Every August there are a variety of Woodstock 1969 tribute events, the last major one being the Heroes of Woodstock tour with many of the original festival performers in 2009 for the 40th anniversary. This Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, several of the original Woodstock performers and key figures will be appearing at Brooklyn’s newest outdoor music and event space, the Brooklyn Mirage. 48th
Leading the two day event is the co-creator and founder of Woodstock, Artie Kornfeld, a Brooklyn native himself. Friday’s event is a speaking engagement with Kornfeld featuring a discussion about Woodstock. Doors open at 5 p.m., tickets are available for general admission ($10) or seated ($20).
Saturday’s event will feature music by Arlo Guthrie, Billy Cox Band of Gypsys Experience, Melanie, and Leslie West (of Mountain). Kornfeld will be back to host the evening of music and there will also be an appearance by Wavy Gravy and special guests. Tickets for Saturday are $49 (general admission) and $69 (seated); doors are at 4 p.m.
Over the years, Black Sabbath has been known to create not only the metal genre as a whole, but also inspired so many sub-genres from the roots of all things heavy. Because of the wall of sound and the occult themes, many fans were mesmerized by that approach and set out on pilgrimages to create their own form of occult rock. From bands like Candlemass, Angel Witch, whom brought the sound of wicked laced lyrics in their songs, to groups like Electric Wizard who brought the evil overtones with immense amounts of 60’s influence drug speak, it is fair to say Black Sabbath has given birth to so many great bands over the years with their influence. Among the children of Sabbath, we have Houston’s Venomous Maximus.
They started casting evil incantations with their debut album, Beg Upon The Light (released 2012 via Occulture), the band was eagerly accepted in the doom underground. Now it has been two years since their last spellbound of a record Firewalker (released 2015 via Shadow Kingdom Records). They came back from the crypt to cast one more feverishly dangerous of an album, No Warning (released via Shadow Kingdom Records), the doom rockers have once again unleashed hell and we love it!
No Warning is the third studio album from the band. The formula of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) with the elements of Black Sabbath, this album hits you where it matters most. With Beg Upon The Light single “Give Up The Witch” we have the continuation of the story with “Return of The Witch.” Much like from the debut album, the vocals will have your skin crawling with excitement. Higgins (vocals/guitar) still sounds like an ominous banshee which you do not want to meet in a dark alley. Such a deep and very melancholy style of vocals, one will find themselves caught in the beauty of the darkness of the lyrical themes. With tracks like “All Of My Dreams” and “Pray For Me” displaying the most powerful of vocal creation, you will without a doubt be putting these tracks on repeat while you let the night take you away.
The band really knows how to make catchy songs while keeping that metal attitude alive. With Higgins, Larson (guitar/synth/backing vocals), Diles (bass), and Draungardy (Drums/percussion) working like an unholy covenant, the songs they create will have you banging at your next black mass! My personal favorite songs which I feel have the best girt type of mood would be “No Warning” and “Spellbound.” With such energy you will fall in love with Draungardy drumming and bass playing from Diles to penetrate into your mind the end of days is nye! It really will make those fans of Sabbath and Candlemass really feel as though the two groups made a Rosemary Baby and is offering the craft to the world! With the guitar work of Higgens and Larson working as one being, the 80’s guitar style is very clear in the tracks, with soaring guitar solos, but still carrying that doom induced dread that even the dead can enjoy rocking out to!
I have always been a huge fan of doom and occult themed bands. In fact it is one of my favorite genres of all time to enjoy with friends in the graveyard back in my youth. Doom metal will continue to haunt the underground and the passion for all things ominous. The genre will continue to be a favorite of the metal underground. With No Warning your passion will only grow with the genre and the band. This fine specimen gets an 8 out of 10 from me. You may go to the band’s bandcamp to get the album or Shadow Kingdom Records website. Get it out and may the spirit of the witch grace your ears!
Key Tracks: Return Of The Witch, Pray For Me, All Of My Dreams
Bruce Springsteen will make his Broadway debut in his “Springsteen on Broadway” run of shows in New York City. The marathon run of shows takes place throughout October and November.
Bruce Springsteen will play a total of 39 shows as part of his “Springsteen on Broadway” run of shows at New York City’s 960 seat Walter Kerr Theatre. The intimate shows will combine stories and music from his career, which began with 1973’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. Springsteen is quoted on the “Springsteen on Broadway” website:
“I wanted to do some shows that were as personal and as intimate as possible. I chose Broadway for this project because it has the beautiful old theaters which seemed like the right setting for what I have in mind. In fact, with one or two exceptions, the 960 seats of the Walter Kerr Theatre is probably the smallest venue I’ve played in the last 40 years. My show is just me, the guitar, the piano and the words and music. Some of the show is spoken, some of it is sung. It loosely follows the arc of my life and my work. All of it together is in pursuit of my constant goal to provide an entertaining evening and to communicate something of value.”
