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Nick Bisanz – Thanks for Asking!

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Nick Bisanz – Thanks for Asking!

Nick Bisanz – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

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.

NB: Three years ago. Old Dutch Church in Kingston,NY.  A memorial service for my former band mate and friend John deVries. Beautiful old building. The stage was the altar. You could feel the history of the place and it was gorgeous. It is very special to play rock music there!

RRX: What do you think is the most dangerous song to cover from the perspective of criticism? Who do you think is too hard to cover, and why?

NB: Having covered GG Allin and the Meatmen, some people question my judgement. Certain songs you never cover because of the band’s fan base or the high effort/low reward involved. Talking about you Steely Dan

RRX: Would you rather have one of your songs blow up and make you a one-hit wonder and household name, or would you rather have all your songs be solidly received, but no chart-climbers? (You have to pick one or the other here.)

NB: One hit wonder with the publishing. There are tons of great musicians with well received songs,but they still work day jobs. Day jobs are not fun.

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?

NB: I will be debuting some new original songs along with a set of older material solo acoustic at Paper Moon Bookstore in Troy, NY on March 19th.  I will be  at Indian Ladder, in association with Collar City Mushrooms in April.  Collaborating with Tim Livingston on a couple things related to The Last Conspirators. Working on material for a solo record to be released on Driving Rain Records later in the year.  My cover band “Nicky B and The Tone Chasers” has some gigs TBA shortly .

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?

NB: Locally, I really admire the  poetry scene people. Albany Poets, NYS Writers Guild, Poetic Vibe, etc. These groups are making  space and opportunities to perform, encourage the  writing,and pass the knowledge along to others. They are always creating.  Musically, Scotty Mac, and others, who take the risk and have the motivation to travel,work gigs away from home frequently. Marcus Benoit is another guy I respect. Worked his day job for years,worked harder on his music at night. I learned a lot talking to him while we suffered at work!

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?

NB: I can say that Arthur Lee (Love) is the songwriter I set the bar to. When in doubt, I like to try to guess what Arthur would do. Or listen to Forever Changes. The guy hummed orchestra parts to an arranger. The lyrics were equally compelling and thoughful. I hope to immortalize Gordon Lightfoot in my work one day. Gord’s Gold is a masterclass.

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

 

Book Review: “Raised on Radio” by Paul Rees – An Xperience Column

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Book Review: “Raised on Radio” by Paul Rees – An Xperience Column

Book Review: “Raised on Radio” by Paul Rees – An Xperience Column – by Rob Skane.

I loved this book and was completely hooked from the start. Paul Rees offers us an oral history of prime album-oriented rock. “Raised on Radio” has contributions from various members of bands like Boston, Journey, Foreigner, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Billy Squier, and several others. No punches are pulled, and no f*cks are given – especially by Steve Lukather – who we love. “Raised on Radio” details the very creative times of FM radio from 1976 until 1986. It’s a page turner without a doubt.

“Raised on Radio” can be looked at as an arena rock version of “Please Kill Me.” There’s very interesting information as to how some of the bands that shaped us were formed and also ultimately dissolved. The constant stream of quotes almost reads, at times, like a clinician’s notepad after a very intense talk therapy session. You laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll wonder what Dennis DeYoung was thinking with the “Kilroy Was Here” album – I mean, he’ll tell you, but you’ll still wonder.

There was a lot of pressure to keep on making hit records, constant touring, and at times, no money. How can you sell a million records and still be broke? Read this book, and you’ll find out. Here’s a hint – can you say recoupable expenses? I know you can … The music detailed in “Raised on Radio” is all incredible. When you read this, you might go back and listen to some of the records from that period. And then you’ll realize that Steve Lukather – who we love – probably played guitar on half the albums that you’ve ever owned. There’s one thing that totally blew me away – the Billy Squier LP “Don’t Say No” is a stupendous record!! It went platinum times three, that’s 3 million, kids – if you’re keeping score and some of us do, so shut up …

“Raised on Radio” is important because it tells the story of how music and the business of music evolved between 1976 and 1986. Some might even say the biz devolved during that period. This book gives us an insight into how and why MTV became what it became. MTV broke a lot of bands; style over substance, some might say. Bands from this era changed things. Let’s take the invention of the power ballad, for instance. I mean, every band had one back then, and come to find out – every rose really does have its thorn, who knew?! The music is still relevant, the song structures are air-tight, and the performances are often unmatched. While you’re reading “Raised on Radio,” take some time and listen to the albums as they’re being referenced in the book, and you’ll see what I mean. Paul Rees has helped to chronicle the soundtrack of our youth, and we should be grateful for that. “Raised on Radio” is available right now at a book seller near you. And remember kids, don’t stop believing.

