Just in time for the witching season, Jon Lewis Band created a music video inspired by classic black and white horror movies. Filmed on location in their hometown of Rochester, the monster chase includes scenes from local landmarks such as the Cinema Theater and Mount Hope Cemetery. The band used delightfully cheesy low tech filming techniques reminiscent of classic B movies from Hollywood’s golden age.
The song “Let Me Go” comes from Jon Lewis Band‘s latest EP, Baby Brother. It’s their second release of the year. The first, Exquisite Corpse, is a contender for best local album in City Newspaper’s annual “Best Of” reader’s poll.
Buffalo’s Head North announced this week that they will be supporting Australian punk pop band Trophy Eyes on a North American Tour. They’ve also booked a series of headlining shows in the Midwest leading up to the extensive 21-date tour. A hometown show at Mohawk Place in Buffalo is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 12. They play New York City at Brooklyn Bazaar on Thursday, Dec. 14. The tour promotes Head North’s recently released debut full-length album The Last Living Man Alive Ever In The History Of The World, a concept album which explores themes about coming of age in a dystopian society. Tickets are on sale now.
Head North. Photo: Eli Ritter
Head North burst onto the pop punk scene in 2015 with their EP Bloodlines and toured relentlessly – crossing the country three times with bands like Knuckle Puck and Have Mercy. After taking time off, they came back this summer with the self-released LP The Last Living Man Alive Ever In The History Of The World, departing from their early angst-driven work and making a foray into indie rock.
The way we operated our band, and the trajectory that we were on in 2015, helped us decide what type of band we wanted to be and how we wanted our sound to reflect that,” drummer Ben Lieber told NYS Music in a recent interview. “And I think what it came down to was being genuine. The sonic direction was a result of personal growth as well as realizing what we didn’t want to do.”
The Last Living Man Alive Ever In The History Of The World is available to stream on Spotify and can be purchased digitally on iTunes and Bandcamp. Physical copies on CD and vinyl, in addition to other merchandise are available on Head North’s webstore.
Tour Dates:
Headlining Shows:
Nov. 14 – Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome
Nov. 15 – Chicago, IL – Camp/Us
Nov. 16 – Dubuque, IA – Olliewood
Nov. 17 – Ames, IA – The Pine House
Nov. 18 – Omaha, NE – The Commons
With Trophy Eyes and Free Throw:
Nov. 24 – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
Nov. 25 – Portland, OR – Analog Lounge
Nov. 26 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
Nov. 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Echo
Nov. 28 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
Nov. 29 – San Diego, CA – The Irenic
Nov. 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
Dec. 2 – Dallas, TX – Dirty 30
Dec. 3 – Houston, TX – Walters
Dec. 5 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Dec. 6 – Nashville, TN – The End
Dec. 7 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
Dec. 8 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter
Dec. 9 – Cleveland, OH – Mahalls
Dec. 10 – Toronto, ON – The Hard Luck Dec. 12 – Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place
Dec. 13 – Boston, MA – Sonia Dec. 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bazaar
Dec. 15 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
Dec. 16 – Washington D.C. – DC9
Dec. 17 – Asbury Park, NJ – House Of Independents
Foo Fighters are back with a new song, “Run.” The music video, directed by frontman, Dave Grohl, depicts members of the band breaking out of a nursing home while Grohl sings, “Wake up, run for your life with me.” This surprise release is the first new work they’ve put out since the 2015 EP Saint Cecilia. If this song represents what to expect from their upcoming ninth studio album, it’s going to be a banger.
Visit the Foo Fighters website for tour information, photos, merch, a mix-tape generator, and newsletter.
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 Musicin 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
Big Mean Sound Machine is an instrumental funk group which has been evolving since the summer of 2009. The adjectives in the band’s name are normally used to describe a Godzilla-like monster and this 9-piece out of Ithaca, NY has a sound that is far from gorgeous. While members have come and gone to aid in the experimental efforts, their urge to grow creatively never ceases to amaze their loyal fan base. Known for throwing some of the sweatiest dance parties in the Northeast, Big Mean Sound Machine has been ambitiously touring and working hard to welcome new followers with no plans of slowing down. The new fan-funded album, Runnin’ for the Ghost, is just one example of how relentless experimentation on the road can lead to something positive and fruitful in the studio.
The opening track, “Return of the March” begins with sound effects reminiscent of spaceship maintenance from a galaxy far away. The futuristic afro-beat introduction to the album peppers in the perfect amount of brass giving it a relaxing hookah lounge feel. “Runnin’ for the Ghost” features haunting synthesizer-bass interplay with a worldly drumbeat acting as the powerful nucleus. The title track is the longest on the album, inviting listeners to embark on the meanest, craziest and biggest journey of all and is sure to become a staple of their already bustling live music repertoire. “Hired Guns” takes to the streets of New Orleans for a straight forward funk piece that would mix well with any Mardi Gras influenced cocktail. Extremely danceable and groovy, the track exits on the other side of the Earth with a tribal, West African percussion section.
