Eddie Ade Knowles Jason Keller Son of a Gun Sean Rowe

Home , Day of Fire, Like a Storm, Ray Phillips (musician), Stack It Up, Title Fight

MusicMusic Art Art Culture Culture Rejoice Reunite December 2019 Volume 1, Issue 11 February 2020 Vol. 2, Issue 2.

Eddie Ade Knowles Drummer,Son ofeducator, a Gun revolutionary... Eddie Ade 18 KnowlesWith a newreminds self-titled us where album, we came rock from.and roll three- piece Son of a Gun sets their sights on the 518. 18The SceneJason once had Keller a call-sign, and Peggy Apple picks up the mic for us. 18 SeanHis voice Rowe fillsPeggy the airwaves Apple from WEQX, now we 22 welcome Jason Keller to fill some column inches. From foraging through the forest to hunting for the 22OPrhythm Callaghan for his latest song, Sean Rowe is adept.. Music is the pulse of the people. OP Callaghan 22 gives that pulse... and sometimes takes it.

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February 2020 Page 3 Music Art Culture Revolution Sidekicked Article

Sean Rowe Understanding that no one is an island, Sean Rowe ﬁ notes that bring us to thends campﬁre.

Page 22

Photo provided. Sidekicked can be found online. This time the heroes have been sidekicked in Son of a Gun an exciting comic by Russel Brettholtz. In the greatest tradition of By Rob Smittix three piece bands, Son of a Gun delivers high noon to all comers. s kids we spent every RRX: In your own words can or Jolt being denied a loan from Page 18 penny we had on can- you explain Side-Kicked to those the Flying Fox, the millionaire su- Ady, sugary sodas and of who haven’t read it yet? per-hero he works with, or Frost- course on comic books. In fact, I Russ: In the comic book Side- bite being told by the editor in still have a collection that takes Kicked, super hero sidekicks get chief of the newspaper he works up way too much space, accord- sick and tired of being disrespect- for that the public doesn’t care Observations and Ramblings ...... 35 ing to my wife. I was thinking it ed by the heroes that they work about stories about the sidekicks. would be nice to add just a few for so they go on strike. The story Disrespected by the super Xperience Fiction....38 more comics to the stack but centers around Phantasm, side- heroes, ignored by the media, this time from local comic book kick to Chicago’s greatest super and taken for granted by society, writer Russell Brettholtz and his hero, Mr. Marvelous, and his four Phantasm and his friends call a series entitled Side-Kicked. I also friends: Mustang, Jolt, Frostbite meeting of all of Chicago’s side- thought it would be cool to talk and Atlas. kicks and decide to go on strike. with Russ and get some insight Each of them has a reason to They will no longer assist the on what it takes to put together go on strike. Whether it’s Phan- city’s heroes. And when the vil- comics and release them. tasm being told he’s replaceable, lains realize what’s going on, they Page 4 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

Continued from Page 3. keep the paperwork organized paralegals working for lawyers. penciler who draws the comic in and to update both the physical The secretaries working for high pencil. The first issue of Side- exploit the opportunity to reign and computer files. But I quickly powered executives. And of Kicked was drawn by Miguel havoc down upon Chicago. found that the bulk of my job was course, being a comic book fan, Mendonca (who now works for RRX: So your comics are fixing the financial planner’s mis- sidekicks working for super he- DC comics) and the next three is- about the sidekicks who don’t takes. And I was good at my job. roes. I wanted to tell a story about sues by Bong Dazo. Those pages get credit where it is due, so they My goal was to eventually become the arrogance of power. And were then sent to the inker, Glau- ultimately prove that they them- a financial planner myself. But Side-Kicked was born. ber Matos, who uses an ink brush selves are the heroes and that when I approached my boss to RRX: Your final product is to go over the penciled lines to they are necessary to the city’s try and work out a way in which very impressive. You are the writ- add shading and depth to the safety. I used to be a sidekick on a I could work for him while also er but you’ve assembled a great page. talk radio show, so in that aspect pursuing the classes necessary team. Explain to us the process The pages then went to the I can somewhat relate; you know to become a financial planner, he of putting a comic book together colorist, Colin Moore, who adds I crack the jokes he gets the cred- fired me. and what everyone on your crew all of the color to the pages, and it. What was it that convinced As a comic book fan for most does to make it come together. finally the pages go to the letter- you to write a comic in which the of my life and a dabbler in cre- Russ: As the writer of Side- er, HdE, who adds all of the di- sidekicks are the focal point? Is ative writing, I knew there was Kicked, my first responsibility alog balloons and sound effects. there some part of your life that a story to tell from my experi- was writing the script. Comic When the artwork is complete the was an underlying influence for ence. I could not be the only per- book scripts break down what is pages are then sent to a printer this story? son to work so hard for someone shown in every panel on every who prints and binds the finished Russ: One of my previous only to be so completely disre- page along with any dialogue or comic book. jobs was as the assistant to a fi- spected. I thought about all the sound effects that need to ap- RRX: If I’m not mistaken you nancial planner. My job was to nurses working for doctors. The pear. The script is then sent to the used Kickstarter crowd funding February 2020 Page 5 Music Art Culture Revolution to help with the funding for this over $10,000 to finish issues two has recently sold out of its third project. Did this prove to be an through four. printing. effective approach or have you All of that money went to pay- I recently finished production perience used other methods as well? ing the art team, printing physi- on the fifth issue of the series, Russ: Side-Kicked wouldn’t cal copies of the books, and ship- with the sixth issue currently be- Monthly exist without Kickstarter. Com- ping those books to the people ing drawn and another three is- ic books are expensive to make. who supported the Kickstarter sues already scripted. Issues five The artwork can easily cost be- campaign. through nine of the series pick Art Fredette Publisher tween four and five thousand dol- It wasn’t until I started attend- up the Side-Kicked story short- lars per issue. I actually had to ing comic book conventions and ly after the ending of the fourth Liam Sweeny sell a large portion of my person- selling my comics there that I issue, and tell the story of what Editor-In-Chief al comic book collection in order was able to make some money for happens when aliens invade Chi- Creative Director to raise the money needed to even myself (which of course just went cago. Unfortunately for Chicago, Kit Haynes start the artwork for Side-Kicked. into a war chest for my next com- the new relationships between Associate Editor Once I had four finished pag- ic book project). the sidekicks and the heroes as a es and the cover, I felt confident RRX: What’s next for result of the strike have left the Dick Beach setting up a Kickstarter page to Side-Kicked? city with defenders who may not Staff Geek try and crowd fund the rest of Russ: The first four issues of be ready to deal with a conflict of the money needed to finish the Side-Kicked were collected in a that magnitude. comic. I ran two Kickstarter trade paperback and published A Kickstarter campaign for the campaigns, the first raising about and distributed by Darby Pop fifth issue was funded success- Contributors $7,500 for the first issue, and the Publishing. This collected edi- fully in June, and I am planning Rob Smittix second campaign raising a little tion tells a complete story and another campaign for the sixth issue later this year. Josh Reedy Photo provided. RRX: Where can people find Amy Modesti you online? Where can folks ob- tain copies of your comics? Stephanie Bartik Russ: I can be found online Fred Aseel at CatAtomicStudios.com, facebook.com/sidekickedcomics, Sassy Auburn twitter.com/SideKickedComix, Jeff Spauling or by e-mail at sidekickscomics@ gmail.com. My comic books can George Glass be found online on Amazon.com, Darbypop.com or on ComiXology. Contact 35D Saratoga Avenue, Waterford, NY 12188 (518) 326-1673

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Russell Brettholtz draws from his life experience of fixing mistakes in his work with sidekicks. Page 6 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Something Old, Something New Photo provided. The release of a Budgie tribute album has us wondering what could have been.

