More Creepy Rock Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

Spookiness abounds on Halloween. The many superstitions that surround the holiday’s Celtic roots and pagan traditions make it one of the most terrifying and creepy nights of the year.

There are a lot of songs that hinge themselves on creepy occurrences and the occult. Metal, for one, often adopts the satanic as its own. It’s far from unheard of to hear references to the devil or death. But other rock genres have taken on creepy topics as well. From haunted hotels and stalkers to psychopaths and killers, horror is not reserved for horror rock.

Last year, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, brought you a short list of alternative rock songs for your Halloween playlists. Now we’re back with more rock songs for your holiday soundtrack. Here are seven that will give you that creepy, uneasy feeling you’re looking for.

1.       Eagles, “Hotel California”: You might not be able to tell unless you read into the lyrics, but “Hotel California” is pretty messed up. Written about the excesses of fame in Los Angeles, the song talks about a hotel haunted by spirits that, once one enters, can “check out any time” but “can never leave.” (video)

2.       Billy Joe Armstrong, “Mechanical Man”: Chances are you aren’t familiar with the direct-to-video film ‘Live Freaky, Die Freaky” (and honestly, you shouldn’t be because it’s terrible and disgusting). But the film, which tells the story of the Charles Manson murders with puppets, stars a veritable who’s who of punk and rock music artists including all Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Gos, Davey Havok of AFI, Travis Barker of Blink-182, Joel and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and, most importantly for this post, all three members of Green Day. Billy Joe Armstrong played Manson himself, which means that he has a lot of crazy songs on the soundtrack, including “Mechanical Man.” With its children’s-song-like vibe, the song explains Manson’s personality, marking him as “satanical,” “puritanical,” “messiahcal” and “maniacal” all “stirred” together “with a bloody hand,” while inviting others to join his cult. (video)

3.       Beatles, “Revolution 9”: Speaking of Charles Manson, “Revolution 9” was one of the songs that inspired him to kill. It’s also one of their weirdest songs, repeating the “number 9” part as if it were on a skipping record. If it doesn’t scare you or make you feel uneasy, it will definitely annoy the heck out of you. (video)

4.       Panic! at the Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes”: Off Panic! at the Disco’s latest album ‘Death of a Bachelor,’ “Emperor’s New Clothes” is one of the band’s creepiest songs to date. Topically, it’s a bit like the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ fable mixed with ‘Dante’s Inferno.’ The guy loves excess and winning, and it will almost definitely end with his demise. Also, The band released a video for the song where Brandon Urie transforms into a gargoyle-like devil that rivals “Thriller’s” creepy factor. (video)

5.       Talking Heads, “Psycho Killer”: “Melodically, “Psycho Killer” is very unassuming, like any other danceable new wave track. But as its name suggests, it’s not so innocent. The song is written from the perspective of a serial killer, expressing the things that irk him and drive him to kill. Better run, run, run away! (video)

6.       The Police, “Every Breath You Take”: Like “Hotel California,” you wouldn’t necessarily realize that “Every Breath You Take” is that creepy a song until you listen to the lyrics. The refrain of “every breath you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching you” is very scary, cultivating images of someone stalking you outside your window. In fact, if that’s not scary, go out and rent just about any scary movie based around someone haunting someone inside a house. (video)

7.       Suicide, “Frankie Teardrop”: In researching this list, “Frankie Teardrop” came up very frequently as one of the most disturbing songs ever. And listening to it, I wouldn’t disagree. It starts off minimally; just Alan Vega’s voice talking about the song’s character Frankie and some static crickets. But the song slowly intensifies, the tension building as Frankie kills his kid, his wife and himself. Then Vega starts screaming with horrific pain. Then more crickets until Vega returns to tell us that Frankie is in Hell, at which point he gives a series of devilish cackles and screams. It’s somewhere between performance art, music and campfire story, and it’s all very uncomfortable. (video)

There are a lot of creepy songs out there that sum up that uneasy feeling people love about Halloween. These songs, while not all so obviously scary, certainly fit the bill on the eerie content factor. Check out the songs on this list and let us know what spooky songs fill your Halloween playlist.

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Find music from many of these spooky artists 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. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might uncover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos Released This Week (October 22-28, 2017)

Happy last weekend of October! Now that the week is officially over, it’s time to sit back, relax and catch up on the new music you may have missed while you were busy working…or trying to find the perfect Halloween costume.

A lot of new songs and music videos were released over the last week. Most notably, Taylor Swift released another video from her upcoming album (though we don’t recommend the song). In particular though, this week saw a lot of announcements from artists we haven’t heard from in a while, including hardcore band Story of the Year, who released their first new song in seven years, Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon and Franz Ferdinand. We also got a new video from Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace for the previously released first single from their upcoming album, as well as a new video from Blitzen Trapper. There were also some great songs from up-and-coming artists like Tom Dobson, 9Electric and She Beast.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That is why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the best new songs and music videos released over the last week. Here are seven that we know you will love.

