Ten Artists Who Got A Big Push From MTV's 'Total Request Live'

MTV is bringing back late 1990s phenomenon ‘Total Request Live’ next week. The new series will feature a rotating line-up of hosts, as well as social media correspondents, presenting a daily countdown of the hottest music videos as voted on by the viewers live. Ed Sheeran and Migos have been confirmed to perform on the first episode Monday (October 2), while Playboi Carti, Noah Cyrus and PRETTYMUCH will perform Tuesday.

 ‘Total Request Live,’ usually shortened to ‘TRL,’ was a staple of MTV’s programming line-up and its longest-running live show. Over its initial 11 year run, the show became a breeding ground for new artists and introduced the world to many artists that we still talk about today. It gave rise to new genres such as boy bands, bubblegum pop princesses and nu metal, and gave a renewed voice to pop punk. The show’s original host, Carson Daly, became one of the most recognizable voices in broadcasting.

With ‘TRL’ making a comeback, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the artists the show has made popular over its initial run. Here are 10 that pop and rock fans are sure to remember (or might like to forget).

1.       Britney Spears: Spears is the quintessential ‘TRL’ success story. She premiered her very first music video, “Baby One More Time,” on the show in 1999, which immediately reached the number one spot on the countdown. From there, the show’s audience grew up with the singer. Over the show’s 11 year run, she had the most videos top the countdown of any female artist. Post-‘TRL,’ she continues to thrive on pop radio.

2.       *NSYNC / Justin Timberlake: There were only two artists that could shut down Times Square when they appeared on ‘TRL’ and *NSYNC was one of them. Even though Top 40 radio really wasn’t playing their music on air (at least not in New York), the group was able to get so much popularity from their videos being on the show that they were able to break sales records with their second album. Not only did they make *NSYNC as a group famous, but they helped launch member Justin Timberlake’s solo career too. Each of his solo videos either made or topped the countdown.

3.       Backstreet Boys: The only other artist that could shut down Times Square when they were in studio were the Backstreet Boys. They had the first ever number one video on the show and premiered countless others, many of which also hit number one. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do for Nick Carter’s solo career what they were able to for Justin Timberlake’s.

4.       Christina Aguilera: Like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera grew up on ‘TRL.’ She premiered her first video on the show, though she didn’t hit number one until her second single premiered. The show’s audience witnessed Aguilera’s many transformations on the show, from sweet and innocent to “dirrty” to classic. And her success endured long after the show went off the air.

5.       Blink-182: Pop punk was starting to make a comeback in the late 1990s-early 2000s with Blink-182 carrying on the torch from bands like Green Day and The Offspring. With catchy, fun tracks and creative music videos that poked fun at just about everyone, the band became huge on ‘TRL.’

6.       Avril Lavigne: Lavigne became so popular on ‘TRL’ because she was marketed as the anti-pop princess. Her punk influenced pop was just rebellious enough for the show’s tween audience. Now she’s the biggest pop princess in Canada. Go figure.

7.       Good Charlotte: Looking back at number one lists, it interesting just how much pop punk influenced the countdown in the early-mid 2000s. Sum 41 and My Chemical Romance both did extremely well on the show while Simple Plan, Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory all topped the countdown at least once. But Good Charlotte seemed to earn the most rock glory from the show. All of the singles from the band’s sophomore album topped the countdown multiple times and “The Anthem” even became song of the year for 2003. Twins Joel and Benji Madden became overnight celebrities and socialites from the popularity they earned on the show.

8.       Eminem: How many white rappers do you know of that have proven their staying power more than Eminem. But when his work was introduced to the world on ‘TRL’ back in 2000, he was a relative unknown. After his music took hold and started topping the countdown, he gained a lot more ground in the industry; He started his own label, signed 50 Cent (who also did really well on ‘TRL’) and D12 (who he also performed with), and has won several Grammys including many for Best Rap Album and one for Album of the Year for ‘Recovery.’

9.       Limp Bizkit: Besides bubblegum pop, ‘TRL’ also brought us nu metal. Korn were regulars on the countdown, consistently landing singles at number one. But none of the other nu metal bands got as much from being on the show as Limp Bizkit did.  They didn’t spend much time at number one, but Fred Durst ended up being a “spokesmodel” for the genre. His backwards red cap, white t-shirt and cargo shorts became a fashion trend. He had the privilege of pretending to date Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. If it wasn’t for ‘TRL,’ he’d have become irrelevant far sooner.

10.   Carson Daly: While not a musician, ‘TRL’ gave Carson Daly a career. When he became a VJ, he had already been working for years as a radio DJ in California. With the success and notoriety he received from being on ‘TRL’ and ‘MTV Live’ (‘TRL’s’ predecessor), he became recognizable nationwide. When he left MTV, he left with an NBC late night show. He currently still hosts the late night show and The Voice, is a correspondent for the Today Show and continues to host a daily radio show.

From 1998 until 2009, ‘Total Request Live’ played a large role in popular music. The show gave rise to big names like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera while shedding added light to artists just catching on like *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. Pop became an overwhelming force in music because of the show. Even its original host gained notoriety for his role as tastemaker. Whether the new series will be any good or not remains to be seen. However, ‘TRL’ will now get a renewed chance to influence a whole new generation of music fans.