By Neoptolemus

ust got my copy of the JBandolier Kings’ Welcome to the Zoom Club (A Tribute to Budgie) (Grooveyard Records, 2019), and boy… The Ban- it’s a good one. Yes, it’s a tribute doliers have brought Budgie album, but I could lie and tell you out of the cage. it’s all new material, and most easily of you wouldn’t know the truth. cancelled. The only place in be consid- Budgie is the greatest metal band the USA where Budgie took hold ered the “Midwife of you’ve never heard of. They never The original was San Antonio, Texas, after two Metal.” Bain produced the first achieved the commercial success Budgie – consisting of guitar- local DJs continuously played three Sabbath albums…and the of Black Sabbath, but their songs ist Bourge, singer/bassist Burke Budgie’s songs on the radio. first two Budgie ones (he also absolutely rock. The riffs are just Shelley, and three different This Budgie tribute album is produced the first Judas Priest as heavy as Sabbath’s, and gui- drummers, including the third the labor of love of Janne Stark album). Much of the early record- tarist Tony Bourge is one of the and last drummer, Steve Wil- – a Swedish guitarist who first ing for these bands was done at greatest free soloists to ever pick liams – recorded seven albums heard them in 1975 on the ra- Rockfield Studios in Wales – just up an electric guitar. Co-founders over the span of the 1970s. The dio. He scrambled to record that a stone’s throw from Budgie’s of heavy metal, this Welsh power reason you have probably never song on a cassette player so as base in Cardiff. Rockfield is also trio went in the opposite direc- heard of them is because their la- not to lose it; shortly afterward, the place where the last real full tion of Sabbath, choosing more bel, MCA, decided not to release he recorded another Budgie song reunion attempt by Sabbath be- of a party vibe for their music in- their third album (and one of on his first ever demo. Stark – a gan and ended: Bill Ward had a stead of nuclear war, drugs, and their best), Never Turn Your Back founding guitarist of the Swedish heart attack there while the Sabs demonology. on a Friend, in the United States. metal band, Overdrive – never were in the midst of recording a The common thread between And a planned early tour of the lost his love for Budgie’s music, new album that was to include Budgie and Black Sabbath is pro- US that might have launched and now has led the effort to pro- “Selling My Soul” and “Psycho ducer Rodger Bain, who could them to success had to be duce this tribute album by the Man.” The reunion was aborted. February 2020 Page 7 Music Art Culture Revolution

Bandolier Kings. The band was eleven more (some of which are actually assembled specifical- medleys) – performed by vibrant, ly for this tribute, and features contemporary artists. All of them a core of fine rock musicians – are the same Budgie songs, but including singer Tony Spinner, these versions sparkle and pop, drummer Peter Hermansson, compared to the originals, be- and guitarist/bassist Stark – and cause of an infusion of new ener- a bevy of guest artists, most on gy. You can almost hear and feel guitar solos. There is even a track the love these musicians put into “Guts” (the first song on the first making their versions. And not Budgie album) with Budgie mem- only are they keeping Budgie’s bers Steve Williams on drums music alive, they are bringing and Tony Bourge on lead guitar. it to a new generation of metal- NYS Inspections, Computer Diagnostics, And both these original musi- heads – one that may not even Brakes/Tires, Steering, Suspension, Lube,Oil cians have still got it. be aware of the original band’s and Filter, Differential Services and MORE! The “Zoom Club” in the title existence. of the CD refers to a Budgie song It doesn’t matter if you have *********** by the same name...and to the ever heard of Budgie; give this CD music club in Frankfurt, Germa- a listen. And I think you will dis- A Mechanic You Can TRUST! ny, where Budgie played back in cover an entire repertoire of met- the early 1970s. While the Beatles al that will surprise, astonish – 122 Ontario Street Cohoes and Black Sabbath perfected their and hopefully, delight you. And if acts at the Star Club in Hamburg, you want to believe the Bandolier 5182378170 Budgie instead honed their craft Kings is the hottest new group in at the Zoom Club. It was a favor- metal – I think that would please ite of American GI’s on their way Bourge, Shelley and Williams BOOKING FALL SESSIONS NOW to Vietnam. “Zoom Club” also (and Ray Phillips, the first Budgie happens to be the Budgie song drummer) immensely. After all, that got me hooked on the band; they did these songs first…a long, I bought the purported Best of long time ago. Budgie CD (it’s not, by the way) and quickly got addicted to that track, putting it on a loop and wearing out my ears on it. And now, I have a modern, “fresh” version of that song – and February 2020 Page 7 Music Art Culture Revolution

February 2020 Page 9 Music Art Culture Revolution Marty Wendell Becomes Grammy Finalist for “Rock & Roll Days”

apital Region recording promoting his best known album, artist, Marty Wendell, re- “Live at Folsom Prison.” John- Cleased the album Rock & ny did a radio spot to help Mar- Roll Days in early 2019. In No- ty promote his first record, Hey vember it became a contender for Hey Mama and this conversation Best Americana Album in this appears as a bonus track on the year’s Grammy Awards and made Rock & Roll Days album. It is a it to the final vote. Marty has unique piece of music history as been an artist for 55 years and to Cash had only been a recording have his album recognized at this artist for thirteen years. Marty level of the music industry was a was a guest of Cash in 1996 when great honor. Though he did not he made his last performance at receive the nomination, he was SPAC. Marty has also shared the in the company of artists such stage with many other legendary as Bruce Springsteen and Cheryl artists during his career. More Crow who also had albums in the information and his tour schedule finals. can be found at: www.martywen- Wendell records for the Bos- dell.com ton based Simply 21 Records and has received numerous awards including being in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has continued to tour yearly bringing his con- certs to venues in the Capital Dis- trict area and beyond. In 1968 Marty Wendell has shared the he was an opening act for Johnny stage with Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and Cheryl Crow Cash on the tour when Cash was Photo provided. Page 10 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution And why THAT byline?

By Dick Beach mostly, out of media, went into make things work, you know, After all these years, it dawned IT and management, worked in keep us on the air (umm, inter- on me that what seems to be corporate America and led a gen- net). As a writer, it is hopeful I coming at me, is coming from me. he first interview Xperi- erally interesting life, keeping his bring a perspective, meet and My response was that I had ence Monthly published of hand in music, the arts and me- talk with interesting people, and earned the right to that name. I mine did not have a byline T dia in different forms. entertain you all. have given up more for that name (you know, that silly thing that Fast forward to a few years To this point, I’ve not an- than you can imagine. I cannot tells you who is responsible). It ago, when Art Fredette and I swered the question. And why run from it. So, I choose to own was with Tom Lopez, the fear- had lunch, talked radio, media, THAT byline.? While interview- my own shit. Don’t run. Don’t less leader and writer with ZBS the arts and our collective view ing my dear friend Benita Zahn, hide. Own it. Media. After a long delay, we will that there needed to be a bit of and if you have not read that yet, So. for Radioradiox and Xperi- begin broadcasting all the ZBS a shakeup. Something different check out the archives of Xperi- ence Monthly, I’m Dick Beach. radio dramas on RadioradioX, so that cares about the music, mu- ence magazine at Radioradiox. stay tuned. sicians, artists and all that goes com, she asked about why. Why Tom Lopez is responsible for with it outside the homogeneous not Jr.? Well, I am not a junior. one of my favorite sayings to live corporate world. For the re- But why? by. “What seems to be coming cord, corporate does not include My answer was pretty simple. at you, is coming from you.” It only the for profit mega groups. is difficult to realize at first, that Please, feel free to read between those words attributed to Jack the lines. Flanders are more real than one Well, Art gets this going. First would think. And, at last, I un- Radioradiox.com. Then Xperi- derstand (well, to a degree) and ence Monthly. And who knows choose to embrace it in many what next (well, we know, but we ways. ain’t tellin’). The back story. It is now 2020, and many For the first 30 or so years, things have come full circle. Jim- everyone in high school and ev- my Barrette is a dear old friend erywhere else knew me as Dick and it is a pleasure to be working Beach. Not to say this was all with him. Vito, while claiming to bad. Heck, I got a double off Billy have been dragged back in, loves Davis Jr. (of the 5th Dimension) local music in ways many cannot at a charity softball game. I was understand and this is the outlet afforded the opportunity to in- for that. Big Ed brings a unique Unique gift ideas for the terview Uncle Dan O’Connell for rock and roll perspective. an academic paper for the Gov- collector in your life. As for our Fearless Leader, Art ernment department in college. has always been a force of nature. Vintage Roys, vinyl records and CDs. There are, of course, other stories Or was that an un-natural force, I Nautical items, beer signs I cannot, or will not, tell, but you can’t remember. and man cave decor. get the idea. OK – back to me. Eventually, pressing the issue, As the official geek, I try to I became Richard. Richard got, February 2020 Page 11 Music Art Culture Revolution

