When life hands you expensive eggs, it’s time to embrace the Easter potato. Patrons at the El Dorado did just that on April 13. Here is some of their handiwork.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Jukebox – Music News Cuts – 4/18
Jukebox.
The Darkness
The Darkness is kicking off a 2025 North American tour to support their album Dreams on Toast. The tour will set off in Pryor, North Carolina on August 29th and conclude the eastern leg in Cleveland on September 21st. After a month off, they’ll pick up November 7th in Houston, with the final stop in Denver on November 22nd.
Tickets go on sale today at 10am through Live Nation.
The Darkness’ 2025 Tour Dates:
08/29 – Pryor, OK @ Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds
08/30 – Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant
08/31 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
09/02 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade – Heaven Stage
09/03 – Huntsville, AL @ Von Braun Center – Mars Music Hall
09/05 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
09/06 – Richmond, VA @ The National
09/07 – Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre
09/09 – Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall
09/10 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
09/12 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
09/13 – Kitchener, ON @ Elements
09/14 – Montréal, QC @ Club Soda
09/16 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
09/17 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
09/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
09/20 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave/Eagles Club – The Rave Hall
09/21 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre and Ballroom
11/07 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Midtown
11/08 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
11/09 – Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
11/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
11/13 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
11/15 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House
11/17 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
11/18 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11/19 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
11/21 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
11/22 – Denver, CO @ Summit
Neko Case
Neko Case will be going on a 2025 North American tour, and the dates have been announced. The tour will begin October 1st with a show in Woodstock, and will hit Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Antlanta, Chicago and more. The tour will be supported by Des Demonas and John Grant.
Case published a memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You, in February.
Tickets open up today at 10am..
Neko Case 2025 Tour Dates:
10/01 – Woodstock, NY @ Levon Helm Studios #
10/02 – Washington, D.C @ Lincoln Theatre #
10/04 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met #
10/05 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center #
10/07 – Richmond, VA @ The National #
10/08 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel #
10/09 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns #
10/10 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse #
10/11 – Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall #
10/14 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Taft Theatre #
10/15 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant #
10/16 – Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed #
10/17 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #
10/18 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater #
10/20 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall #
10/22 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre #
10/23 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur #
10/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall #
10/25 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora #
11/07 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre %
11/08 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up %
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether %
11/11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic %
11/13 – Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue %
11/14 – Seattle, WA @ The Paramount %
11/15 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater %
11/18 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory %
11/19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Eccles Theater %
11/20 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre %
11/21 – Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater %
11/23 – Dallas, TX @ Longhorn Ballroom %
11/24 – San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center %
11/25 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre %
# = w/ Des Demonas
% = w/ John Grant
The Who
The Who drummer Zak Starkey is no longer with the band, having parted ways after a performance at Royal Albert Hall. There he was criticized by Roger Daltrey for overplaying. He was the drummer for thirty years. He commented on the move with The Hollywood Reporter.
“I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my godfather, ‘uncle Keith’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me. In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running. After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do? I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra Of The Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. 29 years at any job is a good old run, and I wish them the best.”
Starkey also posted on social media a picture of he and Roger Daltrey and the following in all caps. “HEARD TODAY FROM INSIDE SOURCE WITHIN WHOSE HORSES NOSE THAT TOGER DAKTREY LEAD SINGER AND PRINCIPAL SONGWRITER OF THE GROUP UNHAPPY WITH ZAK THE DRUMMER’S PERFORMANCE AT THE ALBERT HALL A FEW WEEKS AGO IS BRINGING FORMAL CHARGES OF OVERPLAYING AND IS LITERALLY GOING TO ZAK THE DRUMMER AND BRING ON A RESERVE FROM ‘THE BURWASH CARWASH SKIFFLE ‘N’ TICKLE GLEE CLUB HARMONY WITHOUT EMPATHY ALLSTARS’ THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY WHOSE LONG TIME MANAGER WILLYA YOUWONTYOUKNOW.”
