This week on CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Ten Year Vamp. I'm sure you have heard of the name before but some of you out there may not have herd some of their original songs. They released a couple of CDs over the past years but have never released acoustic versions of their songs. On this episode Debbie and Mark stopped by and played three rockin' original licks acoustically. Also, the topic of NYC crowds came up and it was interesting to hear how responsive they can be. They are also working on their new album and turning to their fans to help them produce and fund it. The interview went a bit long and some segments of it were edited out which may have been a good thing since there was an edgy topic on a tour bus event. But that's one of the words to describe this band: pop, rock, progressive, and of course edgy.

This week in the studio we have the band Venomentality. The band is keeping busy and playing out when ever they can. The sound is a brighter version of the punk/rock/pop era of the mid-90's after the raise of rhythm based power songs. But there is something slightly different when compared to the rockers of yester. The band has been able to make a name for themselves well before their 21st birthdays. They are kicking ass, taking names, and all of this between their school schedules. The lead singer, Val, was a bit under the weather but she managed to pull it off. We just added a couple of extra songs from their latest album to fill the interview (and I think you'll be pleased with the plugged in versions).

In early 2005, Valerie's band "Venomentality" was formed. For almost three years now, Valerie, along with lead guitarist Peter Kansas, bass player Kristin Hoeg, and drummer Ben Zeigler, have consistently played 1-4 shows per month, including high profile events such as the Union Square Virgin Megastore Mashup, opening for MINK at the Union Square NYU Back to School Blow Out, Albany's annual Larkfest, The NY State Ski and Snowboard Expo, the Rock 2 Rebuild benefits at Albany's Palace Theater, and the Historic Caffe' Lena's Emerging Artists Breakout Series in Saratoga Springs. The band recently filmed its first one hour syndicated television special "The New Music Showcase" at Comcast Studio in Springfield MA.

I find that we are more relaxed when doing it live, CRUMBS Café that is. In the studio this week, broadcasted live, is the one, the only, Super 400 as we kick off Season 3 with a bang. This was the second time CRUMBS Café has gone live and once again it was a huge success with a whopping 10 online listeners. All of the listeners were from the Capital Region with the exception of one who was from the Netherlands. How cool is that? The last time we broadcasted live with Sean Rowe we had a listener from Wichita. But back to the Band.

Super 400 has been on the local scene for over 12 years. These Troy natives have long since paid their dues. After four CDs and a near world tour, Super 400 is able to enjoy the success and share their success. During their 'visit' back to the Capital region they played at Tess's Lark Tavern but with a twist. The tickets were sold at a discounted rate if patrons brought a non-perishable food to the show. This has become a reoccurring theme for the band and one that other bands should follow. They enjoy giving back to the community were ever they go and especially in this area.

Again the live interview went quite well. I did have plenty of help from behind the mic via Bill Bucher and Crista Lea. They were able to jump in when I was rustling papers in search of a quality question. It was also great to interact with the listeners and have them run the show a bit. There were emails coming in all throughout the show. The topics of the questions ranged from a possible new record to roller skating.

For this episode of CRUMBS Café we ventured out of the studio to catch Rob Jonas' CD release party at Author's Market in the Stockade district of Schenectady. The atmosphere was an inviting and rather intimate. Rob performed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar as he sung his heart out to fill the medium sized room. He played for two hours and I was able to record a couple of them for this episode. After the show, I had a chance sit down with Rob and ask him a couple of questions.

For this episode of CRUMBS Café we ventured out of the studio to catch Rob Jonas' CD release party at Author's Market in the Stockade district of Schenectady. The atmosphere was an inviting and rather intimate. Rob performed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar as he sung his heart out to fill the medium sized room. He played for two hours and I was able to record a couple of them for this episode. After the show, I had a chance sit down with Rob and ask him a couple of questions.

I find that we are more relaxed when doing it live, CRUMBS Café that is. In the studio this week, broadcasted live, is the one, the only, Super 400 as we kick off Season 3 with a bang. This was the second time CRUMBS Café has gone live and once again it was a huge success with a whopping 10 online listeners. All of the listeners were from the Capital Region with the exception of one who was from the Netherlands. How cool is that? The last time we broadcasted live with Sean Rowe we had a listener from Wichita. But back to the Band.

