NYS Music 20​17

Tag: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

  • Rochester’s Anthology to Host a Three Night New Years Marathon

    It should come at no surprise that there is a staggering amount of music roaring into New York the weekend of New Years Eve. One noteworthy music venue illustrating this trend is Anthology in Rochester, bringing concertgoers a three-night music marathon over New Years. On Friday, Dec. 29, Rubblebucket soars into Rochester with special guest, Cuddle Magic. Following that, Forever Party, a two night reggae-infused New Year’s celebration will thunder into the humble city on Dec. 30 and 31. Night one of Forever Party will showcase Ithaca’s reggae juggernaut John Brown’s Body and co-headliner, Rochester’s Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Thunder Body, another Rochester reggae powerhouse will open up the night. On night two, G.P.G.D.S. will perform again with the legendary Easy Star All-Stars headlining and the Saplings opening up the night. It’s safe to say harmonious melodies will echo through the streets New Year’s weekend.

    Indie-dance sensations Rubblebucket of Brooklyn, have developed a cult-like following in Rochester, stopping by the city annually ever since they began creating music extensively over ten years ago. Rubblebucket is set to entertain its audience with the harmonious bliss of howling vocals, a horn section, and a crunchy synth. Rubblebucket’s eccentric take on funk and pop music fuses into a genre better left undefined. Dec.29 is just the beginning of NYE at Anthology in Rochester.

    Dec. 30, night one of Forever Party, marks John Brown’s Body’s second to last show before taking an indefinite hiatus. This hiatus will hold a place in New York history as it may mark the end of John Brown Body’s nearly 25 year journey. Since their formation in the mid 1990s, J.B.B. has spearheaded the resurgence of roots and dub throughout the region, modernizing the genre, and keeping it relevant with their “Future Roots” style. This bittersweet evening will be their last headlining show for the foreseeable future. Dec. 31 will be their final show indefinitely as they open for Stick Figure at the House Of Blues in Boston.

    On Dec.31, New York City’s Easy Star All-Stars will play their internationally recognized album, Dub Side Of The Moon in its entirety. For those who missed the pun, the album is a Reggae/Dub interpretation of Pink Floyd’s historic Dark Side Of The Moon. Easy Star All-Stars masterfully echoes Pink Floyd’s mysterious psychedelia through the lens of a Jamaican rude-boy.

    Following the Easy Star All-Stars on night two of Forever Party, the proverbial reggae torch will passed to Rochester’s Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad for their second night in a row. G.P.G.D.S started rocking roots reggae in the mid 2000’s, creating a buzz by regularly touring and opening for John Brown’s Body. Rightfully earned, the young band grew into one of the most respected reggae acts in the U. S. Their seamless ability to cross between the genres of reggae, jam, and country has earned them the reign of Rochester’s top music festival band. On Dec. 31, G.P.G.D.S will hold the torch as they return to set the city of Rochester aflame on New Years day.

  • NYS Music’s Guide to 2017 New Years Eve shows around New York State

    NYS Music combed the state, across I-90 and I-87, up into the North Country and down into the Southern Tier, and has compiled a comprehensive list of all events coming up this New Year’s Eve. Make your plans for New Years Eve 2017 and say hello to a brighter 2018! (If we missed a show, email details to editors@nysmusic.com)

    Buffalo and WNY

    Join Intrepid Travelers and Folkfaces in their Buffalo hometown at Nietzsche’s. Event Link

    2017 new years eveRing in the New Year at Buffalo Iron Works with Moon Hooch, Gnomedad & Honeycomb. Get your tickets in advance – this show is sure to sell out! Event Link

    Aqueous has a Gorillaz-themed set planned for their bash at Town Ballroom. Event Link 

    Renown Pink Floyd Tribute band The Machine will be performing at Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls. Event Link 

    North Tonawanda’s Strand Theatre has Miller & The Other Sinners with special guest Cinnamon Jones. Event Link

    Celebrate The New Year in Jamestown at Jamestown Eagles Club with the Kates Brothers Band. Event Link