1.       Brian Fallon, “Forget Me Not”: Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon announced Friday that he will be releasing his second solo album early next year and gave listeners a first taste with its first single “Forget Me Not.” There is no real departure in sound here, as the song still has that Americana feel we all know and love. However, the song doesn’t seem as dark as the ones on his first solo album, so perhaps there was a change in inspiration and the new album won’t be as angry. (video)

2.       Story of the Year, “Bang Bang”: Story of the Year announced this week that they will be releasing their first album in seven years this December. With the announcement, the band also debuted a new single, “Bang Bang.” The song features the same aggression and emotion fans of the band have loved for years. Starting out with a scream that feels like the letting go of a huge amount of tension, the song comes back down to hardcore stasis before ramping back up to another tension releasing scream. (video)

3.       Fever High, “Casting My Spell”: Just in time for Halloween, Fever High released the spooky “Casting My Spell,” a song that lyrically pulls from every movie witch incantation imaginable. The jazzy indie-rock track feels like an updated version of “I Put a Spell on You” mixed with Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” It’s really fun and will be a great addition to your Halloween playlist. (video)

4.       Franz Ferdinand, “Always Ascending”: Earlier this week, Franz Ferdinand announced that they will be releasing a new album in February and, along with the announcement, debuted the album’s first single, “Always Ascending.” The song gives off vibes similar to some of the tracks on the band’s self-titled debut album, as it is heavily mired in 80s synths and expertly controlled rock guitars that give it motion. (video)

5.       Tom Dobson, “American Man”: To be honest, I can’t tell whether Tom Dobson is being serious on “American Man” or not. The song, the country singer’s debut single, lyrically feels like its poking fun at the stereotypical country male, but could easily be a party song with poorly chosen phrasing. Either way, it has a great melody and is fun to listen to, the sure sign of a budding talent that is going places. (Soundcloud)

6.       9Electric, “Beautiful”: “Beautiful” was originally released on 9Electric’s debut album last year, but for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the band decided to film a new video for the song. Featuring a woman dealing with her cancer diagnosis in self-destructive ways. The video fits with the song perfectly, as the lyrics try to bargain with someone in this mindset, telling them that they are beautiful no matter what. (video)

7.       Our Lady Peace, “Drop Me In The Water”: Though the band released this song back in August, Our Lady Peace released a video for “Drop Me In The Water” this week, the first in what is supposed to be a four-part series of related videos. It features a couple that looks like they’ve just had a fight taking a cab together as the driver (played by YouTube’s Matthew Santoro) trying to bring them closer together. The song itself is a bit harder than usual, like a garage-rock version of Muse, but the harder sound is welcome. (video)

These were some of our favorite new songs and music videos released over the last week. Check these out and kick off your weekend the right way with new music.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has 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 and memorabilia. Drop by our Plainview location during our new fall/winter hours or shop online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Shows to Check Out in New York This Weekend (October 27-29, 2017)

Looking for last minute weekend plans? Not into the whole Halloween party scene? Why not spend your weekend off relaxing and checking out some live music!

There are a lot of big shows happening in New York this weekend. From the country crossover sounds of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to the disco stylings of Gloria Gaynor to the pop-rock of Andy Grammer and the pop-punk of Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory, among others, the city will be bustling with music of all genres.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve searched the web for the biggest shows happening in New York this weekend. Here are seven that we think will be worth spending your hard earned cash on.

1.       Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: Country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill is on the road together for the first time in a decade, bringing back their ‘Soul2Soul’ tour for a third run. The tour follows the announcement of the duo’s first joint album, ‘The Rest Of Our Life,’ which will be released November 17. As these are two of country music’s top crossover acts, this is already bound to be a great show with a lot of love sprinkled on top. (Friday, Barclays Center)

2.       Gloria Gaynor: Gloria Gaynor is bringing disco back for a one-off show tonight at B.B. King Blues Club. The singer is promoting her new charity, IWillSurvive.org, which celebrates survivors of all kinds. She is also currently working on a new gospel album, ‘Testimony,’ so who knows, you might even get to hear some of her first new music in four years. (Friday, B.B. King Blues Club)

3.       Cloud Nothings: Cloud Nothings are taking a break from their tour with Japandroids to play a surprise solo show at Rough Trade tonight. The indie-rock band released their fifth album, ‘Life Without Sound,’ in January to positive reviews. (Friday, Rough Trade NYC)

4.       Fall Out Boy: Fall Out Boy have been playing around a lot with their sound lately, releasing a new album, ‘M A N I A,’ this January that strips away their pop punk past to include elements of electronic rock and EDM. So far the change in sound has worked for them, as the band has been getting more airplay over the last five years than when they first broke out with ‘From Under The Cork Tree’ in 2005. Be prepared to hear the rest of the crowd singing over Patrick Stump. (Saturday, Barclays Center)

5.       New Found Glory: Back for another round of their 20^th anniversary tour, New Found Glory play two shows this weekend, each of which will, again, find the band playing some of their albums in full each night along with a second set of their hits. Saturday show goers will get to hear ‘Sticks & Stones’ and ‘Resurrection,’ while Sunday show goers will get to hear their self-titled album and ‘From the Screen to Your Stereo.’ Tickets are low for both shows, so act quickly. (Saturday & Sunday, Warsaw)

