Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos Released This Week You Need to Hear (April 23 – April 29, 2017)

Ah… the weekend. Time to kick back, relax, and catch up on all the new music you may have missed during the hectic work week.

This week saw the return of a number of bands, most notably pop-rockers Fall Out Boy and sister trio Haim, who each released a new song following the teasing of new music in the weeks prior. In unexpected EPs, Foster the People released three songs from their just announced upcoming album, their first new music in nearly three years. We also got new songs from Cheap Trick and All Time Low, as well as a new video from Papa Roach and lyric video from Incubus. Then, if you like boy bands, Why Don’t We came out with a very polished new single and video you will love.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been scouring the internet for the latest and greatest music and music videos of the week. Here are eight of our favorites that we think you should definitely check out.

1.       Why Don’t We, “Something Different”: I haven’t been impressed by a boy band in a while. But this video from Why Don’t We was pretty amazing. The video’s production was smooth and the concept was inviting and inclusive. The song was pretty good too. These guys harmonize well with each other and each member gets their own chance to sing, which is way more democratic than some of yesteryear’s boy bands. (video)

2.       Cheap Trick, “Long Time Coming”: Cheap Trick announced this week that they will be releasing a new album later this year titled ‘We’re All Alright!.’ With that announcement also came audio from the album’s first single, “Long Time Coming.” The song is a guitar-driven rocker that doesn’t wait to get to the “good part.” (video)

3.       Incubus, “Loneliest”: The latest song from Incubus’ new album ‘8,’ “Loneliest” is a more downbeat song than some of the other tracks the band has posted online. However, in my opinion, it has a lot more depth. It shows that the band can take a more sincere and vulnerable approach to a song, rather than always going for the more aggressive topic. (video)

4.       All Time Low, “Life Of The Party”: “Life Of The Party” continues this more personal, storyteller kind of lyricism that All Time Low has been employing lately. Seemingly about realizing that his drinking and partying is getting out of hand, he’s questioning why he has to be the “life of the party.” This approach shows a kind of maturity that I don’t think we’ve seen from All Time Low until now. I think it will be interesting to hear the whole album to see where this leads. (video)

5.       Papa Roach, “Help”: “Help” came out as a single a while ago, but Papa Roach just released a video for it this week. It features the band rocking out in a home as a man is facing a serious life crisis. What strikes me as a bit different though, is that the band isn’t just playing back-up to what is going on, but interacting with the video’s protagonist as well. It’s like the band is the guy’s inner monologue. It’s actually pretty clever. (video)

6.       Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, “For the Good Times”: The “best punk rock cover band in the world” may have just released their new “greatestest hits” album, but they are not done putting out amazing covers. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes premiered a cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “For The Good Times” this week. The song was originally recorded during the sessions for ‘Love Their Country,’ but never made it on the album. In characteristic Gimmes style, the song starts off fairly innocuous, then ramps up into all out punk chaos. (video)

7.       Fall Out Boy, “Young And Menace”: Fall Out Boy made their return this week with the announcement of a new album, ‘M A N I A,’ a tour and a brand new song, “Young and Menace.” The chorus of the song starts is pretty unassuming, no different than the music the band has been putting out in the last five years. But the song gets really weird really quick. It turns into this electronic mish-mash of heavy guitars and over-mixed vocals tweaked to various intervals. The video is just as weird, displaying what appears to be a child’s nightmare where they are being chased by people in giant llama costumes. (video)

8.       Haim, “Right Now”: Haim also made a big comeback this week, announcing their new album, ‘Something to Tell You,’ along with release of their first new song in four years, “Right Now.”  The song is a piano and vocal-driven, down-tempo tune, that’s fairly minimal in nature. With the exception of a short guitar riff near the beginning and the addition of drums 2/3 of the way in, there isn’t much there to interrupt what the lyrics have to say. (video)

These are just some of our favorite new songs and music videos that were released in the last week. From new music from bands we haven’t heard from in a while to bands already well into the new album promotion cycle and outstanding tracks from newer artists, this has been a great week for new music. Check these songs out and start your weekend off right.

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Whether you are looking to discover new music or reacquaint yourself with the classics, Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com have you covered. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia to choose from spanning thousands of titles in a large array of genres. More titles are being added all the time, so it’s always a great time to stop by and discover something new. 

Shows to Check Out This Weekend (April 28-30, 2017)

Here we are again at the cusp of another weekend. If you are still trying to figure out what to do with your well deserved relaxation time, why not consider heading out to a live show?

The tri-state area is filled with amazing music this weekend, as it is every day. From hot touring acts making the rounds to local artists working to make a name for themselves, there is always something going on.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been scouring the internet for the top shows happening this weekend. Here are eight shows happening in the tri-state area this Friday, Saturday and Sunday that we think you won’t want to miss.

