Posts Tagged ‘ Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band ’

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: April 23, 2023 Union Pool

May 13, 2023
By
Photo by Jesse Jarnow

It’s hard to remember the last time I saw Chris Forsyth and crew tear it up. Before the pandemic? Time blurs! I do know that this was my first in-person experience of the most recent Solar Motel Band lineup with Tom Malach (Garcia Peoples) on guitar, Doug McCombs (Tortoise, Brokeback, etc.) on bass, and of course Ryan Jewell, who somehow manages to be everywhere at once, on drums. This set is mostly songs off of Forsyth’s latest burner, Evolution Here We Come, including the Richard and Linda Thompson song “You’re Going to Need Somebody.” Forsyth is ever-reliable in his choice of covers, here capping off the night (and not to mention the triple-threat Garcia Peoples/Purling Hiss/Motel Band tour) with his take on Neil Young’s “Powderfinger.” But it’s the Evolution-closer “Robot Energy Machine” that really let’s the group stretch out, McCombs and Jewell providing the motorik backing rhythms for Forsyth and Malach to trade lines over. Maybe next tour Forsyth and co. will be doing a Neu! cover. You never know!

I recorded this from our usual spot at Union Pool. Thanks to all the folks there and sound engineer Jase Hottenroth for making this happen. Enjoy!

Stream and Download at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band
2023-04-23
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY

Recorded and produced by Eric PH for nyctaper.com

Soundboard (engineer: Jase Hottenroth) + MBHO KA200N/603A > Naiant PFA >> Sound Devices MixPre-6 > WAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC + Izotope Ozone 5 > Audacity 3.0.2 > FLAC

Tracks [56:56]
01. Tomorrow Might As Well Be Today
02. Experimental & Professional
03. Heaven For a Few
04. Bad Moon Risen
05. [banter]
06. You're Going to Need Somebody [Richard & Linda Thompson]
07. Robot Energy Machine
08. Powderfinger [Neil Young]

Chris Forsyth: April 29, 2019 Rough Trade NYC

April 30, 2019
By

A few weeks ago, the internet buzzed with discussion of “indie jam,” the term coined by Steven Hyden at Uproxx and referring, as many noted in response, to a constellation of bands advanced largely by Jeff Conklin on The Avant Ghetto. (We at NYCTaper are acknowledged by Hyden too, I’m obliged to mention.) In the article, musicians like Chris Forsyth (along with Garcia Peoples, Sunwatchers, Ryley Walker, William Tyler, and many others) are credited with “an inclination to meld all kinds of music — including indie, post-rock, folk, country, jazz fusion, and, yes, punk — and take it in adventurous and often improvised directions.”

“Indie jam”—or whatever you want to call it—surely wasn’t born in an out-of-the-way amphitheater in Raleigh, NC. But in September 2013, when we were first introduced to Forsyth’s far-out jams that were clearly referencing the Grateful Dead and Television, something was afoot. Is it time for us shrug off the legacy of Kurt Cobain’s distaste for the Dead and acknowledge the ongoing intersections of indie rock and jambands? Across the aisle, jamband fans are approaching the same questions, as the podcast Beyond the Pond seeks to introduce Phish fans to music outside the jamband ecosystem.

In the meantime, while the heads have been catching up to him, Chris Forsyth has released a series of increasingly great albums. The latest is All Time Present, in which Forsyth’s singular guitar playing weaves effortlessly between varied genres, from psych rock to, yes, even dance.

On Monday night we caught Forsyth’s Brooklyn record release show, appropriately opening for Träd, Gräs och Stenar. Joined by the latest edition of the Solar Motel Band, Peter Kerlin on bass and Ryan Jewell on drums, the trio play “Tomorrow Might as Well Be Today” and “Mystic Mountain” before being joined by Pat Gubler (P.G. Six/Wet Tuna) on keys for “Dream Song” and an absolutely epic performance of “Dreaming in the Non-Dream.” Returning the favor from last month’s Garcia Peoples record release show, the Solar Moteliers are joined by Tom Malach, Danny Arakaki, and Cesar Arakaki to complete the circle with “Techno Top.”

