Live Shows in New York this Weekend (May 11-13, 2018)

New York has a vibrant music scene unlike any other in the world. The city truly never sleeps as bands and fans fill up venues both large and small on a nightly basis. And with the added free time the weekend brings, such is the perfect time to take in a live show.

This weekend will bring an eclectic mix of music to the New York scene. From hardcore, punk and rock to R&B and country, there is a lot going on to suit the tastes of a lot of different music fans.

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

1.       Melvins: One of the early influencers of grunge, the Melvins released their 27^th studio album, ‘Pinkus Abortion Technician,’ last month. Taking its name from new bassist Jeff Pinkus and his previous band, Butthole Surfers, the album debuts their new two bassist line-up. The band is currently on tour behind the album, hitting Brooklyn tonight. (Friday, Warsaw)

2.       Eric Burdon & the Animals: Animals frontman Eric Burdon turns 77 today. To celebrate, Burdon and band will be playing an intimate, sold-out show at City Winery tonight. If you’re lucky enough to have grabbed tickets, get ready for a blast from the past sure to trigger nostalgia for the early days of rock. (Friday, City Winery NYC)

3.       Brian McKnight: Brian McKnight may have had his biggest hits in the 1990s, but the R&B crooner is still out there making music. He released his 13^th album, ‘Genesis,’ last year, which landed in the top 10 on the Current R&B albums chart upon release. McKnight is currently touring behind the album with a stop in New York tonight. (Friday, Sony Hall)

4.       The Hollows: The Hollows is an alt-country band from right here in New York. They put on an amazing, energetic live show that sees the band swapping instruments with each other from song to song. (Friday, Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2)

5.       Jonathan Davis: Korn frontman Jonathan Davis will be releasing his debut solo album, ‘Black Labyrinth,’ later this month. Hear some of his new tracks and more as Davis brings his solo tour to New York this weekend. Palisades and Kings Bounty open the show. (Saturday, Irving Plaza)

6.       Hub City Stompers: Though New Jersey ska punks Hub City Stompers released their fifth studio album, ‘Hater’s Dozen,’ last month, the band is playing one last album release show for it this weekend in Brooklyn. As an added bonus, the band will be shooting a video for their next single, “Night Of The Living,” at this show. No Redeeming Social Value, The Ladrones and None Above All will be opening the show. (Saturday, The Safari Room at El Cortez)

7.       Sum 41: This year marks the 15^th anniversary of Sum 41’s second album, ‘Does This Look Infected?’ To celebrate, the band is currently on an anniversary tour, playing the album in its entirety. Seaway and Super Whatevr join the band on this trek, which hits New York this weekend. (Saturday, Terminal 5)

8.       Craig Finn: Last year, Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn released his third solo album, ‘We All Want the Same Things.’ This weekend, Finn will be reuniting the line-up of artists who helped him make the album (dubbed the We All Want the Same Things Band), for a special show at the newly opened Coney Island Baby!. Laura Stevenson opens this sold-out show, which is sure to be, as Finn himself says, “a lot of fun.” (Saturday, Coney Island Baby!)

9.       Florence + the Machine: Last week, Florence + The Machine announced that they will be releasing a new album, ‘High As Hope,’ on June 29. The band will be playing a series of intimate shows this month ahead of their appearance at BBC Music Biggest Weekend, two of those being this weekend in Brooklyn. It’s hard to predict (and I’m not an insider), but this could be your chance to hear some new songs before the album’s release. (Sunday & Monday, Brooklyn Academy of Music)

New York has a world-class music scene with an incomparable amount of different genres being represented every night. With the weekend just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get out and see a show. Check out our suggestions above or any one of the other amazing shows happening around the area and kick off your weekend with some great live music.

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Stop by Vinyl Bay 777 before you hit the venues this weekend to find music from many of these bands and more! Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a wide range of genres. 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. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Coming Out in May 2018

Happy May! A new month means a whole new batch of albums coming your way to get excited over.

 

Though the first week of May is over, there are still a lot of great albums coming out this month to watch for. Arctic Monkeys are making their return to music after five years. Korn frontman Jonathan Davis is making his solo debut. Charlie Puth and Courtney Barnett are looking to follow-up the success of their debut albums with their upcoming sophomore efforts. Five Finger Death Punch is finally releasing their long awaited new album.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the top pop and rock albums coming out in the month of May. Here are eight that we think will be worth watching for.

