NYS Music 20​18

Category: The Northeast

  • Peach Music Festival Ready for Summer Fun

    Now that we’re settling into summer, festivalgoers are looking forward to this year’s Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA. Peach has become a favorite in the jam scene due to its always killer lineup and ability to coax incredible sets of music out of our favorite bands. The beloved festival is happening a little earlier than years past, kicking off next Thursday, July 19 rather than its typical early August dates.

    This year’s Peach features a few special sets that fans won’t want to miss, namely one of Gov’t Mule’s rare “Dark Side of the Mule” sets, honoring Pink Floyd’s great album, moe.’s tribute set to Little Feat’s beloved live album Waiting for Columbus, and Cabinet’s only 2018 performance. The usual suspects will also have headlining sets this year, such as the big hitters like Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (who have 2 sets!), Umphrey’s McGee and moe., with the addition of Phil Lesh & the Terrapin Family Band and Dickey Betts.

    The main stage features more than the sets mentioned previously, such as blues rock group The Marcus King Band, the horn-centered Funky Dawgz Brass Band, a duo set from Jackie Greene and Anders Osborne, and the Devon Allman Project, ft. Duane Betts. One of the more interesting acts on the Peach Stage are The Revivalists, an alternative rock group from New Orleans that put forth energetic live shows and astounding studio albums.

    Some of the smaller national touring acts are also featured on this year’s lineup, such as The Magic Beans, a space funk quartet based out of Denver, CO, Turkuaz, the always groovy funk band from Brooklyn, NY, and Spafford, a genre-bending band that only use two words to represent themselves: We jam. Guitar prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederauer and his band will also have a set performing some Taz’s original music and the unconventional LA-based organ trio Organ Freeman will be bringing their funk and jazz stylings to Scranton.

    peach music

    The grounds will have lots of amenities to aid attendees in having the best possible experience, such as refillable water stations, phone charging stations, ATMs, medical stations, and more! Montage also offers a full water park, available to anyone attending the festival. Peach’s Mushroom Stage is located in this water park, where attendees can watch on from the wave pool or enjoy many of the other aquatic attractions the park has to offer. People will want to check out Buffalo’s own Aqueous, Big Something and Tom Hamilton & Holly Bowling’s new group Ghost Light’s sets here.

    Those who bought VIP passes will be treated to a couple of exclusive sets each day, namely solo sets from Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee and Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle on Friday, Pap & Po, a duo set from Pappy & JP Biondo of Cabinet, a special 45 minute set from Ghost Light on Saturday and, finally, a duo set from Oteil Burbridge of Dead & Company and Scott Metzger of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead on Sunday. All of these sets will take place on the Grove Stage. Fans should also check out Grahame Lesh’s soulful group Midnight North and Hayley Jane and the Primates at the Grove.

    Check out the daily lineup above or create your own personalized schedule through The Peach Music Festival app, which can remind you when your favorite bands are about to start and let you know of any important updates. Keep watch for more of NYSMusic’s coverage of this year’s Peach Music Festival.

  • Circles Around the Sun Announces East Coast Tour Dates

    Circles Around The Sun just announced five East Coast shows in August to support their upcoming double album, Let It Wander, available Aug. 17 on Rhino Records. The run begins in Asbury Park, NJ, followed by dates in Brooklyn, Ardmore, PA and Burlington, VT before concluding at Huichica East Festival in New York’s Hudson Valley.

    Photo courtesy of Circles Around The Sun’s press release.

    Circles Around the Sun (CATS) was originally only supposed to record a handful of Grateful Dead-influenced instrumentals to be played during the set breaks at the Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” concerts in 2015. But between the positive response to the tracks and the band’s enjoyment in making music together they decided to keep the band going.

    Their new album, Let It Wander, is a new beginning for the band as they move beyond their original music which was trying to evoke the spirit of the Dead and allows them to fully embrace their own personality. The album’s first single is called “Immovable Object” and shows just how the band in moving away from their Dead inspired sound to music with filled with musical turns leaving the listener not knowing what to expect next.

    http://https://open.spotify.com/album/4PjynBO0yIh05aGBVVQlKc

    Among the album’s highlights is “One For Chuck,” which features a surprise cameo by Chuck D himself. The leader of legendary hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy just happened to stop by the studio while the band was listening to a song they’d just recorded and ended up creating an intro for the track.