6.       Andy Grammer: After breaking out in 2014 with his single “Honey I’m Good,” Andy Grammer became an overnight sensation. And with good reason, as his music is upbeat, bright and sure to put a smile on your face. (Sunday, Paramount Huntington)

7.       Josh Ritter: If you’re looking for some folk rock, Josh Ritter will be bringing his tour with his Royal City Band to New York this weekend. He released his ninth studio album, ‘Gathering,’ in September to outstanding reviews. (Sunday, Brooklyn Steel)

These are some of the big shows hitting New York this weekend. Check out these or any of the other amazing shows happening around the area and spend your time off enjoying great live music.

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Live music and record shopping go hand in hand. That’s why you should check out Vinyl Bay 777 before you hit the venues to find music from these artists and more. Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres. Browse our growing selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Songs Made Famous by Commercials

Television commercials are a great way to get one’s product in front of the eyes of the masses. They are also a great way for a band or artist to get heard. A commercial with the right soundtrack can launch an artist into the mainstream overnight or reintroduce an artist to a new audience.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at songs that have gotten a boost from their appearances in television commercials. From new artists whose TV spots earned them a place on the charts to old songs that have now become synonymous with a particular company, here are six songs from commercials that became extremely popular.

1.       Feist, “1 2 3 4”: With their series of silhouettes dancing in front of brightly colored backgrounds with iPods, Apple helped bring a lot of artists to the limelight. One of which was Feist. Her song “1 2 3 4” became a hit in 2007 after the company started using it for their iPod campaign. It was so popular that the song was launched her album into the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and got her nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy that year.

2.       Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”: If you haven’t heard “Feel It Still” at this point, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Arguably one of the best songs of the year thus far, it’s been getting a boost from Vitamin Water over the last few months with a prominent placement in their current commercial starring Aaron Paul. It is now their first song to place in the Hot 100 chart and is currently number one on the alternative charts and the radio charts.

3.       The Ting Tings, “Shut Up and Let Me Go”: Like Feist, The Ting Tings also benefited from being featured in an iPod commercial. Before the advert, the band’s second single, “Shut Up and Let Me Go,” wasn’t even released in the United States. After the commercial’s release, the song was quickly made available in the US, where it promptly charted in the Hot 100, the first time one of their singles has done so.

4.       Dirty Vegas, “Days Go By”: While “Days Go By” was a minor hit among the club scene upon its initial release, it wasn’t until the remixed version was picked up by Mitsubishi and used in a commercial for their Eclipse that it really took off. The ads turned into radio airplay and more Mitsubishi ads, which meant more exposure. It became really hard to think about the song without thinking about purchasing cars.

5.       Iggy Pop, “Lust For Life”: Obviously “Lust For Life” was written way before it was ever considered for commercials. But following the renewed boost it got from its usage in the film ‘Trainspotting,’ the song became fair game again. In 2001, Royal Caribbean started using a cleaned-up version of it in commercials for their cruises. With the lack of drug and sexual references, the song became synonymous with luxury and having fun, and made Iggy Pop relevant to a whole new generation.

6.       X Ambassadors, “Renegades”: When “Renegades” was first introduced in commercials for Jeep’s Renegade SUV, no one knew who X Ambassadors was. But the song’s catchiness caught the ears of viewers who started Shazaming the song. The song caught on, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard 200 and becoming one of the hottest songs of 2015.

Television commercials are a great tool for artists to get their music heard by a wider audience. These songs have proven that, as their commercials have boosted their artists’ listenership and positioned them for chart success.

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Find music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from spanning a wide array of genres. Browse our growing selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at 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.

Seven Musicians Who Got Their Start on YouTube

The way new music gets discovered has changed drastically over the last 15 years. With the internet and social media having become such a huge factor in our daily lives, it has become more important to win over fans directly than to go through the old conventions of having to sign to a label just to be heard.

Over its 12-year online, YouTube has become one of the fastest-growing social media sites on the internet. Creators of all kinds can upload their videos directly to the site, letting them share their passions with the world. In particular, YouTube has been a beacon for music, breathing new life into the music video format, which was in slow decline thanks in part to MTV moving away from music programming. To go even further, it has also become one of the leading sites for discovering new artists. And a lot of artists have been discovered through the site since its conception.

Aware of the power YouTube can have on an artist’s career, VinylBay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some artists who have used the site to get themselves heard. Here are seven that rose from internet fame to become today’s most talked-about artists.

1.       Charlie Puth: The latest star to cross over from YouTube fame to popular music, Charlie Puth has one of the biggest singles on the radio right now. “Attention” has already gone platinum in the United States despite having only been released in April. His collaboration with Wiz Kalifa, “See You Again” is currently the second most watched video on YouTube. But before all the fame, Puth was uploading comedy videos, cover songs and originals to his YouTube page and writing theme songs for fellow YouTubers like Charles Trippy, ShayCarl and Shane Dawson.

