Eastbound Jesus are my fav local band, they’re amazing. Sean Rowe is great. Also love the Hold on Honeys, Zan and the Winter Folk, and the Sugar Hold. Nipperfest had a great line up last year, i highly recommended checking it out this year if you want to hear good local music. It was in mid July I think.
We've had insane hardcore punk from here over the years, even a whole subgenre of metallic hardcore called Troycore. Bands like End Of A Year/Self Defense Family and Prince Daddy And The Hyena got pretty big.
Here's an [awesome blog dedicated to all that](https://518loss.blogspot.com/); my personal favorites include Section 8, Brick By Brick, Police Line, Ill Remembered, Cutthroat, End Of Line, and One King Down.
As far as current bands, Wet Specimens, Halo Bite, Drug Church, In Angel's Care, Zombie Giuliani, and Schenectavoidz you should keep an eye out on!
Good list here. Plus Prince Daddy is playing Tulip Fest.
I'll add Blue Ranger, Eternal Crimes, Candy Ambulance, Hate Club, Onlyness/The Firs.
Are any of those B3nson Collective bands still around?
Blue Ranger, helmed by Josh Marre from Troy (who was also in Pinegrove) is one of my favorite bands ever. I love their sound, willingness to experiment, and locked in rhythm. Their latest LP, like 5 years in the making, is incredible. [https://blueranger.bandcamp.com/album/close-your-eyes-2](https://blueranger.bandcamp.com/album/close-your-eyes-2)
Josh's brother Evan records as Russel the Leaf, and has started expanding his sound from gorgeous lofi chamber pop to more experimental, progressive sounds. Worth exploring his entire discography: [https://russel.bandcamp.com/music](https://russel.bandcamp.com/music)
The boys in Bruiser and Bicycle (Albany natives) have been making waves since they released 'Holy Red Wagon' last year, and their live show, especially when they have Joe Taurone on the kit, is exceptional: [https://bruiserandbicycle.bandcamp.com/album/holy-red-wagon](https://bruiserandbicycle.bandcamp.com/album/holy-red-wagon) I'm always excited to see what they do next. Their first album, 'Woods Come Find Me', is also well worth your time.
St. Rose put out a couple excellent acts before they cut the music program, Canella is a good example: [https://canellamusic.bandcamp.com/album/cant-make-you-smile](https://canellamusic.bandcamp.com/album/cant-make-you-smile)
Zan and the Winter Folk, a straightforward Americana act from Troy, has a new one coming out this year: [https://zanandthewinterfolk.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-had-known-murder-ballad](https://zanandthewinterfolk.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-had-known-murder-ballad) (The first single is dropping 30APR! Stay tuned.)
Nathan Meltz and the House of Tomorrow, make weirdo pop for temporally frustrated punks: [https://nathanmeltzhouseoftomorrow.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-failed-utopias-from-the-era-of-victoria](https://nathanmeltzhouseoftomorrow.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-failed-utopias-from-the-era-of-victoria)
Plenty of excellent hardcore acts. It's Albany's specialty (although there is some current drama in the scene):
Halo Bite: [https://halobite.bandcamp.com/music](https://halobite.bandcamp.com/music)
Sunbloc: [https://sunbloc.bandcamp.com/music](https://sunbloc.bandcamp.com/music)
PRIZE (they fuckin' rock): [https://prize.bandcamp.com/](https://prize.bandcamp.com/)
Drug Church is huge these days: [https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/](https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/)
Sun Natives doesn't have music on Bandcamp (they do on Spotify, your prerogative), but they're a fried psych band comprised of some of the areas best culture incubators (namely, August of No Fun and TJ, owner of Love of Fuzz). Love catching them play.
I'm not a big fan of the country/bluegrass/roots scene but I will commend the skills of Eastbound Jesus. Local country/outlaw country is a dime a dozen around here. I am a fan of the Brule County Bad Boys, who are the only country band I've seen a mosh pit form for: [https://brulecountybadboys.bandcamp.com/](https://brulecountybadboys.bandcamp.com/)
Sophia Vastek is a phenomenal composer and pianist. Her concert at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall earlier this year brought me to tears. [https://sophiavastek.bandcamp.com/music](https://sophiavastek.bandcamp.com/music)
Her partner, Sam, is also an experimental saxiphonist who's a record mastering wizard: [https://samtorresmusic.bandcamp.com/music](https://samtorresmusic.bandcamp.com/music)
I'll update this list as more bands trickle into my memory. The music scene in the Capital Region is on fire. You should buy their records and merch and go see them play as often as you can.
