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Whassup in the 518

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Whassup in the 518

Whassup in the 518.

Friday, April 25th

Chris Distefano, The Egg, Albany, 7:30pm

Chris Distefano is one of today’s biggest and most beloved names in comedy. He became the first stand-up comedian to sell out both the world-famous Radio City Music Hall and the Theater at Madison Square Garden on consecutive nights in 2023, but his fearless yet endearing stage presence and natural ability to connect with audiences around the world has made him a household name in not just comedy, but all of entertainment. Chris quickly rose to success after being named the funniest person on MTV for his show-stopping performances on the Guy Code/Girl Code series. From there, he went on to star in IFC’s Benders, co-host the Netflix gameshow Ultimate Beastmaster, and starred in his own CBS sitcom. In 2022, Chris was selected by Jimmy Kimmel to host Jimmy’s latest TV venture, Super Maximum Retro Show, for ViceTV. Outside of TV, he’s become one of the most well-respected and flat-out funniest comedians in the stand-up world. Fresh off his appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2019, Chris released his first full-length special, Size 38 Waist, on Comedy Central, which perfectly encompassed both his Brooklyn-born edge and nice-guy charm. His second special, Speshy Weshy, premiered on Netflix in May of 2022.

UA Student Association Parkfest, MVP Arena, Albany, 7:30pm

Featuring Quavo

Hamro, Empire Underground, Albany, 7:30pm

Nick DiPaolo, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 8pm-10pm

In this day of watered down comedy, Nick Di Paolo’s brutally honest performances remind us of what great stand up should be – funny, socially relevant, and a little bit reckless.

His strong political opinions and razor wit make him a perfect fit for talk radio. He currently hosts “The Nick Di Paolo Show” Mondays through Thursdays and has been featured on “The Nick Di Paolo Show” on SiriusXM, and “The Nick & Artie Show” on DirectTV.

Ginger Geezus, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm

Upstate NY Blues Rock Band with Modern Vibes. Classic 60s and 70s covers and Original Songs.

Happy Hour with the New Planets at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE SHOW), The Eleven, Albany, 6pm-8pm

Join us in welcoming back the New Planets on Friday 4/25, 6-8pm for an unforgettable Happy Hour!

Moon Hooch w/s/g Future Joy, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm

Moon Hooch began busking in the subway platforms of NYC in 2010, quickly getting noticed by the NYPD, who had to ban them from locations that couldn’t handle the crowds. In a few short years they were opening for the likes of Beats Antique, They Might Be Giants, and Lotus, while selling out their own headline shows at marquee venues around the United States and Europe. Their unconventional sound and techniques, utilizing found objects like traffic cones, landed them appearances on NPR’s Tiny Desk in America, “Later…with Jools Holland” in the UK, “Hamish & Andy’s Gap Year” in Australia, and private audiences with the Premier League’s Chelsea F.C. They are currently touring the world.

Nicole Fiallo w/ Xamxara, Ronnie Rave, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm-2am

Join us for our highly anticipated 2nd Annual Midnight Mass | Bloomin’, an event that promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees. This year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be featuring some of the world’s biggest and most renowned artists, alongside a curated selection of the area’s favorite local talent. These performers are set to deliver an electrifying lineup that will keep you dancing and engaged throughout the night. Expect an evening filled with foot-stomping grooves, infectious rhythms, and captivating visuals that will transport you to another realm.

Laurie MacAllister of Red Molly, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-9pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Laurie MacAllister, the soulful singer-songwriter best known as a part of the beloved Americana trio Red Molly. With her warm, captivating voice and heartfelt storytelling, Laurie has been a cherished figure in contemporary folk music for over two decades. From headlining festivals like MerleFest to lending her voice to the iconic Folgers Coffee jingle, Laurie’s journey has been as remarkable as her music.

Her solo album, The Lies the Poets Tell, is a tribute to the contemporary folk music scene, celebrated by SiriusXM as “Defining. A curated collection packed with emotional vibrancy.”

In late 2024, Laurie launched her solo career, marking the start of an exciting new chapter. Now, on her Solo Debut Tour, she brings her soul-stirring songs and intimate stage presence to fans old and new.

NOYK Presents Feminomenon and Emo Night, Lost and Found, Albany, 9pm

Hellseeker Goth Nite w/ Midnight Choir, No Fun, Troy, 8pm-12am

From “Bar People.”

4/25 10:00 PM Boombox- Putnam Place

4/25 5:00 PM DJ Trumastr- 677 Prime

4/25 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

4/25 5:30 PM Rob Fleming- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery

4/25 6:00 PM Ben Zoleski- Prime at Saratoga National

4/25 6:00 PM Ben Zoleski- Prime at Saratoga National

4/25 6:00 PM Bennett Brothers- Dock Browns Tavern

4/25 6:00 PM Dan M- Spa City Tap & Barrel

4/25 6:00 PM Eric Kufs- Thirsty Owl

4/25 6:00 PM Jack Kelle- Anthony’s Italian Restaurant

4/25 6:00 PM Keith Pray Trio- Cock & Bull

4/25 6:00 PM Matt Evans- Powers Pub

4/25 6:00 PM Micah Scoville- Carsons Woodside Tavern

4/25 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Inn at Saratoga

4/25 6:00 PM Travis Rockenstire- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park

4/25 6:00 PM Wreckles Duo- Saratoga Winery

4/25 6:30 PM Chris Dollard- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

4/25 6:30 PM Coverups Duo- Peddlers Bar & Bistro

4/25 6:30 PM Juniper- Artisanal Brew Works

4/25 6:30 PM Trivia Night- S&S farm Brewery

4/25 6pm DJ Romantic’s- The Scarlet Knife

4/25 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Trestle Restaurant & Pub

