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If you love a late night rock session with a gritty, intimate atmosphere the way we do, the best way to satisfy the need is to head to the Bug Jar on Monroe Ave. While New York City is home to many hole-in-the-wall venues with the charm of an unfinished basement, this is ROC's best stop for pounding your eardrums and getting to know the strangers you're shoulder-to shoulder with.Last night's ticket went well into the early hours of the morning, but we held on steadily with dozens of others for Rochester's own St. Phillip's Escalator. The younger spawn of The Chesterfield Kings, this trio in their early 20s rocks harder than many bands twice their age. Their jams are in the same vein as the Kings, but the big difference is that all three have wild stage presence, engaging the audience and rocking out in a way that shows their love of music. The experience is made in drummer Zach's stick handling, guitarist Ryan's expressive faces, and bassist Noel's moves on stage.
Word on the street is that Escalator is taking a minor hiatus for personal reasons, but we will wait with bated breath for their return to the scene.
Welcoming Shelflyfe's new album release, Waterstreet Music Hall was hopping last night with a crowd whose average age was 15. The main act was predictable at best, but there were a number of supporting acts that helped make it a solid night of alternative rock in Rochester.We arrived as an opening band who definitely received low billing was playing. Thought their name is lost on us, they got us in the mood to rock. Quickly we transitioned to Lights of Autumn, a pop punk band with a kickass lineup. Though they played with bounds of energy and created a upbeat environment, poor Lauren Ciarpelli, the female lead in her TWLOHA tee, will always be pigeon-holed as a Paramore wannabe. But, it is always refreshing to see a chick on bass, which we found in Danielle LeBeau. Cute songs.
Remember Tomorrow, sharing a name with an Iron Maiden song, led us into the main act with a wild ambiance and lighting. Their set had a harder vibe than Autumn and much to this music enthusiast's happiness, have perfected the balance between melody, harmony and screaming. Their guitar parts suggest an almost Pantara-esqe undertone while the main guitar threw in occasional, effortless instrument spinning acrobatics. Their only downside was the excessive use of a drum machine which really defeated the point of live music. 
As for the main act, there already was terrible irony in the fact that their name indicates the staying power of a thrasher punk band in the retail market. One of the openers was named Underwhelmed, which I absolutely felt during the show. The music was ok: standard, loud and effective. Definitely not inventive. For a band that sites standouts such as P.O.D., Fuel, Adema, and Dope as inspiration/acts they've shared the stage with, we were pretty disappointed with their own lack of originality and pre-recorded piano parts on an unreliable laptop. Ctrl-Alt-Del, boys.
Add in the contrived look of the band, complete with Hot Topic wrist bands, and we were not convinced. The only redeeming quality was that the drummer's hair was styled a la Rufio. Hopefully, they find a way to stand out from the pack in the future, before their shelf life dwindles.
To all you "Streakers" out there, get ready to celebrate. Rochester natives, The Sunstreak, were recently signed by Merovingian, the division of EMI that at one time represented Kittie. Two of the band members, singer Tony Rebis and bassist, Jason Sarkis, are from this Streak-enthusiast's hometown of Irondequoit. Ran into Rebis and guitarist, Jack Flynn, last night at the Shelflyfe concert and offered a celebratory high-five in honor of their success. Much luck to these guys in the future.
Photo Credit: Gretchen Lee Carletta from Rochester.Metromix.com
If Freddie Mercury were alive and well today and decided that his means of expression were to leave his traditional Queen vocals behind and explore the screamo world, you would see Chicago rockers Victorian Halls emerge.
Though they explore a vocalization that is undoubtedly young in terms of thematic age, the musicianship behind the words is no doubt classic. Piano that crescendos at just the right time and drums that follow traditional punk rock syncopation help level out lead singer Sean Lenart's theatrical and sometimes shrill sound. Tied in with their running metaphore that their work is like Clockwork Orange, we hope that this band leaves the midwest behind and makes their way to the ROC immediately.
