British police have responded to an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Early reports indicate that 19 people were killed and 50 injured in what is being investigated as a possible terrorist act.
The bomber was identified as 22 year-old Salman Abedi, the son of Libyan immigrants. According to authorities, he died in the explosion. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the terror alert to its highest level.
Grande responded to the attack in a tweet after the show:
The Dangerous Woman Tour was scheduled to make a stop at London’s O2 Arena Thursday but TMZ is reporting that Grande has suspended the tour indefinitely.
Among the 22 killed and 59 injured in the attack were many children under 16.
The BBC is reporting that the blast occurred in one of the foyers to the arena at approximately 10:35 p.m. BST. A second suspected device was located in the vicinity of the explosion.
The injured are being treated for shrapnel-type wounds amid a huge police presence. A bomb disposal unit was also dispatched to the scene. The Greater Manchester Police issued a statement via Twitter regarding the incident:
Grande is on a world tour to promote her Dangerous Woman album. Her publicist confirmed that Grande is O.K. She is next scheduled to perform at O2 Arena in London on Thursday. No word yet as to whether that will happen.
There are few things in life that are certain, and the Strangecreek Campout festival has become one of those things.
This weekend at Camp Kee-Wa-Nee in Greenfield, Mass., the Wormtown Trading Company will celebrate the 15th iteration of the beloved Western Massachusetts festival, headlined every year by Connecticut mainstay Max Creek.
Festival founder Mark Blanchette sees this year as being one of the stronger lineups he’s put together.
“We’re getting a lot of great feedback on this year’s lineup and it looks like it will be a very festive gathering indeed,” says Blanchette. “It looks like we’re going to celebrate 15 years of StrangeCreek with a whole lot of friends this year.”
Other headliners include Badfish: A Tribute To Sublime and The Eric Krasno Band, who will join returning mainstays Max Creek, Ryan Montbleau and Zach Deputy, as well as The Machine, Pink Talking Fish and more than 70 other bands on multiple stages over three days and three nights, along with food and craft vendors, family activities, a community bonfire, and roaming musicians.
If you have a weekend pass in hand, you can arrive on Thursday and pay only $30 for early entry. If you purchase tickets before Friday, it will cost you $145, but be prepared to spend $160 if you buy at the gate. And honestly, there isn’t a better deal in the Northeast festival circuit than Strangecreek.
Gates formally open Friday at 9 a.m., and guests need to be packed and on their way home by noon on Monday. In between, it’s fun, sun, jams and, literally, magic. New to family camping this year is the addition of a magician, who will add to the wonder of a highly celebrated weekend. There will also be guided stargazing.
Another new and anticipated feature is the Holistic Village, a place where revelers can go “nurture body, mind and soul in natural, healthful ways.” Jeff Bujak will be hosting a silent show, where fans will listen to him perform through headphones. Think Silent Disco style.
Camp Kee-Wanee is an inclusive summer day camp with an emphasis on the arts. Wormtown’s music festivals provide a key source of funding for the camp’s summer programming; the camp has been home to Wormtown’s StrangeCreek Campout and their fall show, Wormtown Music Festival, since 2003
In addition to Max Creek, Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime and The Eric Krasno Band will be making their debut appearances. Ryan Montbleau and Zach Deputy are back on the bill along with hybrid cover band Pink Talking Fish and The Machine.
New York progressive wizards Consider the Source will be thumping the main stage, along with the Werks, David Gans, who is celebrating the life of Grateful Dead keyboardist and crooner Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and area favorites Hayley Jane and the Primates.
Western Massachusetts grown The Alchemystics, Dead cover band ShakeDown, Albany area favorites Gang of Thieves, The Z3, Beau Sasser Trio and Skeleton Keys are other notable bands on the bill with ties to the state of New York.
Llama Lasagne, a rotating collective of Pioneer Valley musicians who concoct thematic concerts featuring a mix of musicians from local bands are putting on a special “theme” set for the third straight year.
