Thursday, May 12, 2005
The First Annual Saratoga Music Festival
This weekend The Saratoga County Arts Council will present the first annual Saratoga Music Festival celebrating the CD release of Saratoga Pie. The festival will take place on May 14-15th from 4-10pm at the Saratoga Music Hall on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. In addition to music courtesy of the artists of Saratoga Pie, many local businesses will participate with activities of their own. Tickets are available thru the Arts Council prior to the festival and at the Saratoga Music Hall on the day of the festival. For more information call (518) 584-4132. Saratoga Pie is a very special compliationCD created by Saratoga's own to benefit the Saratoga Center for The Family and dishes up a slice of original music by: Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers, Bob Warren, John Kribs, Rick Bolton & The Dwyer Sisters, Michael Jerling, Sonny & Perley, Matt McCabe & Junior Barber, Mudfunk , Acoustic Circus, Rosanne Raneri , Ria Curley, The McKrells, Sirsy and Big Medicine. Saratoga Pie will be available May 14th, at many fine local Saratoga businesses.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Waterford Canal Festival Celebrates 19 Years
(WATERFORD, NY) May 6, 2005 - The 19th annual Waterford canal festival, known locally as Canalfest, will be held Saturday, May 7th from 10am to 6pm in Lock 2 Park, Button Park and Battery Park in the Village of Waterford. This Mother's Day weekend tradition is family oriented, free and open to the public. Canalfest celebrates Waterford's heritage as a hub of water transportation and marks the 2005 seasonal opening of the New York State Canal System. More than sixty craft vendors and community organizations will participate throughout the three parks. A variety of musical performers are scheduled to perform including the Fyfes & Drumms of Olde Saratoga, Sonny & Perley, George Ward and 2 Broads with Alotta Sound.
Rock The Cure Benefit Concert This Weekend in Amsterdam's Riverlink Park
There will be a concert held at Riverlink Park in Amsterdam to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this Saturday, May 7th. A number of local bands are slated to perform including: Thirteen Four, Hudson River Delta, Paynes Hollow, Subzero and Jezzie Tree. The benefit concert will run from 2pm - 8pm with donations accepted at entry.
Brian Kaplan Band Wins Jillian's Battle of the Bands
The Brian Kaplan Band was a tough act to follow in every sense,and walked away winners when Channel 103.1's Jason Keller hosted Jillian's final round of the Roots of Rock Band Battle, May 4th. In front of a packed house seven local bands competed in the city finals for prizes including trips, gigs, and guitars.In addition to the prizes, The BKB earned the chance to advance to a regional competition held in Manchester, NH and will be featured when 103.1 presents SUM 41 later this month at the Palace. Cliff Street, Goin' Nowhere, North Allen, Thirteen Four, Lynch, and The Flying Bobbz, competed along with BKB in the city finals making the judges' decision a difficult one as each band delivered an excellent set of their own.
Albany Tulip Festival Offers Something For Everyone
(ALBANY, NY) May 2, 2005 - One of Albany’s oldest and most highly anticipated events is the annual Tulip Festival set in Albany’s beautiful historic Washington Park. Each year, this traditional Albany event greets spring with thousands of tulips blooming in a myriad of colors and varieties. Thousands from across the Capital District Region and beyond come to Tulip Fest each May to celebrate Albany’s rich Dutch heritage. Tulip Fest features entertainment on 3 stages.The KidZone features crafts and family fun entertainment, and Sunday is the perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day. The highlight of the festival is the crowning of the 2005 Albany Tulip Queen on Saturday at noon. Don't miss the over 100 crafters, the fine arts show, Gardening Talks or the vast array of food vendors. Music Events Schedule - For additional information : (518) 434-2032 or www.albanyevents.org Friday, May 6th - Carillon Concert with professional carilloneur Dr. Charles Semowich, 11:30am - noon Kick Off Party, Washington Park, An intimate musical experience with acoustic entertainment provided by Katie McKrell, and flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski with Cantaora Mother Judge. The tulip beds around the Moses statue will host this new Tulip Festival talent showcase. Food vendors will be available as well. 5:00 - 7:30pm Saturday, May 7th - Pinksterfest, Washington Park - Over 100 artisans, Fine Art Show, Gardening Talks, fabulous live entertainment on two stages, an interactive KidZone and more. 11:00am - 6:00pm. On the Main Stage (Parade Grounds): 1pm - The Burners UK, 2:30pm - The Family Stone Experience, 4:30pm - The Funk Brothers with special guest Ernie Williams On the Amphitheatre Stage: 1pm - ZOX, 2:15pm - This Day & Age, 3:30pm - Nic Armstrong & The Thieves, 4:45pm - Paranoid Social Club Kidzone Stage: 1:30pm - The Zucchini Brothers The Royal Tulip Ball at Wolferts Roost Country Club with entertainment by The Refrigerators, 6:30pm, tickets required call 426-2667. Sunday, May 8th - Pinksterfest, Washington Park - Over 100 artisans, Fine Art Show, Gardening Talks, fabulous live entertainment on two stages, an interactive KidZone and more. 11:00am - 6:00pm On the Main Stage (Parade Grounds): 1pm - The Georgie Wonders Orchestra, 2:45 - The Funky Divas of Gospel, 4:15pm - Little Anthony and the Imperials On the Amphitheatre Stage: 12:00 noon - MudFunk, 1:30pm - Fetish Lane, 3:00pm - Ciara Lynn, 4:30pm - Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers Kidzone Stage: 12:45pm - Caribbean for Kids
Monday, May 02, 2005
On a Cold May Day, Parkfest Action is Hot
By DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Special to the Times Union First published: Monday, May 2, 2005
ALTAMONT -- Brief rays of sun rewarded the wet and cold crowd as a dozen diverse bands blasted away outdoors for Parkfest at the fairgrounds Sunday. A storm rolled through minutes before rap artist Ludacris jumped onstage, with wind and rain blowing around the stage canopy and even on some sound equipment. But with Ludacris shouting "Through rain, sleet or snow ..." the skies cleared.The Atlanta-based rapper was a welcome departure in the guitar band-based day. He dropped in by helicopter and hit hard with his latest, "Number One Spot," as the crowd went crazy. What followed was a fast-paced show as the fans soaked up Ludacris' charisma and energy. Most of the songs had lyrics and titles not quite suitable for this paper, but it pushed the party atmosphere higher.
