Porno for Pyros has announced their Horns, Thorns en Halos tour, which will feature stops in Manhattan and Port Chester. This tour marks 30 years since the release of Porno for Pyros, and is the first tour for the band in 25 years.
Credit: Andi K. Taylor
Porno for Pyros was originally founded in 1992 by members of Jane’s Addiction, vocalist Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins, as well as vocalist and guitarist Peter DiStefano and bassist Martyn LeNoble. The band went on hiatus in 1998 after releasing Porno for Pyros in 1993 and Good God’s Urge in 1996.
The original members reunified in 2022, performing at a sold-out show in Los Angeles, CA. Following this, the Porn for Pyros has performed at Rockville, the Chicago Metro, and Lollapalooza. They have also been working on new material that they expect to release sometime this year.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Oct. 8 – Hard Rock Live Sacramento – Wheatland, CA
Oct. 10 – The Masonic – San Francisco, CA
Oct. 13 – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 15 – The House of Blues Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
Oct. 17 – The Union – Salt Lake City, UT
Oct. 19 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
Oct. 21 – Steelhouse Omaha – Omaha, NE
Oct. 23 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
Oct. 24 – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
The alternative rock quartet Das Damen has returned with a remaster of their debut EP, 1986: Keeps Me Wild, as well as with their first live date in over 30 years at the Drom30 Festival in Catskill, NY. The first song from the remaster, “Trick Question,” is now available.
Credit: Naomi Petersen
The band was originally founded in 1984 by vocalist and guitarist Jim Walters, guitarist Alex Totino, eight-string bassist Phil Leopold Von Trapp, and drummer Lyle Hysen. 1986: Keeps Me Wild was produced by producer Wharton Tiers, known for his work with Sonic Youth, Glenn Branca, and Pussy Galore, at Fun City Studios in NYC. It was released on Sonic Youth co-founder Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace! imprint in 1986, later to be reissued by SST Records.
Das Damen would gain a reputation as an epic live band, playing alongside Nirvana, Soundgarden, Black Flag, Green River, Screaming Trees, and DC3 on various tours. 1986: Keeps Me Wild is regarded as a touchstone in the downtown NYC underground movement, and captured the live energy of Das Damen.
When we got the tapes baked several years ago, upon listening to them we discovered we had a few unfinished alternative takes from the original EP sessions. We didn’t feel we could bring the same “1986 enthusiasm” to finishing the tapes but by bringing in a few people who we respect or are pals from back then, the re-imaginings would have a new energy of their own.
Drummer Lyle Hysen
The remastered album features cuts based on the original Ecstatic Peace! recordings as well as never-before-heard demos. Additional contributors include Dez Cadena (Black Flag), Thalia Zedek (Come), Gary Lee Conner (Screaming Trees), John Robinson (The Fluid), and A Girl Called Eddy. Sean Glonek at SRG Studios was behind the remaster, with oversight by Walters, Hysen, and best-selling author and producer Tom Beaujour.
The full remastered album will release digitally on Sept. 8 and on vinyl in October. Pre-orders are now available.
The band’s showing at the Drom30 Festival will be under the name Sad Nemad on Sept. 16, with additional shows under consideration. For more on Das Damen and to listen to “Trick Question,” check out the band’s Linktree.
After more than 50 years of touring, the Eagles will embark on their final tour, dubbed “The Long Goodbye,” featuring two dates in NYC and one in Belmont Park. The tour will kick off in Madison Square Garden this September and is expected to continue into 2025. The band will be accompanied by special guest Steely Dan.
The Eagles. Credit: Ron Koch.
The Eagles have performed over 1,000 concerts over their long career, with their tours consistently ranking in both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s top 10 lists. They have sold over 150 million albums, with six #1 albums. In 1998, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Notable albums include Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975), which is the best-selling album in history at 38 times platinum. Another of their albums, Hotel California is the third best-selling U.S. album in history, certified 26-times platinum. The band has also earned six Grammy awards.
Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle.
The Eagles
The Eagles plan to expand the tour, expecting it to run until 2025. They will return to various cities as the market demands, with scheduling information to be released as dates are set.
Presale tickets and VIP packages will be available on July 12 for all currently announced shows. The general on-sale will begin on July 14 at 10:00 a.m. More information and tickets can be found on the Eagles’ website.
Birthh, a Brooklyn-based alternative pop artist, has released her third single, “Hyperdrive,” from her upcoming studio album Moonlanded. The song is a futurist declaration of queer love with energetic lyrics that drift through time and space.