While “The Boss” has kept busy over the course of his career, last year was a big year for him with The River Tour 2016 being named the top global tour according to both Billboard and Pollstar, the release of his memoir Born to Run and its companion album Chapter and Verse in September and being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November.
Previews for “Springsteen on Broadway” begin on Oct. 3. The official opening is Oct. 12. The shows take place Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with a final performance on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. to make up for taking Thanksgiving Day off. The show is expected to last approximately two hours.
Tickets for “Springsteen on Broadway” are being sold through Ticketmaster’s VerifiedFan program and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 30. Fans wishing to attend the shows must register with Ticketmaster by 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Verified fans will be confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 29 and will receive a special code by text message on Wednesday, Aug. 30 prior to the 10 a.m. on sale time.
The sort of plasmic, shape-shifting rock and roll spawned by The Southern Belles of Richmond, VA, has been released to humans everywhere for their listening and dancing pleasure on August 5. Their third album, In the Middle of the Night, is oddly akin to Willie Wonka‘s three course dinner chewing gum, in that, through the consumption of one product, several flavors can be indulgently experienced in a brief period. At least by listening to this album, no one will need a swarm of oompa loompas to roll them to the juicing room… that we know of.
This album dives deeper than their previous release Close to Sunrise, offering heavier jams, tighter instrumentation and an overall more spacious and grandiose sound. The Southern Belles is Adrian Ciucci (guitar), Tommy Booker (keys), Aaron Zarrow (drums), and Derrick Englert (bass). In the Middle of the Night was recorded at The Ward recording studio in Richmond.
“Everywhere 1” floods the eardrums with runaway guitar like an antsy racehorse exploding out of the starting gate. In under a minute the tune relaxes before getting groovier, continuously arousing the listener’s curiosity. Ciucci’s vocal tone is a crosshatch of Motion City Soundtrack’s Justin Pierre and Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins. The song culminates with an uplifting message of gratitude: “Everything I try to be, there’s someone there reminding me/ Life is grand, we’re so lucky/ And it’s amazing everywhere it takes me.” This closing sentiment is a suiting cap to the opening song of an album, almost an anthem to their success, four musicians converging, playing their brand of music together in a way no other combination of musicians could exactly replicate. Something to be thankful for.
“Deja Vu” offers a more somber beginning, with higher octave backing vocals that emulate The Flaming Lips with a sea of airy voices echoing Ciucci. It shifts from whirring organ to bouncy guitar, offering an uplifting release from the heavier tone. “L.A. Moves” opens with delicate guitar and elements reminiscent of NY synth-rock band Jimkata. “Tryin” promptly brings the Vulfpeck vibes with playful keys before escalating into a rock-opera ballad replete with gospel-like vocals and undulating tempos. The album closes with “Everywhere II,” trickling in with calming water effects, muted organ and vocals with Pink Floyd connotations before Ciucci utters the heartening sentiment, “Just know in the end you’re gonna get where you’re goin, so take good care of your friends/ They’re the only ones who know you and the only ones who care so be kind and fair.” The song then picks up tempo and finishes on a high note with a cathartic swirl of guitar and pounding drums, bringing it full circle to the beginning of the album.
In the Middle of the Night was officially released on August 5 at The Broadberry in their hometown. The single is being streamed via Soundcloud and their website, and can be heard on SiriusXM’s Jam On. The Southern Belles have been touring the East Coast leading up to the album release, and will hit the road again for their fall tour. They will be playing Saturday August 12 in Capon Bridge, WV at La La Land, followed by the Peace of Mind Fest in Halifax, PA on August 31.
Thousands gathered to listen to a preacher give thanks. Her boisterous voice echoed throughout the golden walls, as painted angels peered down from the ceiling. She removed her glasses to wipe the sweat from her brow and then threw her hands to the sky as she sang to the heavens in gratitude and desperation. Brittany Howard is the lead singer and guitarist of the Grammy nominated band, Alabama Shakes. On August 1, 2017 she was a preacher. The Palace Theater in Albany was the church. The sold out crowd of 2,800 ticket holders the congregation.
