CRUMBS Cafe

14 Dec 2010: Chris's influences run deep and, well, a bit sporadic to say the least; "Everyone from David Bowie to Julius LaRosa," he claims. The truth reads a little more like a rock and roll pedigree should: "I've played guitar for as long as I could hold one. But I was never interested in playing in front of people until my sophomore year in high school. That's when I saw Sprinsteen live. My heart, my mind, my ears...my LIFE...it all changed! I went home and put on "Born to Run" and started learning the tunes one by one. I'll let you know when I got them right. Should be any day now. "From there it was life on the road and tour to the death. And as Busone will attest, the road is every cliche you've ever heard about it. "The first bands I was in were great. We played hard, and then, we played hard. It was an all out assault and we weren't giving an inch. It taught me how to play night after night and still have a voice. It taught me that there is only one way to play; as hard as you can for as long as can. It also taught me that I never want to sleep in a van with 5 other guys again. "Close quarters aside, the relentless playing schedule honed his craft and Chris grew out there among the bar-flies the beers lights. And that's what you hear today.

16 Nov 2010: An extreme metal project made up of members of upstate New York's scene veterans: Last call , Execution Style, Politics Of Contraband and Conflict Of Interest. Formed in November of 2008, BLACK JOHN WAYNE is currently writing music breaking away from their previous bands -TROY CORE traditions. Relentless, intense, ear shattering, not for the weak. Rockin' thrashy hardcore that has been infused with a very jammy blues metal tinge! Hell is not a pretty place and neither is the world we we live in. BLACK JOHN WAYNE is currently finishing writing their first full length CD. Ralph Renna has been one busy man as of late. He just Unveiled a major concert series under his Capital Underground Live banner, and now he's announced a new album from his band Black John Wayne. "Serenade of the Black and Blues" recorded at Albany's North Sea Studios with producer Brett Portzer, is due in early 2011. It't the first full length featuring 13 songs from this group of Troycore vets, and the recognizable sound is present- but Renna says they're "not afraid to break the mold they all helped shape in the 1990s.

23 Nov 2010: On this 100th episode of CRUMBS Cafe, we take to time to step back and look at the over 90 bands that came through the studios over the years. We gave those who are directly involved in the show a chance to select their favorite picks. First up is Guzzo's pick. He selected a song from the Saratoga band The Tequila Mockingbirds - Episode 064 recorded on April 22, 2009. Bill Bucher, the CRUMBS Cafe senior co-host, selected a song from an episode where the entire episode was submitted as Exhibit G in a divorce case; more on this in an upcoming episode when the band stops by for a follow-up to the interview. Bill's pick was Blackcat Elliot - Episode 009 recorded on March 22, 2007. Chris Wienk, from Exit 97.7 WEXT, had a number of picks but narrowed the selection down to Jesse Stewart - Episode 036 recorded on April 14, 2008. Dave Michaels, also from WEXT, selected a band that was under another name at the time. They stopped by the day after their pivotal Seattle trip and before they signed to a major label. Dave selected band now known as Phantogram - Episode 047 recorded on October, 14 2008. Rich Krissel, the official CRUMBS photographer, and Andy Gregory, the CRUMBS blogger at large, both selected the Troy native with that deep, soulful voice: Sean Rowe - Episode 030 recorded on December 12, 2007. Dan Ross, the office CRUMBS videographer, selected a song from a band that performed as an acoustic duet: Moxie - Episode 024 recorded on October 22, 2007. So we shared our picks. What is your CRUMBS Cafe pick?

19 Nov 2010: What can be said about Brittany Mayfield, Plenty. Just as many performers before her, she was born into a musical family who helped lay out the foundation for who she would ultimately become. Being fed healthy doses of Rock and Blues helped pave the way for Brittany. As time passed the hard work was starting to pay off. She developed a unique guitar playing style along with very controlled and power vocals. She was cutting her teeth on stage with bands that her father played in and then onto various duo's and solo projects, becoming a very accomplished singer/ songwriter by her early 20s. Music is something that Brittany lives and breathes. She brings to the stage performances that are powerful yet passionate while making the listener feel relaxed and welcome at the venues she performs at. Whether its watching her play solo or with the "Cherry Picked" Brittany Mayfield band the audience member is transported into her musical world. She can easily slide from a rock or R&B tunes right into a smooth and tasty blues number without missing a beat. So do yourself a favor and check out any of her live performances, EP or upcoming CDs, you will walk away only wanting more. Check this site for upcoming CD releases and Tour info.

02 Nov 2010: Based out of Albany, N.Y., Palatypus draws from the best of the Country, Bluegrass and Folk music genres to create a distinct melodic and harmonic sound. Their songs evoke a spectrum of emotional states, ranging from the lament of loves gone wrong to the simple joys found in sharing a few drinks with friends. The duo focuses on well constructed vocal harmonies layered over the rhythm of Mike's and the melody of Matt's guitar. The songs are story driven, simultaneously metaphysical and visual, and captivate their audiences with deft acuity in their sensibility. Always entertaining and engaging, Palatypus continues to gain musical recognition and win fans across the Capital Region and in the greater North East.

