NYS Music 202​1

Category: Rock

  • Bruce Hornsby Brings The Noisemakers to Lafayette, Bandmates talk performing in New York State

    Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers played as part of the Beak and Skiff Orchards 2021 concert series down Apple Valley Road in LaFayette, NY on June 16, 2021.

    “I’ve got a daughter in law in LaFayette, Louisiana,” he told the crowd. The band’s performance was part of a brief Northeast run to start the year. Bruce brings that old summer tour magic back to life for all those in attendance, 30 years to the day he was part of an iconic set opening Eyes of the World with the Grateful Dead at Giants Stadium.

    Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at Beak and Skiff Orchards,NY

    Bruce’s archives shows what a true artist he is. Hornsby is consistently reimagining his sound with the a band. Syracuse region basketball fans might like to know that he played Allen Iverson of Georgetown in a game of one-on-one when the Virginia natives used to cross paths in the 90’s.

    Bruce’s on stage team this night consisted of J.V. Collier on bass, Chad Wright on drums, J.T. Thomas on keyboards, John Mailander on Violin/Mandolin, and Gibb Droll on guitar. The 17 song setlist was a full court press blend of rock, gospel, heartland rock, jazz, bluegrass and blues.

    Certain lyrics resonated across New York’s four season changing landscape. Show opener “Absolute Zero” could have been a nod to the unusually cold night in LaFayette. “Hey, come on, let’s go down to two seventy-three below” Up next was the most chilling composition of the night for “Shit’s Crazy Out Here” with Bruce singing the title track amidst heavy deep jazz transports.

    Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers
    Bruce Hornsby in LaFayette, NY

    Mid set, the iconic “That’s Just the Way It Is’ ‘ got people dancing under the setting sun, including an extended improvisational jam to keep the song fresh to the times. The iconic piano riff that was part of West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur’s remake (and on what would have been Shakur’s 50th birthday) was reciprocated with Bruce sampling Snoop Dogg’s “Drop it Like it’s Hot” over the house speakers.

    The song appropriately named “Prairie Dog Town” had Bruce exit the piano to center stage on his dulcimer, leading vocals over the mix. Snoop Dogg’s beat segued into J.V. and Chad holding the bottom end down for a funky outro. Bruce scatted “Popping up, popping down, burrowing making their funny little sounds, guarding the ground and spotting all around watch your dry bones in the prairie dog town”

    Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers
    J.V. Collier, Bruce Hornsby, Chad Wright, Gibb Droll, John Mailander, JT Thomas

    The highlight of the night was a true blend of California artists. The band’s opening chords to “Sunflower Cat” might have tricked you into thinking it was Grateful Dead’s “China Cat Sunflower” during Summer 1991. Bruce’s original lyrics over the Dead groove make it his own: “ In my dreams I can fly high, over fields and across the sky, then I’m awake and I’m back on the ground, if you could take me back up there, I’m down, I’m down with that’.”

    Mid-song, J.V. Collier and Chad Wright locked in on Tupac’s “California Love” groove with on the spot reimagined lyrics to the surrounding landscape. J.V. sang “ New York State… knows how to party… In the city of… Lafayette, in the city of good old Utica…In the city…of Syracuse.. We keep it rockin… you keep it rockin.” The band then crushed the “New York Love” remix before a shift back into “Sunflower Cat” to close the show.

    Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers
    Bruce Hornsby, J.V. Collier

    The evening was encored with the “pod people” getting down in front of the stage for “Rainbows Cadillac.” Bruce called out to the crowd “Every night about a quarter to ten, from the middle of June till summer’s end. People would gather from miles around to see the mighty Rainbow knock ’em down, sending the audience into the night wide-eyed as part of New York’s live music return.

    Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers

    Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers – Beak and Skiff Orchards – Lafayette, NY – June 16, 2021

    Setlist: Absolute Zero, Shit’s Crazy Out Here, The Rat King, My Resolve, Fields of Gray, The Way It Is, Walk in the Sun, Spider Fingers > Dreaded Spoon, Funhouse, Every Little Kiss*, Shadow Hand*, Prairie Dog Town*, Sunflower Cat > (California Love) > Sunflower Cat
    Encore: Rainbow’s Cadillac
    * Bruce on dulcimer

    The rhythm section of the Noisemakers J.V. Collier (bass) and Chad Wright (drums) took some time to talk past, present, and future music experiences in New York State at the Hotel Syracuse the night before the show:

    Matt Romano: It’s good to have you guys back in New York State to play live. What great memories come to mind playing here?

