Even if they didn’t do a spot-on cover of the Police’s “Driven to Tears” mixed in with their power-pop punch, I’d totally dig Soul Passenger.
Singer Tyler Norton and crew—Ethan Porter, Dave Cohen, and Casey Filiaci—will take you for a ride like a righteous soul passenger.
Joining the Soul Passenger shakedown tonight will be Anonymous Willpower. The group shows off Suzi Wilpower’s pipes and Don Anonymous’ fingers.
Sometimes the soul can get to your soul. Especially when it’s from a not necessarily soul source. People have never straight-out asked me, what is Anonymous Willpower?
Well, I’ll tell you what this Rochester powerhouse ain’t. They ain’t a shallow grab at soul or R&B. They don’t abuse their influences. They don’t sacrifice the rock when tapping into the roll. You can’t resist, I’m telling ya.
Soul Passenger with Anonymous Willpower play Thursday, July 15, at Photo City; doors open at 7 p.m., $10
Record Review: Seth Martino
“So True”
Self-released
It’s getting close to that time when bands of the last generation are breaking up or breaking down their approach to fight off the boredom and keep themselves viable.
Usually it’s a subtle twist, an introduction to a new, distant groove or somebody up and leaves the band. Today, we’re talking about Methanol. A hard rock band, Methanol was founded in 2004 and rocked joints in this region until the big fade away a few years back.
They’ve all remained friends after the band went south and are all working on other projects. In particular, former frontman Seth Martino is beginning to circle back into view, this time with a pop ’n’ bop gaze through cool summer shade.
Tomorrow, Martino will release his first solo single and its accompanying video on all available platforms. “So True” is a radical, deep-dish departure for the Rochester musician who fans associate more with the hard rock of Methanol and Martino’s AC/DC and Guns ’n’ Roses tribute band, Appetite for Voltage.
The recording was done by Martino except for the mixing and mastering. He left that all to Red Booth Studios’ Brian Moore.
Despite the left turn in styles, Martino is quick to point out that “So True” is not a new song; he had written it for Methanol back in its day. So, if you keep that in mind, you’ll find yourself haplessly drawn in the mix-mash of its key component: rock and roll. Dig this single. There are more to come soon.
Frank De Blase is Rochester Beacon music writer.