|
Schenectady
Metal Fest featuring the Sofakingz
Valentine’s,
Friday
In
case you missed the Sofakingz on Channel 103.1’s Big Break
Sunday night, let us take this opportunity to fill you in
on what the Schenectady-based metal group are doing these
days. On Friday, the band have arranged for a night of Schenectady
metal at Valentine’s (that’s right, Schenectady metal in Albany—we
know what you’re thinking, but don’t get scared) with (rumor
has it) a bit of hiphop courtesy of Pitch Control Music thrown
in for good measure. The Sofakingz’s set will be filmed and
recorded to produce a live video and new single, due out in
January. We suspect this show, sponsored by Channel 103.1
and hosted by Jason Keller, will be the perfect place to nurse
your turkey hangover. Also participating in the Schenectady
Metal Fest will be Dead-Lift, In-Traction and Kingscastle.
(Nov. 25, 8 PM, $5 before 9 PM; $10 after 9 PM, 17 New
Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)
Mountain
Mojo Authority
Red
Square, Friday
Mountain
Mojo Authority were formed in Rochester just five years ago,
and already they’ve jammed in places like India, Jamaica,
Ghana, and now, Albany. The six-piece reggae ensemble boast
a tightly arranged horn section accented by a pair of sirens,
and describe themselves as “spiritual organic intensity.”
So, get out of your tryptophan funk, skip the shopping and
check out some original reggae. Local faves IMI will open.
(Nov. 25, 9 PM, $5, 388 Broadway, Albany, 432-8584)
Gov’t
Mule
Palace
Theater, Saturday
We’re
not suggesting he re - tire, but Warren Haynes has certainly
put in enough hours. His first big gig—at the age of 20—was
leading the backup band for country hellraiser David Allan
Coe; his second, in the 1980s, was stepping in for the late,
great Duane Allman in the reunited Allman Brothers Band. He’s
also released two solo records, and spends his spare time
as guitarist for the (once Grateful) Dead. His main project,
the jam-circuit-endorsed Gov’t Mule, have been going for 11
years, and they show no sign of punching out anytime soon.
The Bonnaroo regulars are still out there plugging last year’s
Déjà Voodoo, but that doesn’t mean they won’t throw
in a few new tunes and left turns at Saturday’s show. (Nov.
26, 7:30 PM, $28, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, 465-3334)
Stigmata
Reunion Show
Saratoga
Winners, Wednesday
Stigmata
will play a one-shot reunion show to satiate local hardcore
fans who long for days of hardcore glory’s past. Known for
their brutal live shows and their no-nonsense Troycore style,
Stigmata will offer old-school hardcore-metal to balance the
rest of the bill, which features radio-friendly emo-metal,
sing-along bands: Scars of Tomorrow, Still Remains, Bullet
for My Valentine and Syracuse’s It Dies Today. Local drum
hero Jason Bittner will take advantage of time off from his
mega-successful scene-leading band Shadows Fall to beat the
skins. Stigmata fans are in for a special treat, as word has
it their set will be made up entirely of their most popular
album, Hymns to an Unknown God. (Nov. 25, 7:30 PM,
$14, Route 9, Latham, 783-1010)
 |
| soulive |
Soulive
Revolution
Hall, Wednesday
“We
play completely different live, live is easier—less worries,
less gray hair,” drummer Alan Evens has said, and Soulive
are definitely in their element on stage, as they tour to
promote their latest album, Break Out. Hailing from
Woodstock, brothers Alan and Neil Evens, with their buddy
Eric Krasno, came together to try and bring jazz to the dance
floor (with the dancers now being described as “neo-hippies
eager to strap on a pair of dancing Birks”). If you haven’t
seen them in a while, you’re in for a surprise: The sharp
suits and strictly jazz tunes are gone. With the new disc,
Soulive delve into grittier funk-R&B material, with beat-driven
instrumentals and a load of collaborations. If you’re feelin’
the need to get your groove on, check them out this Wednesday.
(Nov. 30, 9 PM, $18, 425 River St., Troy, 273-2337)
 |
| Also
Noted |
 |
| super
400 |
On
Friday night, settle in at the Lark Street Book
Shop to listen to an evening of music by Stephen
Clair and Tom Burre; the two are featured
as this month’s Acoustic Artists Night Series
at the shop (7 PM, free, 465-8126). . . . Super
pop group Super 400 will celebrate the
release of their new live album, Live 05,
on Saturday at the Ale House; grab your copy ASAP—there
are five unreleased originals included on the
nine-song disc, and we’re guessing they’ll will
go fast (10 PM, $5, 272-9740). . . . In the mood
to dance? Check out the DJ Extravaganza at Red
Square on Saturday, where 10 DJs will spin an
eclectic mix of music all night (10 PM, $10, 432-8584).
. . . On Sunday, visit Positively 4th Street in
Troy for an afternoon of local talent including
Mark Emanation and Folding Sky,
the Tom Healy Band, Blue Hand Luke,
Weaselocity, Brittany Robichaud,
the Staynz, and the Lawn Sausages
(2 PM, $10, 687-0064). . . . Here’s a question:
How many variations of “Beatles” and “mania” can
you come up with to allow every Beatles tribute
band a name? The official band of Liverpool Tours
2006, Britishmania, hail from New Jersey,
and they’ll play their version of selections from
the Beatles canon at the Van Dyck in Schenectady
on Sunday eve (8 PM, $10, 382-5564).
|
|
|
Columns
& Opinions