1.       Arctic Monkeys, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’: It’s been five years since the music world has heard anything from English indie-rockers Arctic Monkeys. That will change this month when the band releases their sixth studio album, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.’ The band continues to keep much of what is on the album under wraps, not releasing any singles before the album’s full release. However, according to early reviews, the album will sound nothing like 2013’s ‘AM,’ taking on a more piano-driven, jazzy sound. (5/11)

2.       Bad Wolves, ‘Disobey’: Hard rock supergroup Bad Wolves were thrust into the spotlight earlier this year following the news that Cranberries frontwoman Delores O’Riordan passed away the day before she was supposed to record a cover of her hit “Zombie” with them. The cover, which was released as a single with all proceeds going to O’Riordan’s children, earned the group a spot at the top of the rock charts in the US. Hear “Zombie,” as well as singles “Learn to Live,” “Hear Me Now” and more when the band releases their debut album this month. (5/11)

3.       Charlie Puth, ‘Voicenotes’: After being delayed a few months, pop singer Charlie Puth will be releasing his sophomore album, ‘Voicenotes,’ this month. According to an interview with Billboard, Puth said that the album is meant to sound completely different than his debut, producing it to have a dark, 80s R&B vibe instead of a happy-go-lucky pop one. (5/11)

4.       Courtney Barnett, ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’: Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett will be releasing her second solo album this month, following last year’s brilliant collaboration with Kurt Vile, ‘Lotta Sea Lice.’ Single “Nameless, Faceless” features the same deadpan delivery and thought-provoking, direct lyrics Barnett has become known for. (5/18)

5.       Five Finger Death Punch, ‘And Justice for None’: After a legal struggle with their label prompted it to be shelved for more than a year, Five Finger Death Punch is finally releasing their seventh studio album, ‘And Justice for None.’ Much of the album is inspired by these legal issues, as is the title. (5/18)

6.       BTS, ‘Love Yourself: Tear’: K-Pop fever has taken hold of the world in the last few years and seven-member boy band BTS has been at the forefront of the fanfare. The group prepares to release their sixth studio album (and third Korean-language album), ‘Love Yourself: Tear,’ this month, which is already making waves in Korea having already surpassed one million pre-orders. (5/18)

7.       Snow Patrol, ‘Wildness’: Snow Patrol’s first album of new material in more than seven years, the band will be releasing their seven album, ‘Wildness,’ this month. The album was supposed to be released in 2016; however frontman Gary Lightbody completely scrapped the recordings in favor of writing the album from scratch. (5/25)

8.       Jonathan Davis, ‘Black Labyrinth’: Having fronted Korn for 25 years, frontman Jonathan Davis is finally releasing his debut solo album this month. The album has been more than a decade in the making, with writing first beginning in 2007. Davis has said that the album’s sound will be a bit different from that of a typical Korn album, telling LA Weekly that it has a much more varied sound. (5/25)

There are a lot of great albums making their way to shelves in the month of May. From metal and hard rock to indie and pop, there is something for the tastes of many different music fans. Keep an eye out for the releases above and let us know what new albums you’re excited for this month.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit all 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. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Fashion Meets Music: Five Times the MET Gala Took Inspiration from the Music World

The 2018 MET Gala took place Monday, with celebrities taking to the red carpet to celebrate the intersection of fashion and history. This year’s theme, which coincides with the Costume Institute’s yearly exhibit, was ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,’ which focuses on how religion has influenced fashion. The night also brought music into the mix, with Madonna performing her Vatican-banned single “Like a Prayer” and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

While this year’s musical contribution may have only been in performance only, music and its contribution to fashion have made their way into the MET Gala and subsequent costume exhibits many times in the past. From exhibits about punk and rock ‘n’ roll to those about dance fashion, these exhibits have looked at the history of music and culture through the lens of fashion.

Inspired by this year’s MET gala, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the Costume Institute’s music-themed exhibitions. Here are five that merged fashion with music and culture to give a unique perspective on the history of each.

1.       ‘PUNK: Chaos to Couture’ (2013): The Costume Institute’s most recent music-themed exhibit, ‘Chaos to Couture’ looked at the ways punk inspired high fashion. Historically, punk was (and still is) all about youth culture and rebellion and its fashion showed that. In the UK, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood created this “do-it-yourself” aesthetic that took from fashion (and bondage wear) and made it more accessible with holes, safety pins and razor blades. In turn, this aesthetic influenced high fashion, sparking inspiration for designers like Dior, Dolce and Gabana, Alexander McQueen and more.

2.       ‘Rock Style’ (2000): This turn-of-the-century exhibit took a look at how musical artists at various points in rock music’s history influenced style. Starting in the 1950s with Elvis Presley, it ran through fifty years of iconic music and style from the likes of the Beatles, Elton John, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Grace Jones, Madonna and more. The exhibit also touched on particular trends, such as denim and black leather jackets.

