www.thebluemooncard.com
info@amherstnightout.com
info@amherstnightout.com
Friday, December 2, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The Trews
John-Angus MacDonald...Sweet Les Paul, John!
Colin MacDonald Lead Vocalist & Guitarist.
Bassist Jack Syperek & Lead Guitarist John-Angus MacDonald.
Drummer Sean Dalton.
The Trews newest member, Jeff Heisholt on the keys.
Here's a shot of the Trews audience...excitement is in the air!
That's me taking photos @ The Trews show, between the crowd barrier and the stage.
Special Thanks to Jay Andreef for uploading this pic via his Facebook page.
The Trews "No Time For Later" 2008 CD cover. Highlights include "Be Love", "Paranoid Freak", "I Can't Stop Laughing", "Hold Me In Your Arms" & "Burning Wheels".
Highly Recommended!
The Trews "Hope & Ruin" 2011 CD cover.
CD highlights include "Misery Loves Company", "People Of The Deer", "Hope & Ruin", "The World I Know" and the spacy, atmospheric "Dreaming Man".
Newest Release! Get Your Copy Today!
http://www.thetrewsmusic.com/
First off I'd like to Thank The Trews for inviting me to their show @ The Town Ballroom and providing me with a photo pass. I've never been to The Town Ballroom before and I must say it's a great venue to see a rock show! Great rock club vibe. All the sightlines are excellent and the giant video screens showing the band are a nice touch! Experiencing The Trews for the first time in Buffalo at The Town Ballroom was awesome, to say the least!
For those of you out there who don't know who The Trews are (Where have you been?...JK!) you will soon! The Trews are a tried and true rock and roll band from Niagara Falls, Canada who are blazing a rock trail to greatness with every show they play. No music samples or loops here, just five musicians singing and playing their hearts out. The Trews play rock and roll like it should be played, with conviction, talent, power and lots of volume. The near capacity crowd in the T.B. loudly welcomed the band, enjoyed every single note they played and cheered on the band for the entire show. The Trews could do no wrong and their catchy songs whipped the crowd up into a rock and roll frenzy! The Trews provided an exciting, unforgettable rock and roll experience for all those lucky enough to be in attendance.
The Trews opened the show at The Town Ballroom with the uptempo song "Misery Loves Company" from their latest album "Hope & Ruin". Next came the crowd pleasing radio hit "Not Ready To Go" from their debut album "House of Ill Fame". The set also included "So She's Leaving", "Paranoid Freak" and the acoustic ballad "Sing Your Heart Out". "Love Is The Real Thing" included a segue way into the famed Elvis song "Suspicious Minds". "Highway Of Heroes" was a salute to our soldiers followed by "I Can't Stop Laughing" and "Tired Of Waiting". The encores "Ishmael And Maggie" & "Yearning", which also included a segue way into the classic song "Stand By Me", closed out the show.
The Trews play catchy, hook driven, hard driving rock music. One or two listens to The Trews music and you're singing along with the chorus. The Trews write the kind of melodies that stick in your head long after you're done listening to the music. The Trews consist of vocalist/guitarist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, drummer Sean Dalton and the latest addition, keyboardist Jeff Heisholt.
Click on http://www.thetrewsmusic.com/ to see and hear all the latest and greatest info on The Trews content packed website.
Included on The Trews website are all the links for their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr, Myspace pages and The Trews Blog.
A Very Special Thank You to Mary, Jay & The Trews!!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Storefront crashes
I know that this blog is supposed to be about music and stuff like that but I felt a strong urge to comment on a somewhat strange and reoccuring thing that's been happening alot lately in the WNY area, Storefront crashes. Since the occurences of drivers crashing through storefronts is on the rise lately (15 crashes since August) and they have resulted is a few fatalities, I wanted to share a few thoughts my wife & I had on the issue.
