Music Blog, City Newspaper

Concert Review: The Slackers, Mikaela Davis, The Smithereens, Big Sandy

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:46:00 -0400

UPDATE 5/21/13 to correct the spelling of Pat DiNizio's name.

The Slackers are just so cool.…

Concert Review: David Mayfield Parade, Jeremy Laurson, Teressa Wilcox Band

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:40:00 -0400

Friday night marked the first part of The David Mayfield Parade's two-night stand at Abilene. By the time I made the scene the place was packed and sufficiently lubricated on Genny, Jim, and Jack, and show openers The Tarbox Ramblers' opening set was full of lowdown, drop-tune, and swampy Beantown voodoo.…

Concert Review: NEXUS and the RPO

Paloma Capanna — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:29:00 -0400

The audience at Thursday night's Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performance (Peter Bay, guest conductor) was treated to a "sound bath" - there is no other way to describe the beautiful and interesting composition "From Me Flows What You Call Time," by Toru Takemitsu, performed with NEXUS percussion ensemble. Paired with Karen Tanaka's "Water of Life," this is a must-hear concert.…

Concert Review: Hate Machine Farewell Show

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:13:00 -0400

It takes a lot of guts to leave the party while it's still hoppin', but that's exactly what Hate Machine did Friday night at Montage Music Hall to a rabid -- albeit bummed -- crowd. Early in the set singer Jed Seaver stopped between songs to explain.…

Concert Announcement: RPO Summer Season, including "Glee"'s Matthew Morrison

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:51:00 -0400

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra announced its summer 2013 season this afternoon. The schedule includes a 1920's themed 90th anniversary concert, regional concerts in Inlet and Geneseo, and will be headlined by a Pops performance featuring Broadway star Matthew Morrison, best known for his leading role on the TV musical drama "Glee."

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Concert Review: City Newspaper's 2013 Best Busker Contest

Frank DeBlase — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:02:00 -0400

What a splendiferous day it was for City Newspaper's annual Best Busker Contest in Rochester's East End. Competition for those precious little guitar picks was heated, as artists of varying degrees of talent and style whipped it out like there was no doubt.…

Concert Review: AFR, Raining Blood at Montage

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:11:00 -0400

Dreams don't come true. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you want it to happen, make it a goal and just do it.…

Concert Review: Hatebreed, Slide Brothers, Record Store Day

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:19:00 -0400

Digging deep into its catalog, and adding generous doses from its new "Divinity of Purpose" album, Connecticut hardcore harbinger Hatebreed pummeled the heavy crowd at Water Street Music Hall Thursday night. The twin guitars were l-l-l-loud yet discernible as they lead the rhythm-driven onslaught.…

Concert Review: RPO performs "Beethoven 'Eroica'"

Paloma Capanna — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:41:00 -0400

Before the concert started Thursday night, I heard a woman say to the man next to her, "If you don't want to stay, we don't have to. It's not like you haven't heard 'Eroica' before."

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Concert Review: Ruff Alley Rounders, Ryan Montbleau Band, Lowkey

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:53:00 -0400

Though the answer sounded rather obvious, it had never dawned on me before upstanding, upright bassist Brian Williams spelled it out.

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Concert Review: Jessye Norman, Garth Fagan Dance at Kodak Hall

Paloma Capanna — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:03:00 -0400

There was something regal about Jessye Norman during Sunday night's concert at Kodak Hall. A certain calm, unhurried presence that gave her performance the exquisite touch that only a mature and self-confident artist can bring to her audience.…

Concert Review: Deerhoof, People Get Ready, The Demos at Water Street

David Yockel, Jr. — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:51:00 -0400

The members of Deerhoof have said that they are never sure what kind of music they will create next. Since the band's formation in 1994, it has kept fans and critics guessing, too.…

Concert Review: Meat Puppets, Heavenly Chillbillies, This Life, Bogs Visionary Orchestra

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:23:00 -0400

In an attempt to see Methanol's extension project, The Atomic Swamis, I stumbled upon Buffalo bar-room heavyweights The Heavenly Chillbillies instead. I landed at Sticky Lips Juke Joint on Friday as the band was plowing through Dave Alvin's tribute to Hank I in "Long White Cadillac."…

