Monday, September 11 saw indie-rock legends Pavement perform at Brooklyn Steel for the first of four shows, amid a reunion tour that has stretched on since 2022 and is wrapping up with a performance at The National’s Homecoming Festival.
Drummer Steve West welcomed the crowd, saying, “Hi, we’re the Pavement Band,” setting a tone for the night, kicking off with “Heckler Spray” off 1993’s Westing (By Musket and Sextant). The lengthy first set included “Embassy Row,” “Kennel District,” “Gold Soundz” and “Serpentine Pad,” closing out the show with “Major Leagues.”
Prior to the three-song encore, frontman Stephen Malkmus thanked the audience and the openers for the evening, Kiwi Jr, from Toronto, joking with the fans and thanking them for coming to see ‘some washed up losers.’ The band wrapped up the show with “Father to a Sister of a Thought,” “Cut Your Hair,” and “Stop Breathin.”
Pavement – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn – Monday, September 11, 2023
Setlist: Heckler Spray, Feed ‘em to the (Linden) Lions, Embassy Row, Starlings of the Slipstream, Perfume-V, Kennel District, She Believes, Gold Soundz, Black Out, Silence Kid, Serpentine Pad, Folk Jam, Spit on a Stranger, We Dance, Box Elder, The Hexx, Painted Soldiers, Harness Your Hopes, fight This Generation, Shoot the Singer (1 Sick Verse), Debris Slide, Type Slowly, Major Leagues
Encore: Father to a Sister of Thought, Cut Your Hair, Stop Breathin
A sound must have life, be huge, take up space and matter in order to play at Madison Square Garden. On the New York City night of September 12th, Greta Van Fleet’s “Starcatcher World Tour” watered The (sold out) Garden for the very first time. “The world’s most famous arena” is a sort of heaven’s gate for any name in the music industry. The name Greta Van Fleet rolls right off the tongue and has proven their ability to collect a loyal fandom and climb the charts, and the key was handed over indubitably.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
The opener, Surf Curse, a surf-rock band born in Nevada warmed up the ever-filling crowd. After their performance, the Greta Van Fleet curtain was pulled towards the iconic barrelled ceiling of Madison Square Garden. The stage sat idle, out of sight, as the pre-show setlist began to play. An intense elongated intro score played between the sets. Violins and percussion sewed together to form a melody of a sort of Nordic folk music – it was a fail-safe adrenaline amplifier.
Greta Van Fleet is a transcending rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan. The group was fortified by three brothers, twins Josh Kiszka (lead vocalist) and Jake Kiszka (guitarist), Sam Kiszka (bassist, multi-instrumentalist), and companion Daniel Wagner (drums and percussion). Their love for each other on stage is tangible in their embraces and sweet brotherly admiration. Their journey into stardom intensified their connection and heavily dosed confidence into their production.
Lights overhead shown onto the blue and white silk of the curtain, holding steady focus on Greta’s symbol. All at once the surrounding lights shut off and strobes danced across the curtain. After the hard climax of the introduction song, the curtain dramatically fell to the foot of the stage. On an elevated platform, the four-man band was revealed, posing in formation around Wagner who sat charged behind the drums.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
“The Falling Sky” was their first song of the evening, which proved an excellent introduction to Josh’s prodigious vocal range and the unmatchable aptitude of Jake and Sam on the strings. The song, as does most of their discography, allows for a melodic conversation to happen between the instruments. If one speaks, the other listens and responds.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
As fire shot above the band and sparks spewed to the beat of the percussion, a thick heat could be felt across Madison Square Garden’s vast rows of seating. The atmosphere of the night was spawned tonally and visually, for the stage was alive with hot fashion and literal flames. Josh wore his iconic white jumpsuit with a deep chest plunge – the eccentricity of outfits is something fans look forward to and emulate themselves. The rest of the band wore tight pearly white or black trousers, beaded blazers, glorious capes and a sparkly chainmail crop-top. Josh and Daniel’s faces were painted with elegant make-up that reflected with each stroke of spotlight.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
Observing Greta Van Fleet fans felt like looking into a time capsule; fashion from the sixties and seventies re-surged that evening, as people floated around in shimmering shawls and exaggerated bell-bottoms. They thrusted upon the barricade, extending their hands towards the glimmering band members as if they were reaching for grace. It’s fascinating at concerts, how the crowd reacts physically. It’s as if the sound alone isn’t enough. Their physical bodies need something to touch to hold, because the viscerality of digesting music feels too far out of body at times.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
The stage set-up served as a playground for Greta Van Fleet. The band members ran around shoeless, bounded into the air mid guitar riff, rattled their bodies to the beat of their music. Two catwalks extended into the general admission pit. There Jake and Sam took turns running out towards the edge with their instruments slung precariously over their shoulders. Multiple impressive guitar solos took place all across the stage, for their motion was fluid.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
After their first couple of songs, Josh left the stage for an outfit change. He came back adorned in a navy velvet jumpsuit to match the next few songs of the setlist. The fashionable theatrics complimented their artistry greatly. They performed “Meeting The Master,” “Heat Above,” and Josh’s favorite song on their discography, “Highway Tune.” Madison Square Garden has never been louder than it was during the final chorus of “Highway Tune.” Singing along required guttural yelling of high energy.