Big Mean Sound Machine attempts to travel to all parts of the globe in terms of musical influences and in “Burning Van” they cover the slums of Latin America. The tenor sax and trombone combine forces as other band members delicately weave in and out of the track to create a perfect theme song for any 1970’s police detective TV montage. Every band has a song that can attract attention simply based on the name. On their newest release, “Triple Bacon” is that song. While the title may induce hunger for one of our planet’s finest meat products, the gritty jazz will help you get your ass on the floor and burn some calories. The 11 tracks come to an end with “Another Grain of Sand” returning to the afro-beat and Jamaican dancehall influence that has appeared throughout the 44-minute album. An Epcot-like adventure through many different cultures and influences proves that these talented musicians have studied the encyclohpedias of sound. From James Brown to Fela Kuti, the ghosts of artists that have come before them are sure to be dancing wherever they may be.
From Schenectady comes Gordon St., a rock and roll band known for their unique music and diverse cover songs in concert. The band is made up of four members including Dan Noonan as the lead vocalist and bassist, Ritch Harrigan on the guitar, keyboardist Mark Bertini, and drummer Jason Nowak. The group’s upcoming debut, self-titled album will be released in its entirety on April 29.
Gordon St. features either original tracks including two singles on their album – “Right as Rain,” a song that seemingly begins as an acoustic number right before the electric sound kicks in with an ear-pleasing groove. “King of Hearts” has the listener following the infectious sounds of the drummer throughout the piece. Another featured song, “Until We Meet Again,” had me hooked from the beginning as it starts with a stripped down vocal accompanied by the organic sounds of snapping fingers.
Other tracks that accentuate the raw musical talent of these musicians are “Peppermint Chamber” and “The Equation,” both consisting of instrumental intros. “Paranoid Jones” is yet another example of a song with a musical outro and exciting guitar riffs, which are commonly heard in the group’s music.
Although the band’s genre is generally classified as rock and roll, Gordon St. draws from their many influencers to create an original sound. A number of their tracks experiment with different styles of music and subtly cross over into other genres as well. Take a listen for yourselves on their album release!
Key Tracks: Peppermint Chamber, Right as Rain, Until We Meet Again
Up and coming Albany based jamband, Formula 5 has announced its new album, the band’s third, along with a supporting spring tour. The new album, All Points North, was funded through a Kickstarter campaign last fall and is set for release April 14.
The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Bryan Brundige at Overit Studios in Albany and Mastered by Michael Schoonmaker at Gigantic Mastering and will be available on streaming platforms on April 14 as well as at the band’s website and JEMP Radio.
The new album marks a new stage in the band’s progression, bringing a more mature sound. Guitarist Joe Davis reflected on the old version of the band:
“Q&A” and “Excalibur” are on ode to the old band, having been written by myself and (former keyboardist) Mike McDonald. It’s like a final farewell to the old, mixed in with new styles, such as with “The Birch Tree,” “Do Tell,” “Figure Out a Feeling,” “Trout Waters Pt I & II” and “It Goes…;” that old jammy style is still in us but it’s more mature and reigned in.
The new sound has a more introspective feel while still maintaining roots in the band’s signature improvisational style. It’s an album that will appeal to old fans and garner new as the band looks to expand its reach beyond the Capital District.
Formula 5 kicks off its Northeast spring tour at the Rock ‘n Roll Resort in Kerhonksen, N.Y. on March 31 and hits several New York venues along the way, including the legendary Monopole in Plattsburgh, the Waterhole in Saranac Lake, Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, American Beauty in New York City, Buffalo Iron Works, Three Heads Brewing in Rochester, Nanola in Malta, the Dinosaur in Troy and wrapping up at Disc Jam Festival in Stephentown June 8 through 11.
All Points North Tracklist:
1. Come Along
2. Sad Bed
3. Trout Waters, Pt. I & II
4. It Goes…
5. Excalibur
6. The Birch Tree
7. Q&A
8. Do Tell
9. Figure out a Feeling
Formula 5 Spring 2017 Tour:
March 31 – Rock n Roll Resort – Kerhonksen, NY
April 1 – Nectar’s – Burlington, VT * April 7 – The Monopole – Plattsburgh, NY April 8 – The Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
April 13 – Bourbon and Branch – Philadelphia, PA ^
April 14 – Pacific Standard Tavern – New Haven, CT + April 15 – Putnam Den – Saratoga Springs, NY &
April 26 – Wonder Bar – Asbury Park, NJ April 27 – American Beauty – NYC %
May 3 – The 8×10 – Baltimore, MD $
May 5 – B.R.Y.A.C. – Bridgeport, CT
May 12 – Stone Church – Newmarket, NH !
May 13 – Bishop’s Lounge – Northampton, MA
May 18 – Fete Music Hall – Providence, RI +
May 24 – James Street – Pittsburgh, PA May 25 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY @ May 26 – Three Heads Brewing – Rochester, NY May 27 – Nanola – Malta, NY June 2 – Dinosaur Bar-B-Que – Troy, NY
June 8 – Arch St Tavern – Hartford, CT # June 8-11 – Disc Jam Music Festival – Stephentown, NY
* with Mister F and Phantom Airwave
^ with Space Carnival
+ with Relative Souls
& with The Other Brothers
% supporting Dead Phish Orchestra
$ with Litz
! with Revibe
+ with Electro Politics
@ with Space Junk
# with Airlooms
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.
Gordon St. features either original tracks including two singles on their album – “Right as Rain,” a song that seemingly begins as an acoustic number right before the electric sound kicks in with an ear-pleasing groove. “King of Hearts” has the listener following the infectious sounds of the drummer throughout the piece. Another featured song, “Until We Meet Again,” had me hooked from the beginning as it starts with a stripped down vocal accompanied by the organic sounds of snapping fingers.