On Dec. 7, former members of the Allman Brothers Band and and collaborators will gather in Woodstock at Levon Helm Studios to pay tribute to the late Gregg Allman. The band will include Eric Krasno, Bruce Katz, and Jay Collins, plus Bill Sims Jr., Manuel Quintana, Chris Vitarello, Brandon Morrison, and Moses Patrou. The event, dubbed “Playin’ Up A Storm,” takes place on the eve of what would be Allman’s 71st birthday. Tickets are on sale now through the Levon Helm Studios website. 
Author: Paula Cummings
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Gregg Allman Tribute to Be Held at Levon Helm Studios
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Interview: Getting to Know Carpool
This summer, NYS Music premiered the song “Idaho” from Carpool’s debut album. I Think Everyone’s A Cop came out on September 13. The Western NY alternative rock band’s songs contain catchy hooks, emotionally-charged lyrics, mathy riffs, and plenty of guitar pedal effects.
Carpool weaves together elements from various alt rock sub-genres, which gives them broad appeal. Over the past few years, they’ve opened for a diverse array of national touring acts like Microwave (alternative rock), Tiny Moving Parts (math rock), Roswell Kid (pop punk), and Fossil Youth (Midwest emo).
Carpool is made of Rochester natives Chris Colasanto (lead vocals/guitar), Blake Weissinger (bass/vocals), Tommy Eckerson (guitar/vocals), and Juan Ortiz (drums). NYS Music sat down with Colasanto to talk about gear, the album, and the Buffalo scene.
Paula Cummings: Why the name Carpool?
Chris Colasanto: We originally started as Eyes Wide Shut. It sounded pretentious. So we changed the name to Carpool. It’s about hanging out and sharing good times with your buddies. We actually released an EP, Absolute Loss, under Eyes Wide Shut. It was more straight shoegaze. Carpool is more punky-emo. It’s cutesy – punk, but fun.
PC: Was this your first time in the studio?
CC: This was the first time going into a legit studio. We banged it out in four days, 12-hour long days. It’s different from what we used to do. Sometimes we were recording in a bathroom on someone’s computer using Audacity or GarageBand.
PC: Why did you go with the studio you chose?
CC: We went with RJ DeMarco at Skyway Studios. Our friends in Ghostpool dropped an EP and we absolutely loved it. We messaged them, and they said to go to RJ. We weren’t pressured, but it felt like everyone was lighting a fire under our asses do our best. We fell in love with Buffalo. It’s why we decided to move here. We visited before, but this was different. We now live in the house we stayed at while we were recording. Everything fell into place nicely.
PC: What’s the Buffalo scene like?
CC: Everyone in Buffalo comes out to shows – they go hardcore and support the scene. The demographic is all over. Our last show was at Milkie’s and there were kids, parents, grandparents.
PC: Tell me about the album.
CC: We started writing a year ago. The whole thing is about complacency, substance abuse and relationships – like you’re stuck in a stagnant state of molasses.
PC: I like that, “a stagnant state of molasses.” Your lyrics have interesting ways of turning a phrase.
CC: We were very conscious of the lyrics this time. We wanted to write songs that everyone likes, that everyone can dance to, but the undertone has more to it. Some of the lyrics are very tongue-in-cheek and quirky. I feel it’s relatable because of those quirks. It’s honest, maybe a little too honest at times.
PC: Tell me about the gear you used in the studio to create your sound.
CC: Me and Tommy used my Roland JC120 amp from 1983. It’s awesome, it’s my baby. We used my pedal set-up, primarily Adventure Audio pedals (they’re from Rochester), and Electro-Harmonix and EarthQuaker Devices. Sometimes I get pretty obnoxious with the pedal effects, but it’s fun. Tommy added a BigSky Reverb that added layers and depth – a lot of wet noise. Blake used his Jazz Bass, and he used my Adventure Audio Pedals. It ripped. And we have Juan Ortiz on drums – he’s the man, amazing as always.
