Dynamic acoustic duo Murray’s Law is set to deliver an exclusive performance at Swyer Theater at The Egg in Albany on October 20.
The acoustic duo features Brian Murray and Jimmy Law from the acclaimed New Jersey jam quintet Dogs in a Pile. Murray’s Law delivers an acoustic experience that highlights their vibrant covers and a compelling mix of original compositions, making each performance a bold and engaging experience.
The intimate setting of the Swyer Theater offers the perfect backdrop for audiences to connect with the raw musical prowess and captivating energy that Brian and Jimmy bring to the stage.
Murray’s Law emerges from the profound creative synergy between Brian and Jimmy, known for their role in Dogs in a Pileâa band currently riding the wave of success with a string of notable achievements. Dogs in a Pile has captivated the Capital Region for years, recently making regional headlines after announcing their second annual headlining New Year’s Eve run at Saratoga Springs’ Putnam Place.
They further solidified their reputation with a stellar summer tour featuring sold-out performances at prestigious venues like Colorado’s Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Their participation in the “Pigeons Frasco Dogs Tour” showcased their ability to electrify audiences on large stages nationwide.
For more information on the upcoming performance by Murray’s Law and to purchase tickets to the show, click here.
LCD Soundsystem has announced their upcoming “Winter FUNction” series of shows beginning November 21 at Knockdown Center in Queens for three long weekends in November and December.
The LCD Soundsystem shows take place November 21 through 24, December 5 through 8, and finally, December 12 through 15. The electronic rock band plans to dazzle audiences for these three long weekends for their “Annual Winter FUNction.”
The shows include special guest bands for each night of the performances, along with international deejays, after parties, and Four Horsemen Wine Bar. LCD Soundsystem is known for putting on a high-energy, captivating, and groovy show. These are not shows you want to miss.
LCD Soundsystem performs at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2011
The group was formed in Brooklyn in 2002 by James Murphy, the co-founder of DFA Records. The band comprises Murphy (vocals), Nancy Whang (synthesizer, keyboards), Pat Mahoney (drums), Tyler Pope (bass, guitar), Al Doyle (guitar, percussion), Matt Thornley (guitar, synthesizer), and Korey Richey (synthesizer, piano, percussion).
LCD Soundsystem’s musical sound is described as electronic rock, indie-rock, dance-punk, amongst many others. In short, this group holds a unique, heavy groove, with a persistent electronic backbone. Public on-sale tickets are available on Thursday, September 26 at 10AM ET. Fan presales being September 25.
For more information on the upcoming LCD Soundsystem shows at Knockdown Center in Queens, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Southern Rock jam band Gov’t Mule has announced the return of their annual New Year’s show at the Beacon Theatre from December 30-31. The band will also see the stage at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut on December 28 as well.
The three-night stand – Celebrating 30 years of The Mule – kicks off Saturday, December 28 at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, CT and then return to the Beacon Theatre in New York City, the longstanding home of their New Year’s shows, for back-to-back nights Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31.
These special year-end shows mark the first Gov’t Mule headlining shows since their February “30 Years Strong Tour” and continue the celebrations for this major milestone as they honor the band’s past, present and future. This year marks the 22nd year in a row the band has hosted the annual New Year’s Run.
Gov’t Mule has galvanized a global fan base with their honest, organic and daring music and improvisational virtuosity, leading them to be recognized as one of the most timeless, revered and active bands in the world whose spot amongst rock titans remains unshakable. This celebratory performance is one you’ll want to see live at the Beacon Theatre this December.
The general on sale will commence Friday, September 20 at 12 pm ET. VIP packages will also be available, which include reserved seating, access to soundcheck, limited edition signed poster, and more starting Wednesday at 12pm ET.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years. It’s also hard to believe we’ve been celebrating New Year’s together for over 20 years. These are always such special shows for us. I’m looking forward to being with the band revisiting some of the stuff we haven’t played in a long, long time and, of course, being with our incredible fans.”
