On Saturday, August 27, The Jacksons came to ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ at the Great New York State Fair. Including three of the brothers `Tito, Jackie and Marlon’ which had originated from ‘The Jackson 5’ after Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, the group had taken their last tour with all together back in 1984. It was truly an honor for them to continue to play music and live out Michael’s dream as well as their own.
The Jacksons are originally from Gary, Indiana, and today a family of pop culture royalty and a rare group to see live. The group toured much more back in the 1960s and 70s, and have had various concerts across New York. As of this year, the group have made a comeback, with a few more shows ahead of them to continue their 2022 tour, heading towards Montreal, Quebec for a performance on September 9.
The Jacksons performed some of their top hits such as “Blame it on The Boogie”, “Shake Your Body” from their Destiny album released back in 1978. Their groove and funk really brought the crowd to a roar as “Can You Feel It” was performed. Not only did the brothers perform their own songs but managed to honor their brother Michael with a few of his hits, including an amazing performance of “Billie Jean” that took the fans from sitting to standing in seconds.
A combination of contemporary soul, R&B, funk and groove, The Jacksons put on a fantastic show at ease. This was such a special evening for those who attended and more than a night to remember. With over 50 years performing, New York is ecstatic to see what comes next for The Jackson Family.
Celebrating 10 years since his first release Enter the Void in 2012, Joey Bada$$ performed at House of Blues San Diego on July 27. With a double decker venue, open house bar and mosh pit, House of Blues held a great environment for the show.
Joey was born and raised in Brooklyn and a member of the hip hop collective, releasing 3 mixtapes along with various solos. With his debut album 1999, produced at age 17, Badas$$ finally got the recognition he deserved in June 2012.
Joey’s opener Capella Grey set the tone for the crowd and left them begging for more prior to Joey Bada$$’s set.
It was a big night not only for Joey but for his fans and their excitement to the new album release 2000. The album set the bar and exceeded all expectations since the last release back in 2017. Including hits such as “Brand New 911” and “Written in the Stars” along with many others.
Joey noted it had been 5 years since his last release and performed some of his greatest hits “Devasted” and “Temptation” from ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, released in 2017. During the show he stated “I had a kid, a babygirl,” and shared how his daughter Indigo Rain has become a huge part of his life outside of making music, and played a role in such a big comeback.
With 10 years under his belt and many more to come Joey continues to bring his own groove to rap and the hip hop community.
On March 10th, Samantha Fish performed in Utica at the Stanley Theater, one of the first of many shows on her 2022 Tour, sharing the stage with co-headliner Devon Allman.
With opener “The River Kittens,” she and the band created a humorous hype for the crowd. This is not the first Samantha Fish show I’ve seen, but it was one of the best, with a spectacular final act from Devon Allman.
Samantha Fish originally grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, a town known for its jazz/blues heritage and old school rock vibe. In her early teen years, Samantha learned to play guitar and soon rock on to the electric guitar. In 2009 she released her live album Live Bait and since then has collaborated with others on additional releases.
The Stanley Theater performance featured songs from her newest album Faster, released in September 2021. A few standout songs this evening were “Faster,” “Better Be Lonely” and “Kill or be Kind.” The Samanatha Fish Band consists of Ron Johnson on bass, drummer Sarah Tomek, and Matt Wade on keyboard. The band makes their presence known on stage and did an outstanding job bringing the audience to uproar, enthusiasm and a tremendous Thursday Night show.
We are excited to see what Samantha brings for the rest of her 2022 tour.
Samantha Fishw/ Drummer Sarah TomekSpecial GuestRon JohnsonPERRI SAGE PHOTOGRAPHY http://perrisage.com
The 2022 SAMMY Awards ceremony took place on March 4, 2022 at the Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse, with a red carpet treatment for nominees.
SAMMY AWARDS 2022 RED CARPET
Notable highlights included a performance by Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Kenny, who played with his band The High Seas. John Rogalia & The Swamp Boys played “A Little Too Country”, with Letizia and the Z Band following. The REal RAW BReed, who opened for Lil Tjay at The Westcott Theater this past October, served as the final performer of the night.
The Jack O Bocchino Award was given to the late Brian Cornish, a writer for NYS Music and 315 Music before his passing in January 2021, and was accepted by his brother.