Big Business Capabilities with a MDR Small Business PRINTING Character

7AM - 4PM Vegan Delicatessen 7AM - 12PM Student Discounts CLOSED Available Send Us YourDocuments [email protected] TROY ALBANY 4th & Ferry Street 227 Lark Street (518) 238-9005 91 Ontario Street, Cohoes, NY 12047 Page 12 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution A Little Something for the Road Ahead...

and then blossom out. Is that how At 1945 Speed and 1945 started out? Obviously ga- Custom, Jeremy Baye rage, but was the first commercial garage the one in Troy? More brings form and func- generally, what’s the origin story tion to the same of 1945? JB: I built my first real hot dance. rod in my parents one car garage at the house I grew in on Rt. 150 in Schodack, NY, from there I By Liam Sweeny moved to Pittsburgh to work at a street rod shop after I retired from my professional snowboard- rt doesn’t roost in being career. tween staff lines on RRX: We’re an art and cul- sheet music, nor can it A ture pub, not a car pub, so many fit squarely on a palette, or the thanks for doing this. What you tip of a pencil. Art is constantly do is so much into the artistic moving, constantly breaking the realm, I’d ask this; would you next barrier. In fact, so much of rather take and artist in and our lives are shaped by art as we teach them mechanics, or bring a drive down the street, we forget mechanic in and teach them art? that it’s even art. And sometimes; Or do you always look for people hell, all times, the very machine that are both out of the box? driving us down the street is JB: Nobody is both out of something so much greater than the box, it takes time and a lot gears and axles. It too is art. of paying attention to the small Jeremy Baye owns and op- stuff, building cars and do- erates 1945 Speed and Custom, Photo provided. ing what we do is so demand- which customizes and restores Automotive Design requires hundreds of hours, and a varied set ing because someone needs to hot rods and other cars. You of skills and talents. be an artist, designer, machin- don’t even need eyes to know the ist, engineer, fabricator, welder, creativity that goes into his, and people up with alignments, or or youtube channels of people and mechanic all in one. I think their, work. Just run your hand even installing after-market this doing it, the barrier to doing it it would be more of a challenge along one of their finished builds or that. Very few people do what well is attention to detail along to teach someone be an artist, is and feel the contours. Maybe ask you do, and even fewer in the with doing things that “fit” each that even something that can be first. area. It feels, to the uninitiated, particular part of the build pro- taught? You either have the eye or I sit down with Jeremy and we like it would be something every- cess. At the end of the day you are you don’t. I was kicked out of art discuss turning 787 into a drag one would want to do. What’s the building a car so while it needs to class in 7th grade because I was strip. barrier to doing it well? look great it also has to be safe. so bad at drawing. I still have a RRX: Customizing classic JB: I think it is something a RRX: I know that most busi- tough time with putting a pen to cars, hot rods, etc. – It’s not do- lot of people want to do, that’s the nesses start out small, home- paper but I can build a car that ing oil changes and hooking up reason you see so many TV shows based, or out of a (basic) garage, looks like its going 100mph while February 2020 Page 13 Music Art Culture Revolution standing still. Someone who is a sanding and prepping the body machinist is all about precision for whatever color we choose and an artist is more about what to make it smooth as glass so it is pleasing to the eye. Automo- looks like a mirror when you look tive design is something very into it. Then comes the wiring, special in my opinion because which is very involved, we try to its two things that very rarely go hide as much as possible which together. is very time consuming Then RRX: Obviously when people interior which can be finished see your work, the first thing they in a million different ways. I feel see is bodywork. And if they don’t it also needs to match the style 195 River Street, troy know any better, they might walk of the build. If the car has sharp away thinking that “my autobody square lines then the interior guy’s good, he could do that.” But should do the same etc. what you do is so much more. RRX: Cars and Caffeine. Once Can you take us through a wild a month, a little get together, sit project that tested all facets of around the shop with a few air- what you do, and then some? pots of medium roast and talk JB: That’s going to be tough shop… what I thought, but not because like I said before so much exactly what it was. It’s massive, goes into a project. First what are blocks upon blocks of River Street we building? I take a lot of time sectioned off. Cars of all shapes with my customers to figure out and sizes. Did it start small and what they want. Are we build- grow? Or did it launch strong to ing a car to go fast in the corners begin with? or a car to go fast in a straight JB: when I first opened I line? Dragsters and F1 cars look would do an annual party in July the way they do for a reason. It which would draw a couple hun- starts with a chassis “the frame, dred people. I was approached by suspension and brakes” If we are a buddy Charlie Darmanjian, who building a scratch built chassis was hosting a Cars and Coffee in it’s a ton of design and engineer- Clifton Park once a month in the OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! ing. Then the body, are we build- summer which was starting to get Daily Drink Specials ing a 1940’s period correct hot bigger. He asked about moving rod, usually a 1930’s era car built his event down to River St. So I Every Tues how it would have been done as got the permits and the insurance $2 Genesee Drafts a modified car in the 40’s” or are together and now we have over Sunday - Late Night Happy Hour we building a restomod. That’s 500 cars a month with thousands Mid to 2AM - 2 for 1 Domestics & Well usually something from the 60’s of people walking around held the with modern everything. last Sunday of the month 8am- Bucket Fridays With whatever we are build- noon from April- September. 5 for $15 Domestic Bottles, 5 for $18 Imported Bottles ing I try to do some tasteful body mods. I try not to change the cars Read the full article on the from looking much different at Xperience Blog at Radioradiox. first glance. I try to take what the com. factory did and make it better. Then bodywork and paint, we spend hundreds of hours block 29 - 124TH STREET, TROY Page 14 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

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For info and tickets, go to guthriebellproductions.com or facebook.com/guthriebell February 2020 Page 15 Music Art Culture Revolution The Winding Road of Music Kim Buckley’s story is an unlikely tale, a re- luctant hero saves days and rides off into the sunset... but now she’s back.

than ever. And she’s here to tell in the studio. I was beyond fortu- the tale. nate to work with Rob Beaulieu, I sit down with Kim and we Nick Landess, Allen Onderchain talk about super heroes that don’t and Rick Annen, who went by wear capes. the band name Soul Shock. We RRX: You came on the scene worked together for a little over like a storm, and then you took two years, recording and gigging off, only to come back again. It’s throughout the Northeast. Things a great story, and it’s one that were going so well that I took a gets told time and time again in two year leave of absence from the music scene. When you were my teaching position to focus on off-scene, did you plan on com- music. ing back, but couldn’t, or were During this time, I averaged you striking for a different road over 150 solo/band shows a year. altogether? Needless to say it was a blast but KB: The role of musician hap- certainly exhausting. After a two pened by accident. I was a young year absence from teaching, I de- teacher in the area and I had cided to go back to my teaching been spending my spare time in career. My focus then became my my 20’s learning chords on the family and continuing my edu- guitar. I was very happy with cation and completing my Mas- learning covers and playing those ters. My wife, Karen and I settled songs for my friends and family. together in Knox, NY and put our Photo provided. Eventually, I began to write my energy into raising our daugh- own songs and gained the confi- ter, Shea. I did continue to play Kim Buckley counts many Capital Region players as influences dence to accept invitations from local acoustic gigs here and there friends in the local music scene to to feed my soul, but nothing that us dreamers speechless. And if come join them and stand in with was near the scale of gigging as I By Liam Sweeny we’re lucky, we might be by the their bands for a set. had done in my20’s. door to that club, it’ll swing open The reaction from patrons and Fast forward 22 years, our ometimes someone comes and the sun will pour in and club owners was well received daughter is grown and life has along and blows the doors you’ll recognize the shadow. and offers to book gigs on my allowed me to spend more time off the local scene. It can’t Kim Buckley is that someone. S own were coming in, allowing me focusing once again on music and be predicted, only enjoyed, for She was one of the best when she to book a full schedule. Eventual- redefining what it means to “ME”. you know, sure as the Shure mic lit up the local music scene some ly, the natural progression was to Those early years of music were they’re clutching that the wind years ago. And then she went off begin the search for a band that will blow and carry them off to to conquer other parts of her life, could back me both on stage and the waking world, leaving all of only to be drawn back, better Continued on Page 16... Page 16 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