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Find music from ‘TRL’s’ brightest lights and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, R&B, Hip Hop and more. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. Drop by our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Rocky Horror at 42: 7 Musical Facts about the Cult Classic

UA Cinema Merced. The Rocky Horror Picture Show,
 opening night, January of 1978. Found on Wikimedia Commons.
Photo by Robin Adams.

On September 26, 1975, the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ hit movie screens for the first time. Originally a flop, the film became a cult classic, spawning countless midnight showings and shadow troupes around the world. It has launched the careers of a handful of its actors and continues to have the longest theatrical release of any film.

‘Rocky Horror’ holds a special place in cinema, as well as rock culture. The gaudiness of its costumes and music helped to influence (and were influenced by) the burgeoning counterculture of 1970s punk and glam. More than four decades later, the film is still seen as a symbol of rebelliousness, reflected in its continued popularity and musical influence.

In honor of its 42^nd year in theaters, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at how the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ influenced music. Here are seven facts about the film, its music and its place in rock culture.

1.       It was originally a stage show: ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ was originally a musical that started in London in 1973. The original production was successful, something that could not be said for the Broadway production two years later.

2.       Richard O’Brien wrote all the music: To the casual fan of ‘Rocky Horror,’ Richard O’Brien is just Riff Raff, the alien butler. But he is also the creative mind behind the show. He and his writing partner Jim Sharman wrote all the dialogue and music for the production, and consequently the film.

3.       It launched Meat Loaf’s music career: ‘Rocky Horror’ transformed a lot of actors’ careers, including those of Susan Surrandon, Barry Bostwick and Tim Curry, as well as Meat Loaf. Before ‘Rocky Horror,’ Meat Loaf was a Broadway actor with a slowly budding music career. He released an album in 1971, ‘Stoney & Meat Loaf,’ that had moderate success. But after the cult success of the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ (Meat Loaf’s first film appearance), his popularity grew. In 1977, he released ‘Bat Out of Hell,’ his most successful album to date.

4.       The original soundtrack didn’t have all the songs on it: The original soundtrack to ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ was missing two iconic songs from its track list. One was “Sword of Damocles,” sung by Rocky after he comes to life. The other is “Planet Schmanet, Janet,” performed by Dr. Frank N. Furter in an effort to scare Janet. Both songs were included in later releases, although they were not studio recordings.

5.       The costumes helped influence punk fashion: Perhaps it’s a bit of a “which came first” kind of deal, but ‘Rocky Horror’ came out around the same time that punk and glam were starting to take hold of counter culture. It was O’Brien’s idea to have a show inspired by rock and roll and glam. With the Sex Pistols being dressed by a shop in London called Sex (a place known for leather bondage wear), New York glam rock bands embracing androgynous stage personas and the prevalence of torn fishnet stockings and bright hair dye, ‘Rocky Horror’s’ place within punk is hard to deny.

6.       There was even a punk cover album of the entire soundtrack: Speaking of ‘Rocky Horror’ being a punk show, an album of punk bands covering the entire soundtrack (Including “Sword of Damocles” and “Planet Schmanet, Janet”) came out in 2003. None of the bands included were early bands that would have been around at the time of the show, but it does show the continued influence the show had on punk. Bands on the album include Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Alkaline Trio, Big D and the Kids Table, Swingin’ Utters and The Ataris.

7.       Meat Loaf wasn’t the only musician to have a hit because of the show: ‘Rocky Horror’ did more than just make Meat Loaf a music star. Other cast members dabbled in music in the film’s wake as well. This included Little Nell, who released ‘The Musical World of Little Nell’ in 1978, and Tim Curry, who released ‘Fearless’ in 1979. The later reached 53 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and produced the minor hit “I Do the Rock.”

The ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ has had a great influence on music and counterculture. Not only did it create big stars like Meat Loaf, it had an indelible impact on punk and rebellion in the 1970s. More than four decades later, people still identify with what it has come to stand for.

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Find ‘Rocky Horror’ and other groundbreaking soundtracks at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from ranging in genre from soundtracks to rock to rap to classical and beyond. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (September 17-23, 2017)

Haven’t had enough time to keep up with all the new songs and music videos this week? Celebrating Rosh Hashanah and couldn’t get to a computer? Now that the week is over, it’s time to take a look back at what you may have missed.

This past week has seen an eclectic mix of artists putting out new music. Fergie cemented her return, releasing five new videos this week from her upcoming double album. Walk The Moon also returned, releasing a new one-off single. Bjork released a video for the first single from her highly anticipated new album while Ed Sheeran put out a new lyric video for his song “Perfect.” Linkin Park paid tribute to Chester Bennington with the release of a moving new video. We also got great new music from Marilyn Manson, Dhani Harrison, Prophets of Rage, Perfume Genius, Macklemore, Cold Cave and ROAM.

If you’ve missed any of the new music released this week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has you covered. Here are seven of our favorite new songs and music videos released over the last seven days.

