NYS Music 20​17

Category: Western NY

  • Hearing Aide: St. Phillip’s Escalator ‘The Derelict Sound’

    Come on out to the garage, it’s hot in here. Rochester’s St. Phillip’s Escalator released its latest batch of psych-garage-blues rock on Record Store Day. The Derelict Sound, the band’s second full-length, is just that, an amalgam of the influences this power trio has cited since first forming as teenagers back in the early aughts.The band, guitarist/vocalist Ryan Moore, drummer Zachary Koch and bassist Noel Wilfeard, have been best friends since childhood and have been playing together as a unit just as long.

    The Derelict Sound is heavily rooted in the psychedelic sounds of the late ’60s garage bands. Many of the tracks wouldn’t be out of place on Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets compilation. Yet while there’s that trace of the past in the band’s sound, there’s a sense of looking forward as well. “New Age,” the lead single from Derelict signals just that in the band’s sound. It’s a swirling, not-quite-a-pop song that takes a step back from the band’s more frequent references of the Stooges, the Sonics and Blue Cheer.

    The album was recorded live at Temperamental Recording in Geneseo near Rochester. In an interview with NYS Music in March, Koch spoke about why they chose to record live, “It was not just a live record, but the bass, drums, and guitar, the core of it we played together because it’s the only way we could draw that energy. We tried before to record separately.” This is a band that thrives in a live environment. That is apparent when listening. The production feels live and gives the listener a great indication of what to expect in person.

    While the production value isn’t exactly what one would call “clean,” it is, after all, a garage rock album and it hits all the right spots. “Turn On, Get Out” opens with uptempo snare drumming reminiscent of Mudhoney. Koch’s beat drives this one and is one of the high points of the album. A Ron Asheton-style guitar solo kicks the frenzy up a notch before settling back in to Koch’s pocket.

    Influences are a-plenty throughout. Aside from the Stones, Stooges and Sonics references, there are times one can pick up shades of the Dickies’ “You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)” at the open of “Outside Mind.” The Escalator then brings you back down to Fun House-era Stooges dirge before kicking you over the rail into Dickies territory again. Koch is the driving force on this album. It is obvious that he is informed by such icons as Ginger Baker and Keith Moon.

    Ultimately, The Derelict Sound is a highly satisfying record that implores repeated listening. The band had a limited edition run of 300 copies printed in vinyl format. It is also available for download/streaming and on CD.

    Key Tracks: Turn On, Get Out, New Age, Outside Mind

    The Derelict Sound Tracklist:

    1. Sleepy Silver Train Haze
    2. Turn On, Get Out
    3. New Age
    4. Outside Mind
    5. Find My Way
    6. She’s Gone
    7. Turn the Blame
    8. Whiskey Woman Blues
    9. Undone
    10. All is Lost

  • Biters and Frankie + The Studs Rock Rochester on their Unleashed on the East Coast Tour

    Fans of the glam rock resurgence were in their glory on Friday, May 26 in Rochester as Frankie and The Studs and Biters came through on their Unleashed on the East Tour. Biters have toured extensively across North America and Europe over the past seven years, but this was their first time in Rochester. For Frankie and The Studs, this was one stop of their first tour ever. The Historic German House in the South Wedge was thumping with the heavy beats and killer riffs.

    The Finger Lakes’ own Major Crush  started off the night. The Ende brothers, Tommy and Kenny, are on vocals and guitar respectively. Frankie Wheeler on bass and Brandon Young on drums round out the band. I caught an acoustic set a couple years ago, but this was my first time seeing them all together. They have a fantastic stage presence and encouraged audience interaction, which helped to get the crowd warmed up for the main acts. They play pop rock, remarkable for the stellar guitarwork and spot-on harmonies. The setlist was comprised of songs from Trophy Kids, the full-length album they released last year, including the anthemic sing-along “Turn Up the Radio” and the more edgy “You Ain’t A Saint.” On this night, they also played a new song they’ve been working on called “Summer Time.”

    Frankie and the Studs are an up-and-coming act out of Hollywood. Frankie Clarke represents the new wave of glam rock with her fringed leather catsuit, dip-dyed hair and glitter makeup. Frankie Clarke met The Studs just after recording a cover of “Hot Child in the City.”  Together, their sound and style makes me nostalgic for the days when the boy next door blared “I Love Rock and Roll” from his boom box. Their 2016 EP, High on Yourself, was produced by Clarke’s father, Gilby Clarke, who played guitar for Guns N Roses during the Use Your Illusion era.

