NYS Music 202​0

Author: Filip Zalewski

  • Twiddle Gets New Jersey Slippin Out The Kitchen Into the Mud at Sussex Drive-In

    It was the night after Halloween in Sussex, NJ. All who dared to traverse the wind and rain were met with a field of mud and fans. Twiddle got New Jersey Slipping’ brought the heat to their last drive-in show, this past Sunday November 1 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. This show featured high energy and dynamic jams throughout both sets. Highlights included a monstrous Gatsby The Great > Slippin’ In The Kitchen > Gatsby The Great in the first set, an incredible Cabbage Face in the second set, and a roaring Juggernaut encore.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Twiddle at the Sussex Fairgrounds Drive In

    The line of cars leading up to the show looked intimidating, but cars were being moved to their spots quickly and with ease. Social distancing was enforced and masks were widespread, minimal panic. Goes to show that live music events, even though reminiscent of a futuristic, dystopian, post apocalyptic scenario… can be done safely and successfully.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Lights by Herm Lights

    It was raining all day and some at the show. After the sun went down it felt freezing. During a wet, cold night like this it’s vital that the band ‘bring the heat’ to get the crowd moving. In a situation like that, if the music is slow and not captivating people will leave because it’s uncomfortable to stand outside. But if it’s thumping and everyone’s dancing, you bet they’re going to stay.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Ryan Dempsey takes a rare keytar solo

    Twiddle brought it. Dynamic, bass heavy, shredding, face melting goodness, no kumbaya sing songy b.s… Okay maybe one “When it Rains It Pours,” but that one’s so catchy and appropriate for the night that we’ll let it slide.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    We’re not in Vermont anymore

    The first set started out with Polluted Beauty, some positivity to lift the spirits and get the crowd going. Then the monstrous Gatsby The Great >Slippin’ In The Kitchen > Gatsby The Great which took up most of the first set, weaving in and out of intricate grooves. “Syncopated Healing” closed up the killer first set.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Mihali x3

    Set two featured the popular “When It Rains It Pours,” a monstrous “Cabbage Face,” and “Frankenfoote” to close up the set. Set two featured a wider variety of songs and grooves. Ryan Dempsey took a key-tar solo, got up on his chair to play with his foot, and threw a pumpkin at the crowd which masterfully bounced on the rail and missed anyone around.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Brook Jordan shining

    Twiddle put on an incredible show; their fans were screaming for more. They return with a hard rocking “Juggernaut” encore to close up the show.

    Twiddle Drive-In
    Twiddle New Jersey “Juggernaut” encore

    My car neighbors mentioned they’ve seen Twiddle twice before and it got me thinking: I’ve been spoiled to see and shoot this band all around the states for over five years now. And I must say that I’ve always like the band, but after this show I think I’m a true fan.

    You gotta like apples, man

    Twiddle at Sussex County Fairgrounds 11/1/20

    • Set 1:
      • Polluted Beauty
      • Gatsby The Great >Slippin’ In The Kitchen > Gatsby The Great
      • Syncopated Healing
    • Set 2:
      • Hattie’s Jam
      • When It Rains It Pours
      • Cabbage Face
      • Brown Chicken Brown Cow
      • River Drift
      • Blunderbuss
      • Frankenfoote
    • Encore:
      • Juggernaut
      • 1- Harry Potter, Halloween theme teases
      • 2- Ghostbusters tease
      • 3- Canon in D

    Twiddle New Jersey

  • lespecial and Eggy bring the Heat at Le Getaway

    Last Saturday was a special gathering in the midst of a strange year. Le Getaway was a sold-out, socially distanced event held by lespecial and Eggy which featured daytime activities, drum circles, basketball courts, ping-pong tables, and cabins that were rented for the night by attendees. It took place at Club Getaway, a beautiful lake resort nestled in between the mountains of Connecticut. Reminiscent of the good ol’ Catskill Chill days, there was a bonfire set and porch jams until the sun came up. It’s nice to know that a socially distanced live music event is possible if we can all be smart and responsible. If the right precautions are taken, it seems like we can get back to this live music thing soon. 

    So many activities.

    This was a beautiful gathering, it was both much needed and very appreciated. But it was a bit chilly, so you know lespecial and Eggy had to bring the heat. Literally, Jon from lespecial had to turn up his personal heater it was so cold. Rory Dolan led a socially distanced drum circle early in the day, Luke joined in too. 

    Rory leads a socially distanced drum circle.

    Eggy played a jam filled opening set, warming up the crowd as the sun went down. These guys are tight, I would not sleep on them. Soaring high on funky synth leads by Dani Battat and Jake Brownstein’s guitar shredding, Eggy proved to be an amazing opening act.

    Eggy flying high.

    lespecial then took the stage and opened up with “The Vessel.” Their set was everything you could every hope a lesepcial show to be: dark, bass heavy, and Primus-inspired goodness. Rory took a masterful drum solo. Mike Meyers even sat in on the Halloween Jam and Lee Ross sat in on the sax for a tune. There’s something spooky about this band that makes seeing them around Halloween feel so right. lespecial has a very unique, refusing sound that cuts through much of the jam band muck with many bands that sound similar. They stand out and stand behind their sound which definitely draws inspiration and honors Primus.