4/25 7:00 PM Lifeline- Kraverie

4/25 7:00 PM Like Father Like Son with Taylor Jarvis- Quarters

4/25 7:00 PM Litt Hour- The Bunker Saratoga

4/25 7:00 PM Pat Decker- 151 Bar

4/25 7:00 PM POGO- O’Slattery’s

4/25 7:00 PM Radio Gold- Panza’s

4/25 7:30 PM Double Tap- Holy Moses Tavern

4/25 7:30 PM The Accents- Vapor

4/25 8:00 PM DJ Dillon Robert- Misfit

4/25 8:00 PM Ginger Geezus- Rustic Barn Pub

4/25 8:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- Bourbon Room

4/25 8:00 PM Moon Hooch & Future Joy- Lark Hall

4/25 8:00 PM Steve Candlen- Cooperstown Distilling Saratoga

4/25 8:00 PM Tailspin- Saratoga City Tavern

4/25 8:00 PM Watchdog- Wicked Eatery

4/25 8:30 PM Funk Evolution- Frog Alley Brewing

4/25 9:00 PM Rick Rosoff Quartet- Nine Maple

4/25 9:30 PM Wide Awake- Spa City Tap & Barrel

Saturday, April 26th

Albany Pro Musica will close its 2024-25 season with an homage to Broadway! Albany Pro Musica and the Pro Musica Pops will present some of our audience’s all-time favorite showtunes, arranged for chorus, small ensembles, and soloists, and featuring Broadway talent Jamari Johnson Williams.

RAEL – The Music of Peter Gabriel and Genesis, The Linda, Albany, 8pm-10pm

RAEL – The Music of Genesis is a New York and Northern New Jersey-based tribute band that recaptures the energy and originality of the “early years” live stage performances by Genesis. RAEL pays homage to the most groundbreaking and influential band in the progressive rock genre by incorporating the musical excellence, lyrical storytelling, and theatricality that brought Genesis to a position of prominence in the rock world. RAEL-The Music of Genesis brings older listeners back to the day, while introducing progressive rock newcomers to the sights and sounds right along with other legendary bands such as Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Yes, Rush, and King Crimson to name but a few. RAEL is focused on faithfully reproducing full album versions from the Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett days of Genesis. Performances include tracks from Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and A Trick of the Tail. Concert audiences rave about their high-energy shows and musical detail. RAEL also performs solo Peter Gabriel hits in their live shows.

Pro Musica on Broadway – at The Egg, Albany, 7:30pm

Albany Pro Musica will close its 2024-25 season with an homage to Broadway! Albany Pro Musica and the Pro Musica Pops will present some all-time favorite showtunes, arranged for chorus, small ensembles, and soloists, and featuring Broadway talent Jamari Johnson Williams.

Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 3pm

Revel in the incredible talent of CMS musicians led by Artistic Director, David Finckel as they close CMS’s 24/25 year-round season at SPAC. The sextet lies at the center of this program, anchored by Tchaikovsky’s lush and exuberant “Souvenir de Florence”. Additional works by Bach and Strauss showcase the versatility of the six-piece ensemble while two string trios by Haydn and Schubert offer listeners an exhilarating detour from the full ensemble.

Golden Oldies Spectacular – 2025, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

An incredible five act GOLDEN OLDIES SPECTACULAR comes to Proctors on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm.

A long-time favorite of Proctors oldies fans is headlining the show:  Jay and the Americans.  They have come a long way from when they started as teenagers in Sandy Yaguda’s basement, and founding members Sandy and Yaguda and Marty Kupersmith continue to deliver a great performance.  In the 1960s, JATA had twelve top 10 hits, including “Cara Mia,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” “Let’s Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key),” “This Magic Moment,” “Only in America,” “She Cried,” “Walkin in the Rain” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

Passport Series: Vieux Farka Touré, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs

Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara”, Vieux Farka Touré was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. He is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. Ali Farka Touré came from a historical tribe of soldiers and defied his parents to become a musician. When Vieux was in his teens, he declared that he also wanted to be a musician. His father disapproved due to the pressures he had experienced being a musician. Rather, he wanted Vieux to become a soldier. But with help from a family friend the kora maestro Toumani Diabaté, Vieux eventually convinced his father to give him his blessing to become a musician shortly before Ali passed.  In 2013, Vieux Farka Touré’s beautiful and critically acclaimed album Mon Pays was released as an homage to his homeland. Being that his native Mali had recently been splintered by territorial fighting between Tuareg and Islamic rebels since January 2012,

Brick By Brick, w/s/g 25 Ta Life, Oakheart, Balor, Everdredd, Kakos, and The Lycan, Empire Live, Albany, 5:30pm

Been Stellar, Empire Underground, Albany, 8pm

Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Stompers, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 8pm-11pm

Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Stompers Horns present: the music of Talking Heads, David Byrne and More…

Start Making Sense is a Talking Heads Tribute band and they will be joined on stage by The Ocean Avenue Stompers, a four-piece horn section, for the entirety of the show. Many Talking Heads songs will be played, as well as non-Talking Heads songs. All will feature the Ocean Avenue Stompers. There will be no opening act. There will be two sets of music and both sets will feature horns. You don’t want to miss this show. Coming to select venues in March/April 2025!

Coconut Telegraph, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm

Come see Coconut Telegraph, the ultimate Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band Experience!

Happy Hour with Todd Nelson at The Eleven at Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm

Todd Nelson is a highly regarded guitarist, composer and arranger who plays a

unique combination of Blues, Country, Folk, Jazz, Rock and Classical styles.

He is equally at home accompanying vocalists, leading an instrumental group

or playing in a large ensemble. Todd has recorded or performed with Terry Adams

(NRBQ), Gary Burke (Bob Dylan, Joe Jackson), Aimee Mann, Ed Mann (Frank Zappa),

Lonesome Val, Rumdummies, songwriters Jules Shear and Pal Shazar, the Wheelers

and Dealers and others. He is a founding member of Fear of Strangers (aka the Units), a

band that was an integral part of the Punk/New Wave scene in the Capital District of

New York in the 1980s, releasing an album on Miles Copeland’s Faulty Products label.

