Journey performed at the Times Union Center in Albany on May 23 to a packed house, opening for Def Leppard.
Setlist (courtesy of Setlist.fm): Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), Be Good to Yourself, Ask the Lonely, Neal Schon Guitar Solo #1, Stone in Love, Any Way You Want It, Lights, Jonathan Cain Piano Solo, Open Arms, Who’s Crying Now, La Do Da, Steve Smith Drum Solo, Neal Schon Guitar Solo #2, Wheel in the Sky, Faithfully, Don’t Stop Believin’
Encore: Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
The last time Phish came to Albany, they dropped a legendary “Seven Below” -> “Ghost,” one of the defining jams of the 3.0 era. Today, Phish has announced a 14-date Fall Tour kicking off October 16 with two nights in Albany, NY at the Times Union Center, and concluding with a four-night Halloween Run, beginning on October 31, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The tour also includes three-night stands in Chicago, IL, Hampton, VA and two nights in Nashville, TN.
Phish 2018 Fall Tourdates
10/16 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
10/17 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
10/19 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
10/20 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
10/21 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
10/23 Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN
10/24 Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN
10/26 Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
10/27 Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
10/28 Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
10/31 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
11/01 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
11/02 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
11/03 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Time flies when you’re having fun, especially when you are having fun at the live shows that fill up every night in New York State. To ensure that your month of May will be filled up with as much live music as possible, as always, NYS Music is here to make sure you do not miss out on a single opportunity.
May 3rd – Will be a beautiful night to join Damn Truth as they blend reggae, rock, soul, funk, and blues with special guest Spring Street Family. Event link.
May 5th – Another serving of reggae rock will be brought to you by Barroom Philosophers with alternative rock band Sir Cadian Rhythm supporting. Event link.
May 6th – FREE SHOW!! The Clock Reads will be hitting Syracuse on their Inner Peaks Tour to show off some of their jazz rock sounds. Event link.
May 8th – Brutal By Design presents Marbin, the progressive jazz rock band all the way from Chicago with Syracuse-native funk rock band with a sprinkle of reggae, Spring Street Family Event link.
May 10th – Chris Trapper has been commended for his “classic pop perfection” and how he makes every performance intimate, where you feel like you’re the person he’s singing about. He will be joined by Mary Scholz at Funk ‘N Waffles to fill your night will great music. Event link.
May 12th – A commonly occurring name within this article – don’t miss all your chances to catch Deadgrass in New York this month! Here is the last one on their three day marathon in the state so make sure to make it out for some Grateful Dead. Event link.
May 17th – West End Blend’s sound draws from a wide array of inspiration, including but not limited to funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and afrobeat, all beautifully combined into epic performance. They’ll be bringing the energy with Mosaic Foundation at Funk ‘N Waffles and you will want to be part of the action. Event link.
May 18th – Come find out why Funktional Flow is often referred to as the “multi-genre monster” at their show with experimental rock fusion band, Swimmer Ticket link.
May 19th – Bellas Bartok specializes in delivering incredible live performances and circus punk. We know you’re curious, so come to find out more about their unique genre and leave the newest circus punk fan. They will be joined by Cousin Earth Event link.
May 24th – The Americana blues duo Swampcandy bring enough sound, rhythm and passionate vocals to make the audience feel as though they have just experienced a whole festival rather than one live show – pretty good bang for your buck. They will be coming to Syracuse with special guests The Vollmer’s. Event link.
May 26th – Tony Trischka’s Early Roman Kings presents a show with the addition of a special acoustic set after dedicated to and entitled The Music of Bob Dylan. Come out at 2 PM for a nice afternoon show to start your night off right. Event link.
May 31st – From his hometown of Buffalo, Tommy Z, the “blues treasure”, will be bringing his contemporary blues with funk with the addition of some jazz and pop elements. Event link.
May 3rd – It’s the Salt City Shakedown featuring the always memorable and jammin’ Sophistafunk. They will be joined by the dancehall reggae blend band Root Shock as well as the Syracuse-local funk rock act, Skunk City. Event link.
May 4th – A name Central New York loves to see – Steel Guapo, the Americana expert, will be doing a show with Darb Jansen who is sure to keep you dancing. Event link.