With bright-yellow hair tied up in a bun, reggae/dancehall artist Elephant Man got the crowd fired up and then some with his rapid-fire raps like "Jook Gal." Hard rockers Hoobastank -- led by the wiry, green-capped Doug Robb -- plowed through a satisfying set that included mega-ballad "The Reason," a huge crowd-pleaser.
All Simple Plan had to do was step out of the dressing room to get the crowd up front screaming. When they actually took the stage, it was pandemonium. Like their new release, "Still Not Getting Any ...," the set started off with the fast and furious romp of "Shut Up!," which set the tone. The band and the crowd were leaping during "Jump" and "I'd Do Anything," and they triumphantly closed with the half-acoustic, half-electric "Perfect." After shouting out "I love New York, baby!" they were gone.
The locals had moments to make us proud: SUNY student Ben Tyler offered a superb set of his moody tunes; Ten Year Vamp -- with the captivating Debbie Gabrione -- tore the place down with a high-energy set that included a wild ride through "Devil Went Down to Georgia." In a debut band performance, Tom Templeton served up sweet, well-crafted songs.
David Malachowski, a local free-lance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
PARKFEST
Where: Altamont Fairgrounds
When: Noon Sunday
ALTAMONT -- Brief rays of sun rewarded the wet and cold crowd as a dozen diverse bands blasted away outdoors for Parkfest at the fairgrounds Sunday. A storm rolled through minutes before rap artist Ludacris jumped onstage, with wind and rain blowing around the stage canopy and even on some sound equipment. But with Ludacris shouting "Through rain, sleet or snow ..." the skies cleared.The Atlanta-based rapper was a welcome departure in the guitar band-based day. He dropped in by helicopter and hit hard with his latest, "Number One Spot," as the crowd went crazy. What followed was a fast-paced show as the fans soaked up Ludacris' charisma and energy. Most of the songs had lyrics and titles not quite suitable for this paper, but it pushed the party atmosphere higher.
With bright-yellow hair tied up in a bun, reggae/dancehall artist Elephant Man got the crowd fired up and then some with his rapid-fire raps like "Jook Gal." Hard rockers Hoobastank -- led by the wiry, green-capped Doug Robb -- plowed through a satisfying set that included mega-ballad "The Reason," a huge crowd-pleaser.
All Simple Plan had to do was step out of the dressing room to get the crowd up front screaming. When they actually took the stage, it was pandemonium. Like their new release, "Still Not Getting Any ...," the set started off with the fast and furious romp of "Shut Up!," which set the tone. The band and the crowd were leaping during "Jump" and "I'd Do Anything," and they triumphantly closed with the half-acoustic, half-electric "Perfect." After shouting out "I love New York, baby!" they were gone.
The locals had moments to make us proud: SUNY student Ben Tyler offered a superb set of his moody tunes; Ten Year Vamp -- with the captivating Debbie Gabrione -- tore the place down with a high-energy set that included a wild ride through "Devil Went Down to Georgia." In a debut band performance, Tom Templeton served up sweet, well-crafted songs.
David Malachowski, a local free-lance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
PARKFEST
Where: Altamont Fairgrounds
When: Noon Sunday
Troy's Earth Day Music Acts Announced
(TROY, NY) April 16, 2005 - Six regional musical acts will take the stage in Troy's Riverfront Park during the eighth annual Earth Day celebration sponsored by Rensselaer County and the City on May 1.
The acts cover a range of musical styles from rock to blues to country. The acts will share the stage with a number of speakers from environmental organizations and local elected officials as part of the largest Earth Day celebration in the area. The celebration runs from noon - 6pm and also features a number of vendors, community organizations and advocacy groups.
The schedule of musical acts is as follows: Idette and The Sunrunners, Mojo Lightning, The Back 40 Band, The Groove Syndicate, Jackinany and Headbump. The Earth Day celebration follows a day of clean-up efforts throughout the city and the county. Community organizations, schools and residents will help clean up parks, open spaces, roadsides, cementeries and other areas throughout April 30 and the celebration was conceived as a way of thanking volunteers.
The acts cover a range of musical styles from rock to blues to country. The acts will share the stage with a number of speakers from environmental organizations and local elected officials as part of the largest Earth Day celebration in the area. The celebration runs from noon - 6pm and also features a number of vendors, community organizations and advocacy groups.
The schedule of musical acts is as follows: Idette and The Sunrunners, Mojo Lightning, The Back 40 Band, The Groove Syndicate, Jackinany and Headbump. The Earth Day celebration follows a day of clean-up efforts throughout the city and the county. Community organizations, schools and residents will help clean up parks, open spaces, roadsides, cementeries and other areas throughout April 30 and the celebration was conceived as a way of thanking volunteers.
Parkfest Lineup Features a Number of Local Acts
Ten Year Vamp is one of several local acts scheduled to appear at Parkfest 2005
Parkfest 2005 is shaping up to be one of the biggest local concert events ot the year with Ludacris, Simple Plan, Hoobastank and Elepant Man all scheduled to appear. Along with the national acts, more than ten local bands will perform during the day long 'MegaFest". In addition to local favorites The Burners UK, the local lineup includes Ben Tyler, 7 Stories Falling, Candid, Bishop, Tom Templeton, Goin NoWhere, Ten Year Vamp, Rich Ortiz and The Sofakingz. Parkfest is presented by the UAlbany Student Association and Fly 92.3. The concert will be held at the Altamont Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 1st. Gates open at 11am. Tickets for Parkfest 2005 are on sale now, and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
The Captain JP Sets Sail For a Benefit Cruise With The Burners U.K. and Huge Johnson On Board
The Captain JP will host a special cruise on Sat. April 30th to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Benefit organizers, Jenn Sheeran and her sister Maureen have seen first hand the toll cancer can have on a family and organized the fundraiser in honor of their mother, who was diagnosed with cancer several years ago.