The band shared stages with the Police, Squeeze, the B-52s, XTC, REM and others.

Todd is currently performing music from his latest release, jazzamericana

Grateful Dub w/ Roots of Creation, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 7pm

Roots of Creation has taken on a unique new project: Grateful Dub. Combining their longtime love for reggae-dub style music and the Grateful Dead, RoC reworked some of the world’s favorite Dead tunes into a new studio album. RoC had the pleasure of working in the studio with the legendary 5-time Grammy winner Errol Brown who was Bob Marley’s engineer and now Rebelution’s live sound engineer for this project.

Grateful Dub is being performed live in its entirety at festivals, theaters, and clubs around the country, and features rotating special guests including Melvin Seals (JGB), Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh) full horn sections, and others. Grateful Dub captures the spirit and magic of the Grateful Dead, while laying it down reggae-dub style.

Roots of Creation will also open the show with an original set of music.

 

Ladies Night ft: King Bully & Sly Fox, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 11:30pm – 3am

Come get down on the biggest dance floor in Saratoga with King Bully and Sly Fox.

King Bully blurs the lines between Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, and Latin into what is a refreshing departure from anything else you’ve heard. The Troy NY native not only dominates the Capital Region club circuit, he also boasts an impressive list of concerts, which includes acts like Dababy, Lil Baby, Cardi B, Fabolous, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti and more. Always sure to get the crowd hype and the club packed, DJ King Bully is the sound that keeps any party going strong.

Guitarist Sly Fox is best knows as the front man for blues-rock outfit Sly Fox and The Hustlers.

Mark Cosgrove & Good Medicine, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm

When it comes to jaw-dropping guitar work and crowd-pleasing performances, Mark Cosgrove and his band take a backseat to no one. A National Flatpicking Champion and Doc Watson Guitar Champion, Cosgrove is known for his lightning-fast picking, rich musicality, and dynamic stage presence.

But this isn’t just a solo act—this band delivers. Featuring some of the most respected players in roots and acoustic music, this quartet brings incredible energy, chemistry, and musicianship to every show:

Nate Grower (David Bromberg Quintet & Big Band) – A monster fiddler whose playing is both fiery and expressive

Peter Lorch – Brilliant high harmony singing & rhythm guitar, adding depth and texture to every song

Larry Cohen (Tony Trischka & Skyline) – A new acoustic music pioneer, holding down the bottom end on bass

With a blend of bluegrass, swing, folk, and country, this band will take you on a high-energy, masterfully played musical journey.

Red Herrings / Candy Ambulance / Zombie Giuliani / Curb Kisser, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

4/26 3:00 PM Eric Fernandez- Helderberg Mountain Brewing

4/26 5:00 PM Shannon Tehya & Hunter Frost- Artisanal Brew Works

4/26 5:30 PM Matty Finn- Tinney’s Tavern

4/26 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

4/26 6:00 PM Brian Kane Duo- Dock Browns Tavern

4/26 6:00 PM Chuck Kelsey- Powers Pub

4/26 6:00 PM Hannah Kosiba- Prime at Saratoga National

4/26 6:00 PM Jay Emery Band- The View at Brookhaven Golf Course

4/26 6:00 PM Jenna Sue Duo- Carsons Woodside Tavern

4/26 6:00 PM Joe Adee & The Lug Nuts- S&S farm Brewery

4/26 6:00 PM Justin Joyner- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park

4/26 6:00 PM Northern Borne- Inn at Saratoga

4/26 6:00 PM Pat Decker- Thirsty Owl

4/26 6:00 PM Pat Decker- Thirsty Owl

4/26 6:00 PM Russ Kennedy- Henry’s Tavern

4/26 6:00 PM Todd Nelson & Friends- Eleven at Lark Hall

4/26 6:00 PM Tyler Giroux6- 77 Prime

4/26 6:00 PM Wayne Hawkins- Panza’s

4/26 6:30 PM Steve Candlen- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

4/26 6pm Carmen Lookshire Duo- The Scarlet Knife

4/26 7:00 PM Ain’t No Strangers- Quarters

4/26 7:00 PM Chuck Ayers- Ships Pub

4/26 7:00 PM Dave Brennan- The Bunker Saratoga

4/26 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Kris’ Mid City Tavern

4/26 7:00 PM Josh Clevenstine- Back Barn Brewing Co.

4/26 7:00 PM Off The Record- Melvin Roads American Legion

4/26 7:00 PM On Tap Duo- Kraverie

4/26 7:00 PM Shades Of Blue- Emack & Bolios

4/26 7:00 PM Trevor Wheelock- Bunker Clifton Park

4/26 7:30 PM Vieux Farka Toure- Universal Preservation Hall

4/26 8:00 PM Deb Zep-Douglas- Bourbon Room

4/26 8:00 PM DJ Mic Power- Misfit

4/26 8:00 PM Escaper- Parting Glass

4/26 8:00 PM Psycho Mutton Chops- September’s Too

4/26 8:00 PM Rael- The Linda

4/26 8:00 PM Tommy V Live- Wicked Eatery

4/26 8:00 PM Union Depot Band- Nanola

4/26 9:00 PM Big Sky Country- Vapor

4/26 9:00 PM Deadbeat Valentine- Saratoga City Tavern

4/26 9:00 PM Joe Barna Quartet- Nine Maple

4/26 9:30 PM Double XP- Spa City Tap & Barrel

4/266:00 PMMatt Evans Spa City Tap & Barrel

Sunday, April 27th

New York Folklore presents: Arab American Heritage Month Concert, The Linda, Albany, 3pm-4:30pm

New York Folklore presents a multi-part showcase of New York’s diverse folk music traditions.

The concert will feature a short bilingual presentation by New York Folklore Fieldworker Nada Odeh, about Arab art and culture. The concert will kick of with two performances, by the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at Cornell, and Paul Hage and Hicham Mihab.

The Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at Cornell performs traditional music from the Arab World, Turkey, and Iran, as well as related music from neighboring cultures.

