Fear of Strangers, originally known as The Units, is an Albany-based quartet that revolutionized the DIY era of the city during the 70s with its simple, melodic rock and clever lyrics. The band announced they will be doing a reunion show at Lark Hall on June 2.
Update – this show has been moved to November 4th. Read a message from the band below.
Dear devoted fans and FOS curious, we’re sorry to have to postpone our FOS/Units reunion show at Lark Hall. We’ve had a personal injury within the band. Everyone is fine and it’s not something too serious or life-threatening, but still it would hamper our performance. We want to put on the best show that we can, so we hope you’ll find it worth waiting for. The rescheduled date is Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Lark Hall. Check this page for updates as the date approaches and we hope everyone can still make it!
The Units came onto the Albany DIY scene with their fresh energy of punk and new wave, fusing the luster of Steely Dan, the thump of Parliament/Funkadelic, and the firm edge of the Talking Heads. They traded the name for the ferocious and catchier Fear of Strangers, going from doing covers of whatever was hot at the moment to creating their own fresh and catchy covers. The quartet is comprised of bassist Steve Cohen, vocalist ‘Lonesome’ Val Haynes, drummer Al Kash, and guitarist Todd Nelson.
Photos by Dave Suarez and Lynne Harty.
They released their debut single “Japan” b/w “I am Sorry” in December 1979 under the name The Units, and once they changed their name they released their only album in 1982 on the Faulty Products label. The band became one of the most prolific ones to come out of the late 70s DIY scene in Albany, eventually opening shows for like-minded pioneers including The Police, Squeeze, XTC, The Specials, B-52’s, and R.E.M. In 1983, the band called it quits, but Cohen, Haynes, Kash, and Nelson have all made music in other realms and in other cities.
The band will be hosting a Fear of Strangers/The Units Reunion Show on June 2 at Lark Hall, dedicated to the memory of Lin Brehmer, shining a light on the beginnings of the underground Albany scene, serving as a powerful reminder that the scene is still bright and beaming. Upstate New York’s premiere acoustic Americana trio, Lost Radio Rounders, will start the evening off at 8 p.m. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit here.
The Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will hold its 43rd annual celebration at Altamont Fairgrounds in Albany County from June 23-25.
The three main stage concerts each feature multiple artists on Friday and Saturday from 6:30 -11 p.m., and Sunday from 3:30 – 7 p.m. in the leafy, open-air main stage area, and over 100 daytime workshops, dances, and performances. Also featured are craft, food, and instrument vendors, and a well-run children’s activity area for all three days of the festival.
Pianists perform at a previous Old Songs Music Festival at Altamont Fairgrounds. Credit: Old Songs Festival.
The Old Songs Music Festival held annually at Altamont Fairgrounds since 1997, celebrates Folk, Celtic, Quebecois, Roots, Americana, and World music from Ireland, Scotland, England, Quebec, Italy, India, the Midwest, Appalachia, New England, and more. This participatory event for the whole family encourages audience members to join jam sessions, take part in learn-how sessions, and classes, sing sacred harps, or move their feet to our great dance bands. School-age children who play an instrument can participate in the “Great Groove Band,” which has a stage performance at the Sunday festival, with the help of music coaches and musical instruction.
Old Songs, Inc., centered in the Capital Region, is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping traditional music and dance alive through festivals, concerts, dances, and educational programs.
Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or at the festival gate.
Brooklyn-based alt-band Citrus Maxima has dived headfirst into the indie-rock genre with their newest release “I Don’t Wanna Die,” the first single from their upcoming record. With hundreds of thousands of Spotify streams and years of local gigging experience around New York, the band is looking forward to releasing their upcoming debut album this spring.
The new single “I Don’t Wanna Die” is a song that cuts through the dirge of washed-out, lazy indie rock and instantly jolts the listener with its infectious chorus. The band captures this by combining wailing feedback, crunchy guitars, and driving drums with instantly catchy vocals and heartfelt melodies.
Formed in Albany, but now based in Brooklyn, Citrus Maxima offers up a fresh take on indie rock, anchored by strong songwriting, raw energetic rhythms, and melodic guitars. Citrus Maxima was originally formed in 2014 with Shawn Majeed on drums and Lucas Rinaldi on guitar and vocals. The band added members Wyatt Kirschner on lead guitar in 2018, and Max Gucinski on bass and backup vocals in 2021.
Citrus Maxima has built up a strong online presence with a string of successful releases. In December 2020, the band released “1970”, their most played song with over 250k Spotify streams, and followed up with “Sprouts” a small collection of songs including “Seeds Don’t Bleed”, which incorporates a 90s alternative rock influence.
