NYS Music 202​0

Blog

  • Long Live Rock the Casbah: The Who, The Clash Rock Rich Stadium

    London punks, both young and old, invaded Orchard Park, NY on September 26, 1982. The Who and The Clash, as well as New York Dolls frontman David Johansen, performed before a sold out crowd at Rich Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills.

    the who the clash
    photo by Michael Mack

    This concert is seen as an historical moment, where one older punk band, The Who, passed the torch to a new, younger one, The Clash.

    the who the clash

    An expectadly rowdy crowd of more than 80,000 packed The Rich. David Johansen warmed up the crowd with a half-hour set, including “Stranded in the Jungle” and a medley of the Animals “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”, “Don’t Bring Me Down” and “It’s My Life.”

    The Clash were just coming off the release of Combat Rock, recorded at Electric Lady Studios on West 8th Street in New York City. Hits including “Rock The Casbah,” which reached the Top 10 in America, and “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” gave The Clash a worldwide smash hit in 1982. Less than a year after this performance in Buffalo, guitarist Mick Jones would leave the band. Watch a slideshow of photos by Michael Mack of The Clash from the performance below.

    For The Who, this was the first of many farewell tours, having lost drummer Keith Moon just 4 years prior. Kenney Jones (Small Faces, Faces) took over behind the kit, with Tim Gorman on keys, Roger Daltrey on harmonica, guitar, and vocals, John Entwistle on bass and Pete Townshend on guitar and vocals.

    Given the packed stadium – with entrances only on the floor at the time – the temperature inside the stadium was warm to say the least, with fans drenched in sweat, and some passing even out. As if Keith were looking down from heaven, the skies that were overcast all day opened up during the emotionally charged “Love Reign O’er Me,” the only time of the evening it would rain. As the song ended, Daltrey remarked “How’d you like that one?,” with Townshend saying “Even the Rolling Bones couldn’t have done that one.”

    via Matthew Heimberg

    While no video or audio exists from this show of The Who, you can view a slideshow of photos by Michael Mack here, and watch below for The Who from December 17, 1982, closing our their North American tour in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    The Clash setlist: London Calling, Career Opportunities, The Guns of Brixton, Police On My Back, Rock the Casbah, Magnificent 7, Train in Vain, Brand New Cadillac, Armagideon Time, Should I Stay or Should I Go?

    Encore: Clampdown, I Fought the Law

    The Who setlist: Substitute, I Can’t Explain, Dangerous, Sister Disco, The Quiet One, It’s Hard, Eminence Front, Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O’Riley, I’m One, The Punk And The Godfather, Drowned, A Man Is A Man, Cry If You Want, Who Are You, Pinball Wizard, See Me Feel Me, 5.15, Love Reign O’er Me, Long Live Rock, Won’t Get Fooled Again

    Encore: Naked Eye, Summertime Blues, Twist And Shout

    photos by Marc Starcke

  • Phil Lesh, Billy Strings, Marco Benevento and More Headlining “Democracy Comes Alive”

    Live for Live Music in partnership with HeadCount have announced a one-day virtual music festival to promote voter participation. Dubbed “Democracy Comes Alive” the special event will use the influence of music to showcase how critical voter participation is. Featuring 50 artists and 10 speakers in one day, music fans are being encouraged to “get out the vote”.

    “Democracy Comes Alive” will take place on Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 PM ET and is hosted by Ari Fink of SiriusXM. To receive a link to the show, attendees are required to check the status of their voter registration or make a donation to HeadCount.

    democracy comes alive
    Democracy Comes Alive 2020 Poster

    With a star studded list of performers including members of The Grateful Dead, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Turkuaz, Trampled by Turtles, Bruce Hornsby, Dawes, Warren Haynes, Shawn Colvin and many more music fans are in for a treat while educating themselves on the importance of voting. Each artist in the lineup will also be performing all new pieces.