2.       Justin Bieber: Love him or hate him, Justin Bieber is one of the most famous singers of the last 10 years. He was also one of the first YouTubers to be discovered and signed because of his videos. Back in 2007, Bieber’s mom was uploading videos of him performing covers to the site when Scooter Braun accidentally stumbled upon them. Within the span of a year, Bieber was signed to Usher’s label and working on his debut album.

3.       Karmin: Karmin hit it big with their platinum-selling single, “Brokenhearted,” back in 2012, giving them their first and only top 10 hit. One-hit wonders though they are, it was their covers on YouTube that made that hit possible in the first place. Impressed by singer Amy Renee Noonan’s ability to rap at a lightning-fast pace, the married musical duo signed with Epic Records in 2011.

4.       Pentatonix: Currently one of the biggest names in a cappella, Pentatonix have been nominated for and received many awards, including Grammys, Billboard Awards and more. While one could argue that their career started during the 2011 season of ‘The Sing-Off’ (which is where all five of them met up for the first time), it was their videos on YouTube that really put them over the top. Many of their covers and medleys went viral on the site, leading them to become one of the most subscribed and awarded channels on YouTube. The group has also had other success on the site; Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying’s “Superfruit” channel has been blowing up lately with the duo releasing videos for every song on their debut album, ‘Future Friends.’

5.       5 Seconds of Summer: 5 Seconds of Summer took the world by storm in 2014 with their single “She Looks So Perfect” and their cover of “What I Like About You.” The band gave new life to pop-punk, going heavier on the pop aspect while still managing to stay grounded in the genre’s roots. Coming out of seemingly nowhere, tween girls began finding the band’s music on YouTube with the band gaining so much in popularity that even celebrities were starting to catch on. After one of their covers was retweeted by One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, they ended up touring with the boy band, widening their audience.

6.       Christina Grimmie: A rising young star whose career was cut short last year by a gun-wielding fan at a meet-and-greet, Christina Grimmie might not be the most well-known name on this list, but an important one. Before coming in third on the sixth season of ‘The Voice,’ Grimmie was uploading her cover songs to YouTube. Her popularity on the site garnered her a lot of attention and she was eventually discovered by Selena Gomez’s parents/managers.

7.       Lindsey Stirling: Currently competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and getting ready to release her Christmas album, ‘Warmer in the Winter,’ Lindsey Stirling has made a name for herself playing intricate  and breathtaking violin compositions and covers, many times while dancing or performing. But before all of that, she started out uploading videos of herself playing and dancing on YouTube. She started doing even more so after her stint on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ really sending her career soaring. Stirling continues to post her amazing covers and originals to her channel near-weekly.

These are some of the artists who have earned stardom after finding a following on YouTube. The site has become one of the best places to discover new artists on the internet for its ability to bring artists directly to their audience without the need for a label middleman. As the internet become even more ubiquitous, there is no doubt that the next generation of top musicians will rise through similar means.

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Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, is a great place to discover music new and old. 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 and memorabilia in store or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, there is always something new to discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (October 15-21, 2017)

Another week has officially come to an end. Time to kick back, relax and enjoy some of the music you may have missed during the hustle and bustle of the week.

This week saw a lot of great new songs and music videos. Dhani Harrison released a video for the first single from his recently released debut solo album. Morrissey and Evanescence each released new videos for their respective new singles. Weezer, Frank Turner and Taylor Swift all came out with new singles from their upcoming albums. MGMT gave fans a taste of their new album with a video for their first single in nearly four years.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been scouring the internet for the latest new songs and music videos. Here are seven of our favorites that we think you will enjoy.

1.       Morrissey, “Spent the Day In Bed”: A new video for Morrissey’s latest single “Spent the Day in Bed” was released this week. The song is an interesting take on dealing with the politics of today. In its straightforward lyrics, he argues that one should stop paying attention to the news and the problems of the day because the only safe place to be is in your own bed. It’s the kind of political and social commentary you would expect from Morrissey, set to a memorable new wave tune. I don’t really understand the wheelchair’s use in the video, but he seems pretty comfortable when he’s singing sitting on the chair. (video)

2.       MGMT, “Little Dark Age”: MGMT pulls from 80s new wave and goth rock for their latest single, “Little Dark Age.” This is new territory for the band, who are known more for their electronic, synth-pop sound than true rock. It’s a darker sound, more instrumental sound, but it suits them. (video)

3.       Frank Turner, “There She Is”: “There She Is” is a beautiful song filled with honesty, love and happiness. In it, Frank Turner talks about how much he needs his girl in the most reverential way possible. Turner has always done honesty very well, so it’s no surprise that this song comes off so genuine and passionate. This song just begs to be played as the first dance at someone’s wedding. (video)