Alice Bisi, better known as Birthh, was born and raised in Tuscany, Italy. Starting with music at age six, Birthh released her first album, Born in the Woods, at only 19. In March 2020, Birthh traveled to Brooklyn, meeting her now-life partner, Storm Higgins, where two weeks quickly turned into two and a half years during the pandemic. It was here that the Moonlanded album first got its start.
We feel so much and so deeply. We feel the triumph of being alive as much as we feel the struggle that comes with it. All at once.
Birthh
Lead vocals, beats, guitars, and keys were recorded by Birthh in her bedroom recording studio fittingly named the Moonbase. Strings were captured by Grammy-winning sound engineer Tommaso Colliva, and the album was mixed by Robert “LB” Dorsey, another Grammy winner.
The song “Hyperdrive” itself connects science fiction imagery and romantic feelings in the lyrics to create the sensation of drifting among the stars. It also ties the grandeur of the grand vistas it describes with the love story embedded in the song. The vocals themselves cut through the rest of “Hyperdrive,” with an experimental and unique sound.
A personal favorite touch happens near the end of the piece, where “Hyperdrive” uses both sides of earbuds or headphones to have the name of the song almost “rotate” around the listener. It adds to the futurist stylings of the song and feels like Birthh’s victory lap before the song closes out.
It was really important for Storm and I to show the evolution of our love through a sweet, dreamy lens because that’s what it felt like to us. Sapphic love is often either hypersexualized or dismissed. Coming from a more conservative culture like Italy, it hasn’t always been easy to express my queerness fearlessly. But we’re here, we’re proud, and representation really does matter.
Birthh
The full Moonlanded studio album will release on Sept. 1, 2023, and is currently available for pre-order. “Hyperdrive” is available everywhere, and can be found on various platforms here.
In celebration of the 30 Anniversary of the defining album of the ’90s, the Last Splash, the Breeders have remastered the album and shared the previously unreleased track for the album, “Go Man Go.” In addition, the band will be starting their 2023 tour in September, featuring a stop at Kings Theater in Brooklyn.
The Last Splash is an alternative rock classic, achieving platinum status in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It is ranked in Pitchfork’s Top 100 Records of the 1990s. The album was recorded by what is considered the “classic” Breeders lineup, including Kim Deal, Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs, and Jim Macpherson.
The remaster uses the thought-lost original analog tapes and has been titled Last Splash (the 30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition). Finding these tapes also uncovered two unreleased tracks, of which “Go Man Go” was shared. “Go Man Go” has also been supported with a new music video, directed by Brandon Weaver of Ironwing Studios. Depending on the specific show, the Breeders will be playing alongside Foo Fighters, Belly (which was formed by original Breeder member Tanya Donelly), Screaming Females, and Horsegirl. The show in Brooklyn will feature Screaming Females.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Aug. 3 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
Aug. 4 – Spokane Arena – Spokane, WA
Aug. 6 – Wildlands Festival – Big Sky, MT
Aug. 8 – USANA Amphitheater – West Valley City, UT
Aug. 10 – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s – Stateline, NV
Aug. 25 & 26 – Ghost Ranch Music Festival – Abiquiu, NM
Sept. 7 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, OH
Eastbound Jesus has recently released its new single, “Fly Away.” Recorded in Salem, NY, the piece retains a classic indie feel with masterfully combined instrumentals, particularly through its many guitarists (and one banjoist). The single’s release coincides with the announcement of this year’s Eastbound Throwdown in September.
The band is made up of bassist Dave Wright, electric guitarist Zack Infante, electric guitarist Andrew Lynch, acoustic guitarist, and vocalist Adam Brockway, drummer and vocalist Carl Anderson, as well as banjoist and vocalist Luke Anderson. The song was produced and mixed by Jimi Woodul.
“Fly Away” starts with a bit of banter and the tuning of various instruments before the drums bring the full force of the song. It’s a classic move with a bit of a cliffside opening, a twist on something like the beginning of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” It adds a bit of indie charm to the introduction and brings the song to earth.
The switch between the verse and the chorus is often signaled by a switch between the focus on banjo and bass in the verse and the rise of electric guitar in the chorus. The drums are, beyond the bombastic beginning, relegated to the background of the piece, providing a good steady beat for the rest of the song to rely on.
The chorus in particular is very easy to sing along to, with its rise in everything that had made the verse great in combination with clear and simple lyrics. Wanting to “Fly Away” is something that everyone can get behind, and it’s clear why Eastbound Jesus decided to record it after playing it live for a year.