Throughout the evening, she would pause to give thanks. Thanks to the Emily King, the opening folk act who drummed up the crowd’s excitement. Thanks to the fans for coming out on a Monday to show their support and hear them play. Thanks to her eight other band members for tearing it up. And a reminder to “take this message with you and make others feel good.”
Like a southern preacher, Howard was animated, soulful, serious and powerful. Entering onto the stage with a sample of David McCallum’s “The Edge” playing in the background, a feeling of intensity was shock waved throughout the building. The Shakes began with “Future People,” a song from their 2015 album Sound and Color. As she would do throughout the evening with songs like “I’m Yours” and “Dunes,” she began quietly but then abruptly pounced into action with volume and muscle.
The songs they played from the 2012 album, Boys and Girls, like “I Ain’t the Same,” and “Hang Loose” have a distinctly southern gospel rock to them. They’re playful and dance-inducing, providing opportunities for the band to shine. Every song from Sound and Color seemed to be more Howard focused. Her vocal range is bass to soprano, all with notes she holds. Her voice has an old-timey, soulful sound that pairs nicely with the instrumentals.
Before returning to the stage for a three-song encore, Howard and backup singer Lloyd Buchanan performed a sweet, romantic and somehow heartbreaking duet of “Gemini.” The two were able to convey a sense of unbounded and tender love. The evening ended with a soft “Over My Head,” like a lullaby to say goodnight.
Those lucky enough to witness the raw talent of Alabama Shakes at The Palace Theater went to bed that night feeling pure bliss and of course, gratitude.
It is not unusual in this day and age for a band to have it’s own festival. It is however, unusual, for a band’s festival to outlast the band itself. The Peach Music Festival, running August 10-13, 2017 was started by the Allman Brothers Band back in 2012. The band broke up for good a little more than two years later, but the festival lived on, featuring various off-shoots and solo projects of the band each year. 2017 has seen the untimely deaths of founding members Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks.
But the festival lives on. It will again host performances from Allman-related bands, including Gov’t Mule (joined by guitarist John Scofield and other unnamed guests), Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, and the final performance of Les Brers. More importantly, will be the special, not-to-be-missed Peach Tribute to Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks, which will feature Chuck Leavell, Jaimoe, Oteil Burbridge Marc Quiñones, Duane Trucks, Devon Allman and many more family and friends.
“Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within…”
Gregg and Butch, Berry Oakley and Duane Allman, and the Allman Brothers Band, will live on in the spirit of the Peach Music Festival. The bands invited this year will surely keep it very much alive. A who’s who of the world of jam, it is a lineup that is tough to top in a summer crowded full with festival goodness. The headliners Thursday through Sunday read like a 2017 jam band All-Star team: Joe Russo’s Almost Dead reinvigorate the music from the king of jam bands on Thursday night, My Morning Jacket will set the mountain ablaze with their rock torches Friday night, and southern jam titans Widespread Panic sneak their limited tour north of the Mason-Dixon line for shows on both Saturday and Sunday nights.
Slip just below the top line and the names don’t get much smaller, with Mike Gordon fresh off Phish’s Baker’s Dozen run at the Garden, blues-guitar phenom Joe Bonamassa, and progressive jammers Umphrey’s McGee joining the ranks of the aforementioned Allman-related artists.
“First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is…”
The Peach Music Festival will once again be held on Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA. Not only is it a naturally beautiful location, but it also includes a full and accessible water park with rides, slides and a lazy river. This is no ordinary waterpark, it comes equipped with a custom live music soundtrack running throughout the entire day of course! The mountain also includes a full restaurant, bar, and bathrooms, in addition to the usual festival fare.
Once you bite into this Peach, the sweet juices will be flowing all weekend, but that large Allman Brother pit from which it grew, will continue to hold it all together. For daily or weekend passes, and all the information you’ll need to prepare for your time at the fest, visit the official festival site at thepeachmusicfestival.com. See you on the mountain, jamming!
On the second Sunday of the outstanding Baker’s Dozen run at Madison Square Garden, Phish once again left its mark in the building and reminded us why we should never miss a Sunday show. When they opened with the classic, “The Curtain With,” the audience knew that they were in for an extra tasty treat. On Night 8, the band showed patience, confidence, and, of course – a sense of humor. Launching into a short but sweet first set “Runaway Jim” the band brought smiles to faces as the first donut reference of the night was revealed. Phish has magically decorated all their sets with delicious toppings during the Baker’s Dozen, and they continue to please the crowd with the lyrics we know and love.