Concert Review: Green Day at Blue Cross Arena

Frank DeBlase — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:39:00 -0400

It was a two-hour rock 'n' roll slugfest Monday night as Green Day came out swinging to a frenzied and frozen crowd at the Blue Cross arena. Some kids wrapped in blankets had camped out overnight and looked like frostbitten refugees as they stumbled about.…

Concert Review: Greener Grass Band, Bordertown, Extended Family

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:58:00 -0400

You can always tell when Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad is off the road, because there are multiple Dan Keller sightings as the GPGDS guitarist sits in with various bands around town. On Friday night I caught the cat tickling the ivories beneath a porkpie hat with the Greener Grass Bandat the Firehouse Saloon.…

Concert Review: RPO's "Romantic Dvorak"

Paloma Capanna — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:52:00 -0400

While I'm generally not one to subscribe to the applause-o-meter of an audience, Thursday night's Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert started with a quieter-than-usual opening clap level and escalated with each performance into a rousing standing ovation by the concert's conclusion. Guest conductor Andreas Delfs and the RPO certainly woke up the audience with rousing and colorful performances of Smetana, Persichetti, and Dvořak.…

Concert Review: Samantha Fish at the Dino

Frank DeBlase — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:10:00 -0400

Only her hairdresser knows for sure, but last time I saw Kansas City blues guitarist Samantha Fish at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Big Tent, she was a blonde, and part of the Girls With Guitars three-woman ensemble. Wednesday night we all saw red... redhead, that is, as a now-auburn-tressed Fish was the only skirt on Dinosaur stage.…

Concert Update: Jazz Fest adds Peter Frampton and Robert Cray

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:24:00 -0400

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival today announced another headliner for its 2013 edition. Guitar Circus featuring Peter Frampton and Robert Cray will take place Friday, June 28, at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Gibbs Street.…

Concert Review: Fox Sisters, 5Head, Minds Wide Open

Frank DeBlase — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:57:00 -0400

Out of the oblivion of Memphis low-fi rockers' The Oblivions emerged The Reigning Sound, a raw and low-down outfit full of Muscle Shoals muscle and stacks of Stax. The band rocked unpretentiously and unparalleled.…

SXSW 2013: Day 5: Wild musicians used revive

Willie Clark — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 15:24:00 -0400

In what both feels like a week that has flown by, but also managed to squeeze every last drop out of and packed a mini-lifetime into each day, I've reached the end of my first SXSW. It was a blast, and I already know I want to return next year, hopefully a little wiser (pack less clothes, bring spoons, and stay downtown close to the convention center).…

SXSW 2013: Day 4: Game Boys, cellos, and ancient cities

Willie Clark — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:50:00 -0400

First up for Friday at South by Southwest was Buffalo's own Lemuria (Upstate New York, represent!). I feel like I've been trying for years to get into this band, mostly because I really really dig its name (It was in "Golden Sun!") and yet I've never quite been able to make the jump.…

SXSW 2013: Day 3: Wolves playing violins

Willie Clark — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:29:00 -0400

Looking at my schedule Thursday morning, I knew I had a few panels to hit, but thought that my music schedule would be a little lighter. But as the great Dr. Ian Malcom once said, life -- or music -- tends to find a way.…

Concert Review: The Old 97's at the Tralf

Frank DeBlase — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:27:00 -0400

The Old 97's put on a killer show last night at the Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo Wednesday night. Over its long career -- 20 years in the saddle -- this band has maintained a casual elegance amidst its beautiful songs.…

SXSW 2013: Day 2: Tenacious D, Ghost Ghirls, Piñata Protest

Willie Clark — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:20:00 -0400

Wednesday at South by Southwest, for all intents and purposes, was all about the D.

After a late start to the morning, some brunch at a food-truck gathering, and a refresher nap at the convention center, it was time to cross off my bucket list a band I've been waiting what seems like eons to see: the mighty Tenacious D.

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SXSW 2013: Day 1: Four Girls, Two Fiddles

Willie Clark — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:33:00 -0400

After battling back from imminent digestive death (my food challenge days are behind me, apparently) I rallied to the first actual day of SXSW. The morning consisted of randomly running into a few smalls groups and stumbling upon a steam-punk bar (Metal and Lace...who knew?), before stopping in to see Deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin host a panel on the crossroads of music and technology.…