Talk of the Tune

Jam cancelled

2009-11-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up. The Mohawk Vally Blues Jam scheduled for this evening at the Devereux has been canceled until further notice.

Montbleau, Haggis on horizon at EC

2009-11-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Just got a few tips about some fun stuff coming up at The Electric Company, 700 Varick St., Utica:

Feb. 6: Ryan Montbleau Band returns. If you have yet to check out this Electric Company favorite, you truly are missing some of the best music to hit our city. The band has a way of blending soul-infused folk, Americana, rhythm and blues, creating something you're pretty sure you've never heard, yet you'll still slip into a nostalgic stupor.

March 5: Enter the Haggis. If you missed these Celtic rockers when they performed at Saranac Thursday and the Great American Irish Festival this summer, you missed a band exploding with energy. The band blends elements of rock and pop with traditional Celtic fare, an art school eclecticism and a keen sense of arrangement. Sometimes they even dabble in roots and funk. They're all that and a bag o' pipes (er, bagpipes).

Visit The Electric Company's Web site or call 792-9271 for information.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means when commenting

2009-11-15T10:11:00.000-08:00

For the most part, people's comments on most of the blog entries are perfectly acceptable, but like everything we get a few that ruin it for the rest. These comments tend to be from people who use poor grammar and who post as "Anonymous." It's probably much easier to make mean-spirited, off-color and false remarks behind the face of anonymity.

That's not to say I'm not open to a good debate, but there certainly is a way to disagree with something without personally bashing someone or making disparaging remarks about them. Most of us were happy to leave junior high school behind, so let's not use this forum as a means to return.

I'm sorry to have to take up the time of those of you who graduated junior high school and post maturely and responsibly, but here's a reminder about appropriate commenting:

Pool Rules

1. Keep it clean.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Be honest and accurate.
4. No personal attacks. Don't bash anyone based on their race, creed, heritage, or orientation.
5. Don't say anything here you wouldn't say in front of your mother at the dinner table.
6. Use the 'Report Abuse' button when you spot a rule violation. (Don't report comments just because you disagree.)

B-Cide shows off a new side - on video

2009-11-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Local rapper B-Cide sent us this video - the first of his newest marketing initiative Btv. The beginning of the video features the photo shoot Fusion did with B-Cide for an article about the business of making music. Here's a glimpse of that February photo shoot.

A little something from back in the day

2009-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

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.

I love U

2009-10-14T12:00:00.001-07:00

Really well-done video on Utica Music and Arts Fest.

Enjoy.

Getting your stuff published

2009-10-14T07:03:00.001-07:00

Every so often, I think it's important to remind everyone about how to get information into Fusion and/or the Arts, Etc. column that runs each week on Wednesdays in the daily paper and on Thursdays in Fusion. Here are a few guidelines:

Send it to the right place: Send releases by e-mail to plusfusion@uticaod.com. Club listings have to be sent to clublist@uticaod.com (by 5 p.m. Monday before the Thursday publication date). If you're looking to place an ad, that's a completely separate department and one the newsroom has no interaction with. In fact, we see the ads that run in our newspaper the same time you do - when the newspaper is delivered.

Be on time: Submitting press releases at least two weeks ahead of publication date is best since I work about a week ahead for Fusion. Anything that comes in later than a week before most likely won't get in because of time and space constraints. (Fusion and Arts, Etc. items run on the weekend they are happening.)

Be accurate: If your press release isn't accurate or doesn't include the important information - what, when, where, cost, contact person - then we can't print it. And if you get a call from us asking for that information, get back to us right away, or we won't be able to print the information.

Send the right shot: We appreciate photos. However, only certain types reproduce well in print. Logos, shots of large groups and photos copied off a Web site don't fall into that category. Photos should be at least 300 dpi, 5 inches wide with no weird Photoshop effects. Basically, if they don't look professional, please don't bother sending them.

Know the publication: Fusion is an arts and entertainment publication. It's not a frat house bulletin board. So, bar drink specials and booty shake contests, for the most part, won't get into Fusion - unless there's something really special about them - like if Beyonce is going to be there.

Ask: If you're sending releases and they're not getting in, call or e-mail me at cbaber@uticaod.com or 792-5013. If your release is not getting in, either we're not getting them or Fusion isn't the place for your event. (If Fusion isn't the place, we send your release to our calendars, where a whole 'nother group of people put them together.)

Hope this helps!

Teen's confidence will fool you

2009-10-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

For this week's music column, I spoke with Emilee Smith, a 15-year-old with a passion for her music. It's hard to believe Smith has been performing for only three years. She will fool you with her confidence. Check out Thursday's Fusion for more about Smith.

In the meantime, here's a clip of her performing live:

Emilee Smith live @ THE BARGE

Em Jay Smith | MySpace Music Videos

Artistic crossing

2009-10-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

I love when Utica artists connect. Here's what happened when filmmakers at Mad Angel Films and musicians of The Bourbon Mothers came together to create a song/video for the film "StarCros'd." Enjoy!

KISS my M&Ms

2009-10-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Your chocolate just got a whole lot better.

M&Ms just announced the launch of the candy-coated chocolate candy will for a limited time have each of the members of KISS on the bite-sized morsels.

You can get the candy in four customized packages - each package has one of the band members' faces: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. You'll only be able to find them at Walmart. Cost: $6.

And you don't have to rock n roll all night and party every day to get your face on an M&M. Visit mymms.com, choose up to three of 25 M&Ms colors, upload your photo, add your personalized message and you can have your very own M&Ms.

