Singer-songwriter and bassist Amy LaVere has been produced by The Replacements’ producer Jim Dickinson, has worked at Sun Studios in Memphis, and has broken my heart at least three times. Though at home rockin’ little sawdust-floor, beer-and-a-shot joints, LaVere’s talent has catapulted her into bigger venues like the Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits festivals. You’ve […]
Frank De Blase
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ROOTS ROCK | Watkins and the Rapiers
Led by the unyielding, dreadnought-wielding Scott Regan, the band Watkins and the Rapiers is a bunch of wisenheimers who, with understated elegance, don’t let the shenanigans and monkeyshines crowd the talent within. Rootsy to the max, it’s like John Prine on giggle juice. Watkins and the Rapiers play Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. at The […]
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Album review: ‘Brindamor’
Brindamor ‘Brindamor’ Self-released brindamor.bandcamp.com In the age of the EP and the MP3, it’s nice to hear a band offer a heaping helping of tracks like the Rochester neo-traditionalist group Brindamor does on its eponymous,10-track album. The first thing you stumble upon, amid the string-band strain, is that this ain’t a string-band record. But I […]
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Interview: SIRSY
The rock duo SIRSY has unparalleled tenacity and resolve, even when living life on the road, or staring down cancer and all the uncertainty that it brings. And when cancer reared its ugly head a second time, again SIRSY emerged victorious.
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The F Word: Rochester Music Hall of Fame
Every year, with the
announcement of the latest inductees into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame
comes a groan of disappointment from some local musicians and their fans. We’re
not simply talking sour grapes or envy here.
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The F Word: Rockin’ with the remnants
Classic
bands like Journey, Cheap Trick, The Stones, and The Who are missing original
members due to death, retirement or irreconcilable differences, but I can still
rock with the remnants.
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ROCK | Ocular Panther
With the sinister, all-knowing stealth the name alludes to, Rochester rockers Ocular Panther summon the ghost of Jeff Beck, and he ain’t even dead yet. On the scene for a few years now, Ocular Panther mixes up psychedelic-leaning rock with a hint at heavy stuff from the early 70’s. But it doesn’t hit you over […]
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FOLK ROCK | Big Blue House
Big Blue House paints countrified Americana with a smooth jazzy brush. But the trio’s hard to pin down when looking to what drives them. Is it Brian Burley’s no-nonsense voice and strident guitar? Is it Bob DeRosa’s thump-and-swing on the bass? Or is it Harvey Possemato’ beautiful electric guitar as it fills in the cracks […]
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Rochester Music Hall of Fame announces 2019 inductees
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2019 inductees.
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The F Word: Too much practice is bad for you
It’s good to know your instrument and your limitations therewith. But too much rehearsal is no bueno. In order to live and breathe, music has to be interpreted somewhat loosely and in the moment.
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Album review: ‘Dirty Anxious Low’
Jan the Actress ‘Dirty Anxious Low’ Self-released jantheactress.bandcamp.com Most bands build up the energy over the space of a few cuts. But not Jan the Actress, no. The band’s latest CD, “Dirty Anxious Low,” delivers that slash, crash and burn immediately. It’s there the minute you switch it on, and it doesn’t stop for nine […]
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Album review: ‘Go Digital!’
The Saplings ‘Go Digital!’ Master Hand Records thesaplingsmusic.bandcamp.com The Saplings’ beautifully odd album “Go Digital!” is definitely a mellow, clever, and cool collection that punches like a clown on the nod. The band exhibits a ton of varied personalities: electronic moods cleverly stirred into pop hooks, from Devo to emo. All 13 cuts are accessible […]