Continued from Page 15... invitations to play. It just was not music lovers, both for musicians listener (me) something that near the scale I did when I was and fans. What I find comfortable doesn’t just fade into the con- a whirlwind of playing as many diving into the music scene in my today are places that hold true to vention of a genre. I don’t always gigs as I could, traveling staying 20’s. However, with in the last supporting “local”. Venues that ask people their influences, but is up all night only to do it all again. five years or so I have increased focus on local food, music and there anyone local you have your It was a job!!!!! I played every- my bookings in the area and have providing locals a place to con- ear on? where and anywhere. Today, I spent more time writing. I nev- nect as a community. KB: As I had referenced ear- choose the gigs and establish- er expected with my “return” to RRX: Music is like anything, ly about local powerhouses that ments that feel right. ever have the level of local name it doesn’t occur in a vacuum. I we have lost, Caroline Ishacsen, RRX: Coming back to a scene recognition or to resume my imagine when you were play- was certainly an influence. Her after an absence is challenging. bookings at the level I did in my ing before your hiatus, it meant passion for music, her passion for You figure either no one remem- early career. However, it is always something even slightly different her friends and family are what bers you, or everyone does, and nice when locals do recall me than it means to play now. Are I most remember about her. She it’s like “Norm!” on Cheers; every- and even better when I win over there any insights you’ve picked was someone who supported me one expects you to stroll back to new fans. Today I focus on book- up by not playing for a while that from the beginning of my career the bar and claim your old stool. ings that tend to be music friend- are shaping what you do, or how in music. Mike McMann, who is So was that something you were ly and less of the venue where you go about playing, now? incredibly talented and is “liv- trying to do, to find the old place, I am background music. There KB: During my early years it ing the dream.” He is constantly or were you looking for a new were those places that were artist was hard to slow down. I was al- gigging throughout the Capital direction? friendly as I grew as a musician, ways chasing my next gig. Over District and the Northeast. His KB: I never felt like I total- Positively 4th Street, Ale House, the last few years, locally, we have passion for live performances and ly left the scene. I kept connec- Valentines….etc., that 100% sup- lost powerhouses of the local mu- support from his fans are proof of tions with local musicians and ported and provided a setting for sic scene. Many of whom I have his talents. Last, but not least is club owners and accepted their shared the stage with or have ad- Rob Beaulieu and his band Rais- mired by standing in the audi- inhead. He too, has impressed me ence as a fan. With their depar- with his longevity and creativ- ture from this world, it has been ity. He boosts impressive play- a reminder to me slow down, love ers in his band and his sound is purposefully and share my light, grabbing and holds on to you. I ENTERTAINMENT NOW ON EVERY SAT 5-8PM UBER EATS both personally and through my always feel blessed and beyond music. grateful when I am asked to join RRX: Your music is very him/band on stage. eclectic, and not in a disor- ganized, cluttered way that is Read the full article on the sometimes applied to that word. Xperience Blog at Radioradiox. It breaks bounds. It gives the com

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Page 18 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Son of a One, Two, Three, Four... By Liam Sweeny Son of a Gun’s self-titled album is out, the crowd has been primed, and the world is no longer safe for wholesome family values. good rock band can stand up to any band. And A there’s a reason. Rock is history; it is damn near archival. You can listen to a rock band and you have a long line of rock and roll to stack it up against. Avant Garde music is trying to distance itself from standards that it might be harder to tell if a band like that is good or just breaking ground. But rock? If it’s good, if it’s bad, you know it. Son of a Gun is a rock band, through and through. With Ben Sokol on guitar and vocals, Tyler Treacy on bass, and Rob Piccola on drums, the band sets the standard for a high energy, kick=ass good time. I sit down with the band and we discuss the hidden eleven notch on most amps. Photo provided. Son of a Gun released their album at an undisclosed location. RRX: We’ve interviewed a few power trios before, and it’s still amazing to me that a trio can parted ways with the drummer expanding our lineup a bit. But sound. Which gets me think- have such a full sound. And Son we had been playing with for there are no solid plans of that at ing that rock, as long as it’s been of a Gun is no exception. In fact, a summer and thats when Rob this time. around, never gets stale. Why do you all sound like you have more came into our lives. We played for Track 5 (“Where We Go From you think that is? than the standard four piece. Did a few months as a four piece, with Here”) of our debut album actual- BS: It’s authentic. You know you start out as a three piece, or the keyboard player also jumping ly includes a fourth player, Evan it when you hear it and it draws was it a good old distillation pro- in on guitar. The fourth member Gavry, who came in and laid from different styles and emo- cess? And would you ever consid- then departed sometime in late down the organ parts. tions we can relate to. er a fourth? 2018 before we had been playing RRX: I’ve gotten turned on TT: Can’t be stale if you keep TT: I first met Ben when I under the Son of a Gun name. We to all kinds of music writing out it fresh. We call it rock, but really took over bass duty in a previ- liked the sound and feel of being articles, and I usually buy the there’s something for everybody. ous band. After that group ran a trio so that’s where we decid- music. But in your case, I had There is some country/rockabilly its course, Ben, myself and the ed to stay, at least for now. If the it fresh off the press. Now, you influence in “Hope & Heartache” keyboard player went on to start right player comes along at the advertise rock and roll and you and some funk and blues be- a new group. Shortly after, we right time, we’re not opposed to deliver it. And it’s a refreshing hind “Get Down”. We get a little February 2020 Page 19 Music Art Culture Revolution heavier in a track like “Winds RP: The tracking was done did the mastering. We were for- a load-in area or a green room, of Change” and “Solitary” can pretty simply. We didn’t use a ton tunate to have Evan Gavry come or even a parking spot are very punch you right in the gut. of overdubs or even vocal dou- in and lay down organ on “Where much appreciated! RP: It doesn’t get stale be- bles. it can be tempting at times, We Go From Here” right before TT: We’ve played all differ- cause it’s sort of a rallying cry because we have so many tools at he moved out of the area. ent kinds of rooms so far. From for a way we’ve all felt at some our disposal, to make some pas- RRX: You guys put on a hell bar corners to Jupiter Hall, small point... like we want to have fun sages into these epic parts. But at of a live set, especially as a three- rock clubs, roadhouses in the and be heard and get a little ag- the end of the day we are a three piece. I caught you all at the Troy middle of basically nowhere. We gressive with it. Rock music is piece band and we want people Riverfest last year, and you put just played our album release the audio representation of that. to know the songs as we can play tons of energy out into the crowd. party in a DIY venue in a base- it speaks to everyone who has felt them live. We don’t want people And you play in all the hot spots ment. No matter the venue, we do that way. leaving a show feeling like “they around, doing the same thing. our best to bring some real en- RRX: You all recently put didn’t even play my favorite riff” What role do you think the venue ergy to the room and get people out a self titled album. I believe or something along those lines. plays in setting your energy? Or movin’. it’s your first formal LP, but cor- The album came out being a is it more the other way around? RRX: The march of merch is rect me if I’m wrong. I’d sing its pretty accurate representation of RP: The venue certainly has maybe the front lines of getting praises, but let’s save something what you can expect to hear live. a role but not a bigger role than your words out. The CDs, obvi- for the fans who haven’t heard it TT: We tracked everything at the performers. It’s on us to make ously, but the stickers, T-shirts, yet. Let’s just say I’m a fan. Were Sundog Sound studio in Voor- people want to move. Thankful- etc. – it’s the business as much there any special add-ins, or ‘Eas- heesville, sent the tracks over to ly we’ve had some success every- as playing is sometimes. Do you ter eggs’ in either the LP, or the Tim at the Recording Company where we’ve played so far. With think a band does it without the making of it? Give us some trivia. for mixing and Don Fury in Troy all that said, venues that have merch? And aside from that, is it fun to put merch together and manage it, or does the business part rob the fun a little? TT: I think merch is necessary for sure. Its name and brand recognition as well as an addi- tional income source. We don’t do crowd funding, so for us merch has been an important part of the business. I suppose you could do without, but you wouldn’t be doing yourself any favors. Putting merch together can be both fun and a pain in the ass at the same time. Between designing, shop- ping around for suppliers, keeping track of inventory, etc., it can rob the fun of it a little if you let it. Seeing someone wear a SOAG T shirt or keeping their beer cool in one of our Koozies is something that will always put a smile on our faces, haha. That right Photo provided. (l to r) Rob Piccola, Ben Sokol, Tyler Treacy Continued on Page 31... he word hero is embodiment of inspi- about my friend was overused these ration, example, and his smile. Some people Tdays and bandied perseverance, left this smile with their mouths, around for the simplest plane. His name was some with their eyes, reasons. People are la- Scott Dorrance, and he Scott smiled with his en- beled hero for the small- is my friend. tire being. And when he est things. A hero is I first met Scott at Pos- put on his instrument, someone who raises oth- itively Fourth Street (the the innate joy he pos- ers above themselves. basement incarnation) sessed became ecstasy. Not all heroes dive on as a member of The Sta- He was music. He was for family, friends, band he didn’t even know the knew how many people grenades. Not all heroes ziaks. Scott was relative- a gear wonk who could mates and if there was a word, quit. Perseverance considered him their hero do big things. ly healthy then, he had talk for hours about ev- benefit show for someone was his creed. And always and I am sure he would Some heroes lead quiet been battling diabetes erything guitar and if in need he was there. by his side, his best friend, brush it off with a simple lives and are simply he- his entire life, but the you mentioned Cheap Later, I was blessed to his partner, his childhood smile and say something roic by example. disease never defined Trick you might not share the stage with Scott sweetheart and later his like I’m just a regular guy. In January, my hero, him, his outlook did. get home before dawn. in the Lawn Sausages wife, Melanie. Look up Hardly! a man who was the The first think I noticed He was always there and Big Hungry and The true love in the dictionary Poptarts. During this time and you will find their Scott Dorrance you Scott suffered from var- picture. are a hero. You are my ious health issues, one Capes, spandex and Stan friend and I will miss you. more serious than the Lee don’t make heroes. Thank you. last, but the show must Fantastic exploits don’t go on and Scott did the always make one a hero. SCOTT same and always with that Sometimes the most he- Art Fredette smile. Scott’s determina- roic thing someone can tion and loyalty would not do is just be themselves. DORRANCE allow him to quit. Hell, I am not sure Scott ever Page 22 Photo provided. February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution The Notes of the Wild-Borne Aria In a world choking on sleek modernity, Sean Rowe gives us a passion for the pure and the wild. Sean Rowe. By Liam Sweeny Photo provided. and then went on in ear- n music, especially in mod- nest when you ern music, we make so much were a teenag- of that hot venue, or the even I er. I know, from hotter studio or practice room, my friends, most that we might skip over a whole don’t think of mu- other landscape where music en- sic until they’re tertains and guides us. If you’re teenagers, short of a musician, and you’ve ever gone taking an instru- camping, you’ve probably brought ment in school. Was an acoustic guitar to play by the that the case for you? fire. Because even though we go Or did you pursue it out there to get away from it all, outside of school so music still comes along, transcen- young? dent of ‘all.’ SR: Early on in my Sean Rowe’s music, aside from life I was less about the being amazing, is transcendent, mechanics of music than I and it is exactly the kind of mu- was with what it did to me. sic you’d want at hand when it’s As early as I can remem- you and the great wild and that ber, I would use music to wavy stick just got drafted to be put myself into a trance-like your tour guide. With nearly a state. In other words is was dozen albums, both studio and more of a private thing for me live, Sean lives as he plays, and he early on, not really communal. brings something simple and sub- I would lock myself in my bed- lime to your trail. room and be up on my top bunk I sit down with Sean and we rocking back and forth on my discuss me not eating drywall bed listening to 8-track cassettes mushrooms. of the Beach Boys, The Cars and RRX: You started out young whatever else my dad and older with music. You wrote a song be- brothers were into at the time. I fore hitting a double-digit age, could do that for hours a day, and February 2020 Page 23 Music Art Culture Revolution

