On Friday, September 29, RBNX released Nothing Here Is Yours and their first release as signed artists with Patient Zero Records, where RBNX explore the hardships that humanity faces but often neglects to discuss.
The 10-track LP includes previously released singles, “Jah Is Dead” and “World To Burn” which premiered on In Effect Hardcore and Scene Point Blank. Nothing Here Is Yours serves as a musical testament to RBNX’s journey through life and its hardships. It bears the weight of loss and grief, themes that are very important to each member and their personal experiences. This album is not merely a collection of songs but a vivid portrayal of the band’s raw live energy and unwavering dedication to their craft.
“Nothing Here Is Yours represents the last 4 years of our lives and everything we’ve been through together. It truly marks a new chapter for us collectively and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Phil Bartsch, RBNX, (Drums)
For the last 10 years, RBNX’s unique blend of punk, hardcore, ska, and metal has helped the band establish themselves as relentless DIY pillars in the Northeast punk/hardcore community. Formed by lifelong friends Mike Dietz, Phil Bartsch, and Kyle Behnken, their highly anticipated second LP, Nothing Here Is Yours, was released via Patient Zero Records, building upon the band’s first LP, Surrounded By Sin.
RBNX recently hosted and performed at Boxfest on September 30, in the Catskills. For news and any upcoming performances, follow their Instagram.
Finger Lakes musician Jeremy Button of Americana band Growl Bear, has penned a few tunes as of late that celebrate two distinct regions of New York State, the Delaware Valley and the Finger Lakes.
Among them are the comedic tune, with a dash of regional pride, “Fingerlakes Wine,” and the history-infused “The Ballad of Orrin & Squire.”
Growing up in Wayland, NY, Button attended SUNY Fredonia, and currently works for NYSDOT. A guitarist and songwriter in Americana band Growl Bear, Button has learned a variety of instruments, among them fiddle, mandolin, bagpipes, and banjo as well as writing music for both Growl Bear and his solo performances.
Speaking of “Fingerlakes Wine,” Button says, “I just wanted my area to have a song like this. I love Rochester and the Fingerlakes area and I like writing songs about where I live, we don’t have a lot of them and we need more, creating lore, making us feel more in touch with this place we call home.”
Button’s tune “Fingerlakes Wine” comes in both a classy (above, for all ages) and original versions, while “The Ballad of Orrin & Squire” is ripped from the history books and lyrics mention various stops in the Southern Catskills.
Button’s Great-great Grandfather and his brother fought in the Civil War for the Union Army, part of the NY 56th Regiment of Volunteers, also known as the 10th Legion. A tune that comes right out of Button’s family tree, the song tells of their travels from small towns near the New York-Pennslyvania border to New York City before heading south to fight. Button says of the song’s historical accuracy, “95% true. Not many songs about NY regiments going to go kick butt.”
Another tune from Button, “Goodbye Fredonia,” the reluctance that he found in moving onto the next stage of his life, post-college.
You can catch Jeremy Button performing solo and with Growl Bear this fall around the Finger Lakes. Growl Bear plays at Lovin Cup, near Rochester Institute of Technology at 8:30 on Friday, October 6 and the trio version of Growl Bear plays at the B-side in Fairport on October 25. For more info visit the band’s website.
The Catskill Mountain Jubilee was a blast this past weekend, held from August 10 to August 12 at Upstate New York’s Blackthorne Resort in East Durham. Friday night featured two sets from The Disco Biscuits, Dogs in A Pile, Space Bacon, a solo set by Mihali from Twiddle, and Legion of Melvin with Karl Denson, amongst a slew of other talented artists. Blackthorne Resort offered an ideal setting for the festival, with cabins, a public pool, and many comfortable amenities.
Friday proved to be sunny and hot at first. Bands at the main stage like Beg, Steal, or Borrow and Melvin Seals had to play in direct sunlight, yet still managed to deliver rocking sets. Space Bacon and Dogs In a Pile were at the Hangar Stage which proved to be more shaded, but also more dusty.