1.       The Bottom Dollars: New York blues-rockers The Bottom Dollars return home this weekend for a show at Mercury Lounge. The band just released a new single, “21^st Century Man,” and is currently working on their next album. These guys rock hard and are amazing live. You won’t want to miss them. (Friday, Mercury Lounge)

2.       Aaron Lewis: The Staind frontman has been up to a lot since the band went on hiatus in 2014. His solo country career has been taking off, releasing his second full-length album, ‘Sinner,’ just last year. If you missed Lewis on Long Island earlier this week, you can still catch his set in New Jersey tonight. (Friday, Starland Ballroom)

3.       The Revolution: It has been a year since Prince’s untimely death, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still hear his music live. The Revolution, who played back-up to the purple one on some of his most famous albums, recently reunited and is currently wrapping up a short tour. That tour makes a stop at New York’s B.B. King Blues Club tonight.  (Friday, B.B. King Blues Club)

4.       Local H: Local H has a lot going for them 20 years on. The band, best known for its 90’s hit “Bound for the Floor,” released a new album last year and were recently announced to have won a contest that will have them opening for Metallica on five dates of their stadium tour (though not in New York). The band continues their current spring tour with shows in the tri-state area this weekend. Tonight, they will be playing in Amityville, then branching out to New Jersey on Saturday and Sunday. (Friday, Amityville Music Hall; Saturday, Maxwell’s; Sunday, Mexicali Live)

5.       Antigone Rising: All-female alt-country band Antigone Rising are making their way back to the New York stage for the first time in two years on Saturday. The band, best known for their 2005 single “Don’t Look Back,” released their last EP, ‘Whiskey & Wine, Vol. 2,’ in 2015. The Pushstars will be acting as main support for this one-off show. (Saturday, Bowery Ballroom)

6.       Buddy Guy: If you’re looking for some classic blues, Buddy Guy will be taking his current tour to Long Island this Saturday. The guitarist/singer released his first album in 1967 and hasn’t stopped yet, releasing his last studio album, ‘Born to Play Guitar,’ in 2015. If you can’t make it to see him this weekend, don’t fret. He will be back in May to play two shows at B.B. King Blues Club. (Saturday, NYCB Theater at Westbury)

7.       Thursday: New Jersey hardcore band Thursday officially reunited last year after a five year hiatus. And although there is no new music on the horizon just yet, the band is doing a lot of touring in the next couple of months. This weekend, the band will be bringing their spring tour to New York’s Irving Plaza. If you can’t make this show, the band will be returning in June to play a show at McCarren Park in Brooklyn. Touche Amore, Basement and Cities Aviv are set to open the show. (Saturday & Sunday, Irving Plaza)

8.       The Maine: The Maine has been having a great 2017 so far. Celebrating 10 years as a band, they just released a new album, ‘Lovely Little Lonely,’ earlier this month. The band is currently on a world tour to promote the album, which will make a stop in New Jersey this Sunday. Support for this date comes from The Mowgli’s and Beach Weather. (Sunday, The Stone Pony)

These are our picks for this week’s top shows in the tri-state area. There are, of course, many others going on that are well-worth your attention as well, so use this list as a starting point in finding the perfect outing for your weekend live music tastes.

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Live music and recorded music go hand-in-hand. That’s why you should come down to Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, before the show to find music from these artists and more. We have a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. Choose from thousands of titles in a various array of genres. With more titles being added all the time, there is always something new to find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Musicians with Newly Discovered Species Named After Them

Earlier this week, it was announced that Radiohead would be getting a newly discovered species of ant named after them. Given the scientific name Sericomyrmex Radioheadi, these “silky” ants are related to leaf cutter ants and are distinctly known for their ability to farm for their food, in this case fungi. Ana Jasovnik and Ted R. Schultz, who discovered the new species in the Venezuelan Amazon, decided to name it after the band as a way to honor both their music and conservation efforts.

This obviously isn’t a new phenomenon, as many other artists have been honored with species names, sometimes multiple times over. Radiohead aren’t even the only band to be honored this month, as it was announced on the 12^th that a new species of pink shrimp found off the Pacific coast of Panama was named after Pink Floyd.

We here at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, are inspired by this intersection of music and science. That is why we have compiled this list of seven species that were named after some of our favorite artists over the last seven years.

1.       Bono: In 2013, a spider found in Joshua Tree was named after the U2 frontman in honor of the band’s ‘The Joshua Tree’ album. Aptostichus bonoi is a species of spine-y trapdoor spider that captures prey by jumping out of its burrow and injecting it with venom.

2.       Bob Marley: Marley was honored with a crustacean in 2012, though it doesn’t seem like a very fun species to have named after you. That’s because Gnathia marleyi is a parasitic creature that feeds on blood and infests coral reefs in the Caribbean. It was named after the reggae legend because of its discoverer’s love of his music and its uniqueness to the Caribbean.

3.       Jennifer Lopez: Taking their cues from the music they were listening to while making their discovery, scientists named a new species of Puerto Rican water mite after Jennifer Lopez in 2014. Litarachna lopezae was found deep beneath the rough waters between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Apparently the singer’s (who has Puerto Rican heritage) music was the only thing the team could agree on while they were documenting their findings.

4.       Grateful Dead: In 2016, a new species of otter was named after Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. Lontra weiri, which lived millions of years ago, was discovered by paleontologist Kari Prassack by accident after visiting a museum in Idaho and noticing that a jaw bone was labeled incorrectly. Since Prassack was previously a Dead Head, following the band around for a good five years before Jerry Garcia passed away and she made up her mind to go back to school, she decided to name her discovery after the band that “made her more adventurous.”