4.       Evanescence, “Imperfection”: Evanescence released a video for their single “Imperfection” this week. The song’s dramatic and operatic flourishes expand on the band’s signature sound. Its lyrics are both powerful and empowering, providing insight into how it feels to lose someone. The video features Amy Lee remembering a traumatic incident as a little girl as she’s sitting at a bus stop in the rain. Shots of Lee belting out the song shrouded in red are interspersed with these shots, giving the video a more dramatic flair. (video)

5.       Weezer, “Happy Hour”: Weezer drink away the pain on the latest single, “Happy Hour,” from their upcoming album. The song’s upbeat island groove is catchy and sounds like it would have fit perfectly with some of the songs on their ‘White Album.’ It’s not very deep, but it sounds great. (video)

6.       Tonight Alive, “Temple”: The second single from Tonight Alive’s upcoming album ‘Underworld,’ “Temple” is a fast-paced, danceable and catchy pop-punk tune that will have you singing along in no time. Singer Jenna McDougall’s rapid-fire delivery gives this song adds a sense of urgency to the song, as if she was actually panicking about something going wrong with her body. (video)

7.       Dhani Harrison, “All About Waiting”: Dhani Harrison has finally released a video for his single “All About Waiting” from his debut solo album ‘IN///PARALLEL.’ Harrison’s vocals have that slight British accent that is both unique and familiar at the same time, while the instrumentals combine elements of psychedelic and indie-rock. The song chugs along with its steady bass drum beat, only weighted down by its heavy bass line. By the end, the song begins spiraling into chaos. The video is beautifully animated and very in tune with the song’s conscious lyrics and instrumental cue. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos that came out over the last week. Check these out and start your weekend off right with some new music.

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

Shows to Check Out in New York This Weekend

Only a few more hours until the weekend officially starts. If you’re still wondering what to do this weekend, why not check out a live show.

There are some big shows happening in New York this weekend. From comedy to punk to hip-hop, there is something for everyone out there. Billy Joel will be continuing his record Madison Square Garden residency. Legendary 50s and 60s artists like Smokey Robinson and Herman’s Hermits are hitting Long Island. The Psychedelic Furs and Ben Folds will both be bringing their tours through the area.

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

1.       Billy Joel: Billy Joel continues his record-breaking run at Madison Square Garden tonight with the 45^th show in his residency. Hear all the local native’s hits again and reminisce about the good old days. The residency has now been extended through January. (Friday, Madison Square Garden)

2.       Propagandi: In the mood for some punk? Rocks Off is presenting Propagandhi tonight in Brooklyn. The band is currently touring behind their latest album, ‘Victory Lap,’ released in September. Opening the show will be Iron Chic and Heartsounds. (Friday, Warsaw)

3.       Foxy Brown: The rapper, known a handful of top 10 hits in the 1990s, is back. She is rumored to be working on a new solo album, which will be her first in nearly 17 years. (Friday, B.B. King Blues Club)

4.       Ben Folds: Ben Folds will be doing things a little differently on his current tour. Dubbed the  ‘Paper Airplane Request Tour,’ the singer/pianist will be taking requests from the audience, who will be writing song titles on pieces of paper and throwing them on stage as paper planes. No two shows on this tour will ever be the same. Sounds like fun. (Saturday, Kings Theatre)

5.       Smokey Robinson: From his early work with The Miracles to his massively successful solo career, Smokey Robinson has been doling out that sweet Motown sound for more than six decades. Robinson will be bringing some of that soul to Long Island this weekend when he makes a one-off stop at Long Island’s Tilles Center Saturday. (Saturday, Tilles Center)

6.       Tom Petty Tributes: Tom Petty, who passed away recently, would have been 67 today. Such is why there is a handful of Petty Tributes happening this weekend and in the next few weeks. Cover band Refugee will be playing at Lucille’s at B.B. King Blues Club this Saturday. Then all day on Sunday, there will be a free tribute to the Heartbreakers frontman at Alphaville in Brooklyn featuring a handful of artists performing one to four Petty songs a piece. If you can wait until November 6, there will also be a tribute to Petty at Brooklyn Bowl with members of Quicksand, Rival Schools, The Mooney Suzuki, 2 Skinny J’s, The Bogmen and more.

7.       The Psychedelic Furs: The Psychedelic Furs may not have released much more than a few greatest hit and live albums in the last 25 years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still rock. The band will be pulling out all the singles for their latest tour, which ends this weekend with two shows in New York. (Saturday, The Paramount Huntington; Sunday, Warsaw)

8.       Kevin James: Long Island actor and comedian Kevin James will be doing a handful of stand-up dates in New York over the next week. James recently returned to television with his show ‘Kevin Can Wait,’ which is currently airing its second season on CBS. (Sunday, The Paramount Huntington)

These are some of the biggest shows and live music events happening in New York this weekend. Check out these or any of the smaller shows happening around the area and start your weekend off right with live music.

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Before heading out to the venues this weekend, drop by Vinyl Bay 777 to pick up music from these artists and more. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CD, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location 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.