May 11th – A night full of Grateful Dead tributes -for those seeking double the covers, make it out to see Sonic Garden and Deadgrass at Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles. Event link.
May 12th – Vanishing Sun featuring Skunk City and The Elementals will be the face-melting, funk event of the season. Rochester local, Vanishing Sun and The Elementals, joined by Syracuse’s Skunk City is a powerhouse trio of a lineup that is sure to bring the house down. Event link.
May 17th – Shemekia Copeland covers so many genres and sounds like no one else. Her shows are always an excellent testament to her immense talent, do not miss this opportunity to see her with Dirty Bourbon Blues Band. Event link.
May 18th – If you want to hear the circus punk sounds of Bellas Bartok before they hit Syracuse, come out to their show with Cousin Earth in Rochester the night before. Event link.
May 19th – Funktional Flow will be following up their Syracuse show with a night in Rochester, but this time they will be joined by reggae-infused band, Cold Lazarus. Event link.
May 23rd – Swampcandy and Vollmer’s will be swinging through Rochester before they hit Syracuse this month. Event link.
May 27th – Andrew Collins Trio will be having their album release party at Funk ‘N Waffles with special guest Bitter Bells. Don’t miss this celebration and showcase of the band’s newest music. Event link.
May 30th – A blissful performance of JJ Grey & Mofro’s blues and Southern Rock sound with R&B inspiration is just what you need for your night. Freddy & Francine and will be supporting. Event link.
May 3rd – Everyone Orchestra specializes in “conducted improvisation”, bringing a unique but always enjoyable performance each time. This time they will joined by members of String Cheese and Moe mentioned in the graphic below. Event link.
May 4th – NYS Music Presents a healthy mix of genres featuring blues and jamrock provided by Lucid, New Orleans style funk by the Funky Dawgz Brass Band and some psychedelic grunge folk from Adrian Aardvark. There is sure to be music for everyone at the show so don’t miss out! Event link.
May 5th – Wild Adriatic is playing their 1,000th show and for this momentous milestone, they will sharing the experience with the lucky attendees in Saratoga Springs. To celebrate the special occasion, they will be adding a “Space-theme” second set that will showcase Putnam Place’s LED video wall. They will be joined by After Funk and you won’t want to miss this journey to space aboard their rock ‘n roll spaceship. Event link.
May 12th – BRYAC Funk All-Stars will be at Putnam Place and it’s exactly what it sounds like – a funk show you cannot miss. They will be joined with Cousin Earth and the show is set to begin at 9 PM. Event link.
May 18th – For the past 14 years, this powerful partnership of Terrapin Flyer and Melvin Seals has been touring to celebrate the music of The Grateful Dead. Come out and see what these seasoned and widely renowned performers have in store for the night. Event link.
Tuesdays in May – Beer + Yoga. The newest and best power couple of 2018. That’s all we have to say, we know we’ll see you there. Event link.
May 5th – The Heavy Pets, otherwise known as a “living, breathing force of nature,” will be joined by folk-funk band Goose for one of their unforgettable powerhouse performances at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen presented by Guthrie Bell Productions. Event link.
May 10th – Deadgrass, the five piece band made up of seasoned, award-winning musicians, use all their unmatched talent to cover and celebrate the music of Jerry Garcia. They will be joined by special guest the Deadbeats Duo at Parish Public House. Event link.
May 18th – Mihali has drawn crowds at notable venues such as Red Rocks, The Capitol Theatre as well as at festivals such as Bonnaroo. He will be coming to deliver a more intimate set of his acoustic sound at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen with Girl Blue. Event link.
May 24th – It’s the 10th anniversary of the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash at The Low Beat, so you know it’s going to be a good one. The event will feature 15 acts from the Capitol Regions, all to celebrate the big day. Proceeds will benefit the Albany Victory Gardens and Eden Rose Foundation. Come out and sing some Happy Birthday along with some of Dylan’s classics. Event link.
May 11th – The truly unforgettable performer Alejandro Escovedo, will be joined by Kris Gruen for a show at Cohoes Music Hall that is sure to be special. For fans of acoustic rock and exquisite songwriting, this show is a can’t miss. Event link.
May 16th – For a night full of great indie and alternative acts, featuring the Buffalo-native band, THIS, as well as Great Lakes, Citizen Jane, and Church Girls come to Nietzche’s at 8PM on the 16th and see four amazing acts for only $5 – can’t beat it. Event link.