Josh Kiszka is a special voice in the current of music. He is the birth of something new while being a timeless looking-glass through the past of rock n’ roll. He has the confidence of Freddie Mercury. He has the celestial coolness of David Bowie. He has the hypnotic stage presence of Stevie Nicks. Most impressively, he has the raw range of Robert Plant. Though, comparing him to anyone feels sinful, for he and his band are carving their own realm of rock. He is the starcatcher, an earth-rocker.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
The transition out of “Highway Tune” turned into a drum solo by Daniel Wagner. He played with speed, edging a climax for five minutes but never finishing out the song. His intensity cooked a sweet tension in the arena, and the audience ate it up. The stamina he displayed informed the genius of their production; none of their songs ever want to end.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
Towards the finish of Wagner’s solo, the rest of the band made their way to the polar side of The Garden and crowded on a small platform with their instruments. Everyone in the standing audience shifted their attention and migrated to huddle at the base of their bare feet. The next two songs, “Waited All Your Life,” and “Black Smoke Rising” were played with the keys, an acoustic guitar, and a ginormous mandolin.
After entertaining the petite B-stage for a short while, the band was escorted by security back to the main stage. A security guard carried Josh on his shoulders while Josh tossed white roses into the understandably feral crowd, while Jake, Sam, and Daniel tossed flowers on the opposite side of the arena.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
Josh reappeared in a new jumpsuit patched with the sun and the moon. As the end of the show neared, the stakes rose. Flames reclaimed the stage, and the lights seared red. Jake took to his guitar with an impressive attack, riffing over his head and behind his back. The songs “Sacred The Thread” and “The Archer” played with the elements on stage, a thick smoke bellowed into the audience. As special as witnessing Greta Van Fleet at Madison Square Garden was, it felt like one should see them in the red dust swells of Utah, or in a spanning field with no end – some place where Earth becomes indistinguishable from the rest of the universe and all that matters is a sound.
Once “The Archer” came to a close, the band briefly waved goodbye and trotted backstage. No encore plea has ever been louder. The audience roared as one collective voice, pleading from their hearts for a return. It wasn’t long before the lights danced back to life, and the band returned in one final outfit change. Josh wore a sun pantsuit with a lavish cloak while the rest of the band seemed to lose articles of clothing, their hair a mess and eyes wild.
The key-in note of “Light My Love,” one of the band’s most successful releases, elicited a collective emote from the audience. When the second chorus blasted through the arena, sparks shot up from the stage once again. The lights stemming from the center-roof projected the colors of the rainbow, and a sea of pride flags popped up above heads in the crowd. It was a glorious moment of peace and celebration.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
Their final song, “Farewell For Now,” was the perfect send-off. It was an ode to The Garden, a praise for the fans. The lyric: “Tonight, it’s all for you,” felt personal and honest, as the members of Greta Van Fleet looked out into the cellular starlights with awe painted blush across their faces. Once the song concluded, they gathered where they started, around Daniel and his drums to take a bow. Unable to contain their thrill, they bounced off each other as they left the stage.
Photograph by Emma Dowd
It was jarring, while fans began to file out of the venue with stunned looks, to remember that Madison Square Garden is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. While Greta’s performance unfolded and wrapped itself up again, the clamoring chaos of New York City persisted all around. I’m sure the magic could be felt radiating down the avenues.