The Eddies Regional Music Awards 2025, Proctors Theater, Schenectady, 6pm

The seventh annual Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards hits the MainStage at Proctors 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27!

The Eddies is an opportunity to amplify, empower and celebrate professionals working in the area’s wide-ranging music scene.

This year, we honor +190 finalists in over 30 categories for their work during 2024. Nominations and voting are determined by a group of judges representing the local music community. Each judge is provided with a copy of the quarterly Local 518 Music (and More) Reports for the year in question. This has been produced by Andy Gregory at WEXT since 2012; copies are available for free on the station’s website. This is a very thorough almanac of record, album and video releases in the market, complete with links to the work. We feel that this is the best way to ensure work is not overlooked.

Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Stompers, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7pm-10pm

This added Sunday show will feature a different playlist than Saturday’s show, but still include the Talking Heads biggest hits that fans expect!

Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Stompers Horns present: the music of Talking Heads, David Byrne and More…

Start Making Sense is a Talking Heads Tribute band and they will be joined on stage by The Ocean Avenue Stompers, a four-piece horn section, for the entirety of the show. Many Talking Heads songs will be played, as well as non-Talking Heads songs. All will feature the Ocean Avenue Stompers. There will be no opening act. There will be two sets of music and both sets will feature horns. You don’t want to miss this show. Coming to select venues in March/April 2025!

“A Joyful Noise!” Sunday Gospel Dinner with Soulist Garland Nelson & Friends , Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 2pm-4pm

Saratoga and the entire Capital District, will be thrilled to learn that A Joyful Noise is back every month this year! This is a soul-cleansing early Sunday dinner hour of music directed by Soulist Garland Nelson. Nelson will be joined by a variety of his friends who are musicians and singers for a mid-afternoon of joyful noise. Songs range from traditional gospel and contemporary church music to soulful pop classics. Audience participation is downright thunderous. It’s impossible to stay quiet or in your seat as Garland Nelson stirs up the Spirit!

An early Sunday dinner served to your table is an integral part of this cultural event and is included in your ticket price. Your plate will be heaped with traditional food from the Carribbean. Coffee and tea is included.

Niis / Pollyanna / Bloodx3, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

4/27 1:00 PM Ian Losz Album Release Party- Nanola

4/27 2:30 PM Kilashandra- Lark St. Tavern

4/27 3:30 PM Dan Sherwin- Hank Hudson Brewing

4/27 4:00 PM Juniper & Chris Carey- Carsons Woodside Tavern

4/27 6:30 PM Scott Chamberlain- Other One Brewery

Interview: Brien Allen (Bridges Ablaze)

By
Staff
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Brien Allen (Bridges Ablaze) Interview
By: Rob Smittix

RRX: I appreciate you taking some time with me here today. Bridges Ablaze… so I’m sure you guys know about burning bridges, but sometimes that could be a good thing.

BA: Yeah, you know? It’s just contextual, right?

RRX: Exactly. So how long have you guys been around for?

BA: So, we’ve been a thing since about 2019, honestly.

RRX: Okay, so kind of like in the beginning of the plandemic and all that.

BA: Yes, it kind of was a seed planted, we didn’t really do too much, we weren’t even sure how we were gonna do it. We didn’t even know if we were gonna sing, so, we just covered “The Kill” and tracked it in San Antonio in 2019. I’ll never forget the first time we heard the studio bounce, it wasn’t even mixed or anything and we’re just like, wow… this is us, what the hell? Yeah, so that was kind of it and then COVID hit and honestly… I feel like it kind of made us stronger in a weird way. It was just very strange.

RRX: Well, I mean… if you were starting the band about that time, then certainly it just seems like well… now you have time to work on things, where other bands (like my band) that was around for 18 years actually… the pandemic killed our band.

BA: Wow!

RRX: Like that was it. It was over. So, it could work both ways, I guess.

BA: Wow, yeah.

RRX: I’d love to just start a new band, but I haven’t even had time to do that.

BA: Yeah, life has gotten really crazy busy and stuff… like you said, a crazy time to start a band because we really had time to network and plan and find our sound and start to develop, harness the internet, develop the brand, acquire the live equipment, you know?

RRX: Mhm. But it looks like from what I’m seeing, it’s just the two of you guys (Brien Allen & Ruben Zamora) as far as the band itself, or has that changed at all?

BA: It’s definitely kind of changing at this point. We’ve been working with some guys and we’re starting that evaluation of who’s really gonna be with us in the long term? We at least want a couple guys, like drummers/drum tech, at least a powerhouse duo on every instrument. That’s kind of where we are right now. We just did a photo shoot with the guys and we’re starting to really look like a band. But at this point, me and Ruben do the majority of the writing with our producer. Maybe going forward, if one of the guys has a really cool idea, we’ll throw it in there but I mean… for the most part, it’s still really me and Ruben because we’re the singers. We do all the vocals and most of the riffing.

RRX: Your music’s great though, you’ve got a really big sound, which is something that I noticed right off the bat. So obviously, when you’re putting the music out, it’s more than just you guys.

BA: Indeed, yeah, it is a pretty huge sound, when me, Ruben plus and our producer work together, that’s just kind of how it comes out.

RRX: Excellent. You’re based out of Austin now, right?

BA: Yeah, we got guys kind of all over, well, ranging from San Antonio up to North Austin and Leander.

RRX: Austin seems to be the place these days. It’s the new mecca for music. I mean it’s probably better than Nashville at this point.

BA: Yeah, it is insane. I mean… Colorblind, Fire From The Gods, Catch Your Breath, The Sword… all these are huge man.

RRX: Hans Gruber and The Diehards, what could be any better?

BA: Right!

RRX: You guys have only been around for a short time and just I checked out your social media. You guys hit over 40 million streams on TikTok on just one song (Heartbroken Angel).

BA: Yeah, yeah, that was kind of a weird little thing that happened out of nowhere. One day I checked our streams and one of our distribution accounts… I saw that number and I was like… you’re sh***ing me. What is this?

