NYS Music 20​17

Tag: news

  • The Meadows Festival, Featuring Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jay Z, Weezer, NAS, Gorillaz Announced for September in Queens

    The second year of the Meadows Festival, held in Citi Field, is set to host a plethora of artists reaching across a variety of genres. Tickets went on sale May 10 with prices starting at $275, plus fees, for an early bird three day general admission ticket.

    the meadows festivalIt is unclear if any more artists will be added to the lineup, but can be expected with such a large gap of time between now and the first day. Last year, there were several late additions to the lineup, which would lead people to believe the same will happen this year. The current lineup can be found on the festival’s website and includes some of the following: Future, Bassnectar, LL Cool J ft. DJ Z-Trip, M.I.A., Foster the People, Big Gigantic, Milky Chance, and over 40 more.

    The first year of the festival went off with a few glitches both during and prior to the event. First, according to the Meadows website, Kanye West’s show ended a bit early due to a, “very frightening and unexpected family emergency.” Refunds were not issued, which may have flustered many patrons after Founders Entertainment, creators of Governors Ball and the Meadows, billed West’s performance as a make-up show after his Governors performance was cancelled due to heavy rain.

    Legal trouble came about prior to the event after the announcement of festival’s partnerships and supporters. A report by Billboard.com revealed that the festival announced it had the support of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Alliance (FMCPA), which was false. The poor communication resulted in a clash between Founders Entertainment and the FMCPA mainly because of two large events being held in the same general area on the same day (the Meadows Festival and the Makers Faire.)

  • Joey Belladonna On His Vocal Longevity and That One Thing That Has Haunted His Career

    Oswego native and Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna was recently interviewed by Roy Turner of Trickykid Radio. In the interview, Belldonna talks about his one regret that has haunted him, how he keeps his vocals on point through the years, and being asked to perform John Bush era tracks.

    Turner asked Joey Belladonna how he can still perform at a high level today after decades of performing, and if he thinks that he’s better performer now than in the ’80s. Belladonna responded:

    I just love music a lot. I strive on getting better; I work at it all the time. I’m real conscious of just elevating my vocals and just being in a band…I don’t want to go out there and not do it well. That’s why I’m always trying to do it better. I always try. I have a cover band too. I also do that on the side. We do four hours of classic rock.

    I really focus. I really try. I’m not in fear of anything right now. Back in the day when I first started, I didn’t know the music so well. Vocally, it was really a challenge to just find a way to sing over that stuff. Because I like to sing so I’m not going to do something outside of all the new styles you hear now, it’s just finding a way to make it comfortable and legible and fun to sing as I can. You realize there’s a lot of words in our stuff and the keys and the speed…it’s real hard to sing over that stuff and make it work.

    On being asked to perform John Bush era music when he returned to Anthrax:

    Personally, I felt we had enough music. I was just trying to be a champ and try something. For some reason, when we get that rivalry crap that went on, it bugs the shit out of me. I have nothing against him or nothing against them. I don’t sit around and have a grudge, but I didn’t want to try… It’s hard enough when you do covers but doing something with the singer of the old [version] of the band. He had it rough, because for the sake [of it], he had almost to do older songs because then they’d really be fighting the good fight there. For me, I didn’t want to get too involved with doing that. I didn’t want to keep opening that door and what was I trying to prove? I’m glad I don’t have to. I just don’t really feel like it. I could, I’m sure, I always felt, nothing against those songs, forget you ever heard them, we could have done any of those records and I think they would have been cool. We don’t know because I never did them before other than that.

    If he has ever thought about what would have happened if Joey Belladonna never left the band, and lent his vocals to Anthrax’s sixth studio album Sound Of White Noise:

    That will always haunt me. The fact that those 13 years went away and they’re gone. They’re just gone. Maybe I just feel good about it now, right? With all the crap… I could add to this, but at the end of the day, it’s all good. I’m really glad for the fans too, and even myself, I’m proud, but I also love that people are enjoying it and all of these new people are coming up and get to see what was there before.

  • Rikki Rockett Talks Hall of Fame and New Poison Music

    Poison drummer Rikki Rockett was recently interviewed by Tigman for Albany area rock station Q103. In the interview, Rockett talks about the possibility of new music with Poison, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and how the band got its name.