What Day Not to Get Surgery – The Weird Side of the Internet
What Day Not to Get Surgery – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.
One of the things about my doing weird news stories is that I really have to stretch hard to make sure I pick stories that are pure dumb fun, all Little Debbie, cotton candy fluff, no nutritional value. It’s just weird stuff. But sometimes I come across something I think people ought to know, and I feel compulsed to share. We are a media outlet after all.
So this may save your life or scare the piss out of you. I hope the former, and even if it’s the latter, hopefully you can use the information to your advantage.
A study in Canada tracked surgery outcomes of 430,000 patients who were operated on between 2007 and 2019. They were looking at ten, thirty, and ninety days after surgery, and they found an interesting thing, to put it mildly. They found an increased risk of mortality if the surgery was performed on a Friday, hovering around ten percent increased risk of post operative complications and mortality. And they came up with reasons that kind of make sense. Mainly, it’s the weekend. People aren’t there, so less tests are performed, and weekend staff don’t know the patient as well.
This kind of thing isn’t unique to medicine. In the book Thinking Fast and Slow, Dr. Daniel Kahneman studied the Israeli justice system, and noted that judges gave harsher punishments just before they ate lunch. This is probably true in America too.
If you have a Friday operation coming, this probably freaks you out. I would be freaked. Take the time to mention this study to every nurse, doctor, and surgeon you come across, make them vigilant. And if you can, have it scheduled some other day.
This may actually be the first non-dumb dumb story that could save a life. I promise the next story will have absolutely no redeeming value whatsoever. In fact, I’ll try to make sure you’ll be dumber for reading it.
Interview: The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
Interview: JOZIAH LONGO & TINK LLOYD (The Slambovian Circus of Dreams)
By: Rob Smittix
Photo Credit: Rich P Russo
RRX: How are you?
JL: Pretty good, man. I’m happy to do this, I’m in an interview mood. I was just reading an Earl Slick interview, somebody sent me so…
RRX: Nice. So we are in interview mode but I like to keep it more like a conversation at most. I’ve always wanted to talk to you guys. I think now is finally the time.
JL: Yeah, I was looking forward to it, Rob. Can you tell me a little bit of your background even with us? I’m happy to talk to you.
RRX: Excellent. Yeah, I don’t know if you remember, but it was.. God, I don’t know, 2005-ish, somewhere around there. I was just going through my divorce with my ex-wife and I didn’t have my kid for Christmas, and you guys came through the New Baltimore rest stop, where I was working. Something probably let you know that I was into music. I usually brought a guitar or sometimes I had a whole recording studio set up in the little gas station booth. You came in and I imagine you just came back from doing a show, so maybe it was Christmas Eve. And then Joziah came back in with the Flapjacks From The Sky double CD and said Merry Christmas and that really made my Christmas for me.
JL: Oh, good, Rob. That’s always our hope. That’s the highest point of the mission, is doing something that actually empowers and helps somebody. So that’s good to hear.
RRX: Yeah, I’ve been a fan ever since.
JL: Cool man, cool.
RRX: So that was my story on how I discovered you for myself that day, or maybe you discovered me! You guys really got a really cool thing going. This woman I used to work with is a big fan and was always going to your shows with a a jellyfish umbrella, she even brought me back some of your coffee once.
JL: The immortal jellies are what we call those umbrella people, they’re the real hardcore Grand Slambovians.
RRX: Yeah they are.
JL: Yeah, we love those guys!
RRX: So what’s been going on in your world lately?
JL: We’ve been busy, a lot of shows. We just did a show at Katharine Hepburn Theater, the night before last and we’re in the middle of a lot of recording. One of my nephews who’s this studio freak…. he’s very good at engineering and rebuilding old esoteric kinds of equipment. He decided that he wanted to offer to be my wrecking crew to get more stuff recorded. So we’re working on the first single with him, Tristan Tadin. He’s a singer and songwriter unto himself, he’s amazing.
He just grabbed one of my songs and played everything on it and now it’s getting mixed, so we’re in the process of that too. We’re working out with the circus as well.