PC: Final question… What would you each sing if you were on Carpool Karaoke?
CC: Me and Blake would do a duet of “Picture” by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock. Tommy would do trap rap – “Gucci Gang.” And Juan would do a full 21 Pilots album.
Purchase I Think Everyone’s A Cop digitally on Bandcamp. Physical copies will be available soon through Syracuse indie label Nothing Feels Good Records. Catch Carpool at Mohawk Place on October 13 with Culture Abuse, Gouge Away, Worse Things, and GOA, or on November 8 with Taking Meds, Teenage Halloween, and Movershaker. Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for upcoming shows and news.
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Get Up and Dance to Redbeard Samurai’s ‘Turn It Up’ Video
Redbeard Samurai has just released a new music video that’s going to make you want to get your groove on. The video for his catchy number “Turn It Up” features dancers from a variety of different styles, from hip hop to swing. This fits with the song’s overriding message: “It doesn’t matter how you cut loose, it matters that you cut loose.”
“Turn It Up” is the first single from from Redbeard Samurai’s upcoming debut hip-hop album Second. The project is the brain-child of versatile musician Blake Pattengale, a recent graduate of Eastman School of Music. With school behind him, Redbeard Samurai is finally ready to launch the music they’ve been writing and recording for the past few years.
Photo: Dave Jones Empire West Photography The video for “Turn It Up” was directed by Josiahx, and features some members of the band and their friends. (Vanishing Sun fans will recognize a cameo by singer Zahyia.) The dancers don everything from traditional dance costumes to a panda suit. It was filmed at Arbor Loft in downtown Rochester, which fit the cleaned-up post-industrial vibe Pattengale was looking to achieve.
As a concept album, ‘Second’ includes both songs and skits to tell a tale. Pettengale describes it as “an underdog story in which Redbeard Samurai works to liberate the people of Highstrung Falls from the shackles of propriety, conformity and mostly from the autocratic Chancellor who rules Highstrung Falls.” ‘Second’ is being mixed and mastered by Matt Ramerman of The Green Room. The release date will be announced soon. The album visuals were designed by Mexican artists Raul Urias and Moises Cordova.
To stay current on upcoming events and album news, visit the website or follow Redbeard Samurai on Facebook and Instagram.
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Rochester Fringe Goes ‘Instrumental’
Dave Chisholm has a knack for writing and illustrating comics and a gift for making music. Last year, he released the graphic novel Instrumental along with an accompanying soundtrack that he composed. The multi-instrumentalist has a doctorate degree from Eastman School of Music, and not only wrote all the parts for the ensemble, but also performs on the trumpet himself. The members of the band also represent the characters in the graphic novel, who are also in a band. The story line centers around the moral dilemma faced by a musician who is gifted a killer trumpet. Yes, the instrument literally kills listeners.
Luckily for those of us in the audience, this is a work of fiction. Even if it weren’t, I would have taken the risk. While the soundtrack has been performed live a couple times since its release mid-2017, this was the first time it has been projected onto a screen behind the musicians. The effect was spectacular.
The novel has seven chapters, each corresponding with a track on the album. As you see the characters in the ensemble playing, you hear their instruments being played live. The characters really come to life.
One of my favorite characters, the drummer of the fictional band, has an intense practice session at the beginning of the chapter entitled Decompression, and it was such a thrill to see and hear the drum solo played live by local percussionist Matt Bevan-Perkins. Syncing video and audio is no easy task, especially when the music is being performed live. As the drummer, Bevan-Perkins deserves kudos for setting the pace for the rest of the band so that it appeared seamless to the audience when the song ended at the same time as each chapter of the book. Bevan-Perkins was a stand-in for the Instrumental band, but performs regularly in Chisholm’s other project Talking Under Water.
The protagonist of the work is a trumpet player, so the trumpet is featured prominently in the performance. Chisholm has masterfully infused musical symbolism and applied principles of music theory to create harmony and dissonance as appropriate to the story line, and carrying through golden threads of melody that tie the work neatly together. The listener is swept along as the trumpeter marches through the frustration of grinding out a gig, soars to heights of celebration, then plunges into depths of despair. All the while, Chisholm is playing the role of both musician and conductor giving visual cues to bandmates.
