Hello, and welcome to the Rochester music scene. We’ve got everything you want right here. I’m Frank De Blase, and I’m the Rochester Beacon’s new music writer. In introducing myself, I’m also introducing the scene to those who aren’t that familiar with it—yet—and celebrating it with those who are.
There are artists residing here, right here, with international impact and worldwide allure. Dig: Artists such as soul-singing social activist Danielle Ponder, or YouTuber and ukulele wielder Julia Nunes. There is the irreverent garage rock of bands like Harmonica Lewinski and the Televisionaries. You wanna dance? There’s the rock ’n’ roll beat of the Hi-Risers along with the band’s globetrotting front man and Los Straitjackets guitarist, Greg Townson. You like reggae? I said do you like reggae??!! Well, we’re lucky to have the same ZIP code as the Billboard chart topping Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Got a jones for barebones, guitar-driven barroom rock? The Ginger Faye Bakers have just what you need.
And I’m not just talking ’bout today. It’s always been this way. Our history runs deep, baby. And significant. In the 1960s, The Rustix were the first white band signed to Motown Records. The late punk chanteuse Wendy O. Williams grew up in Webster. The vintage rock sensations of the Chesterfield Kings earned the band a serious following in Europe with their talent. Recently, The Kings bassist Andy Babiuk got together with The Cars’ guitarist Elliot Easton, The Romantics’ singer Wally Palmer and Blondie’s drummer Clem Burke to form power-pop supergroup, The Empty Hearts.
Rochester has blues legends like Joe Beard. Delta blues hero Son House lived in Corn Hill for a while, and the human blues encyclopedia Steve Grills and the Roadmasters play somewhere in town virtually every night.
And there’s a healthy new generation of roots rockers poppin’ up on the scene as well, like The Demos, Dangerbyrd, and the Stedwells.
All this music is just bursting at the scenes and nightly blowing the lids off of live music joints like Three Heads Brewing, Photo City Music Hall, Abilene Bar & Lounge, The Back Room @ the Record Archive, Lux Lounge, Anthology, Flour City Station, Lovin’ Cup (the home to heavy metal), the Montage Music Hall, punk and live music champion The Bug Jar, and so on and so on.
Just wait until these places can open up fully; it’s gonna be a bloodbath.
And let’s not forget the fans—the best-looking collection of characters and roustabouts you’ll see anywhere.
I could go on and on and I will continue to go on and on because the list goes on and on. Email me here with your suggestions of live music to check out, then come along with me as we dig deep into this beautiful scene.
Frank De Blase is music writer for the Rochester Beacon.
https://youtu.be/y-jzmpSzjl4
Gordon Webster wrote the Roc City Stomp to celebrate moving to the Flower City. We now have the bandleader of one of the world’s top jazz dance ensembles here in our town. Nothing like dancing to live music!
Frank, I’m really happy to see you’ve got a new home for your column, which is a great part of our music community. We’re lucky to have you on the beat.
Frank is a gift to your paper. I am so happy and will tell everyone I know to read. He really gets it.
Let us not forget Wilmer Alexander Junior and the Dukes!
Glad to see your words again Frank!
We need a writer who sees the wide range of talent Rochester has.
So glad you are here, Frank. Loved the article.
I don’t know what to say, or where to begin. But I don’t know much of this Beacon, can you hip me to it
Das whadime talkinbout Sir Frank! Great to see your pen promoting our fantastic music scene and great venues.
Great news! Looking forward to many more of your reviews!!! You da best!!!
B. Olson
Well , Lou Gramm , Louie Gramatico comes to mind, Tommy Nast, Billy Sheehan , Bat and Don, Chuck and Gap, and Many Many
Others…
Howie Hubberman
The versatile and ever gracious Nate Coffee’s open mic might be worth a story for any downtime in the sched. His open mic is really a lovely thing for local musicians or those traveling through….
Your voice is an important one in this town, Mr. de Blase. Excellent news.
The Beacon just got a whole lot cooler.
That’s my Boy!!!! 😉
Congratulations Frank
This is great! Having Frank as your Music writer! Really great addition to your team.
Ah frank.. Great news. We go back so many yrs.what I enjoyed over the yrs in this business was watching everyone grow.u r one of them.AND ur still growing.congratulations frank.going along with what u said and what ur doing,knowing u because ur great and get around,ck and Google lost bands in rochester.goes back yrs..if I can find them,I want to share w u a couple old Rochester after dark bks from ’70s.has information I know u could use.i want to go have coffee one day.we should take a get together before we croak.3 more yrs,looking at 80.last the me I saw u was at rhof,I had a picture sitting on bench w u across from Eastman school of music..
Welcome back my friend
Hope to see you soon!!
Congrats Frank! Happy to be reading about the local scene again!
Rockin’ Rochester USA 1960
http://dynrec.com/tempests