TL: Yeah, so we’re kind of doing two projects at once because we’re trying to get more songs out to the fans. So the stuff that Joziah does with Tristan, it. really has a more of a singular vibe, it’s gonna be different but really cool. And then we have the band, we already have all the songs ready to be recorded. But it’s a little trickier with them because we really want live performances of the band stuff on that album. It’s just hard to get everybody geographically in the same place. It takes more time but with Tristan, it’s cool because we’re close and he’s quick. So we’re just working on a few things, you know?
RRX: Definitely. Well, it’s always good to have music in the family like that.
JL: Yeah, it is. I mean, we’ve always been a family band, you know? Our kids all play and are artists and stuff like that and Tristan… we remember him when he was just little, you know? Now he’s an adult doing this stuff.
TL: Yeah, actually it’s so cool because Tristan played a lot of the keyboards on our last album. He was just a young guy and his dad helped produce that album.
JL: “A Very Unusual Head” album.
TL: Yeah, he was a big support for that album, then he learned how to do the studio stuff. The first track we did in Canada, which is where they live. With Tristan, we started doing our shows in Canada and we let them open for us in in Toronto. We have a long history with the family.
JL: Yeah, they moved their whole studio down from Canada after we’d gone up there and did 8 tracks for the Very Unusual Head album. They moved their studio down and rented a place called Big Blue… like 10 minutes from where we live and we recorded most of the album there and then they decided they were gonna stay here. They actually bought a place and moved to this area now and it’s got a really nice studio there. So yeah, it’s magic.
RRX: That does sound like magic. So… are there any messages that you wanted to put out to people or to the fans or the people that could possibly become fans, while I still have you on the line?
TL: One of the songs that we do is called “Enemies of Love,” it’s a fantastic song and there’s a quote that we use and you (Joziah) should say it.
JL: “There are no enemies at all, in all below, above, in all creation, baby, except the Enemies of Love.”
RRX: I love it!
TL: It’s something to make everybody relax and realize, there are no enemies.
JL: Yeah, 2000 years ago somebody said love your enemies. We’re not doing a very good job of that. That’s why we’re like stay out of what’s going on right now. It’s really like the end of the world, man but the beginning of the new, the end of stupidity and the beginning of something that makes sense and it’s from the heart. If there ain’t love involved in it, like John Lennon said, you know? You can’t go carrying pictures or whatever he said…
all the activist, smart people got into this thing where it’s like, wow; that’s not what Lennon was talking about in the revolution.
You’re hating too much. I don’t care whether it’s somebody that’s easy to hate or not. It’s not good for you or your family. Give everybody a chance and let’s see what happens, you know?
RRX: It’s very important to be on the right vibrations and frequencies, man. That’s what I’ve learned. And… I don’t know, maybe we’ll see those flapjacks coming down from the sky at some point. I think that’s coming pretty soon. Maybe that’ll help out, maybe that’s what we need?
JL: Yeah, I think it is, Rob. I was happy to hear that that album really inspired your Christmas. Christmas is really like a renewal time but it’s also could be the heaviest time. I’m really glad that in some way… you got on one of those flapjacks and flew through that Christmas. If you’re down and out on Christmas, it doesn’t get any worse. I’m glad we still got you.
TL: Thank you Rob, are you coming to the show with Caffe Lena?
RRX: Unless God has other plans but I’m aiming to come. Thank you both for this wonderful conversation.
For More Info on the band visit: slambovia.com
This Saturday April 19th 8pm
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (Unplugged)
Caffe Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Purchase TICKETS HERE!
Chris Busone / Jennifer Tefft and the Strange / Harley Reign and the Aces @ Hangar on the Hudson, 4/11/2025
All the Jesus Freaks were out for the release of Chris Busone‘s new album, “Riverstreet Roe-Sham-Bo.” Here’s one more look at the party, which also included Jennifer Tefft and the Strange, and Harley Reign and the Aces (in their first-ever show).
