On October 19, Buffalo Iron Works celebrated ten years with a performance by Melvin Seals & JGB. As the evening began with a line of anxious fans awaiting to be let into the building, you could feel the energy in the air. The building filled in quickly for what had to be a capacity show.
As the house lights went down, the crowd grew eager waiting to catch the first glimpse of the band. One by one each band members – Melvin Seals, John Kadlecik, Ron Holloway, John-Pual McLean, Peter Lavezzoli – made their way up the side stage stairs and onto the stage under thunderous applause and cheers. When the first note hit the air, the crowd moved in delight with a smile on nearly every face. Each song during the night was masterfully done. Each jam taken to a new level. And every member of the band was right where they needed to be all night long.
The night could not have been any better with the two stellar sets of music brought curtesy of Melvin Seals & JGB. This was not their first time playing Buffalo Iron Works, and definitely should not be their last. As many in attendance would agree.
Melvin Seals and JGB – Buffalo Iron Works – Thursday, October 19, 2023
Setlist: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You), Love in the Afternoon, Forever Young, Loose Lucy, Franklin’s Tower, Cassidy, Rubin and Cherise, Can’t Find My Way Home
Multi-platinum and award-winning rock group blink-182 just announced this summer they are heading on a headlining tour with pop-punk support act Pierce The Veil, coming to Citi Field on July 21, 2024.
Following the massive success of their colossal global outing and recent headlining festival performances at When We Were Young Festival, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker will hit some of the biggest venues nationwide next year, debuting their new album One More Time.
blink-182 started rocking almost thirty years ago in a San Diego garage. They have sold over fifty million albums worldwide, and according to the New York Times, “No punk band of the 1990s has been more influential than ‘blink-182’. With Delonge back after nearly a decade, fans can expect that electric on-stage magic that the trio has delivered over the years.
Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, October 27 at 10 a.m.
BLINK-182 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:
*With Support from Pierce The Veil
+With Support from Alexisonfire and Pierce The Veil
Dopapod’s winter/spring tour for 2024 kicks off in the Southeast this coming January, but by March the group will be hitting New York for a trio of shows in Buffalo, Syracuse and Saratoga Springs.
After a dozen shows in the Southeast, including five consecutive nights in Florida, Dopapod will have another 10 shows at yet to be announced venues and locales. By mid-March, the four-piece – keyboardist/vocalist Eli Winderman, guitarist/vocalist Rob Compa, bassist Chuck Jones and drummer Neal “Fro” Evans – will be back in the Northeast, ready to hit some familiar haunts.
photo by Filip Zalewski
On Tuesday, March 19, the palindromic band performs at Buffalo Iron Works, then after a day off Dopapod will be at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse. Friday, March 22 finds the quartet back at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, where the group has performed to packed rooms, most notably on October 20, 2021 when they spent the entire first set performing Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” in its entirety. Check out our recap, photos and videos from the show here.
An incredible seven act Golden Oldies Spectacular hits the Proctors’ stage on Sunday, November 12 with performances from The Happenings, Jay Siegel’s Tokens, The Bronx Wanderers, Barbara Harris and The Toys, and Kid Kyle.
The Happenings, featuring incredible original lead singer Bob Miranda, continues to impress audiences with their showmanship and vocal capabilities. Their 1966 and 1967 chart-topping hits, including “See You in September” (still ranked in the top 100 “summer songs” in pop history) and “I Got Rhythm” were both gold records, as was “Go Away Little Girl” and “My Mammy.” The Happenings appeared on TV many times, including Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, the Smother Brothers, and Merv Griffin shows. Audiences are sure to be dancing on their feet, especially during his version of “Proud to be an American,” a tribute to veterans.
Jay Siegel’s Tokens started their career as the Linc-Tones in 1955 in Brooklyn at Abraham Lincoln High School. Jay Siegel was the lead singer, with Neil Sedaka in the band. They evolved into the Tokens in 1960 and had a top 15 hit and million seller in 1961: “Tonight I Fell in Love.” Their international #1 hit, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” followed shortly after. Unique in the history of pop music, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” re-entered the charts 33 years later and went to #1 worldwide again, stoked by its use in “The Lion King” Disney movie. The Tokens’ last hit was “Portrait of My Love.”
