Chicago’s Mungion, a funk/rock jam band, and the Magic Beans, another impressive jam band from Boulder, Co, delivered funky fall tour heat at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY. Both bands wrapped up an exciting fall tour on the East Coast together, alternating closing duties nightly. Mungion did the honors at the Knitting Factory. The Bushicks, a local Brooklyn band, opened the evening for these talented bands.
John Adamski of the Busicks
The Brooklyn native Bushicks are a power trio hailing around the tri-state region. The band consists of Jonny Patrizio (Vocals/Guitar), Jessica Bogwicz (Bass) and John Adamski (Drums/Vocals). The trio was joined by a saxophonist this evening for most of the set. They delivered their signature rock, including a sweet cover of “Axilla” by Phish.
Casey Russell, Scott Hachey and Chris Duffy from the Magic Beans are feeling it.
The Magic Beans wove their tasty funk/soul/rock sounds next. The Bean band members include Scott Hachey (guitar/vocals), Casey Russell (keyboards/vocals), Chris Duffy (bass/vocals), and Cody Wales (drums/vocals). The band began by immediately dropping into a deep jam, showcasing their exceptional improvisational skills, and never looked back. This band specializes in space jam funk, and did not disappoint.
Mungion
Mungion picked up the jam vehicle where the Magic Beans left off, and dove into a rocking jam of intricate riffs. This band is made up of Justin Reckamp (guitar), Joe Re (keys), Sean Carolan (bass), and Matt Kellen (drums). The exciting directions, stellar compositions and expressive improvisation were apparent from the first note.
Scott Hachey of the Magic Beans
Both the Magic Beans and Mungion are firing on all cylinders after their 2019 fall tour through the East Coast. Mungion is closing out 2019 by playing December 29-31 at Martyr’s in Chicago, Ill. The Magic Beans are playing one night at the Goat in Keystone, Co on December 28. They resume touring with Snowstalk, their own winter festival in Frisco, Co on January 24-25, 2020. The Colorado based lineup includes Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident, as well as skiing at Copper Mountain, and is certain to be a special event.
When you think of a band still touring and releasing new music nearly 30 years since their debut, you might think there is a lengthy discography behind them. That is not the case for Tool, who have just released their fifth studio and first new album in 13 years, Fear Inoculum and performed at Barclays Center. When asked by BBC Radio 1 why it took so long for Tool to follow-up 10,000 Days, Maynard James Keenan cited “crippling self-doubt” about living up to the expectations placed on the band and “paranoia” that the album would not be as good as it could be. After all, their four preceding albums make up one of the most highly regarded discographies in metal.
On Tuesday night, the Fear Inoculum tour hit Barclays Center in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn for a sold out and much anticipated show. Tool have been touring steadily the past five years (this was the first stop in NYC since their headlining Governor’s Ball set back in 2017), but for the first time in more than a decade, the band was directly supporting a new LP.
UK post-punk band Killing Joke provided the support, playing to less than a half-filled room when the took the stage, but by the time the opening set finished, the arena was packed and the buzz in the room had hit a fever pitch.
Fans were made well aware of the band’s strict “No Camera” policy via notices taped to seats and security guards carrying signs echoing the rules. The intention was to prevent fans from distracting from the live experience and forcing us to live in the moment; a sentiment that should be more commonplace at modern shows. The policy was heavily enforced by security as a steady stream of fans were ejected throughout the night and flashlights constantly scanning rows of seats for phones. The enforcement in some sections turned out to be more of a nuisance than its intention, and was ultimately undermined during the last song of the night, “Stinkfist” as Maynard told security to “stand down” to allow fans take some photos.
As far as shows at Barclays Center, the sound tends to be an issue. Much like the NY Islanders had great trouble adapting the arena to a hockey stadium, sound engineers frequently struggle with the mix, especially in the upper bowls. This was not the case whatsoever for Tool on Tuesday. The engineers came up with a perfect mix that was crisp and had a lot of depth, even in the upper bowl. Every element of Dan Carey’s massive drum set was as clear as it could be, and the deep, boomy bass filled the air. I have never experienced better sound in that arena, and with Tool’s detailed and complex music, it was certainly necessary to achieve perfection.