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Ryan’s Wake 20th Anniversary Celebration
On April 16, Ryan’s Wake celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Many gathered for the special happy hour, including Fred Matt (owner of Matt Brewing Company). Tom Casey provided the tunes.
Photography by Sara Busone.
Show Detective is Now “Whassup in the 518”
Show Detective.
Friday, April 18th
Sound+Vision: Music at the Movies – Love and Mercy, The Linda, Albany, 7pm-9pm
Sound + Vision: Music at The Movies presents the greatest in soundtrack cinema. On the first Tuesday of every month, we curate a film screening where the music fuels the engine of the cinema experience, with a preshow moderated discussion on the film and music’s history and cultural impact.
Presented in Hi-def and 51. surround sound. Co-sponsored by WAMC, WEXT, and Rochmon Record Club.
Love & Mercy is a 2014 American biographical drama film directed by Bill Pohlad about the Beach Boys’ co-founder and leader Brian Wilson and his struggles with mental illness during the 1960s and 1980s. It stars Paul Dano and John Cusack as the young and older Wilson, respectively, with Elizabeth Banks as his second wife Melinda Ledbetter and Paul Giamatti as his psychologist Dr. Eugene Landy. The title comes from Wilson’s 1988 song of the same name.
PAW Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure, MVP Arena, Albany, 6pm
Get ready to PAW-ty like never before in a fantastic new PAW Patrol Adventure!
After Chase, Marshall, Skye and the gang save Adventure City with their Mighty Pup Powers, it’s time for the paw-some-est street party ever. But when Supervillain Scientist Victoria Vance feels left out of the festivities, she unleashes her latest invention to crash the party and steal the spotlight for herself! Can the Mighty Pups, armed with their super-charged powers, outsmart Victoria to ensure Adventure City’s biggest bash goes off without a hitch? It’ll take the power of paw-sitivity and mighty teamwork to foil her plans and keep the party pumping!
The Effects of Gravity, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 8pm
Effects of Gravity is the perfect show for audiences who gaze at the stars and wonder, who have questions and seek knowledge, and who know that science and art are expressions of the same basic human impulse to explore. Be prepared to have your mind blown, your heart opened, your eyes widened, and your ears
treated to sounds they’ve never imagined before.
In the Round: Eric Bibb and Caity Gallagher, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, 7:30pm
Eric Bibb in concert with Michael Jerome Browne
How does one measure a life? Success, awards, and wealth are conventional metrics, but for Eric Bibb the measure goes deeper—into the questions he poses through his music. With a career spanning five decades, over forty albums, three Grammy nominations, a multitude of Blues Foundation awards and countless more accolades, Bibb has secured his legacy as a legendary figure in the blues and roots genre.
Silverstein: 25 Years of Noise, Empire Live, Albany, 7pm
Empire Live
Noah XO, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
David Brighton’s Space Oddity The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
SPACE ODDITY is a live, theatrically-staged, elaborately-costumed, multi-media spectacle that transports audiences on a musical journey through the constantly metamorphosing career of David Bowie, which was notable for constant reinvention and visual presentation in both his music and on stage.
Over the last 20 years,SPACE ODDITY, starring David Brighton, has performed throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Portugal, Israel, New Zealand and China and is widely considered to be the world’s premier tribute to David Bowie.
Brian Kane & the Beginning, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm
Brian Kane and The Beginning, a local favorite Rock the Barn! If you want to have an epic night, come join the party!
