Space Ballroom Weekly Round up: 8 shows announced
Space Ballroom announced Werid Phishes, Club XCX, Sicard Hollow, Joe Samba w/ Dale and the Z Dubs, Bay Faction, Yacht Lobsters, Steely Dead and Kool Keith this week. Tickets are on sale now via spaceballroom.com
Weird Phishes
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
January 31 , 2025
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Weird Phishes
Weird Phishes is exactly what it sounds like – the iconic melancholy rock songs of Radiohead completely reborn as danceable, crunchy jams. With full-album performances, unexpected mashups, and gluey funk-driven improvisation, their jam-heavy take on alt-rock classics has sparked an unexpected energy in audiences across the northeast. Cleverly avoiding the “tribute” trope, Weird Phishes continues to push the envelope of what a mashup band can be, delivering performances that need to be experienced in order to believe.
A quick glance at the band’s social media gives a glimpse into why this unlikely mashup proves worthwhile. “Bought tickets on a whim because I love both bands, had wanted to check out the club, and thought it would be amusing. I was not expecting such incredible musicianship and thought that had gone into their set…it was one of the best shows I’ve seen in years.” Said one user. “Clean, creative mashups of a favorite album and great Phish selections. Great energy.” says another. “Impossibly excellent show.”
In July 2019, Weird Phishes solidified their place in the New England jam community, playing back-to-back afterparties after Phish’s performances at Fenway Park. With a growing fanbase and an ever-changing setlist, the band continued their breakout year with a fall run to the midwest. In a weird bout of poetic justice, Weird Phishes was the last band to play at northeast jam-staple venue Nectar’s before the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
When live music came back in 2021, Weird Phishes returned with a force. The band made its triumphant return with a headlining performance at the inaugural Safe and Soundz festival, and took a victory lap with appearances across the northeast at Circus of Life Festival and a sold-out performance to christen Boston’s newest venue, Aeronaut Cannery.
Club XCX
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
February 1, 2025
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Blasting the best of Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Slayyyter, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Chappell Roan, Shygirl, and more!
Sicard Hollow
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
February 4, 2025
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Sicard Hollow
Nashville’s psychedelic punk-grass rockers, Sicard Hollow, grew up sick of any existing institution telling them who and what to be. Now, as they navigate adulthood, they’re equally tired of the music institutions telling them what their music should sound like— so they dunked it in patchouli and a skate-and-destroy ethos that brings an enduring sound into the modern age.
Before the band met in 2018, none of the members ever considered playing bluegrass. Matt Rennick (violin) was working on electronic music, Will Herrin (mandolin/vocals) was playing guitar in rock bands, and Alex King (guitar/vocals) was barely playing music at all. After a few jam sessions, the bluegrass just kind of happened. Since adding