May 26th – Tiger Chung Lee and Starship Mantis will be bringing the funk to Buffalo at 10 PM. For information, click the link and don’t miss one hell of a funk show. Event link.
A friend recently referred to Albany as the “super deep-tiered jam band capital of the Northeast.” As mediocre as that sounds, we actually do alright. Thursday, April 12 was a “Tier 3 Night” at the Hollow Bar and Kitchen, but good luck convincing those there to see The Magic Beans that it was anything short of incredible.
Saratoga’s rising star, Let’s Be Leonard, opened up the evening with an ultra energetic “Spit It Out.” While the members of this band may be young, their sound is mature and smart. Even their vocal jam included nicely blended harmonies. Connor Dunn’s saxophone skills only added to the fun. Although the volume may have been a bit too high for some, it was refreshing to see a band with this much potential. It won’t be surprising to see these guys on the festival circuit for years to come.
Around 10:30, the crowd began to swell as locals arrived to see Boulder, Colorado’s The Magic Beans. Despite their current Rocky Mountain hometown, Albanians claim a small piece of the Beans as their own. Bassist Chris Duffy, formerly of Dirty Paris, is originally from the Capital City and fans are always delighted to bring him home.
Like a hurricane gaining strength over water, The Magic Beans’ jams tend to rise in energy and explode with each powerful crescendo. Just when you thin they’re finally ready to set everyone back down on Earth with something light and breezy, they burst back into a fast paced yet funky jam to fuel the groove of the crowd.
With thick bass lines, heavy synthesized keys and occasional hip hop beats, their transitions are still crisp and seemingly effortless. Scott Hachey’s facial expressions as he flexes his guitar prowess indicate the thrill for both the band and the audience.
Nearing the end of the night, the Hollow was pulsing with some pretty impressive lights. A powerful “Luck” could have closed the evening, but the Beans decided to throw in some Talking Heads “Girlfriend is Better,” with their latest “Casino Cabaret” for fun.
After picking my jaw up off the floor, I’ve came to the conclusion we were witnessing the steady rise of what is now a lower tiered jam band. This show was better than the last and light years beyond what we saw a few years ago. Although not someone I’d compare them to in style, I have not been this excited for a band since discovering Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. I fully expect to see this band become a household name in the jam community and they will always have a home here in Albany.
Haunted Cat released their self-titled thirteen-track album earlier this year. The album was a solo project developed by Drew Benton. Benton has played with bands like Complicated Shirt and ToUGH in New York’s Capital Region for fifteen years, and is now working on his own material. The band that stemmed from the advent of this project includes Jason Jette from Complicated Shirt, Moon Worship, and Brevator, Brook Degener from Brent Gorton’s band and Better Pills, and Kevin Flansburg from John Rifle. The record was mastered by Jason Loewenstein.
This album kicks off with an 18 second Phantom of the Opera-like organ passage in “Carfull of Nightmares.” The introduction quickly transitions into “Sing a Rainbow.” This has a childlike quality to it with the sound of a crib mobile/music box type of sound under the vocals. This sounds just like a ’90s indie track with the simplistic, youthful writing. “I Played a Bored Whore” provides quite the contrast; it sounds like a song straight out of the ’80s with the synthesizer and technological string sounds. The message of the song is a bit unclear, but it’s got a great punchy bass line.
“Angry is Ugly” sounds just like a Bon Iver song with the vocal distortion technique used. There’s some backward masking in “Spyglass Time Capsule.” It remains to be determined if there is a hidden message within the lyrics. The most unique track is “Funeral for a Bird” which is a classical piano composition. It features no other instruments. The closing song is “Reaper Calls Collect.” This is clever in that the ringing continues throughout the whole song relentlessly; you wouldn’t want to pick up a call from the Grim Reaper if you had the choice!
The album features unique timbres throughout, raw vocals and interesting harmonies. The collection of songs features something for a wide variety of tastes. The album showcases Benton’s diverse musical talents in both his writing and performance.
The band is hosting a release party on May 4 at The Low Beat in Albany, NY at 9 pm. Catch Hill Haints at the show as well.