Warren Hayes, Guitarist and Vocalist
For more information on the upcoming Gov’t Mule New Year’s Run and to purchase tickets, click here.
On Friday September 13th two Troybands – Lemon of Choice and Fantasy of the Broken – brought a large crowd to NO FUN in Troy.
Lemon of Choice is a rock band based in Albany. This band of friends makes every show more enjoyable by looping the crowd into their between song conversations. “I need my fancy drum sticks, or we won’t have any music” says Joe Taurone (Drummer and Lead Singer). They have a way of letting the crowd think every song is over then all of a sudden continues the song shocking the audience.
Fantasy of A Broken Heart promoted their debut album coming out on September 27. The band consists of two New York City friends who also play in the band Water from Your Eyes. This band has a Neo-Psychedelic feel to their music which sounds perfect in NO FUN’s intimate setting. They played all four songs from their most recent release Follow Your Captain EP.
They ended their set with title track “Follow Your Captain” which was the last song for them to finish on this project. The song follows the story of Al Nardo and Baliey Wollowitz’ childhoods. A song that they stated felt too personal to finish prior but when the opportunity arose, they decided to give it a try and added it to the EP.
This September 29, Oak Mountain in Speculator announces the return of the acclaimed Oaktoberfest. The Central Adirondacks festivities include a wide array of activities for the whole family.
The views from Oak Mountain in the Fall
Oaktoberfest in Speculator is back and better than ever. This family-friendly event is bursting with activities and entertainment, including live music with The Altered Tones & Wayward Folk. Upstate roots-rock band The Insolent Willies are planned to perform both original and all-time classic tunes for the crowd.
The event begins at 12 noon and wraps up at 4 PM on September 29. Oak Mountainâs Acorn Pub and Eatery serves fall favorites and a full bar. One of the Adirondack’s most critically acclaimed breweries, Paradox Brewery is set to serve some brews. Nine Pin Ciderworks from Albany is planned to be on tap as well.
The event includes vendors, a craft market, wine and beer sampling, a camp store with snacks and games, and even the opportunity to visit with animals at the Utica Zoomobile. In the spirit of Oaktoberfest, you’ll want to be sure to participate in the German costume contest and ride the chairlift to the top of Oak Mountain to enjoy views of the beautiful Adirondack fall foliage.
What could be better than the picturesque Oak Mountain displaying the lovely fall foliage? Oak Mountain in all its fabulous fall glory, with scenic lift rides, delicious food and drinks, live music, and so much more. Be sure to bring the whole family, as there’s something for each and every individual who partakes in the festivities.
For more information on Oaktoberfest click here. Additionally, to learn more about Oak Mountain in Speculator, NY, click here.
The Grateful Dead played a brief 10-show tour in September of 1973 and included among these was a stop at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse. This tour featured the one and only time the band would be joined by a horn section on stage. Tenor saxaphonist Martin Fierro and trumpeter Joe Ellis were familiar with some of the Dead’s catalog, mainly due to their involvement with the recording of the band’s sixth studio album Wake of the Flood, which would be released the following month.
As it happens, Fierro and Ellis were members of The Doug Sahm Band which served as the opener for eight of these shows. Since they were already on tour with the Dead, a sit-in seemed only natural. According to Fierro, the horns were not incredibly well received at the time as this was a stray from the standard Grateful Dead concert experience. But their knowledge of the material is evident and offers a unique twist on some of the classic songs from the band’s repertoire. On this evening in Syracuse, with the exception of “Here Comes Sunsine,” the entirety of Wake of the Flood would be played, serving as a sneak peek for the new album.
The recording of this show, which can be found below, doesn’t start until the tail end of the “Tennessee Jed” opener. The Dead follow this up with a blistering “Me and My Uncle” with Phil Lesh coming in loud and clear on the bass guitar. This is succeeded by another first set staple with an uptempo version of “They Love Each Other” which made its debut earlier this year and is highlighted by some delicious guitar licks from Jerry Garcia and timely fills from Keith Godchaux on piano. It’s a short, but sweet, take and very much to the point.