    Ithaca

    Big Mean Sound Machine’s Big Mean New Year’s Eve will mean of night of getting down at Lot 10. Event Link

    Get a double dose of folk rock at The Haunt with Driftwood. Event Link

    Rochester and Finger Lakes

    Rochester’s hottest new venue, Radio Social, has a hot show planned featuring harp-playing singer/songwriter Mikaela Davis. Event Link 

    Mosh your way into 2018. Floated Magazine is hosting a hardcore show a show at Bug Jar with REPS, The Weight We Carry, Kodivk, and Bone Mask. Event Link

    Funk n Waffles Rochester: Dirty Blanket & Root Shock. Event Link 

    Anthology has two nights of fun planned. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad plays both nights. On December 30 they’re joined by John Brown’s Body and Thunder Body. And on New Year’s Eve, they share the stage with Easy Star All-Stars (performing Dub Side of the Moon) Event Link

    Syracuse and CNY

    In Syracuse, Sophistafunk and Skunk City will rock out at Funk N Waffles Downtown. Event Link

    Or catch The Ripcords at the Fireside Inn in Baldwinsville.

    Verona – Mick Adams and The Stones at Turning Stone Casino. Event Link

    Capital District

    Throughout Albany, Schenectady and Troy this New Year’s Eve, celebrate responsibly. Call for a free cab in the Capital Region during New Year’s Eve, courtesy of Martin, Harding, & Mazzotti LLP.

    Twiddle will ring in the New Year, with a second performance at the Palace Theatre in Albany with special guest Giant Country Horns. Event Link.

    Join in on the mystique of Albany, at the Hollow Bar + Kitchens NYE Masquerade party with live music by The Late Shift, and Mirk. Event Link

    The Albany Hilton will host a NYE ’80s theme party, with music by The Refrigerators. Event Link

    A Pirate, and mermaid themed Shipwrecked party will take over The Desmond Hotel in Albany, with live music by The Audiostars, Skeeter Creek, and DeeJay Element. Event Link

    Playing With Fire Band, along with many others, will perform at Bethlehem’s First Night, in Delmar. Event Link

    Ring in the New Year at the annual First Night, in downtown Saratoga, where there will be a wide range of activities and live music. Event Link

    Vapor Nightclub at the Saratoga Casino and Hotel, with feature the biggest balloon drop in the Capital Region along with music by The New York Players. Event Link

    Motown will take over the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, as R&B and Funk legends, The Commodores, are set to ring in the New Year in the Electric City. Event Link

    Proctors Theater in Schenectady will hold their own Motown NYE bash with music by The Chronicles. Event Link

    Soul Provider will rock in the New Year at the Rustic Barn Pub in Troy. Event Link

    The Shop in Troy, along with other neighboring spaces, will host a Masquerade party with Burlesque performers and live jazz bands. Event Link

    Hudson Valley

    Kingston’s BSP Lounge will host Rubblebucket and local organist Marco Benevento. Event Link 

    Bearsville Theater will welcome Gratefully Yours on New Year’s Eve for a night of Grateful Dead music. Event Link

    In Woodstock, check out The Big Takeover at Colony Cafe. Event Link 

    North Country

    In Plattsburgh, The Monopole will host Groovestick for all night party with some Grateful Dead added in! Music starts at 10pm and goes until 6am. Event Link

    Saranac Lake at The Waterhole will feature Annie in the Water and Nina’s Brew. Event Link

    Westchester

    Portchester’s Capitol Theatre brings in Colorado’s String Cheese Incident for 3 sets! Event Link

    New York City

    Brooklyn

    They Might Be Giants at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Event Link


    Brooklyn Bowl will host the legendary funk troupe Lettuce along with rising dance artists Jaw Gems. Event Link 

    Rich Medina presents HOME at C’mon Everybody  in Brooklyn, performing house, rare groove and garage classics. Event Link

    Soul Clap will keep the Crew Love real this New Year’s Eve with special live performances from rhythmic house duo No Regular Play and Afro-Futuristic pilots The Illustrious Blacks. Event Link

