Local Bits of News and gossip from the Capital Region Local Music Scene
Hollywood Hustle Wants You
Hollywood Hustle, a new, locally focused show which airs on the Capital Regions CW, is looking for independent music to be featured on their half hour shows. The shows are aired twice a week, on Thursdays and Fridays, at 3am. According to the media kit provided by Hollywood Hustle, the coverage area of the show includes the entire Albany-Schenectady-Troy DMA, and features clubs, concerts, fashion, and small businesses, as well as local music. Kapitol Magazine checked out one of their episodes on youtube, and we felt that the content was interesting, and the production was impressive. This is definitely a step up from many other local access shows who have attempted a similar format in the past. This sounds like a great opportunity for local bands to gain some useful exposure, and with great video footage that could be used for press kits and such. Want to know how you can get involved in this? Check out www.Hollywoodhustle.tv for more information.
Revolution Hall scaling back or making a comeback?
There have been conflicting reports recently about the status of Revolution Hall, and the possibility that management may be scaling back shows and focusing more on private parties and other events. However, according to a story in the Troy Record, the only changes to the venue will be in the form of interior renovations, such as interior renovations, including possibly moving the bar and installing a kitchen and a new floor. In the Troy Record story, Gregg Stacy, the vice president and marketing and sales director of Browns Brewing Company (who assumed management of Rev Hall) is quoted as such: “The changes that we’re planning on making are enhancements to the hall. We’re going to keep music at the same rate we were doing before. It’s going to be Rev Hall, and it’s going to be bigger and better than it was.”
RIP Tommy Lyons
Tommy Lyons passed away recently on Sunday, January 31, at St. Peters Hospice, according to a personal friend of Tommys. Tommy was the soundman at the JB Scotts and the Legendary 288 Lark and did pro stage sound for countless national acts such as U2, Natalie Merchant, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and The Go Gos back in the day. He also played in many bands locally including Donna Ray and the Lazers, Pauper, Tino and the Revlons, and Country Joe Higgins.
Randy Mckinley out of Lunic
Randy Mckinley, infamous Capital Region bass player, is apparently out of the band Lunic, based on various unconfirmed sources, and some posts on craigslist, dating back to January 31st, when Lunic posted an ad looking for a new bass player, among other things such as a guitarist and keys. Just a few hours after that post went up, a post about a bass player being available was up, and the content of that post sounded suspiciously like Randy McKinley. That post went down a short time later. Kapitol Magazine was unable to confirm that the bass player available post was indeed by Mckinley. However, Randy is no longer listed as a member of Lunic on the bands Myspace, and a blog post on their myspace looking for a new bass player further confirms that Lunic has indeed moved on from Randy. On February 8th, Mr. Mckinley himself commented on this site, stating: “[My time in Lunic] was actually 4 months, but I got sick of dealing with unprofessionalism. I work at music to get somewhere, not baby-sit drunk divas.” Kapitol Magazine would like to extend an open invitation to both Randy and the members of Lunic to give their take on the whole situation.
I was shopping around for a new band. I was contacted by Kaitee and Lunic about needing musicians. I assumed it was just to add to the current line-up that they had, assuming Randy was still in the band. I was going to audition myself. After knowing Randy for a few years, I trust him. I called to ask what was happening due to seeing that they had an ad up, though it didn’t have his name on the web site. I believe the professional thing to do is say that they were seeking a new bass player.
After hearing Randy tell me things, I decided to back out of trying out. It sounded like a nightmare. I had just been fired myself from a place where a “little-miss-can’t-be-wrong” was in charge. So we found comfort in having similar stories. I also understand that Randy had helped get some contacts in the biz, and was worried that Katiee’s increased use of alcohol might make him look a fool. I think she knew he was on to her, and fired him before he had the chance to speak his mind. I think he was only out to help, and that she has more problems than we know about. I did not get her side of the story, but I believe Randy….
How I perform in a live Recording (I overdubbed I believe, 2 parts on bass and one note vocally on this song in the making of our press kit for the Rush Tribute I was in)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1240992385823
&
Kaitee Live – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLYWLZaobx4
Any questions?