    J.V. Collier: Over 27 years, every time coming to New York is memorable. I love City Winery in TriBeCa, The Blue Note and Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, We’d go to Woodstock to Levon Helm’s Studio at his barn in Hudson Valley for their Friday night jams. When Bruce and I started, we played at Woodstock ’94 with The Band and got to rehearse there. I was only supposed to play three songs and then Rick Danko was like “stay up here.” All these great horn players from the city, like Howard Johnson. But playing with The Band was an amazing thing. Woodstock ’94 we hung out all three nights. During Green Day’s set they cleared everybody off stage except Bruce and I for some reason. So it was great. I remember the park in New York City where Jaco (Pastorius) used to stay. I don’t know if you heard he used to sleep with his bass and basketball there towards the end. But I’d go to that spot and try to gain something from his spirit to play off.

    MR: You guys were here virtually at the end of last year to help raise 500K plus for Upstate Hospital in Syracuse to benefit front line workers a block from here.

    Chad Wright: We did it at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A.. We prerecorded it and it was the first time we did anything last year since August of 2019.

    MR: Does Bruce keep you guys on your toes with the variety of his catalog?

    J.V.: The great thing about playing with Bruce is the surprise guests along the way. You never know. Chick Corea, Dave Garibaldi, Bonnie Raitt. His studio gig is like his live gig because what he wants it to be different all the time. He always pushes you to be better.

    MR: How does composition compare to improvisation?

    CW: When I got this gig, Bruce was great at explaining that there is no structure. But there’s a method to the madness…but it’s all subject to change to be fluid.

    J.V.: Some nights are magic and you don’t want to let it go. You get to a space and it’s a thing. 2:45 to 3:00 hours used to be the normal set times. Bruce has the mentality of an athlete. He’s the point guard. He’s orchestrating what everyone’s gonna do up there. He’ll pass you the ball and wants you to do something with it before it comes back

    MR: Like Jaco in Central Park?

    J.V.: Exactly.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PZL4Fd6ZMI

  • Hearing Aide: John Hall ‘Reclaiming My Time’

    There’s no shortage of new releases coming out. After the musical drought of last year, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. One name that stands out from the crowd of artists launching new albums is John Hall. 

    john hall

    The Grammy-winning musician from Ulster County is best known for his role in the band Orleans. Hall recorded the songs for this, this sixth solo album, prior to the pandemic, and had them mixed and finished remotely in the interim. The album, aptly named Reclaiming My Time, is exactly what one would expect of someone of Hall’s caliber.

    Reclaiming My Time showcases Hall’s talent. There’s a surprising blend of toe-tappers, and no shortage of ballads. One moment you’ll be dusting off your dancing shoes for the island rhythms of “Islamorada” and the boogie-woogie beat of “All Up And Down From Here.” And the next you’ll be reeling from heart-wrenching ballads.

    john hall

    “Alone Too Long” came out as a single before the album. It was a personal message from John Hall to a friend who lost the love of his life. But the song has a more universal meaning after the social isolation we’ve all experienced during the past year. That message of finding courage to move forward after loss is contrasted by the nostalgic ballad “Another Sunset.” This one is a collaboration with country legend Steve Wariner, who also lends his vocals in this duet. Together these songs demonstrate the dual nature of grief – the longing to hold on and the need to adapt to change.

    The collection wraps up with the heartfelt “Welcome Home” written for those who have served in the military. It’s a fitting tribute, well suited to the Memorial Day weekend release of Reclaiming My Time.

  • Psychedelic Rock Band Acid Dad share “Searchin,” Announce Bowery show

    Brooklyn-native band Acid Dad has recently released “Searchin,’” which is the first track on their upcoming album Take It From The Dead, due out on July 16. The band has also announced an upcoming tour which includes a stop at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

    Acid Dad Searchin

    Acid Dad is an American alternative-rock band composed of singer-guitarists Vaughn Hunt, Sean Fahey and drummer Trevor Mustoe. The band released their first EP, Let’s Plan a Robbery, in 2016. Since then, they have independently produced and put out multiple singles and one live album.