    When asked whether he feels Poison deserves a Hall of Fame nod:

    I think we are, but I’m biased. [Laughs] Listen, honestly, I think the criteria for that is longevity, having lots of songs that have impacted people, which I think [we have] both of those things, and also a social impact. I think we have all three of those qualifications. So, really, I do. I think we should [go in there], for the sake of our genre.

    Rockett was asked if he is open to the idea of making new music with the band, and if he thinks that venture could possibly happen. He responded:

    There has been some talk. It’s acting on it is always the key thing. [Laughs] I would love to do it. I’ve been wanting to do new stuff for quite a while. I’m always thinking about ‘Okay, what would we do?’ Throwing ideas out there and stuff like that. I hope, I really, really hope, that maybe in the fall that we could go in and at least cut a couple of songs. Even if it’s not a whole record, we could get out there and do a couple of things.

    Tigman was curious as to how Poison became the name of the band, Rockett replied:

    Believe it or not, it was one of our road crew guys who spit it out. But it was with another name, like, it was ‘POISON something’ he said and we wrote it down and nixed all these other names and went back and said, ‘What if it’s just POISON and not ‘POISON anything else’?’ I forget what it was, what the extra word was that we threw in there. So we wound up shortening it to ‘POISON’ and went, ‘You know what? No one else has done it.’ And I love one-word band names. They’re easy to remember.

  • Ivan Moody Clarifies His Comments About Leaving Five Finger Death Punch

    Several metal and hard rock fans, and various music industry insiders, have always had a lot to say when it comes to Five Finger Death Punch frontman Ivan Moody. Over the last few of years, fans, music journalists and everyone else that has an opinion on this subject has always felt when it comes to Moody and his constant “meltdowns,” and “alcohol/substance abuse” problems, many are surprised that Moody has not been kicked out of the band.

    Moody was even replaced by All That Remains frontman Philip Labonte, to end the band’s 2016 run with Shinedown and Sixx: A.M., after Moody fell “ill,” and could not finish the remaining dates. As reported by NYS Music, many feel that Labonte’s time filling in for Moody was actually an audition and a possible glimpse into the future. So, at first, when several music news sites started reporting that Moody was departing Five Finger Death Punch after his 2017 commitments to the band started to circulate, not many were surprised that some kind of split between the band had finally happened.

    Hours later, Moody released a new statement saying that he’s not going anywhere.

    Moody’s KBPI statement read:

    I had a meltdown. I was like Kanye West without the money. To be completely honest with you, Death Punch and I have kind of come to a crossroads. We’re very proud of what we’ve done – years and years and years of work… It’s time for us to take our way and go do something else, so after this year… my new band, Villain… I’m so excited.

    After several hours, and no response for anyone in Five Finger Death Punch, Moody released a statement on the band’s Facebook page stating that Moody “sets the record straight,” with a link to the band’s website post of Moody’s statement about his comments to KBPI:

    It’s no secret that this has been a tough year for me and for my bandmates in Five Finger Death Punch. When you put everything you have into making music, both on and off the stage, it can be very frustrating when the music you work so hard to create is not allowed to see the light of day. I know we share this frustration with our fans too, who have come to expect new music from us – fans who mean everything to us. It is true that Five Finger Death Punch has come to a crossroads – and that crossroads is we’re all at a place where we will never again let someone or something hold us back from making music for our fans.
    The lawsuit by Prospect Park holding our new album hostage has taken a toll on me. I was in a rehabilitation facility when Prospect Park decided to sue the band last year, and that was very difficult for me to handle all at once.
    Yesterday I made a statement that was taken out of context by the media – a media always looking to create headlines that will make people click them. The truth is, I want to start a side-project like Corey Taylor has with Stone Sour or Maynard has with A Perfect Circle and I want to do it when Five Finger Death Punch’s deal with Prospect Park is over and we are out of this lawsuit.
    THIS DOES NOT MEAN I PLAN ON LEAVING FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH!
    The great thing about being a musician today is that you can explore your creativity in multiple ways without compromising your primary focus.  I learned this watching people like Corey and Maynard and I think their fans are glad they’ve put more music out into the world. I hope my fans are, too.
    All that said, Five Finger Death Punch fans can expect our next album via Prospect Park and we are geared up to tour all throughout 2017.  We are about to leave for South America and Europe and we have other dates TBD.
    All of us in the band have worked incredibly hard over the last 10 years to build this band and none of us are going to let that go just because our record company is trying to sabotage us.  I am sorry if the media took my statement as a resignation, but I assure you it wasn’t.” IVAN MOODY – vocalist Five Finger Death Punch

    Moody’s side project Villain will consist of members from Gemini Syndrome and Coal Chamber.