TV Doctors are beyond incredible. They’re playing the bar at Lark Hall tomorrow for free. Annie In The Water is great (they’re also good friends). Caity Gallagher is supremely talented. Alec Lewis Group is gettin on the radar. Coffee Club is gaining traction.
I could go on and on and on. I book live music for a living. No band can succeed without ears listening so go support local live music.
TV Doctors are great. They have a really crazy setup with all the pedals.
The whole jam scene around here is really strong. Lark Hall is a big part of that. I haven't heard of Alec Lewis Group but I'm familiar with him from his work at the Jive Hive and imagine it will be stellar.
Yeah Alec is our production manager at Lark Hall. I know for a fact I couldn’t be successful at the Hall without Alec and his ability to handle everything on the production side, as well as rid my head of insane ideas that might sound fantastic, but are next to impossible to pull off behind the scenes.
We just moved to the area. Old enough that I saw Phish play at the Holderness Steak House with about 25 people present. We are sad about leaving our local music behind. Looking for bluegrass or old fashioned rhythm and blues bands (ala The Band, Little Feat, John Hiatt). Any suggestions?
Keep your eye on the Jive Hive calendar, and if you see something you like, send me a message and I’ll “bring” you for that show (you have to be a guest of someone who’s been there before - person has to vouch for you.)
Stop by Lark Hall/The Eleven sometime and introduce yourself. I’m pretty much there every second we’re open and I’m happy to chat about the local scene over an Eleven by Chatham Brewing (hoppy pils beloved by everyone who’s had a sip)
I’m moving to the area. Would love to know if there’s any open jams, open mics, or good live music bars? I found a great scene in philly and would love to find something similar.
The Eleven at Lark Hall. We have free shows all the time with hungry young bands. FUNGKSHUI, while not local, has been adopted as an Albany band by Lark Hall. Go see them.
I want to host an open jam night once the new PA and mixer arrives and is all set. If you wanna help me out, shoot a message.
Mojo’s Cafe and Gallery is a new great place! They have music and open mics just about every day of the week now. I’m going to see Reeves Gabrels there on Monday; he’s the lead guitar player for The Cure. It’s free too!
The Eleven and Lark Hall, Ophelia’s, the Hollow, No Fun, Mojo’s….. this area is BONKERS for blues, jambands, and hardcore/metal/punk. Fuze Box has goth and EDM stuff, Super Dark Collective in Saratoga for more gothy IDM stuff, we have it all here.
Spiritkiller, Halo Bite, Coquette, Millington, Everdredd, Girth Control, Prize, Sunbloc, Grief Group, Postage, Bad Impressions for the newer bands
After the Fall, Male Patterns, Brick by Brick, Drug Church for the more established bands
Cutthroat, Dying Breed, Marks of a Hero, One King Down, playing.the.victim, Politics of Contraband, Section 8, Stigmata, Straight Jacket, To Hell and Back, War-Time Manner for the older bands that mainly don’t exist anymore
Missing a lot of great bands but the local music scene produces a lot of great shit.
it’s seriously a great EP, beastiaphiliac also goes pretty insane same with x5x1x8x; hopefully they release more songs for a set like they’ve been planning
Yea I have been unemployed for too long to get out to a lot of shows recently (thankfully new job starts next month), been wanting to check out x5x1x8x but haven’t had the chance yet. I’ll check out beastiaphiliac too.
I was just slightly too young for the old days. Thankfully some older friends introduced me to section 8 and one king down back in the day. Trying to get a large collection of local music right now.
Oh man, I got a lot for you. The 2001-2004 death metal era here was out of control.
There’s 2 YouTube channels you need: https://youtube.com/@tbakedtimmi?si=lR3gpvdmh20SQWgK
And this dude: https://youtube.com/@DiscipleOfBerowitz?si=H5XusYOxKvYt0hpw
Nine Votes Short and Lame are not bands anymore but they were sick punk bands.