1.       Cold Cave, “Glory”: “Glory” sounds as if it came straight out of the 1980s new wave scene, but with an updated feel. The vibe is very Depeche Mode meets Nine Inch Nails (without the grit). (video)

2.       Walk The Moon, “One Foot”: Walk The Moon have returned with a new look and a new song. “One Foot” is an upbeat track that feels like a celebration of life. Its influences are also very apparent as the hook is reminiscent of those on Kongos’ self-titled album, while some of the lyrics borrow from an early 2000s reggaeton hit by Sean Paul. (video)

3.       Bjork, “the gate”: Bjork is known for her highly artistic music and performances. “the gate” is no different. It maintains a certain minimal, ethereal, somewhat orchestral quality to it that engages the mind. The vocals are very carefully calculated and deliberate, every sound having a purpose. (video)

4.       ROAM, “Alive”: “Alive” is a high-energy pop-punk song with a catchy hook. The chorus rises and falls like a chromatic scale, bouncing from note to note. (video)

5.       Linkin Park, “One More Light”: “One More Light” is a very powerful song. The song is beautiful, direct and really strikes a chord with anyone who has been touched by suicide. For the band to release this as a single with a video that pays tribute to late frontman Chester Bennington and the band’s history is so touching. (video)

6.       Macklemore feat. Kesha, “Good Old Days”: Macklemore and Kesha’s past experiences really fuel their new collaboration, “Good Old Days.” You can really feel the kind of reflection and thought that went into this song. And while Macklemore has some great lines, its Kesha’s strong and passionate vocals on the chorus that make the song stand out. (video)

7.       Prophets of Rage, “Hail to the Chief”: Prophets of Rage released another politically pointed track from their new album with an even more political video. “Hail to the Chief” gets directly to the point while maintaining a level of vagueness and does it all with a thumping beat. Context is then left to the video, which is pretty brutal in its politics. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos that came out over the last week. Whether you were busy and missed out on the week’s latest tracks or want a refresher, check these out and start your weekend off right with new music.

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Check out Vinyl Bay 777 to discover music new and old. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres ranging from pop, rock, hip-hop and R&B to classical, jazz, dance and more. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia at our Plainview store or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to hear something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added all the time, you never know what gem you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Five Head-Scratching Recent Vinyl Record Misprints

Vinyl records have made a comeback in a big way. Over the last decade or so, the amount of people who are buying the analog format has grown exponentially. In 2016, vinyl was the only physical music format to increase in sales, rising 26% over the previous year. With this newfound popularity, more vinyl records are starting to be pressed. And with more items being pressed, there is always a chance that something might go wrong.

Misprints are highly uncommon, but they do happen. Usually if the test press doesn’t pass quality control, the album doesn’t get released and the plant starts over. But there have been a few instances where quality control wasn’t enough to catch a big mistake before the album hit shelves. There have been two instances in the past month alone that make you question whether someone was paying attention at all.

Depending on your point of view, misprints can be an interesting surprise or an unwanted nuisance. Either way, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at five vinyl misprints that will leave you asking the question “how did that happen?”

1.       Beyoncé, ‘Lemonade’: Earlier this week, Beyoncé released the vinyl edition of her hit 2016 album ‘Lemonade.’ However, some European fans opened their copies up to find that the A side was not Beyonce’s album, but the A side to Canadian punk band Zex’s new album, ‘Uphill Battle.’ Columbia Records, who released the album, made a statement about the mishap, chalking it up to “human error” at the pressing plant and that neither artist was involved or knew of it. The label is offering to replace the misprint records, but according to an article in Vanity Fair, some fans don’t actually care, some even saying that they want the Zex album too.

2.       Queens of the Stone Age, ‘Villains’ / Gordi, ‘Reservoir’: Fans of Gordi got a surprise in August when their preordered record club copies of her debut album ‘Reservoir’ ended up containing three songs from Queens of the Stone Age’s new album, ‘Villains.’ The two albums had the same release date, so it is possible that the two albums were up for pressing at the same time. Jagjaguwar and Gordi both addressed the mishap, with Gordi joking that either her fans won’t notice it or they will “appreciate the dynamic shift.”

3.       Lana Del Rey, ‘Born to Die’:  Sometimes the problem isn’t necessarily with the pressing, but the labeling and packaging. People who thought they were buying Lana Del Rey’s 2012 album ‘Born to Die’ on vinyl in 2015 didn’t get a record by the artist at all. Instead, they got Wildhoney’s ‘Sleep Through It,’ in its entirety, with a Lana Del Rey label and packaging. The pressing was recalled, but there are some that are still floating around.

4.       N.E.R.D., ‘In Search Of’: When N.E.R.D. reissued ‘In Search Of’ in 2014, some of the copies have side A of Kid Cudi’s ‘Man on the Moon II’ on their A sides. The misprint doesn’t seem to have been officially acknowledged, but there is plenty of documentation of it on reddit and vinyl collective.