Unlike the outrageously raging Saturday night, the quartet took the “slow and steady wins the race” approach on Sunday. The unexpected Junta jam “Esther” poked its head out for the first time since 2015. A hush filled the chapel and the people looked happy as the boys eased into two more slower tunes in “Home” and “Brian and Robert.” After a straight forward “Nellie Kane” Trey Anastasio led into an unforgettable “Colonel Forbin’s Ascent> Fly Famous Mockingbird” while Chris Kuroda took the lights on a legendary adventure in “the World’s Most Famous Arena.”
A spine tingling “David Bowie” finished off the set highlighted by Trey’s exceptionally tight guitar playing. The first set may have been slow, but it certainly wasn’t dull as several bust outs and sought after trophies were obtained by the ravenous audience. During the set-break, it was clear that fans had made the right choice in buying tickets to the Garden rather than staying home to catch up on Game of Thrones.
While there was no mention of “Jimmies” in the set two opener, “Drowned,” there was certainly enough improvisation to write home about. Clearly the MSG residency has done something to the Vermonters as they are playing with a Nectar’s-esque level of commitment. The ambient and mind-altering “Song I Heard The Ocean Sing” that swam its way out of the “Drowned” jam was the perfect addition to an already stellar second set. Dialed in, Page anchored the jam with some incredible synth play and Gordon acted as the lift-guard and threw in a floating bass line to build the jam up.
After two songs and almost 40 minutes, the crowd was left speechless, but thankfully Phish did all the talking during what will be known as the “Baker’s Harpua.” The never-ending tale of Jimmy and his cat’s unfortunate fate has not been narrated since 1997 at the Garden, but this time around Trey, Mike, Page, and Jon sat down to tell us a story about the universe. Donuts have covered mid-town Manhattan as fans anxiously await the details of the next flavor each night. During the historic version of “Harpua,” Phish let us in on a little secret by informing us all that the entire Universe is just a donut! In the expansive narration of Jimmy and his comrades, Trey consistently made the connection between current events and what is happening in Jimmy’s world. The insanely entertaining story that was told on Sunday night will not just go down as one of the greatest things to happen during the 13-show run, but possibly one of the best renditions in Phishtory.
The band made it clear that they were not ready to head back down to planet Earth as they remained in outer-space for a cosmic “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” The crowd seemed perplexed and were still trying to wrap their minds around the “Harpua” story when the spacey and instrumental jam morphed into a familiar and grounding “Golgi Apparatus.” While I am not at liberty to assume how Trey writes his set lists, I imagine there was some thinking behind the second set on Sunday night. The band went from a water and ocean theme to explaining the massive and mysterious universe before looking into a microscope and focusing in on one of the smallest elements of a cell, the Golgi body.
Under the light, they couldn’t get anything wrong on this particular night as they settled on yet another a cappella song, “In The Good Old Summer Time” to finish off the amazing set. Phish acted as our genie and granted us the third wish of the night by debuting the Jimi Hendrix classic “The Wind Cried Mary.” While die-hard fans were hoping to hear the recognizable “Izabella” by Jimi, we got a slow and fitting “best-of Hendrix” tune instead. The Garden screamed Mary as smoke billowed and couples embraced during the well-executed cover. The “Jimmies” night of the Baker’s Dozen run was a huge success and solidified the second Sunday as another classic Garden performance for the band that knows it best.
Set 1: The Curtain With > Runaway Jim, Waking Up Dead, Esther, Home, Brian and Robert, Nellie Kane, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird > David Bowie
Set 2: Drowned, A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing, Harpua > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Golgi Apparatus, In The Good Old Summer Time
Two years succeeding their debut, self-titled EP as a funky musical quartet, SkyDaddy makes a comeback with their latest EP Wide Eyes, due out on all digital platforms come August 1.
Dave Heinz (bass/vox), Joe North (saxophone/EWI), Tom Claney (guitar/vox) and Pat Agresta (drums) fit together as a jazzy-funk ensemble with nods of soul and rock fusion from downstate New York. However, its their solo skills that come together to create all that SkyDaddy stands for. Riding the wave of the ever-growing music scene in the Northeast, the foursome have lent their jam talents to venues across NYC and the tri-state area in support of The Nth Power, Pink Talking Fish, Amy Helm, Spiritual Rez, Sophistafunk and Zach Deputy, all within the last year.
Their self-titled effort brought fourth a five-track EP, including “Tell Me I’m Crazy” and “Just Enough Wine.” Dipping their toes into varying genres, Heinz, North, Clancey and Agresta use their talents to deliver spacey, progressive-like jams while capturing soul through their meaningful lyrics and memorable hooks.
