All good things come to an end: Public Access. PHOTO: Chris Shields

DON’T BLAME US After seven years, Public Access, the Albany-based punk-ska band we picked as Best Ska Band in our 2007 Best of the Capital Region issue (July 19, 2007), have decided to pack up their saxophones and call it a day, but not before releasing their new and final EP, Hindsight. The EP will be available for free download starting Feb. 14 through the Web site for New Orleans-based label Community Records (www.communityrecords.org); fans who pony up $4 or more will also receive a poster, stickers and a lyric sheet. The band have a handful of regional dates scheduled, leading up to their final area show, scheduled for April 12 at Valentine’s. Check out www.we-don’t-suck.com for more on the band.

Now, some of you conspiracy theorists might think Metroland played a part in Public Access’ demise, but we staunchly maintain that the proximity between our recent profile of the band (“Spunk Rock,” Listen Here, Sept. 13, 2007) and the band’s breakup is mere coincidence. Plus, they weren’t on the cover, and we all know that’s how we go about killing bands (“Do You Believe?” Nov. 2, 2006).

WE GET MONEY A recent spate of benefit shows turned out all right, raising loads of money and goodwill for a number of good causes. First, the Metroland-sponsored Feedback 2008 show, which took place at Valentine’s on Jan. 19, raised more than $550 and, more importantly, 156 pounds of food for the Food Pantries for the Capital District. That same night, at Tess’ Lark Tavern, hordes of folks turned out to support the Tim Grey Scholarship Fund; between cover charge and donations, the fund took in about $2,150. And more than $4,000 was raised for the Buckley Family Fire Relief Fund over the course of three shows at the end of January, with plenty more added in individual donations.

BACK IN SPAC The first show of the 2008 summer special-events season at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been announced, and it’s not the Dave Matthews Band! It is, however, Canadian prog stalwarts Rush, who were also on last year’s SPAC roster. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday), yadda yadda yadda—I’m having a hard time working up any real enthusiasm for this right now, because it makes me fondly recall the days of old. Remember how they used to wait to release the schedule until spring, then announce the entire season in one shot? Remember all the excitement you felt leading up to that big day? Am I just getting old? Keep your eyes on www.spac.org and www.livenation.com for information on upcoming SPAC events.

SOUL EDUCATION Local musician and Soul Session frontman Garland Nelson is currently presenting a series of free workshops, in honor of Black History Month, called Shout It Out: The Evolution of the Black Vocal Tradition. The workshops focus on the importance of black music in the development of what we know as American music, including “Freedom Songs, the Blues and beyond!” Catch Nelson’s presentation this Sunday (Feb. 10) from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Factory in Ballston Spa, Monday evening from 6 to 8 PM at the Ford Community Center in Saratoga Springs, or on Feb. 20 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Saratoga Arts Council’s Dee Sarno Theater, also in Saratoga Springs. For more on Nelson and Soul Session, visit www.soulsession.com.

NOW PLAYING: YOU! Local-music program Indie Wired is in its second year on the air, and in a new timeslot as well. The show, which airs on WVCR 88.3 FM (Siena College’s home station, also known as The Saint), now runs from 5 to 7 PM on Saturdays. Host Trisha Connell has been inviting all sorts of regional acts into the studio lately, and she’s always seeking new music for airplay. Local bands are asked to send demo discs to Indie Wired, WVCR, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211. For more on the show, visit www.myspace.com/indiewired.

FREE LUNCH? The Downtown Albany BID is seeking performers for the sixth annual At the Park concert series. The series, which runs from June 3 through Sept. 16, takes place at the Ten Eyck Plaza courtyard on North Pearl Street in downtown Albany; concerts run Tuesdays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Bands and soloists alike are invited to submit music samples and promotional materials no later than March 10; the lineup will be announced in April. To get an application, contact Jenna Buckley at 465-2143 ext. 16, or download one from the News section at www.downtownalbany.org.

—John Brodeur

Let us know about local-music news and happenings for inclusion in Rough Mix: E-mail John Brodeur at jbrodeur@metro land.net or call (518) 463-2500 ext. 145.