Drummer Dan Carey is one of the more influential drummers in modern music. His vast drum set is the centerpiece of the stage and he plays with an ease and style that is mesmerizing. Tool are known for odd and complex time signatures, all of which are glued together by the percussionist. The encore began with Carey commanding the stage all by himself. A long gong solo served as a prelude, followed by Carey layering the frenetic and dystopian electronic loops of “Chocolate Chip Trip” before sitting back at the drum kit and ripping off a tight solo. This small part of the show by itself was an intense prog journey that reflects the complex history of Tool.
It was also abundantly clear that the band was very happy to be touring and playing new music again. During “Jambi,” guitarist Adam Jones crossed the stage to give bassist Justin Chancellor a big hug and a quick laugh and during new song “Invincible” the two leaned against each other as they jammed away. Maynard, who is known to dress in concealing costume and hide in the shadows behind the drum kit, was now on well-lit and elevated platforms; still keeping towards the back but in plain view the whole time. At one point, he went over to Adam Jones’ set-up, unplugged one of the Marshall amps, and carried it across the stage and up the stairs to his platform to be used as a stool.
Tool delivered a career spanning set, playing songs from all of their releases except Undertow (which was represented at other stops nearby). Before playing “Part of Me” off the 1992 EP Opiate, Maynard told the crowd that the song was written before anyone 30 years old and younger “were even sperm yet.” The new songs off Fear Inocolum seamlessly mixed with their classics and it cannot be understated how full and crisp everything sounded. The light show was also impressive, with massive LED screens showing imagery from their groundbreaking music videos, and well timed lasers to amplify the experience. A curtain made of long individual threads was at times in front of the band while a secondary light show was projected onto it. This added another layer of depth to the staging, but also cast interesting shadows onto the band members.
Before playing “Stinkfist” to end the night, Maynard welcomed longtime collaborator and artist Alex Grey onto the stage to received a warm ovation from the crowd. Alex designed Tool’s iconic album covers and his art is a fundamental part of the live stage show.
The Fear Inoculumtour continues through the New Year, with west coast dates in January and Australia/New Zealand dates in February. This show should not be missed. A band that many thought would not release another album have proven again that they are still one of the most formidable bands in the world.
Setlist: Fear Inoculum, Ãnema, The Pot, Parabol, Parabola, Pneuma, Schism, Jambi, Vicarious, Part of Me, 46 & 2.
Kip Moore’s stop at the Kodak Center in Rochester, NY on October 25 was the second of two New York shows on the third leg of his Room to Spare Acoustic Tour.
Moore is known for his energetic and electric shows. On this tour, he switched gears with an intimate and stripped-down set. For a number of his songs it was just Moore and his guitar which was refreshing to see – and one could clearly tell he was at home on stage with no frills or thrills. The commentary he had behind the meaning of the songs he sang was among the highlights of getting to see him perform in this acoustic setting.
Moore performed for over two hours and sang fan favorites like “Hey Pretty Girl,” “Guitar Man,” “More Girls Like You,” “Something About a Truck” and “The Bull.” He also did songs from the Room to Spare acoustic EP including “Love You to the Moon” and “Plead the Fifth.”
The Room to Spare Acoustic Tour continues this week in Durham, NC and runs through December.
Moore’s new single “She’s Mine” can be heard here and will be featured on his upcoming fourth studio album. Details for the album’s release haven’t been announced but are due to be revealed in the coming weeks on kipmoore.net.
View the gallery from the Kodak Center in Rochester, NY below:
Goose finished the first leg of their fall tour with a sold out show at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo on Saturday, November 16 after moe.’s hometown show. Coming off an opening set for the Disco Biscuits at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, and a sold out show at The Summit in Columbus, Ohio, the Connecticut based quartet rolled into Buffalo for a late-night moe. after party. The two-set show ran past 2:30 a.m. and highlighted the band’s ability to dig deep into their funk and folk inspired jams.
photo by Zach Todtenhagen
Guitarist and vocalist Rick Mitarotonda guided the band into the first song of the night, a cover of The Wood Brothers’ “Atlas,” before they segued to “Arcadia.” From their 2016 release Moon Cabin, the extensive jam emphasized many of Goose’s best qualities – ever-danceable rhythms, layered melodies, and a dramatic apex. Following a “Let’s Go Buffalo” chant led by Pete Anspach (guitar/keys/vocals), they launched into the reggae-inspired “Indian River.” A slow building rhythm section illuminated a vocal improv component and carried the band to the set closer.