    Acid Dad shared two other songs in preparation for Take It From The Dead‘s release. Tracks two and three on the album, “BBQ” and “RC Driver” respectively, dropped earlier this year.

    According to an interview with American Songwriter, “Searchin’” is inspired by bassist Phil Lesh’s book Searching for the Sound: My Life in the Grateful Dead and the Dead’s 1974 track “Unbroken Chain.” The two songs have similarities, looking for values and experiences of the past in a modern world.

    Acid Dad Searchin
    Searchin’ Single Artwork

    The music video for “Searchin”‘ pays homage to the Grateful Dead, with images of Jerry Garcia rippling in the background – calling reference to the era Acid Dad feels anemoia for, nostalgia for a time they didn’t experience.

    Take It From The Dead features an array of different influences in contrast to their earlier work, allowing for more intricate and hypnotic sounds. Their goal with the upcoming record is to provide a modern spin to the feel of neo-psych, post-punk and ’70s rock-n-roll.

    That’s one thing that I really like that the Grateful Dead always did with a song like ‘Friend of the Devil.’ When you listen to something like ‘[The Closing of] Winterland,’ they slow it down into this sultry jam and it has this intensity that just hits a lot harder. The song and the lyrics are the same, but it’s good for our own mental state to switch things up.

    Sean Fahey, guitarist of Acid Dad, in an interview with American Songwriter

    To accompany the new record’s dreamy distortion, the band has collaborated with artist Webb Hunt to produce kaleidoscopic art videos that add a visual counterpart to their sound. Green screened vaporwave backgrounds and VHS-like-quality graphics are commonly used to create this retro vibe.

    Acid Dad Searchin
    Take It From The Dead Album Artwork

    “Searchin’” can be streamed on Youtube, Spotify, and Soundcloud, (check out the full list here) Album pre-sales and pre-orders can be done on the Acid Dad record portal.

    The band has also announced 2021 tour dates with fellow psychedelic rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers, spanning much of the month of October. Ticket purchasing information is available on the Acid Dad website.

    Check out the full list of currently-announced dates below:

    ACID DAD LIVE 2021

    (* – w/Frankie and the Witch Fingers)

    Oct 7 – Square Cat Vinyl – Indianapolis, IN *

    *Oct 8 – The Brass Rail – Fort Wayne, IN *

    *Oct 9 – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI *

    *Oct 10 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL *

    *Oct 12 – Third Man Cass Corridor – Detroit, MI *

    Oct 13 – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH *

    Oct 14 – Spirit Lodge – Pittsburgh, PA *

    Oct 15 – Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD *

    Oct 16 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY *

    Oct 18 – PhilaMOCA – Philadelphia, PA *

    Oct 19 – Fuzzy Cactus – Richmond, VA *

    Oct 20 – Snug Harbor – Charlotte, NC *

    Oct 23 – Intuition – Jacksonville, FL *

    Oct 24 – Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL *

    Searchin’ Music Video

  • Space Bacon Releases Debut Album ‘CONE’

    Brooklyn-based four-piece band Space Bacon released their debut album, CONE, on June 11. CONE features 16 original instrumental tracks and blends rock and jam-band influences with an electronic flare.

    Space Bacon

    Space Bacon is made up of Sam Crespo on drums, Chris Gironda on keyboards, Kevin LeGall on bass and Jack Willard on guitar. The band previously came out with their Nodes EP in 2016. CONE‘s recording process was split between Sabella Recording Studio in Roslyn Heights, NY and also with the help of Alfred Rylands in Wilmington, VT.

    CONE features fan favorites such as “Ice Planet”, “Cloud Coast”, and “Heatseeker” as well as deeper cuts from their catalogue, reworked songs from their early years, and never before heard interludes.

    Space Bacon Press Team

    On CONE, tracks like “Cone” and “Throwing Shade” open with undeniable rock-n-roll guitar riffs. The riff on “Throwing Shade” even emulates a pop punk sound similar to 2000s-era hits like “The Middle” by Jimmy Eats World.