  • Confirmed: Mysteryland 2017 Canceled

    Looks like the rumors are true. After various reports, it has been confirmed that the Mysteryland USA Music Festival will not happen in 2017 and is canceled. The event was supposed to take place at the Original Woodstock Grounds in Bethel, NY on June 9-12. The event has been held in Bethel since it’s debut in 2014. Mysteryland has given no explanation as to the reason why the festival has been scrapped. Mysteryland was set to feature headliners G-Eazy, LCD Soundsystem, and Major Lazer during the 3-day event.

    The rumors started after several scheduled artist, started making moves on social media, making it obvious that the festival was leaning toward being cancelled. G-Eazy and LCD Soundsystem pulled the date from their upcoming shows, and Ekali, one of the many artists set to perform at, confirmed the rumors with his post on Reddit, stating that he was informed the festival was a no go. The post was deleted shortly after.

    Dancing Astronaut posted that a source from within the festival confirmed the show was canceled. Organizers were said to be left in a bad position when one of their PR firms parted ways with the festival, leaving them looking for a replacement firm. This would coincide with another rumor that the festival didn’t garner much interest due to a poor lineup and bad ticket sales.

    Mysteryland promoters spoke on social media about the cancellation and how to get your ticket purchases refunded:

    Dear Nomads,
    Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mysteryland USA will no longer take place in 2017.
    Since 2014, we have strived to produce the best possible experience for our festival attendees, and are truly humbled by all of the love and support that you, the artists, the beautiful venue of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and the Town of Bethel have shown us as we celebrated life through music, culture and art.

    Paylogic has started the refund process. Full refunds will be issued automatically to the bank account used to pay for the order within the next 3-5 business days. Paylogic will send all ticket buyers an update with more details about the refund process. The refunds will be processed automatically. No further action is required from your side.

    Mysteryland will mark another ID&T produced festival to march off into the sunset, after 2015 saw the end of TomorrowWorld. With the Mysteryland cancellation, Electric Zoo is the only major EDM festival left standing in the NYC area.

    Fans who already had plans to attend the festival, and were looking forward to a weekend full of live music can explore another option, although a different type of festival, Disc Jam will take place around the same time as Mysteryland was originally scheduled,  in Stephentown, NY, on June 8-11. Disc Jam will feature some of the best jam bands across the nation including Pink Talking Fish, Tauk, Aqueous, Dopapod, and Kung Fu.

  • Legendary DJ to Perform On Top Of Mt Everest

    EDM Sauce reports that legendary electronic dance music DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold will add another first to his list of places that no other EDM artist, or any artist for that matter, has ever performed. Oakenfold’s next stop, on April 11, will see the British-born DJ take the long and dangerous 17,000 foot hike up Mt. Everest and perform at the highest party in the world at the mountain’s Base Camp to celebrate the 3o year anniversary of the Second Summer of Love, which was the name given to the period in the late 80’s when acid house music and rave parties were on the rise.

    When it comes to performing in unique places, Oakenfold is no stranger. Oakenfold has been the first EDM artist to ever perform at the Great Wall of China, The Hollywood Bowl, Coachella’s main stage and Madison Square Garden.

    The venture will be part of Oakenfold’s “Generations World Tour,” which will cover six continents with new visuals, music and extended sets, playing tracks from a career that has lasted over three decades. Oakenfold will perform on two turntables and two Denon SC5000’s. For fans who can’t make the trip and climb the mountain, don’t worry, Oakenfold will live stream the Mt. Everest event through EXTREME.

