After 10 years, bassist Corey J. Feldman (Cousin Earth, Mercury Landing) will revive his original storybook rock opera The Green Emerald. Held at DROM, the show kicks off at 7:30 pm and features 13 original songs and an accompanying illustrated book. Musically, the songs range in genre from rock and funk to Latin and prog, with a heavy improvisational centerpiece consistent throughout.
First performed in 2009, this epic is making its first showcase in over a decade with a variety of players. Instead of finding a single band, Feldman decided to recruit over 20 musicians from his recent musical endeavors, each song with a different lineup. You can expect to see players from Cousin Earth, Particle, Sophistafunk, ShwizZ, Teddy Midnight, Escaper, Bushicks, Sylvana Joyce and the Moment, Big Wake, Sprocket, Jam the Radar, Uncle Ebenezer, Castle Rat, and more.
The story of The Green Emerald is inscribed with the phrase: “Created by the Universe, just wish upon this stone. You must ask the question true. Its power stands alone.” This legendary jewel can grant one wish, but only when asked the right question. Yearned for by an ancient noble, coveted by an evil king, and understood only by a wise princess, the Green Emerald alone had the power to vanquish our ancestors’ one universal flaw… their inability to see color.
Tickets are $12 adv/ $15 doors. DROM is located at 85 Ave A, Manhattan.
The city of New York is used to being serenaded. Entertainers famous and obscure alike have sung the city’s praises – delivering some of their biggest records in doing so. From Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” to Jay – Z and Alecia Keys’ 2009 fall hit “Empire State of Mind,” New York City is used to being romanticized and looked at as a potential nesting ground for out-of-towners. While clearly magnetic in its appeal, the rougher parts of the city are less likely to be spotlighted during anthem songs.
That’s the thing about hip-hop, it has always been about speaking the truth. It has a reputation for delivering an authentic inner-city experience. Harlem native Cam’ron – known for his alliteration and uniquely playful delivery – tried his hand at an ode to hip-hop’s birthplace, on the 7th track from his 2002 album, Come Home with Me.
Featuring Jay – Z, the record signified the unification of two of hip hop’s most dominant rappers: Jay – Z, the accomplished veteran and label head of Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam’ron, the captain of influential hip hop faction Dipset. The album marked Cam’ron’s first commercial release under the label and a verse from Jay – Z was the ultimate stamp of approval for his latest signee.
Jay – Z begins the record by shouting out a couple of legendary figures (Michael Jordan and Notorious B.I.G.) that have hailed from Brooklyn – his hometown. He then proceeds to paint a picture of his past endeavors in the streets of Brooklyn. While the verse might come off as braggadocios, it’s merely an explanation of why he would put himself in harm’s way by entering such a dangerous occupation. For every couple of bars about his cocaine exploits, it is followed up by the resulting glory that comes from it. Going from delivering the drugs to Baltimore, to being front and center at a Knicks game.
Based on the former’s subject matter, it was pretty safe to predict what Cam’ron’s lyrics would revolve around. He wastes no time attacking the Just Blaze produced record. “Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from.” Unlike Jay – Z, he doesn’t spend any time discussing monumental figures, nor does he glorify drug dealing. Instead, he chooses to relay the realities that come with the streets, in entertaining Cam’ron fashion of course. He even manages to take a shot at fellow Harlem native Mase, attributing his departure from hip-hop due to his uneasiness with being surrounded by so much violence. Eventually Jay – Z and Cam’ron go back and forth, describing the violent crimes that they come across in their respective neighborhoods.
Overall, the record feels like a moment in time. Just Blaze’s distinctive production (loud drums, guitars and horns) captures the aggressiveness of both emcees, and the two complement each other well. The record also served as the theme song for a popular video game, True Crime: New York City.
Welcome to New York City Lyrics:
Jay – Z
Turn the motherfucking music up [Cam’Ron] Just Blaze, man. You owe me n***a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Welcome to the Empire State. Home of the World Trade. Birthplace of Michael Jordan. Home of Biggie Smalls. Roc-A-Fella headquarters. Ladies and gentlemen, Killa Cam, Young Hov is definitely in the building Brooklyn, Harlem World (Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City) Stand the f**k up!
