READ THE REVIEW HERE: Megadeth / Mudvayne / All That Remains @ MVP Arena, 9/10/2024
Photography by Rachael Skinner
Show Detective – Weekend Shows – 9/20 – 9/22
Show Detective.
Friday, September 20th
New York State International Film Festival 2024, The Linda, Albany, 6pm
Join us for the 9th Annual New York State International Festival, taking place this September 20-21 at The Linda – WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio.
This two-day festival will showcase a diverse selection of short independent films from local, national, and international filmmakers.
Some Like It Hot, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 8pm
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “A Super-Sized, All-Out Song-And-Dance Spectacular!” – The New York Times Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.
Mystic Highway: A Tribute to CCR, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, 7:30pm
“Gil Gaidola’s (John Fogerty) vocals and skilled guitar licks capture the Fogerty essence, Mystic Highway provides solid instrumental back up. Quality, nostalgic sound, transporting you back to the bayou.“
–Yvonne Van De Wiele – 92.9 The Grand FM
Mystic Highway has been winning hearts and bringing their first-rate live show experience performing the music of CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) and John Fogerty to audiences with honesty, respect and reverence! Hailed as North America’s leading CCR /John Fogerty tribute, Gil Gaidola delivers Fogerty’s vocal grit, guitar mastery and signature look.
Invoke Thy Wrath, Empire Underground, Albany, 7pm
Bowling for Soup, Empire Live, Albany, 7:30pm
A Man Named Cash: A Tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
“A Man Named Cash – A Tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter” is the premier tribute to the music and lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Recognized by fans as one of the most honest and true representations of Johnny Cash live in concert, join them as they take you on an exciting musical journey through the music and legacy of Johnny Cash – spanning nearly 50 years of music from his earliest days at Sun Recording in the 1950’s through his final days and musical rebirth with American Recordings in the 2000’s. Eric’s astonishingly deep voice and even deeper embodiment of Cash’s character often has audiences utterly transfixed in their seats – performing classics as varied as his first 1956 Billboard #1 hit “I Walk The Line” to the 2004 Grammy Award winning ‘Hurt.’
The Big Happy, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm
The Big Happy hails from Long Island, NY. Known for their high energy performance, mixing up the perfect recipe for a good time!
Oobleck live at The Eleven (FREE SHOW – SAY SHE SHE PRE-PARTY), Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm
Funked-out-afro-rock-alt-dub-whatever band (their own words) Oobleck make their debut at The Eleven at Lark Hall.
Oobleck is a melee of horns, super heavy drums and bass, and your favorite type of chunky guitar riffing that leaves your bum shaking and your face grinning. When we say funk, we actually mean funked-out-afro-rock-alt-dub-whatever.
Say She She with special guest Sola, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm-11:30pm
Say She She, the soulful female-led trio, stand rock solid on their disco-delic duty with their boundary-breaking sophomore album Silver (released September 29 on Colemine/Karma Chief Records). The strong voices of Piya Malik (El Michels Affair, Chicano Batman), Sabrina Mileo Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown front the band. Following the NYC siren song, the trio was pulled from their respective cities — Piya from London, Nya from DC, and Sabrina from NYC — to Manhattan’s downtown dance floors, through the Lower East Side floorboards, and up to the rooftops of Harlem, where their friendship was formed on one momentous, kismet evening.
Kate McDonnell & Her Right Hand Men – Album Release, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm
Singer songwriter Kate McDonnell plays her guitar upside down and backwards, and sings with her whole being.
Kate is joined by “Her Right-Hand Men” in celebrating the release of her 6th album entitled Trapeze, produced by singer-songwriter and oft-featured side musician Jimi Woodul, as well as Sam Zucchini (drums). Trapeze marks a sharp, fresh pivot from her former albums in its production and McDonnell/Lindley songwriting temperament, steering Kate into a beautiful new amalgam of thought and sound.