Some classic Dead tuning then takes place with Bob Weir advising the crowd about a “couple of technical problems” before the band launches into an older first set standard with their cover of “Beat It On Down The Line.” Here, Donna Jean Godchaux makes her voice heard for the first time as she and Weir harmonize throughout on another crisp albeit brief opening set selection. The musical reigns are then passed back to Garcia who leads the band through a slow and soulful “Sugaree” with Lesh coming in hot on bass towards the song’s end.
Weir then reassumes lead vocals on another rapid first set song in “Mexicali Blues” that the Dead navigate through with ease before “Loser,” which is also partially cut on the recording and has some echoey vocal effects from Garcia to along with his signature pristine guitar solo. This sets the stage for a poignant “Looks Like Rain,” a song first featured on Bob Weir’s solo album Ace that was released last year. It features some interesting synthesizer and electric keyboard work from Godchaux that supplements Weir’s always impassioned vocals nicely.
Things stay in the emotional vein with a slow and plodding “Row Jimmy” that follows with Garcia, backed by Donna Jean on vocals, leading the way and drummer Bill Kreutzmann maintaining a deliberately steady tempo throughout. A little steam begins to pick up with the “Jack Straw” that follows which sees more intricate piano work from Godchaux to go along with some three-part vocal harmonies before Garcia leads the way on another fairly new number in “Loose Lucy” which also made its debut earlier this year.
Donna Jean even gets to take center stage in this opening set in Syracuse as she jumps on lead vocals for the Grateful Dead’s cover of Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough.” It’s a song the band would only play a handful of times in 1973 and this is the second to last ever performance of it with her husband throwing in some spirited work on piano. This carries right over into the “El Paso” that follows before the Dead end the first set at the War Memorial with the Robert Hunter and Garcia-penned “Casey Jones” that starts off rather mellow but, like a train barreling downhill, picks up in speed and intensity by the time all is sang and done.
After a chock full first set with 15 different songs played, the Dead opened up and let loose with a much more improvisational second one on this night in Syracuse and finally broke out the horn section. After an introductory “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleoo,” Martin Fierro and Joe Ellis finally emerge for the majority of the rest of the show. They begin with a rather unknown tune at the time, “Let Me Sing Your Blues Away,” which would be featured on the upcoming Wake of the Flood release. Garcia, Weir and Donna Jean are all involved on vocals with Fierro taking an extended saxophone solo that helps serve as the song’s bridge. It’s a song the band would only play live on this brief September 1973 tour.
Phil Lesh then gives a belated and quick introduction of Fierro and Ellis before the start of “Truckin’” which has a bouncier, jazzy feel to at the outset thanks to the additions from each. The horns maintain a steady presence all throughout the composed section and well into the jam that ensues. It’s a song that had been played three times already on this tour so there’s a discernable comfort level in the playing which makes for a very unique take on a Grateful Dead classic that sees Fierro and Godchaux linking up to take control in the latter portion of the jam that ensues.
The ensemble would go on to play some more songs from Flood, including “Eyes of the World” with Fierro and Ellis continuing to provide background harmonies on horns, especially in the purely instrumental sections between verses. Fierro gets an extended solo as the jam progresses and meshes nicely with the rest of the band although Ellis sounds a bit too excited and a bit off key before Garcia reels things back in to a more customary “Eyes” jam. Once finished, the band then jumps right into a full “Weather Report Suite” where the horns are much more understated and seem to fit a little better. The same can be said for the beginning of “Let It Grow” as Fierro and Ellis are comfortable with the composed/lyrical section but seem to do a little too much once the jam that ensues begins to stretch out a little.
