Badfish, Zach Deputy, Hank & Cupcakes, Twiddle, XVSK, MIZ
Various Venues - Utica, NY
09/13/2012 12:00 PM EDT
$60.00 - $200.00
buy tickets
Supporting Acts: The Bomb, My Pet Dragon
Badfish
The phenomenon known as Sublime, arguably the most energetic, original and uniquely eclectic band to emerge from any scene, anywhere, ended with the death of lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Brad Nowell in May of 1996. But encompassing the sense of place and purpose long associated with Sublime's music, Badfish, a Tribute to Sublime seem to be channeling the spirit of their predecessors with a fury not felt for some time. What separates Badfish from other tribute bands is that they have replicated Sublime's essence, developing a scene and dedicated following most commonly reserved for label-driven, mainstream acts.
Formed in the spring of 2001, Badfish played their first show to a sold out crowd at the Ocean Mist on the shores of Matunuck, Rhode Island. It seemed a fluke at first—500 people driving an average of an hour to a club in the middle of nowhere, to see a band no one had seen before, playing a show promoted only by a single sidebar in the Providence Phoenix. Once the members of Badfish took the stage and performed, everyone knew why they had felt compelled to drive to Matunuck that night – Sublime had basically been reborn.
Badfish make their mark on the audience by playing with the spirit of Sublime – they perform not as Sublime would have, or did – they perform as Badfish does. The attitude of Sublime cannot be faked, so Badfish doesn't try – they've got their own and its one that works. What hits you the most is the heart that these three musicians pour into their show. They are technically skilled players, sound just like Sublime, and some say the live show is the most fun they've ever had attending one. But the point is that its genuine – Badfish does Sublime their way, the only way they know how.
Fans keep returning to see Badfish, showing up two or three hours before the opener goes on, just to claim a spot near the front, and the band has a traveling fan base that will get any club pumping. Badfish will keep a crowd of 80 people, or 800, positively moving for two and a half hours.
Badfish will be performing at the Chance Theater on Saturday, November 12 with Scotty Don't, The Alpha Male Gorillas
Zach Deputy
On his latest release Another Day (Eusonia Records, 2011), Zach Deputy demonstrates his extraordinary ability to perform and record in multiple contexts. He conveys the sensibilities of a mature singer/songwriter and demonstrates that he is not merely a "looper"1 with crazy chops, serious pipes and colorful outfits. Another Day offers another look at Zach Deputy and seeks to help him cross over into other audiences. Rich with ballads and mid-tempo songs, the music on this recording is best described as soulful rhythm and blues, with flavors of Al Green, Taj Mahal and Stevie Wonder emerging in the swells, changes and modulations of the music, in the voice and even in the lyrical content. The record will appeal to fans of contemporary artists like Jack Johnson and Amos Lee, but the origins of the style and feel remain classic.
Recorded over 5 days in August, 2009 at Mission Sound Recording in Brooklyn, NY, Another Day emerged as a warm, mellow album, one that is perfect for after hour soirees and sunsets. It is possible that the only benefit to recording with a limited budget in a small window of time is that the raw essence of the session is not stripped away by weeks or months of second guessing and revision. The instincts and experience of the players is critical in sessions like this, and producer Scott Jacoby chose the right guys to fill out the sound and vibe of the record.
To handle the ever-present Latin, Caribbean and African elements in Zach Deputy's backbeat and place them in the contemporary soul / pop format of the songs, Jacoby tapped Graham Hawthorne (Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Joan Osborne, Paul Simon, David Byrne) for the drum kit. Bassist Al Carty came into the studio and explained to Deputy's manager that he was feeling a little scattered, as he had played four church gigs that day. Despite the list of artists he has recorded or toured with (Lou Reed, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, De La Soul, Carrie Underwood, Gavin DeGraw, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Ashanti and more), the church gigs alone proved that Jacoby was on the mark with this choice for the low end. Zach Deputy is, after all, a soul singer whose music is underpinned by Gospel as much as by any other musical idiom. Equally at home in the Gospel tradition, pianist / organist Will Buthod (Jay-Z, Fat Joe, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Mashonda, The Harlem Gospel Choir) rounded out the studio trio that filled out Deputy's vision for the recording, a vision made real by Jacoby's pitch perfect choice of accompanists. These four accomplished professionals met for the first time on the first day of recording and worked as if they were old friends with a shared history and a common purpose.
In contrast to the music and feel of Another Day, Zach Deputy has made his mark thus far as a touring powerhouse.
As a boy, the music of Zach Deputy's Puerto Rican, Cruzan and Irish heritage was cooked up in the South Carolina heat. The Calypso rhythms and folk songs of St. Croix competed with the R&B / soul of pioneers like James Brown and Ray Charles for space on the family stereo. As Deputy honed his craft, a unique hybrid of these influences emerged, ultimately creating the signature Zach Deputy sound. To bring this sound to the stage, the big, impossibly upbeat South Carolinian with the infectious smile puts on a solo show-- enhanced by looping technology-- that is essentially a one man dance party offering up what he calls "Island-infused, Drum 'n' Bass, Gospel-Ninja-Soul" to the enthusiastic crowds of dancers who flock to clubs from coast-to-coast. It is these late night dance parties—more than 250 per year-- that have made Zach Deputy one of the hottest up-and-coming performers on the camping festival circuit and "jam band" scene.
