Shows to Check Out in New York this Weekend (November 30-December 2, 2018)

New York has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. From large venues with nationally touring artists to smaller clubs giving up-and-comers their big breaks, there is never a dull moment. There is usually something going on every night of the week. With the weekend almost here, this is the perfect time to check out just what the music scene has to offer.

There is a lot going on in the New York area this weekend, particularly when it comes to rock shows. Bob Dylan is finishing up his seven show Beacon Theatre run. The Hold Steady and Yo La Tengo have holiday residencies that will be anything but predictable. We also have some big shows from Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R. and Peter Bjorn and John.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of our picks for this weekend’s hottest shows in the New York area. Here are eight we know will be worth checking out.

1.       Peter Bjorn and John: Swedish indie rockers Peter Bjorn and John released their new album ‘Darker Days’ last month. The album brought them back to their original style of writing and producing songs themselves. Catch the band promote the album on tour this weekend. Georgi Kay opens tonight’s show, while Talos opens Saturday.  (Friday, Rough Trade; Saturday, Bowery Ballroom)

2.       The Hold Steady: The Hold Steady is in the middle of their third-annual ‘Massive Nights’ holiday run. So far, the band has played their album ‘Stay Positive’ in its entirety, as well as had surprise opening sets from Ted Leo (night one) and Laura Stevenson and Bomb the Music Industry!/Antarctigo Vespucci’s Jeff Rosenstock (night two). Tonight’s opener was reviled earlier today as Bad Moves, but there is still no word yet on who will be opening Saturday’s show. (Friday & Saturday, Brooklyn Bowl)

3.       Bob Dylan: There are only two more shows in Bob Dylan’s epic seven night Beacon Theatre residency! Catch the legendary folk-rock singer/songwriter and Nobel Laureate as he performs some of his most iconic songs (Friday & Saturday, Beacon Theatre)

4.       Dave Matthews Band: Dave Matthews Band released their latest album, ‘Come Tomorrow,’ in June, their first studio effort in six years. The band kicked off a short fall tour behind the album, playing the first of two Madison Square Garden shows last night. The band plays the second sold out show tonight. (Friday, Madison Square Garden)

5.       O.A.R.: O.A.R. is slated to release their new album, ‘The Mighty,’ this spring. In the meantime, the band is out on the road with their ‘Just Like Paradise’ headlining tour with Huntertones and Lumin as openers. (Saturday, St. George Theatre; Sunday, The Paramount)

6.       Jesse Malin: New York punk icon Jesse Malin will be headlining this year’s ‘Rock the Night’ fundraiser, happening this weekend. The event raises money and awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis Research. Also on the bill are Trapper Schoepp and comedians Bill Burr and Dean DelRay. (Saturday, Highline Ballroom)

7.       Yo La Tengo: Yo La Tengo are back for another year of Hanukkah shows. Starting Sunday night (Hanukkah night one) and lasting all eight nights, the band will be playing their hits, music from their new album, ‘There’s a Riot Going On’, and covers. The band also usually has some super secret special guests, so there are sure to be some surprises. Note: All nights are sold out. (Sunday - 12/9, Bowery Ballroom)

8.       Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp: It has been a little over two decades since Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal starred in the Broadway production of ‘Rent’ playing Mark Cohen and Roger Davis, respectively. And though the two have moved on to other roles, they have maintained their friendship throughout the years. The two share the stage again this weekend for an intimate show celebrating that friendship. (Sunday, Sony Hall)

With a plethora of hot shows happening around the New York area this weekend, this is a great chance to see just what the music scene has to offer. Check out one of the shows above or any of the many others peppering the area and let us know what shows you’re excited to see live.

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Find music from these touring 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 a variety of genres to fit most music lovers’ tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, 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.

Surprising (and Not-So Surprising) Musicians Who Contributed to ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’

Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of long-running cartoon ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ has passed away. The animator and marine biologist lost his battle with ALS on Tuesday. He was 57.

Over the last two decades, Hillenburg’s ‘Spongebob’ has become one of the most popular characters in cartoon history, appealing to both kids and the adults who grew up with it. The show became so popular that it has attracted many celebrity guests to become involved. That includes top-name musicians, who have lent their talents to the television show, as well as its first movie and subsequent Broadway production.

In honor of Stephen Hillenburg’s work, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the big name musical artists who have been a part of the ‘SpongeBob’ universe. Here are seven artists that have either voiced characters or written music for the show and its properties.

