reviews

JAZZ MANDOLIN PROJECT w/ RED LIGHT DISTRICT

November 5th 1999 - Coyne P.A.C.: LeMoyne College - Syracuse, NY

As I handed the ticket-taker my $5 admission, I told her that everyone attending this show at LeMoyne College's brand-new Coyne Performing Arts Center was in for a real treat. I knew that Jazz Mandolin Project would put on a great show. Earlier in the year at Styleen's, they'd wrung sounds from mandolin and bass that I'd never even imagined could be made. Well, on this night, even I was in for a pleasant surprise. Not only did Jazz Mandolin Project leave the crowd in awe, but Red Light District played a steaming acoustic set before JMP took the stage.

Red Light District is a five piece outfit that reminded me of the Dave Matthews Band on espresso. Terry Potter's throaty lead vocals and Michael Vincitore's economical and understated lead guitar were standouts, but the whole crew was tight and tuneful. RLD didn't wander off on many extended jams this night, but the musical pieces fit together like a fine interlocking puzzle. Original tunes like "Reconcile", "Discrepancies" and "I Remember" showed off big-league songwriting, including some taut vocal interplay between Potter and second guitarist David Boudov. The band's impressive use of dynamics and tempo changes sustained a set of songs that hinted at influences ranging from calypso to country, but always rocked.

(article continues with review of Jazz Mandolin Project)

 

From the Jan/Feb edition of Music Outlook

Review of RLD's CD, "Beer, Lies, and the Mighty Clothespin, by Gary McCracken Jr.

If you haven't heard Red Light District by now, you've been missing out on one of the best sounding bands I've heard around this area in a while. This stands for a couple of main reasons. One, is how tight they are, and the other, is their pure ability to write great songs. I'll be reviewing their 1998 release, Beer, Lies, and the Mighty Clothespin this time around.

If you're wondering who they sound like, I'd have to say the biggest sound-alike would be hands-down Blind Melon with a touch of The Dave Matthews Band. It's almost scary how much the lead vocalist Terry Potter sounds like Shannon Hoon. The band follows through on an almost hippie-rock sound as well, playing great melodies and staying so tightly together it makes me wonder why these guys aren't signed yet. They've got the talent for sure, and any one of these songs could be on college radio and MTV.

This music makes you want to have fun, relax, dance, drink some beer, smoke some... well, you get the idea. It's just good "hanging out and partying with friends" music. The songs range from happy to sad, but never dull you musically or lyrically. There's not one bad song on this entire disc, which clocks in at ten songs and forty-one minutes long. The sound quality is excellent and professional sounding, as is the packaging. I strongly recommend fans of either aforementioned band to pick this CD up. You should like it a lot. Go see these guys live. Fans of this genre, like me, will not be disappointed at all.

My "hats off" goes to the whole band. What a group of great musicians. I don't plan on missing these guys next time they come around. They're too good. So congratulations on a great sounding disc and the best of luck to you guys. Are there any major labels listening out there?

 

From Sept. 18, 1998 edition of The Bona Venture, St. Bonaventure, NY

Red Light District on fire with explosive new album

By Amber Healy

Contributing Writer

Red Light District's newest CD, "Beer, Lies and the Mighty Clothespin," explodes with 10 tracks of high-energy music reminiscent of both Blues Traveler and Blind Melon - the perfect backdrop for just about anything, from styding to just walking across campus.

This creative quintet had its beginnings at St. Bonaventure in 1992, playing numerous local shows and within a year released an album "Been Around Town." "Safe and Comfortable" followed in 1994.

As for the CD itself, the relaxed undertone of tracks such as "Reconcile" and "I Remember" have a catchy sound and an almost folk-like feel to them. Lyrically, the band covers everything from broken hearts to drunken parties, all with the same honest and truthful sincerity that makes this an album worth remembering. "In My Soul," a reflective song, welcomes in Terry Potter's vocals with a great guitar line.

Mike "RC" Vincitore displays his talent with the guitar, which is complemented by the bass lines of Chris Walker, Dave Boudov's rhythm guitar and Sean "Scales" Scanton's percussion prowess. Throughout the album, the band incorporates many unusual instruments, including the harmonica, reminiscent of Blues Traveler.

With its easy-going, mostly mellow undertones and stright-from-the-heart lyrics, this band could become a successor to the droves of Blind Melon fans with no one to follow since Shannon Hoon's untimely death in 1995.

Check out this great band now before it finally achieves long-overdue success. Who knows? Next time the band comes back to St. Bonaventure, it could be headlining at the Reilly Center.

