On Saturday, June 26, 2021, it was game/set/match with Eggy and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Westville Music Bowl.
Eggy came to play, dressed as tennis players who jogged a lap around the floor of the Bowl. Once onstage, the group ripped off their breakaway pants as seen below. For a band from New Haven, this was a huge show for them, especially since Dani Battat (keys/vocals) was brought to Westville to watch tennis matches as a kid,
Pigeons continued their hot streak of live performances, closing their first set with Springsteenâs “Born to Run” inside of “King Kong.” Guitarist and Connecticut local Tim Palmieri joined the band in the second set for a cover of Hendrix’ “Fire.”
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Setlist
Set 1: Henrietta > Lost In Line, Somethinâ For Ya > Time To Ride, Sorcerer, Poseidon, Sail On, King Kong > Born To Run > King Kong Set 2: In The Bubble, Lowdown, Ocean Flows, Sunny Day, Fire*, Kiwi > Burning Up My Time Encore: Offshoot * w/ Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu , soon to be Lotus) on guitar
The City of Albany has announced that their original plans for the filming of Virtual Alive at Five performances in front of limited audiences have been amended. With New York State essentially reopened following the fulfillment of Governor Cuomo’s vaccination goal, all of the remaining Alive at Five tapings will now be fully open to the public at Jennings Landing, at full capacity.
Design by Anderw Sober
Alive at Five will be held on the Albany Riverfront at Jennings Landing. The concert series is presented by many sponsors, including Key Bank, “a strong supporter of both the City of Albany and the greater Capital Region.” Tapings will run from 5-8PM on the dates listed on the poster above.
Marco Benevento performs at Alive at Five, August 1, 2019
Albany is dedicating Alive at Five to the front line workers in the Capital Region who experienced the stress and hardships of managing the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. The city hopes to celebrate and honor these workers through this exciting shared experience of live music and art.
All of us at the Albany Parking Authority are excited to hear about the return of the Alive at Five concert series to Albany’s Jennings Landing. The energy and vibrance [that] events like Alive at Five bring to our city cannot be understated. We are looking forward to being part of and supporting the return of even more events in the near future.
Matt Peter, Executive Director of the Albany Parking Authority
Jennings Landing, photo from Albany.org
Alive at Five is still seeking vendors for the tapings. Those interested can contact vendor@albanyny.gov. Recorded performances will air the following Thursdays on YouTube and Facebook.
The City of Albany has also partnered with local bars and restaurants for a program called Restart Albany. This will take place starting on July 8th and will allow music fans to watch the performance from the previous week and catch some live music at participating venues.
Parking for Jennings Landing is available at Riverfront Parking Garage. For more information visit ParkAlbany.com
Schedule:
June 30th -Reggae Night (Airs July 8th) The Meditations and Mixed Roots
July 7th – WEQX Night (Airs July 15th) Soule Monde and Victory Soul Orchestra
July 14th – Folk/Pop Night (Airs July 22nd) Amy Helm and The Sea The Sea
July 21st – Funk Night (Airs July 29th) Yam Yam and Hartley’s Encore
July 28th- Classic Rock Night Warrant and Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band (Warrant Performance will not be aired virtually. Joe Mansman only will air on August 5th)
The Bronx Music Heritage Center held a percussion discussion on June 16, part two of El Tambor Arabe. The musicians participated in a live discussion on Facebook about what they enjoy the most about Arabic music.
The event started with a performance from the band followed by an interview that was conducted by NY-based drummer Bobby Sanabria. Each of the musicians shared their stories on how they got interested in Arabic music. Zafer Tawil is from Palestine and has worked at many pop records and movie soundtracks. He fell in love with music and instruments at an early age.
Michael Burdi is from Brooklyn and grew up in an Italian and Syrian family. He grew up listening to hip hop and rock music and played guitar. He developed an interest into heritage music and eventually started to play music with Tawil. Philip Mayer grew up in Miami and didn’t grow up listening to Arabic music. It wasn’t until he was in his 20s when Mayer moved to New York and became interested in Arabic music.