My wife, Maria suggested that the spirit of someone who was adversely affected by a crash (maybe someone who was killed..?) may be possessing and taking over drivers and making them crash to gain their revenge. Like some sort of weird, paranormal movie plot.
This is an interesting thought to say the least...
I had a couple of thoughts of my own to share.
Some of the end results of the crashes may be good and at the same time bad for some parts of the local economy, the insurance rates go up for the crashed vehicles and local contractors are being put to work to fix the damages caused by the vehicles. However the places that the people crash into may be adversely affected because they may or may not be able to afford to pay out the deductibles on their property insurance to fix the damages. The insurance companies involved will probably have to pay out monies above and beyond the deductibles to cover the damage. My thoughts are that the good and bad costs may even themselves out in the end...?
However, there may be some sort of hidden, convoluted connection between the bad economy, people needing to make money to survive and the positive results the crashes have on certain types of businesses. Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing anybody of anything, it's just a fleeting thought I had while I was driving home from open mic last night.
If New York State passes some new law or bill that requires concrete posts or barriers to be installed in front of stores to prevent these types of accidents, the businesses that install these types of barriers will benefit tremendously. A new law requiring these barriers should be seriously considered since a few people have lost their lives as a end result of a few of these crashes. It should only take 1 death to pass a new bill or law, how many more people have to die before something is done by local lawmakers? Concrete posts or barriers may not be enough to stop vehicles! You may as well build a brick or concrete wall, and even this may not be enough to stop vehicles moving at high rates of speed! Better yet, why not just dig a moat between your business and any nearby cars, fill it with water, surround it with barbed wire and put in a couple of hungry crocodiles so if an incompetent driver or two, drives into your moat, either on purpose or by accident, they can be eaten up by a crocodile and removed from society thereby making our nearby highways and byways safer places to drive for everyone...
(Just kidding, folks!)
Cell phones and texting maybe to blame, if someone is too busy talking on their cell phone or texting while driving, they are dangerously distracted and aren't paying enough attention to how fast, where they're vehicle is headed and how long it will take to come to a complete stop before hitting something. Yesterday a 19 year old girl was to blame for a crash, was she texting or talking on her cell phone? It's a good question to ask, I would be interested in the answer. Last I heard cell phone use and texting while driving is illegal in New York State.
Overly busy storefronts could be a valid cause, all the signage that stores put up to draw the public in can be a distraction. If someone is too busy reading a loud, colorful, distracting storefront sign while they're driving up to a store they plan on entering, they could be negatively distracted, which may lead to an accident.
Drivers who are over the age of 65 may be lacking the safe driving skills they once had. A 74 year old woman was to blame for the other local accident that happened yesterday. There have been some rumblings by the general public for at least the past 10 years or so that licensed drivers over the age of 65 should be required to take a driving test to reassess their driving skills. The results of a test like this would determine driving competency therefore allowing competent drivers over the age of 65 to continue driving. Uncompetent drivers who fail the test would and should permanently lose their driving privileges as a result.
Any prescription medications and the effects they have on drivers, young and old, should be taken into consideration. If a new driver fails their driving test as a result of some medication they may be taking they shouldn't be allowed to drive.
On the other hand, if there are any seniors out there who are currently driving and they're driving skills are adversely affected because of advanced age as well as being negatively affected by a prescribed medication, in my humble opinion, they are an accident waiting to happen.
I've also heard some people say that the drivers to blame are at fault because they are confusing the gas pedal with the brake pedal, in my opinion this a lame excuse. If this was a valid excuse people would be crashing into things like other drivers, pedestrians and places of business all the time! Deadly crashes would be taking place 24/7, night and day, virtually nonstop on busy streets, open roads and parking lots all over the world!
