Art For Our Sake

There comes a time in every musician's tenure where they are faced with the harsh reality that the outside world pushes against them. Most of the local bands that I've chatted with over the course of the 1.5 years I've been writing this blog have shared an experience or two.

Usually, this experience manifests as a hesitance to tour widely or press a ton of records before testing the waters of what their audience will support. But, I wanted to share a post from my boy Chris of Sakes Alive!! and his take on creating music for the sake of the art form and his thoughts on taking the life risk to keep playing, despite the odds.

"I don’t know if this is all that relate-able for you, but I never received any type of support from my family for pursuing music as my lot in life.

I mean, it makes a ton of sense. Could you ever imagine telling your kid “hell yeah! School? Fuck that! You should scream and yell and make shit tons of noise all for the love of it instead of attending college, which would cement a salary that’ll cover your ass when the going gets tough. Music is what FUELS the soul”?

So (un)surprisingly enough, they made every effort to shake me of the siren song that was calling my name towards the hazardous rocks of ruin.

They couldn’t break me from the spell though. And ever since, I’ve been chasing my white whale with no consideration for life, limb, finance, or relationship since. It’s been a long road of extreme highs and lows. Some of the most euphoric moments I’ve ever experienced in my life. And then immediately crushed by the most cruel lows I think anyone could ever endure.

It’s hard living an art-centered lifestyle. The biggest reason honestly because you seem to be fighting off the army of cynicism and criticism from every angle. Being surrounded on all sides, a lone ship that’s been hopping from island to island for a quick reprieve from the advancing fleet. A drink from the oasis, a visit to the merchant for supplies, and off again. Fighting to taste the bittersweet freedom that hangs in the air and your nostrils, teasing you like a carrot on a stick.

Maybe not for all, but I’ve dealt with a large share of criticism. None of it I would say unreasonable from the opposing point of view. But ultimately makes for a shoddy support system. More or less you have to rely on your self-confidence and squash your self-doubt to keep moving ahead."

Read the rest of the post here

Ladies Night in Rochester

Don't ask Danielle LeBeau if she'll play Business Men. Lauren Ciarpelli will not be found crooning from a standstill any longer. These ladies are half of one of the latest indie/hardcore incarnations to take Buffalo and Rochester, Lapse. And, if they look and sound familiar, it's because only months ago they were half of Lights of Autumn, a Rochester pop-rock favorite.

But those poppy tunes are behind them as they embark with fellow musicians, Joey Raab, Garrett Tuchrello and newly added guitarist, Will Whaley, into a newer, harder, more experimental sound that they won't commit to one genre. As Ciarpelli says "We're melodic with a hardcore sound, but we're not 'melodic hardcore.'"

Confusing, right? Well, don't let the lack of definition throw you, Lapse has a specific sound and they're not afraid to shout it all the way to the back of the club. With the ladies citing their influences as a range of metal, punk, and hardcore, and Ciarpelli and Raab driving the creative force, expect great things from them.

I had the luck of finally seeing Lapse live at Holiday Havoc in December after a few misses at other live shows. With the other bands sticking to textbook metal breakdowns and unintelligible lyrics, Lapse stepped up and wailed us with a wall of music. Real music. Don't get me wrong, Ciarpelli is up front shredding her vocal cords like we've never heard before, but it mixes with the instruments in a way that totally rocks. They don't rely on tried and true metal or hardcore structure to build their tracks, and the result is uniquely them.

But, die hard LOA fans will probably be let down by this departure, though awesome. Lapse anticipates this and for the mean time are releasing their tracks digitally and in limited hardcopy quantities. LeBeau says it's also because people are hesitant to spend their cash on different genres than what they're used to. This is not the first time I've heard this from a local band. With independent financial backing and new musical offerings, who can blame them for testing the waters with an EP.