    Budos Band will hit The Knitting Factory with Evolfo and Electric Citizen. Event Link

    Bell House hosts The Rub NYE featuring DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven, Makossa Brooklyn Cookout and Prince Klassen. Event Link

    Manhattan

    Holly Bowling will perform her annual pre-show at The Cutting Room at 4pm on NYE. Event Link

    Electric Love Machine hosts a FREE pre-party at American Beauty before Phish. Event Link

    Gov’t Mule will host ‘The Rockin Mule Revue’ at The Beacon Theater, with special guests including Jackie Greene, Shawn Pelton, The Chronic Horns and The Better Half Singers. Event Link

    Gramatik throws a dance party like no other at Terminal 5 on NYE. Event Link

    Prefer Jazz to kick 2018 off? Try The Birdland Big Band at Birdland. Event Link


    Three sets of Disco Biscuits await their loyal fans at The Playstation Theater in Times Square. Event Link


    Macy Gray’s soulful voice will be singing the crowd into 2018 at Iridium Jazz Club. Event Link


    John Digweed and Tara Brooks headline a bevy of DJs at Output. Event Link

    and of course, Phish at Madison Square Garden. Event Link

    Followed by and one final Phish After-party, this one with Kung Fu, Wyllys, Jerry Lounge Experience and more at American Beauty. Event Link

  • 5 Shows to See in Rochester in December

    How’d you do with our November picks Rochester? We were able to catch a few of our recommendations and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. We’re back with five more choice live music options to fill up your Rochester in December calendar so you can end the year strong. Check them out and let us know what you see.

    Wednesday, December 6
    lespecial @ Funk n Waffles Music Hall

    First stop is Funk n Waffles for lespecial, a young electronic-infused trio carving out a name for themselves on the jam band circuit. Childhood friends, these guys have many years worth of connection to each other behind some otherworldly onstage communication. The music flips around furiously and often, keeping surprises around every corner. Is it rock? Or is it world? Is it punk? Or is it jazz? Is it funk? Or is it hip hop? The answer is yes.

    Tuesday, December 12
    The Black Lillies @ Abilene Bar and Lounge

    The joint will be jumping when The Black Lillies return to Abilene. With a full-blooded country and blues rock sound, the old house will be struggling to contain it all. They’re a bit of a rotating cast behind frontman and multi-instrumentalist Cruz Contreras. The current lineup includes bassist and vocalist Sam Quinn, drummer Bowman Townsend, and guitarist/vocalist Dustin Schaefer. This might be the last chance you have to see them before Abilene needs to upgrade these guys to one of their “On the Road” destinations.

    Friday, December 29
    Hinkley @ Three Heads Brewing

    Rochester’s own Hinkley will start the New Year weekend off at Three Heads. Nearing the 20 year mark as a band, they will have plenty of material to draw from, but will likely be favoring their fantastic brand new album, Peak of Light. Their sound hovers amongst the Wilcos and Death Cabs of the world; hints of Americana sand-blasted with more modern and experimental rock sounds.

    Friday, December 29
    Rubblebucket, Cuddle Magic @ Anthology

    Rubblebucket has made Rochester a stop along their New Year’s tour for the past few years at least. There’s not a better time to see them than when you’re in the mood to celebrate. The afro-beat-based horn-infused dance happy music is perfect for a party and this year the party will be at Anthology. Even though it won’t quite be New Year’s Eve, they won’t skimp on the balloons, confetti and wild antics. No stranger to Rochester either, Cuddle Magic will open with their unusual instrumentation and fantastically lush baroque rock sounds.

    Sunday, December 31
    Easy Star All Stars, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Anthology

    Speaking of parties at Anthology, the next two nights they’ll be throwing the Forever Party to end 2017 on a dub note. It all starts on the 30th with John Brown’s Body, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Thunderbody. JBB and GPGDS are both members of the reggae label, Easy Star Records. The label’s signature band, Easy Star All Stars, are known for recreating famous albums in their own image. On New Year’s Eve they’ll be presenting their spin on a Pink Floyd classic, playing through their Dub Side of the Moon album. That will be followed by another set by GPGDS. Should be a fun time!

