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5 Million Bees – The Weird Side of the Internet

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5 Million Bees

5 Million Bees – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.

I ain’t scared of much. Probably death, I think drowning is up there. If you’ve ever seen me, you might imagine I’m not afraid of Diabetes or heart disease, and despite appearances, they scare me too. But one thing I’m truly afraid of is bees.

I was maybe three or four, you know the first time you start remembering things? That’s how old I was. And we were living in a second floor apartment in Rensselaer. And my mother and father, being it was the late seventies, thought nothing of watching the TV movie The Swarm while I sat unawares on the couch.

Terrified. And I wouldn’t be that terrified again until, also sitting on the couch, my parents introduced me to the nuclear holocaust film The Day After.

But bees. I remember walking onto a hive in the woods on the ground ans running away as fast as I could while one of them stung me inside my ear.

I’m telling you my life story for a reason. Imagine five million bees. That’s what fell out of a truck in Burlington, Ontario. A beekeeper showed up and said it was the craziest cloud of bees he’d ever seen. So I wonder if he was an experienced beekeeper, right? How many other clouds has he seen to say this one was crazy. Crazy compare to the “Honey Stomp of 1996” crazy, or compared to the “couple bees that make me wait to get into my car” crazy?

Really, it was like a hundred beehives. And people were told to keep their windows rolled up, which is like telling people not to eat the box the pizza comes in. And would they even be able to get the bees back, like are they like honed in to the queen and they’ll return, or are they about to start ruining everybody’s picnics in Burlington, Ontario?

 

 

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“Farewell for Now Festival” @ Twisted Fiddler, 10/26/2024

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Last year, I went to the opening day of Twisted Fiddler, and this year I came to their closing big day. This was a welcoming establishment and will be missed.

Performances that I made it to included Matty D from Ginger Geezus, J. Lee and Chase from Precious Metals, Beau Sasser Trio, and the Joe Barna Trio.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

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“Troy Waterfront Farmers Market” 10/26/2024

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The last outdoor Farmers Market of the year for Troy. Plus a book signing by our very own Papa Sween Bean.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

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“Troy Night Out” 10/25/2024

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A fairly low-key Troy Night Out this month. Pictures from Lightexture, where Philosophy of Music played, and downtown.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

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Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Welcomes Nick Carter!

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Nick Carter

TROY, NEW YORK:     The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is excited to welcome Nick Carter front man of the Backstreet Boys on Wednesday, November 6th!

Sparking his career at the age of 12, Nick Carter quickly became an international pop superstar as the youngest member of the iconic boy band, Backstreet Boys. With his boyish good looks and heartthrob status, Carter’s 30-year entertainment journey has extended far beyond sold-out arenas, encompassing a diverse range of projects in television, film, philanthropy, and publishing.

The Backstreet Boys hold the distinction of being the best-selling boy band in history and rank among the world’s top-selling music artists of all time. The group solidified one of the largest record deals ever, signing a $60 million deal with Jive Records in 1999. Since taking the world by storm in 1995, the band has sold over 130 million records worldwide and has earned five Grammy nominations and countless Billboard Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, RIAA Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and an honorary star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. To date, the Backstreet Boys have toured around the globe several times over, released ten studio albums and have broken several records, including the U.S. record for most albums sold in one year, selling over 11 million copies of their third studio album, Millennium, in 1999.

In 2002, Carter ventured into a solo career with his debut album, Now or Never, released under Jive Records. It debuted impressively at #17 on the Billboard 200 chart and received Gold certification in the United States, Japan, and Canada. This marked the beginning of a successful solo journey, complementing his fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys. Since then, Carter has released two additional solo albums I’m Taking Off in 2012 followed by All American in 2016. Notably, his 2023 single “Hurts to Love You” became his most successful track, charting in seven different countries, topping the charts in the United States and charting number one in Canada.

In 2004, Carter made his foray into the world of film and television, starring in the remake of the classic horror film “Sleepy Hollow” called “The Hollow.” Carter further showcased his acting skills through various film appearances on TV shows such as the CW Network’s revived series “90210.” In 2014, Carter and his now wife, Lauren Kitt, made their reality TV debut as a couple on the VH1 series “I Heart Nick Carter.” Furthermore, he participated in season four of Fox’s hit show, “The Masked Singer,” as well as the 21st season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” making it to the finals on both series.