The Grateful Dead wrap up this Syracuse show with a mellow and somber “Stella Blue” that sees Fierro on sax mesh perfectly with Garcia’s guitar tone. After one last tuning break, this one seemingly inspired by the Looney Tunes theme, a “Sugar Magnolia” closes things out with the horns taking a bit of a back seat at first and then coming alive in the “Sunshine Daydream” section.
Overall, there are moments of greatness, mainly during compositional and slower sections, but the horns seem to try to do a bit too much when the improvisation kicks into high gear. This is likely what led to some Deadheads being less than enthused about their addition to a traditional Grateful Dead show. This brief tour would go on to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA before ending in Buffalo at the War Memorial nine days later.
Grateful Dead – Onondaga County War Memorial – Syracuse, NY – September 17, 1973
Set 1: Tennessee Jed, Me & My Uncle, They Love Each Other, Beat It On Down The Line, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Loser, Looks Like Rain, Row Jimmy, Jack Straw, Loose Lucy, You Ain’t Woman Enough, El Paso, Casey Jones
Set 2: Mississippi Half Step, Let Me Sing*, Truckin’*-> Eyes Of The World*-> Weather Report Suite Prelude*-> Weather Report Suite Part 1*-> Let It Grow*-> Stella Blue, Sugar Magnolia
*with Joe Ellis on trumpet and Martin Fierro on saxophone
Tops of Trees takes the stage at Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse on September 21, and joining them for this high-energy event is local favorite, Spent Grain.
Tops of Trees are an original nine-piece rock & soul ensemble hailing from Saratoga Springs. They have quickly made a name for themselves in Upstate NY and beyond, known for their genre-blending sound and dynamic live performances, they are set to deliver an unforgettable show that highlights their tight rhythm section with blistering vocals and an unshakeable horn section.
In the short time they have been together they have created a buzz by thrilling audiences with their high-energy performances. The group’s modern interpretation of soulful music steeped in early R&B, funk and blues propelled them to notoriety in upstate NY culture.
Sharing the stage with Tops of Trees is Spent Grain, a Syracuse-based band renowned for their unique fusion of blues, rock, and a touch of Americana. Spent Grain’s heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies have earned them a loyal local following. Their performance is expected to set the perfect tone for the evening.
Doors to the show open at 7:00 PM, and the music kicks off at 8:00 PM. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the debut of Tops of Trees to Syracuse with Spent Grain.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit Funk ‘n Waffles website by clicking here. To learn more about Tops of Trees and to stay up to date on their shows, click here.
Indie Brooklyn band, Gooseberry, have released their debut full-length album titled, All My Friends Are Cattle.
Gooseberry continue their buzz with the release of their debut album, All My Friends Are Cattle.
Gooseberry, formed in 2019, is a band which takes inspiration from genres such as alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their sound. Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass) form the group and have played major venues across the east coast including, Baby’s All Right, the Knitting Factory, and The Bowery Ballroom in NYC.
Since the release of their 2022 debut EP Broken Dance, the trio has received praise from editorials such as Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more. In April, Gooseberry announced their debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. The album was released on Sept 6 and has been steadily growing in popularity since its release. The band has been on tour leading up to the release of the album over Aug and Sept, including four dates in New York.
“We are super fortunate to call a lot of really great – and buzzing – NYC bands our friends. We feel ourselves part of that community and eternally grateful for being welcomed with such open arms. Our hometown has truly shaped what this band has become.”
Asa Daniels
The ten-track album was recorded at Precision Sound Studios in New York City with an all-star production team including, Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush), Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon), who served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). They were joined also by Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) who mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) who mastered it. The band’s “honorary fourth member” Dan Janis of Baked Goods, provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes.
The album begins with “Kikiyon,” a harder, driven track with an instantly recognizable riff that pays homage to many classic rock songs over the years, most notably The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” The solo on that song in particular has a distinct feeling to it that sounds much different than what is in vogue. As the album runs on, the songs grow softer and softer ending in the reverb-soaked “Start Over.”