3.       ‘AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion’ (2006): While not expressly about music, this exhibit on the history of British fashion contained a section dedicated to rebellion from fashion norms. The exhibit made it a point to juxtapose typical, classic fashion of the time with the postmodernism of punk and the modernism of dandyism.

4.       ‘Diaghilev: Costumes and Designs of the Ballets Russes’ (1978): Even in the early years of the gala, music was a front and center in the attached exhibit. In 1978, the Costume Institute focused on the Ballets Russes, a controversial yet influential dance company from the 1910s that united music, fashion and storytelling in new and exciting ways. The troupe was especially known for their designs, which were created by the period’s most groundbreaking artists, such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Coco Chanel, as well as their music, which featured works from up-and-comers like Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy and Sergei Prokofiev.

5.       ‘Dance’ (1986): Where there is music, there is usually dance. And dance culture gave way to its own sense of fashion. ‘Dance’ chronicled 200 years worth of dance fashion from elegant ball gowns to minidresses in an attempt to display the fashion of “fun” and “joy.”

Music and fashion have maintained a side-by-side relationship for centuries. Over the years, the MET Gala and the Costume Institute have explored this relationship in their yearly exhibits. Though this year’s was not one of them, the institute’s choice in having Madonna combine the exhibit’s religious theme with both fashion and music at the gala this week similarly plays into that intersection of art forms.

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Find music from all fashion-defining genres at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. From punk and rock to dance and hip-hop and more, we have thousands of titles 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 shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (April 29 – May 5, 2018)

With all the new music that gets released over the week, it can be hard to keep up with everything as it comes out. But now that the weekend is here, now is the perfect time to catch up on what you may have missed during the week.

A lot has been going on in the worlds of rock and pop this week. Christina Aguilera made her triumphant return to pop music with a new song and album announcement. Alice In Chains released their first new song in years as well. Along with the announcement of their extensive ‘Appetite for Destruction’ reissue, Guns ‘N’ Roses put out a video for an early b-side. Florence + the Machine made a big impression this week with their latest single. We also got new videos from the likes of Calvin Harris and Frank Turner.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again compiled a list of some of this week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are eight that we think you should take the time to check out.

1.       Alice In Chains, “The One You Know”: It’s been five years since Alice In Chains have released new music. That changed this week when the band released “The One You Know,” the first single from their upcoming, as-yet untitled new album. The song’s sound is both familiar and new, mixing metal with a tinge of psych-rock. It’s chunky, distorted guitars and haunting vocals give it a dark, sludgy quality. (video)

2.       Guns ‘N’ Roses, “Shadow Of Your Love”: Earlier this week, Guns ‘N’ Roses announced that they would be releasing an extensive 25^th anniversary deluxe edition of ‘Appetite for Destruction’ with 49 unreleased tracks. To whet our appetites (no pun intended), the band released a lyric video for “Shadow Of Your Love,” a b-side that never saw an official album release. The song’s heavy guitars, fast pace and shriek-y will transport you back to the early days of the band. (video)

3.       Dan + Shay, “All To Myself”: Country-pop duo Dan + Shay have another hit on their hands with “All To Myself.” The one-off single is a sweet, love song with a catchy melody. It just feels like sunshine and happiness. (video)

4.       Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, “One Kiss”: Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa have finally released a video for their collaboration “One Kiss” this week. The video, which is meant to look low-budget, finds Lipa posing, singing and dancing in front of a green screen with images of blue skies and ocean tides moving behind her while she stands in a sound studio set up to look like she’s beachside and poolside.  It’s hectic pace fits the fast cadence of the song well. (video)

5.       Christina Aguilera, “Accelerate”: Christina Aguilera has reinvented herself again, releasing her first new music in six years this week. “Accelerate” is a heavily hip-hop –influenced track with breathy and staccato phrasing and fast beats. Personally, this isn’t the best way to reintroduce yourself to music when you have a powerful voice like she does, but its current-ness will get it played on the radio and in dance clubs. (video)

6.       Florence + the Machine, “Hunger”: With the announcement of the band’s new album, ‘High As Hope,’ Florence + the Machine released another new single. “Hunger” is a brilliantly powerful tune that, according to a quote from frontwoman Florence Welch on Billboard, is about “the ways we look for love in things that are perhaps not love, and how attempts to feel less alone can sometimes isolate us more.” Within its airy, 80s-inspired melody, the song maintains an anthemic feel that radiates confidence, emotion and wisdom. (video)

7.       Frank Turner, “Little Changes”: Punk troubadour Frank Turner released a new video for his single “Little Changes” this week. Peppy and upbeat, the song’s folky roots and easy melody make this song really enjoyable. The video is just as fun, with Turner trying to keep up with the professional dancers while singing and looking at the camera with chuckle-worthy results. (video)

8.       This Wild Life, “Westside”: Driven by acoustic guitar, “Westside” feels like a sincere ode to the good old days. The storytelling is well done, giving the listener a clear picture of what’s going on and easily feel what the protagonist in the song is feeling. (video)

The weekend is a great time to catch up on all the new songs and music videos released over the course of the busy work week. If you need somewhere to start, check out some of our favorite new tracks above. Then, let us know what songs you’ve been digging.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres to choose from. 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 rediscovering 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.