Wide Eyes comes in the form of three tracks, all of which have the ability to get you on your feet and dancing or at least swaying side to side in your work chair. “Effortlessly Elegant” introduces the EP with a fitting title as the opening notes of the track and buttery-smooth saxophone make the listener’s need to move around and dance grow stronger by the second. “By the Fire Tonight” follows next, letting Agresta and the drum kit lead into the second track which appeals largely to the funkier soundscapes of their music. “Perspective” emphasizes on Heinz’ hearty vocals as he sings of relationships, wide eyed girls and the burning question of how they found their soul. Over the course of one year, the EP was recorded in REM Studios in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, collectively and accurately encompassing their sound as a unit thus far.
You can catch SkyDaddy on their Wide Eyes Tour during their slew of upcoming NY show dates, including a live WRRV Session at Newburgh Brewing Company, a September 19 Garcia’s gig with The Magic Beans in Port Chester and quick stops through VT and CT.
New York City based progressive rock band, Haakon’s Fault, has recently released their brand-new EP, Waning Gibbous. Despite the four-track project’s shortness, the band’s style and skill level is well showcased, combining elements of both wailing and grunge guitar offset by the entrance of a clean vocal by lead vocalist, Harry McNamara.
The EP’s opening self-titled track, “Waning Gibbous,” acts as an inviting introduction to the project. The song’s lead guitar riff captures and heats up the track to soon be cooled down by calming vocals. Despite the hot and cold nature of the track, it catches on fire with a piercing guitar solo that secures focus and desire to listen to the next three songs.
Waning Gibbous continues with a variety of sounds, followed by the second track, “Wicked World.” The track’s opening riff tells listeners to fasten their seatbelts. They’re on for the ride. With tints of hard-country, “Wicked World” symbolizes the versatile nature Haakon’s Fault has with their music.
Moving onto “Save Us” and then “Higher” Waning Gibbous provides an easy listening atmosphere for all listeners of music. It is very rare that a project is able to appeal to audiences of different genres while still remaining true to their sound. Haakon’s Fault is an example of a band that makes prog rock listenable to everyone. Their new EP stabilizes the thought that everyone, no matter the age or music sensibility, is able to rock.
The String Cheese Incident is known to shake things up with its tours this Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. This is not the type of band to have an East-Coast, West-Coast, and Mid-West tour, evenly spaced throughout the year. This year alone they’ve played in Mexico with Dead and Company, Los Muertos Con Queso (Get it?), played a string of Mid-West intimate venue shows, a two night run in Atlanta, and are playing a sleuth of new festivals like Summer Meltdown, The Oregon Eclipse Festival, and Element Festival in Princeton, BC, (not to be confused with Elements Fest in Brooklyn).
The only thing that seems normal this year is the annual three night run at Red Rocks Amphitheater that just took place July 21-23. After thanking the fans for a wonderful hometown throw down, the band announced that this year it will be playing a pair of Thanksgiving weekend shows in Chicago on November 24 and 25 at the Chicago Theater. SCI also announced it they will ring in the New Year with a three night stint at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY.
This comes as a huge surprise to fans, as this will be the first year not held at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield Colorado since 2012. Cheese heads in the Northeast are rejoicing as they plan ahead for what will be a weekend to remember. This past New Year’s Eve, the band welcomed Big Gigantic for an entire set of the “Big Gigantic Incident” and The Floozies for their own set the following night. We can only guess what cheesy goodness they’ll serve up to us this year.
Ticket info and details are expected to drop soon. And remember, Life is Gouda.
Leading the two day event is the co-creator and founder of Woodstock, Artie Kornfeld, a Brooklyn native himself. Friday’s event is a speaking engagement with Kornfeld featuring a discussion about Woodstock. Doors open at 5 p.m., tickets are available for general admission ($10) or seated ($20).
They started casting evil incantations with their debut album, Beg Upon The Light (released 2012 via Occulture), the band was eagerly accepted in the doom underground. Now it has been two years since their last spellbound of a record Firewalker (released 2015 via Shadow Kingdom Records). They came back from the crypt to cast one more feverishly dangerous of an album, No Warning (released via Shadow Kingdom Records), the doom rockers have once again unleashed hell and we love it!
The sort of plasmic, shape-shifting rock and roll spawned by The Southern Belles of Richmond, VA, has been released to humans everywhere for their listening and dancing pleasure on August 5. Their third album, In the Middle of the Night, is oddly akin to 
“Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within…”
Unlike the outrageously raging 
August 1.