The Sin City Wheels w/s/g Billy Eli & The Gutshot Angels, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 8pm-9pm
The Sin City Wheels (Marc Vincent, Don Young, Chris Sprague, Mike Kelley, Peter Bearup, and Kevin Maul)
performing songs by Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman
Girth Control / On The Cinder / Divide By Zero / Henry’s Rifle, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
9/20 5:00 PM Gianna Robustiano- Frog Alley Brewing
9/20 5:00 PM Rusticator- S&S farm Brewery
9/20 5:30 PM Justin Joyner- Bootleggers
9/20 6:00 PM Al & Kathy Bain- Olde Bryan Inn
9/20 6:00 PM Bob Fox- Thirsty Owl
9/20 6:00 PM Bronte Roman & Steve Viglucci Duo- Sofia’s of Clifton Park
9/20 6:00 PM Drank The Gold- Cock & Bull
9/20 6:00 PM Get Up Jack- Wolf Hollow Brewing
9/20 6:00 PM Grand Central Station- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/20 6:00 PM Ian Campbell- Indian Ladder Farms
9/20 6:00 PM Matt Evans- Other One Brewery
9/20 6:00 PM Pat Decker- Saratoga Winery
9/20 6:00 PM Rob Fleming- The Scarlet Knife
9/20 6:00 PM Ryan Bean- Saratoga City Tavern
9/20 6:00 PM The Girlz- Prime at Saratoga National
9/20 6:00 PM The Hawthornes- Bunker Mohawk Harbor
9/20 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Inn at Saratoga
9/20 6:00 PM Travis Rockenstire- Bunker Clifton Park
9/20 6:00 PM Tyler Giroux- 677 Prime
9/20 6:30 PM Frank Kelly- Other One Brewery
9/20 6:30 PM Harmonic Duo- Ancient Order Of Hibernians Albany
9/20 6:30 PM Jay Yager- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
9/20 6:30 PM Lifeline Duo- Artisanal Brew Works
9/20 6:30 PM Steve Candlen- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
9/20 7:00 PM 18 Strings Of Trouble- Kraverie
9/20 7:00 PM Beating The Odds- Wicked Eatery
9/20 7:00 PM Dominant 5 Brass- Greenbush Reformed Church
9/20 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena
9/20 7:00 PM Joe Severino- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
9/20 7:00 PM Madame Z- Bunker Saratoga
9/20 7:00 PM Murder Hornets- Quarters
9/20 7:00 PM Powersiren- Cherry Plain Square #17
9/20 7:00 PM Silver Chain Band- Muddy’s Tavern
9/20 7:00 PM The Big Happy- Rustic Barn Pub
9/20 7:00 PM Titanics- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
9/20 7:30 PM Mystic Highway- Universal Preservation Hall
9/20 8:00 PM Canopy- Ophelias Restaurant
9/20 8:00 PM Jason Emmond Quartet- Nine Maple
9/20 8:00 PM Kate McDonnell Album Release- Caffe Lena
9/20 8:00 PM Matt Cos & Kurt Diehl- Saratoga City Tavern
9/20 8:00 PM Mic Power Power- Misfit
9/20 8:00 PM Radio Junkies- Druthers Saratoga
9/20 8:00 PM Say She She wsg Sola- Lark Hall
9/20 8:30 PM The Dude Abides- Frog Alley Brewing
9/20 9:00 PM ILL Funk Ensemble- Ice House
9/20 9:00 PM The Accents- Van Slycks at Rivers Casino
9/20 9:00 PM The Coverups- Centre St. Pub
9/20 9:00 PM The Coverups- Centre St. Pub
9/20 9:00 PM The Refrigerators- Vapor
9/20 9:30 PM The Schmooze- Spa City Tap & Barrel
9/20/ 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well
Saturday, September 21st
Lights Out: A Tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm
“Lights Out Presents- A Tribute to Frankie Valli, the Four Seasons, and More..” Being hailed as The Nation’s #1 Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Lights Out brings an action packed show, complete with the hit songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, tight harmonies, Choreography, comedy, and audience participation! This show will keep you captivated from beginning to end!”
The Egg Presents: Story Pirates, The Egg, Albany, 3pm
Get ready for Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour, featuring fan-favorite songs from the multi-award winning The Story Pirates Podcast and improvised sketch comedy based on ideas from kids in the audience. The Story Pirates believe that all kids are creative geniuses, and they’re ready to prove it with their fast-paced, hilarious and inspiring show for the whole family. Featuring Eric from The Story Pirates Podcast, plus a cast of the funniest Story Pirate actors, singers and comedians around.