RRX: Your other numbers are good too but damn, 40 million. And to do that, as a relatively newer band. that’s just amazing. Congratulations!

BA: Thank you. Yeah, it was a weird perfect storm of networking, distribution company stuff, them communicating with TikTok, getting on a TikTok Rock playlist and then just a bunch of people sharing it for 6 months.

RRX: So that’s the secret. I’ve never been able to pull that sh** off. Getting 1000 views on one of our music videos was a big deal.

BA: I mean… every view really matters, especially if it’s people that care.

RRX: That is true. Well, it looks like you’re getting a real fan base together.

BA: We wanted to do that before we embarked on any serious live missions, while we perfected our sound, practiced for 9 to12 months and then we could have a fan base. All the equipment’s there, so we could, just hop out of isolation and hit the road.

RRX: Anything else that would be fun to tell us about your music?

BA: It can get so deep, I mean… so deep, for example… “Heartbroken Angel…” fun fact, the original seed of that song goes back to 2012 or 2013.
I met Ruben in 2014 at a Guitar Center in Austin. He was just moving in from El Paso, so, you know? First place, he was gonna, go was the Guitar Center.
I just happened to be there that day and I was like… who is that shredding?
So I obviously had to do a shred battle, right?

RRX: Of course.

BA: And he was beating me and I’m like, well… I have to get his number. My experience with that is like 1 in 10 will follow up.
But he did and it was worth it. He’s just so great. The next thing he showed me was Heartbroken Angel actually.

RRX: Oh wow.

BA: Yeah, from an old band in a different form and we re-recorded it in 2021. Then we took it to our producer and then he like… control, alt, deleted half of it. Then we just rewrote parts and kept some old parts and now it is what it is. It’s funny because that was the song that brought me and Ruben together and it’s really what solidified my interest in him. It wasn’t only his shredding but it was also him showing me that song, I was like, good God, this is the sound I’ve wanted and that’s a fun fact about that song.

RRX: 40 million people can’t be wrong!

BA: Right? It’s crazy because the part that ended up going viral was the part we co-wrote together, it was part of the new section.But if not for the old version, we wouldn’t have even formed.

RRX: That’s amazing, it was in the cards for you guys. What do you have coming up?

BA: Maybe for 2025… we’re probably just gonna focus on more Texas and surrounding states for touring… like shorter runs, but 2026, I think we’ll hopefully have a new EP out by then and we’ll try to coincide lots of other things with that, including a tour or maybe a festival or whatever we can get our hands on.

RRX: I could see big things coming to you guys, man. The sound’s there, the music is there. There’s definitely an audience for it. I think bigger and brighter days are upon you.

BA: Fingers crossed, we hope so. Never in 1000 years did we think we’d be fronting a band together, but it just happened and it’s exciting. Going forward too, I think our music’s obviously going to be evolving. Our sound’s already very dynamic. We wanted to start out the gates where we were kind of dipping our toes in a few things, so people knew what to expect, the unexpected. Who knows what’s to come? But it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

RRX: You’re definitely on my radar now. Was there anything else that you wanted to say? Messages of hope or peace?

BA: One thing that’s really been on our minds lately is don’t let anybody tell you what to think, feel, or even be, right? You’re allowed to feel what you feel and it doesn’t always have to be a good thing. In our experience, the only way to get the true forgiveness or acceptance or positivity is to go through the full cycle of feelings. Whatever it is you’re going through, you’re not alone and you’re allowed to feel that whatever it is you think.It’s a valid thought, otherwise… existence would prohibit it from even being thinkable. Beyond that, to hell with whatever people expect you to be, be who you want to be because you only live once. Don’t ever let people cram you into a box. Be yourself and you will find your people.

RRX: Awesome. Couldn’t have said that better man!

For More information on Bridges Ablaze CLICK HERE!

Laura Leigh Country Trio and Nershi Hann Trio – Cohoes Music Hall

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Staff
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Laura Leigh Country Trio
Laura Leigh Country Trio (what she announced on stage) and Nershi Hann Trio performed at Cohoes Music Hall in Troy on April 13th. Photography by Timothy Reidy.

Bobby Darmetko Jr. Benefit

By
Joshua Scarselli
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Bobby Darmetko Jr. Benefit

Bobby Darmetko Jr. Benefit – by Joshua Scarselli.

Bobby Darmetko Jr. suddenly passed away on April 1, 2025. His family held a benefit to raise money to help pay for his final expenses. There was a buffet style dinner. Gift baskets were donated by the community to be raffled off. The party theme was green. Bobby loved The Jets, weed, poker, and pizza!

 

 

 

More from Joshua Scarselli…

In Case You Missed It! Hello My Name Is Blotto The Movie with Q&A Coming to Spectrum 8 Theatres

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Staff
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Hello My Name Is Blotto The Movie premiered April 12th at The Cohoes Music Hall and it was a huge success but not everyone could make it, so…. here’s your chance to see the film (again) at Spectrum 8 Theatres in Albany on Friday May 2nd starting at 7pm.

What is really cool about this second opportunity is that there will also be a Q&A with Director Bert Blotto (Rob Lichter), and band members Bowtie and Lee Harvey Blotto following the movie.

For TICKETS CLICK HERE!

For RadioRadioX’s recent interview with director Bert Blotto (Rob Lichter) CLICK HERE!

 

 

 

Week Sixteen: Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week “Attention”

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Staff
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Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week airs EVERY WEDNESDAY at 6pm EASTERN only on RadioRadioX.com

This is Jesse Sample. I love attention. It isn’t good for me but if I am to be truly honest, I love busting into a room freshly showered in my long black peacoat intent on talking shit. My friends are more than tolerant and generous. Any person who plays guitar or writes songs has a vivid inner world and they want to express it.