Photograph by Emma DowdPhotograph by Emma DowdPhotograph by Emma DowdPhotograph by Emma DowdPhotograph by Emma Dowd
Musician and festival curator Jess Novak has announced the F.I.R.E. (Females Inspire, Rock, Empower) Festival will return to the Oswego Music Hall on Oct. 15 from 1-5 p.m.
The idea of the F.I.R.E. Festival is to promote women in music, art, and business. While many festivals boast all-male lineups with cover-centric headliners, F.I.R.E. will feature women playing original music. Vendors and artists include Unremorseful Art, AzureEyes Photography, Foxxy Bones (who creates art and jewelry from animal bones), and more. Musicians include local performers Amanda Rogers, Caitlin Barry, Ella Drotar, Novak, Buffalo-based artist Stress Dolls, and more. This year’s event will also include an open mic portion. This will allow female attendees to share on stage even if they aren’t regularly performing musicians, encouraging artists of all ages and talents the opportunity to be brave and perform.
“This was originally planned for March 2020,” Novak explains. “That didn’t happen because of COVID, but last October we brought it to life at Oswego Music Hall. It was so successful we started planning the next festival right away.”
Novak continues “When I was a kid, I never attended a musical event where women were as well-represented as men. This provides an opportunity for young people to see that anything they dream of – they can do.”
The event is part of the Oswego Music Hall guest curator series where people from the community pitch event ideas to utilize the space. The festival was created by Jess Novak who performs alongside the Jess Novak Band. She has performed over all over the country, recorded multiple albums, and is an award-winning journalist.
Just a few years ago, I was too afraid to sing on a microphone. I dreamed to be on stage but wasn’t brave enough to try it. I hope the open mic part of the festival will reach a few people who are just like I was: eager to perform, but too afraid to try. Now is your chance.
Jess Novak
Novak also plans to bring the festival to The Center for the Arts of Homer on Friday, March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, hoping to establish northern and southern CNY versions of the event. All ages are welcome and admittance is $10 at the door (children under 12 are free). 50/50 raffles will be held and goods and art will be available for sale.
For more information on the F.I.R.E. Festival, visit here.
Lineup
Jess Novak
Starting Off Red Ella Drotar Caitlin Barry Brynn Race Jennifer Horstman Gina Holsopple Amanda Rogers Stress Dolls Unremorseful Art Golden Age Reiki Jamie Santos Wildebeest Publishing Co. Foxxy Bones Azure Eyes Photography
Cold War Kids have announced their new single “Another Name” off of their upcoming record Cold War Kids, their tenth record. The group also announced a headline tour in support of the record, with two nights at NYC’s Webster Hall.
Cold War Kids from California is made up of Nathan Willett (vocals, piano, guitar), Matt Maust (bass guitar), David Quon (guitar, backing vocals), Matthew Schwartz (keyboards, backing vocals, guitar, percussion), and Joe Plummer (drums, percussion). Since its inception nearly two decades ago, the group has garnered over one billion streams, adding to its eclectic catalog with its newest endeavor Cold War Kids.
“The band started out with four guys who have very specific tastes and styles, and now it’s mostly me making the records in a way I love and have always envisioned,” Willett says. “The sound of Cold War Kids has always been there, and I wanted this record to be the ideal, best version of all those things we’ve always been.” Instead of just releasing a five-song EP or an entirely different record, Willett took a breather and contemplated how the record should sound, infusing it with meaningful discourse about his life, and the state of the world.
The aptly self-titled result is perhaps the strongest and most well-rounded record Cold War Kids has ever produced. They previously shared their current single “Run Away With Me” which debuted at #33 on the AltRock charts. With its funky groove and huge chorus, the track sets the tone for the LP as a whole, featuring 12 high-minded, stylistically diverse songs referencing everything from Curtis Mayfield to the Pretenders and Elton John to Happy Mondays and Gang Of Four. They also released “Double Life,” which American Songwriter called “an energetic, shoulder-shaking new single.”
The album draws inspiration from the band’s blues-and-soul-driven past as well as fresh dance beats and 80s pop/rock. The themes of the record speak about Willett’s introspective state of mind and his reality. The newest single “Another Name” is an emotionally driven track, slow and melodic, speaking of heartbreak in a tear-jerking way.