The Egg Presents: Meshell Ndegeocello, The Egg, Albany, 8pm
The prescience of James Baldwin is alive nearly forty years after his passing, a testament to his enduring impact. A prolific writer, his essays, novels, plays, and poetry have assessed and often reproached the human condition. As an activist, his oratory prowess in the 1960s was bar none, lending his outspoken views on Black oppression with profundity and eloquence. Born in New York City on August 2, 1924, this year marks the centennial of the eminent writer, a momentous occasion that is celebrated by the release of one of MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO’s most intrepid efforts to date: No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin.
New York State International Film Festival 2024, The Linda, Albany, 6pm
Join us for the 9th Annual New York State International Festival, taking place this September 20-21 at The Linda – WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio.
This two-day festival will showcase a diverse selection of short independent films from local, national, and international filmmakers.
Farm Aid, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 12pm
A full day of music, family farmers, HOMEGROWN food and agrarian experiences — featuring performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), as well as Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis and Jesse Welles, with more artists to be announced.
Some Like It Hot, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 2pm; 8pm
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “A Super-Sized, All-Out Song-And-Dance Spectacular!” – The New York Times Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.
DJ Seth Casale- Karaoke Night! Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 5pm-10pm
Don’t miss out on an evening full of great music, fun vibes, and the chance to showcase your singing!
The Alec Lewis Group at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE SHOW), Lark Hall, Albany, 7pm-9pm
Multitalented front man brings his solo band back to The Eleven at Lark Hall for a free show on September 21, starting at 7pm.
The Alec Lewis Group, fronted by singer/guitarist Alec Lewis (who is the production manager for Lark Hall), is really difficult to describe, due to the myriad influences that come out in their songs. Rock and roll, for sure, but add elements of surf rock, a dash of ska and the occasional extended improvisation, and you have an eclectic band that is charging forward.
Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm-11:30pm
If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to genius. The musicians in this 6 to 7-piece Talking Heads Tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads entire career. Together they bring much of the Heads unique live show to the stage, with front man Jon Braun as a spot-on David Byrne, giving you a “once in a lifetime” experience. Prepare yourself for a rockin’, funkin’, danceable celebration of the new-wave art punk you loved from the 80’s !!!
Band Website: www.startmakingsenseband.com
Bright Series: Country GongBang, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm
Country GongBang is an award-winning South Korean quintet who play contemporary bluegrass with a Korean twist.
South Korean bluegrass band, Country GongBang, demonstrates that bluegrass music is embraced in places outside the US. Winners of the 2023 IBMA International Band Performance Grant, the quintet plays contemporary bluegrass with a Korean twist, singing in both English and Korean. Their name means “country atelier,” and is also inspired by a popular Korean trend of filming students practicing music or studying. They’ve gained international fans through YouTube and other online platforms and have played at IBMA World of Bluegrass, as well as festivals in France and Japan.
Suspiria w/ Live Score by Apostrophebeats Orchestra & PCP Burlesque, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
9/21 1:00 PM Get Up Jack- Frog Alley Brewing
9/21 10:00 PM Robert Delong Pearl Palooza- Ophelias Restaurant
9/21 11:00 AM Nothern Borne- Washington County Fair Grounds
9/21 12:00 PM Chuck Ayers- The Palazzo Restaurant
9/21 2:00 PM K&O Duo- Artisanal Brew Works
9/21 4:00 PM Roadside Assistance- Helderberg Mountain Brewing Co
9/21 5:00 PM Bennett Brothers- Artisanal Brew Works
9/21 5:00 PM North Allen Duo- Frog Alley Brewing
9/21 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well
9/21 5:30 PM Russ Kennedy- Emma Jaynes
9/21 6:00 PM Chris Dollard- Prime at Saratoga National
9/21 6:00 PM Eric Kufs- Olde Bryan Inn
9/21 6:00 PM Eric Peter- Powers Pub
9/21 6:00 PM Franklin Micare- 677 Prime