I’m a B.K. brawler Marcy projects hallway loiterer Pure coke copper, get your order up I bring ‘em to Baltimore in the Ford Explorer It’s going to cost you more if I gotta get em to Florida Rucka game attender With the bent pole on the sidewalk with the tin plates on the fender I ain’t hard to find you catch me front and center At the Knick game, big chain and all my splendor Next to spike and the pen left to write I own Madison Square, catch me at the fight But damn once again if you pan left at the ice If you the man that write cheques with the hand that don’t write I go off the head when I’m rambling on the mic And I go off the feds when I’m scrambling at night And if its off the set I brought hammers to the fight But we from New York City, right Cam? [Cam: Ya damn right]
It’s the home of 9-11, the place of the lost towers We still banging, we never lost power, tell em Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City Why Y’all f***n with BK’s banger and Harlem’s own gangster Now that’s danger there’s nothing left to shape up Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City
Cam’ron
Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from It don’t matter if you three feet or eight-one You’ll get ate from me, nine and straight blown Wig split, melon cracked, all that on day one Carry eight guns, two in the trunk Two in the waist, two in the ankle, two to just spank you You can jam with them jammers, blam with them blammers It’s hot here, ask Mase he ran to Atlanta You think we know what life do, make want to mold the cycle Drinkers they so delightful, blinging with so much ice In front of sparks, body cops Dilano Block away watch by Gotti and Girvano It’s la costra nostra, someone close approach ya They’ll toast ya gopher, bread loaf with shofer Old coke they raise up and snort, blayze up ya fort Jay puff shine, cases was caught Midnight pick fights, they love a victim Watch him fore he watch you, Killa
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin’ at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***as’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***gas’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
Y’all n***s man, why Y’all can’t f**k around man It’s the ROC b***h, Killa, my n***a Jigga, Sigel, Beans Diplomats man, holla, Dash Get the f*** off our dicks I own this s**t right now man, I ain’t going nowhere
On a January Wednesday, Fred Norris played a sold out show with his band at Arlene’s Grocery in the lower east side of Manhattan. Fred is best known for his role on The Howard Stern Show where he has been a writer, producer and sound effects genius for over 30 years. The new line up of his band includes Fred on lead vocals and guitar, Steve Goulding on drums, Graham Parker on guitar and Mekons on bass. Opening for The Fred Norris Band was Steve Addabbo and Megan Reilly.
Fred and his band sounded great and they didn’t even get to do a proper sound check before their set. They played for over an hour and performed 12 original bluesy rock songs including “Get In Line,” “Sense of Pretending” and “Lost in the Ether.” Fred then welcomed singer/songwriter Erica Smith to join the band for the melodious “How Long.” What was also very much enjoyable was Fred talking about each song and what inspired him to write them. Some of the songs were about his daughter Tess, while others were about current social issues such as greed, corruption and the threat of war. You can see the full setlist below.
Arlene’s Grocery used to be a bodega/grocery store which was turned into a bar in 1995. It is mostly a venue for local punk and hard rock bands. Other notable performances include Arcadia Fire, Jeff Buckley and Lady Gaga.
Setlist: Get in Line, Uptown One, Cool Surface, Sense of Pretending, How Long, Lost in the Ether, The End, There Goes The Show, The War Within, Paradise
Back in June 2019, Sam Beam (a.k.a. Iron & Wine) joined forces with folk/Americana group Calexico for the full length LP, Years to Burn. This would mark the second time the two bands collaborated, the first being EP In the Reins from 2005. The bands musical styles perfectly complement one another, resulting in luscious harmonies and arrangements.
John Convertino of Calexico at Webster Hall – Photo: Joseph Buscarello
Before the show started, stage hands marched a seemingly endless amount of instruments on stage. Nine acoustic guitars moved in alone, followed by accordions, upright basses, electric guitars and horns. I have experienced seeing both of these bands individually and this collection of instruments is not surprising. Sam Beam typically brings a dozen or more musicians out for an Iron & Wine show and Calexico has such a full Americana sound with dense horns and strings. None of these attributes were lost in bringing the two bands together.