In a recent interview with The San Francisco Chronicle, former Van Halen frontman, Sammy Hagar, shared his feelings on performing, touring, and the everlasting rumors of a potential Van Halen reunion. Hagar just wrapped up his annual Acoustic-4-A-Cure, benefit concert, that featured artists including Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Don Felder, Mick Fleetwood, Vic Johnson, Sarah McLachlan, Steve Vai, Bob Weir, and Dave Grohl, who is sitting in for co-founder and Metallica frontman James Hetfield, due to touring obligations.
Asked if he missed performing regularly:
I always miss being onstage. But I don’t miss being on tour. The way I’ve been doing it for about the last seven or eight years, I’ll just take two shows — you know, Dallas and maybe Houston. But I got so old last year, I found myself having to go over to my studio five days a week and rehearse to get my voice into shape. Next thing I know, all I’m doing is getting ready for two shows. I wouldn’t do more than 40 or 50 shows a year. I just can’t. It’s my body and my time. And in my heart, I get out there onstage and I go, “You know, I don’t feel like doing it tonight.”
After mentioning that fans are not only in love with his solo shows, but are demanding Hagar to perform with Chickenfoot and Van Halen. Hagar responded:
That whole Van Halen thing lurking in the woods out there, I feel there’s a sniper out there — any minute the bullet is going to come flying in that says “VH” on it, “You’re it!” We’ll see what happens. I don’t understand them. I haven’t understood them in a long time. I would only do it with Sam and Dave anyway. I’d rather Dave (David Lee Roth) go out and sing his own songs. I’ll sing my songs. That would be the ultimate show, I think. If we could do it that way, I would suck it up. It would be fun.
Hagar replaced David Lee Roth in Van Halen in 1985, and parted ways in 1996. In 2007, Hagar was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen. The singer also has his own line of spirits including Cabo Wabo Tequila, and Sammy’s Beach rum. A Van Halen reunion still seems far off, if it happens at all.
The electronic jam sounds of SOLARiS return to New York State this weekend with two big shows in Saratoga Springs and Brooklyn. Saturday catch SOLARiS at Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs featuring Orchard Lounge DJ Ben Silver and on Sunday at Brooklyn Bowl featuring Wax Future and Polyvamp.
Solaris
The all instrumental SOLARiS features a great deal of original music with a range of electronica including dubstep, drum n bass, jazz fusion and funk, all intertwined between drummer Daniel Scott Lyons, keyboardist Jared Raphel and bassist Vinny Naro. Naro shared his thoughts on the upcoming run:
“Expect a new and improved Solaris. We’re sounding surprisingly more polished these days, most likely from the result of the new sounds we’ve been developing and just simply being together as a band for 7 years. While there will always be the staple original songs, like “Vice” and “Nostromo,” there are some new covers as well; such as the “Stranger Things” TV theme, our new instrumental remix of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” and more. As always, we will also be doing our usual exploratory improv, finding new sounds, deep electronic grooves, etc… If you’re attending the shows this weekend, put your seatbelt on because it’s gonna be a very intense and funky ride.”
Within an hour of completing a performance at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, Soundgarden lead vocalist Chris Cornell was found unresponsive in his room at the MGM Grand Hotel after a concerned call to a friend from his wife, Vicky. Cornell was declared dead at the scene. The medical examiner later determined his death was self-inflicted by hanging.
Most famous as the front man for the Seattle grunge-era band Soundgarden and later Audioslave (formed with the remaining members of Rage Against the Machine after Zack de la Rocha’s departure), Cornell was the voice of a generation with a commanding stage presence. A Cornell performance demanded your attention.
With his long mane of dark curly hair swirling as he delivered dark and introspective lyrics, Cornell’s image became the calling card of the fledgling Sub Pop Records and the developing Seattle scene of the late 1980s. The band’s mix of metal and punk, informed by the Sonics and the Wailers, helped forge a new sound in American rock.
Cornell struggled with drug abuse and depression from a young age. He quit school at the age of 14 after his parents divorced, taking a job to help support his mother. He used music as his refuge during this period, eventually forming Soundgarden in 1984 with guitarist Kim Thayill and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Cornell originally pulled double-duty on drums and vocals before Scott Sundquist joined to allow Cornell to focus on vocals. Sundquist subsequently left the band in 1986 to spend time with his new family and was replaced by Skin Yard’s Matt Cameron. The band signed to Sub Pop records in 1987, releasing its debut EP Screaming Life that year. The combination of Thayill’s drop-D tuning and Cornell’s four octave vocals, laid the groundwork for what would become the grunge scene.
