On Saturday, January 19th, McNeil Music of Ithaca and Angry Mom Records present the first Finger Lakes Girl Bands Battle of the Bands.

What's the scoop? They're looking to catalyze a network for female musicians - all ages, styles, and personalities welcomed. Want to learn more? Check out the about page: http://fingerlakesgirlbands.org/about/

Oh, I should probably mention that the grand prize is recording time and a 7" out on Angry Mom Records. Whoa!!


Where does Ithaca Underground come in?  We too wish to foster a diverse music scene and now call on all female musicians of Ithaca to form bands and support this event.

We would love nothing more to see a female majority Ithaca-based noiserock band going ape-shit on the stage at The Haunt, or some riot grrl spit and sneers, or female cult drone duo, or get heavy with black metal, sludge, or grind.  I know you're out there, so pick up the sticks, axes, electronics and mic and let's show Ithaca what the women of our city can really do.

Ithaca Underground has always supported bringing touring female musicians and bands who support empowered women (see Marnie Stern, Kylesa, Fuck The Facts, I Object, Tinsel Teeth, Bridge & Tunnel, Shellshag, and tons of others).  We would love to put some prime Ithaca-based female DIY acts on to support these lovely bands in the future, so get into it!!!



(Bubba)

Long Island's State Lines (Tiny Engine) and Massachusetts' The Hotel Year (Mightier Than Sword) make their Ithaca tour stop down at The Space @ GreenStar tonight at 8PM. The former walk the pop-punk line between melancholy and optimism while the latter craft raw, fast and scrappy melodic punk coupled with tasteful alt-country twang and patient storytelling. State Lines new EP is streaming exclusively through Punknews right now. Both bands also have material streaming via bandcamp below.






Two young, promising punk bands to say the least!  Local youth punks King Size Pegasus and Cortland via Brooklyn M/F duo Object get things started down at The Space tonight - 700 W Buffalo St, Ithaca, NY 14850 - near Corks & More. Just $5 at the door and as always, this show is all ages. Get down on a Monday!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made the first Ithaca Underground stage at McNeil Music as part of this year's Ithaca Festival. Special thanks to everyone at McNeil Music, Bruce from Lofts for running stage & sound, and to our Syracuse pal Matt Jaime for running sound on Day 2 on less than 24hrs notice. Glad to see the community come together and support unique DIY music. Footage below!


Fight A Scary Dog 'Werewolf' (Attic Abasement cover)


The Wallpaper


Kaboosh!


sswampzz


DAADs


why+the+wires


Doll Eyes


King Sized Pegasus

Big thanks to Lanny Huang for his this documentary short on Ithaca Underground!



Official info:


Filmed over the course of February 2012, 'Ithaca is Underground' covers the goals and ethics of Ithaca Underground, a DIY music promoter that focuses on bringing unique and independent acts to the stage. Run for several years by Bubba Crumrine, Ithaca Underground has recently applied to be come a 501c3 non-profit organization, giving it the opportunity to expand as an organization and be sustainable for the future.

Find out more at:
http://www.ithacaunderground.com/

Shot and Edited by Lanny Huang.
Thanks to all who participated
Thanks to all who mentored
Thanks to all who patiently watched as I forced them to give me feedback. This is my first movie and your input really helped guide me not just for this production, but for the ones that are soon to follow.

http://Lannyhuang.com

Official Press-Release:
McNeil Music will be opening its doors at a new location in Downtown Ithaca on March 1, 2012 at 110 W. Green Street. Eric Laine, proprietor and Ithaca resident, says that the decision to relocate to Downtown from the Triphammer Mall was to "go where the people are." A downtown resident himself, Laine says,"For me, Downtown is the center of life in Ithaca. Not only is it good for business, but it's good for Ithaca that we are coming back downtown." McNeil Music, founded in 1951 by the McNeil brothers, was located downtown on Tioga Street for many years before moving up the hill to Triphammer Mall. As a relatively new owner of the business--three years--Laine tells of his excitement to finally get the chance to put his influence on this sixty-year-old business, stating that "In many instances, decisions were made generations ago. Now it's my turn." The new location will allow the store to offer drum lessons for the first time with a large area devoted to a lesson room suite replete with a lounge area and two large lesson rooms.

With five local music stores in Ithaca, one may think that competition for customers would be difficult. On the contrary, Laine explains that each store focuses on their own particular niche and thrives because of the deep and rich tradition of local music in Ithaca. As for his particular niche, McNeil Music is the area's only drum shop, the only store in town that rents PA gear and the sole proprietor of upright pianos. They offer beginner to professional guitars, keyboards, instrument and electronics repairs, as well as lessons in guitar, bass and now drums. "Ours is a store for the working musician and the next generation of working musicians,” says Laine, "We are on the third, sometimes fourth generation of customers. We are so lucky to have a town that supports such a diverse and vibrant music scene and our goal is to support that scene."