Jenn tells us "Watching someone we love battle a disease like cancer left us feeling helpless. We are raising funds for and in awareness of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and its mission of enhancing the quality of life for those living with, through, and beyond cancer."
We hope you'll join us on April 30th aboard the Capt JP. The Burners and Huge Johnson & The Immorals will be on deck to provide entertainment all evening for this great cause. Contact the Captain JP at (518) 270-1901 for ticket information. Click here to learn more.
Jenn tells us "Watching someone we love battle a disease like cancer left us feeling helpless. We are raising funds for and in awareness of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and its mission of enhancing the quality of life for those living with, through, and beyond cancer."
We hope you'll join us on April 30th aboard the Capt JP. The Burners and Huge Johnson & The Immorals will be on deck to provide entertainment all evening for this great cause. Contact the Captain JP at (518) 270-1901 for ticket information. Click here to learn more.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Plug In With Paynes Hollow
Paynes Hollow is:
Jason - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Betsy - Bass Guitar
Gary - Drums, Backup Vocals
Justin - Guitar, Backup Vocals
Hometown: Capital Region, NY
Genre: Hard Rock
Booking Info: joann@payneshollow.com
Website: www.payneshollow.com
Hi, I'm crazy face logo. There are a lot of rumors about the band Paynes Hollow,
and their story thus far. I am here to enlighten you, and tell you
the real story.
Long before Paynes Hollow was envisioned (and I was the 'King Shit' logo
that I am now), Jason and Justin started playing guitar on the same day,
in the same place, with the same teacher, on the first day of September
in 1995. Years passed with a lot of bad music fads, but the lingering
influences of Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden left their
impression.
Betsy was around, but not yet doing anything more musical than humming
Smashing Pumpkins songs in the high school halls, and being mercilessly
ridiculed by Justin for it all the while. To make a boring story short,
everyone graduates high school and their paths split. Betsy and Jason go
to college at Oneonta State where Jason takes two years off playing
guitar and crawls into a bottle of vodka, while Justin stays home and
bails out of local community colleges defining the word slacker. (Hey, I
don't make crap like this up, I just tell it)
One day while eating lunch at school, Betsy decides she wants to be
famous. The following is a documented transcript of the conversation that
ensued.
Betsy: "I want to be famous"
Jason: ".ok. Then I'll teach you to play bass."
In order to reach such aspiring goals as "being famous", Jason and Betsy
realized that a drummer would be key. They recruited a local drummer
(named PJ) and the first incarnation of Paynes Hollow was born,
Neostasis. (I, the great logo, was yet to be born.)
After a year and a half of song writing and playing the Oneonta scene,
college ended for Jason and Betsy and they returned home. The positive
about moving back: Justin. The negative: PJ was over an hour away. The
result: LOCAL DRUMMER WANTED.
Gary was the first drummer to answer the ad. Everyone was skeptical and
hesitant at first, when this longhaired 80's guy with tight-rolled jeans,
and King Diamond T-shirt strolled in. But before we continue, let’s break
from the current story and focus on Gary for a moment.
Gary began playing drums in the before time, long long ago. I
mean, really, when Gary started playing drums, the rest of the band was
in diapers. He has played on and off for twenty years, contributing his
expertise to a few bands in the local areas. After his last band, his
passion was quickly dwindling; he decided to give it one last chance in a
new musical direction.
Ok, flash back to tight-rolled jeans, and everyone meeting for the first
time. When everyone actually got together, magic...or music...or
both...was made. Gary's so-called four on the floor technique was perfect
for the music Jason, Betsy and Justin were looking to make. Paynes
Hollow was born.
Paynes Hollow has now been together for over a year. The original concept
of the band has since evolved, trying new music but not straying far from
their heavy rock roots. They have played at such venues as Northern
Lights, Saratoga Winners, Savannahs, Valentines and plenty more to come.
All their latest news and info can be found on their website. But that's
not why you should visit the site. You should go because you'll see me,
the crazy face logo in all my "king shit" glory. Paynes Hollow: No, it's not a place.
Gear that the band uses:
Jay plays: a SAMICK Guitar, Marshall , Mode 4 half stack
Justin plays: a ESP - LTD Guitar, Marshall , M6 half stack
Betsy plays: a Fender P-bass special & a Austin bass,
Ampeg b2r Head and a Homemade special cabinet
Gary plays: a Sonor force 2001 series kit and hardware, Sabian cymbols, Vater sticks
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, April 29th @ Savannah’s with Kingscastle. Show starts 9 PM. $7.00
Saturday, May 7th @ Riverlink Park in Amsterdam. Bands from about 2:00-8:00 PM. This is a benefit show for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Many other bands slated to perform…check the band's site for more details soon!!
Jason - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Betsy - Bass Guitar
Gary - Drums, Backup Vocals
Justin - Guitar, Backup Vocals
Hometown: Capital Region, NY
Genre: Hard Rock
Booking Info: joann@payneshollow.com
Website: www.payneshollow.com
Hi, I'm crazy face logo. There are a lot of rumors about the band Paynes Hollow,
and their story thus far. I am here to enlighten you, and tell you
the real story.
Long before Paynes Hollow was envisioned (and I was the 'King Shit' logo
that I am now), Jason and Justin started playing guitar on the same day,
in the same place, with the same teacher, on the first day of September
in 1995. Years passed with a lot of bad music fads, but the lingering
influences of Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden left their
impression.
Betsy was around, but not yet doing anything more musical than humming
Smashing Pumpkins songs in the high school halls, and being mercilessly
ridiculed by Justin for it all the while. To make a boring story short,
everyone graduates high school and their paths split. Betsy and Jason go
to college at Oneonta State where Jason takes two years off playing
guitar and crawls into a bottle of vodka, while Justin stays home and
bails out of local community colleges defining the word slacker. (Hey, I
don't make crap like this up, I just tell it)
One day while eating lunch at school, Betsy decides she wants to be
famous. The following is a documented transcript of the conversation that
ensued.
Betsy: "I want to be famous"
Jason: ".ok. Then I'll teach you to play bass."