5.       U2, ‘Songs of Innocence’:  On Record Store Day 2015, U2 were set to release a physical version of their album ‘Songs of Innocence.’ However some fans in Europe got a reissue of Tool’s 1992 ‘Opiate’ EP inside the U2 packaging instead. Record Store Day UK acknowledged it as a misprint at the record plant, which was blamed on the packages looking too similar.

Vinyl misprints are inevitable. And as vinyl records surge in popularity once again, there is a higher likelihood that misprints will happen at some point. These are some of the most recent examples to hit the news in the last few years. Whether they, like some classic album misprints, become worth a lot of money remains to be seen.

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Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, is your outlet to find new, used and rare albums. We have thousands of titles in a variety of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more. Shop in store at our Plainview location, or check out our selection online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our collection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Rock Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (September 10-16, 2017)

Another week is officially over! That means it’s once again time to take a look back at the new songs and music videos that came out over the last seven days.

This week was all about rock music. Radiohead released a new video from their ‘Ok Computer’ reissue. Fall Out Boy, Evanescence and Weezer each released new songs from their highly anticipated upcoming albums. We also got an interesting new video from Stone Sour. In pop punk, we got new tracks from Seaway, Enter Shikari, and The Story So Far.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been keeping an eye out all week for the latest new songs and music videos. Here are eight that we feel deserve your attention.

1.       Radiohead, “Lift”: “Lift” gives us more of that early Radiohead sound that made them so popular in the first place. The song starts off soft with only Thom Yorke’s vocals, then builds as the instruments take over, letting the vocal get a little lost in the mix before settling back down to just vocal at the end. This shift in intensity is mirrored in the video, which follows Yorke as he stands in an elevator while other (strange) people shuffle in and out on different (equally strange) floors. The still-to-shaky camera work and twist ending also make this video a must-watch. (video)

2.       Seaway, “Lula on the Beach”: This song is adorable. Not many people can make a song about spending the day with your dog on the beach sound so natural, but pop-punkers Seaway did a really good job with it. The song has elements of 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, but with a pop-punk twist that makes it really fun to listen to. (video)

3.       Enter Shikari, “Rabble Rouser”: It’s not as captivating as “Live Outside,” but Enter Shakiri’s “Rabble Rouser” is still a great track and worth a listen. The song’s percussive groove, guitar work and speak-sung vocals combine to promote a sense of urgency in the lyrics. It comes out sounding futuristic, but firmly grounded in dance rock. (video)

4.       Stone Sour, “Rose Red Violent Blue”: “Rose Red Violent Blue” is a straight-up hard rock song that proves that not every Stone Sour song has to be serious to rock. The video shows off their humorous side too, as it finds the band dressing up as strippers while female patrons throw dollar bills at them. Then you have the guys from Steel Panther waiting tables and tending bar, which is also hilarious. (video)

5.       Emarosa, “Helpless: Reimagined”: As a band known for their unclean vocals, this reimagining of “Helpless” from the band’s ‘131’ album sounds like a completely different band. The song is now piano driven and focuses solely on singer Bradley Walden’s vocals. It’s a really nice sound and is very enjoyable. (video)

6.       Weezer, “Beach Boys”: “Beach Boys” has has that same, nice, summer-y feel as their last two singles. What worries me is that the lyrics aren’t as tight as they could be, particularly with that chorus. But it’s still a decent song. (video)

7.       Evanescence, “Imperfection”: Their first of two new songs from their upcoming ‘Synthesis’ album, “Imperfections” doesn’t have that same heaviness that their past singles do. It has a more pop-oriented sound, opting for spaced out drum beats over their signature heavy guitars. The heavy lifting is done with the lyrics, which according to Rolling Stone, are about those left behind after someone commits suicide. (video)

8.       Alvvays, “Dreams Tonite”: “Dreams Tonite” is an ethereal ballad that brings you in with its simple, catchy melody. Singer Molly Rankin’s innocent-sounding vocals seem so effortless, adding to the song’s dreaminess. (video)

Bonus: Foo Fighters released an animated short about how their new album, ‘Concrete and Gold,’ came together. It’s funny and entertaining, which means you have to see it. (video)

A lot of great new rock songs and music videos came out this week. These are some of our favorites that we think you should definitely hear/see. Check these out and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week.

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Discover music new and old at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Shop in store or online at vinylbay777.com to browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more. Whether you’re looking for something new or want to rediscover the classics, Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find.

Shows in New York to Check Out This Weekend (September 15-17, 2017)

Another long week is almost over. Why not plan for some fun this weekend by checking out a live show?

New York will be filled with great music this weekend. The Meadows will be bringing a lot of the hottest artists of all genres to the city for one last big summer festival. Then, you have the big-name arena tours coming through, including Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, The Offspring and Sublime with Rome, and Scorpions and Megadeth. These star-studded shows, plus all the smaller shows that happen every night in the city make this a particularly active weekend when it comes to music.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of some of the top shows happening in New York this weekend. Here are eight shows and tours that we think will be worth checking out.

