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  • JamFam Music & Arts Festival Announces Initial Lineup: New Riders of the Purple Sage, Melvin Seals and JGB Plus More

    JamFam Music & Arts Festival has just released the initial lineup for the 2020 festival slated to take place at Waterloo Village from July 24-26 in Stanhope, NJ. Headlining the festival is New Riders of the Purple Sage and Melvin Seals and JGB. The New Riders of the Purple Sage will be celebrating 50 years together with a special show dedicated to the band’s pedal steel guitar player who recently passed away.

    New Riders of the Purple Sage perform “Up Against the Wall Redneck” Live

    Jazz Is PhshlespecialOut of the BeardspaceFlux Capacitor, Creamery Station and many more finish the initial lineup, with more artist announcements expected to be coming soon.

    Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Northwester New Jersey, JamFam Music & Arts Festival is a two day camping event that creates a haven of continuous music taking place. Waterloo Village has played host to stellar performances since the 80s including Phish, Bob Dylan and the 1994 Woodstock.

    “Our goal was to ignite the hallowed grounds of Waterloo and create a new beginning for this iconic venue while keeping the area spotless. The JamFam Music & Arts Festival will feature a ‘Leave No Footprint’ commitment to eco-conscious partying and music with an aim to protect the beautiful and lush landscape and environment.”

    Founder & Producer, Michael Kestin
    (As stated in a press release)

    Available now are a limited number of 2-Day Early Bird Passes and VIP Packages. Once the full daily schedules are announced single day passes will become available. Tickets are available at the JamFam website.

    Melvin Seals and JGB perform live at Jerry Jam 2017 “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”

  • Hearing Aide: Vapor Vespers ‘One Act Sonix’

    Anyone in the mood for ambient, industrial, funk, fuzz and jazz noise? No? Try it; it’s… entertaining. Long time friends, Sal Cataldi (aka Spaghetti Eastern Music) of Hudson Valley and Alaskan playwright, actor and slam poet, Mark Muro, have put together 13 tracks that, for some, redefines what ‘music’ can be, as Vapor Vespers. 

    Such an eclectic collection of influences and ideas would inevitably create a non-palatable, sonic smorgasbord. But listeners might find that, although it’s a very unique sound, it’s somehow familiar. We have all heard these sounds before: Synthesizers, drums samples, spicy guitar, ethereal drones, deep lyrics – but we don’t always hear them combined in such a balanced way. There are some standalone tracks that are deeply immersive and highly disectable. Others, to be frank, are silly, mindless noise. 

    Now maybe, as a journalist, it’s an unbiased view because I am here listening to this at a desk, staring at a Google Doc, looking for something deep to uncover about the album. But I cannot seem to fathom a time or a place to listen to this. It’s an underrated part of music and overlooked by musicians. Picking the genre is important, but what is the target audience doing while they’re listening to your music? It’s an important piece to how groups gain popularity. If you’re into experiencing weird things because it’s interesting to gain perspective into creative minds, then go for it. But don’t try to jam out to this on your way to your 9 to 5. Because you’ll likely get a contact high. 

    As eerie and spacey as everything is, it is melodic and intentional. It’s a sandbox of sound – A confined space with no particular purpose but fun to explore. Credit must be given where credit is due – the musicianship is respectable and impressive. Cataldi and Muro are seasoned musicians with deep and thoughtful ideas, who likely knew exactly what they wanted to produce. As a result, a good portion of these tracks are very good. Plain and simple. 

    Ambient sounds are the basis of the album. But the quality and which it is made is professional and legitimizes the whole idea. “Timbuktu” gives listeners a taste of what’s to come. We are immersed in what their press release describes as a, “hot trek across the desert in Mali.” The instrumentation is well balanced and comes together to create the sonic illusion of endlessness, despair and waves of heat. The sound is ambient, but it has drive and a groove, making it immersive and mysterious. But what it lacks, is an overall story. We instead get a glimpse, or a picture. One moment in time. Like a painting. 

    The same thing befalls tracks like “In the Lap of the Drooling Buddah” and “Maisey Hot and Humid“. The music is tasty and enticing but listeners feel trapped in one space. Nothing new is leanred. There is no sense of direction, a feat well executed because we never feel bored or lost, just without a goal. If that’s something you’re after, then the album the rest of the album will be a huge hit for you. 