In order to reach such aspiring goals as "being famous", Jason and Betsy
realized that a drummer would be key. They recruited a local drummer
(named PJ) and the first incarnation of Paynes Hollow was born,
Neostasis. (I, the great logo, was yet to be born.)
After a year and a half of song writing and playing the Oneonta scene,
college ended for Jason and Betsy and they returned home. The positive
about moving back: Justin. The negative: PJ was over an hour away. The
result: LOCAL DRUMMER WANTED.
Gary was the first drummer to answer the ad. Everyone was skeptical and
hesitant at first, when this longhaired 80's guy with tight-rolled jeans,
and King Diamond T-shirt strolled in. But before we continue, let’s break
from the current story and focus on Gary for a moment.
Gary began playing drums in the before time, long long ago. I
mean, really, when Gary started playing drums, the rest of the band was
in diapers. He has played on and off for twenty years, contributing his
expertise to a few bands in the local areas. After his last band, his
passion was quickly dwindling; he decided to give it one last chance in a
new musical direction.
Ok, flash back to tight-rolled jeans, and everyone meeting for the first
time. When everyone actually got together, magic...or music...or
both...was made. Gary's so-called four on the floor technique was perfect
for the music Jason, Betsy and Justin were looking to make. Paynes
Hollow was born.
The first unofficial "audition" practice resulted in the very first
Paynes Hollow song: Down On Me. After a month of "practicing"
together, which bore a few more songs like Bitterman and Silent You,
together, which bore a few more songs like Bitterman and Silent You,
Gary officially committed to the band and the band to him.
Paynes Hollow has now been together for over a year. The original concept
of the band has since evolved, trying new music but not straying far from
their heavy rock roots. They have played at such venues as Northern
Lights, Saratoga Winners, Savannahs, Valentines and plenty more to come.
All their latest news and info can be found on their website. But that's
not why you should visit the site. You should go because you'll see me,
the crazy face logo in all my "king shit" glory. Paynes Hollow: No, it's not a place.
No, it's not from a book. It was taken right out of one clever little mind.
Then, it was a band. And soon.you will know.
Gear that the band uses:
Jay plays: a SAMICK Guitar, Marshall , Mode 4 half stack
Justin plays: a ESP - LTD Guitar, Marshall , M6 half stack
Betsy plays: a Fender P-bass special & a Austin bass,
Ampeg b2r Head and a Homemade special cabinet
Gary plays: a Sonor force 2001 series kit and hardware, Sabian cymbols, Vater sticks
Upcoming Shows:
Friday, April 29th @ Savannah’s with Kingscastle. Show starts 9 PM. $7.00
Saturday, May 7th @ Riverlink Park in Amsterdam. Bands from about 2:00-8:00 PM. This is a benefit show for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Many other bands slated to perform…check the band's site for more details soon!!
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Think Green - EarthFest 2005 Celebration at RPI
The Sage Quad on the RPI campus in Troy will be the setting for EarthFest 2005 this Saturday, April 22nd offering the community some great local music, in addition to other activities and displays. Local acts scheduled to appear Saturday include: Benjikope, Andrew Eckel Ensemble, The Brian Kaplan Band and John Brodeur.
EarthFest is just one event scheduled to take place on and about the campus this week in recognition of Earth Week, including a workshop at the Children's Museum in the RPI Tech Park off Rte 4 (Sun.,11am) along with the Earthday celebration at Grafton Lakes State Park on Sunday starting at noon.
EarthFest is just one event scheduled to take place on and about the campus this week in recognition of Earth Week, including a workshop at the Children's Museum in the RPI Tech Park off Rte 4 (Sun.,11am) along with the Earthday celebration at Grafton Lakes State Park on Sunday starting at noon.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Rock 2 Rebuild
April 20, 2005
Rock 2 Rebuild
P.O. Box 468
Delmar, NY 12054
Dear Meg & Jim,
Rock2Rebuild will surely go down as one of the most memorable undraising events ever held in Albany; we sold more than 1,800 tickets and raised over $26,500.00 for the tsunami relief funds of Habitat for Humanity & Save the Children! We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to you for your support and for so beautifully capturing R2R on film; the pictures and DVD are wonderful. NYCAP Music is a great idea, and we wish you the very best of luck.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Indeed, our ability to raise so much money for this worthwhile effort resulted directly from the enthusiasm and commitment of our sponsors and people like you. The music, the art, the spirit of our community is sounding a world away! We can't thank you enough for your generosity and for helping us to achieve such a terrific end result!
We are also excited to announce that Rock2Rebuild will continue on as an organization dedicated to aiding those in need, exposing and nuturing aspiring talents from our own backyard and celebrating the spirit of community. We will redouble our efforts to unite local music and arts with regional, national and global causes through premium barn raising-type events, educational programs and more. We look forward to a bright future and hope to have the pleasure of working with you again.
Sincerely,
George P. Kansas & Jeffrey Mirel
Event Organizers
Rock 2 Rebuild
P.O. Box 468
Delmar, NY 12054
Dear Meg & Jim,
Rock2Rebuild will surely go down as one of the most memorable undraising events ever held in Albany; we sold more than 1,800 tickets and raised over $26,500.00 for the tsunami relief funds of Habitat for Humanity & Save the Children! We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to you for your support and for so beautifully capturing R2R on film; the pictures and DVD are wonderful. NYCAP Music is a great idea, and we wish you the very best of luck.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Indeed, our ability to raise so much money for this worthwhile effort resulted directly from the enthusiasm and commitment of our sponsors and people like you. The music, the art, the spirit of our community is sounding a world away! We can't thank you enough for your generosity and for helping us to achieve such a terrific end result!
We are also excited to announce that Rock2Rebuild will continue on as an organization dedicated to aiding those in need, exposing and nuturing aspiring talents from our own backyard and celebrating the spirit of community. We will redouble our efforts to unite local music and arts with regional, national and global causes through premium barn raising-type events, educational programs and more. We look forward to a bright future and hope to have the pleasure of working with you again.
Sincerely,
George P. Kansas & Jeffrey Mirel
Event Organizers
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Plug In With Devilish Minds
It's always a party!
