an acoustic one-mic bluegrass version of the deep cut “No Second Thoughts” and “Waiting is the Hardest Part.” Helm then held back tears as the band beautifully dedicated the hymn “Gloryland” to Petty. This immediately led into an explosive finish, with Kennedy strapping on the aforementioned double-neck guitar for a perfect “American Girl.” We give it a ten!

  • We Can’t Allow Fear to Ruin Our Live Music Experience

    We’re so tired of our senseless fight

    The one thing we can all do right

    Is come together

    —    Trey Anastasio

    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.

    We need to rise up and come together.

  • Music, Craft Beer, Food: A “Finger Lakin’ Good” Time

    Who is ready for a “Finger Lakin’ Good” Time full of music and craft beer? If you answered yes, maybe, or even “huh?”,  NYS Music encourages you to come down to the Inaugural Lincoln Hills “Finger Lakin’ Good” Fall Fest in Canandaigua, NY, on Saturday, October 14. 

    For the humble ticket price of $15, you’ll gain access to more than seven live bands, craft beer, food vendors and a beautiful autumn breeze. The lineup will include The Eric Krasno Band, Floodwood, Dirty Blanket, Pearly Baker’s Best, Aaron Lipp & Yarms, Workingman’s Dead, Badfeet and more to be announced! Music will run from 12am until 8pm. Get your tickets .

    The Eric Krasno Band will headline the event. Eric Krasno is the guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the world famous bands Soulive and Lettuce. He is also respected as a producer and songwriter, working with everyone from Norah Jones, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Talib Kweli, 50 Cent, Pretty Lights, Aaron Neville, Allen Stone and beyond. In promotion of his latest solo album, Blood From a Stone, Eric Krasno is touring extensively this fall with his hand selected band. The Lincoln Hills “Finger Lakin’ Good” Fall Fest will be a prime opportunity for locals to catch a live performance of Eric Krasno’s self titled band.

    Take a glance below and click the play button. You’ll find a Rochester Groovecast podcast episode. This episode is a preview of the Inaugural “Finger Lakin’ Good” Music Festival. During the episode, you’ll listen to The Eric Krasno Band, Floodwood, Dirty Blanket, and Aaron Lipp & The Slacktones (Lipp and Yarms). All of these bands will be at The “Finger Lakin’ Good” Fall Fest. If you scroll even further down, you’ll find a detailed episode timestamp. Find directions to the event here. 

    Timestamp:

    00:00: Eric Krasno Band- Waiting On Your Love

    03:32: Introduction

    07:25: Eric Krasno Band- Blood From A Stone

    10:54: Floodwood- North Country Winds

    14:57: Floodwood- Whiskey After Breakfast

    18:39: Dirty Blanket- My Getaway

    24:42: Dirty Blanket- Dead Or Alive

    30:53: Aaron Lipp and the Slacktones- Catching That Train (ft. Oliver Wood)

    35:20: Aaron Lipp and the Slacktones- Weary Bones

    39:26: Conclusion

    41:22: Eric Krasno Band- Jezebel

  • Collar City Faves Blue Machine Rock the Dino

    If you were in the mood to rock out to Classic Rock and British Invasion tunes from The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Troy was the place to be this past Friday, Sept. 22 as Blue Machine made their return back to the venue.

    Blue MachineThis was the first public appearance for the band since last December. The band’s return not only brought in a packed house, the performance was also entertaining, fun and it was a great night for their fans as they rock and rolled in the City of Troy.

    Blue Machine, featuring Kenny Hohman (guitar/vocals), Joe Daley (drums), and Lori Friday (bass/vocals) and front man Tommy Love (vocals/harmonica), have been bringing their own take on many popular Classic Rock and British Invasion tunes for over 10 years throughout the Capital District and New England. For over 21 years, Hohman, Daley and Friday perform as an international and local power trio called Super 400. Love, who at times can sing and sound like various performers such as Robert Plant, Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison, is also a lead vocalist in another local group, Blue Hand Luke.