    Rory’s drum solo.

    After lespecial, the attendees with cabins were treated to a bonfire jam which featured, of course, a fire and music. Late night porch jams were held by the new “porch dwellers” with Escaper’s very own Will Hanza on mandolin. Nothing can substitute the space that live music creates.

    lespecial put on a hell of a show.

    This was exactly what we needed. Let us get back to this as soon as possible, in a safe and responsible way.

    Can’t wait to be back.

    lespecial at Le Getaway 10/17/20

    The Vessel, Fruit Wolf Dance, Jackwise, Machine Elf, Harambe Zombie, Tommy the Cat (Primus cover) > The Awakening > Tommy The Cat, Onlookers, Sugaboi, Third Antler > Fourth Antler, Chocolate Chip Trip (Tool cover), Halloween Jam, Tonberry, Buggn>In the Air Tonight>Buggn

  • In Focus: JRAD At The Cap 2/21/20

    Grateful Dead cover band heavyweight champions Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) continue their reign at a legendary venue with three nights at the historic Capitol Theatre, starting on Friday, February 21, 2020 (2/21/20)

    • JRAD 2/21/20
    • JRAD 2/21/20
    • JRAD 2/21/20

  • Voodoo Dead Wake The Cap at 14th Annual NolaFunk Mardi Gras Ball

    The 14th Annual NolaFunk Mardi Gras Ball was headlined by Voodoo Dead at The Capitol Theatre on February 6. The impressive supergroup consists of Steve Kimock, Dead & Company’s Jeff Chimenti, moe.’s Al Schnier, Wally Ingram, John Morgan Kimock, and The Meters’ George Porter Jr.

    The night was kicked off by Breakdown Brass, a large band of horns from Brooklyn. It was their first time playing The Capitol Theatre. The large group of horns managed to sound really clear and not all on top of each other, full of intricate rhythms and dance worthy grooves. Breakdown Brass even played “Mary Jane” & “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy. 

    Voodoo Dead, the super group… You’ve got some heavy hitters like Chimenti from Dead & Company, Al Schnier from moe., and the gosh darn bassist for the funkiest funk that ever funk’d The Meter’s very own George Porter Jr. His bluesy, rugged vocals really shined on “Sugaree.” The funk could definitely be heard, added with taste, not to stray too far from the composition of the tunes. He went on to describe how the song “Look-Ka Py Py” came to be written… one day a broken piston on a long car ride inspired this song.

    The band went on to play “I Walk on Guilded Splinters” a nod to New Orleans, honoring the great Dr. John. “Eyes of the World” and “After Midnight” featured intricate jams and amazing vocals by Porter. They closed up the night with a heart warming “Turn on Your Love Light.”

    The band has announced a tour that features shows in Ardmore, PA, three shows in Japan, and will headline the 2020 Skull & Roses Festival in April out in Ventura, CA, a festival celebrating The Grateful Dead.

    Setlist: Shakedown Street, Sugaree, Look-Ka Py Py (The Meters cover), Ophelia, I Walk on Guilded Splinters (Dr.John cover), Eyes of The World, Drums, Space, After Midnight, Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles cover, instrumental), Turn on Your Love Light.

  • Umphrey’s Mcgee Kick Off 2020 With an Electric Show at The Beacon Theatre

    It was cold in the Beacon and the lights were low. Spirits were high, as masses of Umphrey’s McGee fans piled into the Beacon Theatre, shaking off those winter blues with some good ol’ fashioned rock n roll.

    umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre
    Photo by Zach Culver

    Umphrey’s started off their tour, playing their first show of 2020 in NYC at The Beacon Theatre. They returned Friday night, then played Saturday at Brooklyn Bowl. Friday night featured an afterparty with Doom Flamingo at Sony Hall. Saturday’s after Party was also held at Sony Hall and featured Supernatural Beings with Jake as a special guest.

    They wasted no time and played a first first set starting with Unsung Hero > Jajunk > Ocean Billy. The first set escalated quickly and stayed at an eclectic high with a triumphant finish with special guest Kanika Moore of Doom Flamingo sitting in on vocals on Anthem by Rush!

    umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre
    Photo by Zach Culver

    Second set opened up with an intro by Stasik of a champion of Jam On fantasy football quickly followed by Suxity> Jajunk, Breaker, Wappy Sprayberry (featuring a Jumping Jack Flash jam)! The second set was of to a hell of a start and seemed to escalate through the end, ending the second set with It Doesn’t Matter.

    The encore proved to be well worth the wait, The Weight Around actually followed by The Silent Type which featured a Crazy Train jam.
    What a way to start the year for Umphrey’s Mcgee.

    umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre
    Photo by Zach Culver

    Set 1: Unsung Hero >  JaJunk >  Ocean Billy,  Speak Up, Wizard Burial Ground>  Deeper >  Den >  Wizard Burial Ground,  Anthem.

    Set 2: Suxity >  JaJunk,  Breaker,  Wappy Sprayberry> Mulche’s Odyssey,  Half Delayed >  It Doesn’t Matter.

    Encore: The Weight Around >  The Silent Type.

    Photos by Zach Culver of Zatchmo Lives Media

    • umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre
    • umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre
    • umphrey's mcgee Beacon Theatre