Record Store Black Friday 2017 Releases to Watch For

On Tuesday, Record Store Day released the official list of releases coming out during their Black Friday event. Taking place November 24, the event is now in its seventh year of releasing limited edition vinyl, CD and cassette releases to independent record shops for the holiday season. Artists releasing titles this November include the Grateful Dead, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Neil Young, Lou Reed, Frank Zappa, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Iggy Pop, Queen, Notorious B.I.G., Twisted Sister and many, many more.

In anticipation of Record Store Day Black Friday, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the titles being released for this year’s event. Here are 10 of the more interesting releases, from the anniversary reissues to rare finds and oddities.

1.       Richard Hell & the Voidoids, ‘Blank Generation (40^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)’: It’s been 40 years since Richard Hell & the Voidoids released their ground-breaking debut album, ‘Blank Generation.’ Hell is celebrating the milestone by reissuing the album for Record Store Day as double LP and double CD sets. The second disc will feature outtakes, alternate studio versions, and recordings of their first performance at CBGBs. Packaging for the rerelease will mimic that of the original release and include a booklet with essays and journal entries from Hell, never-before-seen photos and an interview between Hell and bandmate Ivan Julian.

2.       Neil Young, ‘Harvest Moon’: For its 25^th anniversary, Neil Young is re-mastering and reissuing ‘Harvest Moon.’ This will be the first time the album has been available on vinyl in the United States and will be limited to 5000 copies.

3.       Lure, Burke, Stinson & Kramer, 'L.A.M.F. Live At The Bowery': In 2016, Walter Lure (The Heartbreakers), Clem Burke (Blondie), Tommy Stinson (The Replacements) and Wayne Kramer (MC5) came together to pay tribute to Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers sole album, ‘L.A.M.F.’ Recordings from that show are now being released on transparent blue vinyl for Record Store Day Black Friday. There are only going to be 950 copies pressed.

4.       Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson, 'The Bottom Line Archive Series: In Their Own Words: With Vin Scelsa': The Bottom Line’s Archive Series is releasing a picture disc featuring selections from Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson’s1994 ‘In Their Own Words: With Vin Scelsa’ set at the famed venue. Only 1000 of these albums are being made.

5.       The Turtles, 'Turtles '66': Considered to be the “lost” Turtles album, ‘Turtles ’66’ features original mono mixes of early Turtles tracks. With only three of these 12 tracks having been previously released in mono, much of this album has not been heard like this before. And with only 1000 being made, very few will have the chance to hear it this way.

6.       Various Artists, ‘From The Vaults’: For all the reggae and two-tone fans out there, Studio One is releasing a two LP compilation of music from their vault. ‘From The Vaults (Obscure Singles Compilation)’ will feature rarities from throughout the label’s history. Many of these tracks have been out-of-print for decades or have never been released at all. To make it even more of a catch, there will only be 600 copies made.

7.       Grateful Dead, 'Grateful Dead Records Collection': One of the larger sets being released for Record Store Day Black Friday, the Grateful Dead will be releasing four of their iconic albums in one limited-edition five-LP box set. The set includes ‘Wake Of The Flood,’ ‘From The Mars Hotel,’ ‘Blues For Allah’ and ‘Steal Your Face,’ which will all be “faithfully replicated” and “housed in a rigid slipcase,” as well as a book featuring liner notes and iconic band photos. Only 5,000 sets will be made, so Dead Heads should line-up early. If this isn’t

If this isn’t enough Grateful Dead for you, ‘Side Trips, Volume One,’ featuring Jerry Garcia, is being rereleased. The album originally came out on CD in 1998, but will now be getting a vinyl release.

8.       Frank Zappa, “Lumpy Gravy” / “Primordial”: Frank Zappa’s debut solo album, ‘Lumpy Gravy,’ turned 50 this year and to celebrate, Zappa has reissued the album’s title track, along with b-side “Primordial.” The release is in Mono and being pressed on burgundy vinyl.

9.       At The Drive-In, ‘Diamante’: Earlier this year, At The Drive-In cemented their reunion with a new album and now the band is getting ready to release even more new music. For Record Store Day Black Friday, the band will be releasing the 10” ‘Diamante’ EP featuring three brand new tracks. The majority of the 3000-copy run will be on coke-bottle green with “bone-splatter” vinyl, but there will be 100 pressed on black/double-mint vinyl hidden among them.

10.   Leonard Nimoy, 'Mr. Spock's Music from Outer Space': In 1967, Star Trek’s Leonard Nimoy released an album of space-themed tracks. Now after being out-of-print for decades, this unusual find will be rereleased for Record Store Day Black Friday this year.

These are just some of the titles being released for this year’s Record Store Day Black Friday event. Check out the full list of exclusives at the Record Store Day website and let us know what releases you’re excited for.

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Find previous Record Store Day releases and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has 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 and memorabilia in store or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Six Autumn Songs for Contemplating Life

Autumn has often taken on a darker, more contemplative atmosphere than other seasons. The falling leaves, cooler weather and shorter days conjure feelings of transition and the passage of time.

Music has always been very good at capturing that cyclical fall feeling. Many an artist has written a song or two that reference autumn’s features in metaphor for life’s changes and time’s passage.