1.       David Bowie: David Bowie, who’s children were fans of the show, is one of the only artists to have both voiced a character on an episode of the ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ TV series as well as contribute a song to the Broadway show. The episode in question was an hour-long musical called “Atlantis SquarePantis” which featured Bowie as Lord Royal Highness, the ruler of Atlantis. As for Broadway, his 1995 collaboration with Brian Eno, “No Control” was chosen after the singer gave director Tina Landau permission to use something from his catalog.

2.       The Flaming Lips:  When it came time to make the first ‘SpongeBob’ movie, Hillenburg was adamant about having off-beat artists on the soundtrack. Artists like Wilco and Ween made the cut, as well as The Flaming Lips, who provided the song “SpongeBob and Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy.” Because of the film contribution, the band was also asked to write a song for the Broadway musical, which became “Tomorrow Is.”

3.       Ween: As mentioned above, Hillenburg liked off-beat bands and Ween seems to have been an early favorite. According to an old Ween message board, the band was asked by Hillenburg, who was inspired by their album ‘The Mollusk,’ to write and record a song about tying shoes (“Loop de Loop”) for the show before the cartoon ever aired. The band ended up working with ‘SpongeBob’ again, this time providing their song “Ocean Man” (from ‘The Mollusk’) for the first movie’s soundtrack.

4.       Pantera: Another early ‘SpongeBob’ inclusion, Pantera rearranged one of their songs for the show’s second season. The song was “Death Rattle,” which was turned into “Pre-Hibernation,” and was included in a montage of scenes where Sandy and SpongeBob were getting ready for Sandy’s hibernation.

5.       Gene Simmons: Another famous metal face, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, also contributed to the show. Simmons lent his voice to the character of Sea Monster during the show’s fifth season. Announcing the part on the Kiss website in 2007, he said “I was born for this part. I've been waiting all my life to be a Sea Monster. It's in my blood. It's what I do. It's my job.”

6.       Dee Snider: Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider is apparently a big fan of ‘SpongeBob.’ Like Simmons, he provided a voice for the show’s sixth season, playing a snail shell salesman named Angry Jack who was far from angry (you know, until “stuff” happens). The fandom must have been mutual, as original movie track “Goofy Goober Rock” was supposed to be a parody of Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock.”

7.       Mötorhead: Mötorhead also had one of their tracks parodied for the first ‘SpongeBob’ movie, except the band actually recorded the track themselves. “You Better Swim” is a reworking of “You Better Run” from ‘March ör Die.’

 ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ has been providing inspiration to fans both young and young at heart with its wacky, off-beat nature. Such is why there have been many musical artists (like the ones above) and actors who have jumped at the opportunity to voice characters or contribute music to the franchise. As long as people continue to be inspired by the show, Stephen Hillenburg’s characters will continue to live on in television (and music) history.

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Find music from these ‘SpongeBob’-loving 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 to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, 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.

Music-Focused Specials Hitting Television Screens for the 2018 Holiday Season

What would the holiday season be without all the special programming that will be saturating television viewing for the next month? From movies and holiday-themed episodes of your favorite shows to the numerous specials both classic and new, it’s almost as inescapable as holiday music.

Of course, many of these specials center on music as well. Such yearly television offerings began last week with the Thanksgiving Parade, which saw a handful of popular artists cruising down 34^th Street “performing” their own music as well as holiday classics. Between now and New Years, even more musical specials will be hitting the small screen, ranging from tree lightings and parades to concerts and Disney’s complete takeover of the holidays.

In gearing up for the holiday season, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at all the musical Christmas and holiday specials coming to a television set near you in the next month. Here are nine programs to get you into the festive spirit. (Note: Not included are specials where music comes second to the event, like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show or the ‘A Home for Christmas’ special. Also not included is New Years programming, as it deserves its own list.)

1.       ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’: A New York tradition for decades, ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’ ushers in the holiday season by building up to the lighting of the Rockeffeller Center Christmas tree. This year’s performers include Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, Pentatonix, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Brett Eldredge, Ella Mai, John Legend and Rob Thomas. (11/28, NBC)

2.       ‘A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy’: Speaking of John Legend, following the success of April’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’ (which won him a coveted EGOT), the soulful R&B singer/renaissance man returns to holiday television with his wife Chrissy Teigen to host a traditional variety show. ‘A Legendary Christmas’ will feature Legend performing music from his new holiday album of the same name, as well as special guests and tons of lovey-dovey schmaltz. Music-focused guests include fellow ‘The Voice’ judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Raphael Saadiq and many more. (11/28, NBC)

3.       The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration’: Not to be outdone by NBC, ABC will be airing their annual ‘Magical Holiday Celebration’ special direct from Disney’s amusement parks. This year the program is being hosted by ‘Modern Family’s’ Sarah Hyland and ‘Dancing with the Stars’’ Jordan Fisher (both of which are ABC shows) and will feature musical performances from Gwen Stefani, Becky G, Meghan Trainor, Aloe Blacc, Andrea Bocelli and more, plus appearances from your favorite Disney characters. (11/29, ABC)