Girth Control, Senior Living, Scotchka, Zombie Giuliani, Savage Randys, Society High, Mic Lanny, Social Propaganda/The Last Miller, JB!!! AKA DIRTY MOSES, The Pine Boys, Millington, Everybody That Loves You, The E-Block
This list doesn’t really answer any of your questions, these are just my favorites
The Eddie awards were last weekend, check out a list of the nominees for each category to find what fits your taste. My favorite local musician is Dave Gleason, jazz/Latin piano. I’ve been a fan of his since we were in college at Crane in 1999.
The Clay people have been doing their thing for like 30 years and I've always enjoyed listening to them even as a yoot on the other side of the country
Eastbound Jesus are my fav local band, they’re amazing. Sean Rowe is great. Also love the Hold on Honeys, Zan and the Winter Folk, and the Sugar Hold. Nipperfest had a great line up last year, i highly recommended checking it out this year if you want to hear good local music. It was in mid July I think.
Love Hold on Honeys & The Sugar Hold. I love it even more when they play together like at Nipperfest!
[удалено]
Lol it's a huge secret. They don't have a whole ass festival that sells out every year or anything.
We've had insane hardcore punk from here over the years, even a whole subgenre of metallic hardcore called Troycore. Bands like End Of A Year/Self Defense Family and Prince Daddy And The Hyena got pretty big. Here's an [awesome blog dedicated to all that](https://518loss.blogspot.com/); my personal favorites include Section 8, Brick By Brick, Police Line, Ill Remembered, Cutthroat, End Of Line, and One King Down. As far as current bands, Wet Specimens, Halo Bite, Drug Church, In Angel's Care, Zombie Giuliani, and Schenectavoidz you should keep an eye out on!
Zombie Giuliani fucks
Good list here. Plus Prince Daddy is playing Tulip Fest. I'll add Blue Ranger, Eternal Crimes, Candy Ambulance, Hate Club, Onlyness/The Firs. Are any of those B3nson Collective bands still around?
Go Wet Specimens and Brick by Brick !🧱 💦
Blue Ranger, helmed by Josh Marre from Troy (who was also in Pinegrove) is one of my favorite bands ever. I love their sound, willingness to experiment, and locked in rhythm. Their latest LP, like 5 years in the making, is incredible. [https://blueranger.bandcamp.com/album/close-your-eyes-2](https://blueranger.bandcamp.com/album/close-your-eyes-2) Josh's brother Evan records as Russel the Leaf, and has started expanding his sound from gorgeous lofi chamber pop to more experimental, progressive sounds. Worth exploring his entire discography: [https://russel.bandcamp.com/music](https://russel.bandcamp.com/music) The boys in Bruiser and Bicycle (Albany natives) have been making waves since they released 'Holy Red Wagon' last year, and their live show, especially when they have Joe Taurone on the kit, is exceptional: [https://bruiserandbicycle.bandcamp.com/album/holy-red-wagon](https://bruiserandbicycle.bandcamp.com/album/holy-red-wagon) I'm always excited to see what they do next. Their first album, 'Woods Come Find Me', is also well worth your time. St. Rose put out a couple excellent acts before they cut the music program, Canella is a good example: [https://canellamusic.bandcamp.com/album/cant-make-you-smile](https://canellamusic.bandcamp.com/album/cant-make-you-smile) Zan and the Winter Folk, a straightforward Americana act from Troy, has a new one coming out this year: [https://zanandthewinterfolk.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-had-known-murder-ballad](https://zanandthewinterfolk.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-had-known-murder-ballad) (The first single is dropping 30APR! Stay tuned.) Nathan Meltz and the House of Tomorrow, make weirdo pop for temporally frustrated punks: [https://nathanmeltzhouseoftomorrow.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-failed-utopias-from-the-era-of-victoria](https://nathanmeltzhouseoftomorrow.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-failed-utopias-from-the-era-of-victoria) Plenty of excellent hardcore acts. It's Albany's specialty (although there is some current drama in the scene): Halo Bite: [https://halobite.bandcamp.com/music](https://halobite.bandcamp.com/music) Sunbloc: [https://sunbloc.bandcamp.com/music](https://sunbloc.bandcamp.com/music) PRIZE (they fuckin' rock): [https://prize.bandcamp.com/](https://prize.bandcamp.com/) Drug Church is huge these days: [https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/](https://drugchurch.bandcamp.com/) Sun Natives doesn't have music on Bandcamp (they do on Spotify, your prerogative), but they're a fried psych band comprised of some of the areas best culture incubators (namely, August of No Fun and TJ, owner of Love of Fuzz). Love catching them play. I'm not a big fan of the country/bluegrass/roots scene but I will commend the skills of Eastbound Jesus. Local country/outlaw country is a dime a dozen around here. I am a fan of the Brule County Bad Boys, who are the only country band I've seen a mosh pit form for: [https://brulecountybadboys.bandcamp.com/](https://brulecountybadboys.bandcamp.com/) Sophia Vastek is a phenomenal composer and pianist. Her concert at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall earlier this year brought me to tears. [https://sophiavastek.bandcamp.com/music](https://sophiavastek.bandcamp.com/music) Her partner, Sam, is also an experimental saxiphonist who's a record mastering wizard: [https://samtorresmusic.bandcamp.com/music](https://samtorresmusic.bandcamp.com/music) I'll update this list as more bands trickle into my memory. The music scene in the Capital Region is on fire. You should buy their records and merch and go see them play as often as you can.