    Space Bacon

    The band’s electronica-inspired grooves stand out on tracks like “Satellite,” “Lodge” and “Triangulation” with airy synths and reverb-heavy background sounds. Though the electronic influences stand strong, there is simultaneously a fun and energetic jam-band energy woven throughout the album. Since CONE is entirely instrumental, Space Bacon’s strength as a band is able to shine and they certainly dive into a funky rhythm.

    Space Bacon recently celebrated the release of CONE with two sold out performances at the Safe and Soundz Music Festival in the Catskills. Be sure to look out for more shows and connect with Space Bacon on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and their website. CONE is available to stream on all platforms.

  • The Strokes reopen Irving Plaza with Benefit for Maya Wiley

    Irving Plaza reopened on Saturday, June 12 with a performance by The Strokes in front of a fully vaccinated crowd, in support of Maya Wiley’s campaign for Mayor of New York City.

    John Mulaney started the night with a stand-up, not far from his run of sold-out City Winery show. Wiley and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both spoke from the stage prior to The Strokes set.

    the strokes irving plaza
    photo via The Strokes Twitter

    Guitarist Nick Valensi was unable to make the show, and had Longwave’s Steve Schlitz fill in for the night. Dev Hynes from Blood Orange joined The Strokes for “One Way Trigger” amid a 16-song setlist that spanned the group’s discography. Check out videos from the night below.

    the strokes irving plaza
    photo via The Strokes Twitter
    photo via Maya Wiley Twitter

    The Strokes – Irving Plaza, NYC – June 12, 2021

    Setlist: Juicebox Someday, The Adults Are Talking, One Way Trigger (w/ Blood Orange), You Only Live Once, Hard to Explain, Ize of the World, The Modern Age, 12:51, Is This It, Bad Decisions, Take It or Leave It

    Encore: Automatic Stop, Last Nite, Ode to the Mets, Reptilia

  • Pixies Cancel Fall Tour Amid Delta Varient surge

    UPDATE: Monday, August 23, 2021- Pixies have announced that they are cancelling their 11-date U.S. September run that also included scheduled appearances at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and Chicago’s Riot Fest.  Pixies have determined that with the current surge in COVID cases made worse by the Delta variant, this is the right decision for their fans, crew members and themselves, and ask that their fans stay safe and healthy.

    Pixies’ cancelled dates are below; ticket holders can obtain refunds from point of purchase.

    The Pixies – Black Francis, Joey Santiago, David Lovering, and Paz Lenchantin – return to the road on Friday, September 10 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY to kick off an 11-date trek, the band’s first U.S. shows since December 2019.  The tour consists of headline theatre dates, festival appearances, and multiple concerts with Nine Inch Nails.

    pixies
    Photo Credit:  Travis Shinn

    On this tour, the band will draw from their entire catalogue for their setlist, and, as is the norm with Pixies, there will be no firm, nightly setlist – the band will play a different set at each show, with every song determined just before its first note is played.  That said, fans can expect to hear many of their favorites such as “Here Comes Your Man,” “Wave of Mutilation,” “Where is My Mind,” “Gouge Away,” “Hey,” “Bone Machine,” “Debaser,” and “Gigantic.”

    Tickets are now on sale at pixiesmusic.com.

    SEPTEMBER

    10   Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

    11   Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

    13   Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville, KY

    14   Foellinger Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN

    16  Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI

    17   The Factory at The District, Chesterfield, MO

    18   The Waiting Room/Outdoors – Omaha, NE

    19   Riot Fest, Chicago, IL

    21   Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH  (with NIN)

    23   Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH  (with NIN)

    26   Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK

  • Warren Haynes plans Solo Tour with stops in Lake George and Lafayette

    Gov’t Mule and Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes will venture into the Northeast for 5 solo acoustic shows, prior to his performance at Peach Music Festival on July 4.

    Warren will make solo stops in Eatontown, NJ – a second show has been added on June 29 – and in Lake George. He’ll then head to East Swanzey, NH to perform at Northlands Live, and swing back to Central New York to perform at Apple Valley Park on July 3, before his July 4 performances at Peach Festival.