Key Tracks: Funeral for a Bird, Styrofoam Bird, Posture Lessons
April is finally here, and as Upstate New York finally begins to thaw, the live music scene across the state is certainly heating up. If you are looking for live music to keep you entertained throughout the entire upcoming month, look no further. Just like every other month, NYS is here to give you a run-down on every can’t-miss show in New York State.
April 5th – For Americana sounds that will transport you to a scorching hot desert while sitting in the always so sunny Syracuse, come experience Steel Guapo. Complementing their performance will be the bluegrass and newgrass sound of the Dirty Grass Players. Event link.
April 7th – Freekbass’s funky sound grew from his pure love for artists like Zapp, Midnight Star, Sly Stone, and Stevie Wonder that he had while growing up in Cincinnati. Make sure you catch him on his Funky Winter Tour as he stops in Syracuse with special guest and fusion rock band, Haewa. Event link.
April 14th – Come see what the growing buzz about The Blind Spots is all about as they play Funk ‘N Waffles with Kurt Riley. The five piece rock, pop and indie band has a killer rhythm section, mesmerizing guitar stylings and an incredibly strong vocal delivery from front woman Maddy Walsh to tie it all together that is sure to leave you wanting more. Event link.
April 18th – It’s exactly what it sounds like – Perpetual Groove will be sure to have you rocking and rolling all night with their “anthemic arena rock” filled sets. If you can’t make it out to this show, no need to worry. They will be hitting Rochester and Saratoga Springs the night before and after this show. Keep reading for more details on those shows and click the link to secure your ticket for this stop on the tour. Event link.
April 19th – With just a guitar, drums, and a B-3 organ, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio will wow you with their 60’s-inspired jazz and R&B style. The chemistry within this band has manifested itself in the best of ways and the trio wants you to feel it at this show. They will be performing with special guest Tanksley. Event link.
April 20th – Starting at 10 PM, Syracuse-native and local favorite group Skunk City will be performing with Vanishing Suns. Catch their funky rock and pop music before they head out play more shows in the Northeast. Event link.
April 21st – There’s nothing like a strong horn section to really start your Saturday night off with a bang. Starting at 10 PM, six-piece soul and jazz group, Gretchen & The Pickpockets, will be making that their mission, as they always do in their shows. Joined by JJ Murphy Trio, it is sure to be a high energy and quality show. Event link.
April 26th – Award-winning and highly-acclaimed bluegrass band, Kitchen Dwellers, will be treating Syracuse to one of their unforgettable performances. They will be joined by a truly treasured favorite of folk music lovers, Dirty Blanket. Event link.
April 27th – As Mike Powell makes his way around New York State for shows this month, he will be stopping in at Funk ‘N Waffles with The Black River. His soulful folk songwriting will be sure to make you want to follow him around the state for the rest of his tour. Event link.
April 5th – Prior to their Syracuse show on the 7th, Freekbass along with Haewa will be bringing funk and fusion to Rochester. Do not miss out on this golden opportunity to see these artists who are known for oozing talent. Event link.
April 6th – Another band who will be playing Syracuse as well, is Dirty Grass Players and Steel Guapo. Following their show in Syracuse on the 5th, it is a fact that you will want more. Here are the details on how to see them again. Event link.
April 12th – The trio that makes up The Last Revel has somehow found the magic combination that produces natural and delicate folk music but still delivers rocking “bombastic” performances. Special guest Max & Richie from Dirty Blanket, the Finger Lakes native bluegrass band, will be opening for them. Event link.
April 13th – At the Music Hall at Funk ‘N Waffles, Martin Sexton will be doing a special performance sure to draw emotions from the crowd with the use of his tenor voice or flawless displays of his falsetto, as well as an energetic response through his raspy and blues-inspired vocalization. He will be joined by Joan Osborne who will be treating the crowd to a selection of her favorite Bob Dylan songs as her latest album, “Songs of Bob Dylan”, was released in September. Event link.
April 17th – Before they take on Syracuse, Perpetual Groove and special guest Ocular Panther will be at Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles. Perpetual Groove is known for putting on performances that are highly polished but uniquely different from all their other shows, so this is definitely one act you are going to want to see more than once. Click the link for information on just how to do so. Event link.