Their “live session” videos uploaded to YouTube further solidified their online buzz, as their cover of Pavement song “Harness Your Hopes” even grabbed the attention of Pavement member Bob Nastanovich, who praised the cover on social media. Devotees of the DIY ethos, all releases, social media growth, and touring was planned and executed by the band alone without the assistance of a label or management.
Listen to “I Don’t Wanna Die” by clicking the link here.
The City of Albany announced the 75th annual Tulip Festival will take place on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in Washington Park, featuring many notable New York State artists and headliners Guster, American Authors, and more.
The Albany Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food trucks, the KidZone family fun destination, three world-class live entertainment stages, a brand new wellness stage with free dance classes, and more than 248,000 tulips in 175 different varieties. The festival will bring many genres from across the state and beyond performing on multiple stages for the many people that attend.
Saturday, May 13
Main Stage, Washington Park Parade Grounds
1:30 p.m. – Precious Metals is a solo project led by Troy native singer-songwriter J Lee White, featuring a band of established local musicians including Mateo Vosganian (drums), Jesse Bolduc (bass), and Chase Keener (keys, guitar). The band’s high-energy alt-rock sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion and 2010s indie rock revival.
3:00 p.m. – Karina Rykman has garnered a lot of attention and avid listenership through her playing of the bass, singing, and enjoying herself through her performances, like jumping and dancing while she sings. Her music straddles the worlds of jam rock and indie pop with touches of psychedelia. She has only released six singles so far but continues to be an unmissable live act.
4:30 p.m. – Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston founded in 1991. They are known for their unique style of live shows with notable humor and touches of their own tastes. The band is comprised of Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel, formed when they did band practices at Tufts University.
Local 518 Stage, Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
1:00 p.m. – Space Trash is a local quartet combining rhythm, blues, rock, funk, and pop originals.
2:15 p.m. – Frank Palangi is an indie rock recording artist from Upstate New York, reigniting the fuel on a genre that refuses to die. He has received numerous awards, including Best In the Region for Glens Falls and Albany areas, the national unsigned-only competition finals, radio artist of the year (radio wigwam), and an LA Music Award single Nomination.
3:30 p.m – OHZHE is a hip-hop artist from Albany, bringing his charisma and versatility to the stage, connecting with his audience through his reliability and vulnerability. He looks to inspire his city with his lyrics, perspective, and lifestyle.
4:45 p.m. – T.V. Doctors are a trio from Upstate New York comprised of Bob Morris, Acoustic & Electric Drums, Josh Witmer, Guitar, Guitar Synth, Keys, Samples, and Evan Conway, Bass, Bass Synth, and Keys.
Albany Tulip Festival.
Sunday, May 14
Starting off the day from 9-10 a.m. is the annual Yoga Fest on the Main Stage. The event is free, but those who wish to attend must register here.
Main Stage
1:30 p.m. – The Age is a project of Adrian Lewis, who makes music so the audience can get a glimpse of how he sees the world, through fragments of introspection and humility. He touches on themes of insecurity, devotion, heartache, and more.
3:00 p.m. – Eastbound Jesus doesn’t fit into one genre, they shred on the banjo, play ballads, and make you jump to their fast-paced rocking tunes in what they call “Northern rock.” Everything they do comes from a real, genuine place that makes for a sound all their own.
4:45 p.m. – American Authors are a New York-based pop-rock band that has accomplished what many bands dream of doing, having their music climb to the top of the charts and singles go multi-platinum. Their single “Best Day of My Life” has been featured in over 600 movie trailers, commercials, and TV shows, also appearing as the theme song for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. American Authors has played award shows and hit the stages of legendary venues all over the world.
Local 518 Stage
1:00 p.m. – Caity and the Gallaghers are the full band iteration of the folk singer-songwriter Caity Gallagher, joined by the talented bassist Ben Woodul, pianist Dan DeKalb, and percussionist John Morris. Compared to a modern combination of The Cranberries and Jackson Browne, she elevates melodic, emotional, and lyrical expression in her music.
2:15 p.m. – Glass Pony is an Albany collective that plays a variety of genres spanning multiple decades from psychedelic and jam-focused rock to funk, post-punk, and more. The band offers a sound that truly translates through generations with a stylistic blend that engages a broad listenership, with the focus squarely set on delivering captivating live performances
3:30 p.m. – Nickopotamus combines elements of jam, funk, rock, punk, groove, and zydeco to provide the listener with an exciting experience that will have them singing along. Hailing from Albany, the four-piece is led by singer/songwriter/ guitarist Nick Souder, with Andy Flemming on Bass, Dave Pemrick on Drums, and Kate Beauvais on Aux Percussion.