Eastbound Throwdown on Sept. 8 and 9, 2023 at the Irwin Family Farm in Salem, NY. Friday, Sept. 8 will feature The A.M.s, The National Reserve, Dirty Blanket, Eastbound Jesus, The Mallett Brothers Band, and Turf n’ Turf. Saturday, Sept. 9 will feature Dan Johnson, Black Mountain Symphony, Brule County Bad Boys, Beg, Steal or Borrow, Kat Wright, Fireside Collective, Eastbound Jesus, as well as Saints & Liars.
For more information and tickets for Eastbound Throwdown, check out their page on eventbrite.com. For more on Eastbound Jesus, take a look at their website. The “Fly Away” single is available on Spotify.
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC) has recently announced shows for their inaugural season, with “Refuge: A Concert Series to Welcome the World” kicking off the season in Sept. 2023. PAC is located in the World Trade Center and was the final public piece of the reconstruction.
Perelman Performing Arts Center Aerial View. Credit: Bill Saltzstein
The facility was named after Ronald O. Perelman, a businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor, the building was designed by the architecture firm REX, with many interior spaces being designed by Rockwell Group. Leading the opening of PAC is the Chair of the PAC Board of Directors Mike Bloomberg, Executive Director Khady Kamara, and Artistic Director Bill Rauch.
The opening of Perelman Performing Arts Center is going to add light and hope to the World Trade Center site in a manner that respects its role as a place for reflection. PAC NYC’s impact will extend far beyond downtown, as we know the impact of the power of the arts – bringing energy and excitement to bolster neighborhoods, spur investment and build a stronger city.
Mike Bloomberg, Chair of PAC Board of Directors
Inaugural Season Showings
Refuge: A Concert Series to Welcome the World
The opening five-night series with over 30 internationally acclaimed artists, Refuge is a pay-what-you-wish event focused on the theme of refuge. A wide range of music will be played, from Afro-Latin rhythms to futuristic electronic beats, from traditional Klezmer melodies to soulful Rock and Funk.
Sept. 22 is “Relatively Speaking: Family as Refuge” and will feature Fanoos Ensemble, The HawtPlates, Martha Redbone, The Villalobos Brothers, as well as Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik.
“Watch Night” from Nov. 3-18 2023 is an all-new premiere for the production that explores justice and forgiveness. It was co-conceived, directed, and choreographed by Tony Award-winning Bill T. Jones, with Marc Bamuthi Joseph also co-conceiving the production and responsible for the libretto.
“Number Our Days” will be held from April 12-14, 2024, and is a multi-media oratorio based on Jamie Livingston’s “Photo of the Day” series. This series was made by Jamie Livingston, who documented his life by taking a Polaroid every day until he died at age 41.
From May 12-19, 2024, “An American Soldier,” a new opera based on the true story of U.S. Private Danny Chen, will be held. This will be the production’s New York premiere.
“Cats” will be held sometime between June and July of 2024, reimagining Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical. The original musical itself was based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.
Theater and Comedy
“The Following Evening,” held from Feb. 1 to 18, 2024, will be an intimate portrait of two theater-making couples: Ellen Maddow and Paul Zimet of Talking Band and Abigail Browde and Michael Silverstone of 600 Highwaymen. This may be the final performance for the two couples.
“Between Two Knees” is a comedy by Indigenous sketch comedy group The 1491s, taking place Feb. 3 through 24, 2024. Spanning 90 years in the life of a fictional Native American family, “Between Two Knees” is an “outrageously funny ride through American history.” “Good Medicine” is an all-Native stand-up evening event on Feb. 9, 2024. It features Indigenous comedians from all across the country and will be curated and hosted by Jackie Keliiaa.
“Like They Do in The Movies,” which will be at PAC from March 10 to 31, 2024, is the world premiere of the “tour-de-force” written and performed by Tony and Emmy-winning Laurence Fishburne. Fishburne is known for his work as Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It?,” Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running,” and as Morpheus in the blockbuster film series The Matrix.
Laurence Fishburne.
Dance
“Is It Thursday Yet?” held from Dec. 8-23, 2023, is a commissioned display of Jenn Freeman’s neurodivergent journey through a mix of dance, live music, and home video footage.
“March” by Big Dance Theater will be held Dec. 10 to 16, 2023. It is an evening of contemporary dance split into three parts, featuring Tendayi Kuumba, Annie-B Parson, and Donna Uchizono.