Community Spirit Award – Raymond (Ray Ray) Darby Jr.
Founders Award – The Blacklites
SAMMYs Hall of Fame inductees: J. Avery Head – Music Educator, Los Blancos, Russ Tarby, Jeff Stockham, Robert “Bobby T” Tousignant, Lifetime Achievement – Tom Kenny
EDM Trio Cheat Codes returned to Syracuse for the first time since their show at the New York State Fair back in 2017 for the Chevy Court lineup. The Westcott Theater was a perfect venue and created an atmosphere for people to rave and move around in. With the in house bar, the venue and show all together was great place to be in Syracuse on Sunday, February 6.
Juicebox, specializing in mashups and dubstep, played a remix of songs such as “Sweater Weather” by The Neighborhood, “Magic (feat. Tim Morrison) (Bingo Players Extended Edit)” by Mystique and was the first opener at The Westcott, part of the ‘Hellraisers’ tour. Followed by MADDS, a DJ and producer also opened for the trio with a mix of songs including remixes of “The Hum” by Briz DJ, and “Roses – Imanbek Remix” by SAINT JHN.
Cheat Codes opened with their song with Daniel Blume – “Who’s Got Your Love” // Cheat Codes – ‘Balenciaga’ remix. Followed by one of their top hits “Sex” with a remix including “Way 2 Sexy” by Drake and “Lose Control” by Kremerk. The group is comprised of Trevor Dahl, Matthew Russell, Kevi Ford who performed their 18th show on the ‘Hellraisers Tour’ in Syracuse. The group was founded back in Los Angeles in 2014 where their journey began. Since then they have toured across the world and performed at festivals and shows following a genre of EDM/POP.
Towards the end of the show, the trio pulled out one of their top hits, “No Promises” with Demi Lovato. This song later became one of their first U.S. Top 40 as well as a certified platinum in the U.S, Australia and all across Europe. Trevor Dahl who is the groups lead singer engaged with the crowd not only within this song but the entire show. Leaning into fans, throwing water into the crowd, even taking a few selfies with the crowd in the front. Not only was the crowd entertained with this show but CheatCodes puts on a good show and they sure as hell look like they’re having fun while they do it.
Cheat Codes Set: SEG 1 – INTRO, 1_5_22 Balenciaga : Who’s Got Your Love, SEX SEGMENT, 1_5_22 NO CHILL : THAT FEELING : ON MY LIFE, SEG 5 – LEAN ON ME, SEG 6 – SHED A LIGHT, SEG 7 – BLINDING LIGHTS, SEG 8 – DRE, 1_6_22 CAN’T STOP : HOLD ON : PRETTY GIRL (5.00), 1_6_22 PGirl: Hurricane : Fake Pearls : No Service : Horror Movie (12.06), SEG 11 – HATE YOU LOVE YOU, SEG 12 – 1_4_22 Turn Me On (2.03), SEG 13 – 1_4_22 Visions (3.34), SEG 14 – 1_4_22 ONLY YOU (3.00), SEG 15 – DO IT ALL OVER, 1_5_22 LUCKY : CAN’T FIGHT IT, 1_5_22 feeling of falling : no promises (tighter click), 1_6_22 FEELS GREAT (LIVE)
Bradley Nowell’s spirit is ablaze in the Empire State as February heats up with live music across Central New York in the Big Orange. Original Sublime Bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh carried Bradley’s spirit on stage at Del Lago Casino this past December. Rome Ramirez fills in the guitar and vocals. “Sublime with Rome” made their debut in 2009 at Cypress Hill’s smoke out festival in San Bernardino, California. And another musical seed from Bradley was planted in Badfish: A Tribute To Sublime that carries the Long Beach sound torch as well.
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime came to Syracuse’s Westcott Theater on February 3 2022. Joel Hanks, Scott Begin, Pat Downs and Dorian Duffy pass Sublime’s sound nicely around the crowd. Come on down reggae style, wind up your body like a bass line wild, drink and dance and we can turn it out. Chicago’s Dorian Duffy channeled the west coast bass lines to the great lake region of Upstate. The crowd responded with live art sketches and dancing on both floors of the cinema. The Westcott now has a mini mezzanine, “524 VIP Lounge”, on the left stage.