TV Doctors at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE show), Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm
TV Doctors operates as a trio of experienced professional musicians from Upstate NY who have come together with a shared desire to cure musical boredom wherever it exists, with surgical precision. They are, in essence, a psychedelic jazz trio, based in improvisation; fearlessly surfing across genres to create a heavy and unique blend of funk, reggae, progressive rock, and contemporary jazz. Beginning in 2021, during the height of the pandemic, the group was afforded the opportunity to hunker down weekly, in a 2-car garage, and craft their signature sound. The rest is history, as what was once an experimental event has now blossomed into a powerful combo that has operated on stages spanning the Capital District and beyond, spreading its healing tones to all that come in contact with them. Patients say “Josh Witmer (guitar) rides a psychedelic wave atop the long-time paired and often brutish rhythm section that is Evan Conway (bass) and Bob Morris (drums).” ”
Wild Adriatic w/ Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 8:30pm-12am
Wild Adriatic is back in action and releasing their long-awaited follow-up album to 2017’s Feel. Six years in the making, the new self-titled album encompasses songs written and recorded together in a studio apartment in Lake George, NY. After a pandemic and a band hiatus, the tracks have new life breathed into them and the band is excited to finally have new music out in the world once again. Self Titled finds the band firmly back in the saddle, weaving rock, soul & blues into the trademark sound of one of Upstate New York’s most beloved rock n’ roll exports. The group celebrates the release of their third full length studio album on Friday April 18th at their hometown venue Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs NY.
65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: Dan Berggren, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm
Join Adirondack songsmith Dan Berggren for an evening of heartfelt stories, timeless melodies, and songs rooted in tradition and humanity.
Join us for an evening of heartfelt storytelling and timeless music with recent Eddies Hall of Fame inductee, Dan Berggren, a tradition-based songsmith whose music celebrates the beauty of human connection and the natural world. For over five decades, Dan has captivated audiences near and far, weaving stories with honesty, humor, and a deep sense of place.
Raised in the Adirondacks, Dan’s songs are rooted in the values of home, hard work, and community, yet their reach is universal. His music has traveled across borders—from Kentucky to Zimbabwe, Belgium to Bulgaria—carrying lessons that resonate with audiences everywhere.
Anime x Bimbo Nite Rave: Bitchin’ Betty / DJ 2ND CH!LD / DJ P!nk P!xl / DJ Byrdie, No Fun, Troy, 8pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
4/18 5:00 PM Russ Kennedy- Edison Club
4/18 5:00 PM Scotty B & DC Steve- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery
4/18 6:00 PM Chris Dollard- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
4/18 6:00 PM Juniper- The Scarlet Knife
4/18 6:00 PM Mike O’Donnell- Cock & Bull
4/18 6:00 PM Orphans Of Wally- Indian Ladder Farms
4/18 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Powers Pub
4/18 6:30 PM Dave Render- Cherry Plain Square #17
4/18 6:30 PM Gianna Robustiano & Ben Zoleski- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
4/18 7:00 PM Canaan Cox- Frog Alley Brewing
4/18 7:00 PM Electic Rodeo- Wicked Eatery
4/18 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- American Legion Wynanskill
4/18 7:00 PM Joe.Are.Sham.Bow- Signal 30 BBQ
4/18 7:00 PM Refrigerator’s- Seven Bistro
4/18 9:00 PM Ten Most Wanted- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino
4/18 9:00 PM The Coverups- Centre St Pub
Saturday, April 19th
ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, The Egg, Albany, 8pm
Over the 28 years and over 4500 shows since ZOSO came together as a group in the mid-‘90s, the seemingly tireless quartet has continued to earn its well-deserved reputation as being, in the words of The L.A. Times, “head and shoulders above all other Led Zeppelin tributes.”ZOSO doesn’t cut corners on either the look or sound of Led Zeppelin. Instead, the band draws liberally and meticulously from Led Zeppelin’s recorded live and studio output to present a vivid performance picture of the classic live Zeppelin of 1968-1977. No wonder the St. Petersburg Times noted that, in addition to their virtuosity and spot-on visual presentation, ZOSO is also “the most exacting of all the Led Zeppelin tributes.” The Chicago Sun-Times put it even more succinctly: “[ZOSO is] the closest to the original of any Led Zeppelin tribute.”
PAW Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure, MVP Arena, Albany, 10am; 2pm; 6pm
Premium seats are not available for PAW Patrol Live!
Get ready to PAW-ty like never before in a fantastic new PAW Patrol Adventure!
