CRUMBS Cafe

05 Nov 2008: CRUMBS Cafe Turns the Big 5-0. The original plan was to have Ben Karis-Nix stop by for an episode with just him. He surprised us that night by bringing along Mike Matta from The Sketchy Indians and Amanda Rogers hence forming The Kite Room. This was the first time the band performed under that name and what a great collaboration it was. They were able to play three acoustic versions of some previously released songs with some new life. The talent in this band is striking, poetic, and captures the moment. Amanda Rogers, fresh from her latest European tour and her most recent internationally anticipated record release, Heartwood, will be playing old and new songs featured on MTV shows such as The Real World and The Hills. Ben Karis-Nix, with songs featured on television shows such as the CW's One Tree Hill, will be playing tracks from his new solo EP, We Are Giants Now (Best Electro-Pop - Metroland, Albany, NY, 2008). This new release immerses the listener in a symphony of subtle synth patches and sampled beats that coexist with Ben's guitar and pliant, sometimes plaintive vocals. Mike Matta is a member of The Sketchy Indians who are a songwriting collective that are as poetic and sincere as they are playfully ridiculous. This tour reunites former members of the indie-rock giants Jupiter Sunrise, known for their stellar, energetic live shows and year-round tours in their veg-oil-powered RV. After these powerful songwriters perform, don't leave too soon, because the night is not over until these 3 indie all-stars unite onstage to unleash mayhem as a Voltron-like supergroup. These shows promise to turn every new listener into a full-fledged fan and believer in the power of the indie artist.

21 Nov 2008: On this episode of CRUMBS we have in the studio Mike Trash and Johnny Riott from The Erotics. The topics ranged from the release of their new album 'Rubbish' to a couple of interesting stories while on the road. The guys were a bit mellow especially when compared to their live performances. My recommendation is to catch them out live to get the full spectrum on the band. There are few things in life that make me hum and haw in eager anticipation, and one of them is hearing a new batch of tunes from the slimy superman of sensational sleaze, Mike Trash. Trash is one of the best songwriters around when it comes to injecting your favorite flash riffs with a fistful of snark, a shake of venom, and a high ball of backstage, underage, fleshy fetish. I mean, the shit that pours out of this guy is pure genius, or harrowing sin, depending on how you swing. So, here we have six songs that live up to the standard set by The Erotic's seminal 2003 release, All That Glitters is Dead. Delivered by Trash and his two new henchmen, Jamie Hangover (bass) and Johnny Riott (drums), the music, for the most part, carries through - all snotty, catchy, and positively bursting with disease - but RNRKM takes a certain departure thematically. The decadence and delinquency is abandoned this time around for a more personal vision. Sure, Trash's exploits have always been about decadence and delinquency, but that's exactly what almost reserved him the shotgun seat beside the Reaper.

15 Oct 2008: On this episode with Mark Frederick Band we had a full house with all five members stopping by in the new CRUMBS Café studio. I was quite pleased to get a stellar mix even though everyone was on top of each other in the same room. Surprisingly most of the mics didn't bleed over. The band has been together for just over seven months and has somehow managed to land a couple of major gigs including opening up for Sirsy and The Crayons. By the way, Mark still has a difficult time pronouncing Sirsy any other way than Sear-see. The band was able to perform three acoustic versions of their original songs. They have greatly improved since we first caught up with them back in May. It's great to see the band progress and the songs improve with each performance. We are looking forward to the band's next installment as they head into the studio to record their first album.

14 Oct 2008: On this week's episode of CRUMBS Café we had in the studio Charlie Everywhere. First off, what an amazing sound and performance. We have been looking forward to getting the band in for a while and it was worth the wait. They came in on the heels of their mini-tour in Seattle and on the verge of their upcoming album. The interview was great but is all came back to the fresh sounds of their songs. One can pull out familiar sounds the likes of Postal Service, Air, and The Avalanches. Josh has this great ear for catchy beats, rhythm and texturing. Sarah has a breathy blend of vocals that interlace well with the sometimes hard hitting beats. Keep a close eye on this band as there is a good chance they will be blossom beyond what the Capital Region can offer.