    I can’t wait to get back on the road and play music in front of live audiences. Leading into Peach Fest, I’ve added 4 brand new shows in Eatontown, NJ, Lake George, NY, E. Swanzey, NH and Lafayette, NY. Each show will adhere to local regulations as pertains to seating, capacity and overall public health safety protocols. Please check out the links for each show below.

    Warren Haynes Facebook post

    Warren Haynes Solo Tour dates

    June 29&30 – Concerts On The Green – Eatontown, NJ
    July 1 – Lake George Festival Commons – Lake George, NY
    July 2 – Northlands Live – East Swanzey, NH
    July 3 – Apple Valley Park – Lafayette, NY

    Tickets are now on sale here.

  • Tim Reynolds Performs in Ithaca and Saratoga Springs, Talks Tunes amid Solo Tour

    June is ablaze in the Finger Lakes region for live music. Ithaca’s Lakewatch Inn offers 30 foot high wooden ceilings as part of a barn where acoustic performances shine. On Friday, June 11, London McDaniel and Tim Reynolds each performed solo in front of an intimate crowd in New York’s rolling hills.

    Tim Reynolds
    Lakewatch Inn Ithaca NY

    At 7:30 P.M, London McDaniel plugged in so we could tune out. London’s new record Anatural Aphrodisiaca just won a 2021 SAMMY Award for Best Jazz. Three songs in to sunset, a version of Led Zeppelins “Over the Hills” and far away let the crowd know he was locked in to the Southern Tier.

    After his set McDaniel was recounting about a conversation with musician Mike Stern from Miles Davis Bitches Brew album. “This history of music is so great. The greats go out of their way to do it. Every lick I play I work hard for”

    London McDaniel

    Tim Reynolds treated the crowd to his acoustic set at 8:30 PM sharp. His Martin 6 and 12 strings were on deck. Ups, downs, ins and outs… hair raising. The new tune “If Everything Could be OK for Just One Moment” was inspired from a Tom Petty performance at Beacon Theater. Reynolds sported an old Tom Petty road crew tee for the show. He also debuted a self taught interpretation of a Bach composition while at home during “dark times.”

    Tim Reynolds
    Tim Reynolds

    The track “Summer Night in December” off That Way felt like a nod to Tim’s last Southern Tier performance at Homer Center for the Arts in Winter 2016. Reynolds left his loop on full blast ambient mode as he exited the stage at 10:00 PM. After an 18 song set, he visits the moon outside. Returning to encore the show with his classic composition “Stream.”

    Tim is a chameleon of different acoustic genres with plenty of slide guitar accents reminiscent of Duane Allman at Muscle Shoals. Reynolds reflected on an experience of once playing Duane’s Gibson on loan for a show. “That was a big moment for me, the ryhthm pick up on it was kind of muddled but it didn’t matter. I remember Carter saying that guitar sounds nasty man.”

    Ithaca Setlist

    Reynolds spoke with NYS Music after the show about his past, present, and future experiences in the State.

    Matthew Romano: Producer Daniel Lanois’ lyrics from “Beauty of Wynona”… “Where you been since last December?” come to mind tonight. You along with Brady Blade, Tony Hall, Ray Paczkowski, Trey and Dave all collaborated on his material.

    Tim Reynolds: Did you hear his last album, Heavy Sun? He (Lanois) produced it. The vocals are like you’re in church but also has that skanky dub reggae sound. I love Tony. You know those guys when your playing a gig, he’ll look right at you? That’s him. He’s a bad ass. Tony and Brady just lock in some way that’s perfect.

    TR: Daniel came to sit in with Dave and Friends for his song The Maker. Emmy Lou Harris was also there. So many people playing so I just did the melody while he sang it. He looked back smiling and I’m like its Daniel Lanois… WTF. He was so cool. During soundcheck in the empty arena he was playing this Brian Eno space funk.

    MR: What was an arena act you saw from the audience for a live performance that you remember fondly?

    TR: Peter Gabriel and Sting at Madison Square Garden a few years back. I’ve got the hoodie from it with me. The show was back and forth yet also a little competitive. They did each others songs. Peter Gabriel covered “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” but like Al Green style! Every time the crowd sang the chorus back to them…they waited to pause.

