MUSIC NEWS - SHOW REVIEWS

Hi everyone! So it was a very busy weekend! A Trillion Lives pummeled Fitzies and was one of the biggest events to hit our area since the Punch Drunk Monkey's reunion show! I still think they needed a bigger venue for the turn out! WOW! Way to go guys and thanks for doing it! Here's a look at what you missed if you weren't there! Of course EVERYONE was there, so, you know.





I caught up with Bijoy Datta and asked him some questions on his feelings from the show. Here's what he had to say!

Southern Tier Scene : "You guys had an amazing turnout for the show! Did you expect it would be so huge?"

Bijoy Datta: "We knew that there would be a good turnout from everything we'd heard from people, the activity on Facebook and the news coverage. But to get almost 200 people squeezed into Fitzie's for it was better than we'd hoped. There were tons of people we hadn't seen in years and years, as well as people traveling from far away to get there. The longest drive award goes to our friend Erin, who drove all the way from Pittsburgh to see the show. "

Southern Tier Scene : "How did it feel performing Abalienation songs with former members standing right in front of you?"

Bijoy Datta: "We're friends with those guys so it wasn't too bad - but I have to admit that there were a few moments for me (especially playing Big Jim's awesome bass solos) where the nerves kicked in a bit. I also never would have imagined that we'd be doing a show like this with those guys right in the audience back when I first started going to shows in the mid-1990s. At the show, I kept looking over to Jim and Mark and they were just having a blast. That definitely made us realize how great an idea doing the show was. It was Kevin's idea three months back so he gets the credit there."

Southern Tier Scene : "Was this a one time deal or are you planing on doing this again?"

Bijoy Datta: "The plan was for this to be a one-time-only thing. The only thoughts we've had about doing more would be to go up to Canada and do a couple of shows up there. Mike Dickinson, Abalienation's vocalist, lives in Toronto and plays with Murder Squad so we'd be doing shows with them. And, from what we hear, Abalienation is still huge up there in the punk/hardcore scene. The idea of doing a show up in Ithaca was also already tossed around this weekend."

Southern Tier Scene : "Is the gash on your head better?"

Bijoy Datta: "Unfortunately, it's still pretty ugly. I'm having to do some real explaining at work this Monday morning...."

Southern Tier Scene : "Anything else you would like to say about it?"

Bijoy Datta: "Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out and had a great, great night with us. Thank you to Abalienation for creating awesome music and inspiring a bunch of kids like us years ago."

I also had a chance to talk to Mark Dickinson AKA Marquis de Blood and founding member of Abalienation and here is what he had to say!

Southern Tier Scene: "Anyway, tell me Mark, what was it like to see A Trillion Lives up there blasting away Abalienation tunes?"

Mark Dickinson: "It was amazing! They really captured the rawness and energy that we were known for. And to see so many friends and fans once again was great. It's been a long time. It's also nice to know that our songs are still relevant today as they were when we wrote them."

Southern Tier Scene: "Bet it brought back a ton of great memories huh?"

Mark Dickinson: "Yes it did. We had a great run and it was nice re-living some of those moments again for one night. It truly was a humbling experience. Definitely a highlight of my life."

Southern Tier Scene: "Not to mention other members of Abalienation turned out for the event?"

Mark Dickinson: "Yes, Bigg Jim was there. It was good seeing him again. Mike & Louie were not there physically but they were there in spirit."

Southern Tier Scene: "The newspaper referred to Abailenation as "Local Punk Legends" what are your thoughts on that?"

Mark Dickinson: "Who wants to touch me?!" HA HA HA!! Seriously though, it is a great honor. Too bad they didn't support us much while we were around."

Southern Tier Scene: "Any hope that the Original Abalienation might get together for a reunion show?"

Mark Dickinson:  "It is always a possibility but not at this moment.
There's a better chance for the box set to come out THIS year than there is for a reunion... HA HA HA"

We here at Southern Tier Scene salute Bijoy, Kevin, Mike & Stephen for their efforts, Dance-a-Tron & Serpentine 27 for revving things up, and a HUGE thank you to Abalienation for making such a huge impact on the Southern Tier music scene!

Moving on down the road....

Like A Cat Fight, Liquid Me, and Catastrophe Me blazed at Flashbacks Friday night, and unfortunately they were up against some pretty tough competition with A Trillion Lives playing just up the street. However; they did get some turnout and rocked it out. We had recorded some video of the bands playing for you, however; had some technical difficulties so we are unable to share those but here is our review anyway!

Like A Cat Fight started the night out and if you have never seen them, you really should. As we watched I tried really hard to compare them to another band, but really couldn't find one that fit. They really are unique!
They are a highly entertaining band to watch and quite frankly, just some really nice people! When you go see them, make sure you walk up to them and say hi. Here is one of there videos.

Next up was Liquid Me. A completely different sound from Like A Cat Fight. They remind me a lot of Three Days Grace, especially "She Said" which is the single from their Upcoming EP. We had originally planned to do a video interview for you but it just didn't work out. We may try again for you at a later time.  The band is entertaining to watch and played a great set. If you didn't catch them, they will be appearing soon with Local Favs Dropclutch.I highly recommend checking them out, you guys will really love them!

And last up was Catastrophe Me of Syracuse. I was a bit surprised that the band was young (late teens, early twenties). I hate to say that I was a bit disappointed though, I think we caught them on a rough night. (It happens to everyone!) Let's start with this. They are very much a Lucina Coil type band, looking for that epic sound with a male and female vocalist. The female has a great voice, and the male is a growler most of the time. When this band was "on" they were SO ON and it was awesome! But the problem with being an "epic" band is that when they were "off", well, it wasn't pretty. I will be sure to check this band out again though because I believe that they are going to be a serious force to be reckoned with!!!

 Hope you all had a great time out and about, I know I did! We have some great stuff coming up soon for you. I am working on some show reviews, and video interviews for you guys! The Southern Tier has some great local talent shows coming your way as well as <gasp> Concerts!!

Remember the days when you would hop from bar to bar because there were so many awesome bands playing and you just couldn't decide which one to go to? Yeah, me too and very slowly it is all coming back! I promise you if you head out and check out some of these bands, it will all come back to you and you will be hooked! Don't sit in front of your TV's and computers every weekend! Head out and enjoy your weekends!!

Check back often for updates!!!