Chris Forsyth, Garcia Peoples, Dire Wolves, and Weak Signal play Market Hotel on July 27. You can find out what magic is in store from this insanely great lineup by grabbing a ticket.

Downloads available at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth
2019-04-29
Rough Trade NYC
Brooklyn, NY

Recorded and produced by Eric PH for nyctaper.com

Soundboard (engineer: Terry) + MBHO KA200N/603A (DIN) > Naiant PFA >> Sound Devices MixPre-6 > WAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (mixdown, compression, normalize, fades) + Izotope Ozone 5 (EQ, compression) > Audacity 2.0.5 (tracking, tagging) > FLAC (24/48, level 8)

Tracks [59:36]
01. Tomorrow Might as Well Be Today
02. Mystic Mountain
03. Dream Song
04. Dreaming in the Non-Dream
05. Techno Top

Solar Motel Band:
Chris Forsyth
Peter Kerlin
Ryan Jewell

3-5 with Pat Gubler
5 with Tom Malach, Danny Arakaki, and Cesar Arakaki of Garcia Peoples

Website | Facebook | Buy All Time Present via Bandamp

Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band: April 6, 2017 Trans-Pecos

June 1, 2017
By

Chris Forsyth’s appearance at Trans-Pecos a couple months ago heralded that most important of musical happenings: the possibility of a new release. With their latest No Quarter release The Rarity of Experience a proven success win fans, Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band used this intimate stage to show off some of their latest attractions. After hitting the ground running with “High Castle Rock,” we heard three new numbers in a row, including “History and Science Fiction” and “Mistaken the Bottle” (which we first heard at Union Pool back in late 2016) plus a new as-yet-unnamed (to us, anyway) number. When you add in “Dreaming In the Non-Dream I-II,” you’ve got a set chock-full of new material that continues to expand on Forsyth’s unique guitar vision, which blends a rock fan’s appreciation for shredding (he named a song after “Cocksucker Blues,” after all) with a Deadhead’s appreciation for sonic exploration, thematic variation, and little details. It’s always a treat to see Chris and the band, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted on what’s next.

I recorded this set with onstage Schoeps MK5 microphones into a warm-sounding Aerco preamp, plus a soundboard feed. The sound quality is excellent. Enjoy!

Stream and download the complete set on our bandcamp page:

Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band
2017-04-06
Trans-Pecos
Queens, NY USA

Hosted at nyctaper.com
Recorded and produced by acidjack

Schoeps MK5c (onstage, DFC, XY)>KCY>Aerco MP-2 + Soundboard >> Zoom F8>2x24bit/48kHz WAV>Adobe Audition CC>Izotope Ozone 5>Audacity 2.0.3>FLAC ( level 8 )

Tracks
01 High Castle Rock
02 American History and Science Fiction
03 [new1]
04 Mistaken The Bottle
05 The First Ten Minutes of Cocksucker Blues
06 Dreaming In the Non-Dream I-II

Support Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: Website | Facebook | Buy The Rarity of Experience from No Quarter

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: December 3, 2016 Union Pool

December 6, 2016
By

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band

We’re always happy to have a new Solar Motel Band tape to share; even more so when that tape features three brand new jams. Appearing this past Saturday night at Union Pool as a trio (that’s Chris Forsyth, Peter Kerlin, and Ray Kubian), the band came prepared with some previously unheard funk. Maybe it’s just because Forsyth has been soundtracking the Stones film Cocksucker Blues recently, but I couldn’t help but be reminded of later 70’s Rolling Stones—especially on the eighteen-minute closer, “American History & Science Fiction” (working title). But whatever far-out rock gods these guys are channeling these days, it sounds damn fine.

I recorded this from our usual location in the venue, with a board feed from Union Pool engineer Doug. The sound is excellent. Enjoy!