    TR: When Peter did “The Rhythm of the Heat” with both bands I screamed like a woman and I only have one vocal chord.

    MR: Nights like those are truly an influence on your own sound. How much is composition compared to layers of improvisation?

    TR: Most of it now is composition. For my recent streams I went in and really learned these songs. Especially if people are going to be tuning in to watch it. It took a lot of different phases to get to that.

    MR: How does it feel playing your work in front of a live audience in a small room like this before returning back to big amphitheaters later this Summer?

    TR: Oh, incredible. I think this year is wide open man.

    Tim Reynolds

    As Reynolds wrapped a two-night run at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs. he provided a great way to end his Empire State weekend ahead of sold out shows at Lakeview Amphitheatre in Syracuse and two night run at SPAC with Dave Matthews Band.

    Spinning off Friday night’s conversation in Ithaca, Reynolds opened the show with an acoustic version of Daniel Lanois song “O Marie.” After the Dust settled, Reynolds covered another Lanois classic, “The Messenger.”  The notes chosen to cover this work are a great blend of Tim’s originality mixed with Lanois’ influence. 

    tim reynolds

    Reynolds delivered the full two-part composition of Segovia I and II for all, keeping good intentions going as he told one of the first gathered crowds in Saratoga Springs for live music the relatable origins of “To Touch Yearning.”

    Tim Reynolds was able to break the barrier and relate to being in the audience for a moving musical experience. During the encore for his acoustic version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” The seated crowd all stood to rise and applaud with the same energy Reynolds’ had seeing Gabriel perform live at Madison Square Garden. Just another live music spring seed growing into Summer. 

    Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds head back to Riviera Maya, Mexico in 2022 for a three night beach run at the Moon Palace Resort.

    tim reynolds
    Saratoga Springs setlist

  • Third Time’s The Charm for the Dead and Knickerbocker Arena: June 11, 1992

    By 1992, there was no secret about the affinity the Grateful Dead had for Albany’s Knickerbocker Arena. This would be the third year in a row they made sure to make a tour stop here. But after two previous three-night runs, including the acclaimed one from 1990 that will always be associated with their acclaimed Dozin’ At The Knick live album, the Dead only had two nights to play all the hits this year. This first of these performance went down 29 years ago today.

    Dead Knickerbocker

    Tonight’s Grateful Dead show, despite a ravenous Knickerbocker Arena, has a very relaxed open as the band slowly ambles into a “Bertha” opener. No complaints are heard as the crowd drowns out the opening lyrics in delight. After a mild jam that’s peppered with some thunderous bass notes from Phil Lesh, the entire room seems to be singing along for the remainder of this first set staple. The “New Minglewood Blues” that comes next begins in similar fashion. Garcia and keyboardist Vince Welnick each drop a couple of bluesy solos and get stretched out a little while, in between, Bob Weir takes care of the vocals, making note of the “Upstate fllies” in a nod to the locale.

    “Row Jimmy” gets the rest of the band singing again, and sees more dexterous work from Garcia on guitar, as he digs into his MIDI bag of effects and offers something that sounds closer to a flute solo at one point. After three classic Dead originals, the first cover of the night is Bob Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately,” with Weir once again manning lead vocals. Welnick gets in on the act here and highlights this one with a blissful, ethereal piano solo.

    “Dire Wolf” finally brings the tempo back up and the band rips through another first set mainstay, with Garcia plowing through his requisite solo with ease. But it’s near a minute and a half until the next selection is made, “Beat It On Down The Line.” With both the Dead and Knickerbocker Arena now alive and well, the sing-a-long is back on thanks to “Loose Lucy” as the crowd continues to add their collective backing to the lyrics in revelry. Welnick makes the shift from piano to Hammond organ nicely and adds some flavorful support as well. “The Music Never Stopped” then puts the fitting finishing touches on a crisp opening set that’s nothing but treasured Dead originals and a Dylan cover.

    The Dead dive into one of their more recent originals with “Foolish Heart” to kick off the second set at the Knick. Garcia and Welnick once again complement each other beautifully on guitar and keys, respectively, as the band sears through this one effortlessly. No extended jam of note develops afterwards. Instead, it’s a brief pause and away with “Playin’ In The Band” where, after a quick run through of verse, the collective improvisation starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up anytime soon. When it does, the beginning to “Uncle John’s Band” ensues, as the audience seems to come back up for air after the quick yet heavy display of psychedelic mayhem that immediately preceded it.