  • 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

  • A Conversation With Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s Own James Searl

    I had the humbling opportunity to sit down with James Searl of Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad for my podcast, The Rochester Groovecast.  The casual conversation was recorded live at the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance.  In the episode, we also hear two Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad tracks, “Make It Better” and “Walk Right Talk Right.”  Take a listen to the full episode below:

    Come to next year’s Grassroots Music Festival:
    www.grassrootsfest.org
    —
    Keep in touch with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad:
    Home: livepanda.com
    Facebook:www.facebook.com/giantpandadub/
    SoundCloud: @giantpandadub
    Bandcamp: giantpandadub.bandcamp.com
    Twitter: twitter.com/GiantPandaDub
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/giantpandadub/
    Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/giantpandadub
    —
    TIMESTAMP
    00:00- Happy Grassroots Intro
    01:16- “Make It Better” By Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
    05:05- Episode Intro
    06:55- Conversation w/ James Searl
    24:26- Episode Closing
    25:58- “Walk Right Talk Right” By Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

  • Levitate Festival Brings The Rythym To South Shore

    Levitate Music Festival said this year there would be two days and it was groovy. July 8 and 9 in Marshfield, MA, this little grassroots festival brought thousands of fans to the fairgrounds for some of the best and brightest names touring today.

    Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad had people going ape in the pits to start off on Saturday. The good tunes kept rolling as New Orleans’ own Rebirth Brass Band brought that southern jazz you never knew you needed. These Grammy winners didn’t become a NOLA institution by accident. You can’t help but get down to this kind of funk. I was a little disappointed to find that Mihali & Friends was dueling with Rubblebucket, but the festival was so well organized that I was able to move between stages with ease to make sure I captured as much of the magic as possible. Deer Tick and The Revivalists were followed by the first set of Umphrey’s McGee. A heavy dose of Umph goodness echoed over a packed crowd. The guys took a quick break to let local-legends Stick Figure tear up the main stage, and then returned with a jam-heavy second set that took over that little fairground. The headliner for the night was the legendary Dispatch, and the rails were surging as they rocked the crowd til the sun had finally set on a magnificent first day.

    Guitar prodigy and singer/songwriter Quinn Sullivan really impressed to start off Sunday. The teenage phenomenon has made a true name for himself in his short career. It was a treat to see him and his star-packed band play a hometown show. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong opened the main stage with their insanely contagious energy and funky jams that cannot be matched. Once “Melting Lights” was done melting everyone’s brain, Ripe followed on the Style Stage. This funk/pop group has completely taken this scene by storm with Robbie Wulfsohn’s sassy and soulful presence. Their cover of Ellie Goulding’s “On My Mind” is one of those songs that you can play on repeat for an hour… at least. Trevor Hall and JJ Grey & Mofro had the pits screaming so loud I thought my ears were gonna burst. Vermont favorites, (and yours), Twiddle blew the fans away and blanketed them with dreams and relaxation. You couldn’t help but sing along when they played their new song “Orlando’s.” The Style Stage was closed out with the hottest folk-rock band out there right now, in Lake Street Dive. The reggae legend, Ziggy Marley closed out the festival in pure style. The festival could not have ended on a higher note. Check out the pics from Zatchmo Lives Media and remember to Dream Big, Live Bigger.

  • Rochester’s Party in the Park 2017 Lineup Includes Los Lobos, Tim Reynolds

    Rochester’s Party in the Park announced the 2017 lineup for the summer concert series. The lineup includes many big names in music, including Los Lobos, Living Colour, Tim Reynolds and Blues Traveler. The series also features a number of local acts on the Genesee Brewery Bowl Stage, including Personal Blend and Ocular Panther.