Though powered by heavy 90s alternative influences, the standout tracks on the album are the gentler, simpler songs, like “Cherry Blossoms,” which remind listeners of artists like Jack Johnson. It is through these tracks that Gosseberry reveals who they can be.
The album contains a multitude of interesting musical ideas, most notably, the feature of the distinctive blare of the saxophone especially on “All The Same.” Many songs have clear Nirvana, Bush, and other 90’s alt inspiration, but the vocals on the record bear a recognizable similarity to more contemporary pop groups. As with many young bands, Gooseberry is still attempting to find their own sound.
The kaleidoscopic image on the cover is representative of the entire album in more ways than one. With just a glance, you see a menagerie of colors and feelings, each one notably different from its counterparts. While interesting for a moment, a deeper look renders the full image fractured and without a clear cohesion through all parts. Yet still briefly pretty.
Key Tracks: Cattle, Cherry Blossoms, One of the Good Ones.
Gooseberry will play the Richmond Music Hall in Richmond VA on Oct 3 and at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, in NC on Oct 5.
Buzzcocks made a stop in NYC at Irving Plaza on Wednesday, September 11th as part of their recent North American tour. The show included opening performances by Native Sun and Lovecrimes. The crowd inside Irving Plaza spanned generations, all eager to support the UK band’s U.S. return.
Hailing from Bolton in the United Kingdom, Buzzcocks has made frequent stops in NYC since their formation in 1976. The inspiration behind the band’s sounds have New York origins, with late frontman Pete Shelley citing The Velvet Underground being part of inspiring the band’s formation.
Buzzcocks’ music was said to be ahead of its time, with songs alluding to subject matter that was considered taboo during the period of their formation. This led the band to be seen as a driving force of the Manchester punk scene. Buzzcocks has gone on to perform with many legends from the early era of New York punk and CBGB, including opening for Blondie in 1978.
With lead vocalist Pete Shelley’s passing in 2018, Steve Diggle has led the Buzzcocks vocals while also continuing on guitar. Diggle has continued on the high energy and humor that Shelley brought to Buzzcocks performances.
On Wednesday night, Buzzcocks played a setlist spanning 50 years of the band’s discography, including songs from their most recent 2022 album “Sonics In The Soul.” The current line-up consists of Diggle on vocals and guitar, Danny Farrant on drums, Chris Remington on bass, and Mani Perazzoli touring on guitar.
Buzzcocks continues on their North American tour with stops in Pittsburgh on September 14th and House of Blues in Cleveland on September 15. Starting September 22nd, Buzzcocks will embark on a US tour with Descendants throughout early October
After a successful tour opening in Brooklyn, Clutch and Rival Sons brought their duel headlining tour dubbed “The Two-Headed Beast” tour to the College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut.
Joining the two bands was the Orange County California band, Fu Manchu. The night was summed up perfectly by Rival Sons lead singer Jay Buchanan when he said “What a rock and roll evening it’s been.” Clutch closed the evening playing the entirety ofBlast Tyrant. It’s always cool to see when artists play their records all the way through.
The rock and roll festivities started when the doors opened at 6:30 and fans began to file into the theater. When Fu Manchu jumped on stage, fans had parked themselves in front or upstairs to witness the headbanging set. Despite Fu Manchu only playing for half an hour, they left their mark on the audience. Their heavy set featured new songs off their new record The Return Of Tomorrowas well as classics.
The powerful quartet featured the duo of Scott Hill on vocals and guitar along with Bob Balch on guitar. Also, Scott Reeder was behind the drums kits with Brad Davis at stage right on the bass. The band created such a heavy sound that fans in the audience could feel the power through their speakers. They were so heavy that they could feel the thumping in their chests during the 30-minute set.