This summer Cold War Kids were on the road as the direct support for Tears For Fears. Now, they are excited to announce a North American headline tour in support of Cold War Kids with dates kicking off in January. They will play at New York City’s Webster Hall on March 1 and 2. Tickets are on sale Friday, Sept 15th at 10 AM local time.
Cold War Kids tour dates
1/31 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore^
2/01 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom^
2/02 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre^
2/03 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre^
2/05 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory^
2/06 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM^
2/08 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen^
2/09 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre^
2/10 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre^
2/13 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom^
2/15 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues^
2/16 – Houston, TX – House of Blues^
2/17 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater^
2/23 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed#
2/24 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue#
2/26 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues#
2/27 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix Concert Theatre#
2/28 – Boston, MA – House of Blues#
3/01 – New York, NY – Webster Hall#
3/02 – New York, NY – Webster Hall#
3/03 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore#
3/05 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club#
3/08 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz#
3/09 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre#
03/15 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post*
03/16 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst*
03/18 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park*
Arctic Monkeys played two sold out shows at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY over September 8-9, as part of their ongoing North American tour. The second evening at Forest Hills Stadium coincided with the tenth anniversary of their self-titled album, and marked their return to Forest Hills Stadium after last playing there in 2018.
Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium, NY. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
Beloved post-punk outfit Fontaines DC opened for Arctic Monkeys both nights. They played powerful hard-hitting sets, warming up the crowd before the Arctic Monkeys took the stage.
Fontaines DC at Forest Hills Stadium, NY. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
On the second night, legendary poet John Cooper Clarke introduced the band with his spoken word poem “I Wanna Be Yours,” which the band had covered in their self-titled album.
John Cooper Clarke introduces Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium, NY. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
After taking the stage to rapturous applause, Arctic Monkeys started the second evening’s set with the opening track on their self-titled record, “Do I Wanna Know.”
Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
Fans of all ages seemed to know the words to every song, occasionally even singing the guitar melodies along with the band.
Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
The setlist featured many of the band’s most iconic tracks from their catalog, including “Brianstorm,” “Why Do You Only Call Me When You’re High,” and “Fluorescent Adolescent.” At the end of “There Better Be a Mirrorball” from their latest record, a large disco ball descended from above, bearing the singular word “Monkeys” on both sides. They immediately launched into “505” and the mirrorball lit up, spreading dots of glowing white light throughout the stadium and its 13,000 fans. This induced a seemingly-involuntary cheer among the audience, who lost themselves in the moment that was certainly a highlight from the show.
Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium. Photography (captured on a point-and-shoot) by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
For their encore, the band returned to the stage to play their cover of John Cooper Clarke’s “I Wanna Be Yours,” and closed their sold out two-night run with “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” and “R U Mine?” (which they started with the opening chords to The Strokes’ “Last Nite”).
Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium. Photography (captured on a point-and-shoot) by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
Arctic Monkeys North American tour with Fontaines DC continues, and you can check out their upcoming tour dates here and stream their music here. And if you like the Monkeys, you should definitely listen to Fontaines DC’s catalog here.
Check out our full gallery below, with photography by David Reichmann.
On Thursday, August 31, Jackson Browne and his band performed at the Koussevitzky Music Shed in Lenox, Massachusetts, performing as part of Tanglewood’s 2023 Popular Artist Series.
With the ring of the shed bell, the show began promptly at 7pm. Jackson, taking to the stage solo with one of his many guitars that he would use through the night, performed “Don’t Let Us Get Sick”, a Warren Zevon cover, before motioning for his band to join him on stage.
The evening was filled with a stellar setlist, fantastic vocals and an outstanding instrumental performance. Jackson shared stories that inspired the songs that were played. The night was filled with many well-known hits such as, “Somebody’s Baby”, “Doctor my Eyes” and, “Running on Empty” to name a few.
While they kept to their planned setlist, they did play the audience’s request of “Lawyers, Guns and Money” during the 2nd set. The audience was filled with people of all ages having a great time dancing and singing along throughout the evening.
