Buffalo homies Witty Tarbox are a “jam-based ensemble of considerable versatility and dexterity, Witty Tarbox’s freewheeling sound embellishes their blues- based rock progression with elements of funk, indie, and surf rock, lending their songs a stylistic malleability and improvisational flair.” Cody Tarbox, Bryan Williams, Alex Khoury, Colin Gray and honorary fifth member Seth Bykowski join host Andy Hogan to discuss their debut EP, The Adventures of Schmitty ISSUE #1 v RARE, their upcoming album currently in the works, tour dates and more.
September 28: Funk n’ Waffles (ROC) w/ Space Junk and Cypher October 5th: Buffalo Iron Works w/ The Magic Beans October 19th: Mohawk Place (Buffalo) w/ The Tins October 27th: Thin Man Brewery (Buffalo); Forever 27 Halloween Party December 13th: The Haunt (Ithaca) w/ Strange Machines December 14th: Nietzsche’s (Buffalo) w/ Strange Machines December 15th: Funk n’ Waffles (ROC) w/ Strange Machines
On a beautiful day in Lake George, Formula 5 held their Rock the Dock Festival provided family fun and good music for the plethora of attendees that made their way through the gates. A portion of Rock the Dock’s profits were donated to the Fund for Lake George, a non-profit organization focused on keeping the Lake clean and healthy.
Rock the Dock is a very intimate festival, taking place on the dock for the famous steamboats the Mohican and the Lac du Saint Sacrement, with the Minne Ha Ha docked there for the event as well. Attendees were able to go up on any of the three boats to watch the music, enjoy the full service bars, or look at the stunning scenery of some of the Adirondack mountains standing tall around the lake. For food options, the festival featured trucks from the Plaid Pancake and O’Pablo’s Mexican Food, a father/son snow cone tent, and a tent selling hamburgers and hot dogs.
The music kicked off with Saratoga Springs-based group Let’s Be Leonard, a 5-piece rock outfit that put forth a very unique sound while still providing the listener with the familiarity of that “jam band” tonality. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Karl Bertrand addressed the crowd saying how different it was to have the audience on boats after performing the first few songs, seemingly enjoying the uniqueness of the festival. The group ended their set with an impressive segment of an original tune “Good” into the Grateful Dead’s classic “Estimated Prophet,” into another original “Princess on the Run” which was one of the highlights of the set.
Next up was the New England-based electrofunk group Strange Machines, a nice change of pace after the rock stylings of Let’s Be Leonard. Strange Machines play the Saratoga/Albany area often, so the crowd started to fill in as their set continued. The group’s set included many fan-favorites, such as “Klepto,” “Canopy,” “Motion Potion,” and a newer one, “Wook in a Onesie.” Strange Machines also covered a Grateful Dead song, following in Let’s Be Leonard’s footsteps, performing their take on the classic Bob Weir-penned “Feel Like a Stranger,” which had the crowd boogieing like it was 1980 all over again.
Trey Anastasio Band)’s Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski funk duo Soule Monde were the final band to take the stage before the headliners, Formula 5, performed, and they brought the house down with their danceable grooves and jazzy melodies. This was one of the first few gigs Paczkowski played since the removal of his brain tumor, and he didn’t waste any time getting back into the swing of things as he coaxed those familiar Milkman sounds out of his vintage keyboards. The pair performed a mixture of songs from their newest LP, Must Be Nice, and their previous EPs, and they had the whole crowd dancing by the end of the set. Before they concluded the music, the duo brought up Formula 5 guitarist Joe Davis to sit in on their tune “Bernard,” where he locked in with Ray’s keyboard melodies and got to show off some of his chops to the crowd before F5’s set.
As the sun started to set over the lake, Formula 5 took the stage for the final set of the evening. The group performed a range of their original music, from one of their newer songs, the uplifting “Blue,”to a bust-out with the electronic “Nu-Gen.” One of the highlights of the set was the debut of the classic Warren Zevon tune, “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” often covered by Widespread Panic, which had the crowd singing along and dancing the night away as the last glimpses of sunlight disappeared behind the mountaintops. Another bust-out from the night was the blues-jazz fusion tune “Excalibur,” a song that’s been shelved for a while, which was met with ecstatic cheers from the crowd as the jam at the end of the song drew to a close. “Nu-Gen” was the jam of the night, featuring an electronic jam that isn’t typical of Formula 5’s style, lasting around 15 minutes. After a short encore break, drummer Greg Marek came out to say a quick thank you to everyone attending, and the group broke into their another new song, “Breaking Glass.”
Rock the Dock featured a lot of local, talented bands, and unique vendors that provided attendees with the ultimate small festival experience. The festival will return in 2019. More videos and audio from some of the sets will be coming in the future.
Setlists
Formula 5 Come Along, Pedro* -> Excalibur, Sad Bed* -> Lawyers, Guns, and Money^, Blue -> Nu-Gen
E: Breaking Glass
* Unfinished ^ Warren Zevon cover, debut
Soule Monde Slide B, Whassat, The Story, Take My Hand, Jody Grind, Allah Uya, Bernard*, Tango
*with Joe Davis (Formula 5, guitar)
Strange Machines Golden Rule > Remote Dream > Golden Rule, Canopy, Wook In a Onesie > Moose Soup, Motion Potion, Feel Like a Stranger*, Klepto
*Grateful Dead cover
Let’s be Leonard Sunrise, Foresight, Open Your Eyes, How Do You Fall In Love?, Good > Estimated Prophet* > Princess on the Run
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.”
Things you can buy with ten dollars: one beer in NYC, a chipotle burrito, almost a full priced movie ticket, OR you could save three dollars and buy a FULL priced ticket to Rock the Dock Music Festival.