    Blue Machine performed hit songs throughout the evening, starting with “Come Together” (The Beatles), followed by “Heart Full of Soul” (The Yardbirds), “Set Me Free” (The Kinks), “Badge” (Cream), “Tell Her No” (The Zombies), “Jumping Jack Flash” (The Rolling Stones), “Strange Brew” (Cream), “Born Under A Bad Sign” (Cream), “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” (The Rolling Stones) and “Happy” (The Rolling Stones), among other tunes.

    “We’re going to give you some trippy music,” Love called out to the fans after the band had finished performing “Happy.” Love was making a reference to their next song, “Riders of the Storm” (The Doors) as Hohman began to play the memorable chords of the tune on the guitar. The Doors’ other hit, “Roadhouse Blues,” followed suit. From The Doors came The Allman Brothers Band. The band dedicated “One Way Out” and “Whipping Post” to the late Gregg Allman.

    Watching the band sing and jam out to these two tunes from The Allman Brothers was captivating, magical and entertaining. As Love sang his verses to these songs, the instrumental jam session began in full force. One moment, Hohman would play a soaring guitar solo, Daley would begin soloing on the drums, then Friday would begin her solo routine to Daley’s toned down drum taps for a given moment. As her solo ended, Hohman and Love reunited with the group to continue to perform their song(s) until it ended. The band, being as connected and passionate to these songs as they are, helped make these classic songs come to life.

    Closing out the first set, and then with a following encore performance, was the anticipated Led Zeppelin tribute. The tribute started out with a cover of “What Is and What Should Never Be” (Led Zeppelin II) followed by “Black Dog” (Mothership), “I Can’t Quit You Baby” (Led Zeppelin) and “Thank You” (Led Zeppelin II). Closing out their encore performance with Love on lead harmonica and vocals, Love belted out the lyrics to “Bring It on Home” (Led Zeppelin II). The end of the encore left Blue Machine fans happy and satisfied to know that rock and roll is here to stay in the Capital District.

    Like Blue Machine on Facebook to stay updated on where the band will perform next. Also, check out Dinosaur BBQ’s website to stay informed on the local acts that will be performing in the area.

    Setlist: “Come Together” (The Beatles), “Heart Full Of Soul” (The Yardbirds), “Set Me Free” (The Kinks), “Badge” (Cream), “Tell Her No” (The Zombies), “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (The Rolling Stones), “All My Loving” (The Beatles), “Strange Brew” (Cream), “Born Under A Bad Sign” (Cream), “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” (The Rolling Stones), “Happy” (The Rolling Stones), “Riders of the Storm” (The Doors), “Roadhouse Blues” (The Doors), “One Way Out” (The Allman Brothers), “Whipping Post” (The Allman Brothers), “What Is And What Should Never Be” (Led Zeppelin), “Black Dog” (Led Zeppelin), “I Can’t Quit You Baby” (Led Zeppelin), “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin), “Thank You” (Led Zeppelin),
    Encore: “Bring It On Home” (Led Zeppelin)

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518.