5.       Beyoncé: Sometimes it takes a really long time to discover and name a new species. Take Scaptia beyonceae for example. This species of horsefly was first discovered in 1981 in Australia, but went unnamed until 2012. Scientists named it after Beyoncé because its backside full of golden hairs reminded them of the singer.

6.       Joe Strummer: In 2014, scientists decided to name a very punk rock-looking snail after one of the top names associated with the genre. Alviconcha strummeri, a species of underwater snail living in extreme conditions with spikes all over its shell and purple blood, was named after The Clash’s Joe Strummer because it reminded them of 1970s and 1980s punk couture.

7.       Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga has been honored numerous times by scientists naming new discoveries, including species of wasp and an extinct mammal that lived during the Eocene. But she is also probably the only musician in the world to also have an entire genus of plant named after her. The genus includes 19 species of fern that each include the DNA sequence GAGA.

In the last seven years alone, these seven artists and more have had the distinct honor of having a newly discovered species named after them. The practice has been going on far longer though, as there are many more artists we have not included on this list that have been paid homage to by music loving scientists.

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Find music from these species namesakes and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in store and online. Stop by to browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. With more titles being added all the time, there is always something new to find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Ella Fitzgerald: A Century of Musical and Cultural Influence

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look back at the life and influence of the “First Lady of Song”

 

Today marks what would have been famed jazz songstress and cultural icon Ella Fitzgerald’s 100^th birthday. Best known for her renditions of “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” among countless others, she has sold millions of albums and released more than 200 records throughout her career, becoming one of the most famous jazz singers in the world.

Fitzgerald started her music career in her teens after winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1934. Originally slated to dance that night, according to her website bio, she changed her routine last minute, wowing the crowd with her voice. That night she met saxophonist Benny Carter, who introduced her to many people on the jazz circuit and her career took off. By 1936, Fitzgerald was signed to Decca and making her first recordings. By 1938, she had her first hit with “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.”

Though she grew up in relative poverty and had a fairly rough go of it after her mother passed, she never let her past influence her music. She didn’t even let the discrimination she faced at the height of her career in the 1950s stop her. "Despite whatever difficulties she had in her life, you could hear the joy," historian John T. Reddick told NPR about the singer. Fitzgerald’s perseverance and ambition drove her to continue on at the hands of an adoring public.

What made Ella Fitzgerald so popular were her unique vocal abilities. Known for a particular clarity in her voice, it was her skill in scat and improvisation that really stuck with fans. The singer would use her voice as if it were another brass instrument, once saying that she “tried to do what I heard the horns in the band doing.”

Even to this day, Ella Fitzgerald continues to be adored by millions of music fans all over the world. She has been honored for her work here in the US and Europe with awards and honorary degrees. Her influence and legacy have been captured in song by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patti Austin, Wynton Marsalis and Stevie Wonder, among others.

 There are also many shows happening all over the world this week organized to celebrate the singer’s centennial. This includes three here in New York: a series at Birdland Jazz Club running today through Saturday, a special gala at Lincoln Center on Wednesday and a performance by Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis at Tilles Center on Sunday.

Ella Fitzgerald, with her unique voice and ambition, dominated the jazz world during her six decade career. In a true rags-to-riches story, she was able to raise herself from a less than glamorous childhood and adolescence to superstardom with one fateful performance and the perseverance to succeed. Fitzgerald and her music are still highly influential to today’s musical landscape and will be for another century and beyond.

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Celebrate legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. Whether you are looking for jazz, blues, rock, pop, metal, R&B, classical, dance or any other genre, we have thousands of titles to choose from. We have a wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia in stock in store and online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added frequently, so it’s always a great time to stop by and see what’s new.

Week in Review: Six New Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (April 16-April 22, 2017)

Between Record Store Day and Coachella, there has been a lot of great music around this week. So many new songs and releases abound that it could be hard to keep track of all of it. That is why it is time to take a look at all the new songs that have come out in the last seven days.

This week, we got our first new taste of new music from two bands who have not released music in three years, Paramore and Rise Against. We also got to hear the entirety of Blondie’s Record Store Day release before its release (although you can pick it up now). Lady Gaga also released a new song, just six months after the release of her latest album.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been keeping track of this week’s new song and music video releases. Here are our top six new tracks that we think you should hear this week.

1.       Blondie, “The Breaks”: Starting with a Record Store Day release that you can hear before you buy, Blondie released the B-side to “Long Time,” “The Breaks.” “The Breaks” is a slower, more downbeat song than “Long Time,” but still makes an impact. Blondie still knows how to write a good song and these two songs are proof. If you can get your hands on this 7”, definitely pick it up. (Video)

2.       The Aces, “Physical”: “Physical” is a fun, pop-y jam filled with girl power. The lyrics are angry, like a conversation between a girl and the man she thought loved her. The video, to a certain degree, flips the male-female narrative on its head, featuring the band of girls being the dominant ones in their respective video relationships. (Video)

3.       Paramore, “Hard Times”: Ever since the band released their self-titled album in 2014, Paramore has been heading in a new direction with their music. With “Hard Times,” the band delves even further into this new direction, creating a song whose 1980’s dance-pop vibe stands out prominently. The band could have another hit on their hands with this one. (Video)