The artists also spoke about the drums that they use and how they are used to play music in many other cultures. They also spoke about the difficul parts in playing the drums.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center provides musicians from other cultures to speak about how music has influenced society. You can check out more information about other events on their website.
You can also watch the discussion at the Bronx Music Heritage’s Facebook page.
Psychedelic-rock legend Jorma Kaukonen is heading out on a carefully planned Northeastern road tour in an RV he calls the “Ultimate Mechanical Toy.”
Jorma will embark on a solo tour in July celebrating the vinyl release of John Hurlbut and Jorma Kaukonen: The River Flows Volume Two, with John Hurlbut joining Jorma for a special set highlighting The River Flows.
Recorded last summer along with Volume One, this album continues along the same path. “Guitar maestro Kaukonen shares top billing with singer/guitarist John Hurlbut in a downhome session of remarkable six-string storytelling” said Sterophile and No Depression revealed “Kaukonen and Hurlbut view music as a conversation … What we hear in this acoustic marvel is an intimate tête-à-tête celebrating 40 years of friendship.” The album releases on Record Store Day, July 17, 2021.
June 13 The Mill Event Center, Lancaster, OH July 15 Jewish Community Center, Rochester, NY July 17 The Cabot, Beverly, MA July 18 Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT July 23 & 24 Concerts On The Green @Suneagles, Eatontown, NJ July 25 City Winery Hudson Valley, Montgomery, NY
In May, Kaukonen and sound technician, Myron Hart, will headed out for three dates in the Northeast. An RV, which he calls the “Ultimate Mechanical Toy,” looks more like one of Willie’s buses than anything, provides a safety factor for the tour.
In a career that has already spanned a half-century, guitarist and vocalist, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll.
Kaukonen is a founding member of two legendary rock bands, Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane, as well as a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient.
Jorma Kaukonen’s repertoire goes far beyond his involvement in creating psychedelic rock; he is a legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters and master instrumentalists in music today. Jorma tours the world bringing his unique styling to old blues and writing new songs with insight and imagination.
All of the venues on the tour are making amazing efforts to be safe and comfortable places while also adhering to social distancing guidelines. Each show will have limited seating, extra cleaning, and require attendees to wear masks and stay at their tables once they’re seated. Most of the shows will be held outdoors.
Come out and enjoy the delight of spontaneous melodies and insightful songs peppered with Jorma’s wry sense of humour. When asked if he would hire a driver for the RV, Jorma said, “Absolutely not! This is the ultimate mechanical toy!”
May 04 Vinoski Winery, Belle Vernon, PA May 06 Homer Center for the Arts Drive-in series, Homer, NY May 09 Tupelo Music Hall, Derry, NH Two shows: 1PM & 4PM
You can find out more about Jorma Kaukonen, the “Ultimate Mechanical Toy,” and the Northeastern tour on his website and on Hot Tuna’s website.
Warwick native and 18-year-old college freshman, Grace Yurchuk, released two singles from her dorm room at NYU during the Spring semester. Written, recorded, and produced all from within the confines of the Covid quarantine.
A student of the Vocal Performance program at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, she recently received The Josh Goldfaden Award for writing from NYU College of Arts & Sciences and expects to make the Dean’s List this year.
If you need a song to play in the car that your friends will actually like, Grace Yurchuk is an artist to watch. So far with two singles out, she hasn’t missed. Following the rise in feel good music, these bedroom pop tracks are a good addition to playlists with similar artists such as Beach Bunny, Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, and girl in red.
While it’s not unusual for a young musician to release a song, this effort was unique. When faced with the grim prospect of social isolation, online classes, and staying healthy, Grace turned to her music as a creative outlet. “Need Me” was a solo effort—written, recorded, mixed, mastered, and released from her dorm room without assistance from other artists or a professional studio.
The second single Grace released on May 21, titled “Good Together,” has careful thought put into everything from backing vocals to synth, which were still hand-picked, mastered, and everything in between by Grace herself. If you thought “Need Me” was good, wait until you hear “Good Together.” The progress made in between songs can be heard and it is a pleasure to know this is only the start.