Record Store Day 2018 Sets Vinyl Sales Records

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look at the success of this year’s event

The numbers are in and Record Store Day 2018 was major success. Taking place on Saturday, April 21, the event saw its highest numbers in its 11 year history. Not only that, but it also led to one of the most successful sales weeks for the music industry in decades.

According to Nielsen Music, as reported on by Billboard, 733,000 vinyl albums were sold the week ending April 26, which includes Record Store Day 2018 sales. This marks the largest non-Christmas sales week since Nielsen started keeping track in 1991. Including Christmas, it was the third-largest vinyl sales week. Nielsen broke it down even further, saying that of the 733,000 units sold, 580,000 were sold by independent retailers, making it the largest week for retail vinyl sales in the chart’s history.

As an example of Record Store Day’s amazing power to generate sales, album sales would have actually declined that week without the event. Nielsen Music, as reported on by the BBC, said that overall sales would have been down 2.5% that week had Record Store Day not happened. Instead, music sales rose 17%.

Not only was Record Store Day 2018 great for album sales in general, it also saw the largest sales in the event’s history. Compared to 2017, album sales rose 23% this year, meaning another consecutive year of growth for the event. Variety reported last year that from 2016 to 2017 the event saw a 14% increase.

Vinyl Bay 777 felt the effects of Record Store Day as well. Music fans began lining up early outside the shop’s Plainview location Saturday morning to get their hands on this year’s releases. Popular titles from Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and Johnny Cash sold out almost instantly.

Much of this growth is due to the plethora of exclusive and limited edition releases that came out for the event. This year’s most purchased exclusive in the US was the rerelease of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Greatest Hits’ on red vinyl. That was followed by David Bowie’s previously unreleased ‘Welcome to the Blackout’ live album, Neil Young’s ‘Tonight’s the Night Live at the Roxy,’ Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Live at the DNC,’ and the rerelease of Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead’s ‘Dylan & The Dead’ collaboration rounding out the top five. In terms of singles, Led Zeppelin’s “Friends”/”Rock and Roll” 7” led the list with David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” demo, Sufjan Stevens’ “Mystery of Love,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Mannish Boy”/”Trashman” in the top five.

Record Store Day was started in 2007 as a way to unite small, independent record shops with music fans and artists in celebration of the music that brings them together. Every year, the event boasts a broad selection of exclusive and limited-edition vinyl releases in hopes that fans would travel to their local shop instead of order the piece online. Over the years, the event has snowballed, gaining more and more traction, bringing in a whole new generation of music fans discovering vinyl for the first time. Now in its 11^th year, the event saw more than 400 rare and exclusive titles released to independent record shops all over the world.

Record Store Day week was just as successful in the UK. The BBC reports that vinyl sales were up 16% from the same time last year. More than 60,000 and 30,000 units of albums and singles were sold, respectively during the sales week. David Bowie’s ‘Welcome to the Blackout’ was the best selling album of the day, as well as the week. The exclusive sold so many copies that it charted at number 22 on the Top 40 UK sales chart.

Thanks to a host of high-profile exclusive titles, Record Store Day 2018 was a big success. Not only did the event have its largest sales in its 11 year history, but it also helped create one of the biggest sales weeks in music history period. This kind of growth bodes well for the music industry and vinyl sales, as the format continues to find a new audience searching out physical releases.

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Vinyl is still alive and well as Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. Find Record Store Day exclusives, as well as thousands more titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Not only do we have a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, we also carry new and used CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. Shop in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com to see what’s new. 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 (April 22-28, 2018)

Welcome to the weekend! Time to kick back, relax and catch up on all the important news and culture you may have missed during your busy week. That goes for the latest songs and music videos.

A lot of new songs and music videos have been released over the last week in the area of rock and pop. Bullet For My Valentine and Jason Mraz both released the first official singles from their respective upcoming albums. We also got new videos from the likes of Franz Ferdinand, U2, Mike Shinoda, and Ed Sheeran.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some of the week’s top new singles and music videos. Here are eight of our favorites that are definitely worth a listen.