4.       Rise Against, “The Violence”: Rise Against are back with “The Violence,” the first single from their upcoming new album ‘Wolves.’ It’s a hard-rocking tune filled with the band’s signature socially conscious lyrics and fast guitars. (Video)

5.       Gary Clark Jr. feat. Leon Bridges, “Shake”: This pairing was made in heaven. Two of the best blues artists of the last decade together on one live track. The result is an upbeat track that catches the ear and makes you want to groove along with its fast-paced acoustic strumming and added brass. (Video)

6.       Lady Gaga, “The Cure”: Lady Gaga premiered “The Cure” during her set at Coachella last weekend and now the official audio is available to hear. The song takes a slightly different turn from last year’s ‘Joanne’ album. “The Cure” is a more electronic song than many of the songs she has released lately, but still maintains a personal touch in its heartfelt sincerity. (Video)

These are our picks for this week’s top new songs and music videos. Check these tracks out and use them as a launch point in your own music discovery process.

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Discover new music and more at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from, including today’s Record Store Day releases. Drop by to browse those or any of our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia. Check our website, vinylbay777.com, often to keep up with the latest additions to our collection. Happy Record Store Day!

Record Store Day 2017 Is Upon Us – Why Record Stores Matter

Record Store Day is finally here! Tomorrow marks the 10^th anniversary of the annual event, and Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is proud to be participating.

Record Store Day was created in 2007 to celebrate independent record shops, music, artists, fans and the way music brings us all together. What started out as a small event mainly taking place at shops across the United States and the U.K., has turned into a massive global phenomenon. Record shops throughout six of the seven continents now participate, stocking special releases and generally celebrating everything music.  

This year’s list of exclusive releases features nearly 400 rare recordings and reissues. Artists on the list include the likes of Prince, David Bowie, Alice in Chains, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, Sia and many, many more. Many of these releases come from small, independent labels and will only be available on Record Store Day.

Over the event’s ten-year tenure, the music buying landscape has vastly changed. In 2007, digital music was starting to come into its own and take over people’s listening habits. And although downloads and streaming services are still dominating the market, vinyl has reemerged as a dark horse contender in the sales game. There is still a discernable desire for tangible, physical music mediums, as the market for vinyl records is at a 25-year high. In 2016, the market saw a 53% increase in sales over the previous year. This is due in no small part to Record Store Day and the increased incentive it gives people to come back to record stores.  

Vinyl popularity aside, Record Store Day has helped the independent record shop make a comeback as a place to foster and maintain community. Music has always been a community-based activity with record stores becoming places where people could meet up with their friends and discover the latest bands. However, online shopping has caused many a brick-and-mortar business to shut its doors, record shops included. Record Store Day has aimed to change that in the last 10 years, attempting to make physically going to your local record shop an exciting experience. Since all of the releases are exclusive and not available online, it gives music lovers an incentive to come back to the shop and reacquaint themselves with their local music community.

As music lovers of all types across the globe come together for Record Store Day tomorrow, it is important to remember what the event celebrates. Local record shops are meant to foster community between collectors and casual music fans alike. Record Store Day reminds of this, urging people to visit their favorite record shop through the added bonus of exclusive releases.

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Celebrate Record Store Day with Vinyl Bay 777! We will be opening at 8AM, so drop by early because titles will sell out fast! Once you’re here, browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia. We have thousands more titles throughout the store that we know you’ll love. Then, check out our website, vinylbay777.com, to stay up-to-date with the latest titles making their way onto our shelves.

Vinyl Bay 777 is located at 101-14 Dupont Street in Plainview, New York, conveniently located between the Long Island Expressway and Northern State Parkway. Come down and see why we are the top new independent record shop on Long Island.

Seven Bands Who Reunited at Music Festivals in the Last Decade

On Wednesday, late 1980s/early 1990s punk band Jawbreaker announced that they would be reuniting for a one-off show at this year’s Riot Fest in Chicago. The band has not played together since the late 1996, breaking up after touring behind their major label debut, 1995’s ‘Dear You.’

Music festivals have been a hotbed for reuniting bands over the last decade. Each one’s organizers try to entice bands to get back together and perform for concert goers who spend hundreds of dollars for tickets to see an once-in-a-lifetime line-up.  

We here at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, enjoy a good reunion. That is why we have compiled this list of seven  bands who reunited during music festivals in the last decade.

1.       The Misfits: In 2016, The Misfits reunited with former lead singer Glenn Danzig at both Chicago and Denver Riot Fests. It was the first time he had played with the band in nearly 33 years. Unfortunately, the reunion didn’t go any further than that show, as Danzig told The New York Times days later that those would be the band’s final reunion shows.

2.       Outkast: Outkast had only been on hiatus for seven years before reuniting at Coachella in 2014. The show was the first in a 40-date series of festival reunion shows that took the duo around the world for one last hurrah before breaking up again. In an interview with Fader post-tour, Andre 3000 stated that he felt weird doing those shows, saying that he felt like a sell-out.

3.       The Jesus and Mary Chain: Though it took them until 2017 to cement their reunion with new music, The Jesus and Mary Chain actually reunited nearly 10 years ago. The band made a special appearance at Coachella in 2007; nine years after the sibling-fronted band broke up.