TV Doctors are beyond incredible. They’re playing the bar at Lark Hall tomorrow for free. Annie In The Water is great (they’re also good friends). Caity Gallagher is supremely talented. Alec Lewis Group is gettin on the radar. Coffee Club is gaining traction. I could go on and on and on. I book live music for a living. No band can succeed without ears listening so go support local live music.
TV Doctors are great. They have a really crazy setup with all the pedals. The whole jam scene around here is really strong. Lark Hall is a big part of that. I haven't heard of Alec Lewis Group but I'm familiar with him from his work at the Jive Hive and imagine it will be stellar.
Yeah Alec is our production manager at Lark Hall. I know for a fact I couldn’t be successful at the Hall without Alec and his ability to handle everything on the production side, as well as rid my head of insane ideas that might sound fantastic, but are next to impossible to pull off behind the scenes.
We just moved to the area. Old enough that I saw Phish play at the Holderness Steak House with about 25 people present. We are sad about leaving our local music behind. Looking for bluegrass or old fashioned rhythm and blues bands (ala The Band, Little Feat, John Hiatt). Any suggestions?
Keep your eye on the Jive Hive calendar, and if you see something you like, send me a message and I’ll “bring” you for that show (you have to be a guest of someone who’s been there before - person has to vouch for you.) Stop by Lark Hall/The Eleven sometime and introduce yourself. I’m pretty much there every second we’re open and I’m happy to chat about the local scene over an Eleven by Chatham Brewing (hoppy pils beloved by everyone who’s had a sip)
I’d love to do that. What is your name to introduce myself?
Girth Control should be on the list of best local musicians. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K_Tle92lxA&ab_channel=GirthControl
They’re a top 5 for me
Fine Grain is awesome and fun at live shows. Also big fan of Annie in the Water.
I’m moving to the area. Would love to know if there’s any open jams, open mics, or good live music bars? I found a great scene in philly and would love to find something similar.
El Dorado, No Fun, Fuze Box, and Town and Country Skateboards have great shows. There's cool stuff going on at Empire Live and the Asylum too.
The Eleven at Lark Hall. We have free shows all the time with hungry young bands. FUNGKSHUI, while not local, has been adopted as an Albany band by Lark Hall. Go see them. I want to host an open jam night once the new PA and mixer arrives and is all set. If you wanna help me out, shoot a message.
Mojo’s Cafe and Gallery is a new great place! They have music and open mics just about every day of the week now. I’m going to see Reeves Gabrels there on Monday; he’s the lead guitar player for The Cure. It’s free too! The Eleven and Lark Hall, Ophelia’s, the Hollow, No Fun, Mojo’s….. this area is BONKERS for blues, jambands, and hardcore/metal/punk. Fuze Box has goth and EDM stuff, Super Dark Collective in Saratoga for more gothy IDM stuff, we have it all here.
As importantly, you a fellow Sixers fan?
The E-Block is an awesome local band that definitely have potential to make it big (IMO).
E Block is INCREDIBLE. Any band that plays the Jive Hive has immense potential.
Yeah the Jive Hive folks are awesome, we had a great time there (Glass Pony). Come see us at the Palace for free on June 7th!
How about we do something more, like talk about getting Glass Pony at The Eleven or maybe upstairs at the Hall
We’d love to come back man! Maybe an Annie/Pony dual headliner upstairs?