  • Carrie and The Cats IBC Fundraiser at Big Kahuna

    The fundraiser held on the evening of September 30 at the Big Kahuna in Huntington, NY was filled with many talented acts joined together by an appreciation of music and support for fellow musicians. The event was organized by the headlining act, Carrie and The Cats, the winners of the 2018 International Blues Challenge and are representing Long Island this January at the national competition that will be held in Memphis. TN.
    Carrie and The Cats are a ‘new-school’ blues band from Long Island, New York. They are led by the incredible talent of Carrie Lynn Wicks and feature Will “Wee Wee” Bart on guitar, Bill “Bad Bones” Hanley on  tenor/alto Saxophone, Joe Conserva on bass, and Russ Benjamin on drums. The band had its start in early 2016. It channels the soul and passion of classic acts like the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, and Aretha Franklin, while adding a flair reminiscent of Amy Whinehouse and John Mayer Trio.
    Carrie and The Cats
    Throughout the evening there were contests held with gift baskets and raffles auctioned off, including two members of the band themselves. The money being raised is all going towards the many expenses accumulated to travel the five musicians and musical equipment over 1,000 miles from home to the Volunteer State.
    In support of Carrie and The Cats, there were performances by: The Proletarians, Good Luck Lapis, The Chris Ruben Band, Necter, and MJT.  The Cats covered such ambitious songs including ‘I Feel Good (I Got You)’ by James Brown, ‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles, ‘Hound Dog’ by Elvis Presley, and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ by Bill Withers. The crowd danced and applauded vigorously upon hearing these tunes played. The group also had some fantastic originals mixed in that exemplified their synchronization to one another and rooted influences. The originals performed that night were titled ‘Bad Company,’ ‘All Over Town,’ ‘Groove It,’ ‘Trapped Under Ice,’ ‘Gotta’ Go,’ ‘Don’t Know How,’ ‘Cross Roads,’ ‘No Peace in Me,’ and ‘Sunny Day.’ 
    Carrie and The Cats
    One in particular, that really harnessed the group’s essence and musicianship was “Crossroads.” The song was a mid-tempo ’50s and 60’s inspired doo-wop and soul ballad with a rock edge. Guitar arpeggio, heavy sax and groovin’ beat filled the swells of the ballad. Carrie’s voice is very acrobatic, infusing controlled rasps with a beautiful high range. Her vocals resonated with the style of the king and queen of soul, as she belted and swayed to the music on stage. Bill and Will each shared the limelight with intricate and sustained power that came from their sax and guitar. Each of them soloed and improvised on numerous tracks and the audience held praise. Joe Conserva and Russ Benjamin delivered smooth backbone in rhythm support and a well mannered tempo, keeping the set running smoothly.
    Here is a glimpse of their performance during the night.

    Carrie and the Cat’s music and EP ‘All Over Town‘ can be found on all major music streaming services Spotify, Apple Music and SoundCloud.
    The group is extremely excited and grateful for the awesome experience and if you wish to help them raise money in an effort to hit their goal, you can! Donate here. Any amount helps and donations over $15 include a signed copy of The Cat’s album, opportunities to hear them perform and a chance to book them to play a full length set at any event.
    For more info visit their website

  • Blind Owl Band Premieres “Reloading” from Upcoming Album ‘Skeezy Patty’

    On Friday,October 13, The Blind Owl Band will release their third studio album Skeezy Patty. NYS Music has an exclusive premiere of “Reloading” off Skeezy Patty.

    “Reloading is a chant for the resilient” (Arthur Buezo) and Blind Owl Boys have clearly reloaded on Skeezy Patty. “Reloading” is up tempo and slightly dark yet true, with a little Greensky Bluegrass influence in the tune’s peaks and valleys, with Arthur Buezo (guitar) trading lines with James Ford (banjo)
    The album pays homage to their beloved 1999 Ford Econoline tour van “Skeezy Patty,” who just like Blind Owl Band, has pushed the limits of life on the road. In the five years since their last release, the owls have played over 700 shows across 17 states, building their rowdy & dedicated fan base across the east coast.
    blind owl band skeezy patty
    An intricate offering of 10 fervent tracks, Skeezy Patty reflects heavy periods of musical and emotional growth, that offer a dark and dynamic raw sound while pushing the limits of their acoustic sonic tone. Blind Owl Band’s newest album reflects the stark reality of being musicians who continually strive to evolve with their music and live life of purpose. The boys push the limits of their engine night after night; climb aboard and get ready for a one-of-a-kind ride.

  • Farm Aid Brings Music For A Mission Back To Burgettstown, PA

    My husband and I were fortunate enough to be in attendance the last time the Farm Aid lineup rocked Burgettstown in 2002.