Mihali played some interesting originals, a take on “Best Feeling” by Keller Williams, and even a “Free Bird” cover. Dogs in a Pile played an energetic set full of originals, a “Hell in a Bucket” cover, and even a Led Zeppelin cover as their encore. Catskill Mountain Jubilee raged late into the night with two thumping Disco Biscuits sets followed by a variety of late night music.
The Catamount Resort Summer Series is wrapping up a jam-packed season of programming with three shows in August. Taking place over multiple weeks, the series started back on July 7 and will run until August 18. Each concert takes place on Friday from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at Catamount Mountain Resort in Hillsdale.
Boasting a lineup of local and regional bands, the Catamount Resort Summer Series looks to bring quality music to the beautiful Taconic Mountains. Past performers from this year include Sister Funk, Hedtrip, and Eric Harpe and the Delta Swingers.
Along with music, the series will also have a variety of tasty food and drink options. Organizers encourage guests to bring their own lawn chair however there are picnic tables available at the venue. Multiple of the resort’s outdoors activities will also operate with extended hours during the series, including a Zip Tour, Aerial Adventure Park, and Scenic Chairlift Rides.
The Catamount Resort Summer Series is free and open to the public. Here for more details and information about the event.
August Schedule
Aug. 4- The Silver Chain Band
Based out of Albany, The Silver Chain Band has performed across the country. From playing gigs at local New York hotspots to rocking venues down in Memphis, the group delivers impassioned performances wherever they are. Silver Chain builds on a solid foundation of Blues Folk, with elements of electric blues, and a sprinkle of rock. Their music is influenced by ZZ Top, Sonny Boy Williamson, JR Wells, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddy King, Albert King, and Bill Perry, just to name a few.
Aug. 11- Victrola
Led by vocalist Victoria Palagy, Victrola is known for their creative covers of pop, rock, and blues tracks. Victoria is joined onstage with Ray Palagy, Patti Richardson, John Keane and Leo Brennan Jr.
Aug. 18- The Saints
The Saints are an experienced band that has been together for 25 years. The group loves to get the crowd moving with feel-good dance music. Perfect for the summer months, enjoy the Saints as they close out The Catamount Resort Summer Series.
The sounds of laughter, bluegrass music and chatter filled the air at the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY over July 12-16. The Grey Fox Bluegrass Music Festival 2023 was in full swing celebrating another year of this family friendly festival.
The festival hosted a wonderful selection of artists over the 4 day event. Those artists took to the stages and captivated the audiences with their music and stories. There were many vendors which offered a wide variety of items, food and drinks.
Grey Fox also had fundraising raffles, workshops and a wonderful program geared towards kids. The Bluegrass Academy for kids takes place during the festival teaches children of all skill levels how to play instruments. They end the festival with a performance of their own.
Shuttle buses ran regularly throughout the day to assist festival patrons to navigate the large space whether you need a lift up the hill, a ride to the camp areas, and to one of the parking areas down the road. The festival is set up with street names which helped with navigating but also added the sense of community, which was clearly seen throughout the entire event.
Check out their website to keep up on all the Grey Fox Bluegrass Music Festival happenings, to learn more about the Bluegrass Academy for Kids and be on the lookout for next year’s festival information. It will surely be a great time for all.
From never ending winters to erratic springtime temperatures, New York weather can be brutal. For communities across the Empire State, summer is a time to work outside, enjoy wildlife, and of course catch some live music. Residing in the southeastern corner of NY, the picturesque Catskill Mountains provide the perfect setting for local performances and shows.
Catskill Mountains – Taste of Country Music Festival
Warm weather means it’s time for residents in the region to trade in snowboards and skis for folding chairs and picnic blankets. Teeming with countless unique small towns and villages, there’s plenty of live performances to catch in the area. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Catskill summer concert series and performances to see this year.
Greenville Summer Concert Series
The Greenville Summer Concert Series is a free, family-friendly concert series that happens Tuesdays from 6–7:30 PM at Veterans Park in Greenville, New York. The concerts are held at the intersection of Routes 32 and 81. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, or buy dinner from Church Street Caterers. The kickoff event features the Michael Benedict Quartet and ice cream from Stewart’s Shops of Greenville. Other acts include Lustre Kings, Moonshine Mule, Dusk Til Dawn, and more. The series is sponsored by the Greenville Rotary, among others.