Of course, artists are seldom content to stay in one place artistically, and Zach was looking to collaborate with somebody on a more "produced", even somewhat "urban" sounding record. When Zach's manager first turned Grammy Award winning producer Scott Jacoby on to some of Zach's more funky, upbeat live performances, Jacoby simply didn't hear it. The one-man-band live looping show features a more simplified version of Deputy's music, and Jacoby was looking for songs, structure, changes, hooks, choruses… stuff that is nearly impossible to do by one's self on stage with a nylon string Godin acoustic guitar, a handful of mics and a bunch of looping technology. Zach simply showed up at Jacoby's studio with his acoustic guitar and sang a few songs and Jacoby was inspired—the urban-oriented dance album they had discussed was going to have to wait: he and Zach were now going to make what they called a "Ray Lamontagne" kind of record and the result is Another Day.
For Zach, most days begin in a hotel room and end a couple of hours after walking off stage, leaving a packed house of sweaty dancers calling for more. The constant touring and the compelling live show may be the key to Zach's success on the road, but it is an unlikely inspiration for Another Day, as there is little similarity between what fans have come to expect from Zach and what is offered up in this new record. Thus, Another Day is an appropriately titled album, and it is truly an album in the classic sense—a collection of songs that come from the same time and place, inspired by the same muse. Reflective and introspective, it provides a glimpse at the soul of an artist and the depth of a songwriter. Full of hope and anticipation of the promise of another day, a new day, it is a pivotal point in the career of a touring musician. Whereas it is a departure for Zach Deputy, it is one that he feels confident his fans can relate to, but it isn't the end in itself. Deputy's multi-faceted diamond gets one side polished in this offering, and it is a side that will shine brightly for a new audience.
Hank & Cupcakes
After kicking off 2012 in the most incredible way - by opening a sold-out show for Deadmau5 at NYC's Pier 36, the dynamic twosome is tearing full-speed ahead with the release of their debut album titled NAKED, recorded last summer at the famous Hansa Studios in Berlin (U2, David Bowie, Iggy Pop). "Liquid Mercury" the album's first single appeared in Billboard Magazine's Top 40 Indicator Highlights after climbing to the #37 position on the Indicator Charts, making Hank & Cupcakes the highest unsigned band on the chart. The band has also played select dates across Europe and the Middle East so far this year, including playing to a crowds of over 2,000 in Barcelona and 700 in Stockholm and are 'Getting NAKED on the road' as they put it, this summer, with over 30 tour dates across the US.
Incessant action and whirlwind touring are nothing new to Hank & Cupcakes, who formed in Tel Aviv just prior to moving to Cuba where they spent six months of musical exploration. The duo ended up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn almost two years ago, drawn by what Cupcakes describes as "the music, the streets, the energy, the electricity and the nonstop movement of NYC... We feel we can't just sit still here and have the urge to be in constant musical motion." But if these two feel drawn to NYC, it's clear that the city strongly reciprocates that very sentiment.
Twiddle
Twiddle, a Vermont-based quartet, spins tall-tales over an intricate soundscape of hi-def shred. They have started a frenzy on both coasts, composing complex arrangements that conjure up Coltrane, Ranglin, and Zappa. Obliterating the laws of improvisation, Twiddle delivers spectacular climaxes, defiantly weaves through genres, and never fails to leave a crowd lusting for more. It is three-dimensional music. You can see it from all sides, and even serve it to your guests. It's Twiddle. Tasty.