    This time was extra special as it was the first time our six-year-old son was able to attend a Farm Aid event with us. The life experience he has gained from attending the press conference, being up close to music greats like Farm Aid board members, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, learning about vermicomposting in the HOMEGROWN Village and eating all the amazing food the local farmers and food vendors cooked up for the show; I can’t even begin to imagine the lasting impact that will have on him. Did I mention that all of the concessions sold at the show were sustainably produced by family farmers using ecological practices and any waste produced was recyclable or compostable?  Awesome!

    Although the day in many ways is about the music, I want to take a moment to focus on the heart of the cause…the family farmers. Farm Aid has raised more than $50 million to support family owned farms. The press conference held prior to the day long concert, focused on four stories of local farms. They varied from a produce farm that sold to local schools, a dairy farm that was able to stick it out and make things work even in tough times, one of the pioneers of organic farming in the region and an inner city urban farm that invites the community to have a safe haven to commune, work and get a bite to eat if they’re hungry. Pennsylvania was selected to play host to the 2017 Farm Aid concert because it is home to over 58,000 farms. However, those farms are declining at a growing rate. For more information about Pennsylvania farms please visit here.

    It is no surprise that the 2017 Farm Aid concert sold out the first day tickets went on sale. The lineup was incredible and featured some of the music industry’s best. Farm Aid 2017 featured Willie Nelson, Neil Young with the Promise of the Real, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff &The Night Sweats, Blackberry Smoke, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Valerie June, Insects vs Robots and Blackwood Quartet. We met people who had traveled from Alaska and even Australia to see the show.

    The day opened with the smooth sounds of the Blackwood Quartet; followed by the experimental psych-rock band Insects vs Robots featuring Micah Nelson, son of Willie. Valerie June brought her beauty and talent to the stage. How many instruments can she play?

    Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real were on fire. It has been a few years since I have seen them and they have certainly progressed as a band. Lukas has a genuine, likeable stage presence and proved that he has natural talent like his father. In fact, this band is so amazing that they have the distinct honor of being the backing band for Neil Young.

    Jam-rock band Blackberry Smoke played a set reminiscent of the sound of the Allman Brothers.  Farm Aid veteran Jamey Johnson took the stage next. The crowd was starting to fill in as he performed country favorites, “Up on Cripple Creek” and Woodie Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.”

    I had heard great things about Margo Price, a newcomer to the alternative country music scene. She did not disappoint. She has a voice that will take her places and a personal reason for championing the Farm Aid cause; her family lost their farm in 1985.

    Things really started to heat up when Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats took the stage. It was my first time seeing the band and now I completely understand what my friends have been raving about. What an awesome sound that culminated with their performance of “S.O.B.”

    The Avett Brothers kept the momentum going. I am unsure of how to describe their sound. You really just need to check it out for yourself. They rocked “Laundry Room,” “True Sadness” and “Slight Figure of Speech.”

    Jack Johnson is one of the most laid back performers I have ever seen. He opened his set with a highly entertaining parody song aptly titled, “Willie Got Me High and Stole All My Money.” Jack invited Jamey Johnson, Sheryl Crow and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats to join him onstage to cover Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” To keep the party going, Jack called for someone to find Lukas Nelson so that he could come up and perform with him. Lukas was located and joined him for “Breakdown” which included a snippet from Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.” Jack Johnson was clearly in the mood to share the stage and the Avett Brothers joined him for the final two songs of his set, “Mudfootball” and “Better Together.”

    The sun was finally starting to go down and Sheryl Crow was up next. She took the stage and immediately lead with hit song “Every Day Is a Winding Road.” She followed Jack Johnson’s lead by inviting Margo Price to join her for “Strong Enough” and ended her set with The Allman Brothers Band cover “Midnight Rider” with Margo Price, Willie and Lukas Nelson and Jack Johnson onstage to help.

    The first of the Farm Aid board members, Dave Matthews along with his partner in crime, Tim Reynolds performed next. Matthews and Reynolds laid down some mean guitar tracks during set opener “Don’t Drink the Water.” They pleased their diehard followers by debuting a new song that may appear on an upcoming album release that fans have dubbed “Odds Are Against Us.” Their set felt short. Of course I am accustomed to their nearly three hour long performances.

