Afro Brick?

Another awesome night of music hosted at 89 North Music Venue in Patchogue, NY. As the old proverb says build and they will come. And come they did 250+ strong came through the doors for a night of original music. And one of those bands were Afro Brick who slithered onstage and oozed an infectious blend of bluesy soulful rock an roll. Stirring a whirlwind of blistering jams and amplified greatness were Drew on guitar and vocals, Willy on bass and George on drums or as I read also known as Drumz, Houndog and Sticks. Might I add this bands was so much fun to watch as they were to listen to. You can check them out on their facebook page just type in afrobrick and be prepared to be infected.

Demon's Eye branding some old standards

 So as I surf the web for another show to catch I came across the name of a band called Demon's Eye. Now this conjures up all sorts of imagery in my head. I'm thinking another heavy metal band singing of knights and sorcery and things of that nature. So with that thought in my mind I research this band even further. I come to find that Charlie Grosso is playing guitar for this band. I recently learned of Charlie a couple of weeks ago when I caught him in another band called Sinner's Prayer. Behind the kit is Nick D'Alessandro from Awaken and Earth Eatz Dog and I'm sure many others. From my perspective Nick is the go to drummer on Long Island. And if you have ever seen him live you'll know why. Rounding out this trio is Leo Binelli on Vocals / Bass a force too be reckoned with in his own right.
 So that was all I needed to make my way to LuLu's Pub and catch this trio live. For starters I didn't get the heavy metal knights and sorcery I had envisioned. What I got was some ripping heavy blues with extended jams. These guys are well versed musicians and play well off each other. Opening their set with a killer rendition of Rufus Tomas / Walking the Dog some may be more familiar with the Aerosmith version.  Charlie explained to me that the idea behind their set was covering songs originating from black American blues artists that were subsequently redone by white classic rock artists.  And now Demon's Eye giving these songs life with their brand of hard rock/blues interpretation. The band likes to think of it as a presentation of standards for the next generation. Demon's Eye plays these songs with such heart and conviction you would have thought they wrote these songs themselves. Other highlight's of the night were Baby Please Don't Go, Just Got Paid and Bring It On Home.
 The audience cheered, danced and sang along to every song in the set. And a few audience members started shouting out requests. Hopefully the band took some notes so they can surprise the audience next time around with some of those tunes.
  So with other good night of live music under my belt. I'm happy too report the LI music scene is thriving with great talent. If your not part of the scene then get your ass off the couch and catch a show.
 I must thank Charlie for graciously giving me a CD before the show. It has many of the songs that they played tonight and I've been happily jamming it in my vehicle as I cruised around town today.

Spending the night with Jackknife Stiletto

First you gotta show respect. Too a band that defines their music by a term concocted by all the members combined. Jackknife Stiletto define their music as Vagcore? For those that are unaware that would be female driven music thats thinking inside the box. Visions of a smoke filled room with the smell of bourbon and debauchery fill my head.
 As the temperature dipped into the freezing 20's outside. Jackknife Stiletto were heating it up inside as they rocked the stage. Playing selections off their Beautiful Disaster CD and throwing in some covers for good measure.

  Fronting this female trio is Erica Bathory on Lead vocals/bass. There's something about that glare in her eyes and sarcastic wit. That leaves you yearning for more.

  Headbanging and bouncing across the stage is Annie Stoic on guitar and backing moans. Annie's weapon of choice is a Gibson SG Amazing that so much sex appeal  and talent could be squeezed into such a small package.  I'm guessing the stalker problem they are having. Could stem from some of Annie's compromising positions on stage.

  And if that were not enough you have the ever so cute  Mel Funk on the drums/vocals. She is well protected behind the kit. Its just as well. Because you have a sudden urge to want too go up and give her a hug.
 But lets put looks and personality aside. Jackknife Stiletto rock. There passion and drive come across like seasoned professionals. They collectively know how to work a crowd. And deliver an entertaining show.
 Here is a local band going out and making a name for themselves. While other bands complain about the scene. Jackknife Stiletto is making a scene.
 You can find them at the usual places like facebook, myspace, reverbnation and their own website to name a few. And you can pickup their CD Beautiful Disaster at itunes or better yet at a show.

Hello Jupiter do you hear my transmission?

Who would of thought? I found a last minute show to attend Friday night. And what I heard was a collision of sounds from a band calling themselves Hello Jupiter.

The three members making up this band are Eveni Lattcheni on guitars/vocals, Maxwell Rudkin bass/vocals and Jon O'Rourke. Are what I would call musical sponges. Creating a sound full of textures and styles that has a little bit for everyone.

