By asking the hard questions no one else would dare—or, really, even think—to ask, Metroland gets behind the music of 14 local notables

Mike Hotter
Singer-guitarist, knotworking

What did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid in grade school, I wanted to be an astronomer, then an author. Never bargained for space cadet-musician, but if that’s as close as I’m gonna get, so be it.

What’s your favorite album of all time? Right now, Mitch Elrod’s copy of the Captain Beefheart Grow Fins boxed set.

What was your first live concert experience? Without a parent or older brother? The first Lollapalooza. With a parent and older brothers, Harry Belafonte singing “Day-O” underneath the Saint Louis Gateway Arch. Hell, my dad blasting the shit out of the bagpipes in our small Bronx apartment was a very unique experience. Also eye-opening, when he would perform with his band and women were eager to see what they wore beneath the kilts.

What’s the first album you bought? At the age of 9 or so, asked my mom to buy ZZ Top’s Eliminator and Van Halen’s 1984. With my own money, probably Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation of Millions . . .

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? When my roommates take their 5 AM pee and I’m caught listening to music at an extreme volume on the headphones. I may be in the middle of an air-guitar solo, doing splits in skivvies. Doesn’t happen as frequently as it used to, nearing 30 for chrissakes.

Who would be in your dream band? Zoot Horn Rollo (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass), Booker T. Jones (keys), Zig Modeliste (drums), Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, and Ornette Coleman (horn section). I get to go crazy with a bullhorn out front, perhaps also playing didgeridoo.

Who’s your dream groupie? I always thought that the most fascinating of the famous groupies of yore was Devon Wilson. According to Groupiecentral.com, Devon “was also rumored to be into the occult and a secret member of the militant political group the Black Panthers.” And Jimi’s “Dolly Dagger” just makes me really curious. Of course she was into heroin, coke, and fell to her death from the Chelsea Hotel. She was more dangerous than most rock stars, hence the allure.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? Rich Baldes & the Day Jobs, Mitch Elrod, Jump Cannon, Small Axe (don’t pull your love out on me, baby). There are many other amazing musical minds around here, but naming them all would make me feel even more like a nepotist.

The worst thing about the area’s music scene? The people I mentioned in previous answer aren’t famous yet.

I can’t imagine living without . . . gas and electric, though if I don’t get on the ball soon, I may not need to imagine such a thing.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . the reincarnation of medieval monk Roger Bacon.

Mark Gamsjager
Singer-guitarist, the Lustre Kings

What did you want to be when you grew up? A forest ranger

What’s your favorite album of all time? That’s a hard one, Abbey Road.

What was your first live concert experience? Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen, 1977

What’s the first album you bought? Chuck Berry’s two-album set.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Can’t tell you that.

Who would be in your dream band? John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Who’s your dream groupie? They all are my dream groupies.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? That you can work as a musician around here and make a living doing it.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? Playing until 2 AM.

I can’t imagine living without . . . my kids.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . a good cook.

Stephen Gaylord
Singer-guitarist, Gay Tastee, the Wasted

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a tall guy with all his teeth.

What was your first live concert experience? I saw Billy Idol at SPAC. There was talk at the time of the show being mimed to a tape, a guitarist falling down while the solo continued. These rumors were quickly dispelled. After all, this was the pre-Milli Vanilli age of innocence. Our wits are far too keen to be fooled again by no-talent pawns of the entertainment industry.

What’s the first album you bought? The first album I bought was Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell. The pleasant memories of this album were forever tarnished later on in life by drunken sorority sisters who sang along in smoke-filled bars. The worst of it was they weren’t satisfied in simply shattering my dreams, they also refused to move away from the bar so I could guzzle away the pain. The situation was not unlike when Tupac was shot and then the tires on the car were shot as well, so it could not be driven to a hospital.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Lincoln Money Shot.

Who would be in your dream band? My two sons American X Tastee and U.S. King Tastee. They’d need to be outfitted with earplugs and gas masks so we could play out in bars, but it would end the hassle of finding babysitters. We could call it Gay Tastee and the Family.

I can’t imagine living without . . . pseudoephedrine.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . a tax cheat. Last year I wrote off a large portion of my mortgage as a home office that never existed. I also didn’t even bother filing state taxes for two years in the late ’90s. Hopefully the government won’t find out. It may disrupt my happy family life if they put me in jail. If you see the Elvis video for Jailhouse Rock all those gentlemen appear to be quite happy to be incarcerated, but that was made in the old days. Now they’ve made jails much less fun.

Jay Yaeger
Singer, the Burners U.K.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I really didn’t know. But I was always interested in music (growing up in a household where my Mom was a pastoral musician for 30+ years), and I was always pretty loud. So I guess being in a band just sort of picked me.

What’s your favorite album of all time? AC/DC Back in Black. Without question.

What was your first live concert experience? Pat Benatar’s Fire and Ice tour, in the early ’80s, at SPAC. She was great.

What’s the first album you bought? The Jackson 5, ABC.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? I absolutely love ’80s metal bands (still), and I’m getting pretty addicted to female country artists now like Sara Evans and Jo Dee Messina.