Downloads are available at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band
2016-12-03
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY

Recorded and produced by Eric PH for NYCTaper.com

Soundboard [engineer: Doug] + AKG C480B/CK63 > Roland R-26 > 2xWAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (align, compression, mixdown, normalize, fades) + Izotope Ozone 5 (EQ) > Audacity 2.0.5 (downsample, dither, tracking, tagging) > FLAC (16/44.1, level 8)

Tracks [43:10]
01. Dreaming In The Non-Dream, Parts I-II
02. Mistaken The Bottle
03. American History & Science Fiction

Support Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: Website | Facebook | Buy The Rarity of Experience from No Quarter

Chris Forsyth x Nick Millevoi Duo: November 13, 2015 Trans-Pecos

November 23, 2016
By

Chris and Nick

Yep, you read that right: November 13, 2015. This one’s from the archives, at a fan’s request. This is Chris and Nick in Solar Motel Duo form, opening up for Lee Ranaldo the night after I had seen the full band opening for Futurebirds at the Bowery Ballroom. What can I say except that I’ve seen a lot of Solar Motel shows and this one’s something unique—just a pure dual guitar mindmeld on some Solar Motel tracks you know and love.

I recorded this at the stage lip, the left mic picking up mostly Nick’s guitar and the right Chris’s guitar. The sound is excellent. Enjoy!

Downloads are available at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth x Nick Millevoi Duo
2015-11-13
Trans-Pecos
Queens, NY

Exclusive download hosted at nyctaper.com
Recorded and produced by Eric PH

AKG C480B/CK61 (stage lip) > Roland R-26 > 2xWAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (normalize, fades) > Izotope Ozone 5 (EQ) > Audacity 2.0.5 (downsample, dither, tracking, tagging) > FLAC (16/44.1, level 8)

Tracks [43:56]
01. Paranoid Cat
02. The Ballad of Freer Hollow
03. Harmonious Dance

Support Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: Website | Facebook | Buy The Rarity of Experience from No Quarter

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: May 28, 2016 Union Pool

June 7, 2016
By

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band

Chris Forsyth and his Solar Motel gang just finished up a tour with the Pacific Northwest’s monsters of psych, Heron Oblivion, and the NYC area was blessed with two stops, first at Jersey City’s WFMU Monty Hall and the second at Union Pool. Naturally, we were there at Union Pool to capture their performances (including openers and fellow Philadelphians Spacin’ which we’ll have up soon). Forsyth’s set gives us a lot to chew on: an extended, exploratory rendition of “The First Ten Minutes of Cocksucker Blues” and some of his finest vocals yet on “The Rarity of Experience, Parts 1-2.” In the group’s tradition of bringing covers out on the road—we’ve previously caught a couple renditions of “The Calvary Cross” and most recently the Dead’s “Cold Rain and Snow”—this tour saw a relentless version of The Dream Syndicate’s “The Days of Wine and Roses.” Rounding things out is the ponderous “Harmonious Dance,” ending things on the quiet side before Heron Oblivion stormed the stage. Forsyth & Co. will be back in town for another superb bill with Oneida at the Knitting Factory. Buy your tickets early and often; we’ll see you there.

I recorded this set from our usual location in the venue, with a board feed from FOH Leah. The sound is excellent. Enjoy!

Downloads are available at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band
2016-05-28
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY

Exclusive download hosted at nyctaper.com
Recorded and produced by Eric PH

Soundboard (engineer: Leah) + AKG C480B/CK63 (PAS) > Roland R-26 > 2xWAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (align, compression, mixdown, normalize, fades) + Izotope Ozone 5 (EQ) > Audacity 2.0.5 (downsample, dither, tracking, tagging) > FLAC (16/44.1, level 8)

Tracks [45:32]
01. The First Ten Minutes of Cocksucker Blues
02. The Rarity of Experience, Parts 1-2
03. The Days of Wine and Roses [The Dream Syndicate]
04. Harmonious Dance

Support Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: Website | Facebook | Buy The Rarity of Experience from No Quarter

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: December 12, 2015 Trans-Pecos

December 21, 2015
By

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band

Over the past couple years—and 2015 especially—this site has developed quite a rapport with Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, resulting in six separate recordings in 2015 alone, plus a pair from 2013 and 2014. So it was only fitting that we booked this year-end engagement at one of the few clubs Forsyth & co. had yet to play: Trans-Pecos.  I’m happy to report that the show was a raging success and that all were rewarded with what is truly the standout set of the year. Having recently announced the second proper album with The Solar Motel Band on No Quarter, The Rarity of Experience (preorder it here!), the band graced us with not only a pair of newer tracks we hadn’t heard before (the impeccably titled “The First Ten Minutes of Cocksucker Blues,” and “Boston Street Lullaby”), but played some older ones we hadn’t heard in a while either. The set’s centerpiece is a sprawling three-parter, consisting of the older “Paranoid Cat” into a transitional jam that takes us into “Solar Motel Part II.” A twenty-five minute epic that left the room spinning. Easing us out of 2015 with the quiet closer “Boston Street Lullaby,” we look forward to what 2016 has in store for Chris Forsyth. And no doubt, we’ll be there to capture more exciting shows to come.