Whatever the case may be I think the general public should consider the proximity between where they sit in a public restaurant and how close their seat is to a public parking lot or street. They should also consider how close their seat is to the front of the building and how close it is to moving vehicles. If a car came barreling toward you while inside a public place would you or better yet, could you be hit by the vehicle? I realize that if God says it's your time to go you won't have much of a choice, but with all the accidents that have been happening lately and especially if young children are involved you may want to reconsider where you may be sitting the next time you patronize a local restaurant or business. If you have to move to a safer seat or booth to feel more comfortable, by all means please do so, considering that these types of accidents on happening on a daily basis your life and the lives of your children may depend on it.
My wife, Maria suggested that the spirit of someone who was adversely affected by a crash (maybe someone who was killed..?) may be possessing and taking over drivers and making them crash to gain their revenge. Like some sort of weird, paranormal movie plot.
This is an interesting thought to say the least...
I had a couple of thoughts of my own to share.
Some of the end results of the crashes may be good and at the same time bad for some parts of the local economy, the insurance rates go up for the crashed vehicles and local contractors are being put to work to fix the damages caused by the vehicles. However the places that the people crash into may be adversely affected because they may or may not be able to afford to pay out the deductibles on their property insurance to fix the damages. The insurance companies involved will probably have to pay out monies above and beyond the deductibles to cover the damage. My thoughts are that the good and bad costs may even themselves out in the end...?
However, there may be some sort of hidden, convoluted connection between the bad economy, people needing to make money to survive and the positive results the crashes have on certain types of businesses. Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing anybody of anything, it's just a fleeting thought I had while I was driving home from open mic last night.
If New York State passes some new law or bill that requires concrete posts or barriers to be installed in front of stores to prevent these types of accidents, the businesses that install these types of barriers will benefit tremendously. A new law requiring these barriers should be seriously considered since a few people have lost their lives as a end result of a few of these crashes. It should only take 1 death to pass a new bill or law, how many more people have to die before something is done by local lawmakers? Concrete posts or barriers may not be enough to stop vehicles! You may as well build a brick or concrete wall, and even this may not be enough to stop vehicles moving at high rates of speed! Better yet, why not just dig a moat between your business and any nearby cars, fill it with water, surround it with barbed wire and put in a couple of hungry crocodiles so if an incompetent driver or two, drives into your moat, either on purpose or by accident, they can be eaten up by a crocodile and removed from society thereby making our nearby highways and byways safer places to drive for everyone...
(Just kidding, folks!)
Cell phones and texting maybe to blame, if someone is too busy talking on their cell phone or texting while driving, they are dangerously distracted and aren't paying enough attention to how fast, where they're vehicle is headed and how long it will take to come to a complete stop before hitting something. Yesterday a 19 year old girl was to blame for a crash, was she texting or talking on her cell phone? It's a good question to ask, I would be interested in the answer. Last I heard cell phone use and texting while driving is illegal in New York State.
Overly busy storefronts could be a valid cause, all the signage that stores put up to draw the public in can be a distraction. If someone is too busy reading a loud, colorful, distracting storefront sign while they're driving up to a store they plan on entering, they could be negatively distracted, which may lead to an accident.
Drivers who are over the age of 65 may be lacking the safe driving skills they once had. A 74 year old woman was to blame for the other local accident that happened yesterday. There have been some rumblings by the general public for at least the past 10 years or so that licensed drivers over the age of 65 should be required to take a driving test to reassess their driving skills. The results of a test like this would determine driving competency therefore allowing competent drivers over the age of 65 to continue driving. Uncompetent drivers who fail the test would and should permanently lose their driving privileges as a result.
Any prescription medications and the effects they have on drivers, young and old, should be taken into consideration. If a new driver fails their driving test as a result of some medication they may be taking they shouldn't be allowed to drive.
On the other hand, if there are any seniors out there who are currently driving and they're driving skills are adversely affected because of advanced age as well as being negatively affected by a prescribed medication, in my humble opinion, they are an accident waiting to happen.