One of those bandmates was saxophonist Colin Gordon, who performed an absolutely stellar solo during tonight’s performance.The string section was comprised of Chris Potter on guitar and Dave Kluge on bass. On the grand piano was Matt Curlee, whose part was featured prominently in the finale.
The audience members fell completely under the spell of Instrumental, and rewarded Chisholm and the Instrumental band with a standing ovation. The line to meet the musicians afterwards lasted nearly as long as the performance itself. If you missed the show, the graphic novel and soundtrack are both available on Amazon. Visit Dave Chisholm’s website for more information about his comics and music.
This event was one of more than 500 events that have been slated for this year’s KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival. The state’s largest multimedia festival runs through Saturday, September 22. A comprehensive list of events can be found at the Rochester Fringe website rochesterfringe.com. Stay tuned to NYS Music for continuing coverage.
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Rochester Fringe Continues: A Recap of Saturday Afternoon at Parcel 5
It was a muggy 80 degrees in Rochester with nary a breeze to be found, but that didn’t stop people young and old from gathering at Parcel 5 for some live music on Saturday afternoon. Four days into the 11-day-long KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, and the party is still going strong. The lineup at the main stage included Chris Eves and the New Normal and Shane Scarazzini & EightFingers, leading up to an encore performance by the UK’s Massaoke.
Chris Eves and The New Normal kicked things off. The Syracuse-based band jam band has shared a bill with the likes of Zac Brown Band, Jon Fishman of Phish, Turkuaz, Gov’t Mule, Cheap Trick, and Gregg Allman. Today, they opened up the main stage on the first weekend afternoon at New York State’s largest multi-media festival.
With a smooth blend of roots rock, funk, and blues, Chris Eves and The New Normal have been making a name for themselves in the region. The band laid down some groovy tunes that got people from ages 8 to 80 up and dancing. The set included their original songs, featured on their SAMMY-nominated debut album Find Your Way, as well as their latest single “In Between.”
Following this act was Shane Scarazzini & EightFingers. A Hudson Valley native, Scarazzini relocated to Nashville a few years ago. Luckily for us, he still spends a lot of time gigging in New York. EightFingers is his latest endeavor, a trio that includes Don Holocher on drums and Lucas Carillo on bass.
They started their set strong with a searing hot cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” People around me were singing along, even though the official mass karaoke party wouldn’t start for a couple hours. The band was comfortable playing everything from rock standards to country. Their set also included their latest original song, “Camilla.”
Check out our opening weekend preview and coverage of Friday night’s Massaoke headlining set. Stay tuned to NYS Music for more coverage of the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, which runs daily through Saturday, September 22.
For information about upcoming events, go to RochesterFringe.com, where you can filter the 500+ events by type, venue, and date.
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Massaoke Transforms Parcel 5 Into Sing-Along Dance Party at Rochester Fringe
KeyBank Rochester Fringe has brought the band Massaoke from the UK for the US debut. The sensation of the international festival circuit brings the karaoke experience to the masses – complete with live band, on-screen lyrics, and audience participation.
Downtown Rochester comes to life during Fringe: people are out and about and there’s something to do or see on every street corner. But the main stage is at Parcel 5, part of the former site of Midtown Plaza on East Main Street. Thanks to a recent vote, parking is still free at meters on weekday evenings. But with record-breaking attendances every year, it was no surprise that I couldn’t find a spot on the street and had to use one of several garages within walking distance.
When I arrived on site Friday night, the party was in full-swing, with an audience of thousands between the stage and the lights of the Liberty Pole singing along to “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus. While I’m not comfortable standing on stage to sing karaoke, I was quickly swept up in the excitement of the experience. I found myself setting down my camera and notebook several times to sing and dance along with the people beside me to favorites like Blink 182’s “All The Small Things” and The Village People’s “YMCA.”