I recorded this set with the mics set up at the stage lip, combined with a board feed from Trans-Pecos FOH, Ned. The results are outstanding. Enjoy!

Downloads are available at the Live Music Archive

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band
2015-12-12
Trans-Pecos
Queens, NY

Exclusive download hosted at nyctaper.com
Recorded and produced by Eric PH

Soundboard (engineer: Ned) + AKG C480B/CK61 (stage lip) > Roland R-26 > 2xWAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (align, mixdown, balance, compression, normalize, fades) > Izotope Ozone 5 (EQ) > Audacity 2.0.5 (downsample, dither, tracking, tagging) > FLAC (16/44.1, level 8)

Tracks [1:06:15]
01. Anthem I
02. Anthem II
03. The Ballad of Freer Hollow
04. Paranoid Cat > Jam >
05. Solar Motel Part II
06. The First Ten Minutes of Cocksucker Blues
07. Boston Street Lullaby

Support Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band: Website | Facebook | Preorder The Rarity of Experience from No Quarter

NYCTaper Presents: Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band + Herbcraft – Tomorrow Night (Saturday) at Trans Pecos

December 11, 2015
By

CF AJ

Over the last two years Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band has become one of the favorite bands of the NYCTaper crew. The band has also been one of our go-to performers when it comes to taping — in slightly over two years, there are now seven SMB recordings on the site from a variety of our favorite venues (all available here). Listening to the music, its easy to see why the band is attractive to us. They combine many of the elements and influences that we favor, including psych-rock, space rock and a healthy dose of the innate ability to improvise and elevate the music to a higher plain. Its a rare ability and one that’s hard to describe but easy to recognize when you see it and hear it. Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band have that “X” factor that must be seen live to be truly understood.

Of all of the local venues where we’ve experienced SMB, it was the most glaring omission that the band had not previously performed at the City’s premiere location for music that transcends genres and easy descriptions, Trans Pecos. We are so pleased to be able to present SMB at Pecos. It seems like such a natural pairing and we expect that the venue’s vibe will fit perfectly with the band’s live show.

Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band will release their new album The Rarity of Experience in March and No Quarter Records released a teaser for the record today. We expect to see some of that new material at tomorrow’s show. Here is the teaser:

When it came to the invitation for the support act for this special night, we were certain that the band needed to be someone who shared a musical kinship with Forsyth. We harkened back to a very memorable experience acidjack had at Mercury Lounge in early 2014, a “heady” night that made such a mark that the show made our “Best Of” list for entire year of 2014. The band was Herbcraft, and although we have not seen them since that night, the music was really quite a perfect fit for this show. Herbcraft have released an even spacier album in August of 2015 called Wot Oz (with our friends Woodist) and we are very much looking forward to seeing the new material live.

Here’s a track “Push Thru The Veil” from the 2014 Herbcraft recording:

Trust us on this show. This will be an experience to remember. Support the bands, come to the show. Heck, if you’re in NYC and you’ve downloaded material from this site, support us too. We’d like to keep presenting these kinds of shows.

The Details:
NYCTaper Presents
Chris Forsyth and The Solar Motel Band (Philadelphia)
Herbcraft (Maine)

Live at Trans Pecos
Saturday December 12, 2015
Doors at 7pm

Trans Pecos
915 Wyckoff Avenue
Ridgewood Queens NY [MAP]

L Train to Halsey or J/M to Myrtle-Wyckoff
ALL AGES $12 in advance / $15 Day of Show

Tickets in advance through Ticketfly (save three bucks!) are [HERE]

Facebook Invite Page is [HERE].

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