Overall, their sound is refreshingly hard, which I hope draws fewer Paramore comparisons on their behalf. The end of one chapter, and the beginning of the next, as LeBeau said "Why stick with the same thing?" Indeed. Be sure to check out Lapse this Sunday at Buffalo's Sugar City along with Iron Rain, Better Times, and Worthless.

Snowbirds and Townies

When I first heard that Hit the Lights was coming through the ROC, I knew that their show would be the highlight of the winter. With Rochester natives Nate VanDame and Kevin Mahoney on stage, it was bound to be an awesome homecoming show.


And then, the openers were announced.


One after another the supporting acts were announced and the list reads like a who's who of awesome hometown acts, across the genre spectrum of rock, punk, indie and pop punk: Preemptive Strike, A Summer Scene, Joywave, Avenue You, Such Gold.

Needless to say, I will be camped out at Water Street all night to catch them all. And you should too, as this is the best lineup of Roc-local bands we've seen in a while. Thursday night, doors at 6:30.

HardROC night

What are you doing on Friday?

Black Friday Rule

Now that the turkey is long forgotten and Black Friday is upon us, enjoy this chilly vacation day with some local music:

Kicking off their tour- Young Bloods at Montage Music Hall. Opening are His Name Was Yesterday and A Thousand Shades of Gold, Shadows of the Past, and Yesterdays Heroes. Doors at 7, tickets are $5

Returning to the ROC- Joywave at Water Street Music Hall. Sharing the stage with BEDROC. Doors at 7, tickets are $10.

Local music this weekend

There is a sweet handful of local music playing this weekend, spanning ska, punk, pop-punk and rock. Be sure to check out the following shows and support your local scene tonight and tomorrow:

Friday
Syracuse natives, Honor Bright, are opening for Alesana at Waterstreet. Doors at 6, $15 tickets, ages 16+ without a guardian.

Even Jeff Spevak, who I consider a total fogie when it comes to local music reviews knows what's up with this show: 5Head Reunion Show featuring The Beaumonts. Expect awesomeness from this ska show with their indie openers. Both, that's right both, are diamonds in the rough of Rochester's local scene. Doors at 8, $15 tickets, ages 16+ without a guardian.

Saturday
Arguably the best show this winter to commute for, the AP Tour is coming just outside of Buffalo. We're excited for Bring Me The Horizon, but the showstopper is always Rochester/Syracuse's own sons, Polar Bear Club. Doors at 6, $17 tickets.

Please Don’t Hang Out In Front Of The House

Ever cram into someone's house (or equally intimate venue) for a show and it rocked your face off? The close-quarters, shitty acoustics and racing-heart emotion that happens in someone's basement or garage is hard to replicate.

If this is your idea of a solid Saturday night, check out the first volume of Please Don’t Hang Out In Front Of The House featuring tracks from some freakin-sweet artists playing songs about playing house parties. Very introspective, eh?

Notable acts include Attica! Attica!, Mayflower, The Sweet Revenge, and Roch's own Sakes Alive!!, featuring Hit the Lights guitarist, Kevin Mahoney.

Follow the link below to download and enjoy:

Volume 1 download

Happy Birthday to ME!

I am a Sagittarius- optimistic, a little crazy, super loyal and a bit mouthy. This year, as I approach a milestone birthday near the end of the month, I was looking for a way to celebrate that's as loud and boisterous as myself and fellow Sagittarii can be. The answer? Rochester's Skanksgiving.