4.       ‘Garth: Live at Notre Dame!’:  Back in October, best-selling country artist Garth Brooks played a stadium show at the University of Notre Dame in October, the first time in the stadium’s 88-year history that an artist of his magnitude has performed there. Fans across the country will get to experience the show on the small screen this holiday season as a concert special. (12/2, CBS)

5.       ‘Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas’: Amy Grant apparently loves Christmas. In addition to her annual block of holiday shows at the Ryman in Nashville, the country/gospel singer will have her own special on Hallmark. ‘Tennessee Christmas features performances from her, her husband Vince Gill and special guests Kellie Pickler and Michael W. Smith. (12/3, Hallmark)

6.       ‘CMA Country Christmas’: Another yearly tradition, the Country Music Association will be airing their ‘CMA Country Christmas’ again this year. Reba McEntire hosts for the second year in a row, with a list of performers new and established lending their voices to holiday classics. Artists performing this year include McEntire, Tony Bennett & Diana Krall, Dan & Shay, Brett Eldredge, Martina McBride, Dustin Lynch, Amy Grant, Brad Paisley, Lindsey Stirling, Old Dominion and more. (12/10, ABC)

7.       ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’: The west-coast’s equivalent to the Thanksgiving Parade in New York, the ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’ marches through the heart of Hollywood to ring in the holiday season and you’ll be able to see every detail on the small screen. Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie host the broadcast, which will feature balloons, floats and performances of all kinds, including a 100^th anniversary tribute to ‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.’ Musical performances include ‘American Idol’ alums Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey, Mikalah Gordon, Ruben Studdard, Blake Lewis, Elliot Yamin and David Archuleta, Ashanti, Claire Dunn, The Tearaways and supergroup Band of MerryMakers. (12/14, The CW)

8.       ‘iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018’: iHeartRadio begins its annual Jingle Ball tour tonight, bringing the year’s hottest artists to an arena near you over the next three weeks. Artists on the tour include Cardi B, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Kalid, Alessia Cara, Bebe Rexha, Meghan Trainor, Sabrina Carpenter, G Easy, Bazzi and more (though the line-up differs depending on the particular stop). If you can’t make these shows, The CW will be airing an amalgam of performances as a special this holiday season. (12/16, The CW)

9.       ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’: Disney continues their holiday domination with their annual Christmas day parade. The broadcast will feature the same performers as their ‘Magical Holiday Celebration’ a month earlier performing different songs, except with all the fanfare of a parade. (12/25, ABC)

Featuring concerts, parades, tree lightings and more, music is at the heart of many of the season’s holiday specials. Check out some of the musical Christmas and holiday specials mentioned above and feel the holiday spirit.

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Find holiday music and much more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in a vast array of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, 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.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 18-24, 2018)

Another week has come and gone and with it came a wealth of new music. Whether you’ve been working or preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday during the past week, it’s hard to keep up with everything that came out. Now that the weekend is here and the excitement has died down, it’s time to take a look back at all the new songs and music videos that came out over the past seven days.

Despite the holiday, there were still a lot of new songs and music videos released over the past week. We got a new single and album details from Weezer. The 1975 released remarkable new video from their latest album. Steve Aoki’s released his anticipated collaboration with BTS. We also got some new hard rock videos from Thrice and P.O.D., as well as new alternative songs from Taking Back Sunday and Billie Eilish.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve been scouring the internet all week for the latest new songs and music videos. Here are six of our favorites we think are worth checking out.

1.       Steve Aoki feat. BTS, “Waste It On Me”: Producer Steve Aoki has finally released a video for his collaboration with K-Pop group BTS and it is excellent. The song is both pop-y and catchy, blending together the best of EDM beats and K-Pop sweetness. I could definitely hear this being played on the radio. For the video, Aoki got Ken Jeong to work his comedic magic as a cook at a club trying to get back his young love interest. (video)

2.       Michael Bublé, “Such A Night”: Blending jazz and pop, Michael Bublé’s latest ‘Love’ single “Such A Night” is a bright, feel-good song. Its grandiose nature gives Bublé a lot of room to show off the power in his voice. (video)