    Frankie and the Studs were rife with punk attitude as they played a set which included their originals “High on Yourself,” “Sick of You,” and “She’s Insane.” They also threw in the cover of “Hot Child in the City” and a new ballad, yet to be recorded, called “Dance with You.” The spin light above the stage caught the silver studs and glittered platform boots as Frankie danced around with her stars and stripes guitar. The Studs complimented her perfectly with backup vocals, a strong beat, and fantastic fretwork.

    While this is their first time on tour, it’s not their first time playing in New York. Frankie and the Studs played a show in New York City last year during Fashion Week. With the allure of the New York punk scene, I expect we’ll be seeing this band come through again and again.

    Biters put on a high octane performance, a reminder that hard rock is not to be relegated to the graveyard of classic radio station rotation. Smoke filled the stage and silhouetted their cowboy-boot and denim-clad figures. Their music, like their logo, has razor-sharp teeth that cut to the core. They serve their songs straight up with no frills. With two LP’s and four EP’s under their belt, they had a vast array of songs to choose from for their setlist. Standouts included their hits “Low Lives in High Definition,” “Gypsy Rose,” “Hallucination Generation,” and “1975.” They also threw in a fun medley of a few bars from famous rock songs that they don’t cover. To make up for it, they included Tom Petty’s “American Girl” in their encore.

    Catch the final New York State show of the Unleashed on the East Tour at St. Vitus in Brooklyn on May 31.

    Remaining tour dates:

    May 31 – St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY

    June 1 – The Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD

    June 2 – Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing – Harrisburg, PA

    June 3 – Voltage Lounge – Philadelphia, PA

    Photos by Alyssa Smith

  • Intrepid Travelers Drop First Leg of Summer 2017 ‘Everyday is Your Birthday’ Tour Ahead of Summer Camp Festival

    With a name based around the ideology of fearlessly hitting the road and even other dimensions, Intrepid Travelers have set their sights on their latest voyage– the first leg of their Summer 2017 Everyday is Your Birthday tour. With a stacked, 20-date tour launch, the Buffalo-based quartet of Donny Frauenhofer (vocals/keyboards), Brian Calisto (vocals/guitar), David Naimanis (vocals/bass) and Jon Fohl (vocals/drums) will kick off at Summer Camp Festival in Illinois and bring the birthday celebration mentality through the midwest and back home to the Empire State.

    IT will tackle notable gigs in the very near future, with their first summer tour date doubling as a Sunday, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Camping Stage festival slot at this weekend’s Summer Camp. From there, the funky, psychedelic rockers will bring their explosive improvisation, stockpile of musical elements and interwoven catalog, to the second annual IT Fest in Alden, NY from June 9-10. Last year, fans were delighted with three IT sets–one of those being a full cover of MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular from front to back.

    After notching their very own second festival, the group will keep the celebrations going at Woodhenge Music Festival for a weekend of sustainability-centered workshops and solar powered music. Fellow NYS 87/90 bands sit on the bill such as headliners Formula 5, as well as Boogie Low and Space Carnival. The boys will head to familiar territory at Buffalo Iron Works on June 29 for an official, Everyday is Your Birthday EP release party, giving them one specific night to relish in praises of their latest accomplishments. Among their summer tour dates and the peppered festival stops throughout, Intrepid Travelers have tacked an electric and acoustic set at Rochester’s Three Head’s Brewing as well as a set at Cobblestone Live! Festival in Buffalo onto the end of leg one, giving an abundance of veteran and potential fans a chance to see their receptive musical relationship.

    Through eclectic musicianship, stellar improvisation and quick evolution through an evident jazz-funk fusion outer shell, nods to reggae, bluegrass, classical and electronic tendencies by Intrepid Travelers are sure to take you through a cerebral journey of your very own.