After Chase, Marshall, Skye and the gang save Adventure City with their Mighty Pup Powers, it’s time for the paw-some-est street party ever. But when Supervillain Scientist Victoria Vance feels left out of the festivities, she unleashes her latest invention to crash the party and steal the spotlight for herself! Can the Mighty Pups, armed with their super-charged powers, outsmart Victoria to ensure Adventure City’s biggest bash goes off without a hitch? It’ll take the power of paw-sitivity and mighty teamwork to foil her plans and keep the party pumping!
ICFS Presents: Godzilla Kaiju Double-Stomp 2025! Proctors Theater, Schenectady, 7pm
It Came From Schenectady’s wildly popular double-feature family event, prepares to once again stomp into the GE Theatre at Proctors to dominate the Capital Region’s only KAIJU-sized screen! As always, our two vintage features will be presented with a short intermission in between, beginning with an English-language Godzilla flick that is certain to appeal to the youngest of fans, while our second feature will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles. And, of course, HUSH is the word, as we once again refrain from announcing the name of either feature until the titles splash across our MONSTROUS screen. As with other ICFS events, expect prizes, surprises, comfy sofas and a convenient bar. Both features are rated PG with the combined running time – including intermission – expected to be under 3.5 hours.
Man Must Explore, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
The Low Dough Rock ‘N’ Roll Birthday Show, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7pm-10:30pm
Johnny Morse and his Allstar band is back with special guests! Come and have a rocking time as we celebrate Johnny’s birthday and dance to some great music from local artists.
Ginger Geezus is a popular Upstate NY blues rock band with modern vibes. They are known for playing classic 60s and 70s covers, as well as thier original songs.
Mike and the Monsters cover a wide range and variety of music, performed with energy, professionalism, style, and true rock and roll conviction! Modern sounds, classic rock and maximum danceable party rock make up the Monsters’ musical repertoire.
Harmonic Duo, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm
Experience the mesmerizing harmonies of the Harmonic Duo, with the sound of a full band!
Happy Hour with Monkey & the Crowbar at the Eleven (FREE show), Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm
Monkey and the Crowbar have been playing for years in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. Their acoustic vibe of originals and Grateful Dead adjacent tunes makes for a hoot of a time. Fronted by Todd Herringshaw(guitar, vocals), band members Tree Casullo(percussion, vocals), Joe Sinchak(fiddle, mandolin, vocals) and Sharon Charles(bass) give an old-timey spin to tunes we all know and love.
Neon Avenue, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm-11:59pm
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.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Unplugged, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10:30pm
Step behind the curtain with The Slambovian Circus of Dreams Unplugged, raw, and brimming with Woodstock-tinged acoustic enchantment!
Join us for a rare and intimate evening with The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, unplugged! This special trio performance features the creative heart of the band: Joziah Longo (vocals/guitar), Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, mandolin, flute), and Sharkey McEwen (guitar).
Take a peek behind the “Slambovian Curtain” as they strip things down to the essentials, creating a personal and dynamic connection with the audience. You’ll hear rarely performed songs from their extensive catalog, plus tracks from their critically acclaimed album, A Very Unusual Head. Of the album, Americana UK said, “9 out of 10 – Love at first spin!” .
Perennial | Debbie Dopamine | Barbie Barker, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 7pm-10pm
Local Bands Cover Local Bands Fest, No Fun, Troy, 7pm
From “Bar People.”
4/19 3:00 PM Ron Comstock- Helderberg Mountain Brewing
4/19 6:00 PM Doc Orloff- Powers Pub
4/19 6:00 PM Jacksland- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
4/19 6:00 PM Jeff Brisbin- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
4/19 6:00 PM Michael Benedict Jazz- Stella’s Pasta Bar at The Van Dyck
4/19 6:30 PM Mike McMann- Cherry Plain Square #17
4/19 6:30 PM Morgan LeBeau- Other One Brewery
4/19 6pm Carmen Lookshire Duo- The Scarlet Knife
4/19 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Rustic Barn Pub
4/19 7:00 PM Hilltop- Unihog
4/19 7:00 PM Hungry Dingo- Wicked Eatery
4/19 8:00 PM Doc Horton & The Jay Street Band- J & P’s Lounge
Sunday, April 20th
Ravi Beyond, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 4pm
Aamir Khan Presents : Ravi B & Karma Band Live in Schenectady.