Voted “Best Place for Live Music” in the Best of Greene County Awards, enjoy Music in the Park every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Dutchman’s Landing Park on Main Street in Catskill. Concerts are free to the public. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy great live music on the shores of the beautiful Hudson River. If rainy, concerts are moved to the Historic Catskill Point at 1 Main Street. Presented by the Heart of Catskill Association. Photo credit: Keith Collesides.
Here for more details and information | 518-943-0989
June 22 — Guilty Pleasure—pop rock
June 29 — Lustre Kings—rock and roll
July 6 — Back to the Garden—Woodstock tribute
July 13—Lex Grey and The Urban Pioneers—award-winning blues band
July 28—Lex Grey and The Urban Pioneers—blues/rock
Aug. 3—The Lost Cowboys—classic country
Aug.10—Soul Purpose—Motown soul
Aug. 17—In The Dust—country & Western
Aug. 24—Second Chance—local rock heroes
Aug. 31—Dead Beats—Grateful Dead tribute band
Sept. 7—Alexis P Suter—award-winning blues singer
WINDHAM MOUNTAIN RESORT, WINDHAM
Windham Mountain Facebook
Music on the Mountain Series
Music on the Mountain takes place Fridays from 6-8:30 p.m. at Windham Mountain. This free concert series features local artists, cover bands and some of New York City’s favorite performers. Additionally, there are raffles, a BBQ and scenic sky rides during the early portion of the event. No tickets or reservations needed. Outside food, beverages and pets are not allowed. Windham Mountain is located at 19 Resort Drive, Windham, NY.
Here for more details and information | 518-734-4300
July 7—10 Most Wanted —soul/funk/R&B/rock
July 14—Soul Purpose—soul/funk/R&B
July 21—Guilty Pleasure—pop rock
July 28—The Four 26—rock
Aug. 4—Serene Green—bluegrass
Aug. 11—Rollin’Rust—indie/folk
Aug. 18—Dial Up!—1990s songs
Aug. 25—Die Schlauberger—renditions of German favorites
Sept. 1—The Outcrops—blues-infused rock n’ roll
RIVERSIDE PARK, COXSACKIE
Coxsackie Music in the Park Series
Every Sunday from 6-8pm. Concerts are free to the public. Pack a chair or blanket and enjoy riverside entertainment at the spacious Coxsackie Riverside Park, Betke Boulevard, Coxsackie.
Here for more details and information | 518-731-2718
June 25—Lex Grey & the Urban Pioneers—fusion of old-school blues & classic rock
July 2—Donna Tritico Band—mix of blues, R&B and rock
July 9—Nite Train—award-winning rockin’ blues, funk & R&B
July 16—Samantha Jane Band—jazz standards quartet
July 23—Hammerhead Horns—old-timey blues, ragtime and honkytonk
July 30—Playing with Fire—classic rock & roots
Aug. 6—Night Moves—classic rock; country; 50’s thru 90’s
Aug. 13—Silver Chain Band—playing BB King, Muddy Waters & other greats
Aug. 20—Nite Train—award-winning rockin’ blues, funk & R&B
Aug. 27—Lustre Kings with Mark Gamsjager—rockabilly; real roots rock & roll
RIVERFRONT PARK, ATHENS
Athens Performing Arts Corporation 2023 Summer Concert Series
Athens Summer Concert Series takes place every Friday night from 7-9 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 1 Water Street, Athens. Spend a night under the stars and enjoy this free concert series on the banks of the Hudson River.
Here for more details and information | 518-522-9470
July 14—Les Dudek—rock music legend
July 21—Dark Desert Eagles—world premier Eagles tribute
July 28—Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen—Grammy-winning New Orleans funk
Aug. 4—Double Vision-The Foreigner Experience—rock cover band
Aug.11—Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds—soul, rock, dirty funk
Aug. 18—Conehead Buddha—rock, ska, funk, Latin, reggae, jam, hop
Dromedary Records has announced Drom30, a weekend-long celebration of independent rock in the beautiful Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains of New York, from Sept. 15-17.