The multi-talented Jay Siegel and the Tokens also produced many hits for The Chiffons, The Happenings, and Tony Orlando and Dawn. In 1962, they were the first vocal group to produce a #1 hit for another vocal group (“He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons). They also sang on many commercials for Pan America, Ban, Clairol, Cool Whip, and Chesterfield cigarettes. As popular producers, they hired Bob Miranda in 1963 to write songs for the artists they were producing such as The Chiffons and Gerry and the Pacemakers. In 1965, the Tokens and Jubilee Records formed B.T. Puppy Records, which signed and produced The Happenings.
The Bronx Wanderers were founded in 2006 by Vinny Adinofi. “Yo Vinny” was already a successful producer, record label executive, and publisher for Lifesong and Columbia Records, when his friends in show business– including Dion and actors Chass Palminteri and Danny Aiello– prodded Vinny to put together a rock and roll band featuring his musically-gifted 10 and 14 year old sons, as well as a few of their high school friends. More than a decade later, the Bronx Wanderers became a sensational act, performing in Casinos and theatres nationwide, and they continue to live the dream while happily residing in a Las Vegas casino since 2016. Their first year there, they received the Bronze Award for best new casino band in Vegas, only beaten out by Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys.
In 2017, The Bronx Wanderers have received seven nominations and have since won twelve “Best of Las Vegas” awards and been inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. Their repertoire of songs appeals to multiple generations, including hits by Dion and the Belmonts, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, and Queen. Their on-stage chemistry and energy actively engages all audiences, and the audience feels like part of the family by the end of the show. The Bronx Wanderers performed once at Proctors, bringing the house down with their amazing version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Proctors oldies fans kept requesting their return, but their Vegas residency limited their touring– until now.
Barbara Harris and The Toys will sing their hits, as well as hits from the girl groups of the 60s. Barbara grew up in North Carolina and was a featured vocalist in many churches by the age of 8. At 11, she moved to New York City and continuously won first prize at area dances. She and four of her high school classmates formed a vocal group, singing on street corners in Queens. Barbara Harris, Barbara Parritt, and June Montiero continued singing backup vocals on many recordings in New York studios when their manager, Vince Marc, introduced them to songwriter/record executive Bob Crewe, and they signed with his DynoVoice label. Marc also introduced them to songwriters Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell who wrote most of the songs that Barbara Harris and The Toys recorded.
Their signature hit, “Lover’s Concerto,” reached #2 on the charts and sold 2 million copies. It was followed by top 20 hit “Attack.” The trio also appeared on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” “Shindig,” and “Hullabaloo,” as well as the movie, “It’s a Bikini World.” Barbara Harris continues to write and record her own songs and perfectly fits into this year’s Proctors lineup.
New Jersey’s Kid Kyle first gained prominence at age 8 with his performance in Los Angeles on American Idol Junior. He performed at Proctors before he was a teenager and brought the house down. Kyle has performed on “Today in New York,” “Good Day, New York,” and “The Tony Danza Show.” He was also featured in PBS’ 2008 “My Music, Doo Wop Love Songs” and again in 2018 in PBS’ “Doo Wop Generations.” In 2019, Kid Kyle was voted best male singer and inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. At age 28, he embodies the next generation of singers that will keep the great music of the 50s and 60s alive and flourishing.
Vito Picone & The Elegants will perform at Proctors for the second time. They were formed in 1956 in Staten Island, and they had a monster hit, “Little Star,” in 1958. Co-written by Vito Picone, “Little Star” sold almost three million copies worldwide, and spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts. They have received the “Million-Aires” award for the song airing over 1 million times on the radio. Vito and The Elegants have performed at Carnegie Hall, and have performed eight times at Radio City Music Hall. They were also the first doo wop group to perform at Lincoln Center.
“Little Star” has been used in countless productions, including the show “The Sopranos.” Vito even made a cameo appearance in the Oscar-winning motion picture “Goodfellas.”