Karma Band is well known for one of the biggest Chutney Soca Band in the Caribbean.
420 Happy Hour at The Eleven with Nickopotamus (FREE Show), Lark Hall, Albany, 4:20pm
An eclectic juggernaut, Nickopotamus combines elements of rock, jam, funk, punk, groove, and zydeco to provide the listener with a visceral experience that will leave them singing along. Nickopotamus is a good-time/high energy live band that has been known to have just as much fun on stage as their fans do. Hailing from Albany, NY this 4 piece band is led by song writer/ guitarist Nick Souder.
Wizard Burger 420: Hobo Wizard / Goblet / Grief Group / Jupiter Queen / GUTS, No Fun, Troy, 4pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
4/20 1:00 PM James Kelly- Other One Brewery
4/20 10:30am Carmen Lookshire Duo- The Scarlet Knife
RECAP: Lost Leaders @ the Falcon, 4/10/2025
Words by Ree Miller. Photo by Anne Lewer Geyer.
Can a band of singer-songwriters get the twisties?
Just when I think I have these jazz/americana/country/folky guys pegged, they go to California and come back with some twisties. Not like Simone Biles – well, unless they were feeling them in their fingers and hearing them in their heads – but twists and turns wrapped up in their standbys and new tunes.
Saw the core founding duo of Lost Leaders, Byron Isaacs and Peter Cole, at the Falcon on a school night last Thursday evening. Isaacs and Cole have been songwriting collaborators and have honed their vocals over several years. Initially united by their love of jazz (and rumor has it, Metallica!), they’ve made a nice little brotherhood for themselves, pulling other talents into their orbit. Their lyrics describe the everyday world in pithy, world-wise elan, wrapped in rock/Americana sensibilities.
They were joined on drums by Konrad Meissner. Boy, he ripped the skins off those drums the other night and didn’t spare the rims when called for. It was as if he played with Isaacs and Cole every week! Loved seeing him trade grins with Isaacs and the solo joy he flashed as he tucked into his pocket or gave the harmonies a go.
Now on to the show! I’ll give you some highlights, though there were 17 gems, and I could write about them all.
Cole came out of the hole hot with “Jealous Sun,” tossing off harmonics and bending notes on his Gretsch. Isaacs and Meissner held down the bassline and let Cole have his shredding fun.
Cole gave us a little twangier version of “Gone So Fast.” He incorporated some impromptu notes all over the fret, adding vocal improvisation and more guitar harmonics just ‘cause. Those of us who know the tune got the twisties. In a good way!
On “DPW,” Cole’s Covid concoction displayed his judicious use of his whammy bar and ability to render a soulful solo. Cole and Isaacs employed their human harmonies to great advantage. This one has a cool key change that never fails to thrill.
“Cherie La Rue,” the ode to the cruel mistress endured by every working band, and most definitely the one Isaacs has encountered in working his career as a member of multiple bands. Cole employed his finger picking talents, and all three artists worked a sweet fade out … taking us down that road … heading home or leaving again.
“Miracle Mile”: a classic in the Lost Leader canon. The message here is to have an escape plan – from NYS or wherever – even if you don’t use it. Meissner used the pipes of his kit to keep time/mimic the clack of road noise one might imagine in their escape or hear as they run toward salvation.
Upon the exit of the drummer, Cole and Isaacs resurrected a song from their previous incarnation (Lowdowners), a tune called “Take Heart.” Isaacs and Cole turned this into a half-keyboard and guitar folk duo experience, invented for their sojourn in California.