Now that we have the obvious out of the way, let’s examine the price we pay. Being the life of a party feels so good that sometimes we get addicted to it and we create situations where we are selfish and sometimes look silly. Sometimes we can come off needy and childish. I’ve been rude and insensitive in my quest for that high. Attention is a heavy drug and should be used carefully.

In the last few years, I’ve been becoming increasingly aware of where my attention goes. The conversation in my head has been getting more interesting lately. When I focus my attention into the world, things become brighter and deeper. Other people are complex and beautiful and when I give them my attention, instead of trying to get theirs, I feel better.

Thanks to all of you tuned into RadioRadioX. This is the Freak of the Week, “Attention.”

Area 51 and Day Tripping – The Weird Side of the Internet

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Staff
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Area 51 and Day Tripping

Area 51 and Day Tripping – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.

I first heard of “Area 51” in a Megadeth song of the same name, off of the album “Rust in Peace.” I was fascinated by the idea of a top secret airforce base dedicated to warehousing ad studying recovered alien technology. See this was back in 1990, when Area 51 was still a murky conspiracy theory, not the worst kept secret it is now. Now when I say I was fascinated, I was, but only about as much as a poor kid with no airfare could be. I wasn’t exactly looking to storm it in a Naruto run. And of course there were people like that, but they kept their distance, opting to spy on it with telephoto lenses.

But soon after “Rust in Peace” came out, Jeffrey Freeman managed to sneak into the installation. A conspiracy theorist with brass cajones? Nope. Well, maybe brass cajones, but rather than a conspiracy theorist, Freeman was a history buff, tracing the route of the 1849 gold-seekers that met their name in the after-named “Death Valley.” A couple of the trail points were inside of Area 51, so he braved the prospect of getting shot to go in.

What he found was far more interesting than a settler’s grave. He said that he saw a door open in the air above Papoose Lake, a dry lake bed in Area 51. Blue light came out of the door. Ufologists believe that this was S-4, a warehouse on the lake bed, and I’m guessing one with cloaking technology, as Freeman said the area had all the markings of a facility without the facility.

I’m just struck by the fact that Area 51 was only a pass-through for this guy. How do you sneak into Area 51 and have that not be the destination. That’s like finding a treasure chest and throwing the gold away to upcycle the wood.

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

Recap: Johnny Morse, Ginger Geezuz and Mike and the Monsters at Cohoes Music Hall 4/19/2025

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Staff
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By: Rob Smittix

Photo By: Stephanie J. Bartik

I (Rob Smittix) haven’t been going out much on the weekends lately and that’s because I’m trying to dedicate that time to family. But last Saturday night my wife was in a mood, so I said to myself… I should totally go to The Cohoes Music Hall and check out Johnny Morse’s return from retirement 60th Birthday Bash Show. And that’s what I did.

I showed up as Ginger Geezus took to the stage and oh boy, did they rock! Not only did this traditional rock n roll 4 piece bring out the big guns but you could also tell that they were having the time of their lives. These guys were all smiles check to check and that s**t is contagious. What a way to open up a show! When Ginger Geezus announced that it was their last song I made my way down to the smoking area because I figured there would be a rush in between sets. Literally the second I lit up, the sky cracked and it started pouring. The few people that were outside ran for shelter just inside the door. Myself and another dude whom I’ve never met before were just chatting near the door as we could still hear Ginger Geezus echoing throughout the building. It seemed to time out incredibly… as Ginger Geezus hit that very last note, the guy that I was talking to, leaned back and accidentally hit the fire alarm!

Yes, I witnessed the Fire Alarm being pressed and I can assure you, it was 100% an innocent mistake. Apparently, I heard that this also happened the night before, so all in favor of moving the fire alarm say I. “I” So now that’s it’s raining cats and dogs all of the people had to evacuate the building and wait for the fire department to come and turn it off. I was wearing the leather jacket that was handed down to me after my uncle passed, so I sought cover next door at the RadioRadioX/Xperience studios.

Finally, we were all able to return to the concert and Mike and The Monsters were up next. Watching M&TM, I was like wow… this band is the real deal. Mike and The Monsters got us all back into the groove with some amazing covers of classic rock and hair band era metal. They were a lot of fun and totally got the dance floor moving. Unfortunately, due to the unscheduled fire emergency intermission M&TM had to cut several songs from their set. I actually realized that if I had not gone to the show and I would not have found myself in conversation with the mystery man who set the alarm off. I’m six degrees of separation, I guess for being responsible for that blunder.

Well, finally, an all star band hit the stage and I believe that was the Star Wars music that was playing while we all anticipated the man of the evening Johnny Morse to come out. And there he was right in the spotlight, Cohoes’ biggest celebrity Johnny Morse wielding his axe across the stage. Johnny had many local legends join him for his performance at The Cohoes Music Hall this past Saturday night and you could tell that Johnny was having a great time up there with his comrades. What a fun and eventful night it was. I know we’re all wondering the same thing, will Johnny Morse come out of retirement again, so we can relive moments like these?

 

 

The Turd: An American Journey, Chptr 3 – Xperience Fiction

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Staff
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The Turd: An American Journey

The Turd: An American Journey, Chptr 3 – Xperience Fiction – by Liam Sweeny.

The Beringer Free Clinic smelled like a three-day-old bandage soaked in

Mercurochrome. He’d never been there, having had good health and a primary care doctor with a ‘57 Chevy he was restoring. Doctor Wyatt. Nice guy, healed everything with a pep talk. But he was stingy with a referral. Ernest appreciated Doc Wyatt’s approach to medicine. His approach to fidelity, on the other hand, did need a referral. Sleep with enough wives and the husbands catch wind. Wyatt’s philandering got him a lead suppository. Shot in the ass, that was the story as told. Ernest hadn’t found another primary since.

A neat pile of pills sat on the receptionist’s counter. They didn’t look like mints.

Ernest gave the woman keeping score his information and asked about them.

“Laxatives,” she said. “People started asking for them. Free, go ahead.”

Ernest waved them off. “Look, I don’t have any insurance. Can they do anything for me here?”