4.       Guns N’ Roses: Last year, Guns N’ Roses made their triumphant return to the stage at Coachella, marking the first time Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan played on the same stage since the late 1990s. The festival date led to an entire reunion tour and the possibility of new music.

5.       The Replacements: After breaking up in 1991, the Replacements announced in 2012 that Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson would be reuniting to record a new charity EP. That reunion turned into a full-fledged, three year tour. The tour kicked off with shows at Riot Fest in Toronto, Chicago and Denver, and then went on to Coachella and other festivals and dates around the world.

6.       The Marley Brothers: Not exactly a band reunion, but the offspring of the legendary Bob Marley (Stephen, Ziggy, Julian, Damian and Ky-Mani) will be playing together during this year’s inaugural Kaya Fest in Florida this weekend. The five musicians have not played together in nearly 20 years. When asked by southflorida.com about the performance, Ziggy Marley said that the set would include individual stuff, as well as some of their father’s many hits.

7.       Rage Against the Machine: In 2007, Rage Against the Machine made their first live performance in seven years at Coachella. That show would lead to a five-year reunion tour of festival dates. The band's popularity skyrocketed at the time, with the band winning a tight race for UK Christmas number one in 2009. Unfortunately, the reunion didn’t stick and most of the band’s members went on to form Profits of Rage.

Over the last decade, music festivals have become a popular venue for bands to reunite. Festival bookers bank heavily on nostalgia when creating their line-ups this way, attempting to create a singular experience for attendees. Jawbreaker is the latest band to reunite, giving Riot Fest attendees and the band’s fans their first glimpse of the band in more than two decades.

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Find music from these reunited artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in store and online. Our wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more spans a vast array of genres. More titles are always being added to our selection, so it pays to stop by and take a look at what’s new.

Seven Popular Artists Who Wrote TV Theme Songs

Earlier this week, paid television and movie streaming service Netflix revealed that rapper Tyler, The Creator wrote the theme song for the new Bill Nye series, ‘Bill Nye Saves the World.’ The new theme takes elements from the original ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ theme. Viewers will be able to hear the new theme when ‘Bill Nye Saves the World’ premieres on the service on April 21.

Tyler, The Creator joins a long list of other top artists who have written original theme songs for television shows. There have been a lot of such collaborations over the years on network, cable and streaming programs.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been thinking about television themes written by some of our favorite artists. Not including artists who wrote the theme to their own show (Will Smith, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’; recent Disney and Nickelodeon programs), here are seven artists and the original television themes they have written.

1.       Barenaked Ladies, “The History of Everything”: One of the most recognizable themes on network television today, the ‘Big Bang Theory’ theme “The History of Everything,” was written and performed by rock band the Barenaked Ladies. Back in 2007, ‘Big Bang Theory’ producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady asked lead BNL lead singer Ed Robertson if he would write a theme for the show. He agreed, but only under the stipulation that his band be the only band that they ask.

2.       They Might Be Giants, “Boss of Me”: They Might Be Giants are no strangers to writing music for television. The band has written several songs for Disney cartoons and shows, movies and commercials, as well as performed the Bob Mould-penned theme for ‘The Daily Show.’ But their biggest TV theme success was with “Boss of Me,” written as the theme song to the show ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ starring Frankie Muniz. The song became a hit for the band and even earned them a Grammy.

3.       Primus, “South Park Theme”: It might not sound like it, but the theme song for ‘South Park’ was actually written by experimental rock band Primus. According to an interview with singer Les Claypool, the band was approached by two fans just out of college who were writing a show and wanted him to do a theme song. He ended up having to rerecord his vocals for a sped-up version of the theme after the network deemed the original too slow. Claypool also wrote the theme to ‘Robot Chicken.’

4.       Regina Spektor, “You’ve Got Time”: Regina Spektor has actually worked with ‘Orange is the New Black’ creator Jenji Kohan twice. The first time was for the show ‘Weeds,’ which Spektor recorded a cover of Pete Seger’s ‘Little Boxes to be used as the theme. But for their second collaboration, for the show ‘Orange is the New Black,’ Spektor wrote an entirely new song. “You’ve Got Time” was a big hit for the singer too, leading her to her first Grammy nomination.

5.       Ozzy Osbourne, “Dog, the Bounty Hunter”: Ozzy Osbourne, the prince of darkness, has even written original music for television. In 2004, he provided the eponymous them for A&E’s ‘Dog, the Bounty Hunter.’ It’s intense music for an intense character, so I can see why they chose him to write it.

6.       Quincy Jones, “Sanford & Son Theme (The Streetbeater)”:  Even though ‘Sanford & Son’ originally aired in the 1970s, Quincy Jones’ theme for the show is still one of the most recognizable to date. A full version of the song can be heard on Jones’ album ‘You’ve Got It Bad Girl.’

7.       Mark Mothersbaugh, “Rugrats”: During and after Devo’s heyday, Mark Mothersbaugh wrote a lot of theme music. Not only did he write the theme for ‘Rugrats,’ but he also did the themes for ‘Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,’ ‘Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog,’ as well as wrote the music for every ‘Rugrats’ spin-off imaginable. Mothersbaugh still actively writes theme music for movies and television.