If you've read this blog for a few posts you'd see that deep down, ska is the soundtrack of my life. My heartbeat is a horn section. Which is why I'm so obsessed with Rochester's ska/punk scene. (And why I nearly pounced on Chris Vandeviver when he worked some horns into a new Sakes Alive!! track)

So, without further ado, here is the list of acts for Skanksgiving, an all-day ska show at Dubland Underground on the 27th and unofficial way to celebrate another year of my fantastic being. Doors at 1:30, show at 2:00:

2:00-2:25 Condition Oakland (Ashland PA folk punk)
2:30-2:55 Radioactive Snowshu (Rochester thrash n' ska)
3:05-3:30 Cobrafield (Rochester pop-punk)
3:40-4:05 Free For All (Rochester punk/ska)
4:15-4:40 4point0 (Syracuse ska)
4:50-5:15 The Steakouts (Rochester ska)
5:25-5:50 The Couchtesters (Rochester ska)
6:00-6:25 Two Ton Ska (Rochester ska/rock)
6:35-7:00 Fun with Shot Gun Shells (Rochester punk)
7:10-7:40 Do it with Malice (Buffalo skacore,)
7:50-8:15 Sand Bar (Rochester dub/ska, NYC return show)
8:25-9:00 Mrs Skannotto (Rochester rockin ska/reggae)

A change for The Sunstreak?

Tonight The Sunstreak is hosting a small, secret (not-so-secret), acoustic set at A-Pub Live to get together with some fans for the last time before they refresh their style. According to them "Expect a fresh new sound and image in preparation for the follow up to our last record..." I'm placing a bet that they get more synth heavy, but not-so-secretly on my part, we all know I'd love for them to get an edgier sound.

The Sunstreak
A-Pub Live
Doors @ 9pm, $5
w/special guests Badgemen

November 2, 2010

Two very important things are going on tomorrow that all Rochesterians (especially those of you over 18) should be aware of.

Be sure to get out and vote (assuming you are registered, which is a whole other issue if you're not). If you are unsure of your polling location, check out this link.

After that's over, come down to Water Street Music Hall, because The Ataris are going to be tearing up the Flower City. Doors are at 6 and tickets are $12 day of sale. Word on the street is that Roc locals, Young Bloods will be opening.

Let's see if we can get them to close with this favorite like they used to in the old days.

If you didn't go last Saturday...

You really should check out Rochester's latest rock-incarnation, Lapse, tonight in Buffalo with Fat Wreck Chords' Dead to Me.

An October to Remember

In case your October isn't filling up as mine is with weddings, reunions and awesomeness, here's a few shows to fill the gaps:

10/ 1
Sailing to Rome Reunion Show- Mohawk Place

10/2
Shonen Knife- Mohawk Place

The 2nd Annual Rochester Invasion ft. Sirens and Sailors & Nightmares. Featuring Call me the Patriot, Mercia, 31goings, Soma Slumber, Storm the Bay, Every Last Thursday, The Dream Anatomy, Heavy Lies the Crown, A Dreadful Awakening - Salvation Army in Canandaigua

10/10 Rhinoceros, The Mongoloids and more- Mohawk Place

10/14 The “Goodbye, Goodnight Tour” Mae w/Terrible Things, Windsor Drive- Water Street

10/15 Young Bloods- Water Street

Mrs. Skannotto, The Couchtesters, The Steakouts, Free For All, and New Ways- Water Street

10/16 DEBUT: LAPSE with Sans Ego, Avenue You- Montage Music Hall

10/19 Dead To Me (Fat Wreck Chords), Lapse, Don't Lose Hope, Real People- The Wolves' Den

10/24 GWAR w/ the Casualties- Water Street

10/28 Matt & Kim- Water Street

10/29 Cry to the Blind, Every Last Thursday- Water Street

10/30 Halloween Havoc- Montage Music Hall

Scream SAKES ALIVE!!

Chris Vandeviver is no fool. He sees his music for what it is and what it can be. And, he won't tour until the fans ask for it.

But a year ago was a different story: Vandeviver's brainchild, Sakes Alive!! was caught up in the heat of touring, weaving across the eastern part of the US, patience and pocket money wearing thin. After a bit of tour-induced turmoil, and down a drummer, SA!! shook loose its bandmates and slimmed down to its singer and founder as a solo act.

