Every year Mark outdoes himself by putting together an eclectic and electric group of the best musicians to be found anywhere in our fair state. This year is completely bonkers with something for literally any music lover. Metal, Ska, R&B and Hip-Hop, all on the same bill on the same night right here in our cozy little spot in Black Rock.
Valence
Valence is an up and coming instrumental band from New York that exists to push the boundaries of rock. Fusing metal, progressive rock, and jam, Valence creates a unique sound that is intelligent and energetic, yet still accessible. Their focus is on expressiveness: their music can be at times aggressive or intense, at other times contemplative and introspective. Their compositions traverse different styles while their live show has left audiences in awe all across the northeastern US. They've been dubbed "one of the most intelligent and compelling heavy progressive bands out there" (Prog Metal Zone), and are currently nominated for an Independent Music Award for their song "The Reckoning".
The Hempsteadys
It is not everyday that a band releases a concept album as their debut full length, but The Hempsteadys are anything but conventional. The 11-piece from New London, Connecticut melds the traditional sounds of late ‘60s Jamaica, Motown and early British punk with the modern soul of Daptone Records and reggae rhythms of contemporaries such as The Aggrolites and The Slackers.
El Amor De Los Muertos is a rock(steady) opera about forbidden love with classic movie monsters as the cast of characters. Think of The Specials’ “Ghost Town” with the subject being more literal-than-symbolic and the music having a similar sound. This album has been four years in the making, as hinted at in the title of the song “Teen Wolf 2012,” which was the first song written for it. In those four years, the band has honed its incredible live set around the northeast.
It is hard to capture the energy of The Hempsteadys’ acclaimed live show but El Amor De Los Muertos certainly comes close.
Lady Liz + Snooty Garland
D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar" album in its entirety with the help of 4 of CT's top jazz/soul/gospel singers.
Birth of the Handsome
Birth of the Handsome is a massive one off hip hop supergroup that is coming together just for this show! The band features every member of POLITICAL ANIMALS and Mr. Council, complete with a horn section and more emcees/singers!
On the mic;
Charles Council
Sotorios
T. Bostic
Lady Liz
& more
The band;
Jenny Harper - guitar
Mark Lyon - guitar
Brendan Wolfe - bass
Mikey P - assorted wind instruments
Handsome Keenan of Mid Atlantic Title - trumpet
Tavari Parker - drums
Mike Knobloch - perussion
Trent Wright - percussion
and the one and only D.j. NEB on the ones and twos!!!