“I think I had a lot of time, more time than usual– I’m sure everybody did because of the pandemic– to do different projects. The way that the first single happened ‘Need Me,’ it came to me kind of suddenly when I was out and about. When it became something I couldn’t put down and I spent all that time on it, I was just like you know what I worked really hard, this one feels ready. I felt it, I kinda knew.”
Both singles that have been released so far deal with interpersonal relationships, released at a time when those were hard to find and maintain for everyone. “I’m from a really small town and the city was different, it was jumping into a totally different experience especially in the middle of a pandemic, and all of my online classes,” Grace explained. “Making new friends was a struggle at first, all I wanted was to make something that was long lasting, meaningful, and making friends that would matter to me.”
When times were particularly tough for the college first year, she turned to music. “I’ve always fallen back on recording, that’s why I’ve done it for so long. I could always depend on it, so when it came down to that– in Manhattan living alone, I was like ‘This is it. This is what I do,’ I did what I know.”
A self-proclaimed Swiftie, Grace draws her inspiration from her pop idol. “I like different artists for different reasons and I like [Taylor Swift] because she has the ability to tell a story that I really admire, like with her lyrics. But then I also like bands like Beach Fossils, I like the atmosphere they create. Other than that I like Ariana Grande because who doesn’t like insane vocals like that. There are so many different factors that make a band or an artist great and for me whenever I make music I just want to tell a story somehow with the instrumentation or with the vocal, with the lyrics.”
But more important is the driving force that kept her going, and got her start, for all these years. “I record and I write alone, but the fact of the matter is, nobody ever does anything really alone. My parents have always pushed me to do this. They’ve never once told me to think about it, they’re always like, ‘No, this is your dream, go for it.’ All of my teachers along the way, I’ve played piano forever and my piano teacher was a big propelling force in that too. My sisters too. I say that I’m the big sister but I look up to both of them, more than they probably look up to me. They’re incredible and I play all of my music for them first. I love them.”
For her dream lineup to perform with, she chose Taylor Swift, obviously, and her new college friends. “I don’t want to sound cheesy but the first people I want to perform with are the people I met at school. Because I know I’ll get to see them again and they’re so insanely talented. As soon as I can go back to any New York venue I’ll want to perform with the people I’ve met and have encouraged me to do this too.”
As for future plans, “First thing, I just want to go out with all of my friends, I want to get a couple of gigs book. Everyone else has been not performing for a year but I am really desperate to get back in there. As long as I’m out and about and getting to live life again. Everywhere you look in the city there’s going to be something to do and I want to do everything.”
Look out for Grace Yurchuk and her debut EP before the summer is over. “I’m looking forward to getting the EP out because I think it tells a really cool story.”
The two released tracks are available on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora, TikTok, and Tidal. The song, entitled “Need Me,” has already been streamed thousands of times since its debut on April 16.
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival returns for its 23rd season with five live chamber concerts throughout August and September. The shows will be held in venues across Cooperstown, including the Fenimore Art Museum, Louis C. Jones Center and the grand Otesaga Hotel ballroom.
Founded by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class music performances to the Cooperstown area since 1999. In previous years, the festival has featured performances by the Tokyo String Quartet, the American String Quartet, the St. Lawrence (Canadian) String Quartet, Simone Dinnerstein, the Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company, John Pizzarelli, and many more.
CSMF is thrilled to be partnering with the Caroga Arts Ensemble for our return to the stage… We wanted our first concert to be a gift to the community so that everyone can experience the joy of live music after such a difficult year.
Linda Chesis (Festival Founder and Artistic Director)
The fest will open on Tuesday, August 10 at 7 pm with the CSMF Musical Kaleidoscope, a free outdoor performance at the Fenimore Art Museum Amphitheater. The Caroga Arts Ensemble, led by cellist Kyle Price, will perform a dynamic program ranging from bluegrass and classical to jazz and pop. The outdoor concert is free, but ticket reservations are required.