3.       Weezer, “Zombie Bastards”: This week, Weezer announced details for their upcoming ‘Black Album,’ and with it they released a new single, “Zombie Bastards.” The song is definitely new-era Weezer, opting for a bouncier feel rather than going back to their “emo” roots. However, it doesn’t feel like the electronic-tinged or overly boastful songs they’ve tried to pass off in the past either. While it’s not really the “dark” music we’ve been expecting,  I respect the level of confidence Rivers Cuomo exudes in the lyrics and delivery of “Zombie,” giving what lyrically seems like dire situation a bit of a triumphant edge. (video)

4.       The 1975, “Sincerity is Scary”: Everything about “Sincerity is Scary” is just plain great. The song is a jazzy and upbeat piece of pop rock that feels joyous despite the lyrics being fairly cynical. As for the video, it’s just entertaining and bouncy as the song with its big dance production in the vein of “La La Land.” (video)

5.       Thrice, “Only Us”: Thrice’s latest single “Only Us” is a slow, sludgy alt-rock track about breaking down the “us vs. them” mentality. It’s dramatic and passionate, really wrapping you in the song’s story and purpose. The video does a good job of relating the song’s message, depicting a camp based on a 1953 experiment where they pitted two groups of boys against each other to see what would happen. (video)

6.       P.O.D., “Listening For The Silence”: Following the release of their latest album, ‘Circles,’ last week, P.O.D. have released a video for single “Listening For The Silence.” For a song about dealing with mental illness, it doesn’t hit you over the head with subject matter. Instead, the song focuses on how someone with stress or PTSD goes through mentally, supporting the story with more melody than the band has put into some of their previous singles. (video)

With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back at all the new songs and music videos that came out over this Thanksgiving week. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been enjoying this week in the comments below.

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Find 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 variety of genres to fit most people’s musical tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or rediscovering the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Shows to Check Out in New York This Weekend (November 23-25, 2018)

Thanksgiving is over. If you’ve spent all the time with your family and friends you can stand and you’ve had enough of the hoards of people out holiday shopping, perhaps it’s time for a break. Why not celebrate the long holiday weekend by braving the cold and heading out to a live show?

There is a lot going on in the New York area this weekend. Bob Dylan kicks off a seven-night run of shows in the city.  Music icons Art Garfunkel, Arlo Guthrie, Taylor Dayne and Patty Smyth are playing special shows. There are punk and metal shows from The Menzingers, Death From Above, Halestorm and Shilpa Ray. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled as list of some of this weekend’s hottest shows. Here are eight shows we know will be worth checking out.

1.       Bob Dylan: Legendary folk rocker Bob Dylan released the latest installment of his ‘Bootleg Series’ this month, which includes even more tracks recorded during the ‘Blood on the Tracks’ studio sessions. In support, Dylan embarked on a fall tour, which begins winding down this weekend with seven shows in New York starting tonight and lasting over the next week and a half. (Friday – December 1, Beacon Theatre)

2.       The Menzingers: Punk rockers The Menzingers released two new singles, “Toy Soldiers” and “The Freaks” earlier this year, leading speculation that there could be more new music on the way. The band will be wrapping up its current fall tour this weekend, kicking things off with a show in Brooklyn tonight. Tiny Moving Parts and Daddy Issues open the show. (Friday, Brooklyn Steel)

3.       Death From Above: It has been 16 years since dance rockers Death From Above released their debut EP, ‘Heads Up.’ The Canadian duo have been on tour playing the EP in full. Said tour wraps up this weekend with three east coast shows, starting with Brooklyn tonight. (Friday, Elsewhere)

4.       Art Garfunkel: One half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel has been delighting fans for more than five decades with some of the most iconic songs ever written. Last year, the singer published an autobiography, ‘What Is It All But Luminous.’ Garfunkel plays three intimate shows in the New York / Long Island area this weekend, all of which will most likely focus on his many hits. (Friday, Suffolk Theatre; Sunday & Monday, City Winery)

5.       Arlo Guthrie: In what has become an annual tradition, Arlo Guthrie plays his yearly Thanksgiving concert at Carnegie Hall this weekend. This could be the last time however, as he told Billboard earlier this week that he might be ending it next year. (Saturday, Carnegie Hall)

6.       Halestorm / In This Moment / New Years Day: Three kick-butt female-fronted bands on one stage? Yes please! Halestorm headlines this metal-infused girl power tour, having just released their new album, ‘Vicious,’ this past July. In This Moment and New Years Day, who are both working on new albums, act as main support. (Saturday, Hammerstein Ballroom)

7.       Taylor Dayne & Patty Smyth and Scandal: If metal is not your cup of tea, two of the 1980’s hottest female icons have also joined forces for a fall tour. Pop singer Taylor Dayne and rocker Patty Smyth and Scandel wrap things up this weekend in Staten Island. If you can’t make this show, Dayne kicks off a special Christmas tour on Long Island next week with Peabo Bryson, John Secada and Deniece Williams. (Saturday, St. George Theatre)

8.       Shilpa Ray: A staple of the New York underground scene, Shilpa Ray has been compared to early punk legends like Blondie and Patti Smith. She plays a special Thanksgiving show this weekend benefiting the Mount Sinai SAVI Program. Other artists on the bill include NO ICE, Crazy Pills, Painted Zeroes and Joanna Sternberg. (Sunday, Mercury Lounge)

Spend your Thanksgiving weekend rocking out to some great live music. Check out the some of the shows above or any of the smaller shows that make the New York music scene so unique and let us know what live shows you’re excited for in the comments below.

