To Each Their Own

At 8p.m. this Tuesday (12/15) at the venerable Bug Jar on Monroe Ave, two entirely different schools of musical thought will be performing on the same bill- with one directly following the other. 

The opener Alfred Brown embraces the idea of creating music electronically; through the use of synthesizers, loops, and modified electric instruments, their music is shaped by creativity with electronic mediums. It is ambient music, for lack of a better term- but hearing their work is most definitely not a passive experience.

The headliner, Cuddle Magic, is a massive 12 piece ensemble hailing from all over the tri-state area- don't be fooled by the name- they are serious musicians. No, really. They represent an opposing school of thought- the vast majority of the sounds they create originate from instruments with absolutely zero electronic components. Each member is a master of their own device (with most holding degrees in music) and together they craft a unique sound that is not to be missed. 

These are experts in their respective fields- but which school of thought is correct? Whose kung-fu is mightier? Come down to the Bug Jar this Tuesday at 8, say hi to Herman, and receive the answer.

Special Double-Feature

I also need to briefly mention Black Water Rising, playing Monty's Krown this Saturday (12/19) at 10p.m. This Brooklyn based metal set is highly praised and it is well deserved. They represent the opposite end of the spectrum from the bands I've featured above- they are not looking to expand the sonic possibilities of music- instead, they have chosen a sound and worked to perfect it. And that sound is down-and-dirty stoner-metal. High Times Magazine just nominated Black Water Rising as their band of the month. Need we say more? No.

Corey Prok

Position: Non Sequitur

I am single and currently working for Harris RF Communications. Specifically I am a Test Engineer, but I went to school for electrical engineering, and played trumpet in high-school. It is this strong musical pedigree that I am drawing on for this newsletter. Trust me, it shines through. Plus, this whole thing was my idea...

Alex Hillis

Position: Firestarter

Alex is 22, 6 foot 2 inches, 185 pounds, and sports a “rugged-but-not-hippie” beard. Look out ladies!

Full-time he works for St. Pauly Textile, a Rochester-based operation that annually supplies millions of pounds of used clothing to nations world-wide. In his down time he sings lead vocals and plays guitar in an up-and-coming rock band, watches TV, and co-produces dropStatic News. He is currently trying to improve the way he treats himself and the way he treats others on a day-to-day basis.

Also Alex is the brains behind the entire dropStatic operation.

John Brandon Zubler

Position: Wildcard

One of my clearest, earliest memories is unbuckling my seatbelt and breaking a three hour silence. It was a silence that had been filled with easy-listening programming from the mid-80’s. I forced my way into the front seat of our car and asked my parents why it was that EVERY SONG WE HEARD was about love.

I don’t remember what their exact answer was, but I do remember that it wasn’t substantial; to them, what they had heard over the past three hours was fine, desirable even, and they had no reservations about going another three hours on the same exact station.

Something inside me felt absolutely compelled to say that this homogenous situation felt fundamentally confusing. Wasn’t music supposed to address more than one topic? Didn’t it have the capacity to be something much more diverse?
Of course it did.

I knew it then as strongly as I know it now.

Also, I am the brains behind this entire operation.

Drew Prok

Position: Soundscape Surveyor

Drew Prok enjoys music. But a love of music is only the trait of a man, it is not his essence. A man’s experiences, desires and talents are what make him unique. Let us dive into the rich history of a man about to embark on a great journey.

Drew attended the University at Buffalo where he majored in Industrial Engineering and minored in Business Management. It was in this environment of learning and creativity that Drew realized his love of music. It had become more than just something to fill the silent void. He desired more than the nine to five day job that was destined to be his. He desired to fly.

He desired music.

Also, Drew is the brains behind the entire operation.

The Radium Girls

This week I interview Benjamin Brown, bass player for local three-piece reggae/rock group, The Radium Girls. Ben offers his thoughts on himself, his band, and the world at large...

Ben, how did you get involved with The Radium Girls?

"When Kevin and Jeff (drummer & guitarist) met, they were both wearing State Radio t-shirts and instantly fell in man-love. I, on the other hand, was conveniently dating Kevin's girlfriend's roommate, and they needed a bass player to join up. Jeff started ripping out awesome original songs, and soon enough we were a band!"

Where does the name come from?
"We fought over a band name for somewhere around a year and a half - during which we were conveniently named the KJB (Kevin, Jeff, and Ben). At some point, Jeff wrote a song in which the word "Radium" seemed to fit remarkably well. A trip to Wikipedia later, and he had stumbled across the story of the Radium Girls - a number of women employed by the US Radium Corporation to paint glow-in-the-dark watch dials with Radium paint. They weren't aware of the radioactivity, and would do crazy things like paint their nails and teeth to surprise their boyfriends back home. Later in life, many of them got very ill and the resulting lawsuit became the basis for many modern labor laws. In Jeff's hands, it then became a song ("Radium") and ended up as our band name (which continually confuses the majority of our website visitors looking for attractive girls)."

What makes the music of The Radium Girls special?
"First, all of Jeff's lyrics are meaningful - if you sit down with the lyrics and analyze them there's some really amazing stories behind them. Additionally, we bring together a wide variety of musical genres from riff-rock to reggae and punk in order to create a raw, high-energy, and danceable set."

Why are your bass riffs so fat?
"To make up for how skinny I am? Or maybe just because I don't know when to say no to awesome amplifiers and overdrive pedals? Either way, I can never get enough of a deep overdriven bass groove..."

If you were on your death-bed and had one last thing to say to the world, what would it be?
"Don't let me die!"

Do you think the music scene in Rochester (and Western NY) can be revolutionized?
"Absolutely I do, and I hope to be a part of the revolution!"

The Radium Girls are a fantastic live band. See them play at the Lovin' Cup on Friday at 9 pm w/ Argus Eye, and Big Eyed Phish. Listen to Robin Hood Hills for a great sample of their music.

Hunger Anthem

The Hunger Anthem is the band that beat out 3 other acts at one of Buffalo's most competitive live competitions, Artvoice's Best of Original Music, held just this past Friday.

They are a raw 3 piece ensemble with original material and a sound reminiscent of Guided By Voices; bright guitars loaded with distortion, intelligent lyrics, and an energy that translates into a great time at the bar.

I had the unexpected pleasure of drinking with their bass player, Jeremy Hewett, at his apartment at an impromptu after party following their victory. Settled in around the open door of a cast iron wood-burning stove they'd smuggled into their living room, we smoked cigarettes and rifled through his ipod. After settling on a song he shared his surprise on the night's achievement (the winner is decided by votes from the audience). He acknowledged that they were up against serious competition, and that speaks to their talent, as well as their off-stage presence. Come out and see why they got the votes.

Hunger Anthem plays at the Bugjar Tuesday 12/1, doors open at 8:00pm.

Special Feature

This Thursday, The Beale Street Café (693 South Ave.) will be host to the very last show centered around the music of Rochester legend, Son House. I have it on authority from one of their regular performers, Mr. Tim Brinduse, that it will be a tightly coordinated event with many local blues masters coming out to pay tribute and share their craft for this special event. And it is FREE. 7-10 p.m.