Ready to toot their own foghorn for the fest’s second gathering, bringing their familiar Upstate, NY jams back to the steel pier of the Lake George Steamboat Company on July 13, 2018.
Driving a tough bargain, the improvisational powerhouse is offering advanced ticket sales for just $7 a pop to enjoy a fun-for-all-ages summer day, filled with live music, vendors, beer, food and crafts. Boasting a handpicked lineup of Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard, the entertainment can be appreciated from any of the three historic Lake George vessels that appropriately dock around the stage, acting as musical grandstands and welcoming wandering folk to explore free of charge.
“Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company‘s 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year’s festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come,” Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared about bringing the event to the docks on Lake George.
Saratoga Springs’ Let’s Be Leonard kick things off at 4 pm for an hour long set of rock n’ roll jazz explosion before passing the baton to New England-based Strange Machines at 5:15 pm for a melting pot of funky rock and livetronica fusion. At 6:45 pm, Soule Monde will take the stage, featuring Russ Lawton and fellow Trey Anastasio band member, Ray Paczkowski. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is colorful, bold and highly responsive to one another’s artistry. Lake George’s own Formula 5 will once again take shape as this year’s headliner at 8:15 pm.
“It’s pretty cool growing a band from such a little town. We play all over the Eastern watershed and to have so many people gather in a place that molded who I am, it’s pretty special,” said drummer Greg Marek. “This place is pretty special. I’m just happy I can share the beauty of the lake along with our music to such wonderful people.”
If the music and cheap ticket price isn’t enough to reel you in, food trucks like The Plaid Pancake, Wood Shack Pizza and Sunshine Catering will keep your bellies full while a beer truck and bars on all three ships will keep your thirst quenched. Vendors will include Buffalo Bannon Designs and Adirondack Aromatherapy as well as other unique craftspeople selling soaps, oils, jewelry, festival gear and more.
Day-of ticket prices for this year’s festival are $10 for ages 12 and up, and is free for everyone under 11. Advance tickets are for sale for only $7 at rockthedocklakegeorge.com. 25% of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Mayor Blais’s FUND for Lake George to help in it’s efforts to keep Lake George clean, pristine, and free of invasive species.
Visit Lake George on July 13, support local causes, vendors and artists, and get ready to Rock the Dock!
Albany-area jamband, Formula 5 has lent its name to a new shake in Capital District Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops. The band is also set to host its Rock the Dock Music Festival in Lake George on July 13.
The Formula 5 Flavor Shake combines the iconic Cherry Garcia, Totally Baked and Phish Food ice creams with mini M&Ms and milk. It is available throughout the summer at scoop shops in Saratoga Springs, Albany and Lake George. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the shakes will benefit the FUND for Lake George and Friends of Five Rivers.
Albany scoop shop co-owner Mike Sperduto said of the shake
“Bringing Ben & Jerry’s and Formula 5 together to mix up a shake just made sense. From The Grateful Dead and Phish to Willie Nelson, we keep our eyes on the smile, music and ice cream, so taking this to a local level made sense, and especially with the commitment of a band who embraces our values really solidified it for us.”
Watch the Formula 5 commercial advertising the new shake below:
The band is also set to host its second annual Rock the Dock Festival on the dock of the Lake George Steamboat Company in Lake George on July 13. In addition to the host band, other artists performing at Rock the Dock include, Soule Monde (Featuring Ray Paczkowski & Russ Lawton of Trey Anastasio Band), Strange Machines and Let’s Be Leonard.
Luke Dow, event manager for Rock the Dock, shared background on bringing the event to the docks on Lake George:
“Rock the Dock was started as a way to celebrate the Lake George Steamboat Company’s 200th anniversary by doing something that the company has never done in its history, hold a concert on the pier. The free concert was a way of giving back to all the loyal patrons as well as showcase the talents of local artists and food trucks. This year’s festival will also be focused on giving back, with 25% of all ticket proceeds benefiting the FUND for Lake George, to help with their efforts to keep the lake clean and pristine for years to come.”
Tickets for this year’s festival are $7 and available at the Rock the Dock website.
Formula 5 recently covered the Rush classic, “La Villa Strangiato” at the Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Albany. This performance marks the first time the band has covered Rush in a live setting.
On April 7 Denver based powerhouse, The Motet, brought some serious funk out to Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA. With Front man Lyle Divinsky, and Guitarist Ryan Jalbert both being from New England, and with Boston’s own Strange Machines opening the night, this show had a hometown feel to it.
The sold out crowd was packing in fast as Strange Machines was getting into their set. The band fed off the crowd and played what seemed like a continuous set. The quartet rocked a seamless cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and then into a Golden Rule > Remote Dream > Golden Rule. Remote Dream was a nice throw back to their 2014 album, Turn the Tide, while blending with Golden Rule, of their new album, Voice of Color.
The Motet came out to a sea of crazy Bostonians who only got wilder when Lyle opened his jacket to reveal his Celtics’ Larry Bird shirt. The band was high energy from the beginning and never seemed to slow down. Fan favorites “Keep on Don’t Stoppin” and “Closed Mouth Don’t Get Fed” were met with an uproar. The crowd was also happy to hear a couple new tracks from the group, along with recently released singles, “Get It Right” and “Supernova”. The guys played a long set, ending with a beautiful rendition of George Clinton’s “Knee Deep”.
The show in Boston was the Motet’s last of their Spring tour, and the band as of now has only one show between now and their Red Rocks headliner on June 2, which is the Sweetwater 420 Fest in Atlanta, Georgia. Check out pictures of both bands below via Zatchmo Lives Media.
September 28: Funk n’ Waffles (ROC) w/ Space Junk and Cypher