“Sure,” she said. “As long as it can be treated with Livophed, Sartizyne, Caplanet,

Pilobimine, or Gitrovex. We get those for free from the pharma guy.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

He went and sat on a mauve-cushioned seat in the waiting room. The room was packed like cigarettes. Across from him sat a woman with a belly that, woman or no, Ernest knew was built of beer. She was on her phone, and her children were running around the center table with the magazines on it. One cocked his knee and gave the other finger guns as he let out a sad little, whiny little fart. The other kid faked an M-16 and ran toward his brother with a trail of loud bottom burps. He, and they, looked at their mother, who got up, aimed her head and nose lower than they should have been were she not sniffing the air specifically. She was a hog on a truffle, and apparently finding it, she tapped her nose and pointed to M-16 son, who cheered, arms up.

It was Battle Farts. He’d seen the game on a Profiles video. Kids eat nasty shit, cauliflower and asparagus and Brussell sprouts and they compete with their farts, winner walking away with all bragging rights. What happened to basketball?

Ernest’s phone went off. The science fiction spaceship ringtone announced

Lysette.

“Hey honey.”

“Are you at the clinic?”

“Yeah,” Ernest said. “Fucking packed. I promised I’d go though.”

“You did, and I don’t feel bad pushing you to do it.”

“They’re not gonna tell me shit. All they do is give suboxone to junkies and penicillin to hookers and johns and cheaters.”

“That’s why you get the referral.”

“C-section, fuck that. It’s gonna come out when I least expect it.”

“Well, you do shit yourself when you die. Hey did you know John Wayne took huge turds?”

“I figure he ate nothing but red meat,” Ernest said. “And he didn’t get no

C-Section.”

“Really all they’ll do is shove a probe up there with a wire loop, break it up and give you more laxative to flush out the pieces. Marjorie told me, and she’s a nurse, so she knows.”

Ernest scoffed. “Ain’t nothin’ going in, only out. It’s a one-way pucker.”

“You gotta get over that. That’s homophobia, not a good look, Mr. Kreb.”

“Nope. I like gay people. I’m just very far not.”

“No you are not,” Lysette said. “I didn’t call about that though. Do you know where I left the plans for the rapid ionizer?”

“Bottom drawer of the sideboard. Why? Are you working on it again? I just got the prototype working.”

“No, I, um… I think we have to sell it.”

“I hope you have a buyer and not…”

“I gotta go with IdeaBank. Just this time. I have a plan, though. I’ll tell you tonight. Bye babe.”

IdeaBank was a site where they bought plans and prototypes for ideas and inventions, bottom dollar, and Lysette lost all her rights to her work. But she was a good customer, so one of her inventions could keep the bills paid for a month.

Ernest played solitaire on his phone until the waiting room emptied out, when finally he heard his name called out.

Ernest followed the nurse into the much smaller exam room, which was another

waiting room except with cotton balls to steal. But when he went in, he noticed that the cotton balls, tongue depressors, and gloves were encased in a bank of vending machines.

The nurse sat him down and pulled out the blood pressure cuff.

“This blood pressure reading brought to you by Miller’s Deli,” she said. “Huh?”

“I said this blood pressure reading is brought you by Miller’s Deli. It’s sponsored.

Sponsored care is cheap care.”

She took his temperature, sponsored by Arctic Cat Soda, and she listened to his heart, sponsored by San Eldra Crossfit.

“Okay, the doctor will be in shortly. Please avoid standing by the door.”

Ernest thought the last request strange until the doctor came in. Well the doctor’s face, on a screen, on a pole, on a set of wheels that looked like they could tear up some hallway.

“Ernest Kreb,” the doctor said. “That’s you, Ernest?”

“It is,” Ernest said. “So who are you sponsored by?”

“No one,” the doctor said. “Well, Bannister Kaufman, but that’s just for free malpractice insurance.” He appeared to be looking down at his phone. “So you can’t stop peeing, is that it?”

“No, that’s not me.”

“Oh, bugger, that’s my other patient. I’ve got six patients right now, and I’m three under par. Love this set-up. So here you are. Can’t poop. This viral turd thing must be killing you.”

“It is.”

“So have you tried…” the doctor rattled off the list of every obvious thing that

Ernest had tried before going there.

“Okay, tough one. I think we’ll have to take a look. Let me get the tactile unit fired up.” His face scrunched like he didn’t know how to start the tactile unit, but a whir in the back corner of the exam room told Ernest the doctor might have been an old pro at the device.

“Okay, drop your pants and undies and bend over the table. I’ll get it in position.”

It was then that Ernest noticed the white coated plastic unit, with sleek gray fingers aimed in an Italian gesture that started spinning clockwise at the wrist.

Ernest didn’t stop saying “Nope” until he got out to his truck.

***

A coffeepot sat on a podium with a flat top. The coffee was in bulk, not the fair-trade, organic, special press stuff they circulated throughout the campus like soil through an earthworm. This was the janitor’s coffee, the groundskeepers’ coffee. And it reminded Jasen of the time he worked in a Mickey’s Restaurant on Beaufort Drive, the coffee in the back for the line-cooks who barely tolerated anything more than pure crystal caffeine, just enough grounds to turn it brown.

It was delicious.

Ophelia was glued to her laptop, Jasen to his phone, flipping through his thousand-plus contacts, some of whom knew him, some of whom didn’t. He was hanging off his chair, catching significant side-eye and throat-clearing from Ophelia.

“Can I help you with something?”

“If I solve this, I’m asking for your money too,” she said. “I wish I was close, I could really use a double paycheck.”

“I am actually working,” Jasen said. “I’m looking for contacts to help out.”

“So you’re outsourcing your work?”

“I barely know what my work is here. Had to shit, just said yes, remember?”

Ophelia sighed. “I’m going to tell you why you’re here, just in case you’re useful.

How’s that?” Jasen righted himself in his chair as Ophelia slid her laptop his way.