    “People have fought and died, and are still fighting, for the universal right to vote in this country. However, so many of our country’s eligible citizens still do not wield this awesome power bestowed upon them, which in turn leads to presidents and representatives enacting laws that aren’t in their best interest. Democracy works best when all citizens of a country participate, so we’re looking to encourage just that with Democracy Comes Alive, alongside the support of HeadCount.

    Kunj Shah, founder of Live For Live Music, Justice Comes Alive and Quaratine Comes Alive

    “Democracy Comes Alive” will feature several guest speakers whose focus will stay on the history of voting rights and examine what it took for everyone. Tips as well as information regarding best voting practices and the most effective ways to research representatives at a national, state, and local level will be provided.

    Among the guest speakers are Bob Weir, Jon Fishman, Bill Kreutzmann, Peter Shapiro, Marc Brownstein and many more.

    Head over to DemocracyComesAlive.com for more information and to heck your voter registration status today. See below for a list of all performers and guest speakers.

    Democracy Comes Alive Performers:
    ALO, Andy Frasco, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Big Something, Billy Strings, Bruce Hornsby, The California Honeydrops, Cris Jacobs, David Shaw (The Revivalists), DAWES, Dopapod, Dumpstaphunk, Fruition, G. Love, The Ghost of Paul Revere, Goose, Here Come The Mummies, Hiss Golden Messenger, Joey Porter (feat. Nigel Hall & Sonata Porter), Karina Rykman, Katie Pruitt, Kim Dawson, Kitchen Dwellers, Leslie Mendelson, Lettuce x Motet (Members), Maggie Rose, Marco Benevento, Melvin Seals & JGB, Michael Franti, Moon Taxi, Neal Francis, Nicki Bluhm, The New Mastersounds, The Nth Power, Phil Lesh And Friends, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Reed Mathis & Electric Beethoven, Robert Walter, Ryan Montbleau, Shawn Colvin, Slightly Stoopid, Southern Avenue, Spafford, The String Cheese Incident (members), The Suffers, Trampled By Turtles, Turkuaz, Umphrey’s Mcgee, and Warren Haynes

    Speakers include:
    Andy Bernstein (HeadCount), Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Bob Crawford (The Avett Brothers), Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Jon Fishman (Phish), Kunj Shah (Live For Live Music), Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), Oteil Burbridge (Dead and Company), Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl), and Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band).

  • A$AP Ferg releases latest project: Floor Seats II

    On a day clouded by social media turmoil featuring Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion, A$AP Ferg has quietly released Floor Seats II, the sequel to his 2019 EP, Floor Seats. Looking to follow-up on the success of its predecessor, which spawned hit records like “Jet Lag” and “Floor Seats.”

    This latest project comes on the heels of reported disfunction within the A$AP collective. A$AP mob founding member A$AP Illz has accused the 31-year-old Harlem-bred emcee of stealing ideas and claimed the “Plain Jane” rapper’s affiliation with the Mob was over.

    Not one to go back-and-forth through the media, Ferg has predictably kept quiet, relying on his art to do the talking for him. The 10-track project features a myriad of notable guest appearances that captures Ferg’s Kaleidoscopic approach to music.

    The intro features rock & roll legend Marilyn Manson, while the star-studded tape also features: Lil Wayne, Tyga, Nicki Minaj, Puff Daddy, New York City up-and-comer Jay Gwuapo, as well as XXL 2020 Freshman Class members Fivio Foreign and Mulatto. 

    Known for his hard thumping and anthem-like records, Ferg and A$AP Mob affiliate A$AP Rocky, serve as the lynchpins the the group’s success. With their ascension as major players in hip hop, the collective has been able to venture successfully into other fields. With A$AP Bari’s successful Vlone brand a prime example. While the group’s dissimilation may seem in effect. For now though, A$AP Ferg still carries the moniker, and with an impressive resume of Billboard charting hits, his descension is certainly not imminent.