    The band is comprised of guitarist Neal Casal and keyboardist Adam MacDougall (bandmates in the Chris Robinson Brotherhood) along with bassist Dan Horne (Jonathan Wilson, Grateful Shred) and drummer Mark Levy (We Dream Dawn, Bonfire Dub). Let It Wander will be released on limited edition vinyl, CD and digital formats. Pre-Order is available now.

    For more information on Circles Around The Sun visit their website.

  • Public Image Ltd. Announces North American Dates

    John Lydon’s Public Image Ltd. has been celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2018. Dates throughout Europe and Japan have dotted the band’s itinerary the early part of the year and now, beginning in October, the tour comes to North America.

    The Public Image is Rotten tour kicks off in New Orleans on Oct. 9 and makes its way to Asbury Park and Brooklyn on Oct. 13 and 15. Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time. PiL is also touring in support of a documentary with the same title as the tour, which will see its theatrical premiere at the Metrograph in New York on Sept. 14.

    The band is also set to release a career-spanning box set on July 20, titled The Public Image is Rotten (Songs From the Heart). The expansive box set will be available as five-CD/two-DVD, six-LP and in digital formats. It will include radio sessions, B-sides, remixes as well as the PiL Singles Collection (1978-2015). Also included is a complete live performance from New York’s Ritz from July 16, 1989.

    The DVDs include PiL performances on the BBC shows Old Grey Whistle Test and Top of the Pops, two complete live shows from Estonia in 1988 and Sydney, Australia in 2013 and various promo and music videos.

    For more 40th anniversary PiL info, visit the band’s official website here.

    Public Image Ltd. 2018 Tour Dates:

    Oct. 9 – The Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA
    Oct. 10 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
    Oct. 12 – Black Cat – Washington, DC
    Oct. 13 – Asbury Lanes – Asbury Park, NJ
    Oct. 15 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
    Oct. 16 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
    Oct. 18 – Club Soda – Montreal, QC
    Oct. 19 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
    Oct. 21 – The Majestic – Detroit, MI
    Oct. 22 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
    Oct. 24 – Granada Theatre – Dallas, TX
    Oct. 25 – The Mohawk – Austin, TX
    Oct. 28 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR
    Oct. 29 – Showbox – Seattle, WA
    Oct. 31 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA
    Nov. 1 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA
    Nov. 3 – El Rey – Los Angeles, CA
    Nov. 6 – Pepsi Centre – Mexico City, MX

  • Hearing Aide: Harsh Armadillo ‘Bite’

    The first ‘Bite’ sinks raw into your gums, perking your ears with sound. Harsh Armadillo and their latest four-track EP release is uninviting to the easy-listener. Regardless, you delve in for seconds and it becomes clear- there is no turning back. It’s “quick, punchy and powerful,” said vocalist Andrea Belaidi. Harsh Armadillo Bite

    Bite hooks your lip and reels you deep into the 24-minute storyline of Harsh Armadillo on the rise.

    Since their inception in 2013, the New Hampshire based ensemble is out for blood. Harsh Armadillo debuted their first full-length album Thayer It Is in 2014 and quickly began to draw crowds of 700 or more. Harsh Armadillo was named New England Music Awards’ Best Band in NH (2017) and has shared the stage with bands like The Nth Power, Kung Fu, Twiddle, After Funk and Kat Wright.

    The seven-piece is equipped with keyboards, synth and organs, saxophone, trumpet, guitars and drums making their soundscape endless. R&B, funk and soul roots create a whirlwind of driving dance grooves that are paired with slow feel-good vocals and melodic leads throughout the EP.

    Bite was recorded at Iron Wax Studio in Erving, MA with Alan Evans of Soulive. “Working in Alan’s studio was like getting catapulted through a black hole and emerging with no pants or conception of time,” siad Max Harris (saxophone, vocals). Harsh Armadillo looks up to artists like Evans which made the four day recording endeavor energetic and natural for the band. “It was just wild seeing how Alan did his thing,” said bassist Thomas Forbes.