9/21 6:00 PM Had The Radish- Thirsty Owl
9/21 6:00 PM John Terleckey- Inn at Saratoga
9/21 6:00 PM Juniper- The Scarlet Knife
9/21 6:00 PM Mike Levan- Saratoga City Tavern
9/21 6:00 PM Sugar Pil- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/21 6:00 PM The Whiecaps wsg Marty Brown- The Galley Bar & Grill
9/21 6:00 PM Wayne & Joey- Sofia’s of Clifton Park
9/21 6:30 PM Gary Vail- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
9/21 6:30 PM Scott Simson- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
9/21 6:30 PM Stretch Duo- Other One Brewery
9/21 7:00 PM Alec Lewis Group- Eleven At Lark Hall
9/21 7:00 PM Brendan Conley- Bunker Saratoga
9/21 7:00 PM Joe Severino- Dukes Chophouse At Rivers Casino
9/21 7:00 PM The Coverups- Dock Browns Tavern
9/21 7:30 PM Stirred Up- Wicked Eatery
9/21 8:00 PM Country Gongbang- Caffe Lena
9/21 8:00 PM DJ Vison- Misfit
9/21 8:00 PM Jeff Walton- Cooperstown Distillery Saratoga
9/21 8:00 PM Matt Niedbalski Quartet- Nine Maple
9/21 8:00 PM Start Making Sense- Putnam Place
9/21 8:00 PM Whiz Bang- Druthers Saratoga
9/21 8:30 PM Big Eyed Phish- Frog Alley Brewing
9/21 9:00 PM 90’s Noise- Saratoga Cit Tavern
9/21 9:00 PM Skeeter Creek- Vapor
9/21 9:00 PM Trip McNeeley- Centre St. Pub
Sunday, September 22nd
The Egg Presents: Family Circle #1 with Veena and Devesh Chandra, The Egg, Albany, 2pm
Part of the Resonance Series Series
In the Hart Theatre Lobby on Sundays: September 22, October 20, November 17, and December 8
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Indian Classical Music with the Raga Family Circle, an interactive workshop series featuring Veena & Devesh Chandra. Over 4 engaging sessions, this series progresses through the basic fundamentals of Indian melody and rhythm and offers children and families a unique hands-on experience to try instruments and authentically experience this storied tradition. Veena and Devesh Chandra, embodying the generational passage of knowledge from guru to disciple, bring to life a rich cultural heritage that has been carefully preserved and evolved over centuries. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned music lover, the Raga Family Circle invites you to be part of a living tradition, offering a rare opportunity to experience the joy, complexity, and transformative power of Indian Classical Music in an accessible, immersive setting.
Some Like It Hot, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 2pm
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “A Super-Sized, All-Out Song-And-Dance Spectacular!” – The New York Times Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.
Capital Region Blues Network Solo-Duo Competition, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 1pm-3pm
Solo/duo acts will be competing for the honor of representing the Capital Region at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
Three acts will be competing for the honor of representing the Capital Region at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in January, 2025. Sponsored by the Capital Region Blues Network (an affiliate of the Blues Foundation), the competition takes place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 at Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs. The competing Solo-Duo musicians will be named prior to the show.
Unplug Childhood Hunger! – Fundraiser, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-11pm
Saratoga Musicians Raise Funds for SNACPack.
Five local bands play with no amplification whatsoever in Lena’s intimate listening room. This extraordinary show, organized by local artist Lawrence White, will create an experience we’ve never had at Caffe Lena. The artists will perform in the center of the room, and the tables and seats will surround them on all sides, with seating even available on stage!
From “Bar People.”
9/22 1:00 PM Capital Region Blues Network Solo & Duo Competion- Caffe Lena
9/22 1:00 PM Scott Chamberlain- Other One Brewery
9/22 10:30 AM Steve Candlen- The Scarlet Knife
9/22 11:00 AM Tame The Rooster- Altamont Fairgrounds
9/22 3:00 PM Cryin Out Loud- Wicked Eatery
9/22 3:00 PM Jeff Brisbin- Druthers Saratoga
9/22 3:00 PM Triple Trouble wsg Mikael Mulholland- Artisanal Brew Works
9/22 3:30 PM Chris Dollard or Joe Severino- Hank Hudson Brewing
9/22 4:00 PM New York Players- Carsons Woodside Tavern
9/22 5:00 PM Peter Van Keuren- Sofia’s of Clifton Park
9/22 5:30 PM Sinatra & Friends- Panza’s Saratoga
9/22 7:00 PM Fundraising For Snacpack With Rick Bolton & Friends / Annie & The Hedonists / Jeff Brisbin / Garland Nelson / The Beat Generation
9/22 7:00 PM Latin Night hosted By DJ Boy Boy-Putnam Place
On The Cinder – Interview – Thanks for Asking!