    John Mellencamp always puts on a good show. I am convinced he can pull off anything from country, blues, jazz-funk to good ol’ rock n roll. He can sing it all and his band is on point. He played fan favorites “Small Town,” “Check it Out,” an acoustic version of “Jack and Diane” to which Mellencamp said, “I don’t know why I play this song anymore. I guess it’s cause I know you all want to hear it.” “Rain on the Scarecrow” was very moving given it summarizes the heart of the devastation of the loss of a family farm.

    I have seen Neil Young perform at Farm Aid several times but this year, he stole the show. Young along with Promise of the Real took the stage by storm with a thundering version of “F*ckin’ Up.” Young was ready to rock and ripped through stunning versions of “Cortez the Killer,” “Cinnamon Girl,” “Heart of Gold” and the crowd went crazy when the opening chords of “Rockin’ in the Free World” hit the air. He summed up the day by stating “Farmers are the American heroes today. They are living a real life.”

    It was time for the heart and soul of Farm Aid to take the stage… Mr. Willie Nelson. My son was overjoyed that he opened with his favorite Willie song, “Whiskey River.” Willie performed a Toby Keith cover “Beer for My Horses,” “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” “On the Road Again” and ended the night with some humor or perhaps satire with “It’s All Going to Pot.”

     

    What can you do to help?

    • Shop at your local farmer’s market
    • Join a CSA
    • Grow your own garden or participate in a community garden
    • Talk to local farmers and learn about what they do and their farming practices
    • Contribute to Farm Aid 
    • Write to congress and tell them they need to support family farms not factory farms

  • Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad Links Kingston to Buffalo

    With the bustling, vibrant music scene which Buffalo has remarkably fostered, there are often many places a music lover can find solace on an active Saturday night. Despite the many options, it seems many WNY music lovers knew the place to be on Saturday, September 30 was in Buffalo at The Tralf Music Hall to catch a nearly sold out performance by Rochester’s own reggae powerhouse Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (GPGDS).

    Attendants were in great spirits as they frolicked through the doors and found a place to put their recently located jackets and sweatshirts on Buffalo’s first truly chilly Autumn night. The festivities began right on time with Hip-Hop Duo Level 7 Experience acting as the night’s MC and performing on the floor in front of the stage to better engage with the audience while the bands set up.

    The crowd was loose and ready to dance once Level 7 Experience finished their first set and the opening band, Thunder Body, took the stage. The multi-instrumental, Rochester-local Dub group took no time to get started as they performed a bouncing set, spanning multiple genres. Jumping from reggae to ska to outward psychedelia, the well-rehearsed band did an excellent job using their horn section, percussionists, and theremin to create a very distinct sound of their own. It seemed as though they could play all night and everyone would have been okay with it, but unfortunately time was not on their side and they had to leave room for the main course.

    After a well-earned standing ovation, Level 7 Experience took to the floor once again to entertain the crowd while the stage was set for GPGDS. Now that people were a bit more liquored up and frisky, the duo played to the room and performed more call and response songs than their first set. By the time they finished their last number and thanked the crowd, GPGDS took the stage leaving almost no time between performances.

    As the band took the stage, the screen behind them featured a homage to the city by displaying the Bill’s logo with the buffalo replaced by a panda. It quickly became clear that this was a reoccurring symbol as many people in the crowd wore shirts with the logo, indicating how invested and committed the reggae band’s fanbase was in the area.

    A long, slow drum segment started out the set, leading to an explosion of funk and reggae with bass player James Searl and drummer Chris O’Brian holding down the low end while guitarist Dylan Savage played a scratchy rhythm to get the crowd grooving. After the long intro, O’Brian mixed things up by playing a Latino-inspired beat prompting Searl to holler a Marley-inspired rap with quick, impressive alliteration. Following a breakdown and nailed composed ending, the band slowed things down and segued perfectly into a slower reggae number.