“Drive,” the fourth and final song of the first set was snappy and funk infused and took on a life of its own, clocking-in at well over 15 minutes. An anchored pocket was dominated by bassist Trevor Bass and Ben Atkind behind the kit, while Pete’s rhythm guitar supported Rick’s soaring leads.
Set two picked up where set one left off, with chants of “goose” blanketing the room. The crowd was immediately captivated by the trancey “Creatures.” Dark, echoing, and reverberating, “Creatures” produced a visceral movement within the crowd. A segue to “Shama Lama Ding Dong,” an elevating cover from 1978’s National Lampoon’s Animal House, clashed artistically with the darkness of “Creatures” and preceded “Slow Ready” – a slower synth-laden version of “So Ready.”
photo by Zach Todtenhagen
The segues continued with a rendition of A-ha’s “Take On Me,” before they closed their second set out with “Hot Tea.” Unable to leave the stage for an encore break, Pete took a moment to show his appreciation and gratitude for the fans. The encore started with a cover of “Short People,” off Randy Newman’s 1977 release Little Criminals, that came before their first ever Hot Tea Reprise – dubbed “Teaprise.”
Goose will continue their fall tour on December 5 when they embark on a four-night Colorado run starting with the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, followed by an already sold out show at Cervantes Other Side in Denver, and finally two nights in Steamboat at the Old Town Pub on December 7 and 8. They will then make their way through St. Louis, Chicago, Covington, and Indianapolis, before their sixth annual Goosemas show at the Wall Street Theater in Norwalk, Connecticut. For more information on tour dates and to purchase tickets, head here.
And just announced this week, Goose will head to Tennessee in March when they tape an episode of Bluegrass Underground for PBS on March 27. The filming will take place at The Caverns of Pelham, TN. A very limited amount of single day and 3-Day Packages go on sale Friday, 11/22 at 11AM CST
Setlist – November 16, 2019
Set 1: Atlas {1} > Arcadia {2}, Indian River, Drive
Set 2: Creatures > Shama Lama Ding Dong {3} > Slow Ready > Take On Me {4}, Hot Tea
Encore: Short People {5} > Teaprise {6}
Notes:{1} The Wood Brothers. | {2} “Lets Go Buffalo” chant. |{3} Otis Day & The Knights. |{4} A-ha. |{5} Randy Newman. |{6} Hot Tea reprise, First time played
Armed with a new album and a stellar bluegrass catalog to pull from, the all-star Dawg Trio made beautiful music at the storied Iridium Jazz Club in midtown Manhattan. The evening included plenty of intricate songs, a special guest on the “mouth trumpet,” and a cover last played with Jerry Garcia.
The Dawg Trio
The band was led by legendary musician, composer, archivist and frequent Jerry Garcia collaborator, David Grisman on mandolin and vocals. Mr. Grisman was joined by a Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Award-winner Danny Barnes on banjo, guitar and vocals. Grisman’s son, Sam Grisman, completed the trifecta on the upright bass and vocals.
David and Sam Grisman
Grisman began the evening with light hearted humor, asking the crowd, “Does anyone own CD’s anymore?” The band released a new album in October, appropriately titled Dawg Trio. He mentioned that they had CDs to sell, but wasn’t sure where they were.
Smiles were frequent at the Dawg Trio
Grammy-nominated Robert Gurland joined the party during the set, playing one song with his “mouth trumpet.” This impressive skill requires no instruments and sounds very similar to an actual trumpet. His skill and adeptness are reminiscent of Keller Williams, who uses this technique in his solo shows. The entire band was all smiles while Gurland was on stage, and throughout the show.
Robert Gurland on the mouth trumpet
Sam Grisman took the helm during “Zadeh’s Waltz” from Dawg Trio. He also filled big shoes by singing Jerry Garcia’s part in “When First Unto This Country.” Prior to the song, Grisman announced that the last time he played this song was with Jerry Garcia. Sam’s vocals were a great tribute to the late Garcia, and showed that he looks forward to a promising musical career.
Sam Grisman on the upright bass
Danny Barnes showed his wild talent throughout the evening, but particularly shined during “Super Grits,” from Dawg Trio. His unconventional and wild approach was refreshing and made for deliciously detailed jams. The show wrapped up with the intricate bluegrass standard “Things In Life,” proving that mandolin juggernaut Grisman still has still “got it” after all these years.
Sam Grisman and Danny Barnes sing their hearts out
Fans braved frigid temperatures and snow at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, NY on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 for A Day to Remember.