I've also heard some people say that the drivers to blame are at fault because they are confusing the gas pedal with the brake pedal, in my opinion this a lame excuse. If this was a valid excuse people would be crashing into things like other drivers, pedestrians and places of business all the time! Deadly crashes would be taking place 24/7, night and day, virtually nonstop on busy streets, open roads and parking lots all over the world!
Whatever the case may be I think the general public should consider the proximity between where they sit in a public restaurant and how close their seat is to a public parking lot or street. They should also consider how close their seat is to the front of the building and how close it is to moving vehicles. If a car came barreling toward you while inside a public place would you or better yet, could you be hit by the vehicle? I realize that if God says it's your time to go you won't have much of a choice, but with all the accidents that have been happening lately and especially if young children are involved you may want to reconsider where you may be sitting the next time you patronize a local restaurant or business. If you have to move to a safer seat or booth to feel more comfortable, by all means please do so, considering that these types of accidents on happening on a daily basis your life and the lives of your children may depend on it.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Yvonne Schmidt "Foolproof"
New release "Foolproof" by Yvonne Schmidt. Check out http://www.yvonneschmidt.net/ to get your copy today!
Artist Information & Biography
Buffalo's own Blues and Rockin' Soul diva Yvonne Schmidt is back with her second solo release, "Foolproof," on the Wild In Blue Productions label. Produced by Grammy award-winner Tom Hambridge (Susan Tedeschi, Buddy Guy, Lynyrd Synyrd), and featuring seven Hambridge-penned originals as well as three carefully-selected covers, this ten-track album is the perfect vehicle to showcase Yvonne's roots-y, but polished vocal style.
Having worked with Hambridge and company on her first album, 2002's Nothing But Blue, Yvonne was more than ready when it came time to record with Hambridge again. "Tom really knows how to treat an artist. He knows what I need to hear musically to be inspired, he knows how to frame my vocals, and it's always a pleasure to work with him and his crew. It doesn't hurt that Nashville is a lot warmer than Buffalo in the winter months!"
Advanced copies of Foolproof that have been sent to press and radio are already causing a stir in the Blues community- an album track has been featured on Blues Deluxe, an internationally syndicated program with millions of listeners, and DJ's across North America, from Hawaii to the Virgin Islands, have given it a warm reception.
Foolproof charted at Number 45 on both the Cashbox and Roots Music Report Blues Charts for the week of July 22nd.
High-octane vocals, propelled by solid musicianship and quality original material, will excite radio programmers and media pros, as well as listeners looking for new sounds in the Blues, Roots, and Americana genres. Benefiting from a production style gleaned from work with the likes of world-class talent such as Susan Tedeschi and Buddy Guy, Hambridge's musical settings for "The Divine Miss Y's" vocal explorations put this collection of songs in a new category-"Must Have Blues." Another track from the new record, called interestingly enough-"The Right Track," has also been selected for a digital East Coast Blues compilation that will be distributed by Valleyarm on iTunes. The compilation will be called Absolute New York Blues, and will also feature artists such as Dave Fields, and Buffalo's own Gregg Juke & The Mighty No-Stars. Valleyarm will be marketing the iTunes compilation worldwide, but will be focusing targeted attention on Australia and the Pacific Rim territories. Absolute New York Blues is scheduled for release on August 1st, 2011.
As much as she loves to record, it is the stage that she really calls "home," musically speaking. She has been a fixture on the Buffalo regional scene since the early 90's, and having the chance to work with world-class musicians, and bring her own music to Blues fans has been a goal that she has been happy to obtain. In the same category as Janiva Magness, E.G. Kight, and Shemekia Copeland, but definitely in a class all her own, Yvonne Schmidt is here to stay with her sophomore effort, Foolproof, on the Wild In Blue Productions label.
Foolproof is available from Wild In Blue Productions via digital distribution at www.YvonneSchmidt.net , www.CDBaby.com, iTunes, and most major digital retailers, and at finer record stores worldwide through Super D One-Stop Distribution. Look for Absolute NY Blues from Valleyarm Distribution on iTunes in August 2011.