The set drew heavily from the two collaborative projects, but they also performed covers of each other’s songs and other bands. This first one was a cover of “Glimpse,” a track off Calexico’s 1996 debut Spoke. Sam introduced the song by saying “this song was the first Calexico song I ever heard.” The other Calexico cover was “Flores y Tamales” from 2018s The Thread That Keeps Us. While there were no Iron & Wine covers at Webster Hall, they were playing songs like “Boy With A Coin” and “Naked As We Came” at other stops. Full setlist below.
The show ended with two more collaborative tracks, but with opening band Half Waif joining them on stage to provide additional vocals. Had you not known that this show was a collaboration between two separate groups, you would think this was a band that has been writing and performing together their whole career. Their musical styles are already complementary and there is a clear friendship that adds a ton of energy to the stage.
Setlist: Father Mountain, Prison on Route 41, Follow the Water, In the Reins, Glimpse (Calexico cover), Sixteen Maybe Less, The Bitter Suite, Bring on the Dancing Horses (Echo and the Bunnymen cover), Flores y Tamales (Calexico cover), [Solos], Red Dust, I Lost It (Lucinda Williams cover), Midnight Sun, Burn That Broken Bed, What Heaven’s Left.
Thursday, February 6 will see the release of Kamasi Washington Live at the Apollo Theater, streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Michael Garber, the film was recorded in February 2019 at Washington’s performance at the historic Harlem venue. Joining Washington in the film is his band, The Next Step, with special guests DJ Battlecat and vocalist Dwight Trible.
“Playing at the Apollo Theater is one of the greatest honors that a musician can have,” said Washington. “When I walked down 125th Street from my hotel in Harlem and saw my name on the marquee I almost couldn’t believe it. To be a part of that prestigious group of brilliant musical minds was truly humbling for me. To say that night was one of the most amazingly special nights of my life is a grave understatement. I’m so happy and thankful to be able to share this moment with people all over the world. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!”
The film includes one previously unreleased track, “The Bombshell’s Waltz,” initially recorded for Washington’s 2007 album, The Proclamation, which can be streamed below. Watch Kamasi Washington Live At The Apollo Theater beginning February 6 via Amazon Music.
Grammy-nominated rock quartet Barenaked Ladies, have postponed the sixth edition of their “Last Summer on Earth” tour. The two-month expedition would have seen the Juno award-winning outfit perform in some of the world’s most renowned locations, including Los Angeles’, Greek Theatre and New York City’s Central Park SummerStage. “Last Summer on Tour,” a named derived from the Mayans predictions of the world end in 2012, will still see Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket join them as opening acts, just a little later than originally planned.
Vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson shares, “We were really hoping we’d be able to pull it off this summer, but for the safety of our fans, all the venue staff, bands and crew, we need to listen to best advice and postpone until next summer. We’ll be back with the same lineup in almost all the same venues in 2021. We hope to see each and every one of you then. Be safe. Continue to Rock, and don’t forget to Roll.”
Tickets purchased for 2020 will still valid for 2021 however, shows in Houston, San Diego, St Louis and Pittsburgh were not able to be rescheduled. Refunds will be handled by original ticket providers. To thank fans for their support, an exclusive #SelfieCamJam along with a message from the band will be sent to ticket buyers via their ticket provider.
All information on the “Last Summer on Earth” 2021 tour can be found at the Barenaked Ladies website, while dates can be found below.
Nearly a decade ago, the members of Moon Hooch were busking in the NYC subways, filling the tunnels with their raw and energetic saxophones and percussions. But try not to think of a few musicians, off to the side, with crowds of people just buzzing past minding their own business. Instead, Mike Wilbur, Wenzl McGowen and James Muschler would turn entire subway platforms into tribal dance floors with their beat-infused jazz music. It was not long before the MTA banned them from smaller subway stations and they were bringing their “cave music” above ground to TV shows and sold out music venues.
The trio of Moon Hooch made their way to Bowery Ballroom this past Thursday, for the second stop on their lengthy world tour. The line to get in extended around the corner before doors opened and the Brooklyn-based band was treated to a warm reception from a room packed with fans and close friends. They hit the stage earlier than the posted set time and kicked into high gear right from the start. At times, more than half the dance floor was turned into a dancing mosh pit; if it wasn’t for the cables plugging their instruments in, I’m sure Mike and Wenzl would have dove right in.