  • CT Musicians Gather, Pay Tribute to Sound Engineer and Festival Producer Joe Mango

    On September 19th, more than 60 musicians gathered to honor a man who had worked for over 40 years in the music world, the late great Joseph Louis Manganello, aka Joe Mango.

    As his obituary stated, “Mango was a renowned sound engineer who worked with many local and national bands throughout the years. He also worked with the bands that played at BRYAC Restaurant and Raw Bar in Bridgeport and also worked at Guitar Center in Orange. He was an accomplished voice and theatre actor. Joseph was the co-founder and co-producer of the Soupstock Music and Arts Festival benefitting the Mary A Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund that took place in Shelton every year. He loved to attend music festivals and was an avid Hot Wheels collector, but his most prized collection was friendships. Everywhere Joseph traveled, he acquired a new friend who instantly became a member of his extended family.”

    Joe Manganello, aka Joe Mango

    It was this prized group of friends who gathered from across the country to honor the late sound engineer, thanks to promoter Josh Kroop who helped arrange the socially distant event.

    “I know how profoundly this would have impacted Joe Mango and how much he impacted the lives of everyone involved! You guys are the best of the best! I hope we all carry the feeling we shared this past Saturday around for the rest of our lives. I know I will!” said Kroop.

    “Joe Mango was a fixture in the music scene. He made the music sound great and used music to bring us together for noble causes,” said Tim Palmieri guitarist of Kung Fu and The Breakfast.

    “Mango & I had an understanding! He was one of the only “grumpy sound guys” in the country that I know fully had everyone’s best interest at hand! If he asked me to turn my amp down, which he always did, I had absolutely no problems with that! I trusted him completely because his motivation wasn’t to control the sound, it was simply to make sure everyone in the room had the best possible experience! He truly cared because that’s the kind of guy he was & that’s exactly why we all loved him so much!” stated Danny Meyer (guitarist Star Kitchen, Eric Krasno Band, Alan Evans Trio, On The Spot Trio) of the late sound engineer.

    The night, which was streamed across the internet thanks to media mastermind MKDevo, helped raise over $7,000 which will be used to help Joesph’s family pay for end of life expenses as well as portions to be donated to The Mary A Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund, an organization charity which seeks to build community through art, music, theater, skilled craft, and other creative pursuits in order to create a rich cultural heritage for tomorrow.

    Highlights of the night included “Midnight in Harlem,” sung by Elise Testone with the BRYAC All-Stars backing her, “Sweet Like Honey” by Alpaca Gnomes with Fuzz (Deep Bananna Blackout) sitting in, Rich Zurkowski covering Black Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots” with Darien Cunning, Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz), Johnny Durkin (DBB) and Kris Yunker (On Spot Trio, Jen Durkin and The Business, Alan Evans Tribute), Goose’s rendition of Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/ /Arpeggi” and, of course, the Mango All-Stars’ cover of Phish’s “Mango Song.”

    “Thank you so much to everyone who joined in honoring our colleague, our friend, our biggest fan, Joe Mango. We cannot thank you enough for the generous donations being made to assist his family during these difficult times and to the The Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund, the non-profit that Joe co-founded and was passionately committed to for building community through the arts.

    Thank you to everyone who made last night possible – every moment was special and reminded me that Joe will never be forgotten; he will always live on – through music, and through all of us. Be good to one another. Appreciate the things you have. Fight for the things you believe in. And always follow your heart, the one thing Mango always did,” stated Nicole Heriot Mikula who is the co-founder of Celebrate Shelton and the festival director for CT Folk.

    If you missed the event and would like to watch the stream and you’d like to make a donation, you can still watch the stream here. You can make donations to Joe’s family via Venmo @welovemango and PayPal.

  • Get Familiar with Lucas Garrett and his new EP ‘Familiar Floors’

    Lucas Garrett, a 27-year-old musician from Glens Falls, NY, has just released his album Familiar Floors. Since his EP Evening’s Come, but It’s Not Dark in 2017, he has come out with a few powerful singles. However, this album marks a transition in his career where he sings about his life in a new, but confusing light.