Over the years, there have been many popular artists that have written theme songs for television shows. With the news that Tyler, The Creator has written the theme music for ‘Bill Nye Saves the World,’ another artist can now be added to that list.

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Find music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Whether you are looking for rap, pop, rock, R&B, classical or even television and movie soundtracks, Long Island’s top new independent record shop has it. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia spanning thousands of titles and genres. More titles are being added all the time, so check back often to see what’s new.

Week in Review: New Songs and Music Videos to Check Out (April 9 – April 15, 2017)

The holiday weekend is upon us. Whether you are celebrating Easter tomorrow, finishing up Passover in the next few days, or just living life, it’s a great time to enjoy those around us and the beautiful weather ahead. And what better way to enjoy your time together than to listen to some new music.

A lot of great new songs and music videos have been released in the last week. This week saw the release of the final Yellowcard music video ever, as well as a new clip from fellow pop-punkers New Found Glory. Matisyahu released a new single from his upcoming album, as did Linkin Park, Royal Blood and Dreamcar. But this week has also been about up-and-comers, with great new tunes and videos from Culture Wars, Oh Wonder, Tigers Jaw and Flow Tribe.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been keeping their ears out for the week’s top new music and videos. Here are eight of our favorites that we think you should check out now.

1.       Culture Wars, “Money (Gimme, Gimme)”: I enjoy the power and strength in “Money’s” distorted, heavy guitars and vocal grit. Half electronic groove, half garage rock jam, this song hits hard. (video)

2.       Matisyahu, “Back to the Old”: “Back to the Old” is the second single from Matisyahu’s upcoming album, ‘Undercurrent.’ Steeped in biblical imagery (Matisyahu says it’s based on Abraham’s return from the mountain) and personal anecdote, the song is a smooth, easy-going dance track. It’s less reggae than much of his previous work, but is still just as spiritual and beach-y as his last couple of albums. (soundcloud)

3.       Royal Blood, “Lights Out”: “Lights Out” is a pretty straight-forward rock song. It’s chunky, slightly distorted guitars and garage-y vocals give the song grittiness and texture. The video, however, is pretty wild, featuring dancers swimming in some sort of white liquid or goo, which somehow manages to make up the floor, the ceiling and the walls. Mixed with the song, it becomes this kind of visual sound orgy, particularly after the big guitar build-up at the end. (video)

4.       Linkin Park feat. Pusha T and Stormzy, “Good Goodbye”: Linkin Park has been experimenting a bit with their sound lately and their newest single continues the pattern. “Good Goodbye” has a pretty good hook, but is completely driven by the rap verses from Pusha T and Stormzy. (video)

5.       Yellowcard, “A Place We Set Afire”: As a goodbye to all their fans, Yellowcard released one last music video this week. The “A Place We Set Afire” video chronicles the band’s final show in New York from both the band’s and fan’s perspectives, sandwiched between goodbye messages from all of the band’s members. As a sucker for sentimentality and a fan of Yellowcard, this video almost had me crying. (video)

6.       New Found Glory, “Party On Apocalypse”: “Party On Apocalypse” is kind of what it sounds like; a song about building a bunker and partying through the end of the world. The video is exactly the same. But New Found Glory plays these kinds of songs with the kind of tongue-in-cheek attitude that we have come to know and love. This song is very catchy and tuneful too, which makes it easy to listen to as well. (video)

7.       Dreamcar, “All of the Dead Girls”: Yet another new song from the upcoming Dreamcar album. However, “All of the Dead Girls” is a little different than the other two songs the No Doubt/AFI supergroup has released in that it seems a bit more influenced by their main bands than 80’s synths. I like it though; it’s upbeat and catchy. (video)

8.       Oh Wonder, “Ultralife”: “Ultralife” is a perky, hopeful summer jam about finding love and loving life. I could see adult contemporary radio embracing this song and its upbeat indie-pop flair. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos that came out in the last week. Check these out and share the awesome power of new music with your friends and loved ones.

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There is always something new to find at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have a huge selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more. Choose from thousands of titles in a vast array of genres. More titles are being added all the time, so come back often to see what’s new. Who knows, you might find your next favorite artist!

Seven Big Live Shows Happening in New York This Weekend (April 14-April 16, 2017)

Another week is coming to a close as we all look ahead to the weekend. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, Passover or neither, it’s guaranteed to be a weekend packed with warm weather and good friends. Why not add some live music to the mix as well.

There are a lot of big shows happening in the New York area this weekend. From country newcomers and hip-hop hit-makers to rock staples, classic vocalists and metal bands, there is something going on this weekend for everyone.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been searching the internet to find the best live music entertainment for your holiday weekend. Here are seven of the biggest shows happening in the New York area, guaranteed to make your weekend rock hard.