4:45 p.m. – DJ HollyW8D, originally from Brooklyn, is an influencer who curates shows for independent artists and hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM. He energized crowds throughout the Upstate New York Capital Region and believes music brings joy, energy, nostalgia, and good vibes. His latest venture is titled #MoreMusicLessViolence which is a community concert series focused on bringing creatives of all ages together along with community members through positive music.
For more information about the Albany Tulip Festival, visit here.
Following up on her successful Dead of Winter Residency singer-songwriter and classically trained harpist Mikaela Davis will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May at Upstate locations like Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and more.
Mikaela Davis, photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage.
Mikaela Davis is a native of Rochester, navigating folk, rock, and chamber pop in her music. She emerged in the early 2010s showcasing her harp skills with solo covers of indie singer/songwriters, producing her debut album Delivery in 2018. At age eight she began studying classical harp at the Crane School of Music, writing her own songs after that, and touring whenever she wasn’t in school. Since her debut, she has released several singles, including August’s release of “Left Hand Path,” and has shared the stage with Bob Weir, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, and more. She also performs with her band Southern Star, recently recording at the Relix Studio in New York City, releasing an exclusive Relix Studios vinyl.
Davis recently announced she will be playing a Here Comes Sunshine Residency in May in multiple Upstate cities like Ithaca, Buffalo, Albany, and Syracuse, with additional one-off shows in Burlington, VT, and the Rochester Lilac Festival. All residency shows will feature two sets, a mixture of original & Grateful Dead songs. Along with the announcement of these shows, Davis says a brand new album is in the works, to be announced at a later date.
For more information about Mikaela Davis and to buy tickets to her Here Comes Sunshine Residency, visit here.
Mikaela Davis Residency Shows
5/2 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/3 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/4 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/5 – Burlington VT – Burlington, VT [Residency Show] 5/7 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/8 – Ithaca NY [Residency Show] 5/9 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/10 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show] 5/11 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/15 – Rochester NY – Lilac Festival 5/16 – Buffalo NY – 9th Ward at Babeville [Residency Show] 5/18 – Syracuse NY – Funk n Waffles [Residency Show] 5/19 – Albany NY – Parish Public House [Residency Show]
Albany psychedelic rock band Ampevene has just put out their newest single “The Chemistress” on March 7th. The band recommends listening to the single with headphones as the mixing was planned to give the song an almost 3D feel to it.
Ampevene is an experimental fusion of original progressive rock, psychedelic, and other genres. Based out of Albany, the band has opened for nationally touring acts such as Moon Hooch, Consider The Source, Flux Capacitor, and Aqueous. “The Chemistress” was inspired by rock bands such as The Mars Volta, Black Midi, Tool, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Comprised of Gabe Stallman (guitar and vocals), Mack Hogan (bass), Ava Smith (keys and synth), and Brian McKinney Fahey (drums), Ampevene has played in some of the region’s best venues including Larkfest, The Hollow, and Putnam Den in the Capital Region, The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont, and Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse.
“The Chemistress” is a pure listening and visceral experience, Ampevene blends a free form frenzy, jagged riffs, and hypnotic rhythms into a tight, psychedelic, sonic landscape, designed to trip up and trip out any listener. Ampevene draws their influence from renowned artists such as Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, TOOL, Mastodon, King Crimson, John Frusciante, and more, yet somehow manages to create something completely unique for their listeners.
During a performance, Ampevene will take you through a transcendent experience of sounds ranging from soft floating grooves to heavy math based confusion, and even downright noise, yet somehow the complexity doesn’t obscure the pure emotion, and even comfort that the songs exude. They released their first full length album, Ephemagoria, in 2018.
To listen to “The Chemistress,” click the link here.
Due to illness, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s concert at MVP Arena in Albany on Tuesday, March 14 has been postponed.
In a statement, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band said that they “are working on rescheduling the date so please hold on to your tickets as they will be valid for the rescheduled show.” This has been the third show the band has had to postpone due to illness, including March 9 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, and March 12 at Mohegan Sun in Montville, CT.
The show has been rescheduled to Sept. 19, and previously bought tickets are valid for the new show. If you cannot make the show, you can request a refund up until April 16.
Capital Region indie-rock quartet E.R.I.E. have just released their second EP Suburban Mayhem on March 8th. The band previously released the single “World is On Fire” to tease the album in early February featuring local scene friend Sydney Worthley.
Suburban Mayhem arrives to the scene with grander scope and vision. The album turns its focus externally, commenting vividly on the outside forces burrowing into our brains on a daily basis. It’s a resplendent examination of the world around us, rife with equal parts cynicism, wit and hope.
The album features pitch-perfect collaborations with Brooklyn-based dream-pop trio ALMA, and fellow Albany songwriter Sydney Worthley. The record showcases a band not only finding their footing, but settling into a signature sound affectionately self-described as Tom Petty cosplaying as blink-182.