Caroga Arts Ensemble in 2018
On Sunday, August 15, Imani Winds will perform a program of music for wind quintets. Cooperstown audiences can expect a concert filled with their signature fresh energy and technical expertise.
The Verona Quartet returns to the Festival on Sunday, August 22. This multi-award-winning quartet and veterans of the Festival will perform a program of works by Shostakovich and Dvorak’s “American” Quartet.
Brazilian jazz supergroup, Trio da Paz, will take the Otesaga Ballroom stage on Monday, August 30.
Trio da Paz in 2018
The festival will conclude with a duo performance by the violinist Danbi Um and guitarist Jiji on Sunday, September 19. These young virtuosos will join forces for a genre-spanning program including works by Corelli, Paganini, Piazzolla and Ella Fitzgerald.
Chesis says that this season’s artists are all eager to be returning to the stage and are looking forward to bringing their craft to Cooperstown.
After such a long period of isolation, we can’t wait to safely bring the community together to once again connect through music.
Linda Chesis
For all events, venues will be at limited capacity and masking and social distancing protocols will be in place.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Tickets for all events must be purchased in advance on the festival website.
The CSMF Chamber Orchestra at the Otesaga Ballroom in 2019
Check out the complete concert schedule below:
CSMF Musical Kaleidoscope: A Gift to the Cooperstown Community, Featuring the Caroga Arts Ensemble – Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 7-9 pm (Rain date: August 17)
Fenimore Art Museum Lawn
A concert for the Cooperstown Community. Tickets are free and can be reserved online at cooperstownmusicfest.org. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but all patrons are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets online.
Imani Winds – Sunday, August 15, 2021, 7-9 pm
Otesaga Resort Hotel Ballroom
An evening of chamber music with this Grammy-nominated wind quintet.
Verona String Quartet – Sunday, August 22, 2021, 4-6 pm,
Louis C. Jones Center at The Farmers’ Museum
The multi-award-winning quartet performs a program of Shostakovich and Dvorak.
Brazillian Jazz Legends: Trio da Paz – Monday, August 30, 2021, 7-9 pm
Otesaga Resort Hotel Ballroom
A night of jazz with this Brazillian supergroup.
Danbi Um (violin) and Jiji (guitar) – Sunday, September 19, 2021, 4-6 pm
Otesaga Resort Hotel
A duo performance by two young virtuosos including works by Corelli, Paganini, Piazzolla and more.
The 2021 New York State Blues Fest, a free concert at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse over Thursday June 24 till Saturday June 26 in Chevy Court. Downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square hosted Dumpstaphunk at the last Blues Fest held in June 2019.
Artists included Larkin Poe, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Carolyn Wonderland, Vanessa Collier, Ghost Town Blues Band, Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers The Gabe Stillman Band, The Ripcords, Miller & The Other Sinners, Diana Jacobs Blues Band Jane Zell & The Zelltones Colin Aberdeen & Max Eyle Hot Dogs & Gin Chris Merkley, Mark Nanni and Ryan Holweger.
County Executive Ryan McMahon helped kick things off on Thursday for one of the Northeast’s largest free festivals. Southern Pennsylvania power trio Gabe Stillman Band and Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened the first sounds at Chevy Court in over a year, with Stillman Band performing a great cover of Bill Withers “Friend of Mine.”
Robert Randolph and The Family Band helped bring the State Fair experience to all in attendance. The family band has Lenesha Randolph on vocals, Ray Ray Holloman on guitar Stevie Ray Ladson On Bass, and Rochester native Levi Bennett on drums.
Stevie Ray Ladson, Lenesha Randolph, Robert Randolph
The group periodically changed instruments during their soul set performance. Lenesha Randolph was quoted “It was great to be out in the land of the living. Such a great time, thank you guys for welcoming us.”
Local Solvay saxophone player Dunham Hall got the call at 5:30 to join Randolph’s set at 7PM. He showed up and laid down saxophone for an extended cover of Sly and The Family’s Stones “Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf) Again”.
