Modern American Gypsies: Big D and The Stanhope House

It was past midnight.  Saturday morning and I was drenched in sweat.  I was alerted that David Mcwane, the lead singer of Big D and The Kids Table was at the bar.  Loren and I were excited to just get an autograph.  We got more then that.  You see I had just bought David's book The Modern American Gypsy and was hoping to get all of the band to sign it.  David made jokes about the show and downplayed his rock star label, then circled his favorite chapter in his own book highlighting it's importance.  He signed 6 posters for us.  We did our best to not act star struck, but to me anyone in a ska band is most likely humble or should be.  He said, "People always ask me if I have time. As if I have somewhere to be."  and let out a laugh.

One third of the way through David's book, a paragraph reminded me that the Big D show I attended was just one night.  David did this every night!  England, Scotland, Netherlands, France, Luxemberg, and Germany.  All  just a third of the book.  How did he find the energy, strength, and passion to play every night as hard as the last?  Sleeping in attics with cracked roofs and bar floors stained with puke and blood. I was just one night, one fan and he had many more to go.  When you're a Modern American Gypsy you're working class, it's hard work disguised by passion and love of music.

Big D played hard and fast.  Answered the crowds energy with more energy, resulting in more adrenaline on both sides. The $15 ticket price was worth this. It was worth the large bruises appearing two days later on both my shins from being pushed into the amp on stage.  I looked to my right, me and my new friend screamed lyrics at each other with a smile, we will never talk or see each other ever again, only united by the music.  This is a clear sign of a good show.  I turn around to see my friends yelling and smiling, the result of what was called The City Special, $6 dollars for a shot of well whisky and a PBR.  I love the Stanhope House.

A Post By: Michael Berger

Big D and the Kids Table rock the Stanhope House

Pictured left to right: Loren Kessell, David McWane,
Mike Berger, Fiona Lynch

The Stanhope House is a place where local musicians and well-known bands can come together. Every night offers a different kind of show from punk rock to blues.  On Friday, May 11 the ska punk band Big D and the Kids Table put on the show of a lifetime.

The opening acts before them were all talented, and they included the bands Hub City Stompers, Survay Says!, and a group of high school students known as No Vertebrae.  The Stanhope House was filling up with people while each band played, and eventually it hit max capacity.

Over time the room felt stuffy, and my phone was collecting condensation on it from the sheer amount of people, but the excitement was buzzing in the room like electricity. Everyone was awaiting Big D's performance, and when they came on stage everyone went wild.

The togetherness was incredible, and the dancing was great. David McWane, the lead singer, also explained why the band went through a hiatus.  He had been diagnosed with cancer, and he took the time off in order to fight it. Luckily for him he won the battle, and he told the audience to never give up hope if anyone is dealing with the disease.

They played the songs "Steady Riot," and "Shining On," during their set and the crowd went wild.  They also played the song "Noise Complaint," which I thought was appropriate considering how loud the show was in such a small neighborhood. They left the stage after their last song, but everyone at once started shouting for one more song.  This turned into everyone chanting for the song, "LA.X" and the band took the stage one more time.

McWane said instead of "LA.X" they would be playing some free form jazz, and everyone started playing different melodies. This led right into "LA.X," and the crowd began to dance their hearts out. Everyone was jumping, singing, and shouting.  I made my way to the front of the stage for one of the best encores I have ever seen.  I may have been a sweaty mess by the end of the night, but the dancing and the experience was well worth it.

At the end of the show McWane was by the bar, and my friends and I managed to speak with him.  He was so happy that everyone made it out, and he talked to us for a long time.  He is a genuine person who loves talking with his fans, and he signed all sorts of merchandise.

To find out about more shows at the Stanhope House visit their website at http://www.stanhopehousenj.com/. Be sure to check out the Facebook pages of some of the opening bands as well.  No Vertebrae is especially one to check out, because they are a group of promising young kids.

No Vertebrae: http://www.facebook.com/novertebrae
Survay Says!: http://www.facebook.com/survaysays
Hub City Stompers: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hub-City-Stompers/194996510716

A post by: Loren Kessell

Good Old War "Come Back as Rain" Review

I first fell in love with Good Old War when I heard their debut single “Coney Island” on Stephen’s Untitled Rock Show (may it rest in peace). It was a unique twist of twangy guitars accompanied by clapping hands and stomping feet. Throw in a mellow, sweetly distorted guitar and I was sold.