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Find music from many of these touring artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to satisfy most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location 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 More Songs to Express Your Thankfulness this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is tomorrow in the United States. A time to take stock and be thankful for all the good things in your life, it’s also a good time to tell those you love how thankful you are for them.

Music is a great way to do this, as there are many songs about being thankful and grateful out there. There are personal songs saying thank you to one very special person, as well as big, overarching songs that cover a whole swath of people who mean a lot.

Following up our 2016 blog post, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is back with a brand new list of songs about being thankful. Here are six additional songs to help you say “thank you” to those you hold dear.

1.       Backstreet Boys, “Everyone”: The Backstreet Boys have always been grateful to their fans. So on their third album, ‘Black and Blue,’ the band decided to show their thankfulness by writing a song. “Everyone” is a grandiose track that gives all the credit for their success to the group’s fans, who give them the “strength” to go out and perform. (video)

2.       Dido, “Thank You”: Singer Dido’s only real hit, “Thank You” was written about a past boyfriend. The song centers around letting that special person know how thankful you are for everything they’ve done for you. After all, one person’s generosity can have a really big impact on someone. (video)

3.       Big Star, “Thank You Friends”: Though many consider the song to be a sarcastic, there is no denying that “Thank You Friends” lyrically is a pretty spot on sentiment for the Thanksgiving holiday.  In it, Alex Chilton takes a moment to thank the people who made a career in music possible, as well as for grounding him when things get to be too much. (video)

4.       Descendents, “Thank You”: With “Thank You,” Desendents do what everyone hopes they can be able to do; saying “thank you” to their favorite band for the music they make. For many, an artist’s music can make them feel like they aren’t alone or it can help express a certain emotion they’re feeling better than plain words could. So not only is it important to thank the ones you love, but also the artists that know how you feel. (video)

5.       Christina Aguilera, “I Turn To You”: Perhaps a better “thanksgiving” song might have been “What A Girl Wants,” simply because it mentions being thankful many times. But I argue that Christina Aguilera’s cover of “I Turn To You,” also from her debut album, is a much more sincere thank you. The lyrics are a loving tribute to the ones who stand by your side and help you thorough the bad times. (video)

6.       Boys II Men, “Thank You”: “Thank You” was written to simply say “thank you.” The self-aware jam finds 80s/90s R&B group Boys II Men “thinking up” the song to tell their love how thankful and grateful they are for being there and not leaving them when things got rough. (video)

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for the people around you and music is a great way to help you express just what those people mean to you. Thank you for checking out our list of songs above and let us know what songs about thankfulness you love in the comments below.

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Find music for your Thanksgiving celebration at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have 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 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.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (November 11-17, 2018)

Another week has come and gone and with it came a long list of new music to enjoy. With the weekend here, now is a good time to take a look back at some of the new songs and music videos that made their way to our ears over the last seven days.

There have been some great new songs and music videos released this week, especially when it comes to pop and rock. The Chainsmokers released yet another new song and video. We got new pop tunes from Alessia Cara, Sabrina Carpenter, Ellie Goulding and more. Lennon Stella continued her break-in to music with another brand new track. In rock, Emarosa debuted a brand new sound with their latest single. We got new videos from Dashboard Confessional and Foster the People, as well as new songs from Coin, The Dandy Warhols, Hozier, Gerard Way and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite new songs and music videos of the last week. Here are seven we know you’ll like as much as we do.