Levi Bennett Ray Ray HollomonnRobert Randolph Lenesha Randolph
Robert Randolph spoke with NYS Music at the Jus Sum Jazz lounge following his show:
Matthew Romano: It’s good to have you guys back in New York State performing live. What memories come to mind when you play Upstate?
Robert Randolph: It’s crazy how many iconic shows have happened up here. One of the first shows I played with The Word was at a small club in Syracuse in 2000. The Word is playing at Tipitina’s at Jazz fest in New Orleans this year. It’s a vibe.
MR: This jazz club has a New Orleans vibe to it.
RR: Yea I like it. It’s reminds me of a modern day juke joint.
MR: What shows have you attended in New York State that made an impact?
RR: The first Phish show I saw was at Madison Square Garden. I remember it was a blast but it also humbles you. It’s one of these things where It all becomes special. I go to the Dicks shows in Colorado too.
MR: What shows of your own are on the horizon in New York State In 2021?
RR: I’m playing with The Word at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. That’s gonna be special, def come check that out.
Robert will be performing at the Gorge Amphitheater with Dumpstaphunk and Dave Matthews Band Labor Day weekend when live music continues at the Fairgrounds.
Vanessa Collier from Dallas took on a James Brown-like stage presence on Friday night at the Fairgrounds. She was out front counting on the one in between playing funky arrangements on lead saxophone.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds from Austin TX helped keep that legendary blues smoke going to close the night. Attendees in the crowd reflected on Stevie Ray Vaughn’s New York State Fair performance in 1986. The Austin, TX guitarist played “The Sky is Crying” while the rain came down upon the old grandstands. Vaughn and Double Trouble walked a tightrope at Miller Court in 1989 as well.
Saturday afternoon’s set by The Ghost Town Blues Band from Memphis was definitely channeling older spirits. Gregg Allman’s chilling composition “Whipping Post” was taken on by the ensemble. Matt Isbel’s whiskey gravel soaked vocals helped resurrect Allman’s sound. Trombonist Suavo Jones traded notes off Cedric Taylor’s howling B3 Hammond to boot.
Perhaps this was a nod to the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band closing the Fillmore East. Their final performance on June 27, 1971 found the Allmans playing until 8AM. 2016 NYS Blues Fest artist Butch Trucks reflected “I remember Duane (Allman) walking in front of dragging his guitar while i was sitting there completely burned and he said “Damn its just like leaving church”
Suavo Jones
Rebecca and Megan Lovell from Georgia performed as part of Larkin Poe to close the weekends music. They are descendants of tortured artist and genius Edgar Allan Poe. The duo and their band treated the crowd to songs off their 2020 album’s “Self Made Man” and “Kindred Spirits.”
The title tracks lyrics resonated on the blues soaked audience “I was down and out, now I’m up again When I roll the dice, everybody wins Like a cannonball, moving down the track, Baby’s on her way, she ain’t coming back”
New York Blues Fest has made its way back across the land helping ease everybody’s same old blues on a different day.
Westchester bred singer songwriter Thomas Pipolo (Pip) has collaborated with Dr. Dre’s production partner Sam Sneed on his newest single, “Sinatra Swag”.
With this release, Pip and Sneed set out to reimagine the sound of Frank Sinatra for a Gen Z audience. The summery single features trap beats while also showcasing old school influences.
“Sinatra Swag” was inspired by the desire to feel and explore a little bit of that old school magic, persona and sound that I feel has been missing in our culture. This song infuses an old classic sound with a modern pop feel — plus it was pretty easy to write about Frank Sinatra as an Italian American musician who is from the shadows of New York City like myself.
Pip
Before he officially became Pip, 25 year old Pipolo played Division I baseball in college. He left the sport following injuries and mental health struggles and began playing guitar and piano at age 18 to relax and unwind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbM9_yGnMoo
“Sinatra Swag” is not Pip’s first single. Along with his other tracks “2:22”, “Human Interaction” and “Dancin’ in the Rain”, Pip often shares his music on TikTok. Along with playing samples or acoustic versions of his own songs to his nearly 80,000 followers, Pip posts TikToks covering some of his favorite artists. He recently covered “Peaches” by Justin Bieber (someone he cites as a musical influence), “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys and “Daughters” by John Mayer.