    The part that might throw people, is the spoken word aspect of their music. This style is often criticized, confusing or non-digestible to some. The song “Bottomless Seafood Surprise,” for example, tells the strangely erotic story of a woman who works a normal life but in an effort to shake things up, she cooks a fish her neighbor bought her one July instead the Lean Cuisne she normally eats. Then the fish starts to talk and says, “You and me. We are different. We are the same.” ..To some, this might have a deeper meaning, to others, it’s a distracting and comical story.

    Side note, if that speaks to you, then take a listen to “The Meat Clever and the Butterfly” – A song where a Bernie Sanders sounding man talks about how amazing his penis. He describes it as, “an amazing creature with little bird wings, a golden crested head, streamlined with dorsal fins, independent suspension, and driver side airbags.”

    As radical as these lyrics are, it is appropriate for the genre. Nothing else would fit. It’s just a very unorthodox thing to drink in, which will likely spoil the album for some. Even if you think it might knock it, just give it a try because you’ll at least get a chuckle out of it. The style Cataldi and Muro have created is well executed, but might be more palatable when sprinkled throughout other mainstream styles of music, rather than dousing listeners with avant garde strangeness for the sake of being strange. Those who are interested can find the album on major streaming services like Spotify and Bandcamp.

    Key Tracks: Timbuktu, The Meat Clever and the Butterfly, In the Lap of the Drooling Buddah.

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  • Andy Frasco announces new LP ‘Keep On Keepin On’, extensive Spring Tour

    Whirling dervish Andy Frasco has announced his upcoming LP Keep On Keepin’ On will be due out in April on SideOneDummy Records. With a therapeutic helping of rock ‘n roll with pop and Americana roots influence, the album is a powerful musical snapshot of what’s going on with Andy, his band and his fans. A special “Wellness” video trailer for the album has been released, geared towards encouraging fans not to suppress feelings that may be uncomfortable to talk about, and share the good as well as bad things in life.

    “We all have things that make us who we are. Some things are just uncomfortable to talk about, so we tend to suppress those feelings because we don’t want our friends and social media followers to look at us as weak. It’s time to speak up about not just the good things in our life but the bad as well. This is who I am.” 

    “We’re going through a mental health crisis right now,” says Andy Frasco. “Loneliness, depression, suicide, it’s all on the rise. When you’re struggling in the moment, it can feel like you’re the only one, but that’s just not the truth. I wanted to make a record to remind you that you’re not alone.”

    The title track combines soul, funk and pop, and empowers the listener through a danceable and catchy track focusing on overcoming negative thoughts and embracing love. Honest, thought-provoking and rhythmically infectious, Frasco’s upcoming project has important conversations while showcasing his talent as a songwriter and performer.

    Produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and by former AWOLNATION keyboardist Kenny Carkeet, the LP finds Frasco digging deeper than he’s ever dug before, fusing ecstatic rock and soul with infectious pop and funk as he grapples with the kind of demons he’s spent the better part of his adult life running from. The songs here are blunt in their honesty and unsparing in their self-examination, but they remain, at their core, works of great hope and promise. They’re the work of a man who’s been through the darkest part of the night and, now that dawn is finally breaking, is ready to share his story.

    “Making this record helped me accept that I needed therapy in my life,” Frasco explains. “I always used to think I was too proud or too strong to have a therapist, but I realized that was all bullshit. I’m not always the fun, wild guy people see onstage, and it felt like time to talk about who I really am.”

    Frasco is also in the midst of his Spring Tour, supporting Big Something, Umphrey’s McGee and Twiddle, as well as standalone shows. Catch him in Ithaca on February 11, Brooklyn February 15 and Buffalo February 18. Full tour dates are below.