Even though the group has graduated from the subways to the stage, their sound and live setup remains true to their origins. A modest drum kit sat center stage with an army of saxophones standing at attention off to the side. A makeshift DJ set-up, several props and smaller wind instruments that would appear later in the show all sat on a table.
Mike Wilbur of Moon Hooch at Bowery Ballroom – Photo: Joseph Buscarello
A large open area was left to allow for the immensely energetic performance. The music did not skip a beat while the two saxophonists bounced and danced from one side of the stage to the other. Constant swapping of instruments and the use of horn props all led to a very dense and eclectic sound. At one point, a traffic cone was attached to Wenzl’s tenor sax, turning it into a deep-bass horn extending over the heads of the fans in the front row.
Wenzl McGowen of Moon Hooch at Bowery Ballroom – Photo: Joseph Buscarello
It does not seem likely that a subway busking performance would have a well planned setlist, and that was also the case for this show. All of the songs were performed as live basement jams, but with a “telepathic” connection between the trio. For almost two hours, the band played nearly non-stop, constantly mixing and improvising the songs that make up their catalog. The madhouse that ensued would not let up until security was forcing people to the exits.
The band just self-released their 4th LP, Life On Other Planets, earlier this month right before kicking off the tour. Unlike their last three records, the band decided to forgo obsessively producing and mastering tracks and instead attempted to reproduce the raw and unpredictable sound of their live shows. Almost all of the tracks were single-take recordings featuring extensive build ups, driving percussions and ear-ringing, funky sax riffs. The result is a largely successful and unique record. After seeing the show for myself, one could assume the new LP is a live album taken from one of their shows.
Moon Hooch have dates all across the US through February, then they hit Europe for March and April. Support for these shows comes from Sungazer, The Tangled Roots, The Main Squeeze and Paris Monster. Check out the full list of dates here.
Pink Floyd co-founder, Roger Waters, announced via Twitter that he will be embarking on an extensive 2020 North American “This is Not a Drill” Tour. This is the first time Waters will be performing at the Times Union Center in Albany. Updated dates can be found for 2022 below.
“This Is Not A Drill” will play in 31 cities across the U.S. and Canada including two stops in New York. First along the way will be a performance at theTimes Union Center on July 25 in Albany. Waters will then return August 5 to what will most likely be a sold out show atMadison Square Garden.
Waters was the bass player, co-lead vocalist and songwriter in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. He originally revealed news of the tour during an interview with Rolling Stone in September where he also discussed his upcoming film ‘Us + Them.’
“It’ll be a new show. It will be no-holds-barred,” Roger told Rolling Stone. “My work is to think, ‘Well, how can I make rock & roll more interesting or theatrical or exciting or visual or musical or whatever?’ That’s what I’ve spent the last 50 years doing, expressing myself.”