    “The EP all works together in sequence. These songs are comprised of bits and pieces that make it different,” said Max. The band recorded the album together – all in one room, whereas it is typical for bands to record each part layered independently. “The intention was for it to be a cohesive unit. There’s something about proximity,” that makes it all flow, said Max. “We learned that it was okay to have bleed into the drum parts.”

    “Gravy” starts the EP off smooth, building in volume, before the drums and horns crash in unison. The groove is sharp and interrupts with syncopated off-the-beat phrases. Male and female vocals, funky guitar licks and changing drum and bass grooves drag your head from left to right with your feet. The feel livens up in the bridge with syncopated snare, contrasting horn pads and rolling bass fills. Soon you timehop, fired-up for the hot saxophone solo in “Two Wishes and a Truth.” When playing these songs “we want someone like ‘Sput’ from Ghost Note (one of our idols) to turn around and say: What was that?,” added Forbes.

    The new songs are all about pushing the envelope. Spoken-word rap in “Animal” contrasted by Dmitrys’ synth leads expand your mind. When the band digs through the bridge they become unstoppable, in full break dancing force. Songs like “Live Action” are amped up and refreshing from the laid back push-and-pull of the rhythm section. It drives hard, so you better hang on.

    Guitarist Camden Riley felt that the EP is “one tiny seed planted; It is a landmark of how we are as a unit [at this moment in time].” According to the band’s press release, “The EP is about biting hard into life and being the most unapologetic version of yourself possible. A lot of the songs have this swaggy feel that everyone’s frothing over these days. I think Questlove calls it drunk drums. Either way it’s an addiction. It takes a team to get this feel.”

    Harsh Armadillo is cueing up for the second EP release of the series within the next few weeks. Evolving with the changing times of the music industry Max Harris felt “You can’t put an album out every two years and still be relevant.” Harsh Armadillo’s second release “Blame Bad Habits” was exactly that – two years in the making, which became boring by the time it was ready to drop. Thus, the ensemble is ‘keeping it loose’ as they move forward not only as a band, but moreover as a tight-knit collaboration of friends.

    For those wondering about the ‘moldy basement’ – it’s Dmitrys’, the bands keyboard player. “It [actually] is moldy,” added Dan [the band laughs]. To this day, Harsh Armadillo continues to practice in the same stinky rehearsal space where they were founded. “That’s where the fun comes in.” It allows Harsh Armadillo to sound raw, capturing a live feel effortlessly on Bite. “An idea sparks the song…and then we start arguing in the most exciting sense of the word. The idea is growth – to push the bar one-hundred percent.”

    “Stay Harsh, Dan.”

    Key Tracks:

    “Gravy” is one thick serving of horns, backed by ‘2’ and ‘4’ on the snare. It cuts right to the groove and sucks you into the song. Tight melodic hits occur when you least expect it and the drums continue to push and pull you in time. Andrea’s smooth vocals, add the right amount of soul, half way through the track.

    The EP would not be complete without “Live Action.” As their press release describes, “It tracks the speed of the missile and shoots just enough in front of it to hit it.” With lightning speed it is too energetic to soak up the funk from each instrument. Guitars take the spotlight early on with hot, up-beat rhythm and a blazing guitar solo within the first minute of listening. It is ever-changing. “Live Action,” is all Harsh’s best ideas morphed into one; from funk to a jam band with heavy synth-lead, to soulful vocals and back around again.

  • Frendly Gathering Proves Less is More

    Frends from around the globe converged on Mt. Ellen this past weekend for the Frendly Gathering 2018.  The three-day event proved that the event’s foundation of music, camping, community and sustainability are viable cornerstones to a successful weekend.  Music started with a Frendly Gathering pre-party on Thursday June 28. In perfect syncopation, the weekend concluded just as new laws legalizing recreational marijuana in Vermont took effect.

    Despite minor rain showers as Frends arrived on Thursday afternoon, mother nature cooperated just as music started later in the evening.  The beautiful blue skies continued throughout the weekend and the green mountains of Vermont served as the perfect backdrop to a weekend of thoughtful music, community and frendship.