A couple of weeks ago, when I was a few beers past asking probing questions, my friend told me we were going to the CD release party for Shelflyfe this coming Friday. As a local scene enthusiast, I didn't debate much. I do love Waterstreet Music Hall.
Later, I decided not to be an uneducated consumer and check out their MySpace page to further my grasp of what type of music I was getting myself into. First impression? Their headshots look like the emo-flip update of a Motley Crue album cover.
But, conversely, the music on their site betrayed nothing of the screamo nature that their look suggests. Rather, they have a softer tone and less-aggressive, more melodic lyrics, complete with piano parts. Interested to see how the live show goes.
Nothing compliments warm Rochester summer nights quite like the pulsing sound of a ska band. Luckily, this season is looking to be packed with horns, snares and plenty of high hat.
If you don't mind a gentle commute for a sweet event, check out the 2009 Ska Prom in Syracuse on May 30th. Our new latest local obsession, Mrs. Skannotto, will be rocking out there. Bonus points/reduced price if you wear prom regalia. Like you need another reason to bust out the Pretty in Pink-esque New Wave prom duds.
Or, if you're anti-travel, you can wait until the jams come to you. June 30th we're being graced with the Ska is not Dead Tour 2009 at Montage. Headliners Sunny and the Sandwich Crackers definitely lean a little over the reggae line, but present a chill vibe. They will be supported by five, count 'em, FIVE openers including the aforementioned Skannotto.
Until these dates roll around, enjoy the tunes below: http://www.myspace.com/skannotto
http://www.myspace.com/thesandwichcrackers
Today is the inaugural bout of the ROC City Roller Derby at the Genesee Valley Sports Complex. Bout starts at 7, tickets sold at the door, to see some of the area's hottest ladies thrashing each other. Awesome athleticism and an exciting evening in the ROC.
The Chesterfield Kings are the closing night act at the Lilac Festival this weekend. Love the retro, almost Rolling Stones-y sound. Details to come.
Green Day's highly awaited new album, 21st Century Breakdown, drops tomorrow. The leak sounds promising, and this coming from a person who hated American Idiot with a passion.Highlights include the title track Breakdown with drums that reminisce of Irish bands' bodhrán. Know Your Enemy harks back to the Green Day of yesteryear with its punchy, repetitive lyrics that we'd probably like more if the radio hadn't already played it out. Some of the album gets a little melodramatic, but luckily, Christian's Inferno comes in to perk up the tempo and round out the album.As always, support your local retailers: the House of Guitars is reopening tonight at midnight to party, and of course, sell you the album.
My first official concert of my choice was The Offspring in eighth grade. Always looking to relive the good old days of yore, we bought tickets to see them with opener Dropkick Murphys today. Concert is June 30th at CMAC, tickets available at Ticketmaster. Get there.
Though the roots of punk rock music are decades old, it's very pleasing to die-hard fans like us to know that not all kids these days are going to screw it up in the future.This approximately 6-year old girl at MC Lars was sitting atop her father's shoulders, chanting along with the chorus of the closing song, "Hot Topic is not punk rock."We think that we'll survive for another generation.
This story began in 1994 with my middle school-age introduction to third wave ska. Goldfinger and Mighty Mighty Bosstones changed my life at a tender age. For the next decade and a half my love for alt. rock grew and spanned many genres. But, outside of merely singing the praises of punk’s* merits, I had no way of sharing the art, music, people, and lifestyle of it all with a vast audience. My friends became sick of hearing discussions about which band had the best horn section.
Years later, the catalyst arrived while standing in the pit at the opening concert for the Lilac Festival watching MC Lars perform. The setting sun caught on the mohawk of a female concert-goer as she sat on the shoulders of a friend. I knew then and there that it was time to share the beauty and excitement of the punk scene in Rochester. Please enjoy, criticize, comment and feel free to turn up the jams and rock out the skank.
*Ok, we realize that using “punk” as the overarching genre of alternative rock music generalizes the stylization of the tunes and groups. You’re over it. Whether it’s ska, garage, boho, rockabilly, hardcore, new wave, or other as-of-yet named genres, we’re all about DIY ethics, awesome aesthetics and keeping it real.