1.       The Meadows Music & Arts Festival: The Meadows will be taking over Citi Field for three days of top-name artists to finish out the last official weekend of summer. Tonight’s headliners include Jay-Z, Run the Jewels, Two Door Cinema Club and Tegan and Sara. Saturday, festival goers have Gorillaz, Erykah Badu, LL Cool J, M.I.A., TV On The Radio, De La Soul, Big Boi and more to look forward to. Closing out the festival on Sunday will be headlining sets from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nas, Weezer, Foster the People, Action Bronson, Broken Social Scene, Ghostface Killah, Sleigh Bells and more. (Friday – Sunday, Citi Field)

2.       Paul McCartney: Paul McCartney’s ‘One on One’ tour starts its six-date run in the area this weekend with two shows at Madison Square Garden. The former Beatle will be playing music from throughout his career, so you already know the show is going to be amazing. From here, McCartney moves on to Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center and Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum over the next two weeks. (Friday & Sunday, Madison Square Garden)

3.       Roger Waters: Following two successful shows of his ‘Us & Them’ tour at Barclay’s Center earlier this week, Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters plays two highly protested nights on Long Island this weekend. The show Features songs from his new album, ‘Is This the Life We Really Want?’ as well as many others from throughout his career, especially ‘Dark Side of the Moon.’ (Friday & Saturday, Nassau Coliseum)

4.       The Pietasters: The Pietasters are celebrating the 20^th anniversary of their album ‘Willis’ this year and will be playing it in its entirety at various shows. That includes tonight’s Rock’s Off Concert Cruise on the Lucille. Skank the night away with the band’s classic ska sound on the East River under the stars. (Friday, Rocks Off Concert Cruise)

5.       The Offspring & Sublime with Rome: Speaking of ska and punk, The Offspring and Sublime with Rome have teamed up for a month-long US tour that will be hitting the island this Saturday. This is going to be a massive, hard-rocking punk show that will bring back all those crazy 90s nostalgia feels. (Saturday, Jones Beach Theater)

6.       Ace Frehley: Kiss’ original Spaceman will be playing a few solo dates in the area this weekend before making his way to Australia and New Zealand in October with Alice Cooper. VIP and signed guitar packages are available for all dates. (Saturday, B.B. King Blues Club)

7.       Scorpions & Megadeth: Scorpions and Megadeth’s Crazy World Tour kicked off earlier this week and is set to hit New York this weekend. With two of metal’s hardest rocking bands on one bill, prepare to have your face melted.  (Saturday, Madison Square Garden)

8.       2Cellos: From metal to classical pop, YouTube cello duo 2Cellos are currently on a US tour behind their album ‘Score,’ released in March. Known for their classical covers of pop songs, ‘Score’ features TV theme songs and songs made famous in films with a classical twist played alongside the London Symphony Orchestra. While the London Symphony Orchestra will not be joining them on tour, this show will probably change the way you think about classical, and pop, music. (Saturday, Radio City Music Hall)

As always, New York will be filled with a lot of great live music this weekend. These are some of our top picks that we think will be worth spending your hard-earned money on. Check out these or any of the other amazing shows in the area and spend your weekend with great music.

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Before hitting the venues this weekend, drop by Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, to pick up music from many of these artists and more. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store, or shop online at vinylbay777.com. New titles are being added all the time, so you never know what gem you might find.

21 Years Later: Seven Facts about Tupac Shakur's Legendary Music and Career

On this day in 1996, the world lost rapper Tupac Shakur. After sustaining four bullet wounds in a drive-by shooting six days prior, he succumbed to his injuries. Cut down in the prime of his career, he was only 25 years old.

Tupac was one of the top hip-hop artists to come out of the west coast scene in the 1990s. Releasing four albums over the course of his nine year career, his music has been certified platinum many times over. His best-selling album, 1996’s ‘All Eyez On Me,’ earned him his first American Music Award before going 10-times platinum. He remains one of the best-selling artists to date with two of his albums currently charting on Billboard’s Catalog Albums chart. In 2017, his first year of eligibility, he became the fifth hip-hop act ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In light of the 21^st anniversary of his death, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, would like to take a look back at some of the things that made Tupac and his music so special. Here are seven facts about the artist, his music and his legacy.

1.       He released more albums after his death than before: With all the albums Tupac has released over the years, only four were actually released during his lifetime. The other seven, which pulled from his prolific unreleased recordings with Death Row Records, were released posthumously.

2.       His final album made history: Released in 1996, ‘All Eyez On Me’ was Tupac’s final album, as well as his highest acclaimed. The album was also the first double full-length studio album in hip-hop history.

3.       He had a number one album while in prison: It’s hard for an artist to achieve the number one position on the charts, period. But when Tupac released his third album, ‘Me Against the World,’ in 1995, the rapper was serving a four-month prison sentence. Apparently that didn’t mean much to critics and fans because the album became his first number one. From there on out, all of his albums would reach the top 10.

4.       He was a dancer for the Digital Underground: Tupac didn’t start out as a musician. His first gigs were actually in acting and dancing. His big break came as a dancer for The Digital Underground, the group that gave us all “The Humpty Dance.” He also honed his songwriting chops with them, helping to pen the single “Same Song” while he was working on his debut solo album.