    Lucas Garrett
    Lucas Garrett’s ‘Familiar Floors’ Album Cover

    Consisting of four songs – “Wires Humming,” “All Around Me,” “Inside Out,” and “One More for the Road,” – his album’s lyrics speaks volumes. With a mixture of rock and roll and folk, Garrett shows his talents with great musicians by his side. Bandmates including Kevin Kosach on bass, Emmett Rozelle on drums, and Cassandra Pratt and Bob Bates on Violin, all who contribute to Lucas Garret’s musical vision.

    Where am I right now?
    I cannot pretend
    To know where this room starts and
    Where it will end
    I have a strange feeling
    I’ve been here before
    Nervously make my way
    Across familiar floors

    Lucas Garrett – ‘Inside Out’

    The album’s name, Familiar Floors, resonates with anyone who has ever felt befuddled in their own life, not knowing what got them to where they are now or where it will take them in the future. Garrett has made this clear through his music that life takes you on unexpected journeys, but you always have to make the most out of where it takes you.

    Two Tails Graphics and Consulting

    Lucas Garrett has not had an easy life, but he is also very aware of how fortunate he has been. The singer-songwriter suffers from Pompe Disease which makes him wheelchair bound and in need of respiratory aid, but still he gets to live his dream of producing music. He understands the meaning of music and how music is different for every ear listening. Garrett says, “Music is an equalizer, ‘cause everyone gets it, you know? I play a lot better than some people, I play a lot worse than some people, and it has nothing to do with what I got goin’ on health-wise. And no matter what you do in life, there’s always gonna be someone better than you—and someone worse than you.” He does not let his condition define him, which continues to speak to his identity as an individual and as a musician.

    I can see your ecstasy all around me
    We have eaten, now we wait for the new day

    Lucas Garrett – ‘All Around Me’

    In his new song “All Around Me,” he sings about ecstasy which expresses his feeling of great happiness. Not only does he speak of happiness in his lyrics but he demonstrates all emotions: sadness, anger, and enjoyment, to name a few. On “Wires Humming,” you can hear these emotions come to light.

    My mind is burning
    The world is burning
    What the hell can we do?

    Where do we go?
    Gone before tomorrow
    We’ve been wasting
    Away our days
    Unrelenting dreams

    Lucas Garrett – ‘Wires Humming’

    It is not an easy task making lyrics that resonates with not only himself, but his listeners as well, and Lucas Garrett shows his talents better than ever in this new album.

  • The Sea The Sea, Sarah King, The Rough Shapes and more featured on this week’s EQXposure

    Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from The Sea The Sea, Sarah King, The Rough Shapes and many more!

    The Sea The Sea

    WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

    The Sea The Sea – “I’ll be Loving You”

    On the wave of their latest release, Stumbling Home, WEQX will play the single “I’ll be Loving You.” Heartfelt lyrics, soul stirring harmonies, and very attentive arraignments make this music so interesting to indulge in listening. 15 million Spotify streams can’t be denied. The Sea The Sea is a pop band only in their melodic infectiouness, otherwise they are at their best when subverting conventions and making really excellent music.

    Sarah King – “Nightstand”

    Sunday evening EQX will broadcast Sarah’s newest single, “Nightstand” before it is released on October 2. Sarah’s powerful and dynamic voice is a link between Americana roots and pure wide open soul. Her songs are insightful and cut to the many dualities of the human condition. There is an intensity to her lyrical honesty and vulnerability. You’ll feel like you’re sitting on a front porch in the deep south on a sultry summer night with one too many drinks behind you, looking out at a dark, beckoning path toward a future you want to believe in but can’t quite see.