    Andy Frasco and the U.N. Spring Tour

    2/05 – 1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL (with Big Something) 

    2/06 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something) 

    2/07 – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC (with Big Something)

    2/08 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC (with Big Something)

    2/09 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA (with Big Something) 

    2/11 – The Haunt – Ithaca, NY (with Big Something) 

    2/12 – The Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA (with Big Something) 

    2/13 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC (with Big Something)

    2/14 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA (with Big Something) 

    2/15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY (with Big Something) 

    2/18 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY (with Big Something)

    2/19 – The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI (with Big Something) 

    2/20 – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH (with Big Something) 

    2/21 – The Stache – Grand Rapids, MI (with Big Something) 

    2/22 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL 

    2/25 – Neurolux – Boise, ID

    2/26 – Midtown Ballroom – Bend, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)

    2/27 – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)

    2/28 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)

    2/29 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA (supporting Umphrey’s McGee)

    3/03 – Humboldt Brews – Arcata, CA

    3/04 – The Saint – Reno, NV

    3/05 – Crazy Horse Saloon – Nevada City, CA

    3/06 – Lost on Main – Chico, CA

    3/07 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA (supporting Twiddle)

    3/19 – Schmiggity’s – Steamboat Springs, CO

    3/20 – Boogie at The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, CO

    3/21 – Agave – Avon, CO

    4/18 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO

    4/20 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

    4/24 – Sweetwater 420 Festival – Atlanta, GA

    4/25 – Winstons – San Diego, CA 

    5/22 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL

    5/23 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL

    5/24 – Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL

    6/07 – Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain – Ozark, AR

    6/11 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN

    7/04 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA

    July 2 – July 5 – High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA

    July 22-26 – FloydFest – Floyd, VA

  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Releases Much Anticipated ‘Artist 2.0’ Album

    Rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s highly anticipated, third solo effort has finally arrived. It’s backed by two singles: “Reply,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert and “King of My City,” as well as a snippet of “Guitar Song.” The Bronx native is looking to impress after having his album release date pushed back on several occasions because of leaked records. He shared the album’s artwork on his Instagram account on February 5 and confirmed the Valentine’s Day release on February 10.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8M_0tFBMDJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    His last album, Hoodie SZN, was his first project to debut at number 1 on Billboard 200, producing four charting singles, the most successful of which was the guitar laden “Look Back At It.” Overall, the crooner/emcee looks to capture the city’s attention, with a return to what had gained him a loyal following throughout the five boroughs.

    Although Hoodie SZN was commercially successful, some felt he had strayed away from the tear-jerking records that first gained him notoriety. Such as, “D.T.B.,” from his debut mixtape Artist, hence the latest project’s title. With an ever-growing staple of New York City rappers (Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, Sheff G) bringing notoriety back to hip hop’s birthplace, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is looking to leave a lasting impression, and lay claim to his throne as the latest king of New York rap

    He’ll need this project to be the one to do so, as this might be the last time we hear from A Boogie for a while. The “Drowning,” rapper took to Instagram to say, “This might be my last project for a while,” he revealed. “I wanna take a break from music after Artist 2.0 tour is over. There’s a lot of things I want to do in life and it’s just moving too fast for me to focus on everything at once. But I will never let my fans down. When you need me most, I’ll be there.”

  • Galactic and Southern Avenue Please Fans at The Westcott Theater

    Galactic and Southern Avenue pleased many fans at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY. Writer Brian Cornish was there to capture the night.

    The unmistakable charisma of Tierinii Jackson supplemented by the guitar and keyboard prowess of Ori Nafataly and Jeremy Powell, with background vocals and a steady beat from Tikyra Jackson, make this a great young band with a bright future.

    Galactic Southern Avenue

    “With Keep On, Southern Avenue reaches out to a new generation of soulsters while preserving the tradition of Stax and Memphis soul. These songs flow deep down into our hearts and bones, moving us in ways we never expected to be moved (or perhaps we refused to let ourselves be moved), the way that all great soul music continues to move us. Like many great soul songs, too, these songs urge us to see the glimmers of hope in our darkness and to embrace those around us in the arms of love.” – NO DEPRESSION

    That message of hope is best exemplified in “Keep On” and the closing number, “Don’t Give Up,” from their eponymous debut album, which induced an audience sing along.

    Galactic is a band that is difficult to quantify. They cover soul, funk, jazz, dub, and multiple other genres, always being influenced by what ever they hear in their hometown of New Orleans, or through their relentless world-wide touring. The band has put their money where their heart is, purchasing the legendary nightclub, Tipitina’s.

