Blasé Debris

MORE BEER Much is afoot in the land of Blasé Debris. First of all, Albany’s “hometown horror punks” are gearing up for the release of their second album, Morfiend, on Altercation Records. They’ll celebrate the new disc with a release show on Saturday (April 5), upstairs at Valentine’s in Albany. If that news alone isn’t enough to get your punk-rock pulse pumping, check this out: Duane Beer and his band reportedly have been selected to play on six East Coast dates of this summer’s installment of the Warped Tour. The Vans-footwear-sponsored touring music-and-sports festival is in its 13th year; this summer’s lineup includes Pennywise, the All-American Rejects, Gym Class Heroes and Against Me!. Rumor has it Blasé Debris will join the tour July 24-30, but further specifics have yet to be finalized—as does a confirmation from the promoter. Keep tabs on all things Blasé at myspace.com/blasedebris.

PUNCHLINES FOR PUNKS Speaking of Altercation Records, Justin Habersaat, founder of the label as well as its long- running namesake, the formerly regionally published punk-rock magazine Altercation (now based in Austin, Texas), will indulge his other interest—stand-up comedy—on this spring’s Altercation Stand Up Punk Rock Comedy Tour. But Habersaat has been living his comedic alternate life for a lot longer than he’s been a publisher, he says, and he certainly has his timing down: The current tour follows Habersaat’s label client, Blasé Debris (see above), into Val- entine’s on Sunday (April 6). Check out valentinesalbany.com for full lineup and time and price information; visit myspace.com/ standuppunk or alter cation.net for more on the tour.

PEAKING EARLY? Some area high-school students will get a crack at the big time this week when they take the Proctors Theatre mainstage to open for Blood Sweat & Tears. Both the Niskayuna High School Jazz Band and the Sayles School of Fine Arts Jazz Combo have been invited to warm up the audience at the show tomorrow (Friday, April 5) night. After their opening sets, the students will have the chance to perform a song or two with members of the venerable rock-jazz-blues outfit, including founding member and Nisky grad Steve Katz. Twenty bucks says “Spinning Wheel.” Call the Proctors box office at 346-6204 to reserve tickets; call me at the Metroland office to place your own wager. (Not really. Don’t call.)

YOUR FIRST GIG Pretty much everyone agrees that children benefit from exposure to music instruction, and the Music Studio wants to help your kids (and you parents too, naturally) take that first step. The studio, at 1237 Central Ave. in Albany, will hold two open houses for children ages 3 to 7 this week, on Saturday (April 5) at 11 AM, and on Tuesday (April 8) at 7 PM. These events will allow children and parents to join in “singing, musical games and stories, fun with rhythm instruments, and notereading”—and whatever else the young minds are interested in. Twenty bucks to the first kid to crack out “Iron Man” on the recorder. (Again, not really. Must be the restless-leg-syndrome medication talking.) Both open houses are free and open to the public; call the Music Studio at 459-7799 for more information.

—John Brodeur

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