Watching the crowd from the young to the older folks. Everyone was enjoying every note coming from these three men. I enjoyed the bass riffs of Maxwell and the rhythm stylings of Evgeni's guitar playing all held nicely by Jon's drumming. Bands like As Tall As Lions and Tera Melos come to mind while listening to Hello Jupiter. Their choice of time changes and playing style were refreshing to the ears.

As I type this review I'm listening to their Comprension EP. Click here to download it for free. And as I listen I find my thoughts drifting away on this cosmic soundtrack. Dare I say I'm having an out of body experience.

You can find Hello Jupiter on their FaceBook page. There you can find various links to learn more about them. And to keep up on when and were there playing next.

I Ignite lights the fuse.

I Ignite have come out of their corner swinging and have landed a one two punch . They have just played there first show on Dec 23rd at Mulcahys in Centereach. Then five days later to a packed house at O'Briens in Coram. As I pulled into O'Briens parking lot there was not one spot open. I then had to park down the road and across the street for this one. A minor inconvenience. But was nice to see an original show so well attended.

If you enjoy bands like A Day To Remember or Story of the Year then you'll enjoy I Ignite. They seem to have a gift for not only writing good songs but writing great rock anthems. That make you want to raise your fist in the air and chant along.

Fronting this band is Eddie Raccioppi. Some may know Eddie as being the guitar player for bands like A Farewell Fire and For The Taking. But for I Ignite he has laid down his guitar too be front and center handling lead vocals. He seems to have made the transition without flaw. He knows how to work the crowd and make you feel like part of the show. This is always a sign of a great frontman.

And lets not forget the talented musicians backing him up. You have Stefen Milana and Corey Grucci on guitars. Joe Meyer on bass and Chris Barreto on drums. All these guys together create I Ignite.

You can find I Ignite on their facebook page. There you can sample some music and keep track of upcoming shows.

I would highly recommend catching I Ignite live. Not only will you be seeing a great band. But you would be supporting the local music scene and your local businesses in this struggling economy.

Mudcat takes us back in time.

Its funny how things work out. I was going to cover another show tonight. But yesterday I got notice that the show had been moved to another venue ( I wasn't up to the added mileage). So I opted to see Mudcat at LuLu's Village Pub.

Thing is Mudcat has no web site. Only a facebook page that I could find. And there wasn't much information about them and no music to sample. So I was going into this show like a blind man with very little information as to my wereabouts.

I was trying to keep my reviews to original bands. But sometimes life's biggest surprises come unexpectedly. And one of those surprises came in the form of a band called Mudcat.

The audience at LuLu's were treated too a set filled with some classic rock tunes. Not your typical tunes that every other band on the island covers. But other gems that don't get there due on the cover scene. Mudcat kicked off the night with a smoking rendition of Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers (ZZ Top). Some of the highlights of their set included Last Child (Aerosmith),Hot Legs (Rod Stewart) and The Cowboy Song (Thin Lizzy). Oh yea they also covered Suicide by Thin Lizzy (Thin Lizzy is a favorite of mine). Can I ask for a request or two for future shows? Cold Sweat and Dancing in the Moonlight. And they did a killer version of Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac).

The band is fronted by John Golden on Vocals and guitars. I'm familiar with John from his work with Earth Eatz Dog. It's fitting too see John fronting a band. He has the look the chops and the voice. Also on guitar is Steve Culotta serving up some tasty guitar work. And holding down the low end is Jon Valente on bass. And serving up the big beat is Gary Worrel on drums. These four musicians injected new life into these classic songs (goes to show you somethings get better with age).

I gotta thank Mudcat for a couple of things. First just for a great night of music. And second I've spent so much time on my mission to support music. I've forgotten that all these great tunes they played tonight. Were original songs by those artists at one time. So thanks again for a great night of music.

So for the picture above this review. The included captions were either said by the band members or they were thinking those thoughts. If you don't believe me you should have been there. Keep a lookout for Mudcat. You won't be disappointed.

A tidal wave named Tenpoint.

Tenpoint rolled into LuLu's of Port Jefferson like a tidal wave. Saturating everything in sight with there riff laden brand of rock. As guitar player Steven Seigerman proclaims he's infected with riffs. And may I add memorable riffs at that. Backing up those riffs is the powerful rhythm section consisting of Chris Kozikowski on bass guitar and Doug Bohn on drums. And fronting this power house is vocalist Mike Dimeo. Hands down has too be one of the best vocalists on the island.

Anyone who missed this show missed out on a stadium performance in an intimate setting. Fans were treated with songs off their first CD Northen rock. We also got to hear some new songs off their upcoming CD as well.

Tenpoint is the real deal. If we don't see them with a major record deal and a worldwide tour then the music business is truly being run with deaf ears.