5.       He performed live as a hologram: It was actually a “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion, but semantics aside, he was brought “back to life” for a performance at Coachella in 2012 during Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s set. As Tupac hadn’t given a performance in 16 years, it was naturally a draw and led to his entire catalog getting a sales surge.

6.       He was influenced by pop-rock: Tupac had a lot of varied influences that went into his music. While some of those included the socially conscious works of his fellow rappers, he was also a fan of rock and pop. His early influences include Kate Bush, U2, Culture Club and Sinead O’Conner. His favorite artist?...Prince.

7.       His music is in the National Recording Registry: In 2010, his song “Dear Mama” was deemed “culturally, historically and aesthetically important” enough to be included in the Library of Congress’ prestigious list. Other artists included that year were Patti Smith, R.E.M., Little Richard, Loretta Lynn and The Band.

Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the last three decades. His socially conscious themes and varied influences made his music stand out. Now 21 years after his death, his music is inspiring a whole new generation of artists and fans.

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Celebrate Tupac and other legendary artists at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for hip-hop, R&B, rock, jazz, classical, dance or anything else, we have you covered. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Five Songs Honoring Everyday Heroes

Yesterday was the 16^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that left hundreds of innocent civilians dead and countless more wounded. But as we think about those that were lost on that fateful day, as well as those that have been affected by the more recent storms, we also remember the heroes that put their own lives in danger to help save others in their time of need.

There have been many songs over the years honoring the heroes in our lives who are making a difference. Whether they are the first responders in our fire and police departments, the military protecting our country or the everyday heroes who don’t wear a uniform, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, would like to honor those that have put their lives on the line to help others. Here are five songs about heroes that show the remarkable effects people can have on others.

1.       Foo Fighters, “My Hero”: Many heroes are just ordinary people. Dave Grohl makes this point clearly in “My Hero,” saying that since he never had “rock star” heroes, he wrote the song for the “everyday heroes in his life.” (video)

2.       John Lennon, “Working Class Hero”: One of his most political songs, Lennon wrote “Working Class Hero” to shine a light on social class structure. It’s those that work for a living in the middle class that are the true heroes and is someone to aspire and look up to. (video)

3.       Bette Midler, “Wind Beneath My Wings”: A hero can be someone that you look up to. That’s the kind of hero sung about in “Wind Beneath My Wings,” made popular by Bette Midler. In it, she sings to let someone know that she looks up to them, that they are “everything [she] would like to be.” (video)

4.       Toby Keith, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”: Written in the wake of 9/11, “Courtesy” is a tribute to his father, who had passed away months earlier, as well as an angry rant about the war in Afghanistan. However, the song became a theme for the military and those who save and defend people’s lives. (video)

5.       Five For Fighting, “Superman”: This song is a reminder that even people that even our heroes are just ordinary people. “Superman” is written from the perspective of the DC superhero, who confesses even though he is this powerful force, he is still a person with a difficult job. Released just months before the attacks, the song became an unofficial theme paying tribute to those that were killed and the heroes that saved others. (video)

These songs are a reminder that not all heroes wear capes. In remembering those that perished on 9/11 and those that helped rescue others, we honor all the heroes give all of themselves, regardless of what kind of harm it might put them in. Thank you.

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Tell the heroes in your life that you appreciate them with the gift of music at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles in a variety of genres to satisfy any music lover. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what hidden gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (September 3 – 9, 2017)

Another week has come and gone. That means it’s once again time to take a look back at some of the new songs and music videos that came out over the last seven days.

A lot of new music has come out this week. Sam Smith released his first new song in more than three years, “Too Good at Goodbyes,” while Taylor Swift continued her comeback with another new song, “Ready For It.” Established artists were also out in force this week, as we also got the first posthumous single from George Michael, a previously unreleased track from Brian Wilson and another new song from U2. In rock music, we got new tracks from Stereophonics, Beck, St. Vincent, New Found Glory and BlitzenTrapper, as well as a new music video from Green Day.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been combing the internet for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are 10 that we know you’re going to love.

1.       George Michael, “Fantasy”: “Fantasy” is the upbeat first single from George Michael’s posthumous upcoming album ‘Listen without Prejudice/MTV Unplugged.’ With a baseline that is very similar to the one that drives “Faith,” the song sounds very much like his others. However, it is the layering that makes this track interesting. It builds from just vocal to vocal and baseline by the first chorus and then to full instrumental by the next chorus. (video)

2.       Brian Wilson, “Some Sweet Day”: At first I was a little worried that this song was going to sound like every other Beach Boys song. But “Some Sweet Day,” the first of two previously unreleased tracks from his upcoming compilation ‘Playback,’ stands on its own. It has that upbeat 1960s flair that’s the sonic equivalent of sunshine. (Soundcloud)

3.       Avenged Sevenfold, “As Tears Go By”: Avenged Sevenfold has released a couple of covers lately that you wouldn’t expect from a band mostly known for heavy, guitar-driven rock songs. Their latest cover is of Marianne Faithfull’s “As Tears Go By,” a soft ballad with rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance taking on lead vocal duties. While it’s different, it’s actually really good. (video)

