NYS Music 202​1

Tag: punk

  • Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio and War On Women at Hammerstein Ballroom

    Legendary punk rockers Bad Religion stopped by the Hammerstein Ballroom Friday October 29, 2021 as part of their 40th Anniversary tour. The tour was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to Covid-19. The supporting acts include co-headliners Alkaline Trio and openers War On Women.

    War On Women is a feminist harcore-punk band from Baltimore. After being inspired by the riot grrl bands that started in the nineties, Shawna Potter and Brooks Harlan formed War On Women in 2010. Their debut album was a six-song EP titled Improvised Weapons released in 2012. Their newest album Wonderful Hell was released last year on Bridge Nine Records. The bands current lineup includes Shawna Potter (lead vocals), Brooks Harlan (guitar), Jennifer Vito (guitar), Suzanne Werner (bass) and Dave Cavalier (drums).

    Alkaline Trio has been described as pop punk, punk rock, emo and harcore punk. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Matt Skiba (vocals, guitar), Dan Andriano (vocals, bass) and Derek Grant (drums, vocals). They started their eighteen song set Friday night with “Private Eye” from their 2011 album From Here to Infirmary. The crowd was amped as the trio got into some even older songs like “We’ve Had Enough” and “Nose Over Tail.” They also did a few songs from their newest album Is This Thing Cursed? released in 2018. The set ended with “Radio” from their second album Maybe I’ll Catch Fire released in 2000. The crowd was now well primed for the anticipated headliners.

    Bad Religion came out and played a 22 song set that spanned their entire 40 year career from their first LP How Could Hell Be Any Worse? all the way to their latest album Age of Unreason. They started with “New Dark Ages” but quickly got into older classics like “Modern Man” and “Recipe For Hate”. As soon as they started playing I felt like it was twenty years ago and I was back at Roseland Ballroom. They sound exactly the same as did then and the mosh pit was just as rough as I remember it. You can definitely feel more energy during certain songs, especially the older ones like “I Want To Conquer The World,” and “Better Off Dead” which was the first time they played it live. I was very excited to finally see BR post covid and they did not disappoint. The band is the same, Greg Graffin (lead vocals), Jay Bentley (bass), Brian Baker (guitar), Mike Dimkich (guitar), and Jamie Miller (drums). This tour ends on November 27th in Hollywood, CA. You can see the rest of the dates here.

    War On Women Setlist: YDTMHTL, Divisive Shit, White Lies, Lone Wolves, Big Words, Aqua Tofana, Predator In Chief, Silence Is the Gift, The Ash Is Not the End

    Alkaline Trio Setlist: Private Eye, We’ve Had Enough, Blackbird, Is This Thing Cursed?, I Wanna Be Warhol, Nose Over Tail, Every Thug Needs A Lady, Cringe, Clavicle, Armageddon, Mercy Me, Emma, In Vein, Continental, Warbrain, Fine, This Could Be Love, Radio

    Bad Religion Setlist: New Dark Ages, Modern Man, Recipe For Hate, Los Angeles Is Burning, Fuck You, Chaos From Within, Epiphany, I Want To Conquer The World, 21st Century (Digital Boy), Damned To Be Free, Man With A Mission, Murder, Better Off Dead, Candidate, Do What You Want, No Control, Generator, You, Infected, Sorrow, American Jesus Encore: We’re Only Gonna Die

  • Surfbort Out Release “FML” Music video Featuring Fred Armisen

    Keep your calendars open for the new album from Brooklyn’s Surfbort, Keep On Truckin’, due out October 11. This release will be a little different from their others seeing as though now they have launched a partnership between legendary producer, composer and philanthropist, Linda Perry and SoundCloud/Repost. The band will be will be hosting a pre-save give away contest where three lucky fans who pre-save the album will be sent a care package.

    If you have been following them, you’ll know that the band just released the music video for their latest single “FML” with someone you might know from Saturday Night Live. Aside form Fred Armisen’s glowing review he is also featured in their music video — just as how Fred Armisen in real life walks around doing good deeds, in the music video he then transforms into each member of the band, saving them from their extreme depression. Isn’t that what all comedians do?

    Surfbort

    Although Surfbort is a Brooklyn based punk band, their fan base rocks from coast to coast. Surfbort is accepting to all while radiating love and friendship. Their live concerts are incomparable, a punk environment with visceral guitar-shredding.

    They are everything I want a band to be. I love their music, both on record and performed live. Just the right amount of chaos. And their sense of aesthetics is amazing to see. I am excited that they even exist. I love SURFBORT!


    Fred Armisen

    After speaking with lead singer Dani Miller, he comes to explain the “FML” single as an inside look on crippling depression. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in this country and often goes unnoticed. That is, suicide ideation is extremely common, even amongst the band members of Surfbort. This pandemic has severed many’s mental health leaving people suffering and feeling alone. Miller encourages people to hold on and preaches the importance of reaching out to loved ones. He opened up on being an artist and drug addict/alcoholic while being bipolar, his past was filled with suicidal ideation. Even his aunt fell victim of suicide and not a day passes where he wishes that he could go back in time.

    Fred Armisen poses as a hero in the music video, changing band mates perspective on life which he wishes Fred could be for his aunt. Fred radiates electric positive healing energy that he even missed a premier, rather transforming into each band member and even becoming Miller’s twin, complete with classic makeup while learning all the lyrics and instruments acting as an understudy. We all need a super hero or a strong support system to get us through tough times like these and countless other obstacles we may face and Surfbort only hopes that they can provide the support or encouragement to lean on our loved ones in our times of need. 