I did. I didn’t really think of play- 30’s I got a taste of my dream and listening to it. That’s the key to and I’m lucky that it found the ing an instrument though until I spent 24 days alone in the woods good songwriting I think. It’s to people it did. was 12. with very little. I had to make my put yourself in someone else’s RRX: You raised almost for- RRX: You are a friend of the own shelter and find my own food shoes. Think about how to say ty-thousand in a Kickstarter a wilderness. You have studied how and water. I leaned what it was something that’s unique and uni- few years ago. That’s amazing. I to find things to eat in the wild, like to be very lonely and to have versal at the same time. haven’t used Kickstarter yet, but and that probably just one book- the weirdest “sleep” of my life . I RRX: You played on Jimmy every day I get closer and closer end on the training you’ve had. I wouldn’t wanna do that forever. Kimmel, and one of your songs to making it a part of one of my have a friend that does this, and We don’t live in a bubble. Indige- was on ‘The Accountant,’ with creative projects. Do you feel that, as I know him, I know that the nous people who naturally lived Ben Affleck. This is the dream because it’s crowdfunding, there’s passion for the wilderness isn’t off the land needed the help of of a lot of musicians, to find that extra pressure on making the fi- just practicality; there’s more. a whole community to survive. big thing happening to them, and nal product just perfect? What does it take to find a one- We’re no different. not everybody handles it well. SR: I think whether you put ness with the wild? RRX: I’m listening to ‘I’ll Fol- I’m guessing you didn’t lose your out a record on a label or with SR: One of the reasons I re- low Your Trail’ from your album head. But what does that ‘claim to Kickstarter there’s always some main a passionate forager is how New Lore. And there’s a very fame’ success feel like? kind of pressure in the end that it wakes me up. When you active- clean feeling to the music. I don’t SR: Well I have a relative- the project is worthwhile or was ly participate in nature as in, be- mean in a ‘safe for work’ sense, ly small degree of fame and I’m something that you could be come part of the process you find but in a sense that I can picture not sure there’s really enough of proud of. I like being pressured it impossible to be bored or to this being played on a radio in a it to go to my head. I’m sincere- to a certain degree. It helps my have an apathy for life. When you tent while the rain is bouncing off ly thankful to the universe that creativity. I wouldn’t wanna write go out into the woods or even in the leaves. Does your music fol- the song that put me through the a song at gun point but maybe a semi-suburban sorta-wild area, low your mind, or does your mind door was “To Leave Something light shock every time I go down and are able to correctly identify follow your music? Behind” and not a song from my a YouTube rabbit hole instead of and harvest wild plants and ani- SR: When I write a song I al- early past that I cringe about. I working my craft might help. mals from the landscape for food ways try to picture the person think that song stands on its own and medicine it not only gives you a deep sense of self-reliance but it Rowe feels a deeply personal connection with music, that is reflected in his work. puts you in touch with some kind of ancient part of our humanness. There’s no going back for me. RRX: Back to finding edible things in the woods. There are tons of people, sure you know them, who don’t care what happens to the world, because they’re just going to run off in the woods because they heard you can live off of this one thing. What’s the reality of thinking like this? Is it sustainable, both to people and natural resources? SR: That’s a fantasy that would work only in the heads of a teenage dreamer. I thought when I was a kid I was gonna abandon society and live in the woods. When was much older in my early Page 24 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

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Hours Mon - Sat 11am - 8pm (518) 235-2323 1 Niver Street, Cohoes, NY 12047 Page 26 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Promotion and Preserverence in 2020 Singer, guitar player, teacher, actor... Frank Palangi balances the pro- By Rob Smittix duction and marketing end of creativity, and it is its own art form.