PS: If I’m the only one who’s ears hurt, especially at 3:20 and 3:30, then I must be the only one who’s not tone deaf! haha. Why is she flat? Not because of the live aspect, it’s because you are only as good a musician as your ears allow you to be whether that be vocals or other instruments. Her ears aren’t good.
So Katiee is not the profesional that we all thought she is? Her recent performances in youtube seems to be getting worse and worse. I think Lunic will fail fast if Katie doesn’t get her act together. Had so much respect for her and the band, but starting to lose it since it’s looking like that she is kind of bitchy, egostitical and delusional. Much like that chick from Ten Year Vamp. Seems like Katie doesn’t really care about how the instruments in her band is being played, yet she is more focused on getting more opportunities and trying to get fame. If she wants to get signed to a label, then she needs to grow up ’cause she is a pretty childish person judging by her facebook personal page and twitter. Seems like she’ll love anybody that supports Lunic music and that to me is crazy.
And another thing I want to bring up about Katiee is that the reason she thinks she’s a rock star now is because her band opened for Creed at SPAC, this is what makes her how she is now. Which is kind of hilarious because Creed is a band that no one cares anymore. Katiee changed her hair color and wearing a lot of make up as if she’s trying to look like a celebrity or something. Sorry Katiee, but just because you opened for a nationally famed band doesn’t make you famous.
I have also noticed that even if Randy is no longer in the band, Katiee keeps posting band photos and youtube videos with Randy playing in it. That’s also not very profesional. What that’s doing is getting people thinking that Randy is still in the band when he’s not.
As far as her drinking goes, honestly, there is nothing wrong with being drunk at band gigs ’cause bands get drunk all the time at their gigs. If she wants to drink, that’s her decision. A lot of bands drink and party, there’s nothing you can do about it. I dont’ drink at all, but there’s a lot of drunk bands out there. I think everyone should know that, so I find Katiee’s ‘drinking isn’t such a problem.
Her profesionalism is the problem. Which makes you wonder why Lunic keeps changing band members every so often like Ten Year Vamp.
Kev
Kev,
I don’t care who drinks at their gigs either, except when it affects their ability to sing in the right key of the music. Your vocal chords have some muscle in their make up, so if you are going to drink to the point where you no longer have muscle control, then you will hear the result…… as in the video above, where she’s flatter than an 8 year old girl throughout the piece, very prevalent in most of her live performances from my experience in the band. Drinking to the point of intoxication is fine, if you aren’t singing melodically, like in death metal. Even in Metallica, Hetfield is a vocalist, so even he learned what type of buzz to be content with prior to taking the stage where he can still pull off the performance…..however, he is a self-admitted alcoholic, so he too found out that he couldn’t be his best unless sober. Being hammered is not good unless you are a screamer where it doesn’t matter. Lunic incorporates melodies into the vocals, something you can’t be drunk and pull off if you want to sound as good as what your potential is…..and why, if given the choice, would one choose to take a viable situation that the cd created for Lunic, and put it in harms way? The buzz must be that important to her, that’s why. I don’t know, it used to be that important to me…. we all learn with our experiences, hopefully she learns, as she’s not getting younger, so the tragedy is her missing her window due to bad prioritizing.
PS: I concur on using videos and photos of me without indication of who I am in relation to them. I think it’s very bad etiquette. The fact is, I was still in the band, like me or not for calling you on your shit, use my pics, then credit them or don’t use them. Same for video. When I joined that band, it was because the project, from an outsider’s perspective, was one that was already successful, with what had to be, a professional situation…..I learned, it’s all a facade that anyone can create with the right amount of money to make a pretty web site, a cd, and photography. Then, once you get in the band, and see what kind of ethic you’re dealing with, you realize, you are just a musician that pays money to put gas in a vehicle, while losing time away from making money at your day job, to help pitch in and take “her” party on the road……. it’s a drinking adventure where you are the babysitter, and hope she gets half of her parts right when you take the stage. Too bad, what a waste of potential.
Good response, dude, I agree with everything you said.