Who would be in your dream band? Oh man, I don’t know. There are way too many people I’d love to play with! I guess the only one I could absolutely say is “in” would be Angus Young (of AC/DC) on guitar. And maybe George Lynch. And maybe . . . awww, see what I mean?

Who’s your dream groupie? Shania Twain. (OK, that’s probably a guilty pleasure, too.)

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? That it’s so strong, and that it continues to grow bigger and better all the time, both in numbers of artists and types and styles of music. This is really a very musically diverse area, especially for a market of its size.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? Too many people still like to think of this area as “Smallbany,” and don’t see the greatness right in front of their face (musicians and fans alike).

I can’t imagine living without . . . drive, determination, passion . . . and chocolate-chip cookies.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . relatively shy and introverted when I’m not on stage. I enjoy being away from the crowds and by myself just as much as I enjoy the spotlight.

Matthew Loiacono
Multi-instumentalist, the Kamikaze Hearts

What did you want to be when you grew up? I thought that the world was going to end before I finished high school. Somewhat problematic for future “plans.” Sometimes, I can’t believe we’re still here.

What’s your favorite album of all time? The album that has been with me the longest is R.E.M.’s Fables of the Reconstruction.

What was your first live concert experience? The first concert that affected me enough to remember was the Bobby Watson Quintet with Victor Lewis on drums at Skidmore College sometime in the early to mid-’90s. The show was part of the Skidmore Summer Jazz program. I can still see Victor’s solid stone eyes, staring down the audience as he threw down the fastest, baddest drumming I’d ever seen. Everything was different from then on.

What’s the first album you bought? Sesame Street Christmas on cassette? Air Supply’s Greatest Hits? Bruce Hornsby?

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? (Note: this isn’t “guilty” to me) “Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely”—Backstreet Boys, “Animal”—Def Leppard, “Electric Blue”—Ice House, etc. etc.

Who would be in your dream band? Lock the Emerson String Quartet in a room with Tom Burre composing while Sarah Paul leads a choir over the “neo”-genius of George Muscatello (on the Leaf Blower); Brian Blade would be on one side of the room handling rhythmic texture, with Jim Black on the other side handing down the bombast and, lest I forget, the Jersey Band horns—maybe the whole Jersey Band?

Who’s your dream groupie? I stopped dreaming when I realized that the world was going to end.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? Matto Laque + countless others who continue to bring local gems together for amazing shows. I’m constantly amazed by incredible new groups and the progression of existing units. My favorite things about the music in the area are the extremely low pretension level and the purity of inspiration and ideas.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? The aesthetics of most local “venues.” Can we blame non-musicians for not wanting to check out new music?

I can’t imagine living without . . . new instruments to stumble upon.

Most people don’t know . . . that I prefer being called “Matthew” instead of “Matt.”

Mike Trash
Singer-guitarist, the Erotics

What did you want to be when you grew up? A cop.

What’s your favorite album of all time? Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses.

What was your first live concert experience? Kiss.

What’s the first album you bought? Destroyer by Kiss.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Van Hagar.

Who would be in your dream band? Slash, Izzy Stradlin’, Duff Mckagan and Steven Adler.

Who’s your dream groupie? Pink.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? That there’s no other band similar to us.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? Not enough venues to perform.

I can’t imagine living without . . . my guitar.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . 33.

Aaron Smith
Singer-bassist, the Stars of Rock

What did you want to be when you grew up? An Albany resident.

What’s your favorite album of all time? I dunno, this is tough . . . did you hear that they tried to kidnap Posh Spice?!?

What was your first live concert experience? Ringo Starr at SPAC.

What was the first album you bought? Beastie Boys, Licensed to Ill.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Steely Dan or the Monkees.

Who would be in your dream band? Crickett Simms and the Lully Brothers.

Who’s your dream groupie? Annette O’Toole.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? Good kids.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? There is no Scotty Wagar anymore.

I can’t imagine living without . . . sarcasm.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . Robin Williams.

Jesse Pellerin
Singer-bassist, Jump Cannon, Kitty Little

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a dancer.

What’s your favorite album of all time? My favorite album of all time is a tie: Curtains by the Tindersticks and Ghost Tropic by Songs: Ohia.

What was your first live concert experience? B-52s with Ziggy Marley at SPAC with my family in the late ’80s, I believe, followed by Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation tour at the Knick.

What was the first album you bought? The first tape I bought was Huey Lewis, the one with “Hip to Be Square” on it, then I think it was Tiffany or Debbie Gibson.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Avril Lavigne, the skater girl.

Who would be in your dream band? Jason Molina (of Songs: Ohia), my brother and my cat.

Who’s your dream groupie? Stuart Staples, he seems very sophisticated. Or maybe Jude Law.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? Everyone is pretty supportive of each other.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? Good places that we need get shut down.

I can’t imagine living without . . . candy.

Most people don’t know . . . that I listen to pop teen idols all the time.

Brian Patneaude
Saxophone, the Brian Patneaude Quartet/Quintet

What did you want to be when you grew up? An entertainer.

What’s your favorite album of all time? Try as I may, I can’t pick just one. If it has Michael Brecker playing sax on it, chances are it’s one of my favorite albums.