“Motion/Matter: Street Dance Festival,” held from Jan. 5 to 14, 2024, is a celebration of street dance movements, both those that have originated in NYC and those from around the world.
Nov. 13, 2023 – Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
Cover for Kerry Washington’s new memoir, “Thicker than Water.”
Perelman Performing Arts Center memberships are now available for $10 for the inaugural season. Members receive early access to tickets and other perks. Tickets for inaugural season events are starting at $39. More information on memberships, tickets, and shows can be found on PAC’s website.
The Powers Park Concert Series returns to Powers Park in Troy for its 20th Anniversary season. The free events are held every Saturday starting July 8 and ending Aug. 26, with 6:00 p.m. as the start time for most events.
The series kicks off with the Adirondack Muscle Car Show, which later features the bands Beatin’ the Odds and Skeeter Creek. Registration starts at 2:00 p.m. and the show ends at 6:00 p.m.. It costs $20 to register, with spectators able to attend for free. 16 trophies are to be awarded, with the proceeds being donated to H.O.P.E. animal rescue.
Upcoming Dates
Adirondack Muscle Car Show – July 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Beatin’ the Odds – July 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Skeeter Creek – July 8 at 6:00 p.m.
The Beginning – July 15 at 6:00 p.m.
B-Street Band (Fane Family Night) – July 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) Museum has awarded five of its annual music scholarships to graduating Long Island students, including their Pat DeRosa Memorial Scholarship. The museum is based in Stony Brook, and the students were given their scholarships in a ceremony held there.
From left to right: LIMEHOF 2023 music scholarship winners Jacob Leshnower, Alexis Pabebianco, Chris Hummel, Coleman Schubert, and Luca Alexandru.
LIMEHOF is an organization founded in 2004 that is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Long Island’s rich musical and entertainment history. Their first Hall of Fame location was opened in 2022 in Stony Brook Village. LIMEHOF, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties, has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives.
For the Distinction in Music scholarship, winners include: Chris Hummel of Harborfields High School; Jacob Leshnower of Half Hallow High School East; Alexis Pabebianco of Mineola High School; and Luca Alexandru of Syosset High School. Coleman Schubert from Babylon Junior-Senior High School was this year’s winner of the Pat DeRosa Memorial Scholarship, created to honor the memory of Pat DeRosa.
We are immensely proud of our scholarship winners who have been granted the opportunity to pursue their passion for music through higher education. Their talent, dedication, and commitment to their craft inspire us all. We believe that their journey will not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the rich musical legacy of our community and beyond.
LIMEHOF’s Educational Programs Director, Tom Needham
Pat DeRosa was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘Oldest Professional Saxophone Player’ in 2018. DeRosa passed away earlier this year at the age of 101, continuing to play through 2022. He was born in Brooklyn, picking up the saxophone when he was 12. After playing with the Glenn Miller Army/Air Force Band during his service during WWII, he played in The Latin Quarter and the Copacabana among other NYC venues.
The scholarship honoring him was to be awarded specifically to a high school senior seeking to continue their music studies on the saxophone or on a woodwind instrument. For this scholarship, a 95 or above in Music and a 90 overall average is necessary to qualify. In addition, an essay should be written by the student to explain why they’d like to continue their studies.
More information on the scholarships can be found here.
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer James Blake has announced dates for a new 2023 tour, with a stop in Queens at Knockdown Center. This coincides with the announcement of his new album Playing Robots Into Heaven, and the release of the first single from that album, “Big Hammer.”
Credit: Thibaut Grevet
James Blake has had a hand in some of the most influential albums of the 21st century, helping to produce Frank Ocean’s Blonde, Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. and Dave’s We’re All Alone In This Together, as well as JAY-Z’s 4:44 and Beyoncé’s Lemonade. He also appeared in “King’s Dead” with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, and Future from the chart-dominating, triple-platinum Black Panther: The Album.
While his sound emerged with the 2011 album James Blake, James Blake’s peak of critical and commercial success with Assume Form in 2019. It reached #21 on the Billboard Top 200 and reached 300 million cumulative streams in under a year. In addition, Assume Form received a Grammy nomination for “Best Alternative Album.”
Playing Robots Into Heaven will be James Blake’s sixth album, and will release Sept. 8 through Republic Records. This will be right before the first show of the new tour in Milan, Italy, on Sept. 18.
General sale begins June 30 at 10:00 a.m., with tickets and more information available on James Blake’s website.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Milan, Italy – Fabrique – Sept. 18
Brussels, Belgium – Forest National Club – Sept. 21