Now that the cool air of autumn has finally taken hold, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the best reflective autumn songs. Here are six that will have you contemplating life itself.

1.       Guns N’ Roses, “November Rain”: One of two hit ballads for Guns N’ Roses, “November Rain” talks about love and loss, comparing it to a “cold November rain.” Sometimes you need to walk in it alone to find yourself and feel something, yet whatever is bothering you will eventually go away. (video)

2.       Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”: “Wake Me Up” has become one of Green Day’s most iconic songs, and it’s also one of their saddest. Written about the passing of Billie Joe Armstrong’s father, the song equates summer’s passing with the loss of innocence and a longing for spring’s renewal. The song also deals with the passing of time, jumping from seven to 20 years flying by in a matter of minutes. (video)

3.       Simon & Garfunkel, “Leaves That Are Green”: Another song about the passing of time, “Leaves That Are Green” mentions getting older and love never lasting all in one song. Tying the song together, the leaves are used as a metaphor for change, denoting that even healthy-looking leaves will turn to brown and die. (video)

4.       U2, “October”: “October” is one of the band’s shortest and most unassuming songs. Supported only by a simple piano melody, Bono sings about leaves falling from trees and “kingdoms” rising and falling as he contemplates a love interest leaving him. (video)

5.       The Cure, “The Last Day of Summer”: The Cure is known for being moody, but “Last Day of Summer” takes it further. The song talks about giving up on everything; love and trust, most likely because someone broke his heart. Since he now has nothing to believe in, the world feels cold. (video)

6.       The Vines, “Autumn Shade”: There are four versions of this song on four different Vines albums and all four of them are pretty contemplative and self-loathing. With the exception of the second, each song talks about missing the sun, sadness and wanting to sleep through it all. The second talks about how it is futile to know oneself, calling himself “transparent.” (video)

Autumn music often evokes the passage of time and life’s changes. Whether it’s through the imagery of falling leaves or cool and rainy weather, these songs do just that. Check these out let that fall feeling wash over you.

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Fall is the perfect time to check out Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. 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 store 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.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (October 8 – 14, 2017)

The weekend is once again upon us. That means it’s time once again to take a look back at some of the new songs and music videos that came out over the last week.

This week saw a lot of great music from all over the musical spectrum. Marilyn Manson released a new music video from his recently released ‘Heaven Upside Down’ album. The Front Bottoms, Kodaline and Imagine Dragons also released new rock videos this week. P!nk rolled out a new dance video for the title track from her new album, while Beck had people playing with slime in the video for the title track from his new album. St. Vincent premiered yet another song from her just released album, ‘Masseduction.’

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are eight we think will be worth a listen.

1.       The Front Bottoms, “Peace Sign”: You can always count on The Front Bottoms to be very descriptive and direct with their lyrics. The hook to “Peace Sign” is simple and brief, but you immediately get the gritty gist of what they are saying. This song is also a lot more melodic than those on their previous albums, a side effect of having added more musicians to their line-up. (video)

2.       Matisyahu and Common Kings, “Broken Crowns”: “Broken Crowns” has a bit of a different sound than much of Matisyahu’s recent music. Ever since he became less religious, a lot of his songs have been on the sunnier side. But “Broken Crowns” is dark and contemplative. Its beats have a harsher vibe to them than your typical Matisyahu song. (video)

3.       Beck, “Colors”: “Colors” has a very new wave vibe to it.  It sounds a little like “Girls on Film” with an electronic dance beat added on to it. It’s that kind of upbeat tempo that keeps you drawn in to the song. (video)

4.       Marilyn Manson, “Say10”: With “Say10,” Marilyn Manson is back to his dirty, sadistic self. You can definitely hear elements of his 90s hits in the song, especially with his low, growling vocal. If you’re not too keen on the music, the video features Johnny Depp playing opposite Manson in a God vs. Satan-type stand-off filled with excess and naked women. (video)

5.       Rex Orange County featuring Benny Sings, “Loving Is Easy”: “Loving Is Easy” is a nice, easy song to listen to. It has a bit of a retro, 70s pop vibe, banking off steady snare hits and simple plucked chords. (video)

6.       St. Vincent, “Pills”: “Pills” has a playfulness to it that the other singles from her new album don’t have. The melody is somewhere between advertising perkiness and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ With that being said, it’s also a pretty serious song, talking rather tongue-in-cheekly about the overmedication of our culture. The end seems more sincere than the beginning, but I think that’s the point. (video)

7.       P!nk, “Beautiful Trauma”: What I like about the songs I’ve heard from P!nk’s new album is that they all sound like they fit together. In the recently released title track, you can hear bits of “What About Us” in her vocals, even though their topics are far from similar. The emotion and urgency in her voice and in the song’s melody and pacing that really make you feel something. (video)

8.       Kodaline, “Ready to Change”: “Ready to Change” track starts out with a very Coldplay-like vocal intro, then opens up into this big, catchy melody that grabs your attention subconsciously. The steady drum beats and hand claps help to create movement within the song. I could definitely hear this song being played on adult contemporary or college radio. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos released over the past week. Check them out and start your weekend off right with the sound of new music.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our large selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia during store hours at our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Live Shows in New York to Check Out This Weekend (October 13-15, 2017)

With another work week quickly coming to an end, it’s time to finalize your weekend plans. If you’re still not sure what to do, why not check out some live music?