Local stuff you want to hear

2009-10-01T09:18:00.001-07:00

Here's a little something I've been listening to lately - local musician Ryan Miller's newest CD "As the Crow Flies." It's the second solo CD for Miller, who is best known for his time in the folk-rock band The Reuben James and more recently in the modern rock band Modus.

For those of you familiar with Miller's older works, it's tended to weigh on the side of folk. But, in "As the Crow Flies" Miller offers something a little different - blues, alt-country and rock. I like it. I think it works. And, hey, it's free. Download the album at http://www.rmillermusic.com/ATCF.php.. You won't be disappointed. And if you are, well, you didn't have to pay for it, anyway.

Here's a little something from December 2008. Miller and J. Schnitt perform at The Devereux. The video's a little dark, but it's what you're going to hear that's important anyway.

Click here for the most recent story about Miller, The Bourbon Mothers and Modus.

3 Redneck Tenors cancel Stanley show

2009-09-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you who were planning on attending the Stanley Center of the Arts performance of the 3 Redneck Tenors, stop planning. The show has been canceled. More information to follow.

Skynyrd, Allman coming to Turning Stone

2009-09-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

This just in from Turning Stone:

Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in the Event Center. Ticket prices are $65 and $85/$100 for inner circle seating.Tickets go on sale Saturday, Oct.10.

Gregg Allman will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Showroom. Tickets start at $35 and go on sale Saturday, Sept. 26.

Despite hard times, polka band sees joy through music

2009-09-24T09:48:00.001-07:00

I want to send a little bit of love out to Fritz's Polka Band.

They're known as the only polka band sponsored by Jagermeister as well as the polka band to have performed at Woodstock. But things have been less than celebratory lately in this band's world. Band member Fred Scherz, Sr., and father to band leader Fritz Scherz has been battling cancer for the past few months. Fred recently was able to perform with the band after months away, prompting Fritz to send me this e-mail, which he gave me permission to share with you:

"My dad, Fred Scherz, Sr., jammed with us tonight on four tunes at the J.D. George Elementary School 'Back to School' event in Verona. My Dad has been bravely battling cancer and hadn't performed with us since July 25. It was so AWESOME having him play again with us. He played the last four tunes of the gig with us: 'Golden Star Polka,' 'Tribute,' Good Hearted Woman,' and 'Pay Me My Money Down.' When we played the 'Golden Star Polka,' I had tears in my eyes as it was so touching to look over at my Dad and see how happy he was, not to mention how great he sounded!!"

Fixin' for Nixon?

2009-09-24T08:08:00.001-07:00

A little something from those boys who call themselves Dashboard Nixon. Not only are they a super fun party band, but they're just all around good guys. Really.

Two legends hit Stanley stage

2009-09-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Looks like Saturday's performance by the Levon Helm Band, at the Stanley Center for the Arts, just got a whole lot better.

Steely Dan's Donald Fagen just joined the bill, according to Stanley officials. Fagen is best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and principal songwriter for the jazz-influenced rock band Steely Dan. His use of complex jazz harmonies, elaborate arrangements, and exacting attention to detail in the pop-rock genre have made Fagen legendary.

There are still tickets left for the 8 p.m. performance.

Keller takes on Moxy

2009-09-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this video of local musician John Keller doing a cover of Moxy Fruvous' "Pisco Bandito." You don't hear a cover of this every day.

Keller frequently performs locally and regionally, mostly in coffee shops, but he's best known for his quiet encouragement in collaborating with other musicians.

His most recent album, "Captive Audio," featured nine local musicians. You'll often find Keller performing at the Tramontane Cafe, 1105 Lincoln Ave., during its Sunday open mike night or monthly Songwriters' Circle, which Keller organizes.

The Phantom comes, goes, will be back again

2009-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are familiar with the "Phantom of the Opera" might recognize the name Franc D'Ambrosio. He was the longest-running "Phantom" of the Broadway production and performed the role more than 3,000 times. I was able to meet D'Ambrosio this week while he was in town choosing a "Christine" and "Raoul" to perform during his solo show at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Stanley Center for the Arts.

I spent some a little bit of time chatting with D'Ambrosio and then observed him while he auditioned the Christines and Raouls. About two dozen locals vied for the spot of Christine. About a half dozen shot for the spot as Raoul. While I wasn't able to stay for the entire auditioning process, I was lucky enough to hear the two chosen as the winners - Audra Cramer, of Sherrill, and Scott Rutledge. You might recognize Rutledge as a member of Classified. Each of these vocalists are bound to make our area proud during their moment as Christine and Raoul next weekend.

And if that isn't enough to get you to Sunday's show, you should know, D'Ambrosio is one of the nicest "celebrities" I've ever met (besides Alice Cooper, who seriously is the sweetest guy ever). He has a very natural air about him that makes you automatically like him - and the thing is, it's natural. You can tell he really is genuine in his interaction with you. (And if he's not, he's a super good actor.) Either way, you'll want to check out this Italian boy from the Bronx's show next weekend. He'll be performing music from the "Phantom of the Opera" and other much-loved Broadway shows.

Click here for tickets.

Fest creates musician, Utica bond

2009-09-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

While milling around Varick Street, I caught up with a few returning bands.

The Jay Wiley Band from Pittsburgh and IMI from Albany both played last year's fest and have subsequently returned to perform in Utica throughout the year. They both point to the music festival as a means for garnering a fan base in Utica.

"If we didn't play Utica Music Fest last year, we wouldn't have played Utica so many more times, and wouldn't know there were cool people who dig music in Utica," said IMI band member Justin Metz.

The festival has created gigs and fans for IMI and a bond with Utica, said member Johnny Smith.

"We were looking for Utica, we just didn't know where it was," Smith said. "The festival helped us find it."