April 20th – It is sure to be a fully packed night of entertainment at The Music Hall. The “communal music force” and inspiring force is bringing their “life music” to the lucky city of Rochester. As a collective, Arrested Development has won two Grammy awards and are a four time platinum selling hip-hop group that has also mastered the genres of R&B, funk and folk just to name a few. Joining them on this night will be Sophistafunk, Level 7 Experience, and DJ Whiz. Event link.
April 21st – Bringing you another jam-packed night at Funk ‘N Waffles, there will be sets happening at both The Music Hall, as well as the club side. Electronic rock artist, Max Creek, will be in The Music Hall, playing two sets while funky jazz band, The English Project, as well as Old Deer Ensemble will be playing sets on the club side. There is sure to be amazing music everywhere you turn on the 21st in Funk ‘N Waffles. Event link.
April 27th – From the platinum selling and Grammy award winning group Living Colour, Corey Glover is coming to deliver a healthy mix of hard rock and soul. Along with him will be the soulful, reggae hip-hop group the Alchemystics, alternative folk and rock group, the Dave Diprimo Band and finally alternative rock artist, Ponder. Event link.
April 28th – If you missed them in Syracuse, or more likely, just cannot get enough of them, Kitchen Dwellers will be in Rochester on the 28th with special guest The Ditch Diggers. The show starts at 9:30 PM. Click the link for more details and ticket information. Event link.
April 13th – Critically-acclaimed and leading Celtic Rock band, Enter the Haggis, will be giving an unforgettable performance along with the lyrical stylings of Jon and Matt Wagar, better know as The Wagar Brothers who with the help of the rest of their band, always leave the crowd wanting more of their Americana Folk sound. Event link.
April 19th – The highly original sound of Perpetual Groove is something you do not want to miss. Coming all the way from Georgia, the group bends genres with their sound that mixes jazz-rock, neo-psychedlia, R&B, electronica, and progressive rock among others. They want to show you just how good their critically acclaimed sound is with the help of JoyFunk band CBDB. Find details about tickets and more in the link. Event link.
April 20th – Guthrie Bell Productions is bringing Greenwich, NY natives, Eastbound Jesus, and their Northern Rock, Bluegrass and Americana style sound to Saratoga with the Mallett Brothers featuring Jon Fishman, the drummer from Phish. Don’t miss this one of a kind show. Event link.
April 21st – For a night full of covers from everyone’s favorite three bands – Pink Floyd, The Talking Heads, and Phish – come out to Pink Talking Fish as they bring yet another unforgettable performance to Putnam Place. The opener is TBD – stay tuned on updates and find out more about the show by clicking the link. Event link.
April 8th – For a movingly beautiful performance, do not miss singer/songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling and his virtuoso guitar-picking at Nietzche’s at 4 PM. Critically acclaimed and timelessly enjoyable, his performance is sure to be an evening to remember. Event link.
April 18th – Nathan Kalish and The Lastcallers have been touring for the majority of the last decade and are bringing their knee-slapping, country-Americana sound with a healthy dose of psychedelic funk, to Buffalo. Coming along with them is American folk group The Brothers Blue with their acoustic and old-time folk sound. Event link.
April 28th – Witty Tarbox, will be releasing their EP The Adventures of Schmitty Issue #1 v RARE and celebrating the occasion at this “night of wild circus shenanigans” with special guests and fellow Buffalo natives, Handsome Jack and Mosswalk. The first 25 people through the door get a hard copy of the band’s first EP, and copies will be on sale at the show. Event link.
April 8th, 15th, and 22nd – Presented by Guthrie Bell Productions, Amy Helm will be doing her 2nd annual Woodshed Residency Tour and will be performing every Sunday, starting on the 8th, at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to see some amazing Americana rock music. Event link.
April 12th – Another fantastic upcoming show presented by Guthrie Bell Productions is The Magic Beans with Let’s Be Leonard at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Colorado natives, but Saratoga-local favorites, The Magic Beans not only combine genres, but do an incredible job of blending their original songwriting with inspired improvisation, all tied together in one big dance party at each of their shows. Click the link for more details and prices for their Early Bird Special. Event link.
April 22nd – For the best Zappa tribute band live music has to offer, come see Project/Object on the 22nd at 8 PM. With the longest continuous touring record, as well as having been able to play with 20 members of Zappa’s band from multiple eras, this band is sure to bring an unforgettable show. This particular reunion tour will feature band members Napoleon Murphy Brock and Denny Walley and will bring setlists packed with classics from their time with Frank Zappa. Event link.