Pip, photo accessed through @pipmusic_ Instagram
In creating his original music, including “Sinatra Swag”, Pip wants to blend diverse genre influences with authentic lyrics. Adorned in his signature baseball cap and sometimes simply strumming his acoustic guitar, Pip aims to create a timeless sound enjoyable for all generations.
While sipping on Loverboy in The Hamptons, Pip instantly thought the name would be a great title for a summer song.
Being a songwriter, I am always looking for unique titles and ideas to write about. The song captures the vibe of what it’s like to be outside by the pool, sipping on something cool and celebrating life with your friends in The Hamptons.
Pip
Pip perfectly captures the essence of The Hamptons magic with his flirty lyrics, smooth beats, Gatsby references and can-pop sounds. “This song will make you want to pop open a cool drink on a hot day and celebrate summer.” ‘Loverboy’ is penned by Pip and the GOOOD MOOOD collective, including 2AM, Gramz, Jake Eckhaus, Ali Soomro & EMME.
Alan Evans, a prolific musician from Buffalo, has just released a new album Love & Truth, with Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers, which he claims as his guitar player alter ego. The album is released by Vintage League Music, one of Evans’ endeavors that reflects his passion for Soul & Funk music.
Alan Evans is the multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of acclaimed band Soulive, that has been performing together since 1999. In Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers, Evans is able to focus on his guitar personality rather than being a drummer like in Soulive. His astounding talent is apparent in the new album Love & Truth, which evokes the classic 60s and 70s Soul & Funk sound of Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, and NYC.
The album features an all star line-up of acclaimed guest vocalists including Kim Dawson (Pimps of Joytime, Matador Soul Sounds), Saundra Williams (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Saun & Starr), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Yanick (After Funk) and Brother GoodLove (Aztec Sun). Evans handles guitar, bass and drums with guests such as Darby Wolf & Neal Evans on keys and the horn section from the BT ALC Big Band.
Love & Truth is an album of outstanding musicianship, powerhouse vocal performances but most of all classic songwriting which oozes authentic soul. It encompasses quality funk music that is a blessing to all ears. The smooth guitar lines mixed with the classic drum rhythms makes it an unforgettable album guaranteed to soothe the soul. It blends a retro sound with a modern sensibility, strong songwriting and powerhouse vocals.
Love & Truth from Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers is available now at all good record stores, all digital streaming platforms and via the Vintage League Music.
Motörhead are one of the great metal bands of legend, with a long history of playing multiple gigs throughout the State dating back to their first US tour in 1981: New York City, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo – these cities saw numerous Motörhead gigs in the years the band toured America. Not Albany.
Oddly, this 2000 gig at Northern Lights remains the only headline show Motörhead ever played in the Albany/Saratoga area, EVER, in 40 years of being a band, almost 35 years of touring America. I don’t count Poughkeepsie in that – 1.5 hours south of Albany, a much smaller city, yet they first played there in 1981 on the ‘Ace of Spades’ tour opening for Ozzy, played again in ’83 headlining with Robbo, and played The Chance and Mid-Hudson Civic Center many, many times since.
Lemmy and the boys played lots of times, in little, backwater Poughkeepsie, but they’ve hardly ever played in the much bigger Albany area (the only other times were opening for Ozzy at SPAC in ’92 – Mikkey Dee’s first-ever gig with Motörhead – and more recently at Glens Falls with Megadeth and SPAC with Slayer, both in 2012). Albany was rarely blessed with Motörhead. You almost always had to road-trip.
Anyway, this was a cool bill. Speedealer opened (original name: REO Speedealer, until the classic rock band threatened suit), a band I’ve seen a few times, with Fu Manchu and (several times) The Supersuckers. Good band, noisy and punky, and they were good this night.