Initially brought up as a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kingston micro-indie Dromedary Records, the idea evolved into a greater event.
As more and more bands got involved, it really started to look more like a celebration of the entire community of independent rock music, and the many of us who’ve kept our toes in this water for a really long time. Some of the artists have released records with Dromedary, some have been long-time friends, and some have been artists we’ve admired from afar. We’re all going to get together in the Hudson Valley and have a big, weekend-long party, hopefully feel like kids again, and celebrate this amazing community of artists we’re so proud to be a part of.
Dromedary founder Al Crisafulli.
“We hope people plan to come out to the party and enjoy the Hudson Valley for the weekend,” explained Crisafulli, “It’s a great lineup, an excellent blend of indie rock royalty, and great bands that haven’t played together in years, and younger bands that wear their 90s indie rock influences on their sleeve.” The lineup includes a number of musical luminaries, standout DJs, and some of the most important figures in the history of indie rock. Longtime Dromedary artists and collaborators Cathedral Ceilings, The Mommyheads, Stuyvesant, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Speed the Plough, and Guy Capecelatro III will perform. Each day’s events will be headlined by indie rock legends Yung Wu, Lotion, and Das Damen, three artists who seldom perform live.
Single-day passes are on sale now. Admission for Friday night’s events will be $25 and will take place at Tubby’s in Kingston. Admission for Saturday and Sunday events in Catskill will be $40 per day. For more information about Drom30 and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Drom30 Lineup
Sept 15 – 7 pm-midnight Tubby’s Kingston Yung Wu, Speed the Plough, and DJ Jeff Economy (WGXC)
Sept 16 – 1 pm-midnight The Avalon & Left Bank Ciders, Catskill Antietam, Sleepyhead, Flower, Cathedral Ceilings, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Das Damen, French, Dots Will Echo, Guy Capecelatro III w/Carrie Bradley, DJ Mark Shue (GBV), DJ Betsy Wright (Bat Fangs), DJ Al C (Dromedary/WIOX), and DJ Nick & Lysa (WGXC).
Sept 17 – 3 pm-midnight The Avalon & Spike’s Record Rack, Catskill Lotion, Monsterland, The Mommyheads, Jenny Toomey & Friends, Dippers, Stuyvesant, Overheard, Bela Koe-Krompecher, DJ Metal Mark (Worldsucks), and DJ JC (Rigorous/KMES).
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.
Looking for a family-friendly music festival this summer with a focus on the family aspect? The Catskills has your answer with Grey Fox Bluegrass Music Festival.
Photo courtesy of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival press release.
First being held in 1984 (and with roots going back to the 1976 Berkshire Mountain Bluegrass Festival) Grey Fox Bluegrass has been held on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY, on the banks of the Catskill Creek, since 2008. The festival has enjoyed great longevity with host band Dry Branch Fire Squad welcoming major bluegrass names including Del McCoury, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Abigail Washburn, the Gibson Brothers and hundreds more.
Grey Fox has a bright future especially thanks to the welcoming nature of families and children to the festival, as well as with the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids introducing children to bluegrass music and bringing everyone together for a final performance on the last day of the festival.
North Carolinian Lynda Dawson shares with NYS Music her experience at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2022, with a first-hand account of how her family spent the weekend, Bluegrass Academy for Kids and an attestation at the family-friendlyness of this long running festival in the Catskills.
It’s a 700-mile drive from our home in Raleigh, NC to the Walsh Family Farm in Upstate NY, where the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival takes place every July, yet my husband and I knew it would be worth the trek. We had made this pilgrimage pre-children, and Grey Fox instantly became one of our top favorite music events, so as soon as the youngest of our two daughters turned eight, we booked our Festival + Camping tickets and their spots in the 2022 Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids (BGA for short).
BGA at Grey Fox is a four-day group lesson environment where children ages 8–17 gather for instruction from top notch musicians each day, spending a couple hours before lunch, a couple hours after lunch, and culminating in a Sunday afternoon performance on the main stage. My 11-year-old daughter was psyched to know she’d get to be part of the final act of the festival. My 8-year-old, prone to hiding rather than play in front of others, wasn’t so sure.