On The Cinder – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.
RRX: Artists, musicians, we immortalize. We set it in stone. Is there anyone who has passed that you feel you have immortalized in your work? If so, can you tell us a little about them?”
Mike: This is something we briefly mention to audiences, but the loss of loved ones is a huge influence on our songwriting. I feel like grief is such a powerful feeling that writing and song have become important means to process and heal after losing a friend or family member.
I’ve never put this in an interview before, but our song “Green Flames” from our latest record is a commemoration to our friend Tom. While the song describes the Buffalo cornerstone dive bar The Old Pink (RIP), the song was inspired by our friend that we coincidentally met up with and he then gave me a safe ride home. It was the last time I ever saw him, though our last interaction was him making sure I got home safe. Kind gestures like that go a long way with me and we’ll always have him in our hearts when we play that song.
RRX: We have to play somewhere, and sometimes those places have more going for them than a stage and a power outlet. What is a memorable place you played, and bonus points if it’s not a well-known place.
Jason: It’s hard to narrow it down to one, so here are a few – And I’m sure they’re not well-known:
We once played a laundromat in DC… or rather a room that shared a wall, but all of the gear was loaded onto washers and dryers, and it was a dry venue, so I’m sure we spent at least some of the time sneaking shots off of washers and dryers
Kirby’s beer store has become a somewhat regular stop on our way through Kansas (Wichita, I believe). The maximum capacity of the room is under 40, so when 3 bands play, that leaves room for about 20 guests – Standing room only. The tables and chairs are moved onto the sidewalk in front of the building before the show starts.
Shantytown in Jacksonville has been good to us, but we weren’t sure what to expect when one of the attendees took our shoes from us and ran away during our set. After a minute or so, he brought them back full of beer so that we’d be properly initiated. — #shoeboat
Mike: We’ve played many house shows over the years, and the show spaces have ranged from living rooms, dens, kitchens, toy rooms, backyards, basements, foyers….if there is a corner of your house and you want to get loud, we’ll squeeze in.
RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?
Mike: I think the two most important things to live by when it comes to promotion of your band, small business, or simply your professional identity, is to 1) be yourself 2) do things because they are fun.
Musicians can definitely build personas to express their music and their act to entertain people (ie., Chappell Roan, Steel Panther), though chasing trends and faking your energy to be what you think people want is usually transparent to your audience. Be yourself and show what is interesting about you, if you can’t come up with anything than why expect an audience to care about you? And doing things for fun is crucial; everyone is buried in their own feed and marketing can be really challenging, so having fun making what you need to push your music will bring you more joy rather than feel like a chore.
RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play? (No basic stuff; get specific.)
Jason: I think we’d all like fans to know that we want to hang out! I don’t think we have many “fans” that we wouldn’t consider friends, and if you’re in that minority and you’re reading this, please shoot us a message so we can change that. We usually hang out around the club or space before and after the set, and between the 3 of us, we love to talk shop about music, wrestling, bad movies, sports, you name it!
RRX: Sometimes you gotta go on the road. Miles can build up, and it can stretch the comfort level of any traveling act. What do you bring on a road trip, or tour? What will you forget to bring?
Jason: These days, two-thirds of us work from the road in come capacity, so laptops, batteries and the hot-spot are essential. Sometimes Tyler will bring his golf back, so that he can get a few rounds in during the off time. Sleeping bags, pillows, phone chargers… they seem to start in abundance on day 1, but by day 9 or 10, we are usually sharing and borrowing at an embarrassing level — shout out if you whole band passes around 1 stick of deodorant in the morning.
Otherwise, jumper cables, spare tire, backup guitar, a good hoody and a hat are quintessential components of band’s “success”.
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?