    Oakenfold was voted DJ Magazine’s #1 Dj in 1998 and 1999. He has produced over 100 remixes for over 100 artists throughout his career including Madonna, Britney Spears, U2, Elvis Presley, Hans Zimmer, Dirty Vegas, P.O.D., Justin Timberlake, The Cure, Natasha Bedingfield, Moby, Massive Attack, The Rolling Stones, Crystal Method, Jennifer Lopez and The Doors. Oakenfold founded the EDM record label Perfecto, in 1989, which is still going strong.

  • Nameless Ghoul Speaks Out on Ghost Lawsuit

    Metal Injection reports that former Ghost guitarist, Simon Soderberg, posted an lengthy post on Facebook about his pending lawsuit with former Ghost band members. Soderberg and three other ‘nameless ghoul’ former members of Ghost have launched a lawsuit against Ghost frontman Papa Emeritus, real name Tobias Forge, for cheating them out of royalties from music and live tours.

    nameless ghoul simon soderbergThe lawsuit does not include former member Martin Persner, who many believe started the band. It’s said that the band may have gone through more than 10 members. With each band member’s identity being under a mask and known only as a Nameless Ghoul, there is no way to really tell how many former members Ghost really has. The four members in the lawsuit want Forge to disclose all financial income and expense statements, or be forced by the courts to pay a penalty in the $20,000 range.

    Ghost, with new band members will perform at The Palace Theatre in Albany on June 6.

    Soderberg’s Facebook post stated:

    https://www.facebook.com/simon.soderberg.52/posts/10154419061836127

    As of yesterday we, four signatories from the band Ghost, have filed a lawsuit with the Linköping District Court. We are suing Tobias Forge (”Papa Emeritus”) – the band’s lead singer who has also been responsible for the finances of the band since its founding.
    As of the filing of this lawsuit we are requesting that the court, under penalty, oblige Tobias Forge to declare the incomes as well as expenses of the band concerning the years between 2011 and 2016.

    Throughout all the years we have been on tour with Ghost (between 2011-2016 some of us have performed something like 500 shows with the band) and throughout the band’s album recordings, we have neither been allowed to share in the profits of the band, nor have we seen any of the incomes accounted for. The only thing we have received have been minimal advance payments to allow the band to keep going. This despite the fact that we had an agreement that any profits should be shared fairly between the members of the band.

    When we have attempted to raise the issue of the band’s finances with Tobias Forge, his sole response has been that there are so far no profits to be share, but that everyone will be generously compensated once the band turns a profit.

    The reason that this lawsuit is now being filed is a contract dispute that has escalated during the previous year (2016). Over the last year we have received multiple proposed contracts from Tobias Forge in which he seeks to redefine his role in the band.

    Since the conception of Ghost, our common understanding and agreement has been that we are a band on equal terms, but that Tobias will act as band leader and manage the band’s finances through his own companies.

    Through contracts received from Tobias and his lawyers during 2016, Tobias has attempted to make us sign an agreement that implies we are merely consultants working for his company, an agreement also stating that we would receive less that a minimal wage for our contributions to the band. According to this proposal, furthermore we would renounce any and all rights to music royalties.

    All above despite the fact that some of us have been members of the band since its foundation, investing all of our time in the band during the past five years, with as much right to the recordings and trademark of the band Ghost as that of Tobias Forge.

    Our vocalist and former friend is now attempting to, in a underhanded and shameless way, transform Ghost from a band into a solo project with hired musicians. Naturally this is not something we can accept.

    When, in connection with the 2016 United States tour, approached a lawyer in order to sort out the situation of the contracts, we were informed that Tobias Forge no longer wanted us to participate in upcoming tours. Thus, Tobias Forge is now going ahead with the tour, which started March 24 2017 and is set to end in the UK on August 12, on his own together with rented musicians who have replaced all other band members. Tobias Forge has chosen this path of action without any permission from us to carry out the tour on his own. This under the name Ghost, which we regard as our commonly owned trademark.

    The actions of Tobias Forge amount to nothing less than unabashed dishonesty, greed, and darkness. Not the darkness of which Ghost sings, but a darkness that pushes a person to betray his best friends when fame and fortune appear within reach.

    We are terribly sorry that this afflicts the fans of the band as well, and that they too should suffer because of this betrayal and greed.