    Party in the Park 2017 CGI Main Stage Lineup
    June 15 – Los Lobos, Adam Ezra Group
    June 22 – Living Colour, Aqueous
    June 29 – Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Big Mean Sound Machine
    July 6 – Tim Reynolds TR3, The Movement
    July 13 – Blues Traveler, Kat Wright
    July 20 – Los Lonely Boys
    July 27 – The Machine
    Aug. 3 – Matisyahu, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People
    Aug. 10 – Donna the Buffalo, Zach Deputy

    The Genesee Brewery Bowl Stage Lineup
    June 15 – Neil Van Dorn
    June 22 – Matthew Corey
    June 29 – Personal Blend
    July 6 – White Woods
    July 13 – Dirty Bourbon Blues Band
    July 20 – The Dan Eaton Band
    July 27 – Into the Now
    Aug. 3 – Ocular Panther
    Aug. 10 – String Theory

    Original Post:

    Rochester’s Party in the Park summer concert series returns to celebrate 20 years. Zach Deputy, Los Lonely Boys and Pink Floyd tribute act the Machine are included in the 2017 lineup. A press conference is scheduled for Thursday to announce the full lineup.

    Party in the Park takes place weekly on Thursdays from June 15 through Aug. 10 at Rochester’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

    Tickets for the Party in the Park concerts are $5 each. Fans who plan to attend all nine shows can purchase a a Party Pack for $35 and will be able to enter via an express entry line.

    June 15 –
    June 22 –
    June 29 –
    July 6 –
    July 13 –
    July 20 – Los Lonely Boys
    July 27 – The Machine
    Aug. 3 –
    Aug. 10 – Zach Deputy

  • Disc Jam 2017 Initial Lineup Announced

    Disc Jam Music Festival 2017 announced the initial lineup for its 7th edition.  The June 8-11 festival returns for the third year to Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, NY, a Berkshire Mountain town near the Massachusetts border.

    The weekend of music, art and disc golf features more than 60 acts on its twin main stages and two side stages and features headliners The Motet, Break Science Live Band, Dopapod, Turkuaz, Manic Focus, TAUK, Kung Fu, Pink Talking Fish, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Aqueous, Gubbulidis (Twiddle side project), Ghost-Note (Snarky Puppy side project), Electric Beethoven, Consider the Source and Honeycomb.

    The festival’s grounds are home to a 27-hole disc golf course that will play host to a number of tournaments throughout the weekend appealing to the enthusiasts as well as casual players.

    Other announced artists reads like a list of the Northeast’s best talent, including: Yheti, lespecial, Esseks, Brightside, Of the Trees, Spiritual Rez, Roots of Creation, Holly Bowling, Hayley Jane, Agent Lockhart, the Mallett Brothers Band, Strange Machines, Congo Sanchez, Sophistafunk, Wild Adriatic, After Funk, Funky Dawgz, Funk You, Swift Technique, Litz, Calliope Musicals, Earphorik, West End Blend, Teddy Midnight, Mister F, Formula 5, Chromatropic, Annie in the Water, Goose, the Mushroom Cloud, Eggy, Lord Electro, William Thompson Funk Experiment, Ben Silver (Orchard Lounge), Toadface, Saltus, Uncle Bob, DELTAnine, Klassik, Leila, Detox, Tsimba, Zerogravity, Zoologic, Bunk Buddha, Bells & Robes, Icculus, Echo Mecca, Kroma Kode, In Flux, Stephen Lewis, Mether, Qwill, Oogee Wawa, the Other Brothers, Humble Digs, Monotronic, Resin Heads, Big Jon Short, Zack Slik, Political Animals, Schooley Mountain Band and Cal Kehoe.

    Promoter Tony Scavone said of the talent:

    We’ve put together a Who’s Who of Northeast musical talent without straying from our funk/jam roots, while keeping with the times to include the electro-fusion craze that has taken hold of new music being created by today’s fastest rising acts

    In addition to the breadth of music and disc golf, there will also be flow arts workshops, interactive art throughout the grounds and daily yoga sessions. Craft and art vending will be sponsored by PhanArt.

    Early bird tickets are available now at the Disc Jam website for $125. This includes camping and early entry to the grounds. Special VIP packages include a stay at nearby Jiminy Peak.

    Check out Dopapod’s performance with the West End Blend horns from last year’s festival below: