NYS Music 20​18

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  • Washington Avenue Armory Files Suit Against Rap Group Migos

    In 2015, Atlanta-based rap trio Migos, performed a show at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany when all hell broke loose during their performance. Since then, no live music has been performed in the building due to the incident in which six concertgoers were stabbed.

    Armory operators, the Albany Basketball and Sports Corporation, have filed suit against Migos, charging that the trio incited a riot by telling fans “to fight,” “give them hell,” and “kick ass.” Court documents also reveal that the group blew off a paid fan meet-and-greet, by showing up late smelling like marijuana and alcohol.

    The lawsuit filed in Albany’s supreme court stated, “Rather than attempting to dissuade the crowd from fighting, Migos and/or their agents, servants and employees were heard encouraging, cheering and inciting the patrons to fight. As a result of the defendants’ actions, a brawl erupted and numerous patrons were injured.”

    The Armory’s business has suffered since the event. The Times Union reports that the Armory seeks an unspecified amount of money for “property, personal, breach of contract, economic, loss of income, and loss of business and further damages to be determined.” Armory spokesman, Joe Bonilla, made the following statement:

    The significant, unfortunate actions by Migos … have led to considerable business disruption to the Washington Avenue Armory and its parent, the Albany Basketball and Sports Corporation.The unwarranted negative media attention and subsequent government actions against the Armory stemming from the event has placed an undue burden upon the Armory’s operations and its ability to attract programming. Therefore, on the eve of the three-year anniversary of that fateful concert, the Armory is taking this important action to remedy the losses incurred from and arising from that event.

    Sharome Ross of Albany, a concertgoer who attended the event, sued the band and the Armory after he was injured during the show. Ross, who suffered severe injuries to his face, shoulder and eyes said the venue’s operators should have known that the trio had a bad reputation for attracting a belligerent fan base, and would likely be late which presents a danger to fans in attendance.

  • Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at Brooklyn Bowl: Night 1

    On March 8 Brooklyn Bowl’s begotten sons returned to the venue of their conception for the first night of three. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead had fans lined up around the block and packed in on the floor. The couches on the bowling allies were pushed back to make room for the freaks in the vip section. With the room ready to burst at the seems, Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger, and Joe Russo took to the stage. With them, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead brought their approach to the music of the Grateful Dead.

    Setlist:

    Set 1: Alligator, St. Stephen, Dupree’s Dimond, King Solomon’s Marbles, Touch of Grey

    Set 2: The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion), Jack Straw, Hell In A Bucket, Scarlet Begonias, I know you Rider, Stella Blue

    Encore: Man Smart Woman Smarter, Not Fade Away

  • NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness: Round 2

    It’s time for Round 2 of NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness! We have brought together 64 of New York State’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament-style competition throughout the month of March, and we are now down to 32.

    These artists who hail from the Empire State are a sampling of the next generation of artists and come from all corners of the state, from Buffalo to Binghamton, from Plattsburgh to Patchogue and all points in between. Discover your new favorite band and vote for your favorites!

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. NYS Music March Madness is a great way to discover a new and upcoming band in your area and show your support and love for bands you see often. We’d like to thank our regional sponsors Putnam Place, Anthology, Funk n Waffles and CEG Presents. These venues and promoters are small businesses and a sample of the backbone of the statewide New York music scene that helps artists grow and reach ever-widening audiences.

    Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

    Get to know the 8 artists in the Putnam Place region and vote below

    Mikaela Davis (singer/songwriter) vs Haewa (fusion rock)
    The Dirty Pennies (indie rock) vs Sprocket (high power technical jam)
    Eastbound Jesus (Northern rock) vs Black Mountain Symphony (symphonic groove pop)
    Fondude (groove/jam) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jam/jazz fusion)Check out the 8 artists moving on in the Anthology region and vote below

     

    Iudica (alternative/grunge) vs Candy Ambulance (alternative/grunge)
    Sun Parade (grunge power pop) vs Folkfaces (roots folk/jazz)
    Chris Eves and the New Normal (jam rock) vs Moho Collective (creative instrumental)
    Jiggawaltz (funk metal) vs Ballroom Thieves (alternative rock)

    8 artists remain in the CEG Presents region. Check them out and vote below

    ShwizZ (progressive funk rock) vs Wild Adriatic (rock n roll)
    Intrepid Travelers (funk/jazz/rock) vs Escaper (space funk psyche rock)
    Polyvamp (funk and rock) vs Space Carnival (psychedelic groove rock)
    Sophistafunk (funk/hip-hop) vs Cold Lazarus (reggae jam rock)

    Get to know the 8 remaining artists in the Funk n Waffles region and vote below

    Holly and Evan (blues alt-rock) vs The Switch (rock/funk/blues)
    Formula 5 (jam/rock/fusion) vs The Other Brothers (soul/funk/R&B)
    Teddy Midnight (electro dance funk) vs Space Bacon (electronic rock jam)
    Space Junk (progressive jam trance) vs Dark Honey (indie pop rock)

    [colorvote id=”5″ style=”wpcvp-poll”]

    Second Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 8, and closes at midnight on Saturday, March 10. Round of 16 begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 12. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Andrew Bird Monday Performance Soars Above The Egg

    With ten years in the rear view mirror since his last visit, Andrew Bird finally returned to The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany for a nearly sold out, intimate performance for an all-ages crowd. Making a comeback to the acoustically enchanting venue, the violin-wielder set up a cozy shop on stage for an uninterrupted show, complete with ample finger plucking and whimsical whistling for an evening of nature-inspired bliss.

    A dapper Bird took the stage solo to unleash an eclectic mix of live music and cinematic visuals to “River” and “Canyon” from his 2015 and 2017 albums, Echolocations. Combining the delicate sounds of nature, alluring violin compositions and “visuals generated from USGS Topographic Imagery of Los Angeles River and Coyote Gulch, Utah,” the ethereal musician was able to bring the great outdoors to a chillingly quiet audience, ready to absorb the emotion ahead. With previously captured video of Bird strumming along to the rhythmic flowing of canyon water while barefoot, the audience felt like they too were ankle-deep in the same stream Bird splashed around in.

    Showcasing his talent and vulnerability as a solo artist, the Chicago native proved that one instrument and a few foot pedals can provide endless looping and musical possibilities. With a main backdrop and two smaller screens off to the side of stage left and right, visuals of vast canyons of wonder and trickling rivers worked in tandem with Bird’s musically replicated sounds of nature, creating a sensory highway for the masses. The film footage, captured by Tyler Manson, allowed Bird to duet with himself for a harmonious delivery and even seemed stunted to the larger scope of the musician playing on screen behind him.

    As the visuals subsided, the tranquil music was paused for three bandmates, a drummer, bassist/guitarist and pianist/guitarist/bassist to hop on stage. While the fans remained glued to their chairs with wide eyes, Bird didn’t refrain from rocking out in front of an illuminated, color-changing backdrop. The whistling wizard and his band began with a mini throwback off the 2005 album Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs (fitting for the venue), “A Nervous Tic Motion Of the Head to the Left,” which brought exuberant energy to the spherical theater. While maintaining the up-beat tempo the band supplemented on stage, Bird partook in some witty banter with the crowd admitting he was “… shredding so hard” as he ripped loose hairs off his shedding bow.

    After “working out some frustrations” to the song “Are You Serious,” he and the band scaled back to play acoustic tunes with all four musicians circled around one booming mic. The 44-year-old musician collected a group of fantastic artists to play alongside him, as they were able to swap instruments to perfectly compliment each song’s energy. Among xylophone solos and a spinning double horn speaker, a fan-favorite treat of the night came in a flawless cover of Neil Young’s “Harvest” during a three-song encore.

    With acoustics bouncing off the wall and striking internal emotional chords, Monday night’s story was illustrated through a perfect amount of sensory creativity and topographical genius for the audience to talk about for the foreseeable future.

    Andrew Bird was set to wrap the tour on March 7 at Kingston NY’s Ulster Performing Arts Center, but due to an impending storm, it’s been rescheduled for Friday, June 22.

    Setlist: Intro, Down Under the Hyperion Bridge, Gypsy Moth, Sweep the Field, Nervous Tick Motion of the Head to the, Left, Capsized, Bloodless, Why?, Truth Lies Low, Are You Serious, Roma Fade, My Sisters Tiny hands (Handsome Family Cover), Orpheo Looks Back, Give it Away, By any Means, Three White Horses, Archipelago, Pulaski at Night, Danse Caribe

    Encore: Harvest (Neil Young cover), Sisyphus, Weather Systems

  • Hearing Aide: Toubab Krewe ‘Stylo’

    Earlier this month, Toubab Krewe released their third studio album, Stylo, (pronounced Stee-lo), and have since hit the road for a tour following a two-year hiatus. Their last album, TK2, was released in 2010 so fans have been anxiously awaiting this new one that is simply chock full of energy, positive vibes and soul filling goodness. With Stylo, they continue their combination of musical twists and turns that ebb and flow from Appalachian and West African tones to funk, jazz and jams galore.

    The album eases listeners in with “That Damn Squash.” Stocked with an endless supply of percussion on the back beat, the tune rolls along, begging listeners to get up and sway their hips. Clean guitar tones carry the song making it impossible not to bob your head to the beat. “Night Shade” hints at Middle Eastern styling, with an edgier guitar flowing along the edges of the song, creating a musical ride of ethnic rhythms that have no barrier.

    As “Stylo” touches upon layers of Spanish flair, the melody brings out visions of beaches, cold umbrella drinks and toe tapping sways of dancing under the starry sky. An easy track that puts the listener into a carefree mood, it’s hard not to smile when this tune rolls along at a relaxed pace. Be prepared to suddenly want to take a vacation in the Caribbean and enjoy a cold one at the swim up bar with this track.

    The Caribbean infused, African timbre shines through once again on “Saba Meniya,” picking up the beat with whimsically magical chords that tiptoe around the track, creating a beautifully mixed ensemble of musical genres. “Salut” is stacked with crisp guitar, tight drums and percussion, releasing a breath of fresh air with this uniquely laid track before heading into a quick paced jam towards the backend.

    “Lafia” wastes no time taking off with an upbeat melody. A slight taste of funk and deeper rocking tones break through ever so slightly, though maintains the energetic vibe that drips throughout the entire album. Brisk notes ramble along this jam, though holds a heavier feel before emerging into a calmer “Miriama.” This melody features vocal notes and foreign lyrics, forging an air of spiritual soul that embodies this innovative song. Wrapping up the album is “Southern Tracks,” a calm track that blends mystical rhythm with psychedelic accents, bringing the entirety of the album to a clean finish.

    Overall, Stylo presents a unique blend of sounds, tones and styles into a tightly wound package of creative musical melodies. If you are seeking something different and outside the box creative, this is the album to grab. It’s different, will keep you moving and a plaster a constant smile on your face.

    Key Tracks: Stylo, Salut, Lafia

  • Funk Night in Albany announces April 5 show at Parish Public House

    After an incredible Funk Night in February, members of Turkuaz, Kung Fu, Eric Krasno Band and Wurliday will come together for the April edition of Funk Night in Albany on April 5 at Parish Public House. Featuring Mikey Carruba (Turkuaz), Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Mary Corso (Eric Krasno Band), Justin Henricks (Wurliday), Reed Sutherland (Wurliday) and John Drabik (Wurliday), get ready to spring into a night of funk with an incredible array of talent. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

    Watch video from the last Funk Night in Albany featuring covers of Sly and the Family Stone, Frank Zappa and Nirvana. Yes, Nirvana.

  • Live Nation Announces 2018 ‘Ticket to Rock’ Package

    With all the concert announcements coming to light over the past few weeks, the summer concert season is shaping up to what look likes a great year for live music at your favorite outdoor venue.

    Just one thing seemed to be missing from all the concert announcements. Where are all the hard rock and metal tours?

    Live Nation answered that question in a big way with their “Ticket to Rock.” The package will include four mega hard rock and metal shows that will have some fans drooling, and some fuming due to the limited 16-29 dates each tour will run, leaving many without a chance of seeing any of these shows at all, including many in New York.

    Tours that have been announced as part of the package will include a Shinedown and Godsmack co-headlining tour, Avenged Sevenfold‘s “End of the World” tour with The Prophets of Rage, Three Days Grace and Ho99o9, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson’s co-headlining “Twins of Evil – The Second Coming 2018” tour, and a co-headlining tour between Five Finger Death Punch and Breaking Benjamin with special guest Nothing More and Bad Wolves.

    Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, will be the only venue in NY state to offer the Live Nation “Ticket to Rock” option. Avenged Sevenfold will appear on July 25, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson on August 7, Shinedown and Godsmack on Sept. 2, and Five Finger Death Punch and Breaking Benjamin on Sept. 6. Rob Zombie will also perform at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on Aug. 12.

    Depending on your geographical location in NY, rock fans can take a small road trip to shows in Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

    Shinedown/Godsmack Tour Dates:

    July 22 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
    July 27 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
    July 28 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Indianapolis, In
    Aug. 2 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT
    Aug. 4 – FivePoint Amphitheatre – Irvine, CA
    Aug. 6 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
    Aug. 11 – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman – Houston, TX
    Aug. 12 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX
    Aug. 19 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
    Aug. 24 – XFINITY Theatre – Hartford, CT
    Aug. 25 – Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA
    Aug. 26 – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ
    Aug. 28 – KeyBank Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA
    Aug. 31 – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – Scranton, PA
    Sept. 1 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
    Sept. 2 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY

    Avenged Sevenfold/Prophets of Rage Tour Dates:

    July 22 – Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA* °
    July 25 – Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY* °
    July 26 – The Xfinity Theater – Hartford, CT* °
    July 31 – P.N.C. Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ* °
    Aug. 1 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA* °
    Aug. 3 – KeyBank Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA* °
    Aug. 4  – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH**
    Aug. 6 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH* °
    Aug. 7 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkson, MI* °
    Aug. 9 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON* °
    Aug. 11 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Tinley Park, IL* °
    Aug. 12 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN* °
    Aug. 16 – Ak-Chin Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ* °
    Aug. 17 – T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV*
    Aug. 19 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM* °
    Aug. 21 – Mattress Firm Amphiteatre – Chula Vista, CA* °
    Aug. 22 – The Forum – Inglewood, CA*
    Aug. 28 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT* °
    Aug. 30 – Pepsi Center – Denver, CO*
    Sept. 1 – Starplex, Pavilion – Dallas, TX* °
    Sept. 2 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX* °

    * With Prophets of Rage plus Three Days Grace and very special guests
    ** With Prophets of Rage plus very special guests
    ° Included in Ticket to Rock 2018 bundle program.

    Rob Zombie/Marilyn Manson Tour Dates:

    July 11 – DTE Energy Music Center – Detroit, MI
    July 14 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – St, Louis, MO
    July 15 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – Chicago, IL
    July 17 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
    July 18 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Center – Noblesville, IN
    July 20 – Veteran’s United – Virginia Beach, VA
    July 21 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
    July 24 – PNC Bank Arts Pavilion – Holmdel, NJ
    July 25 – Keybank Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA
    July 26 – Budweiser Stage – Toronto, ON
    July 29 – Waterfront Darling’s Pavilion – Bangor, ME
    Aug. 7 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
    Aug. 8 – Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA
    Aug. 9 – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ
    Aug. 11 – The Xfinity Theatre – Hartford, CT
    Aug. 12 – Darien Lake Amphitheater – Darien Lake, NY
    Aug. 14 – Cellairis Amp at Lakewood – Atlanta, GA
    Aug. 16 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX
    Aug. 17 – Austin 360 – Austin, TX
    Aug. 18 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX
    Aug. 20 – Pepsi Center – Denver, CO
    Aug. 22 – USANA Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT
    Aug. 24 – Mattress Firm Amphitheater – Chula Vista, CA
    Aug. 25 – MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
    Aug. 26 – AK Chin Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ
    Aug. 28 – Concord Pavilion – Concord, MA
    Aug. 29 – Fivepoint Amphitheater – Irvine, CA

    Five Finger Death Punch/Breaking Benjamin Tour Dates:

    July 21 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT
    July 25 – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
    July 27 – FivePoint Amphitheatre – Irvine, CA
    July 29 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
    Aug. 3 – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman – Houston, TX
    Aug. 4 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX
    Aug. 14 – KeyBank Pavilion – Burgettstown, PA
    Aug. 15 – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ
    Aug. 17 – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain – Scranton. PA
    Aug. 18 – Xfinity Center – Boston, MA
    Aug. 24 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA
    Aug. 25 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
    Aug. 29 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
    Aug. 31 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Indianapolis, IN
    Sept. 1 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
    Sept. 7 – XFINITY Theatre – Hartford, CT
    Sept. 6 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
    Sept. 9 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH

  • That 1 Guy Makes Buffalo Weird Again

    With thousands of artists releasing new music daily thanks to technological advances which allow musicians to record a song and share it with the world in the matter of minutes, performers must be more creative than ever to break through the clutter and establish a name for themselves. Some tour relentlessly to get their name out, a few incorporate jokes or magic into their act to entertain audiences on multiple levels, and others go out and slap a “Magic Pipe” until their fingers bleed. Mike Silverman, or That 1 Guy, happens to do all three, as well as much more. On Thursday, February 28, the one-man traveling circus graced the stage in Buffalo at Mohawk Place for an unforgettable night of music, laughs and wizardry.

    that 1 guyLike most nights with live music at Mohawk Place, the crowd was split between people who had marked their calendars the day the performance was announced and causal music lovers seeking their Thursday night fix. Things were a bit different that night, however, as those who arrived with the intention of winding down after a long day of work to some relaxing tunes were exposed to far more than they bargained for. The imminent weirdness presented itself as soon you made your way to the stage and observed the large, Festivus-esqe, pole standing atop a raised grate in front of three jumbo screens. The large pole Silverman dubs the “Magic Pipe,” is a homemade, electronically rigged pair of machined aluminum pipes connected by adjustable phosphorus bronze joints, with each pipe hosting an orchestral bass string.

    Waiting for the absolute last possible second to go on before the crowd exploded in anticipation, Silverman hopped on stage, pulled out a double-bass bow, and began playing a hauntingly beautiful melody on the smaller pipe. The instrument’s unique tone sounded like a combination of Vivaldi and Pink Floyd, as the screens behind displayed psychedelic images that morphed in unison with each note played. As he hit lower notes, the room trembled with the heavy bass, and audience members could feel spiritually cleansing vibrations run through their chests. The orchestral vibes would not last long, however, as Silverman’s bolstering creativity wouldn’t allow him to stick with one genre at any point in the night. The world-class street performer quickly shifted gears to an African tribal rhythm as he played around with his numerous foot pedals, combining the infectious rhythm with a top layer of EDM beats and deep, bluesy vocals.

    Two songs and the audience had already time traveled around the world and back. The performance oozed with surrealism as Silverman continued his set featuring a duck sock-puppet on one song, a cowboy boot rigged to play like Congo drums on the next, and a whimsical song about a great whale race that took place just before our very eyes to complete the trio.  In between each song the incredibly talented entertainer told jokes, performed magic tricks, and spoke to the crowd as if they were friends in his living room.

    Those who had seen That 1 Guy before added another dimension to the performance as they called for specific songs and yelled out phrases that were obvious inside jokes between Silverman and his audience. Aside from his own kooky songs and singing quotes from passive-aggressive Airbnb reviews he received, the renaissance man performer mixed in popular songs from Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” to jazz standards, and kept the crowd on their toes with whatever classic rock riffs came to his mind.  That1Guy is the kind of virtuoso musician you’d imagine would be playing the Lincoln Center today if the hippies won (or even fought) the war.

    To cap off a wildly entertaining performance, Silverman finished the night with some jazz. He told the audience he saved the jazz songs for the end as an attempt to influence a younger generation to listen to the genre. Once he had everyone buttered up with EDM and rock and roll, he played jazz standards to subconsciously influence a generation of music listeners to seek out a genre that has mostly disappeared from popular music today. When it was all said and done, the set was nearly two hours long, despite it only feeling like a few minutes. From stunning visuals to bizarre compositions you cannot hear anywhere else on the planet, That1Guy is a show all music lovers should seek out immediately. Thankfully, that should not be too difficult as the one-man circus averages an astonishing 150-200 performances a year around North America in an effort to spread joy and weirdness around the continent.

  • NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness: Round 1

    It’s March and that means it’s time for NYS Music’s 2018 March Madness, Round 1! We have brought together 64 of New York State’s up and coming bands for a friendly tournament-style competition throughout the month of March. Some of these bands you may know, some may be unknown – and that’s a good thing! These artists who hail from the Empire State are a sampling of the next generation of artists and come from all corners of the state, from Buffalo to Binghamton, from Plattsburgh to Patchogue and all points in between. Discover your new favorite band and vote for your favorites!

    These are 64 bands you might not know about, but should. NYS Music March Madness is a great way to discover a new and upcoming band in your area and show your support and love for bands you see often. We’d like to thank our regional sponsors Putnam Place, Anthology, Funk n Waffles and CEG Presents. These venues and promoters are small businesses and a sample of the backbone of the statewide New York music scene that helps artists grow and reach ever-widening audiences.

    Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Putnam Place region and vote below

    The Crooked North (Americana/bluegrass) vs Mikaela Davis (singer/songwriter)
    Haewa (fusion rock) vs Cousin Earth (ukulele rock/folk)
    Funktional Flow (jam/rock/funk) vs The Dirty Pennies (indie rock)
    FLOTUS (funky rock hop) vs Sprocket (high power technical jam)
    The Sea The Sea (indie folk pop) vs Eastbound Jesus (Northern rock)
    Black Mountain Symphony (symphonic groove pop) vs King Buffalo (psychedelic rock)
    Hartley’s Encore (funk/dance) vs Fondude (groove/jam)
    Of Clocks and Clouds (psychedelic/electronic rock) vs Let’s Be Leonard (jam/jazz fusion)

    Check out the 16 artists in the Anthology region and vote below

    Tart Vandelay (indie pop) vs Iudica (alternative/grunge)
    Ampevene (experimental prog rock) vs Candy Ambulance (alternative/grunge)
    Sun Parade (grunge power pop) vs Dave DiPrimo Band (alt-folk)
    Lord Electro (electronic/house) vs Folkfaces (roots folk/jazz)
    Witty Tarbox (indie/surf groove) vs Chris Eves and the New Normal (jam rock)
    Moho Collective (creative instrumental) vs Necrostalker (extreme death metal)
    Boogie Low (acid rock reggae fusion) vs Jiggawaltz (funk metal)
    Ballroom Thieves (alternative rock) vs Wavy Cunningham (New wave hip hop)

    Here are the artists in the CEG Presents region. Check them out and vote below

    ShwizZ (progressive funk rock) vs Barroom Philosophers (reggae/rock fusion)
    Dirty Blanket (bluegrass/newgrass) vs Wild Adriatic (rock n roll)
    The Late Shift (rock) vs Intrepid Travelers (funk/jazz/rock)
    Escaper (space funk psyche rock) vs Begging Angels (alt-country)
    Polyvamp (funk and rock) vs Noon Fifteen (progressive soul)
    Bad Mothers (groovy grunge) vs Space Carnival (psychedelic groove rock)
    Sophistafunk (funk/hip-hop) vs Bushicks (rock n roll)
    Cold Lazarus (reggae jam rock) vs Wurliday (soul funk)

    Get to know the 16 artists in the Funk n Waffles region and vote below

    Holly and Evan (blues alt-rock) vs Sydney Worthley (pop/folk/rock)
    The Demos (indie power pop) vs The Switch (rock/funk/blues)
    Ponder (alt rock) vs Formula 5 (jam/rock/fusion)
    Gowanus (jazztronica) vs The Other Brothers (soul/funk/R&B)
    Teddy Midnight (electro dance funk) vs Periodic Table of Elephants (garage/punk)
    Space Bacon (electronic rock jam) vs Backseat Bullets (punk/shoegaze)
    Hudson’s Crew (alt rock) vs Space Junk (progressive jam trance)
    Jess Novak Band (blues/rock/soul) vs Dark Honey (indie pop rock)

    First Round voting begins at 10AM EST on Monday, March 5, and closes at midnight on Wednesday, March 7. Second Round begins at 10AM EST on Thursday, March 8 with the remaining 32 artists. Vote now for your favorites and discover some of the great up and coming music that New York State has to offer!

  • Hearing Aide: Marquee Grand ‘Another Toke’

    Nothing beats that rush of nostalgia when listening to classic 90’s anthems from artists such as Third Eye Blind, Weezer, Spin Doctors, and the men who Fight Foo. It’s a shame there aren’t any modern day bands emulating this sound through their original music…or are there? If you’re looking for songs that’ll bring you back to a simpler time, look no further than the entire catalog from Marquee Grand.

    Marquee GrandMarquee Grand is an alternative rock band from Buffalo, NY with deep-seated roots in 90’s alt rock. Recently, the four-piece released a single titled “Another Toke,” the first among a series of singles the band plans on releasing over the next few months.

    If you don’t like catchy guitar riffs or powerful sing-along choruses, you should probably stay as far away as possible from this track. Otherwise, throw on some over-ear headphones, and bring yourself back to the days of smoking doobies on the couch in your mom’s basement.

    If you’re in the Buffalo area, be sure to catch Marquee Grand in concert!

    3/23/18: Spring Kickoff at Mr. Goodbar on Elmwood @ 11PM
    4/20/18: with Ponder at Milkie’s on Elmwood @ 9PM
    4/28/18: Daemen SpringFest at Daemen College
    5/25/18: Countdown to Summer at Mr. Goodbar Elmwood @ 11PM

    ‘Another Toke’ was released on February 6, 2018. Marquee Grand consists of band members John Richter (Guitar/Vocals), Josh Owczarzak (Guitar), Sean Szymanski (Bass/Vocals), and Matt Lawniczak (Drums). Keep up with Marquee Grand on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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