Roger Waters – Rolling Stone
Roger Waters: This Is Not A Drill – 2022 North American Tour Dates
July 6, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA, PPG Paints Arena July 8, 2022 – Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena July 9, 2022 – Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena July 12, 2022 – Boston, MA, TD Garden July 15, 2022 – Montreal, QC, Bell Centre July 17, 2022 – Quebec, QC, Videotron Centre July 20, 2022 – Albany, NY, MVP Arena July 23, 2022 – Detroit, MI, Little Caesars Arena July 26, 2022 – Chicago, IL, United Center July 28, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI, Fiserv Forum July 30, 2022 – Minneapolis, MN, Target Center August 2, 2022 – Cincinnati, OH, Heritage Bank Center August 5, 2022 – Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center August 6, 2022 – Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center August 10, 2022* – Columbus, OH, Nationwide Arena August 13, 2022 – Elmont, NY, UBS Arena at Belmont Park August 16, 2022 – Washington, D.C., Capital One Arena August 18, 2022 – Raleigh, NC, PNC Arena August 20, 2022 – Atlanta, GA, State Farm Arena August 23, 2022 – Miami, FL, FTX Arena August 25, 2022 – Orlando, FL, Amway Center August 27, 2022 – Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena August 30, 2022 – New York, NY, Madison Square Garden August 31, 2022 – New York, NY, Madison Square Garden September 3, 2022 – Kansas City, MO, T-Mobile Center September 6, 2022 – Denver, CO, Ball Arena September 8, 2022 – Salt Lake City, UT, Vivint Arena September 10, 2022 – Portland, OR, Moda Center September 13, 2022 – Edmonton, AB, Rogers Place September 15, 2022 – Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena September 17, 2022 – Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome September 20, 2022 – Sacramento, CA, Golden 1 Center September 23, 2022 – San Francisco, CA, Chase Center September 24, 2022 – San Francisco, CA, Chase Center September 27, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA, Crypto.com Arena September 28, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA, Crypto.com Arena October 1, 2022 – Las Vegas, NV, T-Mobile Arena October 3, 2022* – Glendale, AZ, Gila River Arena October 6, 2022* – Austin, TX, Moody Center October 8, 2022 – Dallas, TX, American Airlines Center
UK psych rockers, Temples, released their third LP, Hot Motion, back in September 2019, and the tour hit Webster Hall this past Tuesday, January 21. This was technically a make-up date from November, since the band previously expanded and reorganized the tour.
Support came from Canadian based singer Art d’Ecco. The glam-punk rocker commanded the stage with a dominating presence and delivered upbeat, Bowie-tinged punk rock grooves.
Temples’ new LP sees them refining their distinctive indie psych-rock sound, culminating in a very consistent addition to their catalog. This consistency was put on full display with the first three songs of the night: “The Howl” from Hot Motion, followed by hit “Certainty” from 2017’s Volcano, then a deep cut from their debut Sun Structures, “A Question Isn’t Answered.” This career-spanning intro highlighted the band’s ability to stay true to their sound while still making three very distinct songs.
Temples are another one of those bands that attracts a dedicated following. Webster Hall was packed with fans singing and dancing along to every song, and the band was more than happy to feed off that energy. They effortlessly breezed through their songs, ending the main set with fan favorite, and hit “Shelter Song” from Sun Structures.
Temples continue their tour of North America into February, followed by dates in France and Australia from March to April. Art d’Ecco will continue to open for Temples on the North America trek.
Setlist: The Howl, Certainty, A Question Isn’t Answered, You’re Either On Something, Colours to Life, Holy Horses, The Golden Throne, On the Saviour, Hot Motion, The Beam, Context, Keep in the Dark, Atomise, Shelter Song.
Last Friday, at midnight, Umphrey’s McGee fans raced over from Hell’s Kitchen after the band’s first night at the Beacon theater ended. As they descended into the underground club-room of Sony Hall, they waited for the bassist, Ryan Stasik, to make his way down to Times Square and bring out his late night masterpiece of a band, Doom Flamingo
This band has really been making a splash in the last year, charging headfirst into late night rallying fans’ hearts with a heavy 80’s-synth powerhouse of fury that keeps everyone coming back for more. They began the night with an original fan favorite “F-16” and quickly went into one of their incredible covers, David Bowie’s “Afraid of Americans.” This group really creates their own versions of the covers they choose, always picking an unexpected song.
Singer, and general badass, Kanika Moore sported what can only be described as a Doom Ballerina outfit. She also carries an incredible set of pipes and was really belting out her lyrics into the crowd. Their single set ran on deep into the morning until their triumphant finish, another single>cover showdown of their own “Runaway” and their amazing cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”
You can catch Doom Flamingo a few times this winter down in their home area of the Carolinas before they head to Sweetwater 420 fest, and to New Orleans for a post-Jazz Fest late night set. You’ll also be able to see them at a few festivals this summer like Summer Camp and Floydfest. And don’t be surprised to find that a few other festivals are “Doomed” before long. If you have any chance to see them this year, or ever, you are strongly suggested to do so.
Set: Replicant, F-16, Afraid of Americans, Somebody, Telepathy w/ Jam, Delorean, Blade Theme, Harvest Moon, Need To Feed, Love on Hold,
Encore: Wicked Game, Runaway
Photos by Zatchmo Lives Media, Follow on Facebook and Instagram
