NYS Music 2023

Tag: Finger Lakes

  • The Endless Mountain Derelicts Show Grit on Good Got Damn

    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 Endless Mountain Derelicts' Good Got Damn

    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.”

    The Endless Mountain Derelicts

    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.

  • Toad The Wet Sprocket has Good Intentions for Canandaigua

    Back in the day when Drakkar was the go-to scent for young men and the smell of clove cigarettes was the norm, Toad the Wet Sprocket was becoming a household name. On June 22, they brought their sounds to Lincoln Hill Farms, a small rustic backwoods venue just outside of Canandaigua.

    Opening up for TTWS was Marcy Playground. Back in 1996, Marcy Playground was riding the merry-go-round waiting for a big break. They were awarded that break when they were invited to tour with Toad. 27 years later, here they are on tour together again.

    Marcy Playground is fronted by John Wozniak, Shlomi Lavie on drums, and Dylan Keefe on bass. On this night, Keefe could not make the trip so Scot Alexander of Dishwalla filled in and crushed it as if he were in the band for years. Of course the fans knew every word to every song and came close to overpowering Wozniak’s voice on Sex And Candy.

    Setlist for Marcy Playground: Poppies, Pigeon Farm, Rock and Roll Heroes, Special, Saint Joe on the School Bus, Rebel Sodville, A Cloak of Elvenkind, Punk Rock Superstar, Wave Motion Gun, Sherry Fraser, Deadly Handsome Man, Sex and Candy, Star Baby

    Formed in the late 80s, Toad the Wet Sprocket is named after a Monty Python skit when the band needed a name so they could enter a talent contest. Although the band called it temporary and a joke, the name has stuck.

    Lead singer Glen Phillips smooth voice can transition into any style flawlessly, so it makes sense to see his style described as folky and alt-pop. Songs like “Good Intentions” and “All I Want” are great examples of both pop and alternative sounds, while a song like “I Will Not Take These Things for Granted” yields a more folk sound.

    Another folk style song from Phillips was “Transient Whales,” which he performed acoustically using a 50s style microphone to enhance the sound. Trucking along flawlessly, he forgot some lyrics but thanks to fan in the front row, he was able to get back on track and finish it out.

    Minus the aforementioned scents and a parking lot of full of Ford Tempos and Chevy Cavaliers, Toad took fans back to the 90s with hits such as “Walk on The Ocean,” “All I Want,” and “Good Intentions.” The respectable crowd of near middle-aged parents danced around like they were still in high school partying at the Saturday night bonfires.

    While they have not been producing new music on regular basis, the band released Starting Now in August of 2021 the title track and “Old Habits Die Hard” released in September and October of same year. Keep up to date with Toad the Wet Sprocket here.

    Setlist: Windmills, Come Down, California Wasted, Crowning, Hold On, Nanci, Whatever I Fear, All I Want, Transient Whales, Good Intentions, Closer to Fine (Indigo Girls), The Moment, Dam Would Break, Fly From Heavan, Pray Your Gods, Nightingale Song, Crazy Life, Something’s Always Wrong, Walk On The Ocean, Fall Down, I Will Not Take These Things For Granted