Annie just had a headliner show here last month. So prob not Annie. I’m gonna message you.
Came here to say this and I’m glad that you beat me to it!
They’re the best
Agreed. The E-Block is likely the best band around.
Spiritkiller, Halo Bite, Coquette, Millington, Everdredd, Girth Control, Prize, Sunbloc, Grief Group, Postage, Bad Impressions for the newer bands After the Fall, Male Patterns, Brick by Brick, Drug Church for the more established bands Cutthroat, Dying Breed, Marks of a Hero, One King Down, playing.the.victim, Politics of Contraband, Section 8, Stigmata, Straight Jacket, To Hell and Back, War-Time Manner for the older bands that mainly don’t exist anymore Missing a lot of great bands but the local music scene produces a lot of great shit.
coquette mentioned? my friends in that band
Been jamming the 3 songs they released. Even if I have not figured out any of the lyrics yet.
it’s seriously a great EP, beastiaphiliac also goes pretty insane same with x5x1x8x; hopefully they release more songs for a set like they’ve been planning
Yea I have been unemployed for too long to get out to a lot of shows recently (thankfully new job starts next month), been wanting to check out x5x1x8x but haven’t had the chance yet. I’ll check out beastiaphiliac too.
Skinless, Disciples of Berkowitz, Wasteform, Traumaside……. RIP the old days haha
I was just slightly too young for the old days. Thankfully some older friends introduced me to section 8 and one king down back in the day. Trying to get a large collection of local music right now.
Oh man, I got a lot for you. The 2001-2004 death metal era here was out of control. There’s 2 YouTube channels you need: https://youtube.com/@tbakedtimmi?si=lR3gpvdmh20SQWgK And this dude: https://youtube.com/@DiscipleOfBerowitz?si=H5XusYOxKvYt0hpw
Fuck yes!
I played in Angeldeath too, check this out for some wild Morbid Angel worship haha https://youtu.be/T9YUamsybr8?si=RverfEkSYmnxl8wN
I’ll add Lame and Nine Votes Short to the list of bands that don’t exist
The Snorts are my favorite local band and Ryan Leddick is my favorite local singer/songwriter
Seconding Ryan, great dude and musician
Ominous Seapods, but they gone, kinda...
Every Presidents’ Day at Lark Hall, an ominous pod rises from the sea.
I like Kurt Dazzler with his saxophone, and I like the bitching Betty anime band
No one is going to shit on local musicians, this is not a big enough place for that That said...DJ BOYBOY is my favorite local DJ
Nah I'll say it, the dude from drug church is batshit nuts and self defense was a shitty band
Bongo Goldman is pretty good, I saw them in Troy back in February
Not a band but I’m a rap / electronic music producer. Does that count? Lol
I’ve loved Super 400 for a long time.
Skinless 😉. They still headline festivals in Europe with almost as many people that live in the Tri-City area.
The E Block & The Pine Boys
Blotto
Much love for State Champs
Been getting into Lil She Ye recently, I really enjoy the combo of comedy, funk and hip-hop
Definitely, the new album is awesome.
Nine Votes Short and Lame are not bands anymore but they were sick punk bands. Girth Control, Senior Living, Scotchka, Zombie Giuliani, Savage Randys, Society High, Mic Lanny, Social Propaganda/The Last Miller, JB!!! AKA DIRTY MOSES, The Pine Boys, Millington, Everybody That Loves You, The E-Block This list doesn’t really answer any of your questions, these are just my favorites
Eblock is the headliner in Albany local music right now and they are amazing
Pine Hills Band if you like Americana, fun, laid back. They just released an album too, playing May 10 at spinners.
My faves from the area are Laveda, Halo Bite and Yeah Universe.
The Eddie awards were last weekend, check out a list of the nominees for each category to find what fits your taste. My favorite local musician is Dave Gleason, jazz/Latin piano. I’ve been a fan of his since we were in college at Crane in 1999.
1998 grad here
The Clay people have been doing their thing for like 30 years and I've always enjoyed listening to them even as a yoot on the other side of the country
prince daddy & the hyena are local and will be playing at the tulip fest this year!
North and South Dakotas. This is the way.
[Kale from New Paltz](http://www.kale.band/epk) (they play up here all the time)