08 Oct 2008: On this week's episode of CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Aaron and Donna from Scientific Maps. What really makes this band shine beside their solid vocals is their eclectic musical blend inspired by retro movies and skunk apes. Some of the concepts and defining topics may be unique but the back is still able to quickly capture your taste for that great new sound. It's easy to relate to the songs and hum them later as a passing thought. Scientific Maps is a pseudonym for Albany, N.Y. resident and musician, Aaron Smith, as well as the name of the four-piece band. Scientific Maps started in 2003 as a side project for Smith, the then bass player for Albany band The Stars of Rock. As The Stars ceased functioning, Aaron began concentrating on writing and recording hits for an album with songs reflecting influences as varied as the supernatural and crypto-zoological to British invasion to Sherlock Holmes to Elephant 6 and then back to the supernatural.

17 Sep 2008: On this week's episode of CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Nate and Lowell from 28N. What a great time we had with these guys. They were gracious enough to travel over an hour to get to our studio be it was worth it. Often Billy Bucher and I a lead the helm during the interview process but Nate lead the way with his charisma. We always love it when bands give us a couple of great stories and on this episode it seem like the great stories just kept coming. Employing electronics in a whole different way-to fill in for the lack of a full-time bassist-Nate Stengrevics and Lowell Stringer sound like twice the band they actually are. Judging by the radio-friendly alt-rock sound of their latest CD, Where Tenses Meet, 28N are about one crossover hit away from the Top 40.

03 Sep 2008: Looking for someone new? Curious about that the local music scene could sound like in the next ten years? On this week's episode of CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Stuck On Stupid. These guys can belt out tunes from The Eagle and ACDC and write songs that have a similar rock edge and aggression. They were able to play three acoustic songs and we here at CRUMBS were quite impressed. Oh yeah, did I mention that the average age of the band is 16? When these guys hit their mid-20s they will be a predominate band in the local music scene or maybe even sooner. Their music reflects the current resurgence of classic rock reflected in a generation that embraces an immortal genre. The band has been gaining national attention after making two appearances on 'Living Room Live' a band contest on the CBS Morning Show including winning their round. Their 'classic' music style and professional stage show appeals to a diverse audience from black t-shirted teens to aging baby boomers. SoS has opened for nationally renowned acts such as Dokken, L.A. Guns, and Dom Playing on stage with Tesla.

01 Oct 2008: On this week's episode of CRUMBS Café we have in the studio Katie Haverly. We don't often get someone in who makes our hearts melt. With her song writing coupled with a great voice is easy to fall into such a spell. The episode was also co-hosted by Billy Bucher of Freakshow Music Productions and Mike Fronk of the Mark Frederick Band.The recording of the show started just as if it were any other radio show with the interview. Katie gave us some pretty interesting and some times deep discussion topics. She played her first song of the night and it set the musical bar for night. Then out of no where, as if the three of us were blind sided my a Mack truck, she proceeded to perform this amazing song with a jazz soul and vibrant, acoustic voice. We were instantly stunned and knew that this was sure to be a hit. Take a listen and let me know what you think about the episode; especially the second songs. Great job Katie.

27 Aug 2008: Maggie Mayday is the new band from former Suggestions frontman and acclaimed singer-songwriter John Brodeur. Bassist Jenn McCarron brings a manic energy to the stage, and a fluid and melodic playing style to the songs. Meghan Tully can be about the loudest drummer you've ever heard, when she's being nice. The trio are putting the finishing touches on their first album with producer Troy Pohl, due in early 2009. The interview came out great and it may have been one of our best ones. The highlights are the three acoustic songs they were able to play. Personally I have been humming these hooky choruses for the past couple of weeks. You will find yourself humming them shortly after listening to the radio show. Since forming in the spring of 2007, Maggie Mayday has performed alongside such acts as the Bravery, 311, Matisyahu, VHS or Beta, Shiny Toy Guns and TV on the Radio.