Their third major release is titled “Come Back as Rain” released on Sargent House, a place the boys have called home for the past 4 years or so. “Come Back as Rain” contains a lot of those ‘Third Release’ qualities you find in many band’s third albums. They have matured, they have found their sound, and they have become masters of their craft. The album as a whole is a culmination of years of belting out some of the cleanest harmonies in music today, as well as bright, enticing guitar riffs. 

The band has something for everyone this time around. The songs range from upbeat and fun, like “Better Weather”, to some old fashioned, broken hearted folk, like “Can’t Go Home”. But no matter what you listen to, the band shines with Keith Goodwin’s golden pipes leading the heavenly harmonies. Drummer Tim Arnold holds it down with some of the best rhythms in music today, not to mention Dan Schwartz’s intricate plucking. The trio comes together like no other. I can always expect quality, and this time around, I get nothing but that.

Good Old War certainly came back as rain, saturating their uncommon genre in music that is effortlessly loved by fans of old-fashioned folk, as well as those of us who just appreciate good, well rounded music. I highly recommend getting a hold of the band’s entire catalog, as they are beyond talented. This is music that will never age. There are not many bands that can produce a timeless sound like Good Old War can. They are one of my favorites for a reason, and “Come Back as Rain” alone is reason enough. 

You can find their music on iTunes or at their website: http://goodoldwar.com/

Article by: Mike Montgomery

Trampled By Turtles To Play Union Transfer In Philly

On April 10th an album entitled Stars and Satellites had been was released by Trampled By Turtles.  The sixth full length album is worth a listen for fans of Bluegrass & Folk.  On April 21st, this Saturday, the band will be playing in Union Transfer of Philadelphia.  It may just be worth the $20 ticket price!  Take a listen and tell us what you think. 

Post By: Mike Berger

FFOMusic Crew and Boy Things

Pictured left to right: Eric Dryburgh, Adam Cumiskey
Second row: Blake Kelevra, Loren Kessell, Beth Hansen, Mike Berger
Front: John Artiglier

Alabama Shakes "Hold On" Video Released

Alabama Shakes release their official music video for "Hold On", which is featured on their album Boys & Girls releasing April 10th. Their use of Progressive Rock, Country, and Soul should make this an interesting album.  Give it a listen and tell us what you think.

Boy Things: 7" Fundraiser Show

Our main goal at FFOMusic is to connect music lovers with local venues, artistic news, and music professionals.  That is what makes Boy Things' Saturday, March 31st show at Bar 46 so awesome!  This is a rare show that has the potential to bring the Northern New Jersey music community together.  The show is meant as a fundraiser for their newest EP, so it's important that we support this deserving and ardent band from Hackettstown, NJ.  It's an event so charming it could be the back-story to an indie film with a cult following.

So, without further ado, I properly introduce you to Boy Things, an indie-pop-math-punk-synth-rock band full of self proclaimed "cannibals"...  The band includes Beth Hansen (vocals), Adam Cumisky (guitar), Vince Rickey (bass), Eric Dryburgh (drums), and Blake Kelevra (Synth).  So far the band has released two EPs, one that is self-titled from 2011 and "Growing Up" which was released at the beginning of 2012.


Earlier last week I spoke with Erik Dryburgh, the man, the myth, the legend, and the drummer.  Here's what he had to say:

"The title of the new EP is called Equations and well we are really excited about it. For people who come out on the 31st, we possibly will play some of the new tracks!"

When asked about shows in the future:

• "Our next show is in Vernon for Melissa and Paul's record release show on April 13th.  Then 

  we are playing in the spring, getting ready for to tour, but mostly just promoting our new EP."
  
  

How do you think the new EP sounds compared to what you've released in the past?

"It's different compared to our first EPs. The songs cover a wide variety of sounds within our genre. Unlike the first EPs that were very pop/ pop punk influenced these new songs have some more technical parts, along with strong melodies, and definitely lots of rhythmic drive. As a musician doing the band thing for a long time (don't know if you remember goodnight streetlight?) I can't remember the last time I was this happy with a band. I''m very proud of this new EP and the members of Boy Things. I'm really excited to see where we go in the future."


If you're looking to join in on the fun the show is located in Great Meadows, NJ at Bar 46.  It's impossible to miss since it's located directly on Route 46 about 2 miles outside of Hackettstown.  Links for the show and Boy Things can be found below.  You can expect to see FFOMusic there as well, so come hang out with us!  I expect the show to be as hair-raising as Beth Hansen's freak out at the end of their song "Dirty Dancing".


Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/359933220697380/
Band:
http://www.facebook.com/BoyThings
Listen and Download the EPs here:
http://boythings.bandcamp.com/

Article By: Michael Berger