The first song on the album “Oh Well” gives listeners a peak into what Suburban Mayhem is truly about. Others songs like “Bad Mans World,” “Suburban Mayhem (Holy Fuck),” and “The Motions” truly show the dedication and ambitions that the band has. “Bad Mans World” is a favorite of mine, with its lyrics being meaningful yet a jam at the same time.
The four members of E.R.I.E. – guitarist Matt Delgado, drummer Chad Flewwelling, and bassist Levi Jennes spent most of 2022 self-recording their sophomore full-length, yielding 12 nostalgia-tinged songs. Suburban Mayhem further lends credence to the frequent comparisons to The Gaslight Anthem, Frank Turner and The Get Up Kids that the band has garnered, with its “crunching guitars, catchy choruses and a down-to-earth, working-class vibe that recalls modern heartland punk rock…” (Daily Gazette).
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Mar 18 – Albany, NY @ Lark Hall
To listen to Suburban Mayhem, click the link here.
The Musicians of Ma’alwyck announce their first live concert since 2020 with Celestial Melodies, celebrating the music of William & Catherine Herschel and their contemporaries, taking place March 11 and 12 in Schenectady and Albany.
The Musicians of Ma’alwyck are a flexible-size chamber ensemble in residence at the Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site and Schenectady County Community College. Founded in 1999 by violinist and director Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, the group specializes in music performed in America during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were named the best chamber music ensemble of the Capital Region for both 2008 and 2009 by Metroland and were nominated for the Eddies Music Award.
The ensemble released its first commercial CD in 2016, Music in the Schuyler Mansion, which the Times Union called “elegant and charming,” and their second in 2021, Hyde Hall & the Silver Goddess: Operatic Brilliance of Auber, Bellini, Meyerbeer, and Rossini from the Drawing Room.
The Celestial Melodies program will feature the music of composers and astronomers William and Catherine Herschel, as well as others. The concert will include not only the music of the Herschels and their contemporaries but a visual component as well, a specially developed sky show, with dazzling images and unique looks at the constellations as they appeared in Herschel’s lifetime. The program also features the world premiere of a new work Invocation by Max Caplan, inspired by the NASA data sonification project.
William Herschel was born into a musical family, with his father being a professional oboist and himself a fine violinist, harpsichordist, and organist. He came to England in the 1750s as a member of the Hanover Band and worked as the Bath Church’s organist and director of the orchestra and concert series. He is known for his incredible astronomical discoveries, which include the discovery of infrared radiation, astronomical spectrophotometry, the planet Uranus and far-seeing telescopes. Herschel’s younger sister Caroline was also an outstanding musician and astronomer, she was the first female astronomer to receive a salary and in 1828 she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Their first performance of Celestial Melodies will take place in Schenectady on March 11 at the Museum of Innovation and Science, and tickets are $35. The second performance will be at Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site in Albany, and tickets are $40 for general admission and $10 for students. Reservations are strongly suggested as seating is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
On Friday, March 4th at The Linda in Downtown Albany, Sarah King and Sydney Worthley kicked off the venue’s month-long event celebrating Women’s History month with their Women’s Voices Concert Series. Despite the impending snowstorm, nearly every seat was filled, yet it was still an intimate and delightful show.
Sydney Worthley
Local phenom Sydney Worthley kicked things off. This young lady (only 17!) can write the types of songs that most people double her age would struggle to write, let alone understand, and her voice sounds like she has been training for decades, except that’s impossible. She played with guitarist TJ Foster and the pair’s chemistry on stage was delightful.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see or hear Sydney, she just released her first full-length music video called “Heart Shaped Mess.” Or you can catch her playing with Lucid Street at Putnam Place on March 10th.
Sarah King
As someone who has been covering shows for quite some time, it is a struggle to find the words to describe just how delicious it was to watch Sarah King perform. First of all, her voice is incredibly unique — she started off training in opera and it shows despite the fact that she doesn’t sing in that style at all anymore. Her range is unlike anything I have heard before. She can go from a Janice Joplin-type growl to a stunning high note within a millisecond and she makes it look easy.
Like Sydney, Sarah is a songwriter and a storyteller and her lyrics are so powerful it felt like she was speaking for every woman when she was up on that stage. If you missed last night’s performance, it won’t be your last time to hear from Sarah. She has released four new tracks recently and is recording an album in May that is due out this summer. Friday’s show was her kick-off to a month-long series of shows celebrating Women’s History Month.
Setlist: Wedding Rings, Not Worth the Whiskey, Oh Mama, Nightstand, Cold Hard Ground, Crazy People, Always an Almost, You Were Wrong, War Pigs (Black Sabbath), Blame it on the Booze.
Check out the full gallery from the evening with Sarah King and Sydney Worthley below.