4.       Stereophonics, “Caught By The Wind”: “Caught By The Wind” has that perfect mix of pop-rock and country undertones that makes for a good adult contemporary hit. Singer Kelly Jones’ voice reminds me of Train frontman Pat Monihan’s, while the song itself sounds like it could have been sung by Snow Patrol. With a sound like this, it’s strange that this band hasn’t broken through in the United States yet. (video)

5.       Thirty Seconds to Mars, “The Tribute”: Following Jared Leto’s tribute to Chester Bennington at the MTV VMAs, Thirty Seconds to Mars played a medley of songs for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge covering artists we recently lost. Songs included in the medley are David Bowie’s “Heroes,” Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” Linkin Park’s “Crawling,” Prince’s “Purple Rain” and George Michael’s “Freedom.” The band composed the medley in such a way that all the songs flowed from one to another really well. (video)

6.       Beck, “Up All Night”: The latest single off Beck’s upcoming album ‘Colors,’ “Up All Night” is an upbeat, electronic track with a 1970s dance groove. It shows off more of Beck’s producer side  than his previous album, ‘Morning Phase,’ or even his previous single ‘Wow.’ (video)

7.       St. Vincent, “Los Ageless”: “Los Ageless” is a little more “out there” than “New York.” Mired in fuzz and echo, the song’s dynamics bring it to extremes, with the chorus coming in with a loud burst of energy while the verses are quieter. (video)

8.       MAKEOUT, “Secrets”: You know that feeling when you get really angry at someone and really want to hurt them in some way? That’s what “Secrets” is. The song bluntly and without any regard for decent language calls out the narrator’s ex who cheated on him. (video)

9.       New Found Glory, “The Sound of Two Voices”: New Found Glory go for an island vibe on “The Sound of Two Voices,” the latest single from their new album ‘Makes Me Sick,’ although its topic is far from beach-y. According to an interview with Billboard, the song is actually about resisting temptation (my guess is that the “two voices” are those of good and evil). But New Found Glory handle it in such a way that it doesn’t sound so heavy. Also, the video is classic not-taking-themselves-too-seriously NFG, as it features the band dressed like fish. (video)

10.   BlitzenTrapper, “Rebel”: BlitzenTrapper’s latest single, “Rebel,” is a fun, alt-country track with a memorable melody. Its fantastic storytelling is also a draw as the song’s storyline really keeps you engaged until the end. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos released this week. Check these out and let us know what new songs and artists have been catching your attention.

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Whether you’re looking for something new or rediscovering the classics, Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Stop by our Plainview store or shop online at vinylbay777.com to browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Nine Shows in New York / New Jersey This Weekend (September 8-10, 2017)

Another week is almost over. As you look for ways to unwind this weekend, why not consider going out to a live show?

New York and New Jersey have some of the best music in the country. Whether it’s the big tours that roll through town or the smaller shows that pepper the small venues, there is something going on every night.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music as much as you do. That’s why we’ve created this list of shows happening in the New York and New Jersey area this weekend. Here are nine that will keep you rocking all weekend long.

1.       Seaport Music Festival: Who doesn’t love free live music set against a backdrop of the East River? Celebrating its 15^th year, the Seaport Music Festival showcases some of the best indie music artists around. Things kicked off yesterday with an evening of comedy and continue all weekend. Tonight, the Dance Cartel is hosting an interpretive dance performance called “Wet Clutch” that will “reinterpret and remix movie heroines from the last four decades of American Film.” Saturday’s show is hosted by DAP and is being headlined by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Finally, on Sunday DJ music historian Jonathan Toubin will host a whole day of punk rock with sets from Surfbort, Suicide’s Martin Rev and The Make-Up that will cap off with a film of Suicide playing at South Street Seaport in 2007. (Friday-Sunday, South Street Seaport)

2.       Eric Clapton: Eric Clapton does not play live very often anymore, which is why tonight’s show at Madison Square Garden is not one to miss. This will be his last New York show for the year (at least) before he moves on to his final two shows at The Forum in California. (Friday, Madison Square Garden)

3.       Teenage Bottlerocket: In July, punk band Teenage Bottlerocket released ‘Stealing The Covers,’ their new album covering some smaller punk bands that singer Ray Carlisle says “never got the attention they deserved.” Their first album with Fat Wreck Chords in five years, this is also their first release without original drummer Brandon Carlisle. The band is currently finishing up the US leg of their tour behind the album before they head off to Australia later this month. (Friday, Knitting Factory)

4.       Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson’s annual Outlaw Music Festival tour is swinging through Long Island this weekend, bringing together an all-star line-up featuring some heavy hitters in country and rock. Aside from Nelson himself, there will be sets from Particle Kid, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow and The Avett Brothers. If you’re a country music fan, you won’t want to miss it.  (Saturday, Northwell Health at Jones Beach)

5.       GBH: Classic English punk band GBH is gearing up to release their 12^th studio album, ‘Momentum,’ this November, their first in seven years. The band is currently stateside promoting the album with New York punks The Casualties as support. (Saturday, Gramercy Theatre)