 

 

More from Rob Skane…

 

 

We’re Not Losing Gravity on August 12th – The Weird Side of the Internet

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We’re Not Losing Gravity on August 12th – The Weird Side of the Internet

We’re Not Losing Gravity on August 12th – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.

You know what’s cool? Nonsense. Shiny, steaming, twinkling nonsense. I’m at a crossroads though, with nonsense. Because I’m just saying the conspiracy theorists I grew up with were talking about all this world weirdness decades ago. But some conspiracy theories are flat out bull. Flat earth? Sorry. I just don’t get how you can have so many obvious ways to prove the earth is round and people still believe they might fall off the edge of the ocean. Greek mathematician Eratosthenes figured out the earth was round by measuring shadows, and that was over two-thousand years ago. Right, Colombus didn’t prove anything.

The latest conspiracy theory is that on August 12th, the earth is going to lose gravity for seven seconds. And it’s been going around for a bit. So the earth’s gravitational pull isn’t a steady, consistent thing because the earth’s not perfectly round. It’s an oblate spheroid; it’s lumpy. Because of that, mass isn’t distributed evenly, so gravity is stronger some places than it is in others. But overall, big picture, it doesn’t change. If on August 12th the earth loses its ass end, then yeah, gravity would change. But not here.

Conspiracy theories are fun, but people have to be able to see them for what they are. I’m a novelist, so I make up conspiracy theories all the time. And I don’t think that people are that dumb individually, but if it’s fun to dump the balance of your sixth grade science class to make fun friends and run around like you’re one of the chosen few who know the truth.

So sadly no, gravity isn’t going to fail on August 12th. I think it’s actually an eclipse somewhere; that’s how this all came up. August 12th, you will not be able to dunk, not unless you could dunk before the 12th. In fact, you probably won’t be any lighter on the scale, but by all means weigh in.

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

The McKrells to Play the Strand Theatre on St. Patrick’s Day

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The McKrells to Play the Strand Theatre on St. Patrick’s Day

On Sunday March 15, 2026 @ 3:00pm, come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day @ the Strand Theatre with the McKrells!

Kevin McKrell pioneered American Celtic music beginning in 1979 with the band Donnybrook Fair. The original trio of Jeff Strange, David McDonnell and  McKrell’s 1982 album Tunnel Tigers remains a landmark of the form with its blend of Clancy Brothers swagger and upstate NY attitude.

Donnybrook toured throughout the U.S. and Ireland performing in classic Irish Folk music rooms McAfferty’s Red Hand in St. Paul Minnesota, The Patriot Game in San Diego, The Irish Village Chicago, O’Donaghue’s The Blarney Stone, Pittsburgh, The Embankment, Tallaght Co. Dublin, The Parting Glass Saratoga Springs NY .  

Kevin and his bands have performed for audiences at the top Celtic, Folk and Bluegrass festivals as well as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Troy Music Hall, Caffé Lena, Berklee Performance Hall, Proctors Theater, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, The Egg and more! 

$25 general admission. Tickets are available at the Strand Box Office, cash or check only or online @ Events.com. For more info and the ticketing link, please visit www.mystrandtheatre.org. Doors open into the coffee shop, box office and lobby @ 1:30pm.

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!

The Millstone Rounders @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 2/18/2026

Timothy Reidy
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The Millstone Rounders @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 2/18/2026

The Millstone Rounders entertained the onstage crowd at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, as part of the Lift Series.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

More from Troy Savings Bank Music Hall here …

 

Review: Dandelions and Dumpster Fires – Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals

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Review: Dandelions and Dumpster Fires – Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals

Dandelions and Dumpster Fires

Review: Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals – Dandelions and Dumpster Fires

Attitude. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I first put Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals’s album Dandelions and Dumpster Fires on. Attitude. Eugene Hooker has the kind of voice that belongs front and center at a seedy club in the heart of the city. The first song, “Amy Jones,” really has that feel, like he’s MCing a New Year’s and it’s about to get wild.