What was your first live concert experience? Metallica and Queensryche at the RPI Fieldhouse, circa 1990.

What’s the first album you bought? Paul McCartney’s Tug of War.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Well-done smooth jazz, rare as it may be.

Who would be in your dream band? George Muscatello, Ryan Lukas and Danny Whelchel.

Who’s your dream groupie? Mellanie Kobas.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? The sense of community. Regardless of genre, the artistic community in this area supports one another much more than the general public does.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? See above.

I can’t imagine living without . . . coffee.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . a former heavy-metal drummer.

Johnathan Cohen
Bassist, the Erftones

What did you want to be when you grew up? Jury still out/will advise.

What’s your favorite album of all time? I have fond memories of the Clash’s first album, but it has to be the Beatles’ Revolver.

What was your first live concert experience? Joan Jett at the Palace.

What’s the first album you bought? Rush, Fly by Night.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Either disco or AC/DC.

Who would be in your dream band? James Brown, John Scofield, Herbie Hancock and Billy Martin (the one in MM&W, not the one in the Yankees).

Who’s your dream groupie? Carol Brady. She’d bring me cookies and coffee and go home early.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? It’s wealth of eclectic and talented musicians.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? The majority of its venues are lackluster.

I can’t imagine living without . . . pizza.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . Adrian’s older brother.

Rob Skane
Singer-songwriter

What did you want to be when you grew up? A musician.

What’s your favorite album of all time? Clash, London Calling.

What was your first live concert experience? J. Geils and Jon Butcher at the Onondaga War Memorial Auditorium in snowy Syracuse, New York.

What’s the first album you bought? Cosmo’s Factory by CCR.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? Still owning and enjoying my copy of Frampton Comes Alive.

Who would be in your dream band? Bill Milhizer (drums), Pete Farndon (bass), George Harrison and John Lennon (guitar), Elvis Costello (voice).

Who’s your dream groupie? Kirsten Ferguson.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? There are a great deal of talented people around here playing all sorts of really cool and interesting music.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? The Lawn Sausages.

I can’t imagine living without . . . my beautiful Gibson J-160E and my beautiful Gibson Les Paul.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . a really nice person.

Ben Chadabe
Electronic music composer and improvisational musician

What did you want to be when you grew up? Crime fighter.

What’s your favorite album of all time? There’s probably a 50-way tie, depending on my mood and the genre.

What was your first live concert experience? Don’t remember. I think it was pre-natal.

What’s the first album you bought? Slayer, Reign in Blood. Just recently got it on CD with bonus tracks. Woooo Hoooo!

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? I’ll take the Fifth.

Who would be in your dream band? Me.

Who’s your dream groupie? Got to form that dream band first.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? How approachable the musicians are.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? The word “local.” But I think that’s the same anywhere.

I can’t imagine living without . . . Oxygen.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . Most people don’t know me.

Albie Von Schaff
Singer-guitarist, Wood, Low Thief

What did you want to be when you grew up? Tony Iommi, or Anton Szandor Lavey, whichever. I also wanted to be a priest or a carnival barker in my early youth . . . guess I’m kinda screwed there, now. Carnival barkers need a lot of training.

What’s your favorite album of all time? Now that’s a loaded question: I’ll give you four for the price of one: Black Sabbath’s Volume 4, Black Flag’s My War, Stevie Wonder’s Inner Visions and Chris Whitley’s Din Of Ecstasy.

What was your first live concert experience? Judas Priest and Krokus at the RPI Fieldhouse. I was 11. My mom took me. Sweet.

What’s the first album you bought? Machine Head by Deep Purple.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? The song stylings of Nelly.

Who would be in your dream band? Keith Moon or Miles Davis would play and sing everything.

Who’s your dream groupie? Edie McClurg, the school secretary from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? Seeing Artie Fredette half nekkid in fishnets, standing next to the 25-foot-tall Rob Skane.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? Seeing Artie Fredette standing half nekkid in fishnets, standing next to the 32-foot-tall Rob Skane—as Mitch Elrod stares in horror, weeping like a wee lass who’s just skinned her knee.

I can’t imagine living without . . . my Chinese finger cuffs.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . Satan Claus

Melanie Krahmer
Singer, Sirsy

What did you want to be when you grew up? A singer.

What’s your favorite album of all time? The Beatles Abbey Road.

What was your first live concert experience? Van Halen.

What was the first album you bought? Michael Jackson’s Thriller . . . up until that point I was listening to ’60s/’70s rock (from my parents’ collection) and taping things off Kasey Kasem’s Top 40.

What’s your guiltiest musical pleasure? I know almost every word to almost every Hall & Oates song.

Who would be in your dream band? Rich Libutti, Greg Nash and Chris Decker.

Who’s your dream groupie? Sting (he’s so sexy!).

What’s the best thing about the area’s music scene? The support that Sounding Board, the Channel and BUMrock give to local bands.

What’s the worst thing about the area’s music scene? I wish there were more venues in the area that supported live music.

I can’t imagine living without . . . chocolate.

Most people don’t know that I’m actually . . . vegetarian.

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