    Summer 2017 Everyday is Your Birthday Tour Dates:

    5/28 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival
    6/9-10 – Alden, NY – IT Fest II
    6/24 – Adams, NY – Woodhenge Music Festival
    6/29 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works **EP Release Party**
    6/30 – Canton, OH – Royal Dock’s Brewery
    7/1 – New Philadelphia, OH – Bud and Tootie’s
    7/2 – Greenwood, IN – That Place
    7/3 – Louisville, KY – Magnolia Bar
    7/5 – Lawrence, KA – The Bottleneck
    7/6 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Dick’s Tap & Shake
    7/7 – Racine, WI – George’s Tavern
    7/8 – TBA
    7/9 – Madison, WI – The Wisco
    7/11 – Ann Arbor, MI – Club Above
    7/12 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
    7/13 – TBA
    7/14 – Youngstown, OH – Suzie’s Dogs Drafts
    7/15 – Rochester, NY – Three Heads Brewing ** Acoustic and Electric Set**
    7/16 – Buffalo, NY – Cobblestone Live! Festival

  • So Last Year Embarking on Northeast Tour

    Rochester indie pop band So Last Year is setting off on a month-long journey through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and for the first time, Massachusetts. Tour kicks off on June 3 with a hometown show at the California Brew Haus and includes stops in Buffalo on June 18 and Syracuse on June 25.

    So Last Year describes their distinctive sound as “vibrant pop/indie-rock with a little bit of piano and a lot of soul.” On tour, they will be playing songs from theirself-released full length albums, It’s Later Than You Think (2013) and In Light of Summer (2015). Formed in 2013 from members of prog rock project Inneriot and other musicians, they’ve undergone some amicable lineup changes. The ensemble currently consists ofLogan Van Epps (vocals, keys), Jon Stowell (guitar), Jason Campbell (guitar), Curtis Matteson (bass), Mitch VanDenBerghe (drums).

    Tour Dates:

    June 3 – Rochester, NY – The California Brew Haus
    June 8 – Boston, MA – TBA
    June 9 – Pembrooke, MA – Lucky Dawg
    June 10 – Tauton, MA – Allaboutrecords
    June 11 – Boston, MA – house show
    June 15 – Pittsburgh, PA – house show
    June 16 – Kent, OH – The Outpost
    June 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Black Forge Coffee
    June 18 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works
    June 25 – Syracuse, NY – Spark Art Gallery

    Follow So Last Year on Facebook and Instagram for tour updates.

  • Get Ready for Second Annual IT Fest with Intrepid Travelers!

    Founded on friendship, fun and a sense of freedom. Intrepid Travelers are a quartet based in Buffalo that defines itself through boundless improvisation and eclectic evolution. 2017 has been a huge year for the band. Touring relentlessly around the United States from coast to coast, the fellas in IT have been redefining the limitations of improvisational music, and have their own fest. Be sure to check them out at Summer Camp if you are there this weekend.

    A little bit about IT:   Two days and two nights including Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10. Entrance to the festival will cost you just $20. The festival is held on the beautiful private property of Josh Skowronski in Alden, NY. Enter at the green gate on South Blossom Lea Drive. This is an all weather event. Parking and camping are included upon entry. The Land itself is 14 gorgeous acres with hiking trails and the beautiful Cayuga Creek. There will be an array of food and drink vendors on site. Intrepid Travelers will play three sets over the two days. One on Friday and two on Saturday. Saturday night’s set will feature live painting from various Buffalo artists. Music ends at 10pm each night.

    IT Fest’s mission is to showcase local talent across Western New York. This year will feature fire performer Asha Ashwell on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday morning will feature a yoga class with Ashley Strazzella. Saturday afternoon will also feature a Kan Jam tournament, a hoop class, a workshop on mysticism, spirituality, public health and tarot card readings! Their goal for the weekend is to create a temporary community in which the arts are brought to the forefront in unison with nature. After the music ends each night there will be a massive campfire. Bring your instruments for the campfire jams. More information here.

    I’ll leave you with a message from Josh & Intrepid Travelers:

    “The band and I look forward to having you share in the special event with us. See you at the Land.”

    * Please no fireworks, illegal substances or unauthorized vending*

  • Leif Vollebekk Honestly Good at German House

    Honest Folk, a little over a year in existence, promotes occasional pop-up folksy shows in the Rochester area. For their latest booking, they brought Montreal’s Leif Vollebekk to the Historic German House. Rather than plop Vollebekk and band, drummer Evan Tighe and bassist Michael Felder, up on the venue’s tall stage, they set up on a short riser in front for a more appropriately intimate appearance. ‘Honest’ wasn’t just in the name, it was the driving force behind the evening. Honest to the earth: it was announced it was a zero waste event, with everything either being recycled or composted. Honest to the community: proceeds from the event would be donated to the Center for Youth, a local non-profit working with homeless children.