A Day to Remember is headlining The Degenerates Tour, which began its 2-month tour on September 6, 2019, spanning until November 23, 2019. The show had three opening acts. Can’t Swim, based out of Keansburg, NJ, Beartooth, hailing from Columbus, OH, leading up to I Prevail, from Southfield, MI, who all seemed to be eligible headliners on their own.
Jeremy McKinnon – lead vocals- A Day To Remember
The band is touring to support their new single “Degenerates” while preparing for the release of their seventh studio album; You’re Welcome, on November 15, 2019. The album is their follow-up to their 2016 release of, Bad Vibrations.
The show was non-stop energy from the moment Can’t Swim took the stage. Can’t Swim is: Chris LoPorto (lead vocals), Mike Sanchez (guitar), Danny Rico (guitar), Greg McDevitt (bass), Michael Sichel (drums). They are an EMO / Post-Punk group hailing from Keansburg, New Jersey. They certainly set the pace for the remaining show.
Chris LoPorto-lead vocals-Can’t Swim
When Can’t Swim left the stage, they were quickly replaced by Beartooth. The crowd started to expand, they shouted and jumped with intensity as Beartooth ripped the stage in true metalcore/punk rock style with heavy beats and strong riffs.
The band was named after the Bear Tooth Court, where their original bassist Nick Reed grew up. Shomo has stated that Beartooth was supposed to be a mere distraction while he was still a member of Attack Attack! having no intentions to record or play live music; however, after his departure, he focused on Beartooth, which has surpassed his wildest expectations. He recruited guitarist Taylor Lumley, bassist Nick Reed, and drummer Brandon Mullins for live performances.
Caleb Shomo -lead vocals- Beartooth
After a long break to set up the stage for I-Prevail, the crowd had really loosened up. The security unit in front of the stage was heavily present, as the crowd surfing, mosh pit and wall of death activities began. At one point, someone dressed as a shark, crowd surfed into the guards.
I-Prevail was strong enough to be the headliner. The band—Brian Burkheiser, Eric Vanlerberghe, Steve Menoian, and Dylan Bowman — easily toss and turn between heavy metal, alternative, hip-hop, and electronic moods without warning, boundaries, or rules. They were hard-driving and loud, and the fans took in every note with electricity.
Brian Burkheiser -lead vocals- I Prevail
Finally, after a long night of hard-hitting music, A Day To Remeber took the stage. The crowd got silent, as the curtain rose to reveal the headliners. Formed in 2003 and known for their fusion of pop-punk and metalcore, the band provided the soundtrack for millennial teen angst with their fourth album, Homesick, about a decade ago. Their fans — now adults —arrived to relive their emo days.
The music got into your chest and became the heartbeat within you, pulsating through every nerve. The five-man band showcased some new material and pulled out all the stops to do so. Beach balls bounced off the stage and into the mosh pit below during the performance of “Rescue Me,” A t-shirt gun fired into the audience while the band presented their newly released single “Degenerates,” which is the first single off their upcoming album You’re Welcome, released on November 15, 2019
Setlists:
Beartooth: The Lines, Hated, Aggressive, You Never Know, Bad Listener, Disease, In Between.
I Prevail: Bow Down, Gasoline, Rise Above, Scars, Paranoid, Hurricane, Breaking Down, Deadweight, Come and Get It.
A Day To Remember (ADTR): The Downfall of us All, All I want, Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End, Paranoid, Sticks & Bricks, My Own Worst Enemy (Lit Cover), Better Off Ths Way, Right Back at it Again, Rescue Me, Have Faith in Me, Degenerates, Bullfight, Sometimes You;re the Hammer, Sometimes, You’re the Nail, End of Me, 2nd Sucks, I’m Made of Wax, What are You Made of?
ADTR Encore: If It Means A Lot To you, All Signs Point to Lauderdale, The Plot to Bomb, the Panhandle.
30 years ago, moe. was born in Buffalo, and over the ensuing years the local home town fanbase has only grown. So it was no surprise when nights two and three of the three-day Town Ballroom run sold out weeks in advance. Check out some photos from the second day of the run, Friday November 15th.
Adorned in denim, button-up shirts and boots, Old Crow Medicine Show delivered their high energy blue-grass, folk and country to The Town Hall in New York City. Last Thursday they successfully transported the city slicker crowd to their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. They danced, jammed and harmonized with a celebrated Southern spirit, spiked with outlaw charm.