19 Oct 2010: Singer/songwriter Rob Skane composes songs that draw you in, with lyrics that are heartfelt and at times heartbreaking and haunting. His music shows an intense interest in people and the reasons they do what they do. The Albany, N.Y.-based Skane writes great, catchy songs with smart, strong lyrics. A natural born storyteller, his songs tell about lovers getting away, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray jamming together, watching the evening news and trying to understand what it means. Rob Skane has a timeless indie approach, an affinity for wordplay, tight, melodic guitar playing and undoubtedly compelling lyrics. An outstanding songwriter. Rob Skane has shared stages across the Eastern United States and Canada with Dion, Jeff Buckley, Alejandro Escovedo, Jonathan Richman, Dan Zanes, NRBQ, Graham Parker, The Fleshtones, Jesse Malin, Jim Lauderdale, Juliana Hatfield, Pat Dinizio (of Smithereens), Grant Hart, Andy Shernoff (of The Dictators), The Silos, The Figgs and Jeffrey Gaines among others.

06 Oct 2010: The Realside is a pop-rock solo studio project out of Albany with roots in Nashville and Memphis, TN. All music written, performed and recorded by Terry McClain, except where noted on live performances. Currently performing acoustic shows around the Northeast. Terry McClain (who also leads his own rock outfit, Guiltless Cult), just released what he calls a "philosophical electronic-rock album that studies the longing for peace in a world full of hypocrisy, delusions and deception." But Willett Comb, recorded under pseudonym The Realside, is more than just a bunch of conspiracy-theory gobbledygook: It's an engaging rock record, with politically pointed lyrics couched in poetry and brought to fruit by McClain's elastic voice and instrumental talents. (Frank) Moscowitz, who's been popping up everywhere lately despite having relocated to New York City last fall, also contributes to a few tracks. \n\n\nTheir recent record is a philosophical electronic-rock album that studies the longing for peace in a world full of hypocrisy, delusions and deception. It's an album with 17 songs and 76 minutes of music dedicated to the second American Revolution.

29 Sep 2010: Upstate, NY Solo artist whose music ranges from acoustic rock to heavier flavors.\n\nWorking as a solo artist who performs, creates and writes his own music has been a blessing for him, Palangi said, due to some of his past medical issues. As a writer, he says he focuses on creating songs people will want to be mainstream and modern. Nostalgia, he believes, is also an important facet of songwriting. Music should be entertainment. The more you listen, the more you want, Palangi said. It's all about revisiting songs and remembering when you heard them in a certain time of your life almost like a photo album. Palangi likes to perform as frequently as possible. He plays heavily in the area around Upstate, NY, the city he calls home. I like to play at the local coffee houses and some restaurants, he says, noting that he prefers to avoid bars where people are often too drunk to really appreciate the music they're hearing. His constant playing (and constant writing and recording, too) are signs of his passion for music something he believes is required for someone to be truly accomplished as a musical artist. If you want to play music, it must be a passion and a drive. Practice is the key to getting better.

26 May 2010: The freshest and hottest band to hit the Capital Region in years, The Ill Funk Ensemble is like no other in the area. In an area awash with mediocre rock groups and generic party band, The Ill Funk Ensemble sets itself apart by doing what few are doing outside of LA or NYC: creating a LIVE R&B and hip-hop and soul experience. Fronted by Albany's premier soul/hip-hop artist, Jermaine Wells, and backed by some of the best musicians the area has to offer, Ill Funk performs music made famous by the Jackson 5, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, and The Roots, among many others, as well as playing original music from their debut album, Catching Wreck. Combined, the five members of the band have over 80 years performance experience, are accomplished in jazz, rock, funk, classical and hip-hop and have shared the stage with Tower of Power, Young MC and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. With a combination of style, grace and professionalism that is rare in today's music industry, Ill Funk takes pride in their ability to appeal to an audience of any range, while providing a top-notch stage show and an authentic R&B and Hip-Hop experience that will leave your clients and customers talking about the show long after they leave. Perfect for any size venue, whether it be a large outdoor stage, or a small private club, The Ill Funk Ensemble will get people up singing along and packing the dance floor!

05 May 2010: Raised in New York City, John began playing Subway stations and bars in and around Manhattan in his early twenties. His songwriting has evolved over the past 15 years from intimate walks through the blue-black city streets and bar-rooms of New York City, to autumn brown country roads paved with gratitude. John has a loyal grass-roots fan base and continuously tours throughout the Northeast. John's sound is described by Jazz Bassist Joe Fonda as "true lyrical poetry that is rooted in the blues and has a deep groove". The music is seamless and moves effortlessly between powerful testimonials of love and redemption and mournful ballads of regret and perseverance. John plays strictly acoustic music. It is clean, soulful and honest. John's music takes listeners on a journey they do not soon forget. Josh Hathaway of Blog Critics wrote that there is a truly unique quality to Scarpulla's music that honors blues, soul, pop and Americana at the same time.\n\nScarpulla credits the longevity of the careers of his influences such as Van Morrison, Joe Cocker and Neil Young to their uncompromising honesty and individuality. Good music outlasts trends and maintains its integrity way after the sweet first bite of the flavor of the month.