1.       Jason Mraz, “Have It All”: You can’t help smile when Jason Mraz sings. “Have It All” melds the best of Mr. A-Z’s early fast-talking wordplay with his more recent melodic work, bringing the song to a new level. It doesn’t have as much of the pop luster as some of his previous singles, but it still holds enough sunshine that it will make you feel good listening to it. (video)

2.       The Longshots, “Love Is For Losers”: Okay, so this song didn’t come out this week, but as we haven’t had one of these lists in a while, it’s worth noting. Last week, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong surprise released a new album from side project The Longshots. The album’s first single, “Love Is For Losers,” blends classic garage rock with a hybrid of classic and newer Green Day. The sound feels like a logical progression for Armstrong, paying homage to his rock influences and keeping things fun. (video)

3.       Bullet For My Valentine, “Over It”: Bullet For My Valentine released a video for the first official single from their upcoming sixth studio album, ‘Gravity.’ “Over It” blends early 2000s heavy rock with melodic metal intensity. It’s a very current sound and is executed very well here. I’m not usually a fan of unclean vocals, but the ones in this song aren’t so overwhelming that they ruin the song. (video)

4.       Franz Ferdinand, “Glimpse Of Love”: Delving into 1980s new wave territory, Franz Ferdinand’s latest single “Glimpse Of Love” adds a bit more gloss to their usual electronic-influenced indie-rock. This is probably what it would sound like if Depeche Mode made a Franz Ferdinand song. The video is also pretty 80s-style cheesy, with frontman Alex Kapranos singing (and looking very much like Billy Idol) while he and the band pose for pictures in various places. (video)

5.       All Time Low, “Afterglow”: Continuing to release singles from their 2016 album ‘Last Young Renegade,’ All Time Low get deep with “Afterglow,” a song detailing a relationship that seems to be losing its luster as said song progresses. Together with its lyrics, the song’s melody, which gets especially big and lofty around its first and second chorus, makes it feel like a warning to the listener or a cautionary tale. By the time the song ends, so does the relationship in question, leaving the protagonist in the “afterglow.” (video)

6.       Mike Shinoda feat. blackbear, “About You”: Linkin Park rapper Mike Shinoda has released yet another track from his upcoming solo album ‘Post-Traumatic.’ “About You” is a frank and honest song about how ever song ends up being about late bandmate Chester Benning ton, even when it isn’t. The song has both confessional and direct elements, at times feeling like a conversation between two people and at others feeling like Shinoda is trying to come to terms with something. (video)

7.       Machine Gun Kelly, “27”: Machine Gun Kelly gets very reflective in his latest single, “27.” The song deals with death and what kind of legacy he would leave behind if he were to die today. In the wake of Avicii’s passing earlier this week, the song feels very current. The only downside is that at times the song seems like it glorifies dying young, which is usually something that you wouldn’t want to condone. (video)

8.       Ed Sheeran, “Happier”: The latest single from Ed Sheeran’s 2017 album ‘÷,’ “Happier” is a conflicted love song based on a true story about seeing his ex with her new beau. It’s not one of his more stand-out singles, as it has an even more low-key melody than his most somber love songs. But you can still feel the pain in his lyrics and that’s one of the marks of a good song. (video)

The weekend is a great time to catch up on all the new music you may have missed during the week. Check out some of our favorites from the week above and let us know what new songs you’ve enjoyed this week.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres. 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 to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we’ve got you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Live Shows to Check Out in New York This Weekend (April 27-29, 2018)

Happy Friday! Now that the weekend is almost here, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to spend that precious free time. If you’re still not sure what to do, why not check out some live music?

New York has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. There is always something going on and this weekend is no exception. With the B.B. King Blues Club closing, blues and funk greats like George Clinton and Buddy Guy will be helping the venue say goodbye. Minus the Bear and Protest the Hero will both be bringing their 10 year anniversary tours to the area. Dweezil Zappa will be bringing new life to his father’s music on his latest tour.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest shows happening in New York this weekend. Here are nine shows that will have you rocking out all weekend long.

1.       Minus the Bear: It has been 10 years since indie rockers Minus the Bear released their breakthrough album ‘Planet of Ice.’ To celebrate, the band is touring the country playing the album in its entirety. Support for the tour comes from The Coathangers and The New Trust. (Friday, Irving Plaza)

2.       Protest the Hero: Speaking of anniversaries, metal band Protest the Hero are marking 10 years of their breakthrough sophomore album ‘Fortress.’ The band is currently finishing up a 10^th anniversary tour for the album, playing said album in its entirety. Opening this weekend’s sold out show are Good Tiger and Destrage. (Friday, Gramercy Theatre)

