On this episode of CRUMBS Café we had in the studio Frank, John, and Matt. The band's sound brings us back to our roots of blues and country with their straight forward approach to writing. The songs are also a mix of traditional rock and sometimes devious lyrics. The music is innocent enough but, for instance, the first song they played live in the Café studio which starts off with the lyrics "Well I'm through thinking about better ways to kill you. I've got better things to do with my time." Dig deep into the songs and you might be surprised at the underlining meanings. In general it's always great to hear songs tell a story with just a couple of verses and choruses. Also towards the end of the interview, the guys told an interesting story of an even more interesting super fan at a show showing the band their instrument. It's a story that I am sure every band has in their library in some fashion.

On our 20th episode of CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Chuck, Jim, and Rox from Kid Bludo. Donny the drummer, who you know from Drome Sound and Parkway Music, was not able to make it. Their sound is described as 80's metal and rock but it's much more. The vocals are a mix of Queensryche and Evanescence and the guitars are reminiscent of Dream Theatre. The band and their songs are tied to a superhero character which can be read about on their website. Since the band is primarily a studio band at this point they selected songs from their album Up and Away. If you miss the 80's rock/metal genre, this band definatly is for you.

In the studio today is the gun slinging, slap jaw crew of Two Gun Man. These guys have this western, funk, hip sound that manages to still capture the roots of Americana music. Their songs have a folk backbone with a catchy, hooky, chorus. They not only played three live songs in the studio but also laid down some killer beat box tracks. For those new to this genre, beat box sounds are accomplished by producing different pops and rhythmic tones with your voice. It's something not to miss and it made for a great special edition theme song for the opening and closer of the episode.

Two Gun Man reformed in September 2006 when Julian Seidenberg (drums, percussion, vocals), Reid Waring (lead singer, chief writer, rhythm guitar) and Josh Watson (lead guitar) moved from Washington State to New York's Hudson Valley. There they rejoined Josh Miesmer (bass, vocals), who quickly resumed his role as the hilarious nucleus of the band, following stints with Johnny Society, Mr. Forky and Joseph Arthur. For Seidenberg and Waring this was a homecoming reunion, having performed with Meismer as a three-piece group years before. But for Watson, a native of the same town which launched Nirvana, Mudhoney and the Melvins, this was a leap into the unknown. In its previous incarnation, Two Gun Man had been solid: loads of fun and brimming with potential. But only as a four piece has that potential finally been realized: roots rock & roll and Americana at its best, indefinably but unmistakably brilliant. Like Two Gun Man itself, the band's audience is spread all over the U.S. map. Their music moves - literally moves - everyone from punk rockers to countryfolk, blue-haired matrons to tattooed bluesmen.

The power, the raw energy, the passion. This was one of the most honest shows I have seen in a long time. Keeping true to their 80's punk soul, The Last Conspirators, led by Tim Livingston, belted out some killer songs and often seen trying to bust out of the relatively small stage for such a band. At one point he vaulted over the stage rail, got in the face of the crowd with his direct lyrics, and didn't back down. This episode was recorded at Larkfest '07. The band was first in a long line up of bands to go on. Even though they started at 11:00 am they still managed to generate a healthy crowd. It must have been the power, the raw energy, and the passion of the music.

The power, the raw energy, the passion. This was one of the most honest shows I have seen in a long time. Keeping true to their 80's punk soul, The Last Conspirators, led by Tim Livingston, belted out some killer songs and often seen trying to bust out of the relatively small stage for such a band. At one point he vaulted over the stage rail, got in the face of the crowd with his direct lyrics, and didn't back down. This episode was recorded at Larkfest '07. The band was first in a long line up of bands to go on. Even though they started at 11:00 am they still managed to generate a healthy crowd. It must have been the power, the raw energy, and the passion of the music.

In the studio today is the gun slinging, slap jaw crew of Two Gun Man. These guys have this western, funk, hip sound that manages to still capture the roots of Americana music. Their songs have a folk backbone with a catchy, hooky, chorus. They not only played three live songs in the studio but also laid down some killer beat box tracks. For those new to this genre, beat box sounds are accomplished by producing different pops and rhythmic tones with your voice. It's something not to miss and it made for a great special edition theme song for the opening and closer of the episode.

Two Gun Man reformed in September 2006 when Julian Seidenberg (drums, percussion, vocals), Reid Waring (lead singer, chief writer, rhythm guitar) and Josh Watson (lead guitar) moved from Washington State to New York's Hudson Valley. There they rejoined Josh Miesmer (bass, vocals), who quickly resumed his role as the hilarious nucleus of the band, following stints with Johnny Society, Mr. Forky and Joseph Arthur. For Seidenberg and Waring this was a homecoming reunion, having performed with Meismer as a three-piece group years before. But for Watson, a native of the same town which launched Nirvana, Mudhoney and the Melvins, this was a leap into the unknown. In its previous incarnation, Two Gun Man had been solid: loads of fun and brimming with potential. But only as a four piece has that potential finally been realized: roots rock & roll and Americana at its best, indefinably but unmistakably brilliant. Like Two Gun Man itself, the band's audience is spread all over the U.S. map. Their music moves - literally moves - everyone from punk rockers to countryfolk, blue-haired matrons to tattooed bluesmen.

On this episode of CRUMBS Café we have Electric Lipstick in the studio. Colleen and Nick stopped by and chatted a bit on various topics including female fronted bands in the Albany music scene. It was interesting to reflect on the scene back 10 years ago when a female lead vocalist in a band was hard to come by. We are glad the scene has changed in that respect. The band played a song live in the studio and a couple from their disc. Rumor has it they rock even harder out live with the full band.

We are back from the summer break. For the first episode of the CRUMBS Cafe second season we have in the studio the band Red Haired Strangers. Their sound is often described as country or blues, but they sometimes describe their style as bluegrass. It may be difficult to pin them with a genre especially since they have a spaghetti western themed song in their library. This was the first band in the studio with a fiddle. They were able to play three songs and one of them was never previously recorded. Another first for the Café. Such topics included the exposure from the 2006 Sunmark Shine compilation, creating a Americana music festival, and the stage variety at Valentine's.

On this episode of CRUMBS Café we have Electric Lipstick in the studio. Colleen and Nick stopped by and chatted a bit on various topics including female fronted bands in the Albany music scene. It was interesting to reflect on the scene back 10 years ago when a female lead vocalist in a band was hard to come by. We are glad the scene has changed in that respect. The band played a song live in the studio and a couple from their disc. Rumor has it they rock even harder out live with the full band.

We are back from the summer break. For the first episode of the CRUMBS Cafe second season we have in the studio the band Red Haired Strangers. Their sound is often described as country or blues, but they sometimes describe their style as bluegrass. It may be difficult to pin them with a genre especially since they have a spaghetti western themed song in their library. This was the first band in the studio with a fiddle. They were able to play three songs and one of them was never previously recorded. Another first for the Café. Such topics included the exposure from the 2006 Sunmark Shine compilation, creating a Americana music festival, and the stage variety at Valentine's.