A little something from back in the day

Some boys from the good ol' days will come together at 10 p.m. tonight at the Valleybrook, 8463 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford.

The veteran local rockers will include WOUR's Genesee Joe, Steve Bennett, Greg Dean and Bobby Moore.
These longtime musicians will play everything from blues to classic rock.

"We are anticipating some magic musical moments out of this line-up of longtime professional musicians," Genesee Joe said.

A big sound in a 'tiny' place

UTICA - The big and the tiny will come together Saturday for food and music.

Tiny's Bar and Grill, 1014 State St., will host big band Easy Money at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Everything's big in this band - from talent to sound, said band leader Steve Falvo. The band is made up of 16 musicians performing big band-era music by artists such as Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glenn Miller.

"This is definitely a bigger sound than people are used to," Falvo said in a previous interview of the four-section band and vocalist Sonny Dee.

Cover is $8. Call 732-9497 for information.

Snuggle up with Weezer

Ever thought that Weezer and Snuggies should hook up and make a Wuggie?

No, me either.But just because we didn't think of it doesn't mean it's not a fantastic idea.

That quirky 90s-alt-pop band Weezer has teamed up with that cozy sleeved blanket thing, made famous by infomercials. What you have is a Wuggie - or an incredibly clever marketing tool to get people to buy Weezer's new CD, "Ratitude," which comes free with the Wuggie ($30-$50).

Check out the band's infomercial. If it doesn't make you buy one, it will definitely make you laugh (or at least smile).

Battlin' the ivories

A couple years ago, I interviewed a young pianist named Michael Battle. At the time, he was recording and preparing to release a CD and had high hopes of finding a place in the acting and modeling world with his skilled piano-playing.

You might remember Battle as the handsome, young man behind the piano at Grimaldi's each Friday night. His seat behind that piano has been vacant as of late as the Utica native has moved out of the area in order to pursue his dreams.

He recently released that CD, so, if you've missed Battle behind the ivories at Grimaldi's, pick up "Chopin After Midnight" online at Barnes and Noble.

Click here to read past articles about Battle.

Boston, NY, Utica team-up for hip-hop video

Local DJ Tone Spliff recently got together with Boston artist Krumbsnatcha and White Plains artist Born Talent and made this song and video. Check it out. And when you're done, read the short Q & A I did with Tone.

TONE SPLIFF feat KRUMBSNATCHA "DO IT FOR YOU"/TONE SPLIFF feat BORN TALENT "RESPECT IS DUE" from CHANCLETAFILMS on Vimeo.

Question: Who are the artists featured? Are they local?
Answer: Krumbsnatcha is from the Springfield/Boston area. Born Talent is from White Plains/New York City.

Q: Where was the video filmed? Obviously, I see Utica spots, but was it filmed anywhere else?
A: First location was Springfield, Mass. to film Krumb's parts, then Utica to film mine, and then NYC for BornTalent.

Q: Who filmed the video?
A: The director is Pacool from chancletafilms.com from Spain. He is an amazing director and has his videos played on Mtv Europe. He's making some major moves, and I'm glad to have worked with him. I was just in the right place and right time. Shout out to Marvalous for linking me up with him.

Q: Musically speaking - how did the song come together?
A: The song is about the people, the supporters, the fans, and if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be making the type of music I do. I could have done a video glorifying flashy jewels, money and the finer things in life, but that's not me. That's the difference between rap artists and hip-hop artists, in my opinion. The song came together via the world wide web. Krumb loved the beat and ripped it in MA. Born Talent also loved the beat I had in mind for him, and knocked it out in White Plains.

Crash, burn not an option

Remember how the '80s had "We Are The World?" (And big hair and Aquanet?) Well, the '80s and its Aquanet likely led to this new millennium anthem: a remake of "Beds Are Burning" - a cry directed toward world leaders to reach a fair, binding and global deal at the UN Climate Change Summit in December. The video features well-known musicians such as Duran Duran, Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, Melanie Laurent, Marion Cotillard, Milla Jovovich, Fergie, Lilly Allen, Bob Geldof, Youssou N’Dour and Yannick Noah. Take a look and if you download the song you'll be part of a petition asking those leaders for a smart and just decision.

The BOMB wants fans to call them

The BOMB will use their local notoriety for good this weekend while they answer phones to collect donations for the United Way during a pledge drive from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday on WKTV.

The BOMB hopes their fans will show the same love they've shown them through the years by making a donation to the United Way, said the band's lead vocalist Mike Santalucia.

The band also will donate $1 for every person that attends it's Halloween Party and Costume Contest Saturday, Oct. 31, at McGill's.