6.       Depeche Mode: Depeche Mode released their 14^th album, ‘Spirit,’ earlier this year to positive reviews and outstanding record sales. Their massive “Global Spirit” tour hits New York for two shows over the next few days, bringing the new album to life. Warpaint, who have a highly anticipated new album coming out later this month, will be opening the shows. (Saturday & Monday, Madison Square Garden)

7.       Bayside: Long Island’s Bayside will be back on the island this weekend celebrating the 10^th anniversary of their breakthrough album, ‘Walking Wounded.’ The album produced the band’s most well-known single, “Duality,” as well as marked a comeback of sorts following the van accident that took the life of their original drummer. If you can’t make Saturday’s show, the band will also be playing at Irving Plaza on Tuesday. (Saturday, The Paramount)

8.       Pete Townshend’s Classic Quadrophenia: Now this show sounds amazing. The Who bassist and  main songwriter Pete Townshend rewrote the band’s rock opera ‘Quadrophenia’ for an orchestra and after premiering it in London, is now bringing the show to the states this month. Joining him are Billy Idol and Alfie Boe, who will be singing parts originally sung by Roger Daltrey. (Saturday & Sunday, Metropolitan Opera)

9.       Shadow of the City Festival: The Shadow of the City Festival is bringing together some of the biggest artists to come out of New Jersey for one day of non-stop music, food and fun. Headliners include Bleachers, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Khalid, Titus Andronicus, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Brick + Mortar, Tangerine and Nicole Atkins. (Sunday, Stone Pony Summer Stage)

These are some of the top shows happening this weekend in New York and New Jersey. Spend your weekend listening to great live music by checking out these or any of the other amazing shows that go on in the area every night.

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Drop by Vinyl Bay 777 before you head out to the venues this weekend to find music from these and many other artists. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Musicians Who Are Raising Money Right Now to Benefit Others

Many popular musicians are in a unique position to amplify support for important causes. When they rally around something, others follow suit, raising further awareness and fundraising efforts.

A lot has been going on in the world lately. Natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey have displaced thousands from their homes. Hate groups have made people feel unsafe just being themselves. Mental health has also become a growing issue in society today.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, recently wrote about some of the most memorable benefit concerts in recent history. Now, it’s time to look at current events happening over the next few days and months. Here are seven artists who are currently raising awareness and money for important causes.

1.       Green Day: On Tuesday, Green Day did an hour-long live stream on Facebook raising money for Americares, an organization that gives help to areas affected by natural disasters. So far, the band has raised more than $140,000 for the organization’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. People can still donate to the organization through the archived stream, which will remain up for the next week.

2.       Bun B: Houston rapper Bun B and Scooter Braun (manager  to Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande)  have teamed up to create the ‘Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief’ telethon. Airing September 12 on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox, the telethon will feature appearances from musicians Blake Shelton, Barbra Streisand, George Strait and Houston, Texas native, Beyonce. Organizations that will receive money from the telethon include the United Way of Greater Houston, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Direct Relief, Feeding Texas and the Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief.

3.       Beyoncé: Aside from her appearance in the telethon, Beyonce has already raised a lot of money for Houston. Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, the singer has been working with Bread of Life and the Greater Houston Community Foundation to help with relief efforts. Donations to her organization can be made through her website.

4.       Solange: Like her sister Beyonce, Solange is also spearheading an effort to raise money for relief in Houston. The singer has announced a benefit show in Boston for September 28 with support from Sun Ra Arkestra.

5.       Dave Matthews Band: Following the riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, Dave Matthews has organized a free concert for the city’s citizens. The star-studded event will take place on September 24 at Scott Stadium at the University of Virginia and feature performances from Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams, Chris Stapleton, The Roots, Cage The Elephant, Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes and more. Donations made by concert goers will go to the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation to help families affected by events of August 11 and 12.

6.        Metallica: Over the last few years, more and more people have been fighting for better mental health awareness, and in particular suicide prevention. The music world has already been rocked twice this year from the deaths of Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington. With World Suicide Prevention Day occurring this Sunday, a massive radio campaign, titled “I’m Listening,” is being organized by Entercom to “break the stigma attached to discussing mental health.” Artists involved in the campaign are Metallica, Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff, Disturbed’s David Draiman, Logic, Halsey and more. The campaign includes a two-hour special airing on Sunday.

7.       Chance the Rapper: Chance the Rapper’s generosity shows that there does not need to be a national event for someone to want to affect change. The rapper has been showing himself to be a proponent of the public school system over the last few months and has now donated more than two million dollars for the Chicago Public Schools’ art programs through SocialWorks. Chance the Rapper has also announced that he will be organizing a new event, the Twilight Awards, which will recognize “teachers, parents, principals and students that convey leadership.”

Whether it’s raising money for those who no longer have homes because of the hurricane, giving back to those effected by hate, helping those who may be suffering in their personal lives or making sure all kids have a decent education, these artists are using their fan bases right now to help others who need it. When musicians use their popularity for good, more good can happen in the world.

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Support artists who support helping others by finding music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more. Drop by our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.