Super 400 has been on the local scene for over 12 years. These Troy natives have long since paid their dues. After four CDs and a near world tour, Super 400 is able to enjoy the success and share their success. During their 'visit' back to the Capital region they played at Tess's Lark Tavern but with a twist. The tickets were sold at a discounted rate if patrons brought a non-perishable food to the show. This has become a reoccurring theme for the band and one that other bands should follow. They enjoy giving back to the community were ever they go and especially in this area.

Again the live interview went quite well. I did have plenty of help from behind the mic via Bill Bucher and Crista Lea. They were able to jump in when I was rustling papers in search of a quality question. It was also great to interact with the listeners and have them run the show a bit. There were emails coming in all throughout the show. The topics of the questions ranged from a possible new record to roller skating.

The conversation was off to a slow start but once they got into playing a tune they warmed up to the interview mic. It was a tight squeeze in the studio as Mike Bruce brought a scaled version of this kit. With the addition of a video camera we just barley fit in the small space. I've said if before: these guys have some great radio ready tunes. They were able to play acoustic versions of the songs Out There, This Time, and Would It Matter with each song featuring a different member on vocals. The songs' sound quality is impressive for recording in my attic.

Acoustic Trauma is a trio whose concept and goal is to defy the common stereotype that has tagged acoustic rock as being laid back or tame. In the 1990's, many popular bands have toned down their acts, characterizing themselves as being unplugged. Acoustic Trauma, with the use of some effects (electric distortion NOT being one of them), has proven that acoustic instruments are not limited to stool or sit down performances. Their strength lies in their instrumentation as it consists of finger- blistering acoustic guitar solos, strong drumbeats, intense violin playing, and many inventive bass leads.

The term acoustic trauma, refers to a medical diagnosis that is associated with hearing loss due to the continued exposure to loud sounds. The name was chosen, for it serves as a definitive pun, both identifying the band by definition as well as their goal in attempting to traumatize the acoustic world. Metroland, an Albany alternative publication, calls Acoustic Trauma a challenging and intriguing new band. They have also ranked Spirits and Reward of the Angel's Pride among the top ten local CDs in the Capital Region at the time of their release dates. Metroland has also named Acoustic Trauma Best Prog (Progressive) Band two years in a row in their Best of issues (1999 and 2000).

The trio have expanded their performance radius regionally, spanning from New York City and the Capital Region to Woodstock and Kingston, NY as well as hitting parts of Vermont and now exploring New Jersey. The band's experience includes many charity events as well as radio airplay on 102.7FM (WEQX), 103.5FM (The EDGE), 88.3FM (WVCR), WDST Radio Woodstock, and many others.

The conversation was off to a slow start but once they got into playing a tune they warmed up to the interview mic. It was a tight squeeze in the studio as Mike Bruce brought a scaled version of this kit. With the addition of a video camera we just barley fit in the small space. I've said if before: these guys have some great radio ready tunes. They were able to play acoustic versions of the songs Out There, This Time, and Would It Matter with each song featuring a different member on vocals. The songs' sound quality is impressive for recording in my attic.

Acoustic Trauma is a trio whose concept and goal is to defy the common stereotype that has tagged acoustic rock as being laid back or tame. In the 1990's, many popular bands have toned down their acts, characterizing themselves as being unplugged. Acoustic Trauma, with the use of some effects (electric distortion NOT being one of them), has proven that acoustic instruments are not limited to stool or sit down performances. Their strength lies in their instrumentation as it consists of finger- blistering acoustic guitar solos, strong drumbeats, intense violin playing, and many inventive bass leads.

The term acoustic trauma, refers to a medical diagnosis that is associated with hearing loss due to the continued exposure to loud sounds. The name was chosen, for it serves as a definitive pun, both identifying the band by definition as well as their goal in attempting to traumatize the acoustic world. Metroland, an Albany alternative publication, calls Acoustic Trauma a challenging and intriguing new band. They have also ranked Spirits and Reward of the Angel's Pride among the top ten local CDs in the Capital Region at the time of their release dates. Metroland has also named Acoustic Trauma Best Prog (Progressive) Band two years in a row in their Best of issues (1999 and 2000).

The trio have expanded their performance radius regionally, spanning from New York City and the Capital Region to Woodstock and Kingston, NY as well as hitting parts of Vermont and now exploring New Jersey. The band's experience includes many charity events as well as radio airplay on 102.7FM (WEQX), 103.5FM (The EDGE), 88.3FM (WVCR), WDST Radio Woodstock, and many others.