During his time on “Dancing with the Stars,” Nick and Lauren announced that they were expecting their first child together. On April 19, 2016, they joyfully welcomed their son, Odin. The family expanded further with the arrival of their daughter Saoirse on October 2, 2019, and their youngest daughter, Pearl, on April 21, 2021.

Over the years, Nick Carter has remained a household name, most recently touring with the Backstreet Boys on “The DNA World Tour”. Up next, he’ll embark on a solo tour, titled “Who I Am” kicking off in 2024, which will follow the release of his new music, solidifying his enduring presence in the music and entertainment industry.

Tickets are on sale via phone, (518) 273-0038, in person, or online at  TroyMusicHall.org.  More information on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and upcoming programs is also available on the website at www.troymusichall.org.

Week Forty-Five: Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week “Cold Blood in Credibility Canyon”

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Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week airs EVERY WEDNESDAY at 6pm Eastern here on RadioRadioX.com!
This is Jesse Sample. Today is election day in the US. This is the culmination of a four year build up, charged to white hot intensity by the most powerful media culture in human history. The tension is amazing. Those of us who have been keeping up on the presidential campaigns have been intimate in the forest of speculation on demographic sway, strategic and tactical gaffs, and pontifications of everyone on the periphery. It’s fascinating and can make everyone a little crazy…or a lot crazy.

Personally, when I turn off my podcast or audiobook, and go for a late-night walk, my mind wanders to some kinder pastures. I was raised by kind hardworking people. They may have had some nominal political affiliations, but they made their coffee at home and took it to go. They patiently tolerated my know-it-all teens and twenties. They helped me when I needed it and didn’t charge me interest on the favor.  They filled the spaces not intended for government.

Maybe the two candidates who are running for president have tenderness for family members or close friends, but I wouldn’t bet that they have your or my best interest at the top of their list. As I learn, grow and move through society, I’m starting to see the genius of our American system of government, however imperfect and klunky. It’s prudent to move in our roles as a citizen strategically and in accordance with our values. But no matter who wins this thing, I can 100% guarantee that they don’t care about me the way my grandmother does…or the myriad other sweet people I cross paths with every day.

These are the real political players in my life.

Thanks to all of you players deep in the game listening to RadioRadioX. This is the Freak of the Week, “Cold Blood in Credibility Canyon.”

Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room – The Strand Theatre

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Barry Goudreau's Engine Room

On Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 @ 8:00pm, Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room is performing at the Strand Theatre!

Guitarist Barry Goudreau, formerly of multi-platinum legends Boston, RTZ, and Orion The Hunter brings his blistering ensemble Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room to the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls.  Barry’s blow-the-doors off live combo includes Brian Maes and Tim Archibald from RTZ and Peter Wolf’s House Party Five.

Expect blistering live versions of favorites  “Rock and Roll Band” “More Than a Feeling”, “Smokin”, “Hitch a Ride”, “Peace of Mind”  and “Long Time” in their live set alongside classic rock gems–delivered as only the Engine Room can–such as The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, the James Gang’s “Walk Away”, and, celebrating Brian and Tim’s tenure with Peter Wolf, J Geils’ “First I Look at the Purse” as well as  tracks from the Engine Room’s most recent CD of, as Barry calls it “contemporary classic rock”, The Road”.

With new music to play, and some great old favorites added to the show, Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room is hitting the road!

$35/orchestra section, $30/floor, $25/balcony.  Tickets are available at the Strand Box Office; cash or check only or online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Doors into the lobby, coffee shop and box office open at 6:30pm. For more information and the ticketing link, please visit our website at www.mystrandtheatre.org. The Strand Theatre is located at 210 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY.

Please visit our website, Facebook or Instagram accounts for a list of upcoming events at the Strand.