“Million Little People,” as Cole tells it, was inspired by Frank Zappa, who described people in NYC as living and working in tiny little boxes. It always reminds me of the view from our hotel room on a junket to City Winery, where, lo, the building across the way WAS stacked with a million little boxes.
“Castaways” is a new song that was released in January. Meissner led off with a driving beat, and Cole and Isaacs had no problem catching up. I would call this tune in the genre “new wave Americana.” (Yes, I coined that term, and you can quote me – with credit, of course -ha!)
“Daydrinking” is another pandemic-generated tune. It tells the woeful tale of a successful lottery winner. The poor guy has money, and all he can do is mope around in his robe, play the voyeur of his neighborhood, and drink all day. He “doesn’t work, ‘cause he doesn’t want/have to.” I should be so full of woe.
“I’m Gonna Win” is a cool little two-step that had me dancing with my cat around the living room every time I queued it up. I have a soft spot for this encouraging tune of affirmation. Got me through a lot of challenging times.
I should have done a twistie count, but what fun is quantifying enjoyment? Suffice it to say that these guys keep their music and shows fresh, whether it’s a changeup in tempo, instruments, or personnel. Every show is not like the last. Can’t wait to see the next one.
*****
The Falcon was its usual groovy vibe in support of the artists, both sonic and visual. True to founder Tony Falco’s mission to Support Living Artists, there is no cover charge, but a donation box to collect the suggested $30 a person. No one counts the honor system trek to the boxes, but the contribution goes 100% to the talent. Food is primo, and the waitstaff are friendly and attentive. Go see for yourself.
RECAP: Kylie Minogue @ TD Garden, 4/9/2025
Kylie Minogue: Tension World Tour Review
Words and Photography by Joshua Scarselli.
On April 9th, 2025, I had the chance to see Kylie Minogue live on her Tension World Tour at TD Garden. She hadn’t performed in Boston since 2011, as Kylie declared she knew she was on the naughty list. The venue had a great energy, and the crowd was clearly filled with longtime fans who were extremely excited to see her perform.
Kylie hit the stage with her usual charm and effortless style. From the very first note, the show had a smooth, upbeat vibe that kept the audience moving. She performed a mix of new tracks from the “Tension” album along with plenty of fan favorites. It was the kind of setlist that kept you guessing in the best way—just when you thought she might slow it down, she’d dive into another dance anthem.
One of the standout moments for me was how she connected with the crowd. She handed out roses to her fans. The last one went to a woman who had waited 30 years for the chance to see Kylie again. She’s got this way of making a room feel smaller, like she’s performing just for you—even in a packed venue. It was clear she was having fun, and that made it all the more enjoyable.
The production was slick but not over-the-top—great lighting, visuals, and sound without overwhelming the performance itself. Everything felt really well balanced. You could tell a lot of thought went into the show, from transitions to how each song was staged.
Overall, it was just a great night of live music. Seeing Kylie live has been on my list for a while, and I’m glad I finally got to cross it off. The whole experience left me feeling energized and reminded me of how powerful a good concert can be.
Week Fifteen: Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week “All We Have is Now”
Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week Airs EVERY WEDNESDAY at 6pm EASTERN only on RadioRadioX.com
This is Jesse Sample. Have you ever considered the movie of your life? We all have one and it is unique to us. Have you ever considered how we as actors have developed our character? We are formed in a soup of failures and successes. We are defined by the times that we pursue true love and the times we are brought to our knees. A good director could win an Oscar with any of us.
But have you considered how we are directors as well. There is a part of us that is also watching the movie and calling the shots. He’s a director whose contract gives him carte blanche, an unlimited budget, and final cut. He jots down the poignant scenes and sends the writers back to the writer’s room to iron out the narrative.
What kind of director am I? Am I leader and do inspire trust in my broader self? Am I kind and willing to watch my actors work toward a vulnerable truth? A great director knows how to focus on what’s important, and they literally cut out the rest. I want to be a great director.
Thanks to all of you (David Chases and Frances Ford Coppola’s) tuned into RadioRadioX. This is the Freak of the Week, “All We Have is Now.”