    Surfbort will be playing new music from their forthcoming album at the below upcoming tour dates, as the band tours across the US in Fall 2021.

    Upcoming Tour Dates w/ Starcrawler
    Oct 17th                                Eugene, OR                           Sessions Music Hall
    Oct 19th                                Sacramento, CA                    Harlow’s
    Oct 20th                               Berkeley, CA                          The UC Theatre
    Oct 21st                               Los Angeles, CA                     The Regent Theater
    Oct 22nd                              San Diego, CA                        Brick By Brick
    Oct 23rd                               Tucson, AZ                            191 Toole
    Oct 25th                               Dallas, TX                              Granada Theater
     
    Special Events
    Oct 27th                             San Diego, CA                         Casbah event for DC Shoes
     
    Upcoming Tour Date w/ The Garden 
    Nov 4th                               Santa Ana, CA                            Observatory
    Nov 5th                               San Luis Obispo, CA                   Fremont Theater 
    Nov 6th                               Felton, CA                                   Felton Music Hall
    Nov 7th                               San Francisco, CA                       Great American Music Hall 
    Nov 9th                               Portland, Oregon                       Hawthorne Theater
    Nov 10th                             Seattle, WA                                The Crocodile 
    Nov 11th                             Boise, ID                                     The Shredder       
    Nov 12th                             Salt Lake City, UT                       The Loading Dock 
    Nov 14th                             Denver, CO                                Marquis Theater 
     
    Upcoming Solo Shows
    Nov 15th                             Fort Collins, CO   The Coast

  • Kentö Embraces Himself in his New Single “Silhoutte”

    Kentö, NY-based multilingual singer, songwriter and producer, has released his new single “Silhouette.” Kentö has been creating his own music for the past 8 years, developing songs that tell stories about his own life experiences.

    Born in Northern Maine to a half Japanese/half French Dad and a Brazilian/French Canadian Mom, Kentö’s upbringing and travel have shaped him into the artist he is today. While living between Maine, Brazil and Canada, Kentö predominantly spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan, where he learned about music from all over the world at a young age.

    Kentö

    After working on a punk/pop project for four years in Japan, Kentö realized he wanted to branch out and discover a more timeless sound that felt more authentic to him, rather than what managers and labels decided on his behalf. In 2012 Kentö decided to take a chance, move to LA, call his own shots and start diving into a more diverse range of music. While doing so, he met artist/producer Frankmusik, and recorded/released his debut EP Complicated. From there Kentö was born, and his electro-edged pop music started grabbing the attention of media.

    I am LGBTQI+ and I’m on the autism spectrum, and I think these are all my superpowers. I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound. That’s the kind of music I want to make. I have overcome a lot in my life, my parents passed when I was young, I’ve battled Cancer, and navigating the world not only as an LGBTQI+ person, but also one on the spectrum has really given me a lot of perspective on the world, life, and music. The amount of joy I feel being able to even be writing this right now that I have is immense. I’m so proud of myself, and I want to just share my music and positivity to the world.

    -Kentö

    In 2019 Kentö was selected to join Them [Condé Nast], as one of the first of 30 LGBTQI+ ambassadors for the launch of their new publication and initiative. Being a strong voice for others to receive inspiration from has always been a shining light throughout any project he takes on. 

     

  • Boys Cruise: Burlington’s Most Punk Boy Band

    Imagine the antics of a punk rock basement show mixed with jangle-pop sensibilities, and you have Burlington, Vermont’s Boys Cruise, a self-proclaimed boy band who are set on raising hell in the music scene. Known for their memorably chaotic stage performances, Boys Cruise is gearing up to deliver their self-titled sophomore LP.

    Boys Cruise

    Boys Cruise is a return to the band’s experimental roots; screeching lead guitar lines, soaring singalong harmonies, and gritty guitar textures are some of the aesthetics you can expect while playing through this record.

    Boys Cruise is a follow-up to 2018s Girl Cruise EP which set the band up for the potential to fame after touring much of the northeast DIY circuit and leaving behind a path of destruction leading up to their nearly sold-out circus theme show at Higher Ground in Burlington. However, 2021 sees the boy band returning to their punk roots, embracing harsh guitar tones, heavy production, and instantly catchy hooks, reminiscent of early 2000 Garage Punk acts such as the White Stripes. The album was recorded over the span of one week at Burlington’s 37ft Productions with the help of Bloomstien.

    As far as the album’s track listing goes, it makes for an enjoyable experience, starting off with the instantly catchy and infectious “ Charolastra” which kicks the album off with a witty sample introducing “the illustrious Boys Cruise.” Track one is a banger, setting the attitude for what’s to follow, a fun punk record you can put on and dance around your room to.

    “Flying Colors,” a jangle-pop anthem, you can get a good sense of the group’s party antics from this track, it plays along like the soundtrack to a cold night out bar hopping in Burlington. The song ends with a most worthy, swung, outro sure to get fans excited to hear this jammer live.

    Boys Cruise proves that with this release fans have something to get excited about with the anticipated return of live music. Celebrate Boys Cruise and the release of their sophomore album by streaming Boys Cruise on Spotify, keep up with the band by following their Instagram and their Linktree.

    Key Tracks: Flying Colors, The Owls, and Eyes Without a Face