Not Chinese Takeout – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

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Not Chinese Takeout

Not Chinese Takeout – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

Nate (Not Chinese Takeout) : Our first EP “Not For Me” was crazy man. The whole experience was wild. We ended up hitting up producer/engineer  Sam Pura because he’s worked with some of our favorite bands. Ended up driving to San Francisco to record that first one. We were kinda musical babies at that point almost. Some of us had been doing the music release thing for a little while before that but never on that scale. That will always be a landmark experience for us. The most recent project “Better In September” I think just drove down more of the indie/“Midwest emo” path (my own personal favorite at least right now haha that shoegaze & hardcore) it felt like we kind of hit a stride and are more confident now with our take on the genres we live in. Producer Connor Hanson and his production partner Greg Pease of Flycatcher (another one of our favorite bands) helped us get this one together and to us it’s a beautiful project and we were able to capture the season of fall which we love.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

JP: Genres, for us, always seem to be more of a “movie” descriptor, rather than for music. Songs can be so expansive and outwardly expressed, that it’s hard to put them into a particular box. We like to say our music is “Blendcore” and/or “Middle States” music, because it’s a good mix of Punk, Midwest Emo and Shoegaze genres. We try to keep the walls of the genre box from becoming too rigid.

Nate: Hover is a fact haha we’re a Blendcore band dawg. Not sure if that exist but ya know, it does now I guess. We love too many things to just bunker down with one sound. We know it’s sometimes seemed as something fans don’t like but I don’t know, we never wanted to make just pop punk or  shoegaze etc. We love all that shit so we make all that shit ya know? Trying to stay true to ourselves and also all the feelings/sounds we love.

RRX: In the universe of music, anything can happen. Bizarro doppelgangers can walk down the street in feather boas. Who would be your musical opposite and why? What do you think the “anti-you” band would sound like?

Nate: Haha I’m not sure, maybe a band that only focuses on one very specific thing.

JP: Musical opposites are hard to find because everything in our music is influenced by almost everything else in life. We have a metal-leaning guitarist, post-based rhythm guitarist, jazz bassist, pop punk drummer/singer and a Midwest leaning singer…and we seem to work just fine coming together to make some vibes happen. So I can’t say we have an opposite, because we can take something out of everything we hear and see. But I can say; maybe we’re influenced the least by artists, or groups, who are ONLY created and concocted by the producers or people around them. We live and die by the creation, and find something good in almost anything that’s created by the people that project their creation!

RRX: Our style comes from the extension of our influences. It’s like an evolution. We’re influenced, and it inspires us to influence. What can you say about your influences, and what you feel you’ve done with their influence as a musician or band? Have you extended their work?

Nate: Between all of us we could probably talk about this for a whole day or two honestly. There are so many bands and artist that have nurtured what we do and allowed us to express something close but at the same time unique to us. When you listen to our music I’m sure a lot of bands might come to mind or maybe not! But that’s how alternative music kinda works. We’re all related, all one big family.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

Nate: Oh man, All those sorts of people you just mentioned are so important to this. I sometimes see bands or artist post their new project or something and not always are there credits for who worked on them. I don’t know if it’s like a label thing or like an insecurity thing but we love our engineers and art workers. Shout out to all of them. Can’t keep it at just three it’s too hard haha but if we had to 5 is the minimum if that’s ok. Those are Sam Pura, Theresa Brown, David Liebig, Connor Hanson, Greg Pease. We love you guys.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

JP: Our build-up to an album is going to be a fun one…We have 4 more tracks releasing within a few months from now; two songs for the colder seasons, and 2 for the warmer weather. Then the plan is to have our first full length album out during the back half of 2025.

It’s been an amazing experience getting these ideas and demos finalized, and then getting to play those same ideas live has been wild as well. We’re hyped for the process and ready for some more.

Nate: Some crazy shit probably haha we are starting to build towards a full length record. We have some ideas and we love this music thing man. You guys won’t be disappointed. Believe us when we say that. We have some super cool visions and concepts that we totally think you’ll love and will be the reason why you’ll be seeing us out on the road with all the people we look up to.

More from Liam Sweeny…

Marky Klein – Capital Region Timekeepers

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Marky Klein

Marky Klein – Capital Region Timekeepers – by OP Callaghan.

Blackcat Elliot have been ripping it up since 2001 with their very own “no holds barred, go for the throat” garage rock-n-roll. For anyone who’s listened to their albums or caught a live show, it’s easy to see why they’ve earned their status as a local favorite. Formed from the ashes of North Again, singer-guitarist Gus Hais had previously thought that he was done with music. That is until an old high school friend called him up and invited him to jam.

“Blackcat Elliot is Marky’s band. He had to drag me out again to make it happen. When North Again broke up, it was ugly; lots of hurt feelings and bad blood. I was ready to hang it up, but Marky and I got together, started writing songs, and got Jamie St. Denis (from North Again) to play bass, and that was it. Our very first gig had booze, fireworks, fights, and cops!”