The first evening we walked from our campsite up to the big tent where the Academy would be taking place. We were welcomed by other kids, the instructors and Academy Director, Mark Panfil, who enthusiastically kicked things off by sharing his passion for bluegrass and teaching young musicians, “I especially love working with young people who are willing to work and try new things. These are exceptional kids. Any teacher with experience knows these kids are special!”
The next morning, feeling proud and encouraged, our girls rode their bicycles up Smiley Street towards the Academy tent with fiddles on their backs. The Grey Fox site team builds a pop-up “city” on a farmer’s field every summer, complete with bluegrass-themed street names, and neighborhood camping sections like Picker’s Paradise and Generatorville. Our children quickly figured out the lay of the land and were independently navigating their way between our campsite and the BGA tent. My husband and I smiled, then we opened our own guitar and mandolin cases, relaxed in our camping chairs, and relished in the joy of playing songs together outside on a beautiful summer morning. We hoped our kids were having as much fun as we were.
“Yes!” says our oldest when we picked them up for the lunch break, “The people are awesome, and it is super fun!” Mark Panfil agrees, “The BGA is special to me because of the people involved. From the teachers to the parents to the students. People who believe in the future of Bluegrass music are all around this festival. This experience stands out because this festival stands out, open to innovative programs and maintaining a family friendly space.”
And so the festival fun continued. In the evenings we enjoyed sitting together as a family on the hillside listening to music from the High Meadow main stage, then dancing until the kids were practically falling asleep in the Catskill Stage dance tent. During the day while our girls were playing and learning bluegrass songs with new friends, my husband and I would play music with our neighbors, or shop along vendor row, or discover new bands at the Creekside Stage.
Our youngest was even overcoming her fear of playing in public. When she got back to the campsite late Saturday afternoon she asked if she could join in the jam happening across the street from us. “Sure!” we said, trying not to sound too excited, and watched her walk over, unpack her fiddle, and start playing along with a dozen welcoming musicians.
On Sunday morning the kids met at the BGA tent to run through their songs for the big performance, then they headed backstage as the parents joined the audience. To our delight, Jerry Douglas took the stage with them and kicked off, “Long Journey Home” on his Dobro, grinning ear to ear as he sang along on the chorus, “Lost all my money but a two-dollar bill…” During the set he addressed the audience and said, “Man, I wish I had something like this when I was a kid!” It was joyous.
When the show and festival were over, we met up with the girls amidst families giving hugs and high-fives. As soon as they saw us they both rushed over and asked with excitement, “We’re coming back again next year, right?!?” “Absolutely,” we said. Absolutely.
As Lynda Dawson detailed above, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is an ideal destination for families looking to get their children a healthy dose of music and the outdoors this summer, with opportunities for fun abounding and a lifetime of memories to be gained.
Check out the daily schedule below and get more info on the weekend here.
Albany’s rising jam group Hilltop have unveiled their 2023 Summer Tour, taking them across New York, plus festival stops in Pennslyvania and the Catskills and a post Phish show in NYC.
Photo by Frank Cavone
Among the dates is a first ever show for Hilltop at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, on August 3rd. During a non-consecutive 7-night run for Phish at Madison Square Garden, Hilltop jumps on an opportunity to play on one of the few nights off for Phish, bringing Thursday night funk to those looking to keep boogieing down in between Phish shows.
If you can’t catch them at Mercury Lounge, don’t miss Hilltop as they make a stop at Catskill Jubilee Music Festival in mid-August, featuring the Disco Biscuits headlining. More dates leading into the fall will be announced soon!
Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show here and stay up to date on Hilltop here.
Hilltop Summer Tour 2023
6/23 – Red Square – Burlington, VT 6/24 – The Listening Room at East Coast Van Builds – Bradford, VT 7/8 – Rock the Dock Music Festival – Lake George, NY 7/14 – Riverboat Bar – Alexandria Bay, NY 7/28 – Nietzsche’s – Buffalo, NY 8/3 – MERCURY LOUNGE – New York, NY * 8/10-13 – Catskill Jubilee – East Durham, NY 8/16 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA 8/17 – Stella Blues Bar – New Haven, CT