Soundgarden was the first of the big four Seattle bands (Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains round out the four) to score a major label deal, signing with A&M for 1989’s Louder Than Love, but it wasn’t until 1994’s Superunkown, that the band became a household name. Managed by Cornell’s then wife, Susan Silver, who also managed Alice in Chains, she was the band’s biggest champion. Cornell and Silver’s marriage came to an acrimonious end in 2004.
In 1990, Cornell contributed to a tribute album to his former roommate, Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone vocalist Andrew Wood, entitled Temple of the Dog. The band was comprised of former members of Mother Love Bone (Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, both later of Pearl Jam), Mike McCready (also a future member of Pearl Jam) and Matt Cameron (a member of both Soundgarden and Pearl Jam). Eddie Vedder also appeared on the album that was largely unnoticed until the success of Pearl Jam’s debut in 1991 earned the album recognition. The single “Hunger Strike” featured Cornell and Vedder trading vocals. Cornell later stated about the session, “He sang half of that song not even knowing that I’d wanted the part to be there and he sang it exactly the way I was thinking about doing it, just instinctively.” Temple of the Dog did a brief reunion tour in 2016 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album.
Poster credit: emek.net
Following Soundgarden’s breakup in 1997, Cornell began recording as a solo artist, releasing his solo debut, Euphoria Morning in 1999. The single “Can’t Change Me” was nominated in the Best Male Vocalist category at the 2000 Grammy Awards. During this period, he also contributed songs to several films, including Mission Impossible 2 and Casino Royale.
In 2001, Cornell partnered with the members of Rage Against the Machine following the departure of de la Rocha. The ensuing supergroup, Audioslave, was well-received from the start. Guitarist Tom Morrello described Cornell’s introduction to the band:
He stepped to the microphone and sang the song and I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t just sound good. It didn’t sound great. It sounded transcendent. And … when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can’t deny it.
Cornell left Audioslave in 2007 citing “musical differences” as reason for his departure. Rumors of a Soundgarden reunion began to surface in 2009 and the band eventually returned to the stage, headlining Lollapalooza in 2010. The band released its sixth album, King Animal in 2012 and has been touring since. Thayil has indicated that the band has been working on material for another Soundgarden release.
In 2012, Cornell and his wife formed the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation to help children facing homelessness, abuse and neglect. Cornell suffered from depression throughout his life, discussing it openly in interviews. He did not leave a note prior to his suicide and gave no indication of his intentions. The investigation is ongoing. Devastated family and bandmates are cooperating in the investigation.
The shocking death has been felt throughout the music world. Tributes, including a quickly organized memorial at seminal Seattle radio station KEXP, expressed the effect Cornell had on the music world. The Seattle landmark, the Space Needle, also went dark from 9-10 p.m. in tribute to Cornell Thursday night. Dave Mustaine of Megadeth paid tribute while on tour in Japan, performing a version of “Outshined.”
Chris Cornell was a game-changer, an instrumental part in the early grunge scene and its doorway to the world, Sub Pop Records. He helped forge a sound that challenged and changed the music industry and in turn helped put Seattle on the rock and roll map. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Vicky Karayiannis, their two children, Toni (12) and Christopher (11) and his daughter with Susan Silver, Lillian Jean (17).
What can you do with $50 in Scranton, PA this weekend? How about two days of incredible bluegrass, folk, and funk? The 5th Annual Susquehanna Breakdown begins Friday, May 19 with local act, The Dishonest Fiddlers taking the stage at 6:30pm followed by most Deadhead’s favorite one-man band, Keller Williams, at 8pm. Members of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s own Cabinetwill be joining Williams on stage for the 9:30pm “Keller & Cabinet” set which is sure to be full of surprises. Cabinet will then take over the stage at 10:45 for the first of three weekend sets.