Charlie Warsham, an up-and-coming Country music singer/songwriter from Grenada, Mississippi – and current member of Old Crow Medicine Show, kicked off the evening. Armed with an acoustic guitar and his excellent vocals, he delivered a mix of originals and covers, as well as plenty of Southern banter and grace. He closed out his solo set with “Oscar the Angel,” a heartfelt cover of Don Schlitz.
Charlie Warsham opened up the evening.
After Warsham got the crowd warmed up, Old Crow Medicine Show took the stage with vigor. The current lineup includes Joe Andrews (pedal steel, dobro, vocals), Morgan Jahnig (Upright bass), Ketch Secor (Fiddle, Haromica, Banjo, Vocals), Cory Younts (Mandolin, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals), Critter Fuqua (Slide Guitar, Banjo, Vocals) and Warsham (guitar, vocals). Band members were often seen jamming from the energy of each other, in synchronized dance-step.
Old Crow Medicine excels at playing off the energy of each other
The band played a mix of originals and covers. One notable cover was the stoner gospel tune âI Hope Iâm Stoned (When Jesus Takes Me Home),â written by Charlie Warsham and Ashley Monroe for his solo act. The entire group gathered at the front of the stage to harmonize on vocals, with Warhsam taking the lead. The lyrics “A little piece of heaven to take away your blues” are an appropriate description for the incredible show that these talented musicians put on. “Tenneesee Bound,” “Tell It To Me” and “Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer” were a few of the originals played this evening.
Charlie Warsham and Ketch Secor include dance moves while they jam
Old Crow Medicine Show has a limited number of shows left on their 2019 tour. Hop on over to their tour page for more details.
Set break is over! With those four words Disco Biscuits fans rejoiced and prepared for the first tour from the Philly based jamtronica veterans in nearly a decade, with the first stop was at the beautiful Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA for two nights with 7 Biscuits’ originals spread out over the shows.
They continue their tour in Richmond, VA, then head north to Burlington, VT and Syracuse, NY next weekend.
Set 1: Little Betty Boop-> Pimp Blue Rikki-> Little Betty Boop-> Hero*-> Little Betty Boop, Bernstein & Chasnoff-> Miracles (inverted)-> Rocket Science*-> Bernstein & Chasnoff
Set 2: Spaga, Stars in the Sky*, Spraypaint Victory-> Anthem*-> Spraypaint Victory
Speaking your truth through music is what it is all about and Ani DiFranco does it well, both in her songs and interactions with an audience. DiFranco sold out the Homer Center for the Arts on November 5, 2019. Before Executive Director Ty Marshal introduced Ani, he said that ‘he had the dream of booking her there since he started five years ago.’ It was the fastest a show has ever sold out at the theater.
Ani’s tour is simply a must see for not only her performance but also for opening act, Gracie and Rachel. Their mellow yet striking sound is unique because of their piano and violin mix. Gracie’s piano and Rachel’s violin compliment each other which felt like a musical conversation as they performed. They joked about their anxiety-driven lyrics, but in reality their music is quite calming and serene. It’s as if they let their listeners know that they aren’t alone in their troubles and let the music soothe them.
Once Ani DiFranco took the stage she dove right into “Not a Pretty Girl” and the crowd roared in excitement. Ani was all smiles and equally as excited to be playing the very intimate theater as much as the audience was excited to see her.
Ani’s ability to play guitar is nothing but awe inspiring. She has a fearless fire within her and it pours out with every note. Her unique style of playing goes hand-in-hand with how she holds her own on stage. Her power and inspiration truly touched everyone in the theater that night. Ani is such a strong woman to look up to because of how brave she is. To speak her truth not only in her songs, but in between her songs. And the audience listened with respect.
It was election day and she had to pause when she found out that a Democrat governor was elected in Kentucky. It was a win close to her heart which she got to share with Homer, NY.
Ani broke up her performance with a few covers “Why We Build the Wall” by Anaïs Mitchell and “Skinny Love,” by Bon Iver, whom she will be performing with after the end of this tour on November 21 in Eau Claire, WI.
Setlist: Not a Pretty Girl, Dilate, As Is, Fire Door, Anticipate, Allergic to Water, Genie, Why We Build the Wall (Anaïs Mitchell cover), Woe Be Gone, If He Tries Anything, Reckoning, Skinny Love (Bon Iver cover), Save Me Jesus, Alrighty, Play God, Alla This, E: Which Side Are You On?, Joyful Girl