Massaoke led the audience in some themed medleys, some specific to decades or genres like 80’s or disco. They also did a really fun guys versus girls sing-off with songs from Grease. In traditional karaoke, people can choose songs. Massaoke replicates this through having the audience vote by volume (for example, Blink 182 beat out Backstreet Boys on this night). They also have an app where fans can vote in polls, request songs, or ask for a shout-out.
For those who missed last night’s performance, there’s an encore tonight at 8:30pm. It will be the last chance to see Massaoke before they head back across the Atlantic.
Parcel 5 is where the food trucks are stationed, so if you don’t need to go far to grab a quick bite. Organizers have cordoned off an area where people can bring their own lawn chairs for the shows. There are also stadium-style risers to the side for those who opt not to bring their own chair.
All tuckered out from the show, I popped over to the Spiegelgarden at the corner of Main and Gibbs. The “pop-up urban lounge” is a great place to relax and enjoy refreshments. This is where you’ll find the Immersive Igloo, the Cirque Du Fringe, and the Silent Disco. But it’s also a place to relax between the 500+ events that occur during the 11 days Rochester Fringe. Grab some refreshments, then rally some friends for a game of cornhole, dominoes or connect four. Or pick up a pair of headphones and flop on a beanbag to enjoy the pedestrian drive-in – just like a drive-in but without the cars! While you’re there, pick up some Rochester Fringe merchandise, pick up tickets at the box office, or just chat with the Fringe volunteers about upcoming events.
Check out the NYS Music preview of some of the music shows this weekend, and head over to the official rochesterfringe.com website to search for events by type, day, and/or venue. Rochester Fringe runs through Saturday, September 22. Stay tuned to NYS Music for more coverage and next week’s preview.
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A Music-Lover’s Guide to Rochester Fringe Festival 2018 Opening Weekend
The seventh year of the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival is underway. Now the largest multi-genre festival in New York State, the 2018 Rochester Fringe Festival offers more than 500 performances and exhibits across dozens of venues. Offerings include theater, comedy, art exhibits, multidisciplinary shows, and live music. Here’s the NYS Music Guide to what music-lovers can look forward to this opening weekend.
https://youtu.be/f2WL6Gy329o
The main attraction this weekend is the outdoor spectacle on Friday and Saturday, featuring the US debut of Massaoke. The UK sensation is sweeping the festival circuit world-wide, playing everyone’s favorite sing-along hits. Catch the act at Parcel 5 on Main Street. Massaoke starts at 8:30pm each night, but live music starts at 5pm. Opening on Friday night are The Crooked North (Americana), La Muralla (salsa), and Vanishing Sun (funk/soul). Saturday night features Chris Eves and The New Normal (rock), EightFingers (country/blues), and Cold Fronts (garage rock from Philadelphia). Parcel 5 events are free and open to the public.
For the night owls, the party continues long into the night at the Immersive Igloo 3D sound experience at Spiegelgarden at 9:30 and 10:30 and the Silent Disco in the Spiegeltent. These two events are ticketed, and sell out quickly. Check ticket availability: Immersive Igloo and Silent Disco.
Silent Disco photo by John Schlia Looking for something a little more laid-back? Settle in and enjoy some refreshments at local coffee shops and enjoy some free live music.
Java’s Cafe on Gibbs Street hosts eclectic rock/folk band Paxtor at 7 p.m. on Friday. Then on Saturday, they feature acoustic trio The Genesee Three on Saturday at 5 and the eclectic musical stylings of Leah and the Upheaval at 7 p.m.
Around the corner the Little Theatre Cafe has plenty to offer music-lovers, starting with local cover bands B2 and Sad Bastards on Friday night. A full bill on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. includes RIT Surround (a capella barbershop), Proof of Purchase A Capella, The Annual Bill Destler and Rebecca Johnson Show (folk), Norm and The Outliers (jazz), Desert Rhythms (belly dancing), and Howie Lester (international/folk). And the fun continues with interactive shows on Sunday with Music and Visuals with Motion Capture at 1:30 and Virtual Karaoke at 5:30.
