The Push Stars @ “Foodstock 9” The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY

Live Reviews | Dec 6th, 2016

Date: December 3rd, 2016
Bands: Jason Risser, Snaphammer, Kristen Capolino, SIRSY, Adam Ezra Group

The 9th Foodstock festival happened at The Chance in Poughkeepsie on Saturday December 3rd. The Push Stars were headlining and lately it’s been a rare event for them to get together so I had to make the trek up there to see them perform again!

For those that don’t know about Foodstock Fund, they are a non-profit organization charitable fund that put on events to raise money, food, and supplies for several organizations within the Hudson Valley of New York State. I haven’t been to a Foodstock event yet but it’s a great idea to help out others, especially around the holidays. My In-Laws are in the process of moving so I got a bunch of cans of food from their house to donate.

Since I live in Jersey City now, I stayed over at my in-laws that night since I didn’t feel like driving 2 hours after the show. It’s been 2 years since my last show at the Chance (Pilfers) and it’s always a bit nostalgic returning there since I saw so many shows there for 20 years. For the most part, nothing has changed at the Chance.

I got to the Chance a little after the doors opened. The Jason Risser Band opened up the show and they were interesting. The singer had some Venetian mask on and the guitarist was wearing some bright pink jacket. They were pretty good. Snaphammer played after them and they were a local band from Poughkeepsie. They have played a lot of the Foodstock shows in the past. Kind of had a punk & rock sound to them. I dug a few songs of theirs.

Kristen Capolino was up next and she was a lot of fun. Very peppy and happy, and just killed it on her guitar. She really impressed me and loved hearing the metal-ish Christmas songs. Towards the end of her set, she played a cover of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” and then proceeded to wail on the guitar throughout the downstairs of the Chance. I’m sure if the balcony was open, she would have went up there to play too.

SIRSY was after Kristen Capolino. They are a couple that play rock, soul and pop and sound great live. Melanie sings and plays the drums standing up and Rich plays a Rickenbacker with loads of petals. It’s an interesting sound and the crowd loved it. I believe they have played Foodstock a few times as well.

Adam Ezra Group played before The Push Stars came on stage. I’ve seen them once before at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ with Carbon Leaf. I remember they were an ultra positive band that plays many styles mixed together. Besides Kristen Capolino and The Push Stars of course, their set was one of the best. It was freezing in The Chance but Adam still played his set barefoot. Meanwhile I was freezing and wanting to put my scarf and gloves on. At one point, Melanie from SIRSY came up to do a cover of Police’s “So Lonely” with the band and that was a cool cover. I also got a great chuckle out of the Boston themed song they do “Devil Came up To Boston”, set to “Devil Went Down To Georgia.” There’s a funny nod to the Dropkick Murphys in there as well. I also love their mentality as a band and they let fans spend what they want on their music. Definitely check them out if you haven’t yet.

The Push Stars came on stage after not playing together for a year in Vegas. Having them all together playing is rare because Ryan the drummer is out in California, Chris is in Boston and Dan is in Jersey City. Funny enough, I ran into Dan at the local grocery store a year ago and talked for a good 10 minutes. Never met him before so it was nice for Dan to take time out to talk. The last time I saw the Push Stars, they played Hoboken Music & Arts Festival 4 years ago outside and it looked like it was going to rain.

They started things off with one of my favorites, “Any Little Town” and then went into “Paint The Town.” Paint The Town, the album, was represented well that night since the band played “Claire,” “Outside of a Dream,” “Lucky Sevens,“ “Freedom,” and “Keg On My Coffin.” It’s always great to hear “Keg on My Coffin” as well as “Freedom.” “Claire” is one of my favorites as well so I was happy they played it.

Other highlights from their set include “Everything Shines,” the song that got me into the band. Great Big Sea covered it so I decided to check out that song and others. Then realized I heard them before in Farrelly Bros movies. The last song for the set was “Waiting, Watching, Wishing” and I really like that one since the band really gets into it. They did a quick run off the stage and came back to do one song, which was “Cadillac.” They got some help from Dan’s niece to sing along with Chris. I’m sure that was a thrill for her and “Uncle Danny.”

Can’t believe this was only the third time seeing the band, because it feels like I’ve seen them a lot over the years. In reality, I’ve been listening to the Push Stars for 15 years or so but only managed to see them 3 times in the last 5 years. It was great to see the band on stage again and I hope it’s not another 4 years when I get to see them again. Since Dan of the Push Stars announced they are working on NEW ALBUM for Fall 2017, perhaps they will do some touring to promote it? Can’t wait to hear the new tunes!!

My favorite bands from the night. All my photos will be on skapunkphotos.com this week.