When Susquehanna Breakdown was founded in 2013 by Cabinet and Live Nation Entertainment, their aim was to shine a light on the regional artists, farmers and craft vendors of Scranton, PA. Over the years the festival has added bigger names and larger crowds to their Montage Mountain home, yet the tight-knit friendly vibe, cheap ticket price, and local sponsorship has remained. While Cabinet continues to be at the nucleus of the event, bluegrass juggernauts, Greensky Bluegrass, have taken over 2017’s headlining slot at 9pm on Saturday night. Other sets to check out on Saturday include Binghamton, New York’s Driftwood at 12:30pm, a daytime acoustic set from Cabinet at 2:15pm, the soulful folkie Wood Brothers at 4pm and Billy Strings tearing things up at 8pm!
The full schedule is posted and as in years past, the festival organizers have set the separate stage times so that attendees are able to catch a glimpse of every band with little to no overlap. And did we mention the late night acts? The funky West Coast trio, Organ Freeman, will be taking over the party on Friday night and the traveling powerhouse, Turkuaz, will be sending Breakdowners home after one more Saturday night set. Sandwiched in between all this funkiness is Tom Hamilton’s Breakdown All Stars at 11pm on the second day which will be full of festival-wide collaborations.
The Northeastern festival season is now upon us and this showcase might be the best bang for your buck you will find this year. Whether you plan to attend on Saturday only or camp for both nights on the pavilion lawn, there is plenty to do and hear at this year’s Breakdown. An eclectic collection of acts from around the country sharing the space with local bands and vendors makes this the perfect practice run for the rest of the summer’s events. The Susquehanna Breakdown shares the same space as Montage Mountain’s larger summer extravaganza, The Peach Festival, but at a fraction of the cost. While Scranton locals may consider Peach to be the big brother of the mountain’s two jam-heavy festivals, the Breakdown just hit another growth spurt and is ready to rival its older sibling in 2017.
NYS Music had the chance to sit down with The Dishonest Fiddlers founder, Dave Brown to discover what makes “The Electric City” the perfect place for a breakdown…
Ben Boivin: What is the concept behind The Dishonest Fiddlers and where did you first come up with this unique idea to play with different artists at every show?
Dave Brown: Well, I played solo prior to forming the band and I still enjoy the solo sets very much but the band has given my music a chance to take a different shape and myself a chance to play with and learn from a lot of different musicians along the way.
BB: What is your connection with Cabinet, the band that founded the Breakdown?
DB: Well my introduction to Cabinet came maybe 4 or 5 years ago in Scranton. I ordered lunch from Pizza by Pappa’s, and JP [Biondo] delivered it. I was not expecting him, nor was I expecting the pizza to have several bites out of it either. JP agreed to let me take a few bites of the next pizza he had to deliver, and after playing a few tunes I agreed we were square. Since then I started picking up my orders from Pappa’s and listening to Cabinet. Lately I’ve been fortunate enough to have Todd Kopec, from Cabinet, playing fiddle with us and he’ll be on stage with me at the Breakdown too.
BB: I know that you are on the road all summer and visiting many different festivals. What do you feel is so special about the Susquehanna Breakdown?
DB: The Breakdown has really evolved into something a lot of people really look forward too. I’ve met people from all over the country at the Susquehanna Breakdown over the years. I was a spectator at the first one and its definitely special to have the opportunity to be playing this year. It’s also nice that our family and friends have a chance to be there and share the day with us
BB: What is the band you are most looking forward to seeing at this festival?
DB: I recently had a show with Driftwood and I got a copy of their new album so I’m looking forward to hearing some of those tunes again. I’m also interested in hearing Billy Strings for the first time.
BB: What would you like to see for The Dishonest Fiddlers?
DB: Well tours and new albums all sound great but mainly I want to keep having fun and keep writing music. If I can manage to keep enough air in my tires and the lights on at home, the rest will fall in place.
What a difference a year makes. Los Angeles based trio The Record Company released their Concord Records debut album, Give It Back to You, on February 12, 2016. Exactly one year later, they were among the nominees for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
“Off the Ground” and “Rita Mae Young” are infectious songs showcasing Chris Vos’ gritty vocals and greasy slide guitar, as well as the rhythm section of bass player Alex Stiff and drummer Mark Cazorla.