    The Rough Shapes – “Lost Stations”

    If dark moody rock-billy is a thing, here it is in all its glory. The Rough Shapes latest release is titled “Lost Stations” and is full of significant flowing melodic songwriting coupled with world-class performances by this guitar, bass, and drums trio of Jeff Kadlic, Colin Almquist and Dan Cartwright. On the surface the music plays, but there are layers of rich textures that continue to reveal themselves upon each deep listen to this awesome new release.

  • United by Dance Drive-In Event Set for Sept. 26 in Bethel

    United By Dance: A Camping, Art, Music, and Drive-In Event is set for Sept. 26 from 4:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. at Yasgur Farm in Bethel, NY. The festival will start in the daytime and continue into the night with an overnight camping option for guests. With safety protocols in effect, fans can camp in their car or rent a camping plot to enjoy a sunrise filled with music.  

    United by Dance

    The Drive-In event will take place at the same location as the historic Woodstock Festival, with a maximum capacity of 600 guests and 150 car parking slots. In addition to music, attendees will have access to art installations, food, and merch vendors. Attendees can expect a laser show later in the night as well. The lineup for the United by Dance event includes music from house, techno, and tech-house artists.

    The complete list of performers includes:

    • Doc Martin
    • Tara Brooks
    • DJ Keoki
    • Mr Koolaid
    • Dean Mickoski
    • DANK
    • Lady Verse
    • DJ IDeaL
    • Gavin Stephenson
    • Iman Rizky
    • BBT
    • DJ Fetish
    • DJ Finner Fresh

    Fans can purchase tickets for the United By Dance Drive-In here. United by Dance will enforce CDC guidelines including social distancing with marked walkways and car parking spots marked 6 feet apart. Attendees must wear their masks when they leave their designated car spot. United By Dance plans to use their events to provide a sense of unity through music, art, and dance by welcoming everyone with no restrictions.

    We had to be aware and cautious about all the regulations. The new norm has made us adapt and find new options, but has also allowed us more of an opportunity to create diverse events like our drive-in.

    Tomas Serrano, CEO of United by Dance
    United by Dance

  • Premiere: Brooklyn’s Greywolf collaborates with Aya Nori on “Temple”

    Today, Greywolf drops the second single, “Temple,” off his upcoming debut album, titled Operation Wolf. A perfect follow-up to his solo debut “Exit Key,” the track continues the beautiful sounds and harmonies of the first release, as well as similar themes of release, cutting chains that weigh you down.

    greywolf

    Whether it’s shame, adversity or betrayal, “Temple” sends a message, making a conscious choice to live your best life and to project love, even in times of peril. The track opens with synth sounds that remind one of church bells ringing in the distance, as well beautiful harmonizing between Greywolf and guest vocalist Aya Nori. The track contains elements of hip hop and R&B, particularly Aya’s verse, and sounds at times like a Justin Timberlake tune.

    Aya Nori

    While Greywolf (Jay Grey) is best known for his work as bassist for Brooklyn-based Escaper, he has branched off to deliver a sound all his own. Once again he plays all instruments on this track — vocals, synth, bass, and beat programming. Additional lyrics written and sung by Aya Nori, who has recently released her sultry single “Daze,” the follow-up to her critically acclaimed song “Young And Offended.”

    Teaming with Aya Nori for “Temple” was a dream come true. I’ve been a fan of her music for a long time and couldn’t be more excited with the end result. I feel we’re cut from the same cloth in terms of tonality.

    Greywolf

    “Temple” was mixed and mastered by Abe Seiferth. Greywolf’s debut album, Operation Wolf, will be available for release in Fall 2020. Wolf says of the upcoming album, “The timing of the record — I don’t think there is any better time to put music in the world. If I can project light and hope into this world then I know I’ve done my job.”

  • 40th Annual NYC Lennon Tribute Concert to Stream Free with All-Star Lineup

    Theatre Within, the non-profit behind the Annual John Lennon Tribute charity concert since 1981, has announced that its milestone 40th Annual John Lennon Tribute will be streamed for free exclusively at LennonTribute.org, on what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday, October 9, at 7pm ET thru October 12 at midnight.