ith around a half mil- RRX: Okay, so I am obviously Palangi has appeared, and recorded, with many national acts. lion of combined views impressed by your online pres- Photo Credit: Cameron Gallagher Won YouTube/Vevo ence, I also am equally impressed alone, I knew guitarist and singer by your musicianship. When did Frank Palangi was doing some- you begin playing guitar? When thing right. Hailing from Queens- did you start singing? bury this local talent is making a FP: At thirteen after seeing name for himself. Frank was kind the movie The Crow, I thought it enough to do a little Q&A for us was cool; a dead rocker coming and I hope he stays in touch after back to life. About a year and half his career takes off! later I started singing because RRX: First off, one of the my mom said “why don’t you sing obvious things about you that I too?” I was like my mom I cannot noticed right away was that for a sing and play same time. Little local musician you have a ton of did I know, I stuck with it and likes and a ton of views on both worked on it. social media and streaming sites. RRX: I see that you offer gui- In comparison to many other lo- tar lessons. That must be very cal acts you have excelled tre- rewarding. Besides the obvious mendously in this area. What is need for extra cash, what was it your secret? that made you decide to teach FP: I grew up just on the brink your craft? of YouTube and Myspace and FP: I was against it for a few started to understand back then years because I felt like maybe that you need to push online to it was a back seat to my career get noticed any way you can. I’ve moving forward but playing out, had help with being featured in selling merch and royalties only some national magazines, online can get you so far. I decided to radio play, endorsements, open- start to pass on what I know and ing for national acts, but that have experienced. It’s a two way only gets you so far. You have to street in teaching, you still learn a be persistent and most of all talk lot and keeps your playing fresh. with your fans one on one, that’s Some teachers out there only very important. Be creative and teach by the book and don’t tie in aware of marketing as well as “real world” experience and the what fits best with your music sound science part. I’m into prog- and brand. You have to do every- ress and progression and those thing you can just to get some at- strict ways aren’t geared toward tention in this business. the individual player but I do February 2020 Page 27 Music Art Culture Revolution respect that path if someone does process. I’ve been mostly a stand traditional study. As a kid taking in, extras, voice over and bit parts lessons, I never enjoyed that part in commercials for theatrical WWW.PARTIEVENTS.COM because it felt like school. I enjoy works like Taking Wood Stock, the recording and song writing The Place Beyond the Pines, end as well for the students that health care ads and a few oth- are moving in that direction. ers. I’ve done work for some indie RRX: I see that you are doing film makers on the music end. the national anthem at an up- One of the films won a Streamy coming Saints game at the TU, Award two years ago. I’d be fur- which must be such an honor. ther down the line and have more Any stand out accomplishments projects if I had the time. Fingers Weddings • Showers like this that you would care to still crossed! My music videos I share? consider to be my film works now, Corporate Functions FP: I love doing our anthem! making movies and few shorts I I’ve done it for the Adirondack do. Catering Thunder team twice, the DCU RRX: There clearly is no end Arena football team and the in sight for creativity. Any proj- Saints last year as well. I plan on ects, music or otherwise that you sending a kit to the Red Socks are working on at this time? to try that next. I’m open to any FP: Oh yes! 2020 will be sports that have that option. It’s a bring a brand new music video different experience than open- to VEVO entitled “Gone Mad” ing for a national act, it’s intense and an upcoming EP/CD called and there’s more pressure, that’s “Bring on the Fear.” New music why I do it on the guitar. Over coming on Apple Music, Amazon, the years I’ve been blessed with Google Play, Spotify, Pandora and opening for acts like 3 Doors more! I’ve got some local artists Down, Aaron Lewis, Trapt, Fuel, I’m recording and finishing up Candlebox, Winger, Starset and their projects, lessons and side some festivals that had Mega- film projects ahead as well. I may deth, Shinedown and Alice in not be playing out as much this Chains as headliners. Working year because my recording pro- in the studio with some of my fa- ductions and lessons are busier, vorite influences like Day of Fire, which is fine for me right now. A Pillar, Daughtry and Saving Abel little more time to promote and members. push the new projects. RRX: I see you are involved with film making and acting. Is Come check out Frank Palan- this just a side hobby or are you gi live on Feb 14th at Fire Rock in doing this professionally? Any Hudson Falls, March 28th at Ped- stand-out works of yours that are dler’s Bar & Bistro in Queensbury out there? or April 4th at Fort Orange Brew- FP: Mostly hobby for now, but ing in Albany. For more informa- it’s my first passion to be honest tion on live events and music visit and music took off first. I would www.frankpalangi.com $3 Off for be doing film professional also if I could. It’s so creative and love the Orders Over $20

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Advance tickets available at River Street Beat Shop. The Ale House and brownpapertickets.com 675 River Street, Troy, NY 12180 Page 30 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Southern Rock: Beatin’ the Odds The band had it’s eyes on not 15 and 25 times a year and have Time, Can’t You See, Don’t Ask By Stephanie Bartik only being a top local band, but built a solid local fan base that No Questions, Soulshine, Sim- also positioned itself for national continues to fill clubs every time ple Man, Sweet Home Alabama, act openers. The name Beatin the they play. Southbound. ot quite ‘country’, not full Odds was taken from a popular Their set list is built of great ‘rock’.- Southern Rock - Hatchet tune as well as some re- familiar and danceable southern Look for them at upcoming NWhat is it? spected area musicians who said rock tunes and our dance floor is shows: Southern rock has one foot it just couldn’t be done. often packed to the edges. 1/24/2020 at Frog Alley, 8 to firmly in the blues, the other in In 2011 the band was given a Here is a sample of their cur- 111 country music and it all comes chance to do an opening show for rent set list: 2/22/202 River Jam swap together in a unique style. There’s the local legendary, John Morse Set 1 meet at the Dome in Watervliet. Wet Willie, The Marshall Tuck- Band in Cohoes, (who has been 24 Hours, What’s Your Name, 2 to 6 er Band, Molly Hatchet and of vital in the success of so many lo- Heard It in a Love Song, Ram- 3/6/202 at Wicked in Clifton course The Allman Brothers cal performers) as a Molly Hatch- blin Man, Needle and Spoon, Park 8 to midnight Band. et tribute. This was their only Whiskey Rock and Roll, I think I 4/3/202 at Wicked in Clifton Southern rock rocks hard, but show as a Molly Hatchet tribute love You, Good Rockin’, Saturday Park 8 to midnight has a much more melodic rock and the founding members decid- Night Special, Flirtin, Free Born 4/10/2020 Jihn Morse birth- with the kind of well-crafted lyr- ed to do a full on Southern Rock Man, Down South Jukin’, 3 Steps, day bash more to come ics that you would expect from tribute. Horizontal Bop, Sharp Dressed 5/16/202 at Wicked in Clifton music that was born in country Beatin the Odds quickly be- Man, Statesboro Blues, CHeap Park on the patio. 3 to 7 roots. came a local favorite packing lo- Sunglasses, I Know a Little, Leg- 6/27/202 at Wicked in Clifton So, again? What is southern rock? cal clubs and was selected to open range, Beatin’ the Odds, Dreams, Park on the patio 3 to 7 To find a definitive answer, check for the Charlie Daniels Band at Whipping Post. 7/27/2020 at Wicked. Bike out Beatin the Odds: Albany, NY’s the Harley Rendezvous. It was an Set 2 Night at 5 PM “go to” Southern Rock band. honor and they still play the Vous Breeze, I’m Ready, Beer Plus many more to come. I recently caught Beatin the to this day. Drinkers Hell Raisers, Tush, Also, be sure to check out their Odds at Wicked at 1602 Route 9, Current Members are; Remedy, One Way Out , Boun- Facebook page which has some Clifton Park, NY. The place was Dan Fourtin (founding mem- ty Hunter, Can’t Get Enough, great info! packed with fans. The music was ber) – lead vocals Feeling All Right, Pride and Joy, Beatin The Odds FACEBOOK getting just about everyone on Jim Kelly (Founding Member) Just Ain’t Easy, Country Side of the dance floor, those not dancing – bass guitar, formerly of Full Life, Rocky Mountain Way, On were head and foot bobbing with House and Catch 5 the Hunt, Whiskey Man, Good huge smiles on their faces. This Ken Albright – guitar and vo- band knows what their fan base cals, Formerly of Ace High and likes, and poured everything out The Empty Hats for them. Mike Hughes – guitar and vo- So, why Beatin the Odds? cals, Formerly of Brother Tadpole The idea for Beatin the Odds, and St Louis Based Stantanta started in late 2010 by founder Mike Kane – keys and vocals, and front man Dan Fourtin. The Formerly of SodaU and South original concept was to be a Mol- Street ly Hatchet tribute band, and that OJ Barr – drums, Formerly of this would be unlike anything Valhalla and China White currently on the scene. They currently play between February 2020 Page 31 Music Art Culture Revolution Son of a Gun (Cont.) there makes it worth the effort. with that. Try it with bacon and RRX: Rock has this curious hot sauce. quality where is has evolved over Our debut album is out NOW! the years, but it always seems its available on ALL major mu- to come back to its roots. And sic platforms, including Napster every once and again, someone (yes thats still a thing). You can taps into the ultimate root of the stream it and buy a digital copy Custom Picture Framing blues. So it’s like a cycle of cre- from our website sonofagun- Original Art By Local Artists ative expansion and contraction. band.com. Or head down to the Does Son of a Gun push the enve- River Street Beat shop and pick Antique Prints & Maps lope, do you think, or try to keep up a physical copy of the CD. Of the rock tradition? course it will also be available at BS: We’re steeped in tradition. our merch table. Come say hello 201 Broadway, Troy, NY It’d important to keep it alive and after a show, we don’t bite! You (518) 272-6811 | www.clementart.com carry on the spirit of rock and can find our performance sched- roll. we have a deep appreciation ule on our website and social for this type of music and try to media. pay tribute to it while adding our own style.