1.       Lennon Stella, “La Di Da”: Best known for her role on ‘Nashville,’ Lennon Stella has been translating her acting success into a career in indie-pop. She has released a handful of videos and songs so far, but “La Di Da” has been the first for me that has really connected. Even with its very laidback vibe, the song’s beat makes just upbeat and catchy enough to be memorable. (video)

2.       Emarosa, “Givin’ Up”: “Givin’ Up” is a departure from Emarosa’s initial post-hardcore sound. Instead, the band goes for more of an electronic rock influence on the song, the first from their upcoming album ‘Peach Club.’ It’s much pop-ier than what you might expect, but it also has a great energy and playfulness that really make the song lively and enjoyable. (video)

3.       Dashboard Confessional, “Just What To Say”: Dashboard Confessional released a video for their latest single, “Just What To Say,” this week, the third from their latest album, ‘Crooked Shadows.’ The song takes Dashboard’s Chris Carrabba back to the early, vulnerable “emo” days, except this time it’s about writer’s block and trying to get the right words out. The video stays true to this, following Carrabba around his home as he tries and fails to write a song. As he finally attempts to call someone to let his feelings out, a storm outside intensifies, rendering his phone useless. The song builds in intensity with the storm until there is no longer time to say anything. It’s an emotional video that will have you on the edge of your seat by the very end. (video)

4.       Foster the People, “Worst Nights”: Following the release of their one-off single “Worst Nights” last week, Foster the People have released a video for the song. The song itself is a catchy dance-rock track based around a steady percussion beat and upbeat groove that that is hard not to get sucked into. For the video, the band decided to give a lesson in embracing differences. The clip features a man who is trying to fit in at his 9-5 job until his coworkers find out he’s a clown and chase him down for being different. When he enters a random door, suddenly the theme changes, showing the man in full clown regalia and leading a comedy show where his former coworkers now become hypnotized back-up dancers. Like the song, his “worst night” turned into one of his “best times.” (video)

5.       Gerard Way, “Getting Down The Germs”: Back with another one-off single, Gerard Way released the 60s early rock ‘n’ roll-leaning “Getting Down the Germs” this week. Like “Baby You’re a Haunted House” a couple of weeks ago, the song sounds nothing like the intense pop-punk of My Chemical Romance. However, this is a good song to groove along with. (video)

6.       The Chainsmokers, “Beach House”: The Chainsmokers have released yet another new video, this time for their song “Beach House.” Inspired by listening to the band Beach House, the song returns the EDM duo to the easily digestible electro-pop that got them started. There isn’t much to it, but at least it doesn’t have that over-used beat loop that saturated their entire catalog in 2016. (video)

7.       Alessia Cara, “Not Today”: Alessia Cara has become very good at pinpointing personal issues and writing compelling songs about them. “Not Today” follows suit, tackling her feelings of sadness in an upbeat way that seems hopeful. The lyrics do the same, looking to the future for things to get better, even though things aren’t good right now. (video)

The weekend is a great time to take a look back at all the new songs and music videos released over the last week. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new music you’ve been enjoying in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or 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 (November 16-18, 2018)

The weekend is just a few short hours away. That means it’s time to finalize those last-minute plans for a little bit of fun. If you’re still looking for something to do, why not check out a live show?

Par usual, New York City and Long Island are filled with live music shows this weekend. Jack White will be playing two big shows in Brooklyn. Pixies get intimate this weekend with a three-night event to celebrate their debut album’s 30^th anniversary. Josh Groban’s massive arena tour will make its way to Manhattan. Lance Bass and the Pop 2000 Tour will be bringing the early 2000s nostalgia to Long Island. We have shows from veteran bands like Toto, Kansas, The Wailers and The Doobie Brothers. There are pop-punk shows from Silverstein, Cute Is What We Aim for and Iron Chic. You also have shows from relative newcomers like The Suffers.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of the weekend’s hottest shows happening in the New York area. Here are 10 that are sure to be worth the price of admission.

1.       O-Town / Ryan Cabrera / Lance Bass: 2000’s night comes to Mulcahy’s in style this week as the Pop 2000 Tour rolls in. Hosted by *NSYNC’s Lance Bass, the tour features television boy band O-Town and singer Ryan Cabrera, as well as boy band tribute Larger Than Life to cover all your other boy band needs. If you grew up in the late 1990s/early 2000s, this will be one nostalgia-filled night to give you the feels all over again. (Friday, Mulcahy’s)

2.       Silverstein: It has been 15 years since pop-punk / “screamo” band Silverstein released their debut album, ‘When Broken Is Easily Fixed.’ The band is currently on an anniversary tour behind the album, which finds them playing two separate sets a night, one featuring the album in its entirety and the other featuring all their biggest hits and fan favorites. The tour hits Brooklyn tonight with Hawthorne Heights, As Cities Burn and Capstan opening. (Friday, Warsaw)

3.       Toto: With the popularity of Weezer’s cover of their classic hit “Africa,” Toto has enjoyed a few extra minutes in the spotlight. The band recently released a new greatest hits album called  ‘40 Trips Around the Sun’ for their 40^th anniversary and are currently on a world tour of the same name. Said tour makes its way to Long Island tonight. (Friday, Tilles Center)