The Badfish band brought Sublime’s 90’s Skunk Records art sound to the crowd. Playing “Badfish” off ‘Jah Won’t Pay the Bills. “Smoke Two Joints” with the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias” off 1992’s 40 ounces to Freedom album. My “Ruca” was Down at the “Pawn Shop” on Westcott Street. April 29 (1992) Miami set a tribute for Spring off their 1996 self titled “Sublime” record. Herbie Manns’s “Summer Time” was channeled through the speakers for “Doin Time”. The living’s easy.
Perri Sage Photography
Artist Jon Phillips of Silverback music helped the band from Skunk Records do their self-titled “Sublime” album in 1996. Drummer, producer, and DJ Marshall Goodman mixed the original “Doin’ Time”. He merged reggae, punk, and hip hop together. Then blended the three together with the track. Jon Phillips tells a great story on Reggae TV on how the song made its way in to your hands. Phillips describes the piece as a pinnacle historical moment for music and the band.
It’s a Herbie Mann rendition of Summertime. The way he played it. Just a nice vibe and I drew from that.
It’s Gershwin’s Summertime instrumentally interpreted by Herbie Mann’s vinyl from a Village Vanguard sample by Marshall. He throws in a Beastie Boys sample, his break beat & flavor drums. Gives it to Brad. Brad writes this incredible lyrical and counterpart to it.
Jon Phillips
The Gershwin estate actually told the group that they wouldn’t be allowed to put “Doin Time” out. Phillips started the channels to not allow that and have this music see the light of day. Jon said “It’s worthy of it. To me It’s historical”
The Gershwin Estate happened to be in the same office building as the record label Phillips was working for. He figured he’d knock on the door and see what the connections for clearance could be. The person they introduced him to that would help release it was a familiar face Phillips used to ride the elevator with. The guy happened to be from Jon’s hometown in the Bay area and they had similar musical angles.
This is one of those pieces of music where it takes the history of what a great composer Gershwin did that they represented. It’s sort of a passing it on to Jazz, Hip-Hop, in to this California reggae music that was permeating through the pop and sub culture
The Gershwin estate allowed the song in to your hands and boom box for play in the 90’s as result. The Gershwin’s just didn’t understand the dark sublime twist to it to the classic piece.
Brad’s original lyric was Doin’ Time and the livings easy. The song is about how he relates to a relationship that hes in… is like a penitentiary. Its a love song. Its not this happy Summertime song.
The Gershwin’s most important request was that “Doin Time” be represented as “Summertime”. Miguel’s vocals get spliced in to the track to honor the joint creative. The Gershwin’s estate allowed their publishing to go down in the song’s epic history. Lake Placid’s Lana Del Ray has paid tribute to “Doin’ Time” as well with her take on the track.
Jon Phillips founded Silverback Music in 1998. He works with a lot of New Orleans artists like Tony Hall & Dumpstaphunk. Silverback’s creative vision continues to grow with in the spectrum of genre-bending improvisational rock, dub, reggae, psychedelic blues, punk rock, acoustic, soul, and funk. G Love told NYS Music that he was “to the moon” when Jon Phillips told him that B-Real of Cypress Hill would be featured on his track “Everyday People” collaboration with Slightly Stoopid. Jon Phillips told NYS Music “That Stoopid remix with him and B Real with the headhunters sample is ILL!”
It was a strange serendipitous coincidence it happened to be the case. I’d fight till the very end to see that song reach the masses and thank god it did. Its a really important piece of music in that respect.
Jon Phillips
Badfish: A Tribute To Sublime, Westcott Theater. Syracuse, NY
February 3rd 2022 Setlist:
Garden Grove, Bad Religion, Don’t Push, Smoke Two Joints, Ball N Chain, Scarlet Begonias, Wrong Way, Same in the End, Johnny Butt, DJ’s, Badfish, Lets Go Get Stoned, Jailhouse, Pawn Shop, Acoustic Stuff, Ruca, 40 oz to Freedom, April 29 1992 (Miami), Santeria, Doin’ Time
Encore: Date Rape, Get Ready, Caress Me Down, What I Got