    Major highlights to the weekend included the events main headliners.  Thursday night, Twiddle frontman Mihali Savoulidis joined Nakho Bear for a rare Mihali & Nahko set. The duo highlighted not only a variety of their own solo music, but also played a variety of cover tunes.

    Savoulidis joined his Twiddle band mates on Friday evening where frends were treated to a two-hour set from the Vermont quartet.  Most of the weekend attendees agree that while they missed multiple sets from Twiddle, the Frendly Gathering staple was still their weekend favorite.  Andrew Chaney from Willsboro NY, who attended his third Frendly Gathering this year told NYS Music that Twiddle is always his favorite band to see with his frends. “The lyrics consume your mind, while the instruments consume your soul.”

    For many attendees, it was Friday night’s Nahko and Medicine for the People set at the Pacificio Stage that highlighted their weekend.  “There is something cleansing about Nahko’s music” said New Haven, CT native Jon Carlisle, “It’s the kind of music that makes you want to go out and put good into the world.  And we need more of that in the world right now.”

    On Friday evening, the Burton stage played host to both Kamasi Washington and Kat Wright, who both delighted frends with powerful and soulful sets.

    On Saturday, bluegrass reigned supreme as both the Devil Makes Three and Greensky Bluegrass packed the Pacifico Main Stage.  Just before midnight, Greensky Bluegrass Savoulidis joined the band for a cover of J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight” and Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It” in celebration of Vermont’s changing marijuana laws. Jamtronica fans enjoyed a powerhouse evening set from Emancipator while jam fans gathered early on Saturday evening for Spafford.  

    The weekend was highlighted by Frendly favorites Upstate (formerly Upstate Rubdown).  The Hudson Valley based Appalachian soul powerhouse delighted fans with two sets as well as a pop-up set in the Martin Guitar dome.  First year attendee Shane Smith from Manchester, New Hampshire was blow away by the band’s performance “Not just their music but their whole stage presence for both of their sets was perfect, “ he told NYS Music, “and wow can those girls sing!”

    Throughout the weekend, several other artists garnered praise from those in attendance.  Houston based Gulf soul outfit The Suffers weathered the heat Saturday afternoon with an even hotter set of rich, powerful tunes that pierced throughout the mountain side.  “We didn’t make it to the main stage because we just wanted to stay under the shade at our camp, but we could hear The Suffers clear as day back at camp,” noted Alyssa Monarch, a first time Frendly attendee from Rochester, NY. “Their music was so powerful and the vocals so heartfelt, it didn’t matter where we heard it from because it just filled our entire crew with joy.”

    Boston based electrofunk quartet Strange Machines kicked off Friday’s Burton stage with a high energy set.  On Friday afternoon, Satsung drew a huge crowd, despite toasty mid-day temperatures. Other weekend notables included singer songwriter Kevin Morby and Canadian based indie folk group The Relative.

    Beyond the music, the true star of the weekend was the Frendly Gathering’s volunteer team, most notably their massive sustainability crew.  Upon arrival, campers were offered colored trash bags to ensure ease of sorting. Volunteers wearing bright pink shirts marked “Frendly Crew” maintained the festival grounds all weekend long as they worked in pairs not only picking up trash, but also keeping labeled trash cans properly sorted.  According to Smith, these efforts help encourage him to also be a part of the clean-up process. “The volunteers I saw did an amazing job keeping the place clean,” he praised. “It made me happy and motivated to keep my site clean, too.”

    The festival’s commitment to sustainability shined with Kleen Kanteen providing cold, filtered water for attendees.  Food vendors provided quality food with little to no waste product. “Too many festivals offer basically only fried food,” said Smith, “but this place had a very good food selection and mostly healthy as well!” To help combat the heat, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream offered free samples throughout the weekend.

    The Frendly Gathering also showcased a variety of vendors, crafts, workshops and products.  Twiddle fan funded 501c3 the White LIght Foundation was on site raising money for two local charities, Vermont Family Forest and LoveYourBrain.

    As the weekend concluded, many frends noted that it’s the festival’s pillars of music, community, camping and sustainability that makes Frendly Gathering more than just a typical event.  “Bigger festivals can be so overwhelming, and you leave feeling like you’ve really left a footprint”, noted Monarch. “I appreciate the fact that the organizers, volunteers and frends understand that sometimes, it should just be quality over quantity. It makes you feel warm to be a part of it.”

    Photography by Matt Shotwell (Strawberry Island Dweller)

  • A Friend in the Berkshires: James Taylor Doesn’t Disappoint Fans in Timeless Concert

    Berkshires resident and world-loved music legend James Taylor crooned to a sold-out crowd at Tanglewood July 3, the first night of his traditional two nights at the rural venue near his summer home. The crowd filled every inch of the manicured lawn with blankets, tables, chairs and fine dining accessories, clearly reflecting that this wasn’t the first JT concert attended by most fans. Inside seats were filled as the crowd sat in high humidity and heat, waiting with anticipation for the first set.

    James Taylor was the first artist to set foot on the stage a little after 8:00, and he was met by cheering fans who quickly forgave the brief tardiness. The 70-year-old star appeared in his long pants, dress shirt and cap, and after brief waves, he slung his guitar over his shoulder as he sang “Carolina on My Mind.”

    Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert

    Taylor transitioned through both well-known pieces and some lesser-known songs in the first set. The light show, coordinated with the chorus and highlights of “Country Road,” seemed intent to remind the audience that they are indeed at a rock concert, not a folk concert.

    It would be a bumpy first set, though, marked by amp problems, some pacing issues, and low energy from artist and crowd alike. At one point after “Frozen Man,” seasoned Taylor matched the key of the reverb from the amp and joked, “Do we have any songs in that key?” Using humor and his incredibly flexible vocals, Taylor kept the crowd engaged through some slower moments. He introduced band members throughout the first set, and indeed the band members, including 2 percussionists, a trumpet player, flute and saxophone player, three backup singers, pianist, fiddle and of course the customary guitar and bass, are an all-star band.  Taylor turned to look at each artist as he or she performed, and genuinely reflected an appreciation for sharing the music with the artists.

    Folksy and dancing little jigs, Taylor covered “(I’m a) Road Runner” and danced around the stage. This seemed to wake the audience back up, but there was a bit wrong with the rhythm section and the band seemed off the pace with one another. “Copperline” saved the set, though, with Taylor’s infallible voice finding its vertical pitches with beautiful ease. They rolled into “Handyman” and “Mexico,” bringing the crowd to it’s feet.

    Before breaking for intermission, Taylor looked at the setlist and joked with the audience, pacing them for the twenty-minute break and promising “a lot of hits” in the second set. In between, he was on stage, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

    The second set delivered on the hits, and more than compensated for any troubling moments from earlier in the night. Fans sang along to the most famous James Taylor tunes, swaying in the heat to “Something in the Way She Moves.” Taylor impossibly made himself even more human and relatable with a song about his dog, Sunny, and shared adorable pictures of the pug. Each song in the second set related to the human experience: loving someone, losing someone, having a dog, being a friend.

    Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert

    And that’s really why people go to see James Taylor – the articulation of their own very human experience. We go to be reminded that we aren’t alone in these hard emotions, and in fact everyone struggles with sadness, joy, and how to show love. “Shower the People You Love” brought the crowd to its feet, singing along and encouraging folks to do just that – show the love to those around you.

    From “Sunny Skies” and “Walking Man,”the set transitioned to the faster, more intense rock feel of “Steam Roller.” Playing on a baby blue electric guitar, Taylor’s only electric guitar song featured some impressive riffs by the pianist, bassist, and sax players. Taylor waved his cap over the instruments, and jumped on one leg like an old time rock star, bringing gasps of joy and screams of love from the audience.

    Filled with folks who had traveled long distances to get to Tanglewood, the crowd talked to each other with civility, gentleness, and a genuine interest in one another in the shed. Couples surrounding this reviewer came from New Haven, Rochester, and even Philadelphia. It had become an annual pilgrimage for many of them. When asked why the same smile crossed their lips, heads shook a bit in disbelief, and no one could really articulate a specific reason beyond loving the music. But with the encore of “You’ve Got a Friend,” fans were truly speaking their hearts. James Taylor is their friend, their company in easy and hard times alike.

    Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert

    During this time of low civility, isolation, and sad news of disparities in our country, the concert offered a quaint respite in songs lending empathy, kindness, and intelligence. As long as he’s performing at Tanglewood, clearly James Taylor has thousands of friends overjoyed to have him – and each other – on this American holiday weekend.

    Setlist

    Set One: Carolina in My Mind, Country Road, The Frozen Man, Never Die Young, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Road Runner, Nothing Like a Hundred Miles, Raised Up Family, Copperline, Handyman, Mexico

    Set Two: Something in the Way She Moves, Sunny Skies, Walking Man, Up on the Roof, Steamroller, Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, Your Smiling Face, Shower the People, How Sweet it Is

    Encore: Shed a Little Light, In the Midnight Hour, You’ve Got a Friend

  • Umphrey’s McGee: Welcome Back to Asbury Park

    For the eighth consecutive year, Umphrey’s McGee made The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park New Jersey a part of their summer plans. Located in the lot behind the iconic Jersey shore rock venue The Stone Pony, the Summer Stage sets have historically showcased the metal and prog rock side of Umphrey’s Mcgee’s vast spectrum of musical influences. The 2018 installment continued this tradition by showcasing “Remind Me” as a first set closer followed by a “Wizard Burial Ground” into a  “Sludge & Death” second set opener. They would ultimately close out the second set by going back to “Wizard Burial Ground” as well.

    In past years, Umphrey’s McGee has taken the Asbury Park encore as an opportunity to bust out a cover. They have dropped both “Mother” by Danzig and “Last Caress” by the Misfits as band debuts in 2012 and 2016, respectively. And their 2014 “Front Porch” had a “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls” (reprise) mashed into it. “Don’t Go Chasing Front Porches” on Zonkey part 2 maybe? For 2018’s encore, Pantera’s “Walk” was played for the first time with this preamble from bassist Ryan Stasik; “What’s up, New Jersey!?!?!?!? Put your fists in the air! When we come to New Jersey, we come to kick fuckin’ ass and play rock and roll.  We lost a good one, we lost Vinnie. He’s up there with Dimebag. Pantera meant a lot to me growing up. Rest in peace, we’re gonna play some non-sissy type music. Let’s have some fun!”

    mm/

    Setlist:

    Set One: Nipple Trix, Roctopus, Pequod, Andy’s Last Beer, Seasons, It Doesn’t Matter, You and You Alone, Remind Me

    Set Two: Wizard Burial Ground, Sludge & Death, Xmas At Wartime, The Silent Type, Jessica, Cemetery Walk, Cemetery Walk II, August, Wizard Burial Ground

    Encore: Kula, Walk

  • Prepare yourself for Camp Bisco Color War XIII: The Over Bezerk

    With Camp Bisco less than two weeks away, it’s time to start preparing for Color War Xlll: The Over Bezerk! An homage to one of the greatest shows ever played by The Disco Biscuits and feature a remix of the classic Color Wars game that has been played for the past 12 Camp Biscos. For the 13th year of Color War, the games will be played following the rules of the only other game in existence that is as ruthless as the way Biscuits fans get down on the field.

    Known as “The game of games” on the streets of Philadelphia, this year will incorporate the rules of Chardee Macdennis from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Only the most savage players on Lot have a chance to play the most savage game ever created and offered to the masses.

    Join the Color War teams – Orange, Purple, Green and Blue on Friday, July 13 from Noon to 5pm at the Lazy River in the waterpark. Want to sign up? We got ya covered!

    Chardee Macdennis has three levels that dictate the order the games are played in, and the traditional camp games will be reworked to fit under these guidelines:

    Level 1 (Mind)- Trivia, Puzzles and Artistry

    Level 2 (Body)- Physical Challenge and Endurance

    Level 3 (Spirit)- Emotional Battery and Public Humiliation

    Color War is not just a war of games, it is a War of psychological warfare! All year long, rival teams take the time to get to know their opponents inside and out so they can use what they have learned to crush their spirits on the field. Just as in It’s Always Sunny, physical representation of the team Captains will assist in shaming the losers with the ceremonious destruction of their game pieces at the end of the game – an added bonus to the glory of winning the coveted Color War Cup!!!