4.       Kansas: Kansas is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of their best-selling album ‘Point of Know Return’ this year with a US tour where the band will be playing the album from front to back. The show will also feature a set of classics from the band’s more than four decade career, including deep cuts they may never have played live before. (Friday, The Paramount Huntington)

5.       Jack White: Singer, guitarist and former White Stripes frontman Jack White released his third solo album, ‘Boarding House Reach,’ this past March. White is currently finishing up the ‘Boarding House Reach’ tour this week with two of the four remaining shows happening in New York this weekend. Saturday’s show is sold out, but there are still some tickets for tonight’s performance. Nude Party act as direct support for all shows. (Friday & Saturday, Kings Theatre)

6.       The Suffers: Texas soul-rock band The Suffers returned with their sophomore album, ‘Everything Here,’ this past summer. The band’s soulful sound and big stage presence rival that of more well-known bands like the Alabama Shakes. Get in on the ground floor and check them out this weekend in Brooklyn. (Saturday, Rough Trade)

7.       Pixies: Over the last year, the Pixies have been playing special shows in celebration of the band’s debut album, ‘Surfer Rosa,’ turning 30. Having already done runs in London and Mexico City, its New York’s turn. The band will be playing the album, as well as its EP predecessor ‘Come On Pilgrim,’ at three intimate shows in Brooklyn, interspersing them with more songs “from the time period that are not on the anniversary release.” (Sunday - Tuesday, Brooklyn Steel)

8.       The Wailers: Bob Marley’s legendary backing band The Wailers brings the good vibes to Long Island this weekend. The band will be playing some of Marley’s classic hits as well as their own tunes. Openers include The Zebulonites, Aqua Cherry, Linus Flax and DJ Easeback. (Sunday, Mulcahy’s)

9.       Cute Is What We Aim for: Following a stint in rehab earlier this year for frontman Shaant Hacikyan, Cute Is What We Aim for is back on tour. Relive the early 2000s pop-punk / “emo” days this weekend when the band headlines the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. MAKEOUT, Minshara and Brightside open the show. (Sunday, Knitting Factory)

10.   Josh Groban: After focusing on acting for a few years, vocalist Josh Groban is back with a new album, ‘Bridges,’ released in September. It’s his first album of original songs in five years. Catch the “You Raise Me Up” singer this weekend as his ‘Bridges’ tour brings comes through New York. (Sunday, Madison Square Garden)

If you’re still looking for something fun to do this weekend, why not include a live show in your plans. This weekend is filled with amazing shows big and small happening all around New York City and Long Island. Check out the shows above and let us know what shows you’re excited to see in the comments below.

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Find music from these touring artists and more 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 to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, 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.

Seven ‘90s “Girl Power” Jams to Empower You Today

Last week, girl group the Spice Girls announced that they would be reuniting for a UK tour. Geri Halliwell Horner (Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice) and Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) will embark on the 11-date tour sans Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), who declined to participate in the reunion. While no US dates have been announced, the news comes as a revival of 90s nostalgia and “girl power” continues to take hold of our collective culture.

Bursting out of the male-dominated grunge and punk era, the 1990s were full of female musicians who had something to say. Girl groups and pop princesses began dominating the airwaves by the end of the decade. And tours like Lilith Fair gave rise to a number of powerful female voices in rock.

In honor of the Spice Girls spicing up our lives once again, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the 1990s’ most empowering “girl power” anthems. Here are seven whose messages are as relevant as ever.

1.       Spice Girls, “Wannabe”: Practically the inventors of the “Girl Power” “brand,” obviously any of the Spice Girls’ songs could lead off this list. But “Wannabe” was the group’s first massive single and really got the world taking notice. Not only is the song fun and energetic, but its message that friendship is more important than any man is a bold statement that really sums up the “Girl Power” movement and is still relevant today. (video)

2.       Destiny’s Child, “Independent Women, Pt. 1”: Destiny’s Child has had a wealth of songs promoting self-sufficiency, and none were as poignant as their hit “Independent Women, Pt. 1.” Released on the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ soundtrack, the song celebrates women who only depend on themselves for their success. (video)

3.       TLC, “No Scrubs”: TLC are another girl group whose songs dealt with a lot of important matters, from sex to self-worth. However, “No Scrubs” was more about self respect and not supporting undeserving men. The song clearly describes the kind of people the singers don’t want to associate themselves with and then puts them on blast for the world to take notice. (video)