    Galactic and Southern Avenue often relies on a rotating cast of vocalists, with this performance featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph & rapper Charles Stewart, AKA Chali 2na.

    Unfortunately, the sound mix was a bit muddled and indistinct, which is definitely not typical of the Westcott Theater. One of the telltale signs of a good show is how many musicians and fans “in the know” show up. To that end, this show was extremely popular.

  • Storybook Rock Opera ‘The Green Emerald’ to feature members of more than a dozen NYC bands

    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. 

    the green emerald

    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.  

  • Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Add Four New York Stops to 30th Anniversary Tour

    In celebration of 30 years of being a innovative quartet, Grammy winners Bela Fleck & The Flecktones have added several new stops to their summer 2020 North America tour. Four stops along the way will be in New York including March 25 in Ithaca, March 28 in Stony Brook, and June 3 in Albany before their tour concludes on June 5 in Port Chester.

    Formed in 1988 by NYC native Bela Fleck for a PBS series special Lonesome Pine Special, the group consists of banjoist Bela Fleck, harmonica and keyboardist Howard Levy, bassist Victor Wooten, and percussionist / drumitarist Roy “Future Man” Wooten. A year later in 1989 is when the group began touring, creating a sound that could never be labeled. Playing all manners of genres – from classical and jazz, to bluegrass and African music, to electric blues and Eastern European folk – breaking music barriers has been the common denominator propelling this group forward.

    “The band is a creative idealistic project, one that somehow connects with people in a profound way,” says Béla. “Nothing about any of that has changed in 30 years.   The Flecktones are touring for the sheer love of playing and celebrating our friendship. That’s why we get together these days.”

    “What I needed,” replied banjo innovator when asked about the 1989 formation of Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, “were people that were kind of freaks.  Each person had to be an equal or more, and that’s what made it work when I ran into these guys and we started playing together.”

    See the full list of tour dates below. Tickets are on sale now.

    Béla Fleck & The Flecktones 30th Anniversary Tour

    March 21 – Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak, FL 

    March 22 – Jefferson Center – Roanoke, VA 

    March 24 – Community Arts Center – Williamsport, PA 

    March 25 – The State Theatre of Ithaca – Ithaca, NY 

    March 26 – The Capitol Center for the Arts – Concord, NH 

    March 27 – Berklee Performance Center – Boston, MA 

    March 28 – Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University –   Stony Brook, NY 

    March 29 – Santander Performing Arts Center – Reading, PA

    Apr. 4 – Savannah Music Festival – Savannah, GA 

    Apr. 5 – Belk Theater – Charlotte, NC 

    May 23 – Delfest – Cumberland, MD 

    May 24 – The Clay Center – Charleston, WV 

    May 26 – The Southern Theatre – Columbus, OH 

    May 27 – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium – Asheville, NC 

    May 28 – Paramount Bristol – Bristol, TN 

    May 29 – The Carolina Theatre of Durham – Durham, NC 

    May 30 – Harrison Opera House – Norfolk, VA 

    June 2  – Lebanon Opera House – Lebanon, NH 

    June 3 – The Egg Performing Arts Center – Albany, NY 

    June 4 – Garde Arts Center – New London, CT 

    June 5 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY 

  • New York Series: Cam’ron and Jay – Z team up on ‘Welcome to New York City’

    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

    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

  • In Focus: Fred Norris sells out Arlene’s Grocery

    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 norris

    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

    Encore: The Impatient One, Ballina

  • Levon Helm 80th birthday to be celebrated by Midnight Ramble Band throughout May

    The Band’s Levon Helm would celebrate his 80th birthday on May 26, and the late drummer will be remembered with four performances by the Midnight Ramble Band during May. With three shows on May 8, 9 and 15 taking place at the drummer’s Woodstock studio, a final performance on May 30 will take place at Mountain Jam Festival in Bethel.

    Helm, who passed away in 2012 due to cancer at age 71, will be celebrated by an all-star cast, including Jackie Greene on May 8, Nicki Bluhm on May 9 and Daniel Norgren on May 15. 

    Tickets are on sale now at LevonHelm.com. For Mountain Jam tickets, visit MountainJam.com.