The Supersuckers, one of my favorite bands, played next. At the time they were pushing the fantastic ‘Evil Powers of Rock’n’Roll’ album, one of their best. I’d discovered them around the time of their ‘Sacrilicious’ album, but this was the first time (of many) I’d seen them. This was still the ‘classic’ Eddie/Rontrose/Thunder/Dancing Eagle lineup, and they crushed. Played like 15 songs in 40 minutes, one after the other, short, fast, no-nonsense real punk-metal-rock with a few funny stage raps from Eddie.
I don’t know why more metal fans don’t worship this band. It was a well-balanced set, mixing new ‘Evil Powers’ songs (the set-opening title track, “Santa Rita High”, “I Want the Drugs”, “Gone Gamblin”), with some older blazers (“Beat to Shit”, “Doublewide”, “She’s My Bitch”, “Creepy Jackalope Eye”, “Mudhead”), a few covers (WILLIE NELSON’s “Bloody Mary Morning” and “Whiskey River”, and a tease of THIN LIZZY’s “Cowboy Song”) before the concluding Satanic headbanging glory of “Born with a Tail”. Fantastic band, killer opening set.
Nashville Pussy followed. Liked the ‘Double Live Gonzo’-inspired name, fun album titles like ‘Let Them Eat Pussy’ and their fuck-off attitude, but the music never caught me. So, never really a fan of this band, don’t dig the vocals, but I remember they did play AC/DC’s “Kicked In The Teeth”, which is a great cover choice, and everyone who was there remembers clearly inebriated bassist Corey Parks’ boobs repeatedly falling out of her tank top. Other than that: eh.
Motörhead of course then went on and conquered all. My recall is that the place was not anywhere near empty, but not packed to the rafters either. Maybe this is why Motörhead never play headline gigs here.
This was the ‘We Are Motörhead’ tour, a great album. The title track is one of my favorite Motörhead songs and a great opening number. In 2000 they were still playing a fair amount of ‘newer’ (i.e. post-1990) Motörhead songs, whereas by the end in 2015 they’d gone to the majority of the set being Fast Eddie-era stuff, which of course is some of the most classic metal ever, but leaves aside some great stuff. The cool ‘deep album’ track for the show was “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, but they played many post-Eddie songs (a roaring “I’m So Bad (Baby I Don’t Care)”, “Over Your Shoulder”, “Civil War”, “Born to Raise Hell”, “Stay Out of Jail”, “Sacrifice”, “Going to Brazil”), plus a slew of neck-snapping expected classics: “Bomber” and “No Class” early on, “Dead Men” and an all-conquering “Orgasmatron” mid-set, and the face-removing “Iron Fist” and “Killed by Death” to conclude the regular set, with “Ace of Spades” and “Overkill”, as always the usual encore songs. It was LOUD. Lemmy presided over all like the undisputed king of volume and unassailable cool he was. He is missed. All hail the late, great Lem, and the almighty Motörhead.
Setlists
Supersuckers – Evil Powers of Rock’n’Roll, Santa Rita High, Luck, Beat To Shit, I Want The Drugs, Doublewide, Creepy Jackalope Eye, Mudhead, Gone Gamblin’, She’s My Bitch, How To Maximize Your Kill Count, Bloody Mary Morning, Whiskey River, Born With a Tail
Nashville Pussy: Struttin’ Cock, Piece of Ass, Wrong Side of a Gun, 5 Minutes to Live, High as Hell, Shoot First and Run Like Hell, She’s Got the Drugs, Go to Hell, Kicked in the Teeth, I’m the Man, Go Motherfucker Go
Motörhead: We Are Motörhead, Bomber, No Class, I’m So Bad (Baby I Don’t Care), Over Your Shoulder, Civil War, Metropolis, God Save The Queen, Born To Raise Hell, Stay Out Of Jail, Dead Men Tells No Tales, Sacrifice/Drum Solo, Orgasmatron, Going To Brazil, Iron Fist, Killed By Death, Ace of Spades, Overkill