Devilish Minds is:
Gerald Monroe - Guitar,VocalsAnthony Pellegrino - Guitar, Vocals Michael Marino - Bass, Vocals Matt Spone - Drums, Vocals
Hometown: Troy, NY
Genre: Rock & Roll
Booking Info: devilishmm@aol.com
Website: www.devilishminds.com
Listen:
Devilish Minds is a driving groove rock and roll band that joins the classic funk sounds of the past with a new powerful rock feel. The group has enjoyed a loyal following, continued success all over New York and New England for over six years, and playing over 100 shows a year.
Devilish Minds has played venues from 200 to 15,000 people. Playing with the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls,Tower of Power, Molly Hatchet, Bare Naked Ladies, The Marshall Tucker Band, Robin Trower and South Side Johnny to name a few, has allowed Devilish Minds to expand their following and musical base, and to entertain a variety of audiences with their music blend.
The band has received critical acclaim on their live shows, as well as rave reviews and radio air play on their new CD. Their new CD, titled People, features a unique blend of songs that has proven to attract a variety of musical tastes. Four songs off People were chosen to be in Rob Reillly's recently released movie "Back To Manhattan" from Cinemook Films.
DM has a unique blend of cover material along with original songs, and offer a variety of music done in their own style with high energy. The group has combined all of these elements to earn their reputation as a complete Rock and Roll band for any type of venue, and consistently delivers a great live show.
Devilish Minds recently joined over a dozen local bands at Cheers on Everett Road in Albany, for a special two day benefit and music festival in memory of local musician Eddie Wells' family. Eddie was a personal friend of the band, and the benefit raised over $10,000 for his two young daughters.
"The Devils" shows are marked with a drink, dance and party atmosphere that is fun for all involved. It's always a party! For more information and the most current show dates check out the band's website.
Devilish Minds is:
Gerald Monroe - Guitar,VocalsAnthony Pellegrino - Guitar, Vocals Michael Marino - Bass, Vocals Matt Spone - Drums, Vocals
Hometown: Troy, NY
Genre: Rock & Roll
Booking Info: devilishmm@aol.com
Website: www.devilishminds.com
Listen:
Devilish Minds is a driving groove rock and roll band that joins the classic funk sounds of the past with a new powerful rock feel. The group has enjoyed a loyal following, continued success all over New York and New England for over six years, and playing over 100 shows a year.
Devilish Minds has played venues from 200 to 15,000 people. Playing with the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls,Tower of Power, Molly Hatchet, Bare Naked Ladies, The Marshall Tucker Band, Robin Trower and South Side Johnny to name a few, has allowed Devilish Minds to expand their following and musical base, and to entertain a variety of audiences with their music blend.
The band has received critical acclaim on their live shows, as well as rave reviews and radio air play on their new CD. Their new CD, titled People, features a unique blend of songs that has proven to attract a variety of musical tastes. Four songs off People were chosen to be in Rob Reillly's recently released movie "Back To Manhattan" from Cinemook Films.
DM has a unique blend of cover material along with original songs, and offer a variety of music done in their own style with high energy. The group has combined all of these elements to earn their reputation as a complete Rock and Roll band for any type of venue, and consistently delivers a great live show.
Devilish Minds recently joined over a dozen local bands at Cheers on Everett Road in Albany, for a special two day benefit and music festival in memory of local musician Eddie Wells' family. Eddie was a personal friend of the band, and the benefit raised over $10,000 for his two young daughters.
"The Devils" shows are marked with a drink, dance and party atmosphere that is fun for all involved. It's always a party! For more information and the most current show dates check out the band's website.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Saratoga Springs Comes Alive When Caffe' Lena Hosts LocalThon 2005
This past weekend Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs hosted Localthon, an annual event which is the offspring of the well known Folk-a-Thon of their wilder days. The day long music marathon boasted a cross-section of this region's finest musical talent. Caffe' regulars teamed up with musicians from in and around town, with a line-up that guaranteed fans would come away with a new favorite or two. All the musicians donated their time and effort to support their favorite folk club on Phila Street.
This year's roster of talent was extensive, and included Rosanne Raneri, Acoustic Circus, Parwana, Phil Henry, Richie Ortiz and Mudfunk to name just a few. We stopped in and caught Kate Blain hosting a segment. See Caffe Lena's website for more details.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Sirsy Joins The Line-Up to Open for Collective Soul
It was just announced that one of the area's best known acts - Sirsy, will join the line up to open for Collective Soul this Thursday evening at Northern Lights. Melanie and the guys are just back from several weeks on the road with stops in Burlington NC and Fairfax VA to name a few. They'll play The Bitter End in NY City on Wednesday, then return home to warm up the local crowd before Collective Soul hits the stage at Northern Lights Thursday evening. Doors open at 7:30 pm the night of the show. Contact the box office at Northern Lights for ticket info.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Plug In With The Burners U.K.
These guys know how to ignite a party and keep it burning - in a word, they burn
The Burners U.K. are:
J Yager - Vocals & Guitar, Matt "Lanky" Pirog - Guitar, Chris Peck - Bass, Chris "CT" Toma - Drums,
Paul Brassard - Keyboards, Tony Gambaro - Trumpet, Chris Barron - Trombone, Tim Veeder - Saxophone
Hometown: Albany, NY
Genre: Rock & Pop
Booking Info: info@theburners.com
Website: www.theburners.com
THE BURNERS U.K. are a high-powered, horn-fueled eight piece band that consistently deliver an excellent live show, making them one of the Capital Region's most requested musical acts. Passion, showmanship, a great repertoire and a genuine understanding of how to entertain an audience; these are the elements fused together at the core of The Burners U.K.
The band is fronted by well known lead vocalist J Yager, the former frontman for upstate NY favorites The Refrigerators. J's dynamic entertainment style is the perfect compliment to the high energy sound of The Burners; he comes alive on stage and is able to involve the audience and make them a part of the show. Matt Pirog handles guitar for the Burners, and has performed in Albany with local progressive rockers The Spellhounds. Bassist, Chris Peck has performed with a many local bands over the years, and is also a highly sought-after session musician. Drummer Chris "CT" Toma started performing publicly at the age of 7, and later went on to study classical oboe and hammer dulcimer in Europe. Paul Brassard is on keyboards and has previous experience with The Refrigerators, Gibraltar, Lois and the Kryptonites, The Kidz, Severin's Fortune,Sweet Talk, and The Matt Smith Band. Paul's recorded works include solo efforts and various independent and intermediate label works.