3.       Dweezil Zappa: Celebrating the music of father Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa brings his “Choice Cuts! 2018 World Tour” to Long Island this weekend. According to a post on the musician’s Facebook page, the setlist will feature “a collection of the meatiest tracks, with which he plans to satiate the appetite of Zappa fans, old and new.” (Friday, The Paramount Huntington)

4.       Steel Panther: Steel Panther will be bringing the laughs when their Sunset Strip Live! tour rolls through to Long Island this weekend. The band released their fourth album, ‘Lower the Bar,’ last year, peaking in the top spot of the Billboard Comedy Albums chart. (Friday, The Space at Westbury)

5.       Echosmith: Originally scheduled for last fall, family band Echosmith kick off their North American tour this weekend. The tour follows the release of the band’s ‘Inside A Dream’ EP last year and will also feature the band debuting some new songs from their upcoming, as-yet-untitled sophomore full-length. The Score and Jena Rose will be opening on the tour. (Saturday, Irving Plaza)

6.       George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: After 18 years in business, B.B. King Blues Club announced last week that it will be closing its doors this weekend. As a proper send-off, the venue curated a full week of top-notch blues, funk, R&B and hip-hop shows. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, who released their first new song in nearly four decades this year, will be playing the venue’s second-to-last show. (Saturday, B.B. King Blues Club)

7.       Matt and Kim: Indie-duo Matt and Kim returned this past January with their first new single in three years. Since then they have released three more singles and announced the release of their upcoming sixth album, ‘Almost Everyday,’ slated to hit shelves in May. The duo will be playing two shows in New York this weekend with Tokyo Police Club and Future Feats opening. (Saturday [sold out] & Sunday, Brooklyn Steel)

8.       Buddy Guy: Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy has spent more than five decades in the music industry and shows no signs of slowing down. He released his latest album, ‘Born to Play Guitar,’ in 2015 and has been putting out singles since then. Guy is currently touring North America with his band The Damn Right Blues Band, hitting Long Island Saturday and playing the final show at B.B. King Blues Club on Sunday. (Saturday, Theatre at Westbury; Sunday, B.B. King Blues Club)

9.       Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness: Following the release of his second solo album, ‘Zombies on Broadway,’ last year, Andrew McMahon is slowing things down a bit. His latest tour, dubbed “The Pen & The Piano Tour,” will feature the singer playing an acoustic set, just him and his piano. “Friends” joining him on the tour, which hits New York this weekend for two sold out shows, include Allen Stone, Zac Clark and Bob Oxblood. (Saturday, Warsaw; Sunday, Irving Plaza)

If you’re still looking for something to do this weekend, this is the perfect time to dive into New York’s bustling live music scene and take in a show. Check out one of the shows above or any of the other amazing small club shows that happen around the area on a daily basis.

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Live music and records go hand-in-hand. That’s why you should head down to Vinyl Bay 777 before the show to find music from your favorite touring artists and more. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia 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.

Twenty Years Later: *NSYNC’s Boy Band Domination of the Late 1990s

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a brief look at the lasting impact the boy band had on pop music

*NSYNC Logo. Found on Wikimedia Commons.

It’s been two decades since *NSYNC took over the global music scene with their R&B-tinged bubblegum pop, sleek dance moves and coordinated outfits. Now, the infamous boy band, made up of Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Lance Bass, is in the spotlight again as they prepare to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Monday, April 30.

Of course boy bands were around way before *NSYNC was ever a thought. Menudo has gone through several iterations since the 1970s. New Edition and New Kids on the Block had all the tweenage girls falling head-over-heels in the 1980s. Go back even further and you have The Jackson 5 and The Osmonds creating those sweet harmonies.

However, pop music lost some steam in the mid-1990s. From about 1993 until 1997, grunge and alternative rock took over the top 40. Pop made its resurgence in 1998 with boy bands, notably the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, and starlets like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera leading the way.

But it is *NSYNC that really made a name for themselves above the others during that boy band explosion. Following a supercharged start in Germany in 1996 (where many American pop artists got their start at the time), the group came back to the states to release their self-titled debut, which after much publicity, was certified diamond. Their second album, ‘No Strings Attached,’ would prove to be even more successful, spawning the mega hit “Bye Bye Bye,” debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and breaking the record for most albums sold in its first week, a record that would stand until 2015. The group kept up with the momentum for their third album, ‘Celebrity,’ which also debuted at number one and nearly broke their first week sales record. At their height, the band’s name was being marketed everywhere with marionettes, notebooks, keychains, video games and more displaying their likeness.