“Mark and I have a musical chemistry,” continues Hais. “It was clear on that first jam, and over the years has gotten deeper. He’s my best friend and the heart and soul of this band.”

Marky “Balboa” Klein was born in Albany, raised in Colonie, and is the undisputed heavyweight champion and driving force behind Albany’s own Blackcat Elliot. He’s a great player, a wonderful guy, and this month’s feature, so give it up for Marky “Balboa” Klein!

RRX: Welcome pal! Tell us how you got started playing drums.

MBK: My first instrument was guitar. I sucked, so I switched to bass, lol! But 20 years ago, I decided that I wanted to play drums, so I traded a Gibson Black Beauty for a shitty CB700 drum kit.

RRX: That’s an awful trade! Do you come from a musical family?

MBK: I guess you could say that. My mother’s side has a few musicians and artists in the bloodline.

RRX: Who were your early influences? Was there a specific band or drummer that “hooked” you early in life?

MBK: Peter Criss (KISS) was the first. I remember playing air drums and staring at KISS posters. I may have borrowed a chop or two from Charlie Watts, Dave Grohl, Marky and Tommy Ramone. Neil Peart and Dave Lombardo are pretty great too. John Bonham is my number one.

RRX: As he should be! That’s a wide array of influences. Did you take lessons?

MBK: No. I had friends that played, so I learned from them and just kept practicing.

RRX: Tell me more about that first kit.

MBK: It was a cheap CB700 kit that I traded toward my Ludwig kit that I’ve been using for years now.

RRX: I recently caught you guys at the Pig Out in Troy, and you were playing a beautiful set of Ludwig Classic Maple.  Tell me about your current set up, cymbals, and snare.

MBK: That kit was given to me by my friend and martial arts trainer Rob Grier. The deal was that I had to play out with them. He passed away unexpectedly two years ago. I still have my old road dog Ludwig kit, with a Ludwig Supraphonic 402 snare, and I use Sabian AAX and HHX cymbals. I use a Tama Dyna-Sync kick pedal.

RRX: What was your first band? Tell us about some of your other playing experiences.

MBK: My first band was with Gus, called Dionysus. I played bass in that band and in another band called Under The Bridge. This was long before the Red Hot Chili Peppers song of the same name. I have filled in for a few local bands when needed for a show or two. My cousin Greg Aidala and I play together now and then, and have played a few shows together.

RRX: Black Cat Elliot has been together for over 20 years now. My daughter is a huge fan, and calls it “Gus’ Band.” Gus says it’s YOUR band.

MBK: Ha! Gus and I have been friends since high school. We have played in two other bands together. I started drumming, and when North Again broke up, I pulled him back in and we formed Blackcat Elliot. I definitely got things started, but there is no Blackcat without Gus. We’ve all contributed to the music, and the band has to agree with everything we do!

RRX: Any gig horror stories?

MBK: A few! The worst was BCE playing in a field, on top of a mountain, with long grass, 102 degrees. The drum stage was an old boat dock, and Gus and Steve stood on an uneven wooden pallet. I knew it was going to be bad when a guy named “Snake” came down the mountain on a four-wheeler to help us drag our gear up the hill.

RRX: That’s not so bad! Sounds better than the first gig with a police presence! Changing direction here, I really like your drum sound. Do you guys record live? Do you use a click track?

MBK: We record live. We want to sound and feel authentic. I don’t use a click track, I don’t like them. If Bonham didn’t think it was necessary, who am I to say different? Hahaha!

RRX: I feel you. Tell me about a favorite recording.

MBK: Blackcat Elliot’s new album, “When The Smoke Clears,” is my favorite recording thus far. I felt comfortable in the studio, and I think that some really cool things came out of those sessions.

RRX: Tell me about some favorite gigs over the years.

MBK: Blackcat has had a lot of great gigs over the years. The RadioRadioX awards show is definitely in my top three, if not my favorite gig. Opening for the Supersuckers was a great gig. Our release parties are always great. There were a few NYC gigs that were unbelievable. Larkfest was a blast. The opening for Guitar Center was one of our first “big” gigs that we landed. There were over 1500 people there!

RRX: That’s great! Anything else you’d like to add? Where can we see you play?