Opening the show is Vinnie Medugno. Although still a young man, Medugno wears many hats: WABC weekend radio host, dj at entertainment events, dance music performer and songwriter (one was a hit on the Billboard UNderground Dance Music charts), and teacher at Port Richmond HIgh School. Vinnie performed on T.J. Lubinsly’s PBS show “Doo Whop, Pop and Soul Generations,” and, like Kid Kyle, he embodies today’s younger generation of entertainers determined to keep our music alive.
Tickets are on sale now at the Proctors box office – 432 State Street in Schenectady – by phone at (518) 346-6204, or on their website.
Modern rock-folk band ‘The Left-Handed 2nd Baseman’ have announced the release of their latest album, The Dogs Race to the Door.
The Left-Handed 2nd Baseman (LH2B) is based in Rochester and became the creation of singer/songwriter/producer Fran Broderick. They fuse diverse musical influences ranging from alt-folk to synth-pop, the result by stirring anthems is anchored by Broderick’s captivating lyrics.
The upcoming release for The Dogs Race to the Door arrived on October 21 and marks the first full album with the LH2B band and the first album since 2018’s Trench Digging During Peacetime. Including 10 new songs while 2 are reworked tunes from 2015’s Eudaimonia. The band includes vocalist/guitarist Fran Broderick, drummer Zak Mendoza, bassist Dan Carter, Shane Kelsen on piano, organ & synth, rhythm guitarist Ben Rossi plus backing vocals and co-producer Brendan Simms.
The Dogs Race to the Door uses a collection of combined acoustic sounds while implementing synthesized elements to create an upbeat soulful mix of alternative folk songs. Their vocals are gruff yet heartfelt and exhibit themes of overcoming hardship, their experience with manhood while articulating these themes through storytelling. This album is sure to get your body grooving, head bobbing and feet moving
Key Tracks: I-90, Branch Collar, A Man Under the Influence
In the heart of Syracuse, a remarkable artist has been cultivating a sound that defies boundaries and resonates with raw authenticity. Tyjhier, a native of the Salt City, has not only harnessed the diverse cultural tapestry of her hometown but has also drawn inspiration from her experiences to craft a distinct musical journey. Tyjhier shares her unique story with NYS Music, reflecting on her hometown’s influence, the evolution of her music, and the exciting future she envisions as she embarks on a promising career as a singer and songwriter.
Born and raised in Syracuse, Tyjhier reminisces about how her hometown and its unique culture have deeply influenced her music journey. She acknowledges the challenges of life in Syracuse, stating, “It’s not always easy being from here; the people that live here know what I mean.” Despite the hurdles, Tyjhier finds inspiration in her hometown’s experiences.
“I surely have taken many of my experiences growing up in Syracuse and used the memories, both happy and sad, within my music. Syracuse is always going to be home no matter how far I go.”
Tyjhier
A Lifelong Dream Realized
For Tyjhier, becoming a singer and songwriter was more of a calling than a choice. She reflects on her earliest memories of music, saying, “I used to sing songs with my dad on top of the coffee table all the time.” Tyjhier’s musical journey began as soon as she could talk, with the very first song she sang being Erykah Badu’s “Orange Moon.” She recalls her childhood filled with singing, songwriting, and even creating full concerts with her dad. She mentions, “Singing and songwriting have been ingrained in who I am for as long as I can remember.”
The Thrill of the First Live Performance
Tyjhier vividly remembers her first live performance at DROM, a renowned New York City venue, with MajorStage. She describes the lead-up to the event as a mix of emotions, admitting, “I was extremely anxious about the gig leading up to the performance and on the day of.” The experience involved a multitude of behind-the-scenes logistics, from promotion to equipment setup. She adds, “I didn’t want to mess anything up behind the scenes, but I also didn’t want to let all the stress behind the scenes bleed into my actual performance.” However, once she took the stage, the anxieties faded, and she felt like a seasoned performer.
“It was an amazing feeling to have other musicians not only singing along but coming up to me at the end and telling me what songs they loved because at that point I didn’t have anything released. It was a blast, and I honestly couldn’t wait to do it again.”
Tyjhier
Describing her music is no easy feat for Tyjhier, as she artfully blends elements of R&B and Neo Soul into her unique sound. These genres have been pivotal in her life, resonating not only with their musical styles but also with their cultural significance. Tyjhier draws inspiration from an array of legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean, and more. She explains, “I aspire to have a unique sound like that.”