But this album has really two sides. It has that b*lls-out rock and roll sound, but it also has songs like “Never Come Down” and “Evergreen” which are just good relaxing, almost Southern rock sounding, like spraying off with the garden hose on a hot summer day. Refreshing.

There are a lot of different styles in the songs. You actually get something if you buy the album, not just seven of the same song in different keys. There’s an actual selection, and one that makes sense when you hear it. Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals are the kind of band I can respect as a listener, and as a musician.

“We were fortunate to have our good friend Jon E Love of LOVE/HATE to produce and mix the album.” said guitarist Neal Dill. “I think he was able to put a bit of an edge on it.”

Eugene Hooker and the Big Heavy Naturals are booked to headline the Harley Rendevous Classic in June as well as a handful of other local capital region shows. They have their fingers crossed for a late summer tour opening for their other good friends Buckcherry as well as LOVE/HATE.

All Hail the King

Stephanie J Bartik
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All Hail the King

On February 28, a benefit show celebrating Mike “Humpy” Humphrey was held at the Albany Elks Lodge #49, for which Raven Events graciously provided lighting and sound. Seven bands – Blackcat Elliot, Brother T and the Boys, the Inner Bred Chicken Herders, Big Empty, Walpurgis, Ike’s Wasted World, and the Erotics  – helped celebrate his life, with all proceeds going to his wife and daughters.

Photography by Stephanie J Bartik.

More memories of Mike here …

Comedian Ilana Glazer Coming to Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

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Comedian Ilana Glazer Coming to Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Today comedian, actor, advocate, co-creator and co-star of the acclaimed series BROAD CITY, Ilana Glazer, announced her highly anticipated new stand-up comedy tour, Ilana Glazer Live! is coming to Troy, NY at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on August 11th. Ilana will tour across North America and Europe to 27 cities. This will be Ilana’s fifth stand-up tour.

“I’m so excited to tour the US-of-A with my brand new material to come together & laugh with good people. I know *I* need it! And watch out, Europe, I’m coming at you, too, bb’s!” – Ilana Glazer

Tickets for the tour will begin with an exclusive presale this Wednesday, March 4th at 10AM local time for subscribers of Ilana Glazer’s newsletter. All other presales will start this Thursday, March 5th followed by the general on sale Friday, March 6th at 10AM local time.

All information on tickets and tour dates can be found at ILANAGLAZER.COM

ABOUT ILANA GLAZER: Ilana Glazer is a comedian, actor, advocate, and creator best known for co-creating and co-starring in the acclaimed series BROAD CITY. The internationally touring standup comedian debuted her second special, HUMAN MAGIC, on Hulu. You can find her comedy & socio-political video-podcast “IT’S OPEN with Ilana Glazer” every Thursday on YouTube, audio-only available everywhere you podcast. Additionally, Glazer co-wrote and starred in BABES, which premiered at SXSW 2024 to rave reviews before its release with Neon. And in 2025, she made her Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of GOOD NIGHT, & GOOD LUCK alongside George Clooney for a special limited run.

ABOUT VENUE INFO: Tickets are on sale at 10am, March 5th  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 March 6th 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.

Stix Zadinia (Steel Panther) – An Xperience Interview

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Stix Zadinia (Steel Panther) – An Xperience Interview

Stix Zadinia (Steel Panther) – An Xperience Interview – by Rob Smittix.

RRX: Stix, man. How’s it going?

Stix Zadinia: Rob, if it was any better … I almost sounded like I said if it was Eddie Vedder. If it was any better, it would be perfection. It’s just shy of that. How are you?

RRX: Good man. I love the positivity. We need that in this world.

SZ: Dude, I agree with you, man. The world feels crazy right now, more crazy than it’s ever felt, and to that end, I think that the only therapy for Earth is more Steel Panther.

RRX: I couldn’t agree with you more on that. Steel Panther is always fun and always seems like it’s a party. Does the party ever end?

SZ: It doesn’t end. I mean, honestly, when I get home after a tour … I hate to say it, but it just keeps going.

RRX: (Laughs) You do have to do things in moderation. Are you a coffee drinker?

SZ: You know what? It’s funny you ask that, Rob, because I have never had a sip of coffee, and that’s no BS. Never done it. All my friends are like, dude, you gotta try coffee, and I’m like … bro, I’m so deep in this game of life … now I’m just doing it to piss everybody off.