April 13th – The Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz presents the two-time Grammy-nominated artist who is defining the sound of Chicago blues today, John Primer and the Real Deal Blues band will be treating Plattsburgh to a show at Olive Ridleys at 8 PM. Tickets are $18 in advance and will be $20 at the door. Click the link to grab tickets to see this legendary musician as he comes through New York State. Event link.
April 14th – If you miss him at Olive Ridleys, here’s your second chance! Live at the BluSeed Studios in Saranac Lake, John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band will be performing again. Doors will be at 7 PM with music starting at 7:30 PM. Event link.
After placing the focus on his own work over the last 18 years, former Soul Coughing frontman and solo wordsmith, Mike Doughty is making a quick trip around the Northeast to turn back the clocks and perform the alternative rock group’s ‘Irresistible Bliss’ for a total of seven dates.
You’d figure by the time he notched The Heart Watches While the Brain Burns, his ninth solo album since 2000, Doughty would settle into his ways and follow a musical pattern. Simply, that’s just not the way he operates. Always diving into and exploring new sounds, the ever-growing artist and former front man is constantly taking chances on new styles and setting personal deadlines of crafting and recording original music as often as possible.
From country crooning to hard hitting beats and even a 2015 rock opera by the name Revelation, it’s clear Doughty doesn’t rely on one-track mind of creativity. Instead, he chooses from a bank of ideas in his head and decides how he wants it to translate to the public. Appealing to his roots, An Evening with Mike Doughty performing Soul Coughing’s Irresistible Bliss with Andrew “Scrap” Livingston launched on March 22 in Portland, ME before heading to a sold out gig in Boston. Having just made his way through NJ and MD, Doughty finds himself in NY from March 28 to 30, playing for crowds each night in Pawling’s Daryl’s House, Homer Center for the Arts and Albany’s the Linda, respectively.
Visit MikeDoughty’s website for tickets.
After selling out the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester at the beginning of February, and delivering two smoking shows in bass player Rob Derhak’s hometown of Portland, Maine, moe are slated to play their first Palace Theatre shows since their 2015 New Year’s run. moe. has a storied history of playing in Albany, and were a staple of the underground jam scene while the band was in their formative years. Their presence in Albany in the mid-90’s was instrumental to their rise to success. They performed alongside other New York staples such as Moon Boot Lover and The Ominous Seapods as they steadily grew in popularity. Listen to one of their early Albany recordings at Valentine’s here.
In 2013, 2014, and 2015, moe. played the Palace for a two-night New Year’s Run, with collaborations with ska band Conehead Buddha, full acoustic sets, and supporting acts such as Twiddle and Kung Fu. They broke with this tradition in 2016, instead opting for a destination show in Missoula, Montana and were unable to perform a New Years concert in 2017 in light of their hiatus. These upcoming Palace shows mark their fifth and sixth shows back since bassist and vocalist Rob Derhak’s return to health and to the stage.
On February 23rd, moe. will be supported by fellow Buffalo rockers and proteges, Aqueous. After the Palace festivities, fans should migrate to The Hollow on Pearl Street in downtown Albany, for Floodwood, featuring moe.’s own Vinnie Amico, and Space Carnival. February 24th’s after party will feature Electric Beethoven and Scott Hannay Plays Video Games, a side-project from the front-man of Albany’s Mister F. Furthermore, if any moe.rons are feeling particularly thirsty Friday afternoon, The Hollow will be hosting a happy hour party from 5 to 7 before the show. There will be drink specials to enjoy and a free raffle, in which a lucky .ron can win a two-night VIP Okayalright package. Fans can purchase tickets for the Hollow aftershows here.
If the first four shows of the tour were any indicator, Rob is happy and in good health, his voice sounds fantastic, and the boys are ready for some innovative, exploratory jams. There are still some heavy hitters on the table, and moe. has seemed to be reconstructing some of their classics and introducing several debuts this tour, so these shows are not to be missed, for fans hardcore or casual.