TheIn–Betweens: A Journey of Growth
Tyjhier’s debut project, The In-Betweens, has been a profound journey that has resonated with listeners, amassing over 40,000 streams on various platforms. She reflects on the project’s inception, sharing, “At first, the idea wasn’t fully fleshed out, and some of the songs on the project weren’t completed, but it started off with the shower sessions.” These sessions served as a bridge between the album’s concepts and themes. She delves into the deeper meaning behind the project, stating, “I really wanted The In–Betweens to be a journey of not only growth over time and growth through life experience but to show that certain things can’t just be rushed through.” Tyjhier’s music provides solace and empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace the in-between moments in life.
In the near future, fans and the music world can anticipate more music from Tyjhier. She’s already working on new material, pondering whether her next project will continue the narrative started with “The In-Betweens” or venture into uncharted territory. Additionally, Tyjhier envisions live performances, collaborations with fellow artists, and the possibility of taking her music on the road. With her distinctive sound and compelling narrative, Tyjhier is poised for a promising future in the music industry.
The last time she played the exact same venue in 2017 I couldn’t attend the show and she has not been back since, so needless to say I was very excited.
Her most recent album Echo The Diamond came out mid-August of this year and she spent September opening up for Canadian band Half Moon Run – whose album release show NYS Music covered in June – then started her proper North American headline tour which will end November 14 in Los Angeles.
On stage was Margaret with her signature Fender Electric, black leather pants, and the same see-through top with a black bra underneath that she had on the cover for Echo The Diamond. She talks to the crowd a lot, charming as ever, her vocals are sharp and hit the mark every time, mid-set the band leaves and she does a few numbers alone with just the guitar, and the room is silent. It’s not always that I’d consider the Bowery a listening room, but you could hear a pin drop.
Half the set was songs off her most recent release, with five additional songs from her debut. A nice highlight was an Alanis Morrissette cover of “You Learn” and closing the set with the encore of “Fruits of My Labor” by Lucinda Williams. Here’s to hoping she doesn’t wait another six years before coming back to the area.
Margaret Glaspy – Bowery Ballroom, NYC – October 20th, 2023
Setlist: I Didn’t Think So, Act Natural, Irish Goodbye, Female Brain, Memory Street, Hammer and the Nail, You and I, My Eyes, Heartbreak, Turn The Engine, Somebody to Anybody, Memories, Before We Were Together, You Learn (Alanis Morrissette cover), Parental Guidance, Emotions and Math, One Heart and Two Arms, I Let My Worst Get the Best of Me, Get Back Encore: Fruits of My Labor (Lucinda Williams cover)
The Rolling Stones celebrated their first album release of original music in 18 years, Hackney Diamonds, at a small surprise show at Racket in NYC on Oct. 19.
Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards perform during the Rolling Stones’ surprise set at Racket. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RS.
The night started with a DJ set courtesy of Quest Love, and Samantha Urbani. Different VIP guests including Elvis Costello, Daniel Craig, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, and more, were in attendance. With the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, the Rolling Stones performed with the core trio of Mick Jagger and guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Wood, with other musicians supplementing.
This isn’t the first time the Stones have performed an album release show in the city. The band once rolled down Fifth Avenue on a flatbed truck and on another occasion rode on a caboose into Grand Central Terminal. Their newest record Hackney Diamonds has received rave reviews, with Variety describing it as their best work since 1981’s Tattoo You, and Telegraph seeing it as “the best rock’n’ roll album of the past four decades at least.”
They opened with “Shattered,” from 1978’s Some Girls, before playing their new songs “Angry,” “Whole Wide World,” and “Bite My Head Off.” The set also featured “Tumbling Dice” and “Jumping Jack Flash” before an encore for which the Stones were joined by Lady Gaga.
Dressed in a sequined maroon pantsuit, Gaga made an appearance to recreate her duet with Jagger on the new song “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” off HackneyDiamonds. The band’s Racket gig marked one of their smallest venue locations to date, particularly in the area, and was the perfect intimate setting to celebrate their newest album.