    Lennon Tribute Concert

    The program will feature unreleased performances from past tributes and new performances of John Lennon and Beatles classics by recent John Lennon Real Love Award Honorees, Patti Smith, Natalie Merchant and Rosanne Cash, plus Jorma Kaukonen, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Martin Sexton, Joan Osborne, Bettye LaVette and more. In addition, The tribute will include reflections on John Lennon’s music and social impact by famed rock photographer Bob Gruen, Double Fantasy producer Jack Douglas, music critic Anthony DeCurtis, V (formerly Eve Ensler), and others.

    Lennon Tribute Concert

    In a statement, Yoko Ono said, “John has been a loving spirit now for nearly as long as he was with us on earth, 40 years. Through all that time, Theatre Within has joyfully celebrated his music and message with its beautiful annual tribute concert, which helps makes possible its many programs for those impacted by cancer, including the John Lennon Real Love Project songwriting workshop. This is such a wonderful way to honor John and the values he stood for.”

    Lennon Tribute Concert

    As a result of the pandemic, we’re taking the Tribute online and have the opportunity to share it with John Lennon fans around the world. We’re counting on their support to help keep our free programs for those impacted by cancer going and growing.

    Longtime Tribute producer and Theatre Within Artistic Director, Joe Raiola

    This year, in partnership with Gilda’s Club NYC and Gilda’s Club Westchester, Theatre Within is providing 135 free workshops, all available online – in songwriting, art, meditation and much more – for children and teens who have lost a parent to cancer and adult cancer patients and survivors.

    Now more than ever, these workshops are vital to our community of cancer patients and their families who look forward to them as part of their lifeline to help them manage their cancer journey during this pandemic. Theatre Within has been such an important component of our program and we, and our members, are deeply grateful for their continued support of our cancer community.

    Lily Safani, CEO of Gilda’s Club NYC

    Theatre Within is inviting John Lennon fans to make a donation in any amount to the Real Love Fund by texting “TBIB40” to 41444. All proceeds will empower Theatre Within to continue its free programs for NY-metro cancer community through 2021. It is the only ongoing John Lennon tribute concert in the world sanctioned by Yoko Ono.

  • Wiley Watson Releases Pop Rock Late Night Bar Anthem “The Kid”

    Brooklyn based artist Wiley Watson today releases his new single “The Kid,” taking listeners on a journey inspired by a rambunctious night in York, England, post-breakup.

    Wiley Watson

    The song features a variety of styles blended to construct the party-induced instrumental. The vibe you can expect going into this track is cheerful regret, its the type of music that plays in the background of a dive bar with a PBR in hand and, that is what makes it “indie” in the best way.

    The instrumentals fuse influence from across genres including pop, indie rock, and hints of hard rock but, with a heavy reliance on a new-wave funk swagger.

    The alt-rock/pop artist promises to bring all the energy on his new track exclaiming, “The song is a party/bar fight type song,” exclaims Watson. “I want the listener to listen to this song before they go on a night out with the lads. It’s all about bad decisions, poor choices, and having a legendary night with your pals.” A statement which, is swiftly delivered as the track progresses.

    Wiley Watson

    Wiley is genuinely giving in his approach to writing his music and it’s content. You can feel robust with his upbeat rock anthems, can transcend into a memory with his melodic guitar riffs, or even feel melancholy through his sadder, ‘lost love’ songs. His style can be credited to a broad range of influences from classical composers, heavy metal shredders, arena singing pop stars, and even spaghetti western films; Wiley’s influences broadens his sound which allows for a wide audience appeal. 

    A former college athlete, Watson returned to New York City, a place that influenced his childhood and now lives in Brooklyn. Here is where Wiley would begin to challenge his sound and grow with influences of contemporary indie rockers such as Bleachers and F.U.N. 

    To find out more about Wiley Watson, visit his website, and for more music, check out his Soundcloud.