RRX: That’s wild, man. I don’t even know where that came from, but that is definitely information people do need to know about. And yeah, how are you gonna try it now? It’s too late in the game.

SZ: Dude, I can’t! It would be so anticlimactic because all my friends were like … dude, you gotta try coffee. I’d be like, you know what? OK, I tried coffee. They’ll go, alright, cool, and then we would just move on to something else. So I’m just holding on to it because it makes me happy.

RRX: Understandably so. Yeah, I think I asked that because I’m actually drinking yesterday’s coffee. It’s good enough.

SZ: Nice.

RRX: So we’re very excited to have you come to Albany again, Empire Live on April 25, and this is the Twenty Twenty $ex Tour. What are we to expect in 2026 with Steel Panther?

SZ: Well, you know? If I told you a bunch of stuff that was gonna be different, like … hey man, this time around, you can expect us to get super deep and super philosophical, we’re gonna talk about the world, life, politics, and religion. Dude, NO! Not even close. What you can expect is more debauchery, more escape, more just letting it fly, more boobs, more ass, more all the things that make the world the greatest place in the solar federation. You can expect Steel Panther in full effect. We’re not taming it. We’re not going to mellow it out. We’re just coming in, and we’re going to rock your balls. We’re gonna play heavy metal, and we’re gonna let people let their hair down and just have a great time. We’re gonna play a bunch of songs from a bunch of records. And we may even play a new song that has not been heard. We may or may not, Rob.

RRX: Well, I’m hoping that you do, so that mystery is in the air. I guess we’re just gonna have to find out. People are gonna have to get there.

SZ: Yeah, the only way you’re really gonna know is if you buy a ticket. We never started this band for any grand reason other than we love heavy metal and we love chicks, right? And we love to party. That was the mantra when we started. We still love all those things, but the world has become this crazy place. It just so happens, it’s worked out that our band is a place where you can come forget about the BS that is every day. For a lot of people, it’s a job they don’t like, a situation, money problems, whatever … relationship issues. You come to Steel Panther, you’ll forget about it all for an hour and a half to two hours, and you’ll have a great time. That’s kind of what we have turned into, the escape from the everyday BS!

RRX: And you mentioned boobs. Everyone loves boobs, everyone on the planet, you love them from day one.

SZ: They’re the nectar of life.

RRX: They are, by the same token, you know? I feel it’s very hard for a guy to shoot his shot these days. In the aspect of … he shoots his shot, he misses, and then she goes on social media and says, “Oh, this creep!”

SZ: Dude, it sucks. I hear you, bro. It’s terrible because how are you supposed to meet somebody?

Let’s face it, this is the reality. Like, how are you supposed to go meet somebody? And if they’re not into you, what are you supposed to do? You gotta say hi. You gotta give your shot like you said.

RRX: You do. You should only become a creep after you try more than twice. If she says hell no the third time, then you’ve earned that creep status.

SZ: You know what? I agree with you. I totally agree with you, dude. You’re right on time.

RRX: Hey, I gotta say, man. You actually have one of my favorite quotes. “Let’s kick today’s ass right in the balls!” I love it. That is the way to live.

SZ: (Laughs) Dude, I love that you know that quote! It’s a solid one, you know?

RRX: Words to live by.

SZ: They are words to live by … It’s just like dude, you know what?  Let’s grab it, beat its ass, and go.

RRX: My wife has this little sign next to the mirror, and it says, “You didn’t wake up today to be a weak ass b**ch.” I look at it often and agree, but I like your quote even better.

SZ: Dude, I appreciate that. Her quote is a great quote, and the fact that you like mine better makes me very happy. I’m honored. Appreciate it.

RRX: Well, speaking of an honor, I appreciate you talking to me here today. Anything else that you wanna say to the people to encourage them to come out? Anything that you wanna put out there to the world?

SZ: I’ll just say, “Albany, it’s time.” Come out of the snow. Well, hopefully it’ll be melted by then. But come out, have a great time with Steel Panther. We’re gonna make sure that you guys don’t leave disappointed and that everybody has a great time. And who knows? Maybe that chick you’ve been trying to get at will say yes.

 

 

More from Rob Smittix.

We Used to Cut the Grass – Thanks for Asking!