1.       Dan & Shay: Dan & Shay have been heating up the country charts with their pop-tinged sound, making them one of the genre’s hottest new artists. The duo will be bringing their ‘Obsessed’ tour back through the tri-state area tonight, playing an intimate set at New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom. (Friday, Starland Ballroom)

2.       Billy Joel: Following his gig opening the new Nassau Coliseum, Joel continues his monthly residency at the Garden tonight, making this his 40^th show in the series. The show is sold out, so if you don’t get into this show, he’s booked through at least August. (Friday, Madison Square Garden)

3.       Tony Bennett: At 90 years old, Tony Bennett is still at it. He’s currently touring around the country following the release of ‘Tony Bennett Celebrates 90,’ the album that coincides with last year’s NBC special. Catch him before he goes off to tour in Europe this summer. (Friday& Saturday, NYCB Theatre at Westbury)

4.       Bon Jovi: Bon Jovi was supposed to play this show last Saturday, but frontman Jon Bon Jovi had to postpone it due to a severe case of bronchitis. Now that he’s all rested up, this show is guaranteed to be rocking night of music. Opening the show will be Dylan Rockoff, a student musician who won a contest to open for Bon Jovi.(Saturday, Madison Square Garden)

5.       Def Leppard: Another huge show for the new Nassau Coliseum, Deff Leppard will be bringing their spring tour with Poison and Tesla to the venue on Saturday. The band released their latest album, ‘Def Leppard,’ in 2015. (Saturday, Nassau Coliseum)

6.       Mike Posner: Posner has had a whirlwind couple of years, finding renewed fame with the hit “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” and releasing not one, but two albums this year (one solo, one as part of Mansionz). Now, he is bringing his full band experience to New York this weekend as part of his spring tour. Support for the show will be provided by Adam Friedman. (Sunday, Irving Plaza)

7.       Eyehategod: If hip-hop isn’t your thing, celebrate Easter and Passover with some metal. Eyehategod will be headlining a show in Brooklyn on Sunday with support from Ecstatic Visiion, Neatherlands and Haram. (Sunday, Brooklyn Bazaar)

These are some of the biggest shows happening in the New York area this weekend. However, this is only a small portion of the amazing live shows that pepper the area every day. If you’re looking for smaller shows, check out SEE at Amityville Music Hall tonight or The Locksmiths at Rockwood Music Hall on Saturday.

Have a great weekend and make it a point to take in a live show and rock out.

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Live music and records go hand-in-hand. That is why you should stop by Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com before the show to pick up music from these artists and more. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in store and online. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, memorabilia and more. With more titles being added all the time, there is always something new to find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs and Music Videos You Need to Hear (April 2 – April 8, 2017)

It’s been another long week, but we’re finally at the weekend and ready to decompress. What better way to do that than to look back at all the great new music and music videos that were released over the last week.

This has been a great week for new music. Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto stepped out from her band to debut her new solo career, while Harry Styles became the latest One Direction alum to release solo music. No Doubt/AFI supergroup Dreamcar released another new song from their upcoming album. Established artists Incubus and John Mayer each put out (odd) new videos, while Jack White surprised everyone by releasing a short, one-off track unexpectedly. If you enjoy pop-punk and alt-rock, new songs by Tonight Alive and Have Mercy were released this week.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, has once again been searching the web for the best new songs and music videos of the week. Here are some of our favorites that we think you need to check out now.

1.       Brett Newski, “Bro Country”: This video and song are hilarious. Newski sings about how country music creates big stars, then once the next one comes out, the first gets pushed out into obscurity. The cartoon visuals compliment the song perfectly, equating the process to a machine producing nameless stars. (Video)

2.       Tonight Alive, “World Away”: “World Away” is such a personal song. On it, frontwoman Jenna McDougall sings about understanding herself, taking control of her life and becoming stronger for it. Her voice on this song also reminds me of The Cranberries, especially with that slight yodel that comes out around the chorus. (Video)

3.       Dreamcar, “Born to Lie”: The team up of No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, Adrian Young and Tom Dumont and AFI’s Davey Havok released two things this week: a video for first single “Kill for Candy,” and a new song, “Born to Lie,” from their upcoming self-titled debut album. “Born to Lie” is a fuzzed out synth-pop track with a driving beat that barrels through, keeping the song fast-paced and exciting. (Video)

4.       Have Mercy, “Good Christian Man”: I like the message of this song and video, expressing that wanting to feel loved is natural, but you also have to make yourself happy and not listen to the negative forces in your life. The video makes this point even clearer, showing people who are supposedly close to him holding signs with negative messages, which he eventually tears up. (Video)

5.       Incubus, “Nimble Bastard”: “Nimble Bastard” may have come out a few weeks ago, but Incubus just dropped the video for it this week and the only word to describe it is “interesting.” Filmed in a hazy, eighties-style VHS filter; it features a group of pugs trying to kill the band. I’ll leave the ending spoiler-free, but just know there is a weird fight scene towards the end that will make you say “what did I just watch.” (Video)

6.       Jack White, “Battle Cry”: Jack White surprised everyone this week when he released “Battle Cry,” as the former White Stripes vocalist hasn’t hinted at any new music recently. “Battle Cry” comes off as more of a rallying cry than a song. It doesn’t have any lyrics, just quick chants against a backdrop of chunky guitars and base and snare hits. The song was written for a Warstic video advertisement, which he also makes an appearance in. (Video)

7.       John Mayer, “Still Feel Like Your Man”: “Still Feel Like Your Man” veers away from the blues feel that has been very successful for Mayer in the last few years in favor of that cool, laid-back feel that made him popular in the first place. It’s less pop-y than his early music, but that is very much okay because this is still unmistakably him. The video is a bit odd though, as that dance sequence doesn’t make much sense with the pace of the song. (Video)

8.       Beth Ditto, “Fire”: I’m still pretty convinced that I, personally, don’t like Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto’s voice, but she sounds a little like Adele on this track. If this is what her debut solo album, ‘Fake Sugar,’ is going to sound like, she might get a lot of play out of it. (Video)

These were just a few of our top songs and music videos that came out this past week. Hopefully this list will act as a starting point for you in your music discovery journey.