From rock to pop and even comedy, there are a lot of great artists are making their way through the New York area this weekend. Metal legends Guns N’ Roses will be continuing their reunion tour in the city while punk legends Blondie return to the area with more dates supporting their latest album. This weekend will also see shows from rockers like Andrew W.K., Against Me! and Billy Corgan, as well as pop rock from relative newcomer Rachel Platten.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That is why we’ve been perusing the internet to bring you some of the hottest shows happening in New York this weekend. Here are nine that we think will be worth checking out.

1.       Blondie: Blondie finish up the US leg of their ‘Pollinator’ tour this weekend with shows in New York and New Jersey. Still rocking after all these years, the legendary punk/new wave band released their latest album, ‘Pollinator,’ earlier this year to positive reviews. I’ve heard these guys still put on an engaging and energetic show, so you won’t want to miss it. (Friday, Tilles Center; Saturday, Bergen Performing Arts Center)

2.       Andrew W.K.: Andrew W.K. has not toured with a full band since 2012, so if you’ve managed to get tickets to tonight’s sold out show, you’re in for a treat. The hard rock singer, motivational speaker and promoter of “partying hard,” puts a lot of energy into his shows and will leave you sweating (and bleeding) as much as he does. Andrew W.K. also recently announced a release date for his new album, his first in 10 years, so you could possibly expect to hear some new tunes as well. (Friday, Warsaw)

3.       Rhett & Link: Following the release of their first book, ‘Rhett & Link’s Book of Mythicality,’ earlier this week, YouTube sensations Rhett & Link will be getting up-close and personal with fans in New York this weekend when they bring their Tour of Mythicality to the area. Get ready for a night of music, storytelling and lots of laughs. Tonight’s show on Long Island is sold out, as is their late show on Saturday, but if you act fast you can still get tickets for Saturday’s early show. (Friday, The Paramount Huntington; Saturday, Playstation Theater)

4.       The Front Bottoms: Catch New Jersey indie-punk band The Front Bottoms before their tour officially starts with an in-store performance at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade. The show is free with purchase of the band’s new album, ‘Going Grey,’ out now. If you can’t make that show, the band won’t be leaving the New York area out of their tour. They play New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom on October 21 and New York’s Terminal 5 on November 25. (Saturday, Rough Trade)

5.       Against Me!: One of the most talked about punk bands of the last decade, Against Me! are currently on their fall headlining tour, continuing to promote last year’s well-received ‘Shape Shift With Me.’ Support on this tour comes from Bleached and The Dirty Nil. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids before the show on Saturday, frontwoman Laura Jane Grace will be playing a “kid-friendly” set at the Brooklyn Central Library for their “Genderful!: Exploring Gender Through Art” event. (Saturday, Brooklyn Steel; Sunday, Stone Pony)

6.       Beck: This isn’t exactly a concert, but Beck will be setting up shop in New York this weekend with pop-up shops at Brooklyn Flea in Soho and Dumbo. There you will find limited edition items, including albums, t-shirts, tote bags, lithographs and more promoting the artist’s new album, ‘Colors,’ out today. (Saturday, Brooklyn Flea – Soho; Sunday, Brooklyn Flea - Dumbo)

7.       Billy Corgan: Corgan kicks off his month-long US tour this weekend with two shows in New York. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman released his second solo album, ‘Ogilala,’ today, 12 years after the release of his first, ‘TheFutureEmbrace.’ (Saturday & Sunday, Murmrr Theatre)

8.       Guns N’ Roses: If you missed them when their ‘Not In This Lifetime’ tour came around last year, this is your chance to see Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan on stage together again. Back for a second US leg, Guns N’ Roses already played one show at Madison Square Garden earlier this week, during which they brought pop singer P!nk out to duet on “Patience,” and will be playing two more this weekend. (Sunday & Monday, Madison Square Garden)

9.       Rachel Platten: This summer, Ford and Billboard teamed up for ‘Ford Front Row,’ a series of free intimate and interactive live shows with some of today’s hottest artists.  The fourth and final show happens in New York this weekend with pop new-comer Rachel Platten and country up-and-comers The Wild Feathers taking the stage at Brooklyn Steel. The show will be good promotion for Platten, best known for her hit single “Fight Song,” who will be releasing her sophomore album later this month. And all you need to do is RSVP. (Sunday, Brooklyn Steel)

These are just some of the amazing artists playing shows in the New York area this weekend. If you’re still looking for something to do this weekend, check out one of these or any of the other amazing shows happening in the area and kick back with some live music.

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Before you head out to the venues this weekend, drop by Vinyl Bay 777 to find music from 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 and memorabilia. Stop by our Plainview store during our newly posted winter hours or shop online anytime 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.