MBK: Check out our music on all digital media platforms and pick up a copy of our new limited edition album “When The Smoke Clears” on vinyl at bandcamp: https://blackcatelliot.bandcamp.com/album/when-the-smoke-clears

Blackcat Elliot’s next gig is February 22 at Empire.

RRX: I can’t wait! See you then!

www.blackcatelliot.com

 

 

More from OP Callaghan…

 

The Scurves – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

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The Scurves

The Scurves – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?

DJ: Our first show was, in a word, cathartic.  It was a culmination of years of work all pouring out in a 35-minute set.  We all played in bands before the Scurves so playing out wasn’t new to us, but the collaboration of the three of us was and it worked.   Our best show was, for me, our last show.  It was one of those shows that took me by surprise, pleasantly.

Dan: We are at a point where things are really gelling.  Our set is lived-in now.  The most recent show at Desperate Annie’s takes the cake for my favorite to date.

Levi: I have to agree with DJ and Dan, the last show we played was our best. We’ve been playing together for so long everything just clicks, and that frees us up to just play our hearts out!

RRX: How does practice go? Is the road practice enough, or do you have a practice shack? If so, how does it look? What’s on the walls? What cool sh*t is in there?

DJ: Our practice space is Dan’s basement.  Practices always involve a family meal first then a rattling of the windows for dessert.

Dan: Our space is pretty pedestrian but comfortable.  Picture a finished basement full of music gear accumulated over the last 30+ years.  I have some framed The Cure records on the wall, as well as posters and mementos from my past bands hanging up.  It is great to be able to have our gear set up all the time, it makes practicing so much easier.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

DJ: We’re always writing and trying to get better.  The plan for our future projects is to maintain the trajectory we’re on and build on it.  Our goals are album driven, to write a cohesive collection of approximately 40 minutes of music.

Dan: We just completed basics tracking for our second album in March and are now working on overdubs and mixing.  It is an evolution from “Shelter in Place” and we are really excited for people to hear it.  I think we are more comfortable with what works for us as a unit now and it is coming across in these new recordings.

 Levi: Echoing my earlier sentiment about gigs, we have been playing together for so long it’s really easy for Dan and I to lock into our groove. Being a three piece, it is really easy to listen to what everyone is doing and find the sweet spot where the individual player can play something cool that really serves the song.

RRX: Is there a song you wrote that really died on the vine? Something you all like but somehow just couldn’t make it work. You swear never to play it live, that sort of thing?

DJ: Yeah, some songs do die on the vine, it’s just a natural part of the process.  Sometimes we revisit them down the road and they finally gel, but sometimes they just fade away.   Self-editing is an important aspect of the writing process that you hopefully get better at as you mature.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

DJ: Frank Moscowitz!!!  He’s our all-purpose go-to-guy!!  He’s a knowledgeable engineer who helps to bring a song into focus without misdirecting the initial spirit of the song.  He’s also an awesome musician who can throw on a keyboard, melody, or guitar part if needed.   Oh, and he’s an amazing electronics technician who fixes our temperamental amps and recording gear.

Dan: I’d like to add the team from Super Dark Collective to that list.  Shane and his crew are great supporters of the band and consistently put us on awesome local bills.  The Monday night shows at Desperate Annie’s are always a blast and come with a built-in crowd.  No Fun is a great scene too.

Also, Philip Pascuzzo of Pepco Studio creates killer album art!  He has done work for a number of local artists like Brent Gorton, Small Axe, and John Brodeur.  Phil also creates book covers, posters, and logos for global brands like Twitter (X).  He completely  knocked us out with his toxic skull concept for “Shelter in Place”.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

DJ: According to the Super Dark guys we are proto punk.  I had to look that up, I guess they’re kind of right.

Dan: I usually describe us as hard-hitting psych rock, but proto punk works too.  We are definitely the sum of our influences.  I hear Black Sabbath, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd in DJ’s songs.  I come from a 90’s alternative point of view and Levi has more progressive leanings.  Somehow, it all works really well together.

Levi: At some point, somewhere, someone called us “psychedelic grunge.” I can’t speak to its accuracy, but DJ and I have a few distortion pedals between us, and some of the “weird stuff” that lends itself to psychedelia. So, it’s probably an accurate description? Come to a show, let us know what you think!

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

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