“The turd video was organic,” she said.

“I figured,” Jasen said.

“I mean, the spread was organic. This video went up a week ago, by the first twenty-four hours of it going up, it had a hundred million views. It wasn’t news, it wasn’t a music video or a stunt – just a turd on a dinner plate. It shouldn’t have gotten a hundred million views that fast. And it shouldn’t be taking over the internet right now. Did you know there’s a religion about turds already? I got offered a laxative on campus like it was a communion wafer, and she had a roll of toilet paper for me to wipe my mouth.”

Jasen told her about his bathroom confessional offer.

“Fucking weird,” Ophelia said. “This was a hacker. Way. The original turd account only had ten subscribers. Ten. And they weren’t influencers.”

“So maybe we shouldn’t do anything, let it peter out.”

“Well, we’ll both fired and they’re paying buttloads for some progress. I can’t afford to just be fired. You?”

“Not really.” Jasen slid Ophelia’s laptop back. “How much success are you having hacking into VidYou algorithms? How about Profiles? PicFeed?”

“No success,” Ophelia said. “They’re Fort Knox.”

Jasen pulled his phone back out. “I can hack too,” he said. “But straight breaking through social media security layers isn’t possible. I’m guessing it’s time we don’t have. Social engineering is the way to go. The weak spot of a billion-dollar network is the minimum wage idiot they give too much access to.”

“I’m not good at that,” Ophelia said. “People are chaos.”

“Helps to spend a couple of years in telemarketing.” Jason spun through his contacts and landed on one.

“Jim Barner,” Jasen said. “He gets people their passes. He does other stuff too, but everyone knows him for getting them new passes when they lose theirs. Not too many people do, but I pretended to once, just to figure out what would happen if I did.

Had it in my back pocket to ‘find’ if replacing it turned out to be a bitch, which it wasn’t.”

“So you’re just going to call him and get a pass?”

“Yep.”

“Isn’t being fired going to show up on his computer?”

“He told me that they update personnel on Fridays. It’s only Tuesday.”

“He told you all that?” Ophelia said. “Why?”

Jasen shrugged. “He’s a lonely guy down in the basement – on this floor, actually. He has an important job, and people only care about getting their passes reissued. If you just show the barest bit of interest, people open right up.”

Jasen called Jim Barner.

“Hey Jim, Jasen Nancy. Can you do me a favor?”

Jasen laid on Jim a story about losing his badge in a move from one position to another. Jasen got promoted. He was asked to call Jim, but he couldn’t make out the board member’s chicken-scratch. What clearance did he need for the subbasement floor of VidYou Building Three?

“Got it, I’ll go pick it up. Thanks, Jim.”

Jasen let out a breath. “I just got us a clearance badge to the server bank.

Apparently you need that if you work down here.”

“We don’t work down here,” Ophelia said.

“We do now.”

#

Jasen flew down the highway toward his apartment. He had a turd on his mind. It was actually the last thing on his mind for the past week aside from being a respite from heavy nipple action. But it was organic. It had close to eight billion views as he drove, one view for every person breathing the earth’s air. The president of Russia and a beggar in Bangalore had likely both laid eyes on the same fresh stinker, the white china plate with the blue windmills on it, the silver fork and spoon; even the solid oak table beneath.

Could the turd on a dinner plate be a symbol of unity?

Jasen pulled up his driveway and activated the garage door opener. He opened the door to an unpleasant aroma. The plumber would get a call tomorrow, an angry call that he didn’t fix the problem the first time.

Shannon,” he called out. “Everything all right?”

“Yeah babe, come on up. I have a surprise for you.”

Shannon was magnificently hot and she could melt a man’s shoes to the pavement. She aimed her beauty like a weapon, her long blond ringlets of hair stone-turning snakes. Jasen never got through a fight past the first protest when the fire in her eyes burned his picket signs.

He got upstairs and found Shannon in their room, black silk lingerie with green sequin trim, fishnet stockings, and shiny green stiletto heels. And Jasen found out what was causing the smell; an open turd in a bowl in the middle of the bed.

“I was thinking,” she said. “Since you’ve been working really hard, that we do something a little naughty. It’s fresh. It’s called shitplay, that’s what they call it on

15Min.”

“Oh hell no, I can’t do this,” Jasen said.

Shannon picked up the bowl. “Let me rephrase that,” she said. “I’ve been working really hard, and we’re doing this. Or you’re sleeping somewhere else.”

That night, Jasen had a hard decision. Unfortunately the hard decision was whether to sleep in the front seat or the back.

 

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

Ozzy Tribute Band to Perform at Cohoes Music Hall on May 16th

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Staff
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Crazy Train

On Friday May 16, 2025 @7:30pm, E1 PRESENTS brings Ozzy Osbourne tribute band CRAZY TRAIN back to the Cohoes Music Hall!

CRAZY TRAIN is the ultimate touring Ozzy Osbourne Tribute show and is hosted by Vinny Cormier, the best Ozzy impersonator around.

Supported by a Berkeley level crew including Cormier’s son Dylan on guitar. CRAZY TRAIN delivers a musically and visually captivating show unlike no other tribute, packed with special effects and “wow” moments you won’t forget! They play every show like it is “LIVE AND LOUD 1993! ” CRAZY TRAIN rolls over all of the Prince of Darkness’ noteworthy hits anywhere from Sabbath  to Patient #9.

The special effects and light show provide an appropriate aura of spookiness to complement one of the very best rock tribute shows on the road today. Add to that the perfect house mix and a painstaking commitment to detail, and you have an unbeatable rock show with CRAZY TRAIN.

Ticket prices: $25 to $49. Tickets are available online at www.thecohoesmusichall.org or @Cohoes Music Hall Box Office. The Cohoes Music Hall is located at 58 Remsen St., Cohoes, NY 12047.

Brought to you by E1 PRESENTS, Upstate NY #1 Rock promoter. www.e1presents.com.

*There is a bar service at this event.

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