The past 10 months have been a reawakening for Vandeviver and Sakes Alive!!. After the post-tour smoke cleared, he took some time to realign his plans for the band and got back in the recording studio. And by studio, we mean the one he's set up in his living room (which he prefers over the austerity of a real studio).

However, Vandeviver is not caught up in the thrill of "making it big" like many of the younger Rochester area bands are. This time around he's more concerned with working with new talent, experimenting with technique and overall, creating great music. When we talked of their tour last summer, Vandeviver shuddered at the album SA!! was pushing: Act II. Citing that the sound was "too weird," his goal now is to explore new theatrical avenues, such as incorporating the trumpets and violas one hears on SA!!'s new track, A Toast to the Often Fabled Heart (his girlfriend helps out with the strings).

Another goal for forthcoming tracks, and perhaps an EP, is to increase collaborative efforts with outside musicians. In the past, Vandeviver dreamed up the music and members such as Kevin Mahoney, Mike Schwartz, and Thom Bulman executed it. Now, he desires to develop music with others including possibly calling on bands he admires such as Albany's Aficionado to join in more of a creative partnership.

Through these collaborations, Vandeviver plans to crank out at least three more songs after Fabled Heart by the end of the year. But, Rochester punk fans shouldn't get their hopes up on seeing a re-formed Sakes Alive!! in concert any time soon. Between the aftershock of the last tour and his own caution, Vandeviver would prefer to keep producing great music and fulfilling fans digitally in both the area and abroad (as far as Germany and Japan) instead of burning out on tour again. However, with his unapologetic passion for Sakes Alive!! and the mantra that music should be "consistent, not constant" we should expect great things from Vandeviver in the future.

Four Superbowls, No Rings

I am watching the Bills right now (currently 13-7, Packers) and stumbled on Such Gold's video for their jam Four Superbowls, No Rings. I now have my new BB's soundtrack:

Check out their new EP while you're at it:

Rage Fest 2010

We're 24 hours out from Rage Fest 2010 and this girl couldn't be any more excited. Three weeks ago I thought I couldn't go, this week I snagged a ticket off the boys of Young Bloods, tomorrow over 20 local bands that range from punk to metal are tearing the roof off of Water Street.

Headliners include Such Gold, Every Last Thursday, Sirens and Sailors, Storm the Bay and Mercia. Also keep an eye out for support bands Call Me The Patriot, Soma Slumber, Heavy Lies The Crown, and Red Letter Statement.

Doors at 5 and tickets are $10 in advance. Get down to Water Street early to catch a prime spot as it will be jammed with the 18 and under crowd quickly.

(585) Call Me The Patriot

Jake Regruit is excited.

Well, his exact sentiment was that he's "stoked on the future." And rightfully so: the just-barely-20-year-old and his motley crew of bandmates who make up Call Me The Patriot are embarking on their first big tour, hitting stops along the way through the east and midwest.

The boys of Patriot have traveled a long hard year to get here, facing lineup changes, commuting to record and a little run-in with the law. Lead singer Adrian Blackwell credits this trying year with teaching them a lot about the music business, including who to trust and work with, and who not to. A little older and much wiser since we last caught up with them at Rage Fest 2009, Patriot has pulled it all together, releasing their album This Life That We Know in June.

Sunday night Call Me The Patriot got their start at Dubland and won't be back until the 13th. But, I recommend holding out until Rage Fest 2010 when the boys will join their Rochester cohorts at Water Street for the annual show. Along the way we expect them to rock tour cities with their favorites Chopper Gunner (Blackwell) and I Forget the Day Before Yesterday (Regruit) and probably cranking fan-favorite Magic Taxi.

The band is hoping to shake off the haters that tend to seek out Rochester hardcore bands and in turn drum up new fans while on the road. Mentored by Rochester's favorite lead singer to hate, Young Bloods' Joey Arena, CMTP is looking to get out of the Roc to help build up their home fan base. Sound crazy? Not so, say Blackwell and Regruit as familiarity tends to breed contempt for local bands.