Eastman School of Music will be hopping this weekend. Friday night features two performances by the University of Rochester’s Institute for Popular Music: a performance of The Yes Album at 7 p.m. and Led Zeppelin IV at 9 p.m. Dave Rivello’s ensemble performs Saturday Night. And Sunday brings the return of the popular Gospel Sunday at 2 p.m. Gospel Sunday is free, but the room fills to capacity quickly, so arrive early. Tickets are on sale for the other shows at Eastman School of Music’s Killbourn Hall.
U of R Institute for Popular Music Fans of contemporary dance troupes will want to check out the schedules for PUSH Physical Theatre and Garth Fagan. And if you’re in the mood for a musical, there’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch at 7 p.m. all this weekend or next Thursday and Friday at Lyric Theatre (click here for tickets).
If you’re already looking ahead to next week’s events, you may want to consider heading out on Wednesday night to catch a rare live performance of Instrumental, the soundtrack to the comic of the same name. Author and composer Dave Chisholm released the set last year, and this will be the first time it will be performed with the comic pages projected as the backdrop. More information and tickets are available here.
This is just a taste of what this weekend has to offer in Rochester. A comprehensive list of events can be found at the Rochester Fringe website rochesterfringe.com.
Several events are already selling out. If you plan to attend a show, purchase tickets in advance.
Online: rochesterfringe.com
Phone: (585) 957-9837 (additional fees apply)
Box Office: One Fringe Place (corner of Main & Gibbs Streets)
In Person: Venue door one hour before start of show (subject to availability) -
Rabbit Jaw responds to anti-immigration policies through music
Erin Bahn is a singer, a dancer and a humanitarian. Through her art, she expresses her passionate messages against oppression and authoritarian regimes, and she is backed by her band of equally revolutionary-minded musicians. The Buffalo-based art-rock band Rabbit Jaw has released a music video for their song “Stowaway,” which is in response to right-wing American anti-immigration policies.
Bohn, who choreographed and directed the video, recently told Buffalo Rising, “This film is one take, played in reverse. Within this film, although it is played in reverse, I wanted to play with concepts of restoration of dreams and dreamers.”
Rabbit Jaw will be playing two shows in Buffalo on September 29: The Tabernacle from 6-8pm and then Dinosaur Bar-B-Que from 10-midnight. To stay up to date on news and events, follow Rabbit Jaw on Facebook.
photo by Glenn Murray -
Eminem Drops Surprise Album ‘Kamikaze’
The coming of the newest Eminem album Kamikaze was the best kept secret of 2018. His 10th studio effort arrived like a thief in the night, leaving critics no time to sway public opinion before it reached the masses. As he explains towards the end of his opening track, “My beef is more media journalists… so I’ve been giving the media the finger.”
Em gives a nod to the Beastie Boys on the album’s cover recreating the cover to the seminal album License to Ill.
Kamikaze is available on multiple platforms for streaming or purchase. But enough with the words already. The whole point is to listen to the album. As Eminem wrote on his website, “Tried not 2 overthink this 1… enjoy.” – Em.”
Kamikaze Track Listing
1. The Ringer (Explicit) 05:37
2. Greatest (Explicit) 03:46
3. Lucky You ft. Joyner Lucas (Explicit) 04:04
4. Paul Rosenberg – Paul (skit) 00:35
5. Normal (Explicit) 03:42
6. Em Calls Paul (skit) (Explicit) 00:49
7. Stepping Stone (Explicit) 05:09
8. Not Alike ft. Royce Da 5’9 (Explicit) 04:48
9. Fall (Explicit) 03:36
10. Kamikaze (Explicit) 04:22
11. Nice Guy ft. Jessie Reyez (Explicit) 02:30
12. Good Guy ft. Jessie Reyez (Explicit) 02:22
13. Venom (Music From the Motion Picture) (Explicit)