    The light, minimalist reggae tune transformed the Tralf from a dark, oddly shaped room to a refreshing summer day just relaxing by the pond. Reggae fans experienced exactly what they came for as keyboardist Tony Gallicchio sprinkled light-hearted fills throughout the tune while the rest of the band kept things easy. From there they shifted the tempo once again to a faster reggae number which allowed guitarist Dan Keller to showcase his musical expertise by taking the quick reggae tune to space, infusing his love of reggae with that of psychedelia.

    One of the most impressive aspects of GPGDS is their ability to jump from song to song without any stopping and constructing their setlist to feel seamless. They controlled the energy in the room throughout the night with few breaks in the music and making the show feel like a sound wave; going up and down as they played songs with varying tempos one after another.

    Each member of the band was proficient at what they played and took turns on lead vocals. Throughout the night the band excelled at giving the crowd a genuine reggae performance while at the same time incorporating different genres to establish a sound of their own. By welcoming guest spots from the previous acts, there was never a dull moment throughout the show as you could not predict what was coming next.

    Had you told me I would be walking out of this show and entering the humid streets of Kingston, I might have believed you after that performance. It is clear why GPGDS has such a strong following among reggae fans, and they can truly do justice to a genre of music that so many bands tend to butcher.

    giant panda buffalo

  • The North Country Welcomes The Summit

    The Summit, a first time concert series presented by Wild Adriatic and Mean Max Brew Works made it’s way into The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, N.Y. for a two night engagement on Friday, September 29 and 30.

    Night one featured, Sun Satellites, Sad,  The Lateshift, Girl Blue, Madaila, event hosts and organizers, Wild Adriatic and headliner, Aqueous. Night two brought on a full evening of music with Last Daze, Chestnut Grove, Paradox Saints, Ramblers Home, Angels On The Fourth, Let’s Be Leonard and Wild Adriatic to close out the event.

    AQUEOUS.E.COKER_06

  • Young Dubliners Bring the Party to the Wescott

    As the Young Dubliners made their way through New York on their East Coast Tour, they certainly liven up Hump Day for those brave enough to venture out to The Westcott this past week.

    Those in attendance for this mid-week concert were there to dance and have a good time as they had an inside track to what they were in store for. Immediately apologizing for not keeping his word to play on a Friday night, you wouldn’t know it wasn’t a Friday as they brought the party with them for their captivated audience.

    Opening for the band were New York locals Waydown Wailers. Although a great band in their own right, I don’t think those in attendance were able to appreciate their unique sound.  More of a southern rock band, these talented locals from Canton played to a group of Celtic loving souls, and left them scratching their heads and feeling a bit quizzical in what they just heard. With more than enough local Celtic performers to choose from as openers, I believe when booking opening bands for shows, the Westcott needs to start pairing bands together that play to the same crowd.  Not only will it appease the crowds, those bands that are opening, will begin to reach more of the audience they wish to reach.

    As the L.A. lads took the stage, they jumped feet first into a fully charged setlist that included many favorites from their large catalog of music. With Keith Roberts on lead vocals and guitar, he quickly engaged the crowd with his edgy vocals and charismatic personality, not to mention the stage full of talent that accompanied Keith with David Ingraham on percussion, Brendan Holmes on bass, Bob Boulding on lead guitar, and Chas Waltz on fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica.  Each musician was as impressive as the next as they melodically mesmerized their audience leaving them wanting more.

    For those that made their way to the Westcott to see the talented Young Dubliners, they were treated to an awesome performance and enough energy to last them till the next time they can make their way back east.

    Setlist: Paddy’s, Adhainn Mor, Fall, Say Anything, Brown Dog, Howaya Girls, Come Back Home, Bodhran, Apart, Liverpool, Seeds of Sorrow, Tell Me Ma, Foggy Dew, Ashley Falls, Waxies, Pari of Brown Eyes, Chas Solo, We The Mighty, Carlow, Fall from Grace, Rosie, and Rocky Road