    We who are suing Tobias Forge are:
    Simon Söderberg (Alpha) – member of Ghost since 2010.
    Mauro Rubino (Air) – member of Ghost since 2011.
    Henrik Palm (Eather) – member of Ghost since 2015
    Martin Hjertstedt (Earth) – member of Ghost since 2014
    The Nameless Ghouls

  • Albany Common Council Greenlights Ownership Transfer of Palace Theatre

    Less than a week after the opening of the Albany Capital Center, ownership of the city’s most storied stage changed hands — the first big step required for the upgrades it needs to expand.

    The Albany Common Council approved the sale of the Palace Theatre to the Palace Performing Arts Center, Inc., the not-for-profit organization which operates it on Monday, March 6. The transition, from a municipally owned venue to privately owned, will secure additional funds for a $65 million expansion and renovation project.

    The Palace’s expansion project is billed as a means of revitalizing its surrounding neighborhood. Once completed, its proposed to enhance traffic to area restaurants and provide a bridge to downtown’s entertainment district from the city’s burgeoning Warehouse District. PPAC estimates there will be an “on-going indirect” annual impact of $10 million on local businesses.

    “The Palace Performing Arts Center is clearly an important driver of the local economy as proven through the theatre’s exceptional growth under the leadership of Holly Brown and her partners at Park Playhouse and Albany Symphony,” Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in January, when PPAC announced it had secured a labor agreement for the expansion project. “The exciting project will certainly spur additional downtown development, and create an even more dynamic venue for arts and entertainment in the heart of downtown Albany.”

    According to PPAC, the Palace has doubled the number of featured events at the 86-year old theatre in the past five years, from 77 events in 2009-10 to 170 in 2015-16. The Palace is also home of the Park Playhouse, which uses the building space for offices and classes for the community.

    Palace Executive Director Holly Brown and PPAC Chairman Alan Goldberg said they anticipate the proposed expansion to occur in different phases. The first of which will include restoration and expansion of the theatre’s stage and backstage areas, and creation of classroom and rehearsal space. Additional elements of the project includes a new 600-seat theatre, expanded lobby and box offices, a video post-production studio, the addition of a loading dock and rehearsal space.

    In preparation for the expansion, the Palace has spent more than $750,000 to purchase properties along North Pearl Street, and to fund appraisals and various studies to investigate further steps.

    The renovation plans rival those implemented by Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre over the years. Proctors Theatre has about 2600 seats to the Palace’s approximate 2800.
    The city sold the theatre for $750,000, the aggregate value to be paid over the next 30 years. The city first purchased the property for $90,000 shortly after its doors closed in September 1969.
    Over the theatre’s eight decades of operations, it has features iconic figures of both the arts and pop culture. Bob Hope, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Jerry Seinfeld have all taken to the Palace’s stage. The Palace is also the home of the Grammy Award winning Albany Symphony Orchestra.

    The sale of the theatre did receive some opposition from members of the Albany Common Council, who expressed concern the city was not receiving a fair price. Though the PPAC reportedly presented its purchase proposal based on two, separate assessments, Councilmember Frank Commisso, Jr. took to social media hours before the 12-3 vote last Monday.

    “As Mayor Sheehan and her allies on the Albany Common Council are preparing to give away the Palace Theater [sic.], an inconvenient data point is presented,” stated Commisso, attaching an Albany Business Review article reporting the sale of $497,000 sale of the 13,500-square foot eba Dance Theatre on Albany’s Lark Street and Hudson Avenue. Late last week, Commisso announced he will run for Albany Mayor.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518.

  • From Ashes to New lose Vocalist and Drummer over possible rift

    One of the hottest and fastest growing acts in the rock genre and live music scene, From Ashes To New, have announced that they have parted ways with vocalist Chris Musser, and drummer Tim D’ Onofrio. On stage, this group seemed to have great chemistry together, and put on amazing live shows. In a recent social media post about the situation, some band members hint at a possible rift in the band, as some play it cool.

    from ashes to new

    From Ashes to New now consists of Matt Brandyberry (vocals), Lance Dowdle (guitar), Branden “Boo” Kreider (guitar) and new drummer Mat Madiro, who was recently was let go by Trivium, and filled in on drums for From Ashes to New after D’Onofrio married and went on his honeymoon.