The BUK 's famous horn section is made up of Tony Gambaro on trumpet, Chris Barron on trombone and Tim Veeder on saxaphone. Tony developed a passion for music early in life and quickly gained national recognition; he was hired by top national artists including Ben E. King, Bobby Vinton, Tower of Power and Bon Jovi and the highly-successful U.S. touring group "The Blues Other Brothers" who he toured with for several years. He subsequently joined Upstate NY favorites "Out of Control" before signing on with the BUK. Chris is originally from Vernon, NY and attended the prestigious Crane School of Music majoring in Music Education. Chris moved to the Albany area in 1996, and has performed with many Capital Region musicians including the The Keith Pray Quartet , Joey Thomas Big Band, The Refrigerators, New York Players, Mood for Thought , The Brian Patenaude Quartet , Carl Landa Band, Supa Kumba and The Empire Jazz Orchestra. Tim started seriously playing the saxophone in high school and later went on to attend the College of Saint Rose studying under Paul Evoskevich. Prior to joining The Burners, Tim performed with Cleen Street , The Alan Payette Band and The New Groove to name a few.
The Burners have have shared the stage with numerous national & international touring acts & artists, including: Barenaked Ladies, Tower of Power, LFO,The J. Geils Band, Seven Nations, The Spin Doctors, B.B. King, and Richard Marx to name just a few. They were recently invited to perform at Parkfest 2005, scheduled to be held at the Altamont Fairgrounds on May 1st. The BUK will be one of the featured acts on the main stage along with Hoobastank, Simple Plan, and Ludacris. In all, over a dozen bands will be part of the day long fest, including a number of other local groups.
Recently the guys helped raise more than $25,000 for Myeloma Cancer Research at a benefit featuring The Burners U.K. and Mojo Lightning held at Michael's Banquet House in Latham, and headlined the Rock 2 ReBuild Tsunami Benefit at the Palace Theatre.
Their performance calendar is always filled with local shows and benefits and this weekend is no exception. They'll play Jillians in downtown Albany on Friday night, April 8th and then head up the Northway to Sandy's Clam Bar in Glens Falls on Saturday night, April 9th.
However, the most important event on their calendar this weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon, April 10th, from 3-7pm at The Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. The boys will be featured at a special Melanoma benefit for Greg Balton, a very close friend of the band who is afflicted with the disease. All of the money raised will go directly to Greg and his family. The benefit is open to the public, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details of the benefit, along with a complete listing of upcoming shows is available on the band's website.
The Burners U.K. are:
J Yager - Vocals & Guitar, Matt "Lanky" Pirog - Guitar, Chris Peck - Bass, Chris "CT" Toma - Drums,
Paul Brassard - Keyboards, Tony Gambaro - Trumpet, Chris Barron - Trombone, Tim Veeder - Saxophone
Hometown: Albany, NY
Genre: Rock & Pop
Booking Info: info@theburners.com
Website: www.theburners.com
THE BURNERS U.K. are a high-powered, horn-fueled eight piece band that consistently deliver an excellent live show, making them one of the Capital Region's most requested musical acts. Passion, showmanship, a great repertoire and a genuine understanding of how to entertain an audience; these are the elements fused together at the core of The Burners U.K.
The band is fronted by well known lead vocalist J Yager, the former frontman for upstate NY favorites The Refrigerators. J's dynamic entertainment style is the perfect compliment to the high energy sound of The Burners; he comes alive on stage and is able to involve the audience and make them a part of the show. Matt Pirog handles guitar for the Burners, and has performed in Albany with local progressive rockers The Spellhounds. Bassist, Chris Peck has performed with a many local bands over the years, and is also a highly sought-after session musician. Drummer Chris "CT" Toma started performing publicly at the age of 7, and later went on to study classical oboe and hammer dulcimer in Europe. Paul Brassard is on keyboards and has previous experience with The Refrigerators, Gibraltar, Lois and the Kryptonites, The Kidz, Severin's Fortune,Sweet Talk, and The Matt Smith Band. Paul's recorded works include solo efforts and various independent and intermediate label works.
The BUK 's famous horn section is made up of Tony Gambaro on trumpet, Chris Barron on trombone and Tim Veeder on saxaphone. Tony developed a passion for music early in life and quickly gained national recognition; he was hired by top national artists including Ben E. King, Bobby Vinton, Tower of Power and Bon Jovi and the highly-successful U.S. touring group "The Blues Other Brothers" who he toured with for several years. He subsequently joined Upstate NY favorites "Out of Control" before signing on with the BUK. Chris is originally from Vernon, NY and attended the prestigious Crane School of Music majoring in Music Education. Chris moved to the Albany area in 1996, and has performed with many Capital Region musicians including the The Keith Pray Quartet , Joey Thomas Big Band, The Refrigerators, New York Players, Mood for Thought , The Brian Patenaude Quartet , Carl Landa Band, Supa Kumba and The Empire Jazz Orchestra. Tim started seriously playing the saxophone in high school and later went on to attend the College of Saint Rose studying under Paul Evoskevich. Prior to joining The Burners, Tim performed with Cleen Street , The Alan Payette Band and The New Groove to name a few.
The Burners have have shared the stage with numerous national & international touring acts & artists, including: Barenaked Ladies, Tower of Power, LFO,The J. Geils Band, Seven Nations, The Spin Doctors, B.B. King, and Richard Marx to name just a few. They were recently invited to perform at Parkfest 2005, scheduled to be held at the Altamont Fairgrounds on May 1st. The BUK will be one of the featured acts on the main stage along with Hoobastank, Simple Plan, and Ludacris. In all, over a dozen bands will be part of the day long fest, including a number of other local groups.