Unlike a lot of other boy bands, *NSYNC had a fairly well-rounded sound. The group consisted of singers that filled high and mid-tenor, baritone and bass vocals to create pleasing harmonies. And harmonize they did, taking nearly every opportunity to sing a cappella for fans all over the world. Their sound also evolved over time, going from innocent pop love songs that really showed off their vocal chops to more dance-centric tunes with catchy choruses to a sound with more electronic elements to keep up with where pop music was heading.

*NSYNC still has a massive hold on pop culture and pop music. Even though the band broke up in 2002, the group’s eight years together was enough to elicit a collective nostalgia that never really let them fade into obscurity. Some of this is due to Justin Timberlake’s solo success, which continued the band’s legacy, keeping hopes of a reunion looming every time he gets a prestigious honor or headlines the Super Bowl. The other part is due to their musical influence. Without *NSYNC, pop music wouldn’t sound like it does. You can hear it in the way newer boy bands like One Direction, The Wanted and Why Don’t We play off each other. Artists as varied as Meghan Trainer, Kelsea Ballerini and Paramore’s Hayley Williams all cite the group as being influential on them as musicians.

Twenty years after the release of their debut album, *NSYNC continues to be an influential force in pop music. Though not the first boy band in recording history, their brand of harmony-filled, R&B-tinged bubble gum pop helped usher in a new sound that had not been too prevalent in the US pop music scene before 1998. With the group’s star ceremony coming up in less than a week, fans will once again be reminded why *NSYNC are so deserving of their place in pop culture history.

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Celebrate the music of *NSYNC and more influential artists at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from. 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. Whether you’re looking for pop, rock, jazz, R&B, classical or dance, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what kind of gem you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Tribeca Film Festival 2018 Music Documentaries

The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival is in full swing. Running from April 18 through the 29, brings the best of independent cinema to the city for two weeks of non-stop screenings and panels.

Every year, the festival includes a bevy of music documentaries in its schedule. This year’s festival is no different, supporting a full list of thought-provoking musical films and documentaries. These films bring new and interesting perspectives to the stories behind the music. And even though the festival is half over, there are plenty of these films you still have a chance to see.

With the Tribeca Film Festival still in town for the next week, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the festival’s most interesting music documentaries. From stories about New York’s musical history to those pinpointing awe-inspiring artists of all genres, here are 10 festival films you can still catch that will leave you with a fresh perspective on music.

(Note: There was a Patti Smith documentary this year, but it is no longer being shown during the festival, so it was not included.)

1.       ‘Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes’: When Blue Note Records was founded in 1939, it became the foundation of the New York jazz scene, building up the careers of some of the most important and popular artists of the genre. ‘Beyond the Notes’ documents the label’s history and importance, as well as what keeps it so relevant in today’s musical landscape, through archival photos and performance footage and interviews with label artists past and present. (Site)

2.       ‘Cosmic Debris’: ‘Cosmic Debris’ is a short that, according to the Tribeca website, details “the friendship between animator Gabor Csupo and musician Frank Zappa.” (Site)

3.        ‘Mr. Soul!’: ‘Mr. Soul!’ takes a look at the late 1960-early 1970s variety show ‘SOUL!,’ which acted as a home for black voices in “literature, poetry, music and politics” at a time where those voices were nearly silenced. The film uses interviews with participants as well as archival clips of the show to showcase its importance and lasting impact. (Site)

4.        ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda’: Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has led a musical career that has spanned multiple genres and earned him several awards. Director Nomura Schible followed Sakamoto for the last five years documenting the process of the artist’s latest work, an album inspired by the Fukushima nuclear disaster and his cancer diagnosis. Since the film has not premiered as of writing this, there is also still a chance to see a Q & A on Wednesday with both Sakamoto and Schible. (Site)

5.       ‘Satan & Adam’: Compiled using two decades-worth of archival footage, ‘Satan & Adam’ tells the story of the collaboration between harmonica player Adam Gussow and blues guitarist Sterling “Satan” Magee. The two musicians formed a bond in 1986 that transcended race at a time when New York City’s neighborhoods were still very segregated. (Site)

6.       ‘Songwriter’: Ed Sheeran collaborator and music video director Murray Cummings makes his feature film directing debut with ‘Songwriter,’ a documentary that follows the creation of Sheeran’s 2016 album ‘÷.’ While the film mainly focuses on the collaborative spirit of the album and Sheeran as a songwriter, it also goes into depth on how the singer got to where he is, using family home movies to give the viewer perspective on his childhood leading up to his massive stardom. (Site)

7.       ‘Studio 54’: A documentary about the rise and fall of Studio 54, this film uses “never-before-seen footage, period music” and interviews with co-owner Ian Schrager and former regulars and staff to tell the story of New York’s most infamous nightclub. This film gives the viewer an exclusive look at what made Studio 54 the place to be in the late 1970s and why its time ended so abruptly. (Site)