    In a chat with Brandyberry after a show in fall of 2016, he stated that the band was days away from announcing a headlining tour, and that they would bring Letters From the Fire, Stitched Up Heart and Palisades as support. Weeks went by with no announcement and the band suddenly took themselves off of the annual rock cruise, Shiprocked, which they were scheduled to take part of.

    Matt Brandyberry posted the following statement on his personal, and From Ashes to New’s Facebook page:

    As I’m sure most of you have heard, there are some changes happening with From Ashes to New. Unfortunately Tim and Chris decided this wasn’t for them anymore and have ultimately stepped away from the band. That being said, we are more excited now than ever before with the new music we are writing! To us (Lance, Branden, myself) change brings opportunity. I’d like to personally thank Mat Madiro for stepping in on drums, as he is a force to reckon with behind the kit! Keep an eye out for updates and awesome news moving forward. I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the amazing support you have showed and continue to show. I love all of you…here’s to the future!!!

    Guitarist Lance Dowdle tried to lighten the mood with his Facebook post:

    As most of you already know by now, From Ashes to New is continuing on without Chris and Tim. I’ve been locked in a room with Matt for a month now, and let me tell ya…. it’s starting to smell in here. But that’s ok cause this next record is off to an amazing start! I promise you guys it’s gonna be fire. These songs are HUGE! So while we finish up writing, we will keep all the fans involved with every move we make as you are our number one priority ALWAYS! We look forward to taking the next step with you guys, and sharing an incredible future together. And for the record… Matt just farted.

    Former drummer Tim D’Onofrio posted this insightful statement on Facebook:

    As I’m sure many of you have already heard, Chris Musser and I have decided to go our separate ways with From Ashes to New.

    When I decided to devote my life to music I did so based on the fact that playing drums makes me happy. Over time, there were too many toxic and negative elements that came with FATN that I could no longer overlook. Ultimately, the aforementioned aspects outweighed the happiness that playing drums brings me which led to my decision to remove myself from the equation. I hope everyone can understand that when the joy of playing drums for From Ashes to New no longer existed, I would be doing myself, the band and all the fans a disservice by continuing to move forward. I appreciate every single person that has helped and supported me on my journey all the way from my YouTube covers to my time with FATN and for that I am eternally grateful.

    I have put everything I had to give into my time with FATN. I am incredibly proud and grateful for all of the accomplishments, experiences and opportunity I have helped the band and myself achieve along the way. I’ve learned more in my 3 years in the band than could be gained in a lifetime. Though my outlook on a career in music has changed over the years, I still have a passion for music and drumming so this isn’t the end of my journey. This is the beginning of what I hope to be a very exciting next step and I can’t wait to share it with all of you who choose to follow it with me.

    Suck out the poison. F**k the negativity. Follow your heart. Be happy. Love all of you for the support.
    Peace!

  • Black Sabbath Officially Marks The End

    It’s official. After almost 50 years together, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler, aka Black Sabbath, have put the end the final stamp on their legendary career touring under the Black Sabbath banner. Fans of Black Sabbath knew that the day was inevitable and the band confirmed it as they posted a picture on social media confirming the end of an era. Guitarist Tony Iommi has stated that the band may still create music, and possibly perform one-off shows here and there.

    Black Sabbath has been on the road touring for over a year, on the band’s “The End” tour, which brought the band all over the globe, giving die hard Sabbath fans some closure. Black Sabbath performed their last show on February 4, in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England at the Genting Arena.

    Considered one of the pioneer’s in heavy metal, Black Sabbath released 19 studio albums, and sold over 70 million albums worldwide including 15 million albums in the United States. Some of those albums include their self titled debut Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), which some call one of the most influential metal albums in history, helping form the metal genre, 2x platinum certified album, Master Of Reality (1971), and the bands final studio album 13 (2013). Black Sabbath has won two Grammy awards for Best Metal Performance, including in 2014 for “God Is Dead?”

    Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006, and the UK Music Hall Of Fame in 2005. Rolling Stone ranked the band #85, on their 100 greatest artist of all time.