We will be sure to welcome them back and show them our love for Roc local metalcore bands, come the 27th.

I've got my tickets....

...on the way to me tonight. Did you get yours yet?
Joywave's first show in the ROC since becoming Joywave is this Friday at the German House. Tickets are $10 in advance. Doors at 6m.

Hardcore Friday

It was a hot night in the B-lo, and the ultimate way to kick off a long weekend was with deafening hardcore punk.

Rochester natives Such Gold brought the heat (pun intended) and got the crowd primed in the pit. They mixed up their set with old and new songs, the latter baiting us for their upcoming album release this summer (details to come).

Direct support Rust Belt Lights was a new band to us, though they are favorites in the Buffalo area. They kept the crowd pumped up as Polar Bear Club lingered in wings; and though it was easy for me to deduce that their flavor of punk was right up my alley, they definitely deserve a second and third listen after the show.

When headliner Polar Bear Club struck the first chord, the pit erupted into a throwback hardcore scene. The die hard fans pushed up front to help vocalist Jimmy Stadt round out the set list while those dodging windmill-arms sang every word from the back. Former bassist, Josh Dillon, took the stage in place of Goose who is nursing a busted knee and didn't miss a beat.

The energy was high and the boys seemed more on-point than their September show. However, in a basement like Dubland, who can blame them. PBC played a few favorites, giving a nod to their latest release Chasing Hamburg and also brought listeners back to The Redder the Better with Parked In the Parking Lot of Your Heart dedicated to two newly-engaged fans.

Mark your calendar as they will be back in this neck of the woods July 14th at Warped Tour.

Your week in punk

I am off on vacation this week and missing a few awesome shows in the Greater Roc area. So awesome, that if I weren't seeing Set Your Goals and Cake on my trip, I would be inconsolably jealous. Check these out, and you will not be disappointed:

Punk- Neutron Rats at the Bug Jar 5/10. Between the close quarters at Bug Jar and the way this Albany band shreds, losing your hearing is bound to happen. But, it will be totally worth it for a night of authentic punk.

Christian Metal- We Sail at Dawn at the Bug Jar 5/12. Nothing like the uplifting words of Christianity, melded with the pounding, gut-wrenching guitars that come with deathcore.

Ska/punk- Big D and the Kids Table at Water Street 5/13. Our favorites, Big D, are joining together with locals Mrs. Skannotto for a night of ska/punk/dub to jam to.

Surf rock- The Isotopes at the German House 5/14. Join as these Roc Locals while they film their new live concert DVD. Openers are Mulletude, a hair band cover group.

Promise and Precision and Mess of Youthful Innocence

It's not even Friday yet and I've already got Saturday by FOB in my head. Maybe it's because the other side of this weekend kicks off my first vacation in 3 years, but this catchy tune is heralding Saturday fast as can be. Turn Pat and Pete up to 11, because this Saturday welcomes two awesome shows, of two completely different genres:

Straight-edge hardcore Buffalo punks, Snapcase, are reuniting for one show only at the Town Ballroom. Following their 2004 disbanding and a brief 3-show reunion in 2007, Snapcase's absence is making upstate New York crave some delicious, shredding 90s hardcore. We've always been huge fans of how rythmically demanding Snapcase's music is, focusing on their guitar leads. Not to mention how powerful, often uplifting and compelling their lyrics can be. Snapcase is playing a short tour in Europe and one show only stateside: Buffalo. Be sure to catch them now, as you never know when they'll be back around.

For a shorter drive to a show that's more family friendly than hardcore, Roc-local indie band, Walri, is bringing their psychedelic rock to the Genesee Valley Sports Complex. What's more, they're playing the halftime show for the Roc City Roller Derby's first home bout of the 2010 season. Walri's jams tend to be more ecclectic, drawing influces from punk, bluegrass, bossa nova and rock, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Doors at 6, bout starts at 7, Walri plays halfway through.