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Discover music new and old at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles in-store and online to choose from. Our ever-growing selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia is one of the largest on the island. Come by our Plainview shop during business hours to browse or shop online at vinylbay777.com at any time from the comfort of your own home. With new titles being added all the time, there is always something new to discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

This Weekend: Eight Shows You Need to Check Out (April 7 - April 9, 2017)

Bummed out that Bon Jovi postponed their New York dates a week? Can’t get near that sold out Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony going on tonight? Well, don’t fret, because there are a lot of other shows going on this weekend that you won’t want to miss.

Between the huge re-opening week shows at the Nassau Coliseum, more intimate rock shows from established artists and all the amazing local bands playing at small venues around the city, there is no shortage of great live shows happening this weekend. So, whether you are into pop, punk, reggae, hard rock or rockers going acoustic, there is guaranteed to be something out there for you.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, has once again scoured the internet for the best live music happening in New York this weekend. Here are eight shows that we think you should check out to celebrate the weekend right.

1.       Bowling for Soup: Bowling for Soup released their 11^th studio album, ‘Drunk Dynasty,’ last year and are currently finishing up a 10-date US tour behind it. Direct Hit! and Runaway Kids will be opening the show. Unfortunately, this show is sold out. (Friday, Gramercy Theatre)

2.       Idina Menzel: Best known amongst little kids and parents as Elsa from ‘Frozen’ and amongst others as the originator of roles in Broadway’s ‘Rent’ and ‘Wicked,’ Menzel is currently on a worldwide tour. The actress/singer released her self-titled fifth studio album last year, what she calls her most personal album to date. The tour comes to Long Island tonight, just two days after the Coliseum’s official reopening. (Friday, Nassau Coliseum)

3.       Michelle Branch: Remember “Everywhere” and “All You Wanted”? Michelle Branch is back with a new album, ‘Hopeless Romantic,’ out today. Tonight’s album release show is a one-off, so even if you are on the fence about going, you should definitely should. (Friday, The Marlin Room at Webster Hall)

4.       Ballyhoo!: It’s a great time when Ballyhoo come around. The band has joined up with Passafire for the 2017 edition of their Spring Break tour, which hit Long Island yesterday and will hit the Gramercy Theatre in NYC on Saturday. If you still can’t make that, the tour will conclude at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Sunday. If you’re into ska and reggae, you won’t want to miss this show. (Saturday, Gramercy Theatre; Sunday, Stone Pony)

5.       Brand of Julez: These young men from the Bronx play blaring hard rock tunes that will melt your face off. They just released an intense new lyric video for their song “Monkey,” off their upcoming debut album, ‘Forward.’ The band plays around the area a lot, so if you don’t catch them on Saturday, you can catch them next week at Webster Hall next Sunday (4/16) or at Amityville Music Hall on April 24. (Saturday, Arlene’s Grocery)

6.       Marc Anthony: Take in a little Latin flair this weekend when Marc Anthony continues the Nassau Coliseum’s packed opening week line-up. This is the second time Anthony has been in the area on his ‘Live’ tour, playing five shows at Radio City in September. He released his last album, ‘3.0,’ in 2013. (Sunday, Nassau Coliseum)

7.       Peter Frampton: The legendary Peter Frampton will be playing an intimate show this Sunday on Staten Island this Sunday as part of his ‘Raw: An Acoustic Tour’ tour. Hear all of Frampton’s classics in a completely new way. This will also be a great pre-curser to his full band shows this summer when he goes on tour with the Steve Miller Band. That tour will hit Long Island’s Jones Beach Theater on June 17. (Sunday, St. George Theatre)

8.       Jonathan Richman: Lead singer of proto-punks the Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman has remained very active as a solo artist for the last 28 years. Now known for his eclectic influences and recordings, he released his 16^th solo album, ‘Ishkode! Ishkode!,’ last year. Richman is currently on tour, playing two shows at New York’s Bowery Ballroom this weekend. (Sunday & Monday, Bowery Ballroom)

These are our picks for the top live shows happening in New York this weekend. Though this list is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the plethora of events going on, we hope it helps you in creating your ultimate weekend plans.

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Records and live music are meant to go together. That’s why you should make it a point to visit Vinyl Bay 777 before you hit the venues to pick up music from many of these artists and more. We have a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia in stock in-store and online at vinylbay777.com. Choose from thousands of titles spanning a wide array of genres, from metal and rock to pop, R&B and rap to dance, classical and everything in between. Drop by our Plainview store during our new business hours to pick up music from your favorite artists and see what’s new.