As is tradition with co-headlining tours, it was Rival Sons’ night to play as the middle band. With the lights dimmed, the five-piece band slithered on stage and jumped right “Mirrors.” For the entire time that they were on stage, they blew away the audience with amazing guitar chords and excellent songwriting.
It’s amazing that during the show, Buchanan didn’t lose his voice. His powerful screaming left the entire crowd in awe. While Buchanan pranced around the stage in his bright red, Scott Holiday was dressed and looking as cool as ever. Holiday was suited up with a beautiful teal jacket, hat, sunglasses and scarf. It made him look like the perfect rock and roll outlaw. Throughout the night, his guitar tech would continue to bring out colorful guitars that would sound just as they looked, amazing.
Rival Sons played a total of 13 songs that spanned their discography. They showed their versatility when they jammed during “Open My Eyes” and played a ballad off their 2014 record. Fans got their money’s worth at this point as it was easy to tell that Rival Sons is a tightly rehearsed band. They didn’t miss a beat and had a stage chemistry that was apparent to the audience with each passing song.
Joining Buchanan and Holiday on stage was Dave Beste on bass, Jesse Nason on keyboards and Mike Miley on drums. Miley was drumming so hard that you could see how sweaty he was while on stage.
As the night slowly got later, fans refused to go anywhere until Clutch played their entire record. It wasn’t till after 9:30 hit until they hit the stage but, like Rival Sons, the minute they started their first song, there was no turning back. Their set felt like a train that would not stop. The constant rhythm of their music and their high level of energy made for a great night of music.
Like with any hard rock band and a general admission audience, mosh pits are bound to happen. During Clutch’s set, one did appear. But, in one moment between songs, lead singer Neil Fallon announced to the crowd that there were “young people against the barricade.” He that they were able to continue to mosh but to be respectful of the people around them. What Fallon said is what a true lead singer should do. It was a very respectful move on his behalf. The moment certainly won over a few fans who might have stayed after the Rival Sons set.
During the set, Fallon was the only member of the band to come within three inches of the edge of the stage. Throughout the entire night, he was running back and forth from one side to the other giving it his all. Bassist Dan Maines and guitarist Tim Sult flanked drummer Jean-Paul Gaster on both sides and didn’t move for the entire show. Sult shredded the entire time and stared down at his guitar barely looking up once as if he was possessed by his guitar.
Their set was amazingly heavy, a perfect blend of rock music. With each song coming to a close, the entire place erupted with joy and filled the theater. Their style of hard rock was the perfect way to end the night. People excited the College Street Music Hall with smiles on their faces. It’s not very often that acts will play an album of theirs front to back and straight through. So when they do, it’s an extra special night.
Clutch & Rival Sons “The Two-Headed Beast” tour is not to be missed. Between Rival Sons’ classic 1970s rock and roll style and Clutch’s hard rock, despite their styles being different, they make for a spectacular night. Despite the tour not swinging back into New York, fans need to try and catch them on one of their other upcoming dates. This late summer/fall tour is one to be remembered for both styles of rock meeting in the middle for a night of thrilling music between multiple bands.
Fu Manchu Setlist: Eatin’ Dust, Evil Eye, Hands of the Zodiac, Hell on Wheels, King of the Road, Loch Ness Wrecking Machine, Saturn III
Rival Sons Setlist: Mirrors, Nobody Wants to Die, Tied Up, Sleepwalker, Too Bad, Get What’s Coming, Open My Eyes, Pressure and Time, Feral Roots, Where I’ve Been, Do Your Worst, Electric Man, Secret
Clutch Setlist: Mercury, Profits of Doom, The Mob Goes Wild, Cypress Grove, Promoter (of Earthbound Causes), The Regulator, Worm Drink, Army of Bono, Spleen Merchant, (In the Wake of) The Sollen Goat, Subtle Hustle, Ghost, (Notes From the Trial of) LACurandera, Burning Beard, Slaughter Beach, Nosferatu Madre, D.C. Sound Attack!