4.       No Doubt, “Just A Girl”: Not only were the 1990s a big time for pop princesses and girl groups, it was also a time where women were making their mark on rock too. No Doubt was one of the most popular of these groups and their breakout single “Just A Girl” proved that they were here to stay. The song mocks the way culture teaches us to shelter women, criticizing everything from the way they expect them to act to the way they expect them to look. Gwen Stefani declares that she’s “had it up to here” because she’s more than your “typical prototype.” (video)

5.       Britney Spears, “Stronger”: Britney Spears really started to come into her own with her sophomore album, ‘Opps!... I Did It Again.’ The album’s second single “Stronger” was proof of this, making the powerful declaration that she is no longer dependent on a man to make her feel strong. The song proudly states that everything she does will be done “her way” and turns around a line from debut single “Baby One More Time,” saying her “loneliness ain’t killing me no more.” (video)

6.       Meredith Brooks, “B****”: Meredith Brooks’ only hit, “B****” made it clear that women are complex. Par the song’s lyrics, women can be many things all at once without having to feel shame for it. And like her, we “wouldn’t want it any other way.” (video)

7.       Christina Aguilera, “Beautiful”: During every period of her music career, Christina Aguilera has tried to come up with at least one powerful song to empower her young female audience. I could have mentioned “Fighter” or “The Voice Within” or even a handful of songs from her latest album, but “Beautiful” is one of those songs that really made an impact when it came out. The song reminds not just women but everyone that they are beautiful despite what people might say about them. Her refrain of “words won’t bring me down / so don’t you bring me down today” is an important message to anyone who is being bullied that the bully’s words don’t matter because beauty comes from within. (video)

In the 1990s, the Spice Girls helped usher in a new era of “girl power.” Throughout the decade, many female artists dominated the charts with empowering tracks (like the ones above) about being strong and being your own person. With the political atmosphere the way it is today, perhaps the Spice Girls reunion is just the kind of “girl power” boost we need right now.

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Find music from these empowered 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 a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, 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.

Songs Inspired by Stan Lee’s Characters

Stan Lee at Tokyo Comic Con 2016.

On Monday, the world lost one of its brightest storytelling minds. Stan Lee, creator of many of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes, passed away at the age of 95.

With a career spanning more than seven decades, almost everyone has been inspired by Lee’s characters, including musicians. There are many songs referencing the likes of Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man and the Hulk.

In honor of Stan Lee’s life, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the songs that took inspiration from his characters. Here are five that show the reach of Lee’s work. (Note: Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” is not about the character, so it is not on this list.)

1.       Ramones, “Spider-Man”: Quintessential New York punk band the Ramones covered the theme to the 1967 ‘Spider-Man’ cartoon for their final album, ‘iAdios Amigos!,’ in 1995. Surely fans of the original program, the song is done with the same kind of raw, “short, fast and loud” style as their originals. Ramones would find themselves associated with the web-slingging superhero again in 2017’s ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ (video)

2.       Joe Satriani, “Surfing With The Alien”: The title track to Joe Satriani’s “Surfing With The Alien,” was written about Stan Lee / Jack Kirby hero the Silver Surfer. The song ended up giving him his big break, cementing him as one of the best guitarists of all time. Satriani also controversially put a picture of the character on the front cover of the album. (video)

3.       Paul McCartney & Wings, “Magneto And Titanium Man”: Paying homage to a couple of Lee’s villains, Paul MCartney and Wings included “Magneto and Titanium Man” as a B-Side to their “Venus and Mars”/ “Rock Show” single. McCartney is a big fan of Marvel Comics and was inspired to write the song after purchasing comic books during recording sessions in Jamaica in the 1970s. (video)

4.       The Traits, “Nobody Loves The Hulk”: This 1969 garage-rock track tells the story of how the Hulk came to be and how no one loves him because of how he looks. The song makes you sympathize with the character, after all, its not his fault he giant, green and menacing. (video)

5.       The Black Lips, “Spidey’s Curse”: Written in 2011 about a 1984 PSA, The Black Lips’ “Spidey’s Curse” is about Spider-Man alter-ego Peter Parker being inappropriately touched as a teen. The story is told pretty faithfully in the song, with the narrator commenting that he never knew the story of Spider-Man was so dark. Then, the song breaks the fourth wall to let the listener know that they are talking about a PSA that the narrator was shown by his teacher and that the song becomes about how that comic made him feel. (video)

Stan Lee has created some of the most beloved characters in both comic book and animation history. So many musicians have been inspired by his work and have written songs about his characters (like the ones above). With such a prolific library of stories and characters that have been inspiring artists and fans for decades, Stan Lee’s legacy will continue to live on. Excelsior!

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Find more music from these Marvel-inspired artists at Vinyl Bay 777. As 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 find at Vinyl Bay 777.