Jackson Browne – Koussevitzky Music Shed in Lenox, Massachusetts – August 31, 2023
Set 1: Don’t Let Us Get Sick (Warren Zevon cover), Downhill From Everywhere, Until Justice Is Real, For Everyman, My Opening Farewell, Time The Conqueror, The Long Way Around, Call It a Loan, Sky Blue and Black, The Indifference of Heaven (Warren Zevon Cover), Doctor My Eyes, These Days, The Barricades of Heaven.
Set 2: Farther On, The Naked Ride Home, Too Many Angels, I’m Alive, Fountain of Sorrow, For A Dance, Love Needs a Heart, Boulevard, Rock Me on The Water, Somebody’s Baby, Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon cover), Your Bright Baby Blues, Sleep’s Darker and Silent Gate, The Pretender, Running on Empty
In a historic revival of Grateful Dead music culture, CEG Presents and Keeping the Dead Alive, are thrilled to announce the launch of weekly Grateful Dead night “Dead Country Tuesdays.”
This event marks the return of a weekly Dead Night to Manhattan after a hiatus of over two decades. The festivities are set to kick off Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Hill Country Live on 26th Street east of 6th Avenue in Manhattan.
The inaugural evening will feature a high-energy performance by the hot, up-and-coming Grateful Dead tribute band, Strangers Stopping Strangers out of Jersey City. Fans can expect a mix of classic Dead tunes and energetic interpretations from the group, whose commitment to capturing the lively essence of the Grateful Dead has garnered them a cult following.
Dayna Bauman, co-creator of “Dead Country Tuesdays,” expressed, “Memento Mori is remembering that things pass. The Dead taught us that when they do if we show up together, we can transmute them once again into something beautiful. That’s our hope here, to honor this legacy while supporting the birth of the next generation of music.”
Bauman founded Keeping the Dead Alive to introduce the musicians who have been inspired by the Grateful Dead, particularly the next generation of original musicians who are influenced by the group. She has worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the music and ethos of the Grateful Dead. “Dead Country Tuesdays” is a testament to her unwavering commitment to keeping the spirit of the Dead alive.
Tickets for “Dead Country Tuesdays” can be purchased online here.
“Dead Country Tuesdays” Schedule
September 12 Strangers Stopping Strangers 19 Shakedown Citi 26 Near Dead Experience October 24 Steely Dead 31 Bearly Dead November 7 tba 14 Workingman’s Jed 28 Knock ‘Em Dead
Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has announced that he and His Band will be making a pair of appearances in New York State this fall, with a show in Rochester on October 24 at Auditorium Theatre, and at historic Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady on October 30. The dates are part of the musicians’ “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour.
Dylan has added more dates in November to his tour calendar, with shows on November 7-8 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, and November 14-15 at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Dylan has been an iconic figure in American music for well over five decades. Born and raised in Minnesota, it was in Greenwich Village where the artists’ career started to blossom. Boasting an unparalleled writing style, Dylan rose to prominence for his ability to blend elements of folk and rock. Within just a three year span Dylan released the ever-influential albums Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde.
Widely recognized for crafting some of the most poignant and significant protest songs, Dylan is known for his social and political beliefs. The singers’ tracks became a symbolic part of the 1960s, touching on issues like segregation, authority, and societal norms. In 2016 Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his contributions to American poetry and music. Dylan has sold over 100 million records, won 10 Grammy Awards, and has been inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Proctor’s Theatre was built in 1926 and hosts Broadway shows, cutting-edge film festivals, and music performances. The Arts Center & Theatre of Schenectady (ACT) stepped in to revitalize the theatre when the building faced destruction in the 70s. Since then, Proctor’s has become an integral part of the Capital Region’s arts scene. Past performers include Mariah Carey, Brittany Spears, Duke Ellington, and even comedian George Burns.
Here for tickets and more information about the Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour.