XVSK
Working with the shorthand monicker XVSK, cellist Trevor Exter and percussionist John Kimock have a unique chemistry as musicians, wringing the depth of drums and cello. The music skirts the edges of indie rock, Americana, roots rock and improvisation that verges on jazziness. At once modern and tribal, melodic and in the groove, the rhythm section of the drums and bottom of the cello creates a foundation for Exter to weave melody and harmony-- created with an occasional loop-- from the high end of the cello and then solo with pizzicato and bowed solos. The surprising range of sounds created by these two artists fleshes out the lyrics and reassures the listener that this is a song based duo, not just another experimental combo exploring the depths of left field and spaciness. Thanks to Kimock's creative, artistic drumming, the songs take on a life of their own, propelling the artists and their audience into the next mood or texture of the piece and giving the listener the impression of a full band. The overall effect is somewhat reminiscent of Morphine or maybe The Black Keys, circa 2007, and it "...makes you feel like you found something you didnʼt even know you were missing." (BreakThruRadio.com)
John and Trevor began working out this strangely post-rock / alt-folk sound when they were touring from 2009-2010 as the rhythm section (with Exter on electric bass) for Steve Kimock's Crazy Engine. The downtime jamming Exter and Kimock partook in was a big departure from the music they were playing nightly-- it was not jam-oriented, and was more of a reflection of their own diverse musical backgrounds. Prior to meeting John Kimock, Exter was already a "go to guy" for rock or unconventional cello work in the New York music scene, playing with musicians as diverse as French neo-soprano Nicole Renaud and Brooklyn afro-punk band Shrine For The Black Madonna. He also spent three years performing in a highly innovative aerial punk-rave spectacle that toured the world under the name "De La Guarda". He also performed regularly as a solo singer / songwriter / cellist-- his voice often compared to a cross between Bill Withers and Sting-- and the songs he wrote through these various projects ultimately provided the basis for Exter vs. Kimock's music. John Kimock's musical background and influences are at once both complimentary and the perfect counterpoint to Exter's. Having grown up on the road with his father-- reknowned guitar wizard Steve Kimock-- John Kimock has been immersed in music and performance since he could crawl. With unique access to nearly 40 years worth of a virtual "who's who" in American rock and jazz personalities and history, John had-- by his mid-teens-- already developed his own approach and personality as a drummer and a musician. While he obviously inherited his father's intense creative spark and unwavering diligence on his instrument, his sensibility belongs to a younger generation. Working with Lehigh Valley bands New Madrid Faults and Post Junction, John explored and ultimately embraced an expanded sonic palette and a decidedly post-rock aesthetic, adding this to his deep arsenal of drumming styles and techniques. The result is a drummer who plays lyrically and melodically, dynamically and with driving force, with equal parts Buddy Rich and Phil Selway. Thus, by the time these two musicians with such eclectic backgrounds crossed paths, there was nothing to limit their expansive imaginations and the unique sound of Exter Vs Kimock was born.
MIZ
The style of MiZ, the band, has been described as a fusion of folk, rock, bluegrass and blues; in short a melting pot blended into what would best be categorized as "pure Americana." The groups' founder, acoustic and electric guitar virtuoso and singer/songwriter Mike Mizwinski, comes from Northeastern Pennsylvania, an area long known for its rich and vibrant talent.
Mike literally comes from a musical family, as his parents met in college where they were both studying music. At an early age they instilled in their young son an admiration and appreciation for the arts. Given his first guitar at the age of 2, Mike states: "I knew at a very early age I wanted to play the guitar but it was when my Dad took me to my first Grateful Dead show (at the age of nine) that I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life".
Mike joined his first band at the age of 15 and began writing his own music. Ironically enough, at the age of 18 while attending a college in Florida, which he felt would help him achieve his goals, Mike's life was side tracked by a battle with drug addiction. What followed were years of struggle ending finally with a delicate victory and promise that would one day define MiZ.
In 2003 Mike moved back to Pennsylvania. While continuing to play with local bands he began working on his solo career. In 2008 he was spotted by the international touring band Gongzilla. As bassist Hansford Rowe expressed, he could see that "Mike could play viscerally and also sing, making for a cross-pollination of genres." He was invited to join the band where his first gig was at the Troubadour in LA . During his time with Gongzilla he had the opportunity to play alongside members of Zappa, moe. Umphrey's McGee, Particle, Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Wanting to form his own band to showcase his original music, Mike used Gongzilla's hiatus as an opportunity to form MiZ. Since it's inception in 2010, MiZ has had the opportunity to open for such acts as
-Derek Trucks
-Bob Dylan
-Shawn Colvin
-Leon Russell
-Blue Oyster Cult
-Kenny Wayne Sheppard
-Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
-Railroad Earth
-Blues Traveler
-Mickey Hart
-Bill Kreutzmann
-Little River Band
...and more.
In addition to MiZ, Mike currently he plays with Jam Stampede (former members of the Zen Tricksters) and Garcia Grass. Becoming well know for guitar skills and solid jams Mike's live performances are what brings fans back every time. Mike has been afforded the opportunity to share the stage with Garth Hudson (The Band), Jackie Greene, Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), Mark Ford (Black Crowes), Donna Jean Godchaux, Bernard Purdi, Marco Benevento, Umphrey's McGee, Jeff Pevar, Don Preston (Frank Zappa and the Mothers), Merl Saunders, plus members of String Cheese Incident, Particle, and moe.
East Hope Avenue has been years in the making. It is a collection of original songs written from Mike's experiences over the past decade. Accompanying Mike on the CD is the talent of Freeman White, (Donna Jean Godchaux), Brett Alexander (Badlees), AJ Jump and Bill Stetz, East Hope Avenue includes a variety other musicians Mike has played with over the years, along with guest appearances by Buddy Cage (New Riders), John Graboff (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals), Gordon Stone and Eva Katherine. East Hope Avenue was released on October first 2011.
Venue Information
Various Venues - Utica, NY
Utica, NY