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We Used to Cut the Grass – Thanks for Asking!

We Used to Cut the Grass – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

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?

Cody: We actually started as just a drum and bass duo (myself and drummer Seamus Leonhardt) super influenced by bands like Hella, Radiohead and probably the biggest – Frank Zappa. For a short period of time we actually were touring a full Zappa tribute set with a 10-piece band, featuring the vocalist and guitarist from the Joe’s Garage era, Ike Willis. Zappa massively influenced my tonal vocabulary as a composer, and definitely the instrumentation for the band; our largest incarnation is kind of a mashup of his 70’s dual-drummer lineup with the four piece horn section from the 80’s band.

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?

Cody: Our first recorded song is called Woodpecker; we recorded it at an abandoned military base using 100% solar power from our drummer Kevin Grossman’s Sun Lab Studio (this was before our current drummer Faye Fadem joined the band, they both play together in our large ensemble). It was super inspired by some chords I was hearing (or thought I was hearing) in Stravinsky’s Firebird. I wanted to do something based on those stepwise cluster chords, but feeling that I was far from Stravinsky’s skill level, I figured while I couldn’t accomplish anything even close to the Firebird, by comparison, maybe I could swing a Woodpecker. One of our most recent compositions, which we just recorded a few weeks ago, is called Interdimensional Bigfoot, referencing my favorite variant of the Bigfoot conspiracy. It’s kind of an imaginary theme for a non-existent Kaiju film. In terms of differences, I’d say my composing style has since become a lot more nuanced and detailed, and obviously everyone in the band has gained a lot of technical facility over the last decade plus. However, I’m also a big believer in Zappa’s “Project/Object” theory, where each project is part of a larger, evolving object – so there’s still a bit of Woodpecker in everything we do, just as Woodpecker probably contained some foreshadowing for the new stuff.

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?

Cody: Other than being mostly instrumental, we’re about as genre-bendy as it gets, I think. My perspective on it is that, back in the day, composers were sort of expected to be able to write in any style; that’s part of the fun of composing music, is that you avoid doing the same thing twice. Every song is just an experiment for us, and we’re happy to leave it to the listeners to decide what the overarching message is; the important thing for me is that I’m pushing our development as a band, and my development as a composer.

RRX: A band is a business. A business of love, but you got to work for it. Let’s pretend, instead of a band, you all owned a business. What would it be, and why would it be good?

Cody: It would be a coffee shop, and it would be fantastic, because we are all severely, severely addicted to coffee. I think that jittery caffeine-induced anxiety comes through a bit in our music as well. We actually sell our own coffee at our merch table, and on our online store, so in a way, we actually are a coffee shop.

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.

Cody: I’ll be honest, and this isn’t just me pandering to the town we just played, but No Fun in Troy was one of the coolest venues we’ve ever been to. It’s a great room and a great stage to start with, but the whole staff was just really trying to make it a great night – Derick Noetzl’s 3-wall projections were incredibly unique, and were responsive to the music as it was being played, and Hunter Simon did a killer job on FOH sound. To make it even more unique, Heart Support NY, a mental health non-profit, built a whole installation for people to anonymously write things they were dealing with and get anonymous feedback from others in the room. I think, especially at this juncture in history, stuff like that is really important, and should be more common at shows. It was honestly just such an awesome community to step into for one night, and we’re super grateful for it; we hope to be back soon. I should also mention the excellent bands on the bill – Horse Grave, Vethaken (whose interview I got to read in this very publication, as they were actively playing on stage – that was an interesting moment), and My So-Called Summer. Genre-wise, it was an extremely diverse bill, which is always my favorite.

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?

Cody: I think my musical opposite would be anyone who really enjoys making instant AI-generated music. Without even getting into the right or wrong of it, I get so much joy out of the lengthy and difficult process of composition. It’s like you’re gathering these little puzzle pieces, and you may not be sure how they fit together at first, or if they ever will, and throughout that process you take some pretty surprising turns. Often, complete accidents end up being vital parts of the composition; walking that tightrope between conscious and unconscious creation can be really thrilling. A little bit of chaos can go a long way towards breaking into the next part of something, and through the whole process you can really find out a lot about yourself if you’re paying attention. All of that gets lost when you just type a prompt into some water-sucking data center somewhere, and I’m glad that method of composition seems to be generally reviled in the music community right now.

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

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