You can keep track of Tenpoint at their facebook page. Friend them and catch a show. I can guarantee you'll be blow away.

A splash of Aqua Cherry

This week I attended a show with Aqua Cherry on the bill. These four men bring a hybrid of rock/funk/reggae to the table. Combined it makes for a tasty musical brew. What was nice to see was they looked like a band. A touch of fashion goes a long way. Unlike many bands out there that look like they just rolled out of bed and onto the stage. Aqua Cherry all looked like they were rock stars and they played like one too.

During their set they played songs from both of their CD's. 2010's ep "So Pretty" and their full length Cd "Drowning in the shallow end". You can find both CD's on itunes.

Aqua Cherry has a great energy on stage that an audience can't help but absorb. You'll find yourself start to move as Stu lays down a groovy bass line from his Music man. And when Chad joins in with the drums your movements will turn into a full fledge dance. Adding color to the mix from his fender stratocaster is Brain. And wrapping it all together is vocalist Derick.

My only gripe is they didn't have a merchandise table set up. Bands should remember this is as important as the gig itself.

All in all Aqua Cherry put on a great performance and it looked like the audience was having as much fun as the band themselves.

You can learn more about Aqua Cherry at their facebook and reverbnation pages.

VagXcore, thinking inside the box.

So I got an invitation to the VagXcore one year anniversary party this week. I had to check that this wasn't a mistake? Was there a gynecology convention in town? And I was mistakenly added to the list? Just checked no funny business changed down there.

Turns out VagXcore is a record label that promotes All female or female fronted bands. And this year the label turned a year old. And what better way to celebrate than have a party with four bands gracing the stage at Bartini Bar in West Babylon.

Tho the spotlight is shining on the females fronting these bands (except Jackknife Stiletto/all female band). Lets not forget the male members backing these ladies up. If not for you there light would not shine as brightly as it does.

The first band of the night was Better Off. Fronted by Desiree Parrillo on vocals/guitar. Their music was reminiscent of the british invasion, garage rock era days. They are currently working on a cd. So be on the lookout for it. Give them a listen on facebook.

The second band of the night was Extreme Makeover. Center stage for this band is Michele Meech. Extreme Makeover is a unique band on the scene. They take songs were all familiar with and blend them into something new and refreshing. I would hate to categorise them as a cover band. They are so much more than that. Friend them at facebook. And ask them to post some music.

I was really looking forward to the next band of the night. American Pinup is a high energy rockabilly pop band. Vocalist/guitarist Lauren West fronts the band. Lauren's vocals remind me of Imelda May on steroids. This band blew the roof off the place. I know they gain a-lot of new fans tonight. There wasn't a person sitting still during their fabulous set. Go to their website to learn more about this up an coming band.

The last band of the night was Jackknife Stiletto. Our host and ringleader of the nights festivities. How would you describe this band? Imagine if the Sex Pistols were an all female band. Their sound has an energy and edge that you have too experience live. The band consists of EsotErica on Vocals/bass, Annie Stoic on Guitar and Mel Funk on drums. These ladies engaged the crowd with lighthearted humor with a touch of sarcasm. All three of them know how to work an audience. And did I mention the stalker from their Dear Jane video was spotted in the crowd.

A great time was had by all tonight. Thank you to VagXcore for a night of great music. And I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Awaken the metal thunder.

This weeks band is a progressive metal band called Awaken. I wish this show was better attended. Why is it people will spend 100+ for tickets through ticket master? When they can see great bands close to home for a few dollars? But for those who spent a couple of bucks tonight were treated to a great show. These are five very talented musicians.

I was approached by bass player Freddy Villano before the show. This was nice to see and more bands should be networking a room like this. We spoke about the scene and his band briefly. Turns out the members are spread throughout the New York area. Which make rehearsing not such an easy task. Also singer Glenn DaGrossa (from Lazarus fame) resides in CT.

During the show Glenn joked with the crowd. Stating he had to swim to get to the show. The guitar duo of Joe Todaro and Scott Bennet were amazing to watch. I was shocked that Scott had never practiced with the band before and it was his first time on stage with them. And rounding out the band was drummer Nick D'alessando. I've seen Nick play in various bands in the past and he is one hell of a drummer.

I would like to have seen Awaken with a merchandise table setup during the show. I think a band should have an area in the club to promote themselves. And clubs should give the space for a band to set up a merchandise table. It should be as important as the performance itself.

Awaken has no official .com at the moment. But they are taking advantage of sites like Myspace, Facebook and my favorite site ReverbNation.

To all you bands out there. Take my advice and sign up for a ReverbNation account. There are many tools for you to further your career.

On a final note. With the experience, Talent and accolades this band has combined. They should have no problem climbing the metal mountain. I wish them great success.