8.       ‘The Velvet Underground Played at My High School’: Running only eight minutes, ‘The Velvet Undergound Played at My School’ tells the story of the pre-punk pioneers’ first show. Taking place at a high school in New Jersey, the show preceded their work with Andy Warhol and Nico, showcasing what it was like to first hear the band’s groundbreaking rock sound. (Site)

9.        ‘Nico 1988’: Speaking of The Velvet Underground, ‘Nico 1988’ details the story of Warhol superstar Nico’s final years. The biopic, written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli, follows a drug-addicted Nico as she embarks on a European tour while trying to regain custody of her child. (Site)

10.   ‘Lambchild Superstar: Making Music In The Menagerie of the Holy Cow’: More performance art than film, ‘Lambchild Superstar’ finds Chris Milk and Damian Kulash (OK Go) taking pairs of participants on a collaborative musical experience. Participants get to experience what it is like to make a song within a fantasy world “replete with magical music-making contraptions, friendly animals and robots.” (Site)

Music documentaries give viewers a chance to see music and its creation in a whole new light. As the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival continues to bring quality independent film to New York City for the rest of the week, there is still a chance to see many new music documentaries and films, such as the ones above.

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Find music from some of these documentary subjects and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres to choose from. Browse our ever-growing 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.

Record Store Day 2018 Highlight: Jerry Garcia & the Grateful Dead

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look at Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia reissues hitting shelves for Record Store Day

Jerry Garcia has become one of the most recognizable names in rock music. Between fronting the inimitable Grateful Dead and releasing his own solo albums and various other side projects, his reputation precedes him. Even after his death in 1995, the singer’s work continues to find its way into the hands of new listeners, especially through reissues, like the ones coming out this Record Store Day.

For the 2018 edition of Record Store Day this Saturday, ATO and Round Records will be reissuing Garcia’s 1982 final studio album, ‘Run for the Roses.’ Pressed on limited edition black and orange marbled vinyl and individually numbered, only 5000 of these albums will be pressed for Record Store Day. The album features some of Garcia’s most beloved songs, including “Midnight Getaway,” “Valerie” and “Run for the Roses,” as well as covers of Bob Dylan (“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”) and Beatles (“I Saw Her Standing There”) classics.

If one Jerry Garcia album doesn’t cover you, there will be two Grateful Dead releases coming your way for Record Store Day as well. First, the band will be releasing a four LPs set of their February 27, 1969 show at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, CA. Initially released in 2005 as part of their ‘Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings’ CD box set, this show will be getting its own limited vinyl release, which will feature a special etching on its eighth side. Only 9000 copies will be made available worldwide.

Then, the Grateful Dead’s 1987 collaboration with Bob Dylan, ‘Dylan & The Dead,’ will be getting a special vinyl reissue. Featuring Dylan playing frontman to The Dead, the album contains a mix of both artists’ hits. This new edition will be pressed on red and blue tie-dye vinyl and limited to 5000 copies.

Fans of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead will have ample reason to celebrate this Record Store Day with these three limited edition releases to look forward to. These releases are sure to be highly sought after, so head out early to make sure you get your copy.

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Celebrate Record Store Day 2018 at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, this Saturday! The store will be opening at 8 AM with exclusives from Def Leppard and more. Then while you’re here, check out the rest of our newly revamped store! Find thousands of titles on new and used vinyl, CD and cassette, as well as music DVDs and memorabilia. Can't make it to the store? Check us out online at vinylbay777.com! From rare and hard-to-find albums to classics, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Record Store Day 2018 Highlight: Def Leppard

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look at Def Leppard’s never-before-heard Record Store Day release

Def Leppard has had an extensive career with 11 studio albums to their name. Having celebrated their 40^th anniversary last year, the band continues to celebrate this year with a new tour and a Record Store Day release that has never been heard before.

In 2008, Def Leppard checked into the famed Abbey Road studios to rerecord some of their biggest hits. These recordings have gone unreleased for the last ten years. That changes this Saturday when the band releases the three-track single ‘Live at Abbey Road’ for Record Store Day. The release features versions of 2008 single, “C’mon C’mon” and 2006 single “Rock On,” as well as the 1989 single “Rocket.” Be quick though, as there are only 4000 copies of these recordings being pressed for the event.

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Celebrate Record Store Day 2018 at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, this Saturday! The store will be opening at 8 AM with exclusives from Def Leppard and more. Then while you’re here, check out the rest of our newly revamped store! Find thousands of titles on new and used vinyl, CD and cassette, as well as music DVDs and memorabilia.Can't make it to the store? Check us out online at vinylbay777.com! From rare and hard-to-find albums to classics, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.