This Good Robot explodes at 89 North.

What"s this! fireworks in November? This wasn't any ordinary firework this explosive substance goes by the name of This Good Robot a band hailing from eastern Long Island. TGR took the stage at 89 North  on this chilly Saturday night. Watching this band was like watching a string a firecrackers explode before my eyes. Bodies and instruments were thrashing around the stage all the while their frontman Michael Ragosta engaged the crowd to join in the festivities. I would categories TGR as an alternative rock band with dare I say a Broadway musical vibe and I say that with great respect. TGR puts on a show unlike many bands that just play a show there is a difference and when you see a band that puts on a show you'll know it. Highlights of their set were the zombie apocalypse song titled The Human I Am and Call The Police I loved the chains tied to their ankles for that one.  If your looking to be entertained for an evening I would highly recommend catching This Good Robot in concert.

For Matt - For Penny

Back in July of 2012 the L.I. music scene lost a fantastic performer by the name of Matthew Dower of Revel 9. And last night at 89 North Music Venue friends / fans, family and bands gathered to pay tribute to Matt and help raise money for his daughter Penny. This is the first of three benefits to raise money for The Matthew Dower Memorial Fund to help secure aid for Penny's education fund. The next benefit will be Nov,16 at Mulchay's and Dec 16 at The Middle Island Beers Garden.
 I was not able to stay the entire night at 89 North but for the time I did spend it was obvious that Matt touch many people through his music and just being Matt. I believe his love of the scene and his showmanship onstage has rubbed off on us all. Remember time is short. Cherish your time on this earth and make it a better place. A shout out to all the bands that performed tonight Off The Turnpike, The Lost, Cosmos Moon, Finespun, I Ignite, Revel 9 and Ninjas Need Money.

The invasion of Lansdowne.

I got a heads up from Steve at 89 North Music Venue that they had a band from Boston rolling into town by the name of Lansdowne. Taking the stage to a packed house Lansdowne injected their high energy rock to the crowd and the crowd ate up every note. If you enjoy bands such as NickleBack and Saving Abel then Lansdowne will fit right into you ipod.  They were a very polished act with great stage presence and well crafted songs. Watching the crowds reaction they gain a room of new fans. A highlight of the night was a song called Watch Me Burn I've been humming this song in my head the past few days and in my book that's a sign of success.

This Good Robot invades 89 North.

A 7PM show on a Saturday night? Well it was a last minute decision jumping onto this show at the 89 North Music Venue so I heard. I arrived late only catching the last three songs from This Good Robot. And that was enough for me too become a new fan of this band. There was so much energy coming from the stage you had no choice but to be drawn to them. Usually there is ample space on the 89 North stage but tonight This Good Robot filled the stage with its seven members providing more action then a Monday night football game. This Good Robot is a very unique rock band reminding me of  Mr. Bungle at times. Their stage show is full of energy and their songs are nothing short of contagious. And watching their fans hoist the lead singer in the air by his ankles like a prize trophy was nothing short of amazing. Do yourself a favor and seek out This Good Robot and catch the wave sweeping the scene.

The Liza Colbly Sound

There is nothing better than a night of timeless rock n soul music too lift your spirits and tonight The Liza Colbly Sound were hosts of the party. The TLCS are a four piece rock n soul band from NYC and played too a packed house at the 89 North Music Venue in Patchogue NY.  Fronting the band is Liza Colby on vocals. Liza is a firecracker on stage pulling you into her performance with her high energy antics. I guarantee you'll lose control of your bodily functions and find yourself with a fever to dance during a show. If your a fan of artist such as Etta James, Tina Turner or Janis Joplin than TLCS will be right up your ally. Rounding out TLCS are the Roth brothers Adam Roth on Guitar and C.P. Roth on the drums. And holding down the low end is Alec Morton on bass guitar. Highlights of the night were Bad Love, Suga and Shake all off their CD "High Love" (I pick up a copy tonight).
 So if your in need of a band too lift you out of a slump and energize your soul. Look no further than TLCS you won't be disappointed.

"Fear The Dawn" remember the name.

A tsunami came rolling into Farmingdales The Nutty Irishman Sunday night leaving in its wake an ocean of hard core metal fans that came out to support Fear Of Dawns cd release party. Vocalist Sean Patrick started the night thanking all the fans for coming out and all the bands that played before them. Once the well wishes were finished chaos commenced as FTD broke into song. A sea of bodies formed a pit in front of the stage and collided into one another as each song grew brutally one after the other. FTD were on top of their game tonight. Band and audience were in complete unison playing off each other like a fine game of doge ball "literally" balls and bodies were flying everywhere. Fans were treated to all their favorite FTD songs including For What Its Worth and Void Of Hope they also slipped in a short version of Bring Sexy Back (Justin Timberlake). The night looked to be a complete success it was well attended and smiling faces throughout. I wish the band much success with the cd and all future endeavors.

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.