Mike: I live in Rochester, NY, while Jason and Tyler are roommates in Buffalo. They are the proprietors of the once great house show venue Noiseland Arcade, though all good things must end eventually, and now it is simply their home and our practice space. The house is filled with relics of shows past, an elephant graveyard of musical instruments, bachelor life antiquities, and the basement show space. Lots of show fliers hang behind the drum kit, white boards and writing notebooks litter the shelves along the wall, and the feel of the carpet in the basement brings on a sensory overload of memories from shows and moments in practice after all these years. Practice usually consists of 3-4 straight hours of writing/rehearsing, with a coffee/beer hang before and after to decompress.
Tas Cru @ The Linda, 9/12/2024
Tas Cru and his band came to the Linda on Thursday, September 12. Jeremy Walz helped finish out the set.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Gaelic Storm Coming to Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
TROY, NEW YORK: The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is excited to announce Gaelic Storm return with the Roll Out the Barrel Tour on Friday, March 28th! Pre-sale for the show starts Wednesday, September 18th at 11am and tickets will go on-sale to the public on Friday, September 20th at 10am. Learn more below about Gaelic Storm!
It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. Gaelic Storm, a multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and after two decades and over 2000 shows, they are a true force to be reckoned with.
The band attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience, and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure – attracting fans of every genre with their rich storytelling, energetic instrumentals, devotion to Celtic traditions and passion for their stagecraft. They are as loyal to their fans as the fans are to them, as front-man Patrick Murphy states, “The fans are the ones that have given us this life. We’re here for them.”
Gaelic Storm takes a true blue-collar, hard-nose approach to touring, consistently traveling the US and internationally forging a unique path in the Celtic music world. “You have to see us live. We are the true working-man’s’ band,” says longtime member Ryan Lacey. “We still, and most likely always will, tour most of the year, and that’s how we constantly hone our craft.”
This dedication to their live show dates all the way back to the mid-1990s, when Gaelic Storm kicked off its’ career as a pub band in Santa Monica, California. One which performance led to their discovery that ultimately found the band appearing in the blockbuster film, Titanic (where they performed “Irish Party in Third Class”). This laid the groundwork for a career that would eventually find them topping the Billboard World Chart six times, making appearances at mainstream music festivals, and regularly headlining the largest Irish Festivals across the country, all while gaining a reputation as a genre-bending Irish rock band whose songs mix Celtic traditions with something uniquely creative.
Recent years have seen the addition of Natalya Kay on fiddle and Parker Hastings on guitar, who both bring their own energy, musicianship and spirit to Gaelic Storm.
Tickets are on sale at 11 am, September 18th to Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Members. Anyone can become a member and gain access to the pre-sale. Single tickets go on sale the general public Friday, September 20th at 10am 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 Thirty-Eight: Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week “Punk Rock Hero”
Jesse Sample’s Freak of the Week airs EVERY WEDNESDAY at 8pm Eastern ONLY on RadioRadioX.com
This is Jesse Sample. If you hang around actors or perhaps script writing self- help groups long enough, someone will probably suggest you “identify your unfair advantage.” That’s an interesting concept. What am I the best at? What is my unique point of view.
There are faster and more technical guitarists, often in the form of 10-year-old Asian children on YouTube. There are more eloquent wordsmiths and funnier drinking buddies. All the girls in hot yoga are far more flexible and probably more likely to be recipients of free drinks from horny men at bars.
What am I the best at? My mom once told me that “I’m the best at being me!” That might be a start. I’ll take it. I feel most confident about puking out punk rock songs. That is the thing that I do best, for me. I write punk rock songs about heartbreak. About my experience of heartbreak.
Thank s to all of you listening to RadioRadioX. This is the Freak of the Week, “Punk Rock Hero.”
Grimace the Lucky Charm – The Weird Side of the Internet
Grimace the Lucky Charm – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.
I’m a Mets fan. Maybe a lapsed Mets fan. It brings me a fazzy to know they’re doing well, but I don’t really have the interest to sit and watch the three-hour games needed to be a true fan. Admittedly, I don’t even check the box scores. I’m at best a “Christmas and Easter” Mets fan.
This may change, all thanks to the new Mets icon and viral mascot, Grimace.
You heard me right. Grimace, the amorphous purple blob, the brain-eating amoeba turned flesh in the Frankenstein’s lab that is McDonald’s Marketing division. Grimace has become not only the Mets’s new unofficial mascot, but also their lucky charm, and progenitor of a purple-painted seat in the second deck of right field.