RRX: This is where you an- 108360_4 swer the question we never asked. Tube amps or solid state? Pineap- ple on pizza? Enlighten, educate, emote – the floor is yours. BS: Tube amps and keep that pineapple away from my pizza! RP: Pineapple on pizza is the type of self-assured decision a tube amp man makes. TT: According to the internet, I’m an asshole because I don’t hate on pineapple pizza. I’m okay

Now

333 Broadway Troy Serving (Inside the Quackenbush Building) Breakfast (518) 712-9099 www.burritosquared.com Page 32 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution No Plans on Retiring Anytime Soon

By Josh Reedy

hen you hear the phrase “Senior Living,” Wyou may imagine a re- tirement home for the elderly. To the Albany music scene, however, Senior Living means crush- ing riffs and waves of distorted guitar. The band released their first EP titled 35mm in August of 2019 featuring three tracks that are available on Spotify and other services. The band is made up of Zac Geddies (vocals/guitar) and Jeremy Lopez (drums/vocals). Senior Living have toured across and beyond New York with a dark and heavy sound that would delight any fans of depressive punk/ shoegaze. The band spoke about Photo provided. their influences, touring and even Senior Living plays with amp-melting intensity a melted amp. RRX: Thanks for coming out From high school to high volume, Senior Living trades in skip days for to talk sick licks, and they’re coming to your prom uninvited. ZG: Thank you for having us. RRX: How did you two meet JL: And I really did not want That’s where I saw it. single off of their album Tired of and decide to make music? to go to that prom. But I did go to RRX: You guys are original- Tomorrow. ZG: Jeremy and I met back at it, and now I’m in a band. ly from Albany, do you have any RRX: What other bands influ- a high school prom. I was going RRX: Where did the band venue that you really like to play ence you in that way? with somebody and he was going name come from? frequently? JL: I’m a big Title Fight guy. with somebody and we met and ZG: Honestly I think It used ZG: Makeout Reef, in Clifton Title Fight was this post-hardcore he gave me an altoid. to be a joke between Jeremy and Park, just opened up; our friend band that came up with Tiger’s JL: Stinky breath. I about senior year of high school, runs that venue and it’s cool. Jaw and Balance and Compo- ZG: Apparently my breath it being about not caring about RRX: You guys have a sound sure and all those Wilkes Barre, smelled (laughs). And then like, school and things. very reminiscent of the band Pennslyvannia bands. Their inac- about a year down the road I was JL: I was on vacation in New Nothing, and you’ve covered tive now, sadly, right when I start looking for a drummer and I re- Hampshire and I saw a sign in them before? to get into them but I like them a membered that he played drums front of a nursing home, just ZG: Yeah the song “Verti- lot. Their sound really progresses so I hit him up on Instagram. Slid a flag that said “senior living.” go Flowers,” which I think was a through each record. I think our into his DMs. February 2020 Page 33 Music Art Culture Revolution last song “Heathers,” the guitar trying to figure out how to do has an effect that sounds a lot this thing, meanwhile there’s just like the guitar on “Hyper View,” a melted guitar amp sitting on which is their (Title Fight’s) sec- the counter at Guitar Center. But ond most recent record, where it’s yeah, that was the start of a beau- more shoegaze. tiful blossoming friendship with RRX: So who ends up doing Dominic and the rest of Scotchka. most of the songwriting? RRX: How do you guys typ- ZG: I’ll give you the rundown; ically describe your music to usually how it works is I write po- others? etry or spoken word and have this JL: Loud huge catalogue that I can turn ZG: Yeah, loud and sad I think into songs and I just fit whatever is what our Twitter bio used to be. poem to whatever instrumenta- But honestly just like, punk with tion I’ve been working on. And heavy shoegaze influences - prob- then a lot of my writing has to ably the easiest way to describe it. do with hearing something and RRX: Earlier we were talking picking out notes that would fit in about another band, Gleamer, you good places, I guess. But Jeremy know them right? is a big part, we always work on JL: Yeah so the lead singer stuff together all the time. Noth- of that band Gleamer, Corey, he ing would sound the same with- mixed our recent EP, 35mm, we out his input. just recorded it in our basement JL: Aw. and sent it over to him to mix and RRX: Also, something else, master and then he just sent it earlier you mentioned a little sto- back to us. So shout out to Corey. ry about a melted amp? I think RRX: I feel like there’s a bit of that’s worth telling again. a lack of actual shoegaze bands ZG: Ok so, we have this friend around Albany, do you wish it in another band called Scotch- had more of a scene or are you ka from around here - shout out guys happy to sort of be one of to Scotchka - his name is Domi- the few? nic. This happened back when we ZG: I’m kinda satisfied with knew he played in Scotchka but this monopoly we have out here we also knew he worked at guitar (laughs)- no no no, I mean, hon- center. So we had this old amp estly starting new bands up all that was completely busted and the time is a cool thing so if any- we decided to set it on fire. body is out there and has a cre- JL: And filmed it - ative image in mind definitely try ZG: Yeah we basically set it on to go through with it. Or hit us fire and it exploded, so we were up, we can play a show - at Den- like, “oh wouldn’t it be really fun- ny’s (laughs). ny if we tried to bring it to Dom- inic at Guitar Center and try to Read the full article on the trade it in or try to cash in on the Xperience blog on Radioradiox. warranty policy?” So we brought com. it there and he actually was there, he had the manager on the phone, Page 34 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

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mARTIN bOMBARD PAUL MURRAY 169 rEMSEN sTREET (518) 693-8536 (518) 698-9181 cOHOES, ny 12047 BARBER BARBER February 2020 Page 35 Music Art Culture Revolution Observations and Ramblings from a Cranky Old Guy