Nora Polinnia’s sophomore EP, Present Chronicles, is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a heartfelt expression of resilience and a call to action. While residing in New York City, Nora’s music transcends borders and languages, making her an influential voice in the fight for justice.
In her own words, “Yes, indeed, there is a time and place for groovy, happy music – such was my first EP. However, I think that now it is time to clarify my beliefs and the beliefs of those I hold close.”
Present Chronicles is an EP that came to life unexpectedly, driven by the collective pain of Nora’s home country, Ukraine. As she watched the world around her, Nora couldn’t help but wonder how she could make a difference, how she could channel her anger and communicate the Ukrainian people’s struggles to the rest of the world.
The result is a musical journey that delves into themes of resilience, loneliness, betrayal, and the responsibilities that come with our heritage. It’s an exploration of the human experience during times when accepting reality is not an option.
“Some of the songs I wrote didn’t seem war-related to me at all. They didn’t feel like they encapsulated the message I wanted to put out. Some I wrote before the war even began, but soon I realized that they are very relevant. They address all of the emotional factors and burdens that came into play because of what was happening.”
Nora Polinnia
Nora’s Present Chronicles doesn’t aim to invoke pity; it seeks to reveal the anger and resilience of the Ukrainian people and expose the reality of the Russian invasion. Tracks like ‘KGB‘ on the EP boldly challenge Russian propaganda and use ironic lyrics to mock the regime.
This musical project, born out of a deep sense of purpose, carries a message of hope and strength. Nora hopes that her music will serve as a legacy, a testament to the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Nora Polinnia’s artistry is a reflection of the power of music to inspire change, and her music carries a message of hope and resilience that resonates deeply with her audience.
Frogs and freaks flew into the Palace Theatre in Albany on Friday, October 20, heralding the return of Les Claypool and his Frog Brigade. The first tour for the group in 20 years began earlier in the year, winding its way into the Northeast for a run of late-October shows.
With draped banners of stars and stripes giving a nod to Pink Floyd’s The Wall, the stage took on a blue dystopian hue, as the six piece band – Skerik (saxophone), Mike Dillon (percussion, vibraphone), Sean Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keyboards), Paulo Baldi (drums) and Claypool (bass) – arrived on stage to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore), Claypool bringing up the rear. With Les dressed in all black and a bowler hat, a slow bass led intro to “Cosmic Highway” took the audience on a psychedelic ride, right into “Up on the Roof.”
Following Les offering praise to Skerik, Skerik spoke in French briefly before telling an Albany/All bunny/All moose joke that earned groans and chuckles from the audience.
A cover of The Beat’s “Mirror in the Bathroom” was an early highlight, taking the narcissistic 1980 song out for an extended spin. “David Makalaster,” the Purple Onion track, followed, with Claypool Lennon Delirium composition “Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon” closing a ‘short but didn’t feel short’ 60-minute set.
With Harry Waters – son of Roger – helming the keys, set 2 began with a full rendition of Pink Floyd’s Animals, the five song suite never missed a mark, Claypool donning a pig mask while switching to stand up bass.
A pair of songs from Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel – “Precipitation” and “Calling Kyle” would follow, with “D’s Diner” closing the second set with audience callbacks, whispered lyrics, and xylophone throughout.
King Crimson’s “Thela Hun Ginjeet,” a song that Claypool and his Frog Brigade kicked off the main stage at the first Bonnaroo (and the incredible DVD as well) would drive the energy of the audience to 11, peppering in “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” teases. As the band left the stage, walk out music of “Pure Imagination” played, calling back to Claypool’s memorable Primus and the Chocolate Factory tour.
A can’t miss tour, the Frog Brigade will be at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ on October 24 before heading to Hulaween and ending the tour at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Halloween.
Les Claypool and his Frog Brigade – Palace Theatre, Albany – Friday, October 20, 2023
Set 1: When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Cosmic Highway, Up on the Roof, Mirror in the Bathroom, David Makalaster, Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon
Set 2: Pigs on the Wing, Part 1, Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep, Pigs on the Wing, Part 2, Precipitation, Calling Kyle, One Step Beyond, Buzzards of Green Hill, D’s Diner