Discography"Foolproof" - LP, 2011"Nothing But Blue" - LP, 2002
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Yvonne Schmidt "Nothing But Blue"
Yvonne Schmidt "Nothing But Blue" 2002.Check out http://www.yvonneschmidt.net/ for info on her newest release "Foolproof" from 2011.
You can also find Yvonne Schmidt on Myspace, CD Baby & Facebook.
Nothing But Blue CD Reviews
Yvonne Schmidt Has Knocked My Socks Off
Yvonne Schmidt Has Knocked My Socks Off
The Buffalo News-by Jeff Miers
"Yvonne Schmidt has knocked my socks off with her debut solo effort, "Nothing But Blue," a demo that has been haunting my CD player for weeks. Produced by Tom Hambridge, the album places Schmidt front and center, which is where she belongs. A vibrant, powerful singer, Schmidt belts the blues with moral and musical authority. Not surprising, considering the fact that she's been doing just that in Buffalo clubs for years. No lie; this stuff is of an international caliber and would be quite at home on a major blues label like, say, Alligator."
Yvonne Schmidt's CD is ...Gutsy and Authentic by WBFO 88.7/97 Rock DJ (Anita West)
Yvonne Schmidt's CD "Nothing But Blue" is a gutsy and authentic blues record which every music enthusiast should check out! From the lead track "Get You Back" an instant catchy radio song, to her version of Janis Joplin's "Turtle Blues" this disc is a home run! Yvonne gives Bonnie Raitt a run for her money with the sexy, laid back, "Mighty Tight Woman" and does Muddy Waters proud with "Mean Mistreater". Make no mistake, this record rocks! Once you hear "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" you'll be singing it for the rest of the day with it's infectious hook and country kick! From start to finish, you get a wonderfully produced CD of great songs performed by a true Buffalo Talent!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Andrea Godin
Andrea Godin CD Cover Photoshoot Picture.Andrea Godin is a Independent Pop/R&B/Dance music artist from St. George, Ontario, Canada.
Andrea's debut album dropped on iTunes in April of 2011.
Andrea has been nominated for Pop Recording of the Year @ The Hamilton Music Awards this year. The Award Show takes place on November 20th, 2011.
Her Reverbnation page is #1 on the Pop charts for St. George, Ontario, Canada. You can hear seven original songs of Andrea's on her Reverbnation page.
Andrea is up and coming young artist who can sing, write songs, play guitar and has plenty of experience singing, dancing and performing in front of large, enthusiastic crowds.
Andrea has accomplished alot in her young career. Scroll down to read her Credits, Accomplishments & Biography. She has also appeared on television, radio and has recieved rave reviews from the press. Scroll down to read some reviews.
Andrea also has a strong online presence, she has pages on Reverbnation, Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, iTunes and Youtube.
Here's all of her online links...Click to see them...
Twitter: www.twitter.com/andreagodin
Myspace: www.myspace.com/andreagodinmusic
Reverbnation (where I first heard Andrea's Music) www.reverbnation.com/andreagodin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrea-Godin/244961435529922
iTunes (where you purchase Andrea's Music) www.itunes.com/andreagodin
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/d1e2b3
(Thank You Andrea! You Rock!)Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Bravuras
"Ain't No Doubt" 2011 CD Front insert.
New 2011 Bravuras line up, including CD guest stars.
Track listing.
The Bravuras 2011 release "Ain't No Doubt"
Special Thanks to John Puccio for sending me a promo copy to review and post on this blog.
The Bravuras "Jerry's Blues" CD insert from 2008.
The Bravuras "Jerry's Blues" CD insert from 2008.