call “musical royalty” in the good KING OF ROCK AND ROLL- Christina Aquilera, Ariana By Jeff Spaulding old United States of America.” Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Alan Grande, Janet Jackson, Lady The only country in the world Freed, Bill Haley, Little Richard, Gaga, Avril Lavigne, Kylie Mi- we care about. Elvis Presley nogue, Brittany Spears, Dionne elcome, welcome to Complaints on that last sen- KING OF RAP-Kurtis Blow, Warwick another edition of “You tence can be sent to the manage- Eminem, Jay-Z PRINCESS OF HIP HOP & WBet Your Buckingham ment of this publication. KING OF GLAM ROCK-David SOUL-Ashanti Palace,” say the secret word and In the music world, there’s Bowie PRINCESS OF ROCK AND win a hundred shillings divided more than one “king” of some ti- KING OF SOUL-James ROLL-Lisa Marie Presley between you. tle or another, etc. Brown, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding Impressive, isn’t it? Are you as bored by the Royals There’s also, in some cases, KING OF ROCK AND Now, in no particular order, as I am? Between royal weddings, more than one person claiming SOUL-Solomon Burke music acts with some form of divorces, births, deaths, scandals that title (or given to them by KING OF ANTIPOP-Kurt Royalty in their name and controversies, to paraphrase adoring mutant fans, or corrupt Cobain BB/Freddie/Albert King Austin Powers, “Oh Behave!” managers looking for an addi- QUEEN OF FOLK-Joan Baez Queen I’m of the age when the whole tional quick buck). QUEEN OF Prince “Charles and Diana” thing was Some examples that I found AVANT-GUARDE-Bjork King Crimson on our radios and televisions (this can and will be continued QUEEN OF R & B-Ruth The Kingsmen for what seemed like the longest next issue) Brown, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys Queens of the Stone Age time. For the record, this is not MY QUEEN OF ART POP-Kate Queensryche Speaking for myself, didn’t list, rather that of quick check on Bush Nat King Cole care about the wedding, the the interwebs, so your research QUEEN OF SALSA-Celia Cruz Kings of Leon births, the divorce. may vary. QUEEN OF ADULT CON- The Royal Guardsmen It WAS absolutely horrible how By the way, you will notice TEMPORARY-Celine Dion The Kingston Trio she died. there are many OBVIOUS omis- QUEEN OF PERCUS- Ben E. King It gave my media an extremely sions (YES I KNOW THERE’S SION-Sheila E Duke Ellington bad name. NO “KING OF POP” OR “QUEEN QUEEN OF NEW AGE-Enya Screaming Lord Sutch Aside from that, yawn. OF SOUL” FOR THE MOMENT… QUEEN OF LATIN POP-Glo- Again, if you can think of oth- The Royals of England are THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A ria Estefan ers to include next issue, reach symbolic at best, especially in CLIFF HANGER) , in part cuz QUEEN OF HEAVY MET- out 2020. we wanna discuss this more next AL-Lita Ford Thanks for listening. There’s a reason we pulled issue, but also there’s so HUGE a PRINCE OF R & B-Chris Be hearing you! away from England. list so we just can’t include every Brown There’s Queen This or Prince title in one issue. PRINCE OF MOTOWN-Mar- That or Baron the Other. Ready? Just a few titles to look vin Gaye Actually, in order of title, at. PRINCE OF DARKNESS-Ozzy (if you’re taking notes) English KING OF COUNTRY-Roy Osbourne nobility starts with King, then Acuff, Garth Brooks, George PRINCE OF WAILS-Johnny Queen, Prince, Princess, Duke, Strait Ray Duchess, Marquess, Marchio- KING OF JAZZ-Louis PRINCE OF POP-Justin ness, Earl, Countess, Viscount, Armstrong Timberlake Viscountess, Baron, Baroness and KING OF SLACKERS-Beck PRINCESS OF R & B-Aaliyah, much more. KING OF CALYPSO-Harry Beyonce, Brandy I decided to look into what we Belafonte PRINCESS OF POP-Adele, Page 36 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Fighting Winter’s Bite on Your Nails it dries you out even more. easily. When nails are dry, they By Sassy Auburn This will show first on your are more vulnerable to breaking, skin and nails. We also tend to chipping, and splitting. Cuticles Sassy wash our hands more in the win- can crack and split as well, which inter is a bitch of a sea- ter to keep from getting sick. is very painful. son. Very few of us do Says Sassy Says: Hand sanitizers Sassy: How can we help a song and dance when W are easy to carry and helpful to strengthen our nails during the the temperatures start dropping friend Robyn, who is a self-em- fight off germs but can be super winter? into the teens, the inside heat is ployed nail specialist, to ask her drying. Always carry a small Robyn: The best thing you roaring, and the air is dry enough about nail basics and how we can hand cream when you are using can do is moisturize. There are to dehydrate a bowl of grapes into keep our hands happy, healthy a hand sanitizer. many good nail oils on the mar- raisins in a matter of a few hours. and stylish during this harsh Sassy: Does that effect our ket that will help both the nail Okay, so it may not be that bad, season: nails and cuticles as well? bed and the cuticles. It is also but it is pretty damn bad. We Sassy: Why do we have so Robyn: Yes, the dry air is very good to take an “polish start noticing how the weather many issues with our hands in causing you to lose you natural break” every few weeks. Polish affects us usually on our body be- the winter? moisture that normally keeps removers (acetone) can be very fore anything else. Our hair can Robyn: Winter causes dry- everything supple and healthy. drying. There are removers that get dry and frizzy. Sometimes our er air. In colder areas, where That is why nails break more are less harsh (like Mineral Fu- skin gets flaky. Our lips get in- you have the heat on inside, sion) without acetone. A good credibly chapped. Even our eyes glass or crystal emery board are feel like they have sand in them. less damaging to the nails too. It’s brutal. Sassy Says: There are things One thing that dries out that right in your home that can con- not only gets noticed by ourselves dition your nail beds and cuti- but also by others is our hands cles. Using a Q-tip, rub in co- and nails. It is during this time of conut oil, olive oil, or even a year that hands are exposed to so natural lip balm for a boost of many elements—cold, wind, dry moisture right before bed. Also, heat, incidental sunlight, snow, emery boards can hold onto rain, and so much more. We may harmful bacteria so throw them notice that our hands can get out every two weeks after using rough and even crack from be- them. coming so dry. Not to mention, Sassy: Does a manicure help when our hands get that dry, so or hurt your nails in the colder do our nails and cuticles. Finger- months? nails can split, chip, or even peel Robyn: It helps. It is a pro- when they aren’t getting enough tector for both the nails and moisture. And if you are going to nail. Think of the polish as shake hands with someone, that mini shields for you nails! Na- is one first impression you are ked nails have a tendency break going to be mad that you didn’t easier. make better. Sassy: What are the best So, what do we do? I hit up my things to have for a DIY home February 2020 Page 37 Music Art Culture Revolution manicure session? you more protections and options Robyn: I think simple care is for a jazzier look. Color Street all you need. I love a nice sug- nail strips, for instance, last lon- ar scrub to soften my hands and ger than most home manicures a cuticle oil to keep my cuticles and have so many style options! looking smooth. Sassy Says: A couple other Sassy Says: make your own “healthier” polish options are Dr. hand sugar scrub with 1/4c co- Remedy’s Enriched Nail Care & conut or olive oil, 2 tbsps brown Zoya. sugar and 2 tbsp used coffee Of course, no matter what sea- grounds. Mix and store in the son it is, you always want to take bathroom in a plastic storage care of your hands in between container. Can also be used in any hand pampering. Keep them the shower, just rinse with body exfoliated with a simple sugar wash when done. scrub once a week. Make sure you Sassy: What are the best ways treat your cuticles at least twice a to keep your nails strong in the week. Then keep a regular hand winter, but still look chic? cream with you--and use it— Robyn: A great way to pro- during the day. At night, apply a tect your nails without harsh more enriched cream. If you fol- chemicals are something called low these simple steps during the nail strips. I use Color Street winter, you will be sure to have nail strips. They are 100% polish soft, healthy hands as you wave nail strips that you can do your- hello to better weather. self in about 10 minutes. They go on dry so you don’t have the Robyn is a senior director in chemicals that can dry out your the nail industry and has been nails more, and you don’t have running her own business for to wait so long for wet polishes over a year. You can find her on to dry—especially in heated air. Instagram at @shesnailingit or at ANC and acrylic nails can dam- www.shesnailingit. age your own nails so bad in the winter. I wanted a healthier al- ternative to them. Although there are polishes that aren’t as drying as others,I think nail strips give

Look Sharp for the Holidays james magur Master Barber & Proprieter 205 River Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 328-6077 [email protected] www.troygroomingco.com Page 38 February 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution We Got to Sixth - Xperience Fiction was like you really didn’t have a for you and your roommates to my shoulders. She grabbed the By Liam Sweeny band, but a project. remember to put the seat seat up phone, punched in her passcode I checked my watch. “I’m buy- when you spray. Or learn what and handed it back. ing Suey a personal pan bag so bleach is.” “It’s an article.” he beat filled the room, she can get her ass over here right In between Tommy’s fills, “Yeah, no duh,” Suey said. “It’s which always happened after work.” the downstairs doorbell rang a rating of the best places for live Tonce Tommy hopped in the “Not the point,” Riki said. “It’s furiously. music in the country. A nation- cockpit of the eight-piece pearl not a personal smoke unless she “Guess who?” I said as I made al rating. And guess where we flake Gretch kit that his wife got can smoke it in her bathroom.” double-time down the stairs. No were?” him for Christmas and banished “How do you know?” clue why I did it; the door was al- “Oh, that stuff...” from their home when she real- “I asked,” she said. ways unlocked during practice. “We were number six! Alba- ized she’d bought him a mistress. I flicked my pick across my Suey was flushed and cradling ny - Schenectady - Troy, six. Just Practice was at five o’clock fretboard with just enough pres- her phone like a schoolgirl. She under Austin. And above LA and sharp, or whenever Suey finished sure on the strings to pull some even had her bass slung over her Chicago.” her personal, after-work smoke chickenscratch. shoulder like a bookbag. I was downplaying, but Suey and drove her ass there. She “Got a bathroom here...” “You ready?” I said. was really on that. And sixth was the bass player, and despite “You got a roadside attraction,” “You ready for this?” She wasn’t bad. all the jokes, you really couldn’t Niki said, “I think it would be held out her phone. I looked at “I bet if you show up on time, practice right without the bass - it easier for us to wait on her, that the black screen and shrugged we could help make it to fifth.”

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