January Edition of "The Edge," Syracuse, NY

From time to time, among the normal tribute music and the usual trend of local bar bands, there is a group that stands out because of its unusual style. The latest group to make the 'fresh talent' list is red light district (rld). This group has successfully carved a niche for itself in the music industry and is spreading beyond the borders of pop with an innovative originality.

rld's current, danceable sound has evolved over the last five years into a new expression of modern music. While using a well-founded, natural pop flavor, the group adds a spin to its sound by using a high-energy groove style. The result is a high-impact show that is guaranteed to please any audience.

The group comprising Dave Boudov (rhythm/vocals), Terry Potter (vocals), Sean "Scales" Scanlon (drums), Mike "RC" Vincitore (lead guitar), and Chris Walker (bass), has an extensive history that backs up its current success.

In te winter of 1992 the original members of red light district started the journey, while based at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. The group played show after show and took to the studio. In 1993 their first release, "Been Around Town", sold out quickly to the following that began to develop around them. Rather than re-release the same album, the group in 1994 went back to the studio and pressed a disc called "Safe & Comfortable." Once again, the album sales were high and the band spent the next four years developing its stage presence.

In 1995, rld added the percussive expertise of "Scales" Scanlon. Collectively, they booked shows from Mine to Maryland, and focused primarily on college and club markets.

In 1997, the band also added bassist Chris Walker to the rhythm section. With the band now complete, rld went back to the studio again and produced another album called "Beer, Lies, & The Mighty Clothespin" (released on June 27th, 1998 - Planet 505, Syracuse, NY). Currently, rld is back in New York State with a show that continues to captivate audiences.

Other Interesting Band Facts

Conan O'Brien Show: In June of 1994 they were the first runners up in the National Unsigned Band Talent Contest.

Opened for acts such as the 10,000 Maniacs and the Ominous Seapods (Spring Weekend, St. Bonaventure '96 Olean, NY and Sterling Kampitheatre, May 22, 1998, Sterling, NY respectively) 100.9 K-Rock/Syracuse New Times: In June of 1995 they placed second out of 36 in Exposure '95, a statewide battle of the bands held in Syracuse, NY.

red light district has a unity within the music and among the band members that pulls the audience out of its chairs and to the edge of the stage. The band consistently puts on a high-energy show with a style that is not only loved by the mass audience, but is also entirely original. rld is a must-see.

From Friday, July 3, 1998 edition of The Evening Sun, Norwich New York.

Red Light District:

Popular band with local connections to play at 4th of July Celebration

By John Altamura

Sun Staff Writer

Regional band Red Light District will be performing two shows in the Norwich area on the Forth of July.

The first show will take place at the Rotary Family Fun Days and Balloonfest. After the 5 p.m. show, the band will play again at the Broad Street Tavern. There will be a #3 cover charge at the door for everyone 21 and older.

Acting Manager and Promoter Joe Root believes that Red Light District (RLD) will be a big hit with the fans. "This area will really like them," said Root. "This is a good opportunity to express the talent in this area to the community."

Root is a native of Norwich and owner of his self titled music promotion company Joe Root Productions. As a promoter, Root looks for many qualities in an up and coming band. One of the qualities he looks for is originality. He said there are many bands out that copy each other.

"Don't try to impress the industry, impress the crowd," said Root, referring to the advice he gives to bands such as RLD. As a promoter, Root tries to help bands like RLD gain national recognition. Originally a college band, RLD was formed in 1993 when five St. Bonaventure University students played local gigs at area bars. As their music spread across the northeast on college radio stations, so did their popularity. "They are always well received on college campuses," said Root.

One of their career highlights to this date was an opening performance for 10,000 Maniacs. Since then, they have played in several clubs in Syracuse including Styleen's and the 505. Aslo they were first runners up in the National Unsigned Band Talent Contest, which aired on the Conan O'Brien show.

One member of the band has ties to the Norwich area. Terry Potter, a native of New Berlin, is looking forward to performing in his own neck of the woods. "This is a great opportunity for us," said Potter. "This is the first time that my friends and family will get to see this band play live."

So what kind of music can people expect to hear from RLD? According to Root, their musical style is not like anything out on the music scene today. He did say if you had to compare them to anyone, their musical style has the pop element of Matchbox 20 and the rhythmic style of the Grateful Dead and Phish.

Potter, who is the lead singer, said each member of the band incorporates his own musical tastes into music. "Everyone in the band lends his own piece into the performance," said Potter.

Red Light District will have its first album titled "Beer, Lies and the Mighty Clothespin" available for the public on June 27th. Although Potter did not speculate on the band's future plans, he did say that they are all aiming for the top.