The Hollow Bar and Kitchen was in a New York state of mind on Friday night. Albany progressive rock quartet Ampevene, celebrating the release of its new album Ephemagoria and Brooklyn-bred Cousin Earth threw down the perfect blend of Led Zeppelin-esque energy and a quirkiness in the Frank Zappa vein at Albany’s leading rock club.
Kicking things off with “Rometheu,” Ampevene put on display its prowess for technical proficiency, led by guitarist Gabe Stallman and bassist Mack Hogan trading runs. Hogan’s thumping rhythm was a constant throughout the group’s set. “Tracalysis” was followed up with an all out rock ‘n roll drum solo from Brian Fahey.
Pulling from one of their main influences, Ampevene launched into the chunky opening chords of the Nirvana mega hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Stallman added a unique spin to his short solo, making the song take a psychedelic spin. “Goliath” preceded “Tumultous,” the latter of which morphed into a crowd pleasing segment featuring Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused.” The jam saw the crowd grow a little rowdy and the band responded with the highlight of their set. “New Song” and “Valencia” closed out the set to a roaring applause from the band’s friends and family in attendance.
Up next was Cousin Earth, playing their first headlining show at the venue. The five-piece group melds together a wide array of musical variety, proved right out of the gate with a searing take on the “Zelda” theme song. Joey Calfa, on his trusted electric ukulele, showed his prowess on the unconventional rock instrument by transforming each note into a blend of guitar and ukulele.
“Zelda Sarias Song” > “Think of all the Things” > “Tale Spin Theme Song” was next, as Calfa and bassist Corey Feldman, who plays on a Kala U Bass the size of a ukulele, continued to feed of each other’s energy. Tara Lawton, who also plays the melodica, and Terry Brennan held down the vocals with the confidence of a seasoned opera singer, giving the band a sometimes Vaudeville-like feel.
(Side note: I first saw Cousin Earth a little more than three years ago, just as they were transitioning into their new name from Ukulelian. They opened up a small festival and the crowd was sparse to say the least. I was unsure what this band was going to be like given the irreverent instrumental selections, but the band blew me away that afternoon. Since then, Cousin Earth has been on a steady upward climb, and their headlining slot at the Hollow was proof of their professional work ethic.)
“Dancing Fool,” “Keep it Greasy,” “Super Fun Laser Beams” and “Alive” allowed each member to stand out at times, while also showcasing their incredible improvisational skills. Drummer Nate Searing held it all together throughout the night, while at the same time providing a loose and fun atmosphere.
The funniest part of the night is when they burst into a cover of actress Natalie Portman’s rap from Saturday Night Live. Attendees sang along and the band had some trouble containing laughter on stage.
The closing segment of “Blisters,” “Keep On”>”Scuttle Buttin’”>”Little Wing”>”Capricorn on the Cob” saw Calfa switch between his ukulele and his cherry red Fender Stratocaster to do his best Jimi Hendrix impression.
All told, this show was great in every aspect. As both Ampevene and Cousin Earth continue to ascend and grow, both groups still put all of their effort into a pleasing live experience.
Ampevene setlist
Cousin Earth setlist
Zelda Main Theme> Zelda Sarias song > Think of all the things > Tale Spin Theme, Dancing Fool > Keep it Greasy, Super Fun Laser Beams, Alive, Womp > Natalie Portman Rap (SNL) > Womp > Space Worms (future folk) > Tarantella Napolitana, Spiritual Spun, Blisters, Keep On ( show me the numbers, Ian), Scuttle Buttin’ > Little Wing > Capricorn on the Cob
Encore: Son of a Bitch
The Wood Brothers brought their tour to The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany, NY. The sold-out crowd dealt with the return of winter to hear some of the newest songs on their latest album, One Drop of Truth. The album was available at the merchandise table before its official release date of Friday, February 2. The brothers, Chris and Oliver Wood, and Jano Rix mixed new tunes with a healthy selection of Wood Brothers standards. Although, the crowd seemed more than happy to explore the new songs.
Before the evening was over The Wood Brothers brought out special guest Aaron Lipp from Rochester, NY and the opening band, The Stray Birds, to help out with the one-microphone part of the evening. The voices of The Wood Brothers and their guests blended in the solo microphone to create an “old timey” feel inside The Egg. The night also featured a Wood Brothers cover of the late Tom Petty’s hit “You Wreck Me.”