Kevin Marshall's America
Since I gave plenty of love (and pranks (and received some hate (and even more trouble))) to the Alive at 5 lineup in Albany, it’s only fair that I note Troy’s “Rockin’ on the River” lineup has been announced for 2010.
Rockin' on the River headliner Ryan Cabrera, in happier times when his name wasn't preceded with the phrase "Rockin' on the River headliner."
The free Summer concert series runs from June 23rd through August 25th. The lineup, courtesy Cecelia Martinez of The Troy Record:
- The Unforgettable Fire (U2 Tribute Band)
- Solid Smoke w/ the Mt. Olive Gospel Choir
- Hair of the Dog
- Aquanett (80s Cover Band)
- Albert Cummings
- 40 Oz to Freedom (Sublime Tribute Band)
- Ryan Cabrera
- Super 400
- Urban Sun (funk group)
- Blue Hand Luke
My thoughts (And please spare me the “what do you want it’s free.” So’s this blog, so put a sock in it.):
Poor Ryan Cabrera. A few years ago he had hits on the radio and now he’s playing the poor man’s Alive at 5. There are many phrases a musician doesn’t want to hear, and near the top of the list is “no thanks, we’ll go with Eddie Money.” Talk about a fall from grace, and we can’t even call it spectacular.
Too many cover bands. There’s ten acts and no less than three actually market themselves primarily as cover bands, and a few others pretty much are for the most part (example Solid Smoke; though they’re actually a lot of fun). Much to my chagrin, we have an 80s cover band, because there aren’t enough of them around. Can we have like a five year moratorium on ironic musical acts? Almost as ridiculous: a Sublime cover band. They had, what, one album? I know, I’m exaggerating; they had that other album or EP that this band will probably not play anything from. Sublime covers, by the way, are another thing I hear way too often. Nothing says “lazy and uninspired” like hearing a band play “Santeria.”
Not enough acts to draw in the under 40 crowd. This is actually a point that’s particularly maddening to me. The strongest aspect of Troy culturally is in its younger constituency; in particular the artier and young professionals crowd. And yet, here we have yet another event that doesn’t cater to them and gives them another chance to complain that there’s nothing interesting to do in Troy. Listen, people are going to show up to these things regardless of who’s playing (obviously). The city should do more to retain them, and booking a local act they might want to see that’s still accessible to the folks that usually show up would be a great start.
Oh, but that’s just me being a crankypants because it’s Monday. It’s a free concert series, you guys, so go check it out.
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15 Responses to Troy’s “Rockin’ on the River” Lineup Announced
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booooo! i like sublime, the 80’s, and i’m under thirty. i actually might come out for some of these shows versus another ho-hum average local band. that said, a battle of the bands night might be a fun night.
My husband and I went to see our local favorite band Hair of the Dog last year and it was one of the best concerts we saw all year. They really rocked. It didn’t hurt that the sound system is awesome. Check them out this year; you’ll learn to love the local act.
How are we to believe a word of this?
No Phantogram? No Blotto? No Air Supply cover bands? Forget it. :)
I can’t stop laughing at Ryan Cabrera.
W
T
F
?
Apparently he’s dating someone that was on “The Hills.”
Also, I should note that they DO deserve credit for at least putting a litany of local acts on there (even if they aren’t the kind of local acts that need the exposure/will draw the kind of crowd I think they should shoot for).
Yep – Audrina Patridge. I know…’cause I watch. Shamefully.
That is the one show I will absolutely say I don’t get the appeal of. I tried watching it a couple times, and they literally just chewed their food and stared at each other. Those people have the personalities of cold, damp washcloths.
Slow down there, bucko, and do more homework.
Urban Sun is currently one of the baddest bands in NYC, and they’re comin’ your way! Open your mind and get ready for groovy original music!
Try to stop hatin’ and get the under 40 crowd there for their show and you’ll see what I mean!
I think it’s just more of a confirmation of the poor local music scene than anything. Face it, this area is mostly a cover band area. When is the last time a band made it big from here? And, I mean BIG. At least many people of heard of some of the aforementioned acts, which is enough to bring people to the rivvvvvvvvvvvvver.
On a side note, I saw a well known singer/songwriter last year at the Red Square and there was less than 10-15 people there! And this is a person that sells out in most cities. Two things in the capital region people don’t care about: non-mainstream music (TU arena concerts do well) and sports.
The Capital Region: THE COVER BAND CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!
I, for one, can’t wait for Ryan Cabrera. It’s not often you get to see a never-was singer, songwriter in the twilight of career that never existed. I am looking forward to going along with everyone else who thought Ryan Adams or Miguel Cabrera was making an appearance. Should be fun!
Well, Albert Cummings is rumored to have – Joe Lowry and the Second Mile Blues Band! Joe Lowry is a super local gunslinger. Tons of original material and a sick (SICK!) local drummer! Very good musicians playing orignial stuff that the younger gen will enjoy plenty… thanks for the article, Kevin.
………and so alive @ 5 kicked off with the latest incarnation of the capital district’s most famous cover band (and rather tame attendance considering it was ‘opening night’ and beautiful out),and is slated to offer us the likes of Gloria Gaynor (sp?) and Chubby Checker ??
at least the city of troy doesn’t corral us onto a strip of grass twixt the river and a multi-lane highway and charge you to park!!
wouldn’t it be cool if Mayor T was sporting a Jerry like bottled tan !!??!!