    The Dead then go back down to the bottom, the way bottom, courtesy of an extended “Drums” > “Space” sequence that stretches out to nearly a half hour. A well rested Knick is more than happy to help out with the vocals for the “I Need A Miracle” that finally emerges. A quick jam, punctuated by an aggressive Welnick piano solo, is crafted before things slow down one last time with “Wharf Rat.”

    Dead Knickerbocker

    After another set comprised of solely live Dead originals, and some intense improv, the evening closes out with a pair of covers. Weir hams it up one last time on vocals, and Welnick on piano as well for that matter, on Chuck Berry’s rocker “Around and Around” that suits the crowd perfectly. And the band help themselves to some more Dylan material with “The Mighty Quinn” that serves as tonight’s encore.

    With night one of the two-night run now in the books, expectations were surely through the roof for the following evening. Thanks to some sort of odd cross-promotional gadgetry straight out of 1992, if you held onto your ticket stub from tonight, the Dead would make sure you were well fed for tomorrow.

    Dead Knickerbocker

    Grateful Dead Knickerbocker Arena – Albany, NY 6/11/92

    Set 1: Bertha, Minglewood Blues, Row Jimmy, Queen Jane Approximately, Dire Wolf, Beat It On Down The Line, Loose Lucy, The Music Never Stopped

    Set 2: Foolish Heart, Playin’ In The Band-> Jam-> Uncle John’s Band-> Drums-> Jam-> I Need A Miracle-> Wharf Rat-> Around and Around

    E: The Mighty Quinn

  • Bad Business Club Releases “Flip Me Over” off Upcoming Album

    Bad Business Club is prepping for a groovy Summer by releasing a new single, “Flip Me Over.” It’s the first single from their upcoming album, Naked Neighbor, out August 13, 2021. The Brooklyn collective’s daytime disco stomper marks the beginning of a new pulsating direction for the band.

    Single Artwork by Blake Wilton

    “Flip Me Over” aims to be a theme song for moments like those. Written in Puerto Rico during a week-long writing session shortly before COVID-19, the band gathered to write disco music inspired by the smooth daytime dance sounds of poolside and leisure.

    ©Meghan Kelly & Kate Miller BadBusinessBand-126.jpg
    Listen Here on Youtube

    With their instruments in hand, they talked about their ups, downs, successes, and mistakes all while living in New York City. What came out of the week-long writing escape turned out to be a lot more than a set of smooth grooves.

    Away from the band’s home base in Brooklyn, Bad Business Club started collaborating on the theme of leaving old baggage behind. “Flip Me Over” revels in nighttime excitement and morning confusion, but ending with a sense of no regrets, and pride in our experiences – all wrapped around a dreamy synth to intensify the almost beach-like psychedelic vibe.

    ©Meghan Kelly & Kate Miller BadBusinessBand-18.jpg

    Produced by Morgan Wiley of Midnight Magic, with remixes to follow by Woofly and Tsutro, this daytime disco stomper marks the beginning of a new direction for Bad Business Club.

    The band is set to debut a full year’s worth work in this summer’s Naked Neighbor album, due out in August.

    Bad Business Club is a Nu-Disco collective with some old-school Yacht Rock touches, producing a “style that will take some back to the late 70’s, with harmonies larger than life.” 

    The group is primarily influenced by classic Giorgio Moroder-style Disco, and Modern Daytime disco al la Poolside and Holy Ghost!, while combining the harmonic influences of Yacht Rock. Their smooth sound transports listeners to another place, to summer breezes and early morning champagne.

    MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE | Bad Business Metes Out Delicious Yacht Rock, 'Turn It On' - CelebMix
    Listen to their Spotify playlist here

    They’ve been also known to collaborate with electronic artists such as Midnight Magic, Woolfy, and James Curd to help get the dance floor by the pool. They are also the hosts of the Imbibe the Vibe podcast, where they combine classic cocktails with a different music genre every month.

    Imbibe_The_Vibe_PodcastArt_Final.jpg