“I always think of any performance as one less time, not one more time.” says Vos, “Nobody can say how many shows you get to play in your life. So we try to play our guts out, leave it all on the table, and have fun doing it”.
The Record Company with special guest, Smooth Hound Smith, will appear at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, New York, on Saturday May 20th, along with opening act Smooth Hound Smith. Doors open at 8:00, show begins at 9:00. Tickets are still available.
When it comes to evolving the band’s sound over the years, Linkin Park frontman, Chester Bennington has reached his boiling point with Linkin Park fans asking the band to go back to its roots and the sound of the band’s debut album that brought them instant success, Hybrid Theory.
In an recent interview with NME/Music Week, Bennington was asked if anyone has told them that they “sold out,” after hearing the band’s upcoming seventh studio album, One More Light. He responded:
We were asked, ‘What do you think of people who say you sold out?’ I don’t care. If you like the music, fantastic. If you don’t like it, that’s your opinion too. Fantastic.
If you’re saying we’re doing what we’re doing for a commercial or monetary reason, trying to make success out of some formula … then stab yourself in the face. [jokingly laughs]
When we made Hybrid Theory, I was the oldest guy in the band and in my early ’20s. That’s why I guess I’m like: ‘Why are we still talking about Hybrid Theory? It’s f–king years ago. It’s a great record, we love it. Like, move the f–k on. You know what I mean?
Fearing a possible backlash from hardcore Linkin Park fans who may take the comments personal, co-frontman, Mike Shinoda, took to social media and posted a statement that all of Linkin Parks fans are welcome. Shinoda’s statement read:
For the record, all fans of all albums are welcome here. Online or at the show, HT to OML. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Linkin Park will hit the road this summer to support their new album with the “One More Light World Tour,” that will feature Machine Gun Kelly and several special guest on select dates including One Ok Rock, Blink 182, Wu-Tang Clan, and Snoop Dogg.
Joywave unveiled the music video for “It’s a Trip,” the first single from its upcoming album, Content. The lyrics of this catchy surf rock song are laced with dark humor. What should be a fun day at the shore becomes commentary on wasting time trying to please someone else. The video captures the concept of the song by showing the members of the pop quintet aging progressively. The video was directed by up-and-comers Ghost + Cow Films, with makeup by Ben Bornstein.
Visit Joywave.com to download or stream the song, or to sign up for their email list.
The LP Content is out on July 28.
The quintet from Rochester will spend August and September touring across the U.S. with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids. Their only show in New York State currently scheduled is in Central Park on September 13. Touring information and ticket information can be found on the Joywave website.
Montreal multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk is bringing his deep and moving lyricism to Rochester for what will be a special show at the Historic German House. He is touring behind his critically-acclaimed third album, Twin Solitude, released earlier this year. The three years between records saw him in a creative rut, brought on by extended periods on the road. But he was able to find inspiration in everyday beauty, the seemingly mundane. It has garnered plenty of praise, from NPR Music admiring it as “devastatingly beautiful,” Brooklyn Vegan calling it “lovely, soulful and spare,” while The Fader praised Vollebekk’s “passionate Broken Social Scene-adjacent melodies wrapped in a casual, jammy atmosphere.”
Local pop-up show promoter Honest Folk, a year into their enterprise, are bringing Vollebekk for their first show at the German House in Rochester’s South Wedge this Thursday, May 18. The show will begin around 7pm. Tickets are $30 and are available at their website. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Center for Youth, a local organization that provides comprehensive programs and services—from prevention education and counseling to emergency shelter and youth development opportunities.
The bomber was identified as 22 year-old Salman Abedi, the son of Libyan immigrants. According to authorities, he died in the explosion. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the terror alert to its highest level.
Most famous as the front man for the Seattle grunge-era band Soundgarden and later Audioslave (formed with the remaining members of Rage Against the Machine after Zack de la Rocha’s departure), Cornell was the voice of a generation with a commanding stage presence. A Cornell performance demanded your attention.