  • Interview: A Raw Take with Three West End Blend Founders

    NYS Music jumped at the punch to sit down with vocalist Erica Bryan, drummer Sam Horan, and bassist Tom Sullivan of West End Blend for an interview and live podcast. West End Blend of Hartford, Connecticut has quickly made noise as one of the top funk/soul acts of the region. They are on the up-and-up and in this raw podcast, WEB’s growth is just one topic of casual conversation. Hit the play button below to listen to the 48th episode of the Rochester Groovecast Podcast.  Also find a timestamp at the bottom of the page.

    Timestamp:
    00:00: Smile by West End Blend
    04:25: Episode Introduction
    06:45: Conversation with Erica, Sam, and Tom of West End Blend.
    41:20: Episode Conclusion
    43:00: Attitude by West End Blend

  • Alice’s Restaurant Back By Popular Demand Tour Announced

    Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the movie “Alice’s Restaurant,” based on the song by Arlo Guthrie and to commemorate the occasion, Guthrie is arranging an extensive tour which will stretch from the fall of 2018 through 2020. The majority of shows just announced for this fall will take place in New York and surrounding states. They include a hometown show in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Nov, 17 and a return to Carnegie Hall on Nov. 24. See the full list of dates below.

    Guthrie wrote a folk song about a series of incredulous events that began on Thanksgiving in 1965. “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” struck a chord with the anti-war counterculture. By 1967 Guthrie had gone from playing small clubs to playing festivals and stadiums.

    “Arthur Penn (who had just finished filming Bonnie & Clyde) heard the record when it came out in 1967,” recalled Guthrie in an interview with NYS Music. “He also happened to live in Stockbridge, where the events took place. He thought it would be a great idea to make it into a movie. And he did.”

    For this tour, Guthrie will be joined on stage by longtime collaborators Terry “A La Berry” Hall (drums), Steve Ide (guitar, vocals), and Carol Ide (vocals, percussion). His daughter, singer/songwriter Sarah Lee Guthrie, will be opening each performance.

    “I didn’t think I was gonna live long enough to have to learn ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ again,” Arlo Guthrie says with a smile. “It was a quirky kinda thing to begin with. Nobody writes an 18-minute monologue expecting fame and fortune. The initial success of the song really took me by surprise more than anyone else… I’m surely looking forward to it again being a centerpiece of my live repertoire.”

    Arlo Guthrie Presents The Alice’s Restaurant – Back By Popular Demand Tour
    Oct. 4  – Count Basie Theatre – Red Bank, NJ
    Oct. 6  – Gordon Center for the Performing Arts – Owings Mills, MD
    Oct. 7  – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA
    Oct. 10 – Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center – Stowe, VT
    Oct. 12 – Palace Theatre – Manchester, NH
    Oct. 13 – Durgin Hall – Lowell, MA
    Oct. 14 – Memorial Hall – Plymouth, MA
    Oct. 19 – NYCB Theatre – Westbury, NY
    Oct. 20 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT
    Oct. 21 – Paramount Center – Peekskill, NY
    Oct. 24 – The Greenwich Odeum – East Greenwich, RI
    Oct. 26 – The EGG – Albany, NY
    Oct. 27 – State Theatre – Ithaca, NY
    Nov. 1 – EJ Thomas Hall – Akron, OH
    Nov. 2 – State Theatre – Kalamazoo, MI
    Nov. 7 – Ron Robinson Theater – Little Rock, AR
    Nov. 9 – Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL
    Nov. 10 – Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL
    Nov. 11 – Buskirk-Chumley Theater – Bloomington, IN
    Nov. 16 – Infinity Hall – Hartford, CT
    Nov. 17 – Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington, MA
    Nov. 24 – Carnegie Hall – New York, NY

    More dates will be announced. Stay up to date on ArloGuthrie.com.

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