Grimace, in true Grimace fashion, which is to say mid-century clown-like, threw out the opening pitch iin the June 12th game, and the Mets crushed it, going on to earn a ten-game winning streak. Since then, they’ve been 53-31, which, for non-baseball fans, is a pretty mean hot streak.
And so Grimace became celebrated. And so Grimace became viral. And of course capitalizing on this attention, the Mets painted a seat in the outfield purple and called it the “grimace seat,” which you can reserve, for market rate, of course.
What in the hell is Grimace though? According to McDonald’s, Grimace is supposed to be, get this, “the embodiment of a milkshake.” This would make Grimace a ghost, since every shake machine in the continental Unites States is broken, and the ones in Alaska and Hawaii break down every lunch-time, only to magically come online when nobody’s in the store or drive-through.
This is the biggest launch of McDonald’s into American culture since Wesley Willis’s “Rock and Roll McDonald’s.” McDonald’s has yet to reward his monumental song with a pitchline or a special sandwich.
Rest in Power, Mr. Willis.
Capital City Crook$ – Interview – Thanks for Asking!
Capital City Crook$ – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.
We ran into Joe Sorriento of Capital City Crooks and conversated. These were the results.
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?
JS: Our first show was an unforgettable experience. It was our sister Lily’s first curated art show, and she gave us the opportunity to perform. Well, it wasn’t our best, it was a confidence booster, and got our foot in the door. Our next show we met our very good friend Shane, and he has been the biggest reason we are able to do what we do. His support with booking and collaborations means the world to us. As for our best show, they just keep getting better, so make sure not to miss the next one!
RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?
JS: We admire anyone who is inspired to create, whether it is music, art, photography, etc. A huge shout out to Shane (SuperDark) for constantly giving us opportunities to perform and collaborate. We would also like to shout out Rhakim Ali and Speig for pushing us and to be better rappers and producers. The same goes for Soo Do Koo, Aila, Ricky, KD3UCE, etc. There is so much talent in this community, and we are inspired by everyone. Thank you to all of you, even those not mentioned. You know who you are!
RRX: Artists, musicians, we immortalize. We set it in stone. Is there anyone who has passed that you feel you have immortalized in your work? If so, can you tell us a little about them?”
JS: We have two we would like to mention. When it comes to the art of lyricism, the one rapper who comes to mind is Big L. To this day nobody is touching his pen game, and he’s often referred to as, “the punchline king.” He’s a master at keeping you on the edge of your seat, and that is something we incorporate in every song. Set it up, and then knock it down. When it comes to the art of producing, J Dilla is who we take inspiration from the most. His beats don’t need words to tell a story, they speak for themselves. When we sit down to make a beat, it’s hard not to ask ourselves, “is this what Dilla would do?” But there is only one J Dilla.
RRX: With the exception of singing, everyone has an instrument, an inanimate object that has the distinction of being a lifelong friend. Smooth or temperamental, these objects have a character. So pick someone to answer, can you tell us something special about what you play, your technique, your instrument?
JS: Our weapon of choice is the iconic MPC (Music Production Center). While it is not your traditional “instrument,” it allows the user to play it like one. Its ability to manipulate sound and samples is unparalleled. It is a sketch pad for ideas, and because of its intuitive workflow, it can turn sketches into fully realized ones. But it is never the machine, it is the person behind it.
RRX: We let it out differently when we play music. The happy, sad, good and bad; it can all be put out musically. Overall, do you feel better when you sing about the better times, or the worser times? Is there a difference you can describe?
JS: It is easy to talk about the easy times. That being said, when you are able to take the past, especially the hard times, and turn it into a song, it makes it a much more rewarding experience. It is our own version of therapy. To be able to take hard times and look through it with lens of music.
RRX: What instrument would you add to the band if you could? Is there anything you are trying to do musically that would be helped with one or more additional players?
JS: We are performers and entertainers at heart. We don’t just want to rap and leave, we want to give fans an experience. Our beats are played off an SP-404 while we perform, which allows us to DJ and do a bunch of effects live with our instrumentals. But to be able to have a live band to cover our songs would be incredible, and would lead to a crazy live experience. To bring rap and live instrumentation together is a dream of ours!