The Locals Pt. 1

So I had just posted on Facebook about a few local bands that I've seen live in my time with Ponder the Giraffe. We've shared the stage with these guys and couldn't be happier to have been on a bill with them!

I figured I'd share some of these bands with you because not only are they super nice, but they're also super talented musicians who all write completely different styles of music.

Disclaimer: I don't know how to blog, or write about music so this is my first try. Also, I will be doing more bands over time and will post some stuff about them :)

Let's start off with Woodrow Chillson.

Think Bob Dylan and Counting Crows. These guys have been around for a while, under different names with some varying musicians in the lineup. But Alex (vox and guitar) and Sam (vox, piano, and guitar) have been carrying " The Weight" (get it, it's a The Band joke) for years now. They've been writing the music and performing around SUNY Geneseo for three-or-so years now! Adam (bass), Josh (drums) and Vincent (lead guitar) just absolutely make the music realize its full potential. Adam has crazy grove in his bass lines, adding an aspect of funk and jazz, giving the music a dance feel. Josh picks his drums really well; crashes right when needed, toms to get a nice buildup, and ghost snare hits (which are very hard to do) to add something extra to fill in some sonic space. I don't have too many words about Vincent other than "Vincent is the shred master." He may honestly be the best guitarist I've ever seen perform. I'm not joking either, or being nice about it. I want to see a Vincent vs. DJLaNny Smith duel. Let's make this happen people!

I've seen the music acoustically performed and played full electric. Both offer completely different feels, but have the same folk-rock motifs. Regardless of the way its performed, the music holds up so well, the emotion and musical prowess shine through in every setting. But I have to say, full band, these guys will melt your face with raging guitar solos reminiscent of what you'd hear in a Skynyrd recording. No lie, these guys know what they're doing, and they do it well. Check 'em out!

https://www.facebook.com/woodrowchillson/?fref=ts

Now I have a few words to say about ya boyz, Donner Dance Party.

It's so hard to pull off music without a lead singer. I've tried, I try all the time. Donner not only does this, they thrive with it. Think Explosions in the Sky, but a little more "math-rock" oriented, or The Gorillaz if they went full-instrumental. That's Donner Dance Party in a nutshell. Hard to really get at what they are. They're one of the most legitimately "original" bands I've ever heard. Noah and Steve hold down the guitar lines, a mixture between tapping riffs and melodic groove solos. Oh, I also lied when I said DDP was full instrumental. Steve knows how to sing too, and does so when needed (and does it well at that). Jackson shakes the entire venue with his Slammer bass and massive rig, giving the bottom end the perfect amount of boost. You gotta hear it live, I can't really do the bass justice in words. SO GO SEE THEM LIVE. Jon will step up on stage to play the axe (that's what my grandma calls a trumpet). I don't think I've seen live trumpet actually mix extremely well into a full-band ambient sound. Jon knows exactly where to add and when to lay back, making the brass "section" a perfect fit into the overall sound and feel of the music. Sean adds the electric side to DDP, which really defines the band's identity. Using a series of pedals (I can't even tell you which), Sean is able to loop his voice, put effects on vocals, and even BEAT BOX. HOW COOL IS THAT. Speaking of beat boxing, they do have a drummer. Matt holds down the drums, building up and slowing down at perfect moments to add emotion without having to incorporate words. Matt is honestly one of the fastest improving musicians I've had the pleasure of watching improve. Keep an eye out for this band, they're gonna have a big year in 2016-2017, I'm calling it now.

https://www.facebook.com/donnerdanceparty/info?tab=page_info

Check these guys out, and keep checking in here. I'll be doing more of these!