Gary Allan’s last record, 2013’s “Set You Free,” debuted at number one on two Billboard charts. The California-born honky tonker struck a gold certification with his first release “Used Heart for Sale” in 1996, and simply owned the aughts with four other gold and platinum records. His versatile tunes can tug at your heartstrings, lift […]
Roman Divezur
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Album review: ‘Absense’
Absense ‘Absense’ Self-released absenserock.bandcamp.com Absense’s eponymous debut EP brings to mind the perils of youth, confronting the listener with the uncertainty of a young person’s place in the world. The lyrics deal with heavy issues that give the songs moments of occasional discomfort. Lead vocalist and guitarist Tristan Harvey and drummer Kyle Hunter co-wrote the […]
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ROCK | Flogging Molly
You can’t shut Flogging Molly down. The Celtic punk act has been a touring mainstay since emerging from Molly Malone’s Pub in Los Angeles more than 20 years ago. Now selling out arenas instead of bars, Flogging Molly consistently pours its heart out onstage. The septet includes the authentic voice of Dublin-born frontman Dave King, […]
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WORLD | Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Established in the early 1960’s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo draws from Isicathamiya, a choral singing style developed in the mines of South Africa, where migrant workers used the songs as an expression of their struggles. Ladysmith Black Mambazo launched onto the international scene in 1986 with the release of Paul Simon’s landmark album, “Graceland.” Since then, […]
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Album review: ‘Old Fame’
Old Fame ‘Old Fame’ Self-released oldfame.bandcamp.com Has a Rochester band ever come up with a better post-rock opener than “No Pain”? For the first two minutes, the first track from Old Fame’s self-titled debut EP launches guitar, bass and drums into a trance-like, mid-tempo stride. Then, in the final two minutes, the song pushes to […]
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ALTERNATIVE ROCK | Guster
Ever since Guster released “Lost and Gone Forever” two decades ago, there’s been a bond between the band and local fans. Guster has made Rochester a regular tour stop and in turn, Flower City Gusterrhoids have flocked to the band’s shows. I’ve seen this band perform more than any other, so expect catchy songs that […]
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Interview: Charles Emanuel
Charles Emanuel has a knack for smooth melodies. He draws from coffeehouse genres, often writing introspective ear-pleasers that are pretty much impossible to dislike.
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Fresh Cut: ‘Cherry on Top’ by No Glitter
With the song “Cherry on Top,” No Glitter’s Billy Martin has created a full-bodied, 90’s-influenced rocker that celebrates reconnecting with old friends.
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Interview: Ministry
Al Jourgensen, the 60-year-old frontman and founder of Ministry, will always be remembered as a prolific trailblazer of the industrial metal genre that helped
wake up America’s dozing alternative rock audience.
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Interview: ‘Little Steven’ Van Zandt
At each stop of “Little Steven” Van Zandt’s current tour, teachers get in free and can register for a free, pre-show TeachRock workshop. Before heading out for the Soulfire Teacher Solidarity Tour, Van Zandt spoke over the phone about his many projects and his connection to Rochester rock music.
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Fresh Cut: ‘Pedaling’ by The Able Bodies
The new video from The Able Bodies’ “Pedaling” casts the synth-pop duo as fitness enthusiasts, and the track spins toward pure bliss.
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ROCK | Martin Barre Band
The flute wasn’t the only instrument fueling legendary English rock band Jethro Tull. Guitarist Martin Barre was behind the riffs for more than four decades before the group broke up in 2014. Barre’s playing style is rooted in blues, but includes an amalgam of other genres. Fittingly, his guitar technique on the most iconic of […]