Announced Tour Dates
1 OCT- Kansas City, MO The Midland Theatre
2 OCT- Kansas City, MO The Midland Theatre
4 OCT- St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre
6 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
7 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
8 OCT- Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre
11 OCT- Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
12 OCT- Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
14 OCT- Grand Rapids, MI DeVos Performance Hall
16 OCT- Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
20 OCT- Cincinnati, OH The Andrew J. Brady Music Center
21 OCT- Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre
23 OCT- Erie, PA Warner Theatre
24 OCT- Rochester, NY Auditorium Theatre
26 OCT- Toronto, ON Massey Hall
27 OCT- Toronto, ON Massey Hall
29 OCT – Montreal, QB Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
30 OCT- Schenectady, NY Proctors Theatre
Nov. 1, 2023 — Symphony Hall — Springfield, MA
Nov. 3, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 4, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 5, 2023 — Orpheum Theatre — Boston, MA
Nov. 7, 2023 — The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, NY
Nov. 8, 2023 — The Capitol Theatre — Port Chester, NY
Nov. 10, 2023 — Providence Performing Arts Center — Providence, RI
Nov. 11, 2023 — Palace Theater — Waterbury, CT
Nov. 14, 2023 — Kings Theatre — Brooklyn, NY
Nov. 15, 2023 — Kings Theatre — Brooklyn, NY
Nov. 19, 2023 — The Fillmore — Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 20, 2023 — New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall, Newark, NJ
Nov. 21, 2023 — New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall — Newark, NJ
Hailing from New York’s Finger Lakes Region, The Endless Mountain Derelicts released their third full-length EP in August, titled Good Got Damn. The group is an all-original blend of alternative, country, classic rock, folk, and punk, or a self-described mountain rock. EMD cites a blue collar, original yet familiar sound as inspiration for Good Got Damn. The EP features six tracks, all distinct yet with a strong style indicative of their passion and intensity.
The opening track, “State Lines,” starts out strong with energized, gritty vocals. The minor key and consistent backing vocals create a depth to the track that shows the group’s skill and unity.
The EP’s second track, “Ain’t It A Shame,” follows with an acoustic base and melancholy lyrics, leading into another energized, belting chorus. The vocals stay reserved during verses, but the energy and passion is released in the strong chorus.
“Light That Fuse” stands out creatively as a key track on the record. In this track, the group shows off their versatility in structure. The song has a strong, memorable hook in the chorus’s “light that fuse and run.”
Overall, The Endless Mountain Derelict’s Good Got Damn is a strong display of their unique style and passion. Their use of drums and creative syncopation is a key component that stands out across the board, as the arrangements strongly feature percussion. Additionally, the vocals show off an intense grit, which is a strong way to add character to a track, but finds its way to being a hallmark of EMD’s style.
The group carries an ethos of blue collar, lively inclusivity, which shines through in both their lyrics and sound. The group’s third full length release, Good Got Damn is a passionate combination of soulful lyrics and skilled musicianship.
Prepare for a Christmas rock experience as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) has announced its annual holiday tour. The multi-platinum rock group, which has consistently hit the touring charts for the past 15 years, unveiled the details of their highly anticipated 2023 winter tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More.”
This year’s tour promises a new and larger presentation of the beloved holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” which has captured the hearts of multiple generations. TSO will visit 62 cities, including Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, and Belmont Park (the only New York Metro area show for the season).
A product of the imagination of TSO’s late founder Paul O’Neill, and based on TSO’s CD and TV special, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, follows the journey of a runaway who breaks into an abandoned vaudeville theater on December 24. While seeking shelter from the cold, the teen is discovered by the theater’s caretaker who uses the ghosts and spirits from the building’s past to turn her life around. Following the performance of the rock opera, 2023’s tour also boasts a rocking, blazing, and laser-lit second set containing more of TSO’s greatest hits, fan favorites, and surprises. If you are unable to attend, fans at home can watch a digitally restored The Ghosts of Christmas Eve on their local PBS station.
For 27 years you have helped make Paul O’Neill’s TSO stories a part of your holiday tradition. And, for 27 years, our tradition has been to make every year’s tour better than the last for you. 2023 is no exception as this year’s tour will be the best ever. I can’t wait to see our ‘repeat offenders’ out at the shows and look forward to seeing the new faces as well.
TSO music director and lead guitarist Al Pitrelli
For New York TSO fans, TSO will be touring in Albany on November 29, Rochester on November 30, Buffalo on December 2, and Elmont on December 20. Be sure to grab tickets before they sell out if you plan to attend.
Presales for TSO fan club members will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. local time and Friday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. local time. The public on-sale is set to begin on Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. local time. Beginning with the public on sale, special $39 tickets will be available for one week or while supplies last. Keeping with O’Neill’s character, TSO will give at least $1 from every ticket sold to charity. To date, more than $18 million has been donated by the group.
Photo by Jason McEacher.
For more details on tour dates and ticket sales, visit here.