    And honest to the ears and soul: Vollebekk’s music, both reflective and relatable, was conceived, delivered and received without any air of contrivance. Opening with a short meditation mixing some ethereal Moog swirls with Wurlitzer grooving, he eased into “Into the Ether,” off his 2017 release Twin Solitude, which he played heavily from throughout the two-set show.

    Vollebekk played like a man possessed, it seemed it was two people playing the part. The singer delivered every lyric like he was just realizing the weight of the words for the first time right then and there. His face stretched, contorted and squeezed into inhuman shapes as he sang, whether words or just utterances. His hands worked almost independently, banging out complementary sounds on the electric pianos or picking along on one of his three guitars. At times the playing and the singing happened in succession, as though one was answering the other.

    Vollebekk was more emotive seated at the keys, but his guitar work was equally impressive. Both sets closed with him strapping on the electric, in the first on “Telluride” and the second with “East of Eden.” Both songs slowly built to a relatively energetic finish, with a fantastic flurry of finger-picking elegance.

    The two sets were a rarity for this band. As Vollebekk explained it, LP’s have two sides, but he was from the CD generation. It felt like the audience got two separate show closers out of the deal. So it was only appropriate that we would get two encores. Vollebekk said they couldn’t decide between two covers, so they would play both. The evening would end with their takes from two folk legends. A full band reading of Bob Dylan’s “Jokerman” followed by a solo guitar interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” Honest through and through.

    Setlist:
    Into the Ether, Vancouver Time, ?, Michigan, Elegy > Off the Main Drag, Photographer Friend, Telluride

    From the Forth, Cairo Blues, ?, All Night Sedans, ? > Elegy, East of Eden

    E: Jokerman, A Case of You

  • Long Island’s the Nightmare Police Touring in Advance of New Release “Losing The Light”

    The Nightmare Police are not waiting until their official June 9 release date to start touring in support of their new EP  Losing the Light. The punk pop outfit from Long Island sets off on a tour of the Northeast this week, with stops in Mechanicville on May 28, Buffalo on May 29, and Smithtown on June 3.

    The hometown tour closer at Katie’s of Smithtown, Long Island will also include performances by Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home.

    The Nightmare Police create anthemic tunes packed with catchy choruses, rowdy guitar riffs, and driving beats. Members Ian Washington (guitar/ vocals), Joe Berti (bass/vocals) and Jesus Arancibia (drums) cite their influences as Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, and A Day to Remember. Losing the Light is their second EP, and was produced by Frank Laudicina and Brett Romnes. Head to Bandcamp to preorder the EP and to preview two singles, “Medicine Cabinet” and “Where Were You.”

    Tour Dates:

    5/26 – Mystic, CT – The German Club
    5/27 – Boston, MA – TBA
    5/28 – Mechanicville, NY – Our Place
    5/29 – Buffalo, NY – Sugar City
    5/31 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fire
    6/1 – Baltimore, MD – The Sidebar
    6/2 – Boonton, NJ – BoonTunes
    6/3 – Smithtown, NY – Katie’s of Smithtown *

    *with Check Engine Light, A Story Told, Gutterlife, and This Crooked Home

  • PA Line Folk-ed Up Buffalo Iron Works

    PA Line is a five-piece band hailing from Buffalo. Forming just two years ago, they are yet another band on the rise in the plump music scene in our beautiful Queen city. The band consists of Trevor Stribing (vocals, guitar, percussion), Pat Brown (banjo), Adam Nicpon (mandolin), Alyssa Wainwright (violin, vocals) and Lucas Honig (bass, vocals).

    The 2016 Western New York Music Awards winners of both Best Folk Band and Best Indie Band lived up to those credentials for their third ever performance at Buffalo Iron Works. Their set provided high energy and the band seemed to feed off of the crowd’s positive reaction. Filming was completed for their first official music video throughout the duration of their set at Iron Works. Stay tuned to NYS Music for when that drops.

    PA Line will be announcing some upcoming tour dates in the very near future.  The band had this to say: “All of us at PA Line love performing and when the crowd has great energy, we really feed off that. Its a priceless feeling when everyone at the show is just having fun and good energy is in the air. With that being said the fans were absolutely amazing last night, definitely a night we wont forget.”

    Setlist: Breathe, Time, Baby Don’t Go, Scream Out, Open, Shadows, Shut Up, The King, Liar, Escape

    Encore: The End

  • Joywave Makes a Splash with New Music Video “It’s a Trip”

    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.

    Joywave It's a trip

  • Leif Vollebekk Playing Rochester’s German House

    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.