The Bravuras can be found on Facebook.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Jimi Hendrix
Update 7/23/12: New Like At Berkeley 2nd show live album release news.
are you experienced, The inside story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience by Noel Redding & Carol Appleby is a very interesting, revealing autobiographical book. This is basically a tell all book about all the inner workings of the business side as well as the musical side of The Jimi Hendrix Experience from an insider's point of view. The book also goes into detail about all the legal hassles that Noel went through to try and get his fair share of the Hendrix pie after he died.
Jimi Hendrix: Experience The Music by Belmo and Steve Loveless.
are you experienced, The inside story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience by Noel Redding & Carol Appleby is a very interesting, revealing autobiographical book. This is basically a tell all book about all the inner workings of the business side as well as the musical side of The Jimi Hendrix Experience from an insider's point of view. The book also goes into detail about all the legal hassles that Noel went through to try and get his fair share of the Hendrix pie after he died. 
Jimi Hendrix: Experience The Music by Belmo and Steve Loveless.
This book is a comprehensive, unique book that covers all of Jimi Hendrix's musical output before and after he died. It documents the 650 or so official and unofficial studio and live recordings that have Jimi Hendrix's name on them up until 1998. It also covers Jimi's TV appearances, tour dates and has a Jimi Hendrix song index that has over 4000 songs!
The index tells who played what on each song, what year they were recorded and where they were recorded.
Chances are if you have a Hendrix bootleg you can find out all the info about it in this book. What's sad is that according to this book Jimi doesn't even play on alot of the unofficial, unreleased music.
Hendrix In The West
New CD back cover.
Hendrix In The West
New CD back cover.
Update 9/15/11: A New Hendrix Winterland 5 CD Box Set was released as of 9/13/11. Includes some never before released live songs from the legendary venue, a venue Hendrix headlined 3 straight days in a row in 1968. Also a Hendrix reissue of a out of print record since 1974 "In The West" has finally been rereleased in CD form. Any Hendrix fan who hasn't heard the 13 minute and 12 second live version of Red House from 1969 that's on "In The West" should be ashamed, one of the best ever. Although if I'm not mistaken this version is on the 2000 purple 4 CD box set as well.
I am a serious Jimi Hendrix fan and I wanted to post some links to some articles I wrote about Jimi on my article page. I wanted to cover some parts of Jimi's career that are widely unknown but still extremely relevant and interesting.
Here's the links...
Jimi Hendrix with "Others"
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7822230/jimi_hendrix_with_others.html?cat=33
Hendrix Band of Gypsys CD Review
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7838718/hendrix_band_of_gypsys_cd_review.html?cat=33
Jimi Hendrix, the Bass Player?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2901690/jimi_hendrix_the_bass_player.html?cat=33
Click and enjoy!
Here's the links...
Jimi Hendrix with "Others"
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7822230/jimi_hendrix_with_others.html?cat=33
Hendrix Band of Gypsys CD Review
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7838718/hendrix_band_of_gypsys_cd_review.html?cat=33
Jimi Hendrix, the Bass Player?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2901690/jimi_hendrix_the_bass_player.html?cat=33
Click and enjoy!
Monday, September 5, 2011
K.O MCcoy
K.O MCcoy's CD cover for "U Can't Stop Me" featuring Young Buck. "U Can't Stop Me" is K.O's debut single.K.O MCcoy is a up and coming R&B/Pop/Hip Hop singer/songwriter who is primed and ready to hit the Top 40 with her edgy sound and silky, smooth vocals. K.O is currently working on her full length album which will be released by Allure Records.
Visit K.O's www.reverbnation.com/komccoy page and you can hear "U Can't Stop Me", "2nd Wind" and "Marvin's Room Remake". Any fan of Alicia Keys, Beyonce & Rihanna will surely appreciate and enjoy K.O's Music.
Visit K.O's Twitter page www.twitter.com/#!/infinityko
K.O facebook is www.facebook.com/komccoy
Allure Entertainment's website is www.allurerecords.com
K.O MCcoy's Bio & Contact Info is included below...
"2nd Wind" CD single cover.
(Thank You K.O!)
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