Recently the guys helped raise more than $25,000 for Myeloma Cancer Research at a benefit featuring The Burners U.K. and Mojo Lightning held at Michael's Banquet House in Latham, and headlined the Rock 2 ReBuild Tsunami Benefit at the Palace Theatre.
Their performance calendar is always filled with local shows and benefits and this weekend is no exception. They'll play Jillians in downtown Albany on Friday night, April 8th and then head up the Northway to Sandy's Clam Bar in Glens Falls on Saturday night, April 9th.
However, the most important event on their calendar this weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon, April 10th, from 3-7pm at The Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. The boys will be featured at a special Melanoma benefit for Greg Balton, a very close friend of the band who is afflicted with the disease. All of the money raised will go directly to Greg and his family. The benefit is open to the public, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details of the benefit, along with a complete listing of upcoming shows is available on the band's website.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Plug In With Damn' Strait
Playin' the music that gets everyone up on the dance floor
Damn' Strait is:
Randy Ford - lead vocals and frontman, Joe Nichols - bass & vocals, Reg Taylor - guitar & vocals, Joe Simon (AKA Thumper) - drums, Mark Rohloff - guitar & vocals
Hometown: Mechanicville, NY
Genre: Rock
Booking Info: stratslinger@aol.com
Website: www.damnstrait.net
Damn' Strait is a high energy, five-piece rock-and-roll group from the Mechanicville / Schaghticoke area, that performs at various clubs, parties and special events in and around the Capital District of upstate New York. The band was formed in 2002 and has been going strong ever since.
The guys are all experienced local musicians; Randy Ford is the band's front man and handles all lead vocals. He's been singing his whole life and is an accomplished and versatile vocalist. Randy's musical style has been influenced by many artists including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pearl Jam and various country musicians. Bass player Joe Nichols calls the Glens Falls area home; he's a fan of the hard rocking bands of the 70's in addition to Skynyrd, Van Halen and Zeppelin and has been playing professionally for over fourteen years including a run with the acoustic trio Black Coffee. The band's veteran rocker, Reg Taylor, has been a part of the local music scene for forty-five years. Reg has been a member of a number of local bands including FN Jammers, Brunswick Basement Blues Band, Cardiac Arrest, the Zookeepers, Contagious and No Clue with fellow Damn' Strait members Randy Ford and Joe Simon.
Joe "Thumper" Simon is DS's drummer - and it's easy to see how he earned that nickname. He's been pounding the skins locally for close to twenty years now and tells us he's been inspired by Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, and local blues crooner Jeff Maynard of the Maynard Brothers Band. Damn' Strait's newest member is well known local guitarist, Mark Rohloff, who has been playing for over twenty-five years with a number of bands including War Child, Black Mass, Duct Tape, Contagious, Heat and others. Mark 's style has been influenced by many rock icons including Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rush, Van Halen and Jeff Beck.
The band is known for delivering a live show that gets everyone up on the dance floor, and if you are a fan of Classic or Modern Rock you are sure to enjoy their music. Their calendar is filled with dates at local clubs, fundraisers and special events so you're never far from their next show. Last month Damn' Strait headlined 94 Rock 's Eighth Annual Beach Party at Henderson's, which was a great success. They recently released a CD of ten covers, and you can pick up your own copy from the band at any show.
Damn' Strait will be at the Commercial Hotel on April 8th. You can check their website for a complete list of shows.
Damn' Strait is:
Randy Ford - lead vocals and frontman, Joe Nichols - bass & vocals, Reg Taylor - guitar & vocals, Joe Simon (AKA Thumper) - drums, Mark Rohloff - guitar & vocals
Hometown: Mechanicville, NY
Genre: Rock
Booking Info: stratslinger@aol.com
Website: www.damnstrait.net
Damn' Strait is a high energy, five-piece rock-and-roll group from the Mechanicville / Schaghticoke area, that performs at various clubs, parties and special events in and around the Capital District of upstate New York. The band was formed in 2002 and has been going strong ever since.
The guys are all experienced local musicians; Randy Ford is the band's front man and handles all lead vocals. He's been singing his whole life and is an accomplished and versatile vocalist. Randy's musical style has been influenced by many artists including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pearl Jam and various country musicians. Bass player Joe Nichols calls the Glens Falls area home; he's a fan of the hard rocking bands of the 70's in addition to Skynyrd, Van Halen and Zeppelin and has been playing professionally for over fourteen years including a run with the acoustic trio Black Coffee. The band's veteran rocker, Reg Taylor, has been a part of the local music scene for forty-five years. Reg has been a member of a number of local bands including FN Jammers, Brunswick Basement Blues Band, Cardiac Arrest, the Zookeepers, Contagious and No Clue with fellow Damn' Strait members Randy Ford and Joe Simon.
Joe "Thumper" Simon is DS's drummer - and it's easy to see how he earned that nickname. He's been pounding the skins locally for close to twenty years now and tells us he's been inspired by Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, and local blues crooner Jeff Maynard of the Maynard Brothers Band. Damn' Strait's newest member is well known local guitarist, Mark Rohloff, who has been playing for over twenty-five years with a number of bands including War Child, Black Mass, Duct Tape, Contagious, Heat and others. Mark 's style has been influenced by many rock icons including Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rush, Van Halen and Jeff Beck.
The band is known for delivering a live show that gets everyone up on the dance floor, and if you are a fan of Classic or Modern Rock you are sure to enjoy their music. Their calendar is filled with dates at local clubs, fundraisers and special events so you're never far from their next show. Last month Damn' Strait headlined 94 Rock 's Eighth Annual Beach Party at Henderson's, which was a great success. They recently released a CD of ten covers, and you can pick up your own copy from the band at any show.
Damn' Strait will be at the Commercial Hotel on April 8th. You can check their website for a complete list of shows.
North Allen To Open For Collective Soul at Both Local Shows
ALBANY, NY (March 31, 2005) Albany's own North Allen has been invited to open for Collective Soul at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY on April 12th, and at Northern Lights in Clifton Park on April 14th.
North Allen is primarily a modern acoustic rock band with influences that represent several genres of music including rock, jazz and funk. The band is currently touring in support of their upcoming release "Walkabout".