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Executive Director, Gary Ferguson, welcomes the investment that this newest business is making in Downtown. Ferguson notes, “McNeil Music and Downtown are perfect matches for each other. This is precisely the type of regional specialty store that is so well suited to Downtown.”

A ribbon cutting with Mayor Svante Myrick will take place at the new McNeil Music store on March 1 at 3pm and a grand opening celebration is set for Saturday, March 3rd. Live performances will be part of the celebration with local high school rockers Starts on Friday at 1:00pm; Bob Keefe and the Surf Renegades, comprised of McNeil guitar teachers and friends, at 2:00pm, DJ Laika at 3:00pm, and The Sutras at 4:00pm.

Tune into WICB 91.7 FM's "Homebrew" tonight from 8PM-10PM where Ithaca Underground will be the special guests while they spin the best in local music.

No radio? No problem: http://www.wicb.org/listenLive.php

Official Press release:
Ithaca Underground presents an all ages concert with The Gunpoets, Cattle Drums, Rejouissance, BRIAN!, Rye n' Clover, and Hiroshima Vacation

The Haunt, 702 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850
Saturday, February 4th from 5PM - 10PM
Sliding scale cover of $5-$25 to raise funds for Ithaca Underground's 501c3 non-profit application.
______________

Over the last several years, Ithaca Underground has become one of the cornerstones of Ithaca's music community by booking and promoting creative and ambitious music events, integral work with local and regional bands, DIY ethics, and emphasis on all ages shows.

Now, the next chapter in the IU story is being written as the organization applies to become a 501c3 non-profit in an attempt to create a sustainable, on-going presence in the community.

To usher in this next era, Ithaca Underground, McNeil Music of Ithaca, Angry Mom Records, and The Haunt present a genre-diverse line-up on Saturday, February 4th at 5PM. This first-ever Ithaca Underground Fundraiser will help finance the 501c3 non-profit application process of this important next step.

Headlining are The Gunpoets, one of Ithaca's premier live acts, who have earned their elder status through years of high-energy, new school hip-hop shows. Powerful, positive, peaceful and at times political, The Gunpoets seamlessly fuse hip-hop with pop, rock, soul and funk to bring the world their own unique flavor. Heavy bass, hard hitting drums, silky smooth keys and sexy guitar licks slam with the MC skills of Rising Sun and Jayhigh. Throw in DJ Double A's slick turntable work and you've got an unstoppable, head-nodding force.

Cattle Drums from Oneonta, NY are a melodic and technically proficient blend of post-punk and emotional hardcore, hints of math-rock and Americana, and the surreal lyrics of vocalist (and former Monster Machismo drummer) Sam Judd.

Rejouissance were born in Syracuase, NY, with primary songwriter and guitarist/vocalist Jim Heffernan now residing in Brooklyn. The project has evolved from its members' post-hardcore and acoustic roots into a full fledged three-guitar driven rock-ensemble and riff factory.

Ithaca-based BRIAN! create compositions stemming from the worlds of avant-garde and prog-rock. Founded by Devid Resig on amplified bassoon and Ithaca Underground's own Bubba Crumrine on guitar, bass, electronics and voice; the group will debut its new trio line-up with Willie B (Neko Case, Johnny Dowd) behind the kit.

Banjo-punk troubadour Rye n' Clover and grindcore duo Hiroshima Vacation will kick things off in traditional IU fashion.

Thanks to everyone who came out to this event and made it such a success! Big props to Angry Mom Records and McNeil Music of Ithaca for supporting local music by releasing the LP and to CSMA for the on-going use of their space. Here's some footage!
















Footage by Bubba Crumrine (except Mouth To Mouth To Mouth footage by Mel Casano)

Thanks to everyone who came out for Ithaca Underground's five-band night on Wednesday. If you missed it (or just want to relive it) check out the videos below - including the surprise reunion of Crime Pays! No word on whether more shows are in the works but we'll keep you posted. A pleasure seeing you all as always and thanks for your continued support!  Special thanks to McNeil music who have been a huge help this spring with PA equipment, especially with the sub for this one.


The American Dollar - Fade In Out


The American Dollar


Crime Pays


Crime Pays


Paper Armies


Paper Armies


The Atomic Forces


Kites In Space


Kites In Space