Apparently Collective Soul heard about the band by word of mouth and asked one of the North Allen's managers to send some music. Matt Greco, North Allen's guitarist tells us that Collective Soul "must have liked what they heard, because the next call they made was to ask us to play the Poughkeepsie show." Tim Frank, North Allen's drummer adds "This is a great opportunity to work with one of this decade's definite rock groups."
Collective Soul exploded out of their home town of Stockbridge, GA on to the national scene with 1994's smash "Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid". The band has gathered eight number one rock hits and sold over seven million albums worldwide. Collective Soul's latest release is titled "Youth".
North Allen is primarily a modern acoustic rock band with influences that represent several genres of music including rock, jazz and funk. The band is currently touring in support of their upcoming release "Walkabout".
Apparently Collective Soul heard about the band by word of mouth and asked one of the North Allen's managers to send some music. Matt Greco, North Allen's guitarist tells us that Collective Soul "must have liked what they heard, because the next call they made was to ask us to play the Poughkeepsie show." Tim Frank, North Allen's drummer adds "This is a great opportunity to work with one of this decade's definite rock groups."
Collective Soul exploded out of their home town of Stockbridge, GA on to the national scene with 1994's smash "Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid". The band has gathered eight number one rock hits and sold over seven million albums worldwide. Collective Soul's latest release is titled "Youth".
Cheers to Host a Two Day Music Festival and Benefit Concert
ALBANY, NY (March 31, 2005) Local musicians will gather this weekend at Cheers for a music festival and benefit concert as a tribute to the life and music of Eddie Van. Eddie was a founding member of local rock band Seed, and a very active part of the local music scene. All of the festival proceeds will benefit Eddie's two young daughters, Macey and Melody. The two day festival, affectionately titled "Ed-Stock" will boast performances by more than a dozen local groups.
A single $20 donation includes admission both Saturday and Sunday, and food; cash bars are available on site.There will be a number of raffles and auctions; many one of a kind items have been donated by local businesses and well known artists including an acoustic guitar signed by Bobby Barth of Blackfoot, and a signature guitar courtesy of Parkway Music in Clifton Park and autographed by Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.
Acts currently scheduled to appear include: Seed, Tommy White, Random Axcess, 10 Year Vamp, Yellow Dog, Devilish Minds and Headbump on Saturday; with Heat, Long Story Short, Red Otis, Hypnology Project, Bottle of Dog and Seed on Sunday.
Cheers is located at 27 Fuller Road in Albany. The benefit concert will take place this Saturday, April 2nd from 10am-10pm, and from 10am-7pm on Sunday, April 3rd.
A single $20 donation includes admission both Saturday and Sunday, and food; cash bars are available on site.There will be a number of raffles and auctions; many one of a kind items have been donated by local businesses and well known artists including an acoustic guitar signed by Bobby Barth of Blackfoot, and a signature guitar courtesy of Parkway Music in Clifton Park and autographed by Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.
Acts currently scheduled to appear include: Seed, Tommy White, Random Axcess, 10 Year Vamp, Yellow Dog, Devilish Minds and Headbump on Saturday; with Heat, Long Story Short, Red Otis, Hypnology Project, Bottle of Dog and Seed on Sunday.
Cheers is located at 27 Fuller Road in Albany. The benefit concert will take place this Saturday, April 2nd from 10am-10pm, and from 10am-7pm on Sunday, April 3rd.
Plug In With Hector On Stilts
Hector On Stilts
They occasionally rock like Uncle Tupelo
Hector On Stilts is:
Clayton Colwell - vocals & guitar, Jeb Colwell - vocals, guitar& keys, Roger Mason - bass, Jay Schultheis - drums Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Genre: Rock Booking Info: info@hectoronstilts.com
Website: www.hectoronstilts.com
Jeb and Clayton Colwell, the founding members of Hector On Stilts, are cousins who are carrying on a family heritage of music for the masses: their fathers were the co-founders and songwriters for the Pepsodent-fresh, clean, positive-thinking group, Up With People, who used to perform at Super Bowl halftimes way back in the 1970s, before Janet Jackson was in a training bra. Their dads gave them a legacy for people-pleasing music, and an unending fondness for the sweeter and poppier side of it.
Jeb and Clayton began making music together at age fifteen when the both lived in Tucson, AZ. After taking time off for college and other assorted activities, the Colwell cousins regrouped and decided to "make a record, " resulting in the 2000 release, Pretty Please, which was representative of their live performance style of the time: two guys, two acoustic guitars and two voices with little else in between. The album was recorded live in their living room as a collection of folk-rock tunes with the hints of Spanish edge that still spice many of their songs.
In 2001, wanderlust struck and the cousins headed east, settling in Pittsfield, MA for the contrasting appeal of its proximity to New York City and Boston and relative quiet compared to the more urban options. Soon after unpacking in Western Mass, the guys started heading to Albany and quickly became part of the local open-mic scene. With their blend of striking vocal harmonies, achingly beautiful, deceptively simple pop songs, charisma and enigmatic humor, HOS quickly became popular with the crowd at the Larkin; they were soon headlining the weekend shows upstairs. In 2003, Jeb and Clayton broke ranks from the traditional acoustic performances, exploring bigger pop sonic possibilities with a new rhythm section. They also became the first rock band to be part of the Storefront Artist Project (www.storefrontartist.org) an artists group inadvertently intent on turning this once moribund ex-GE company town into the Brooklyn of the Berkshires. Most recently, they played to a crowd of nearly 2,000 at the Palace Theatre in Albany for the Rock2Rebuild Tsunami benefit.
In 2004, Hector On Stilts began working with Grammy-nominated producer, Andres Levin, on the forthcoming full length album, Same Height Relation. 14 months in the making, Same Height is HOS's most definitive body of work to date . The album is already garnering crticial praise: Same Height track, "Toungue Tied," was one of only three songs selected for the Performing Songwriter Magazine "Be Heard" Scholarships to this year's Kauai Music Festival sponsored by BMI and Songwriter101.com, an award worth over $2,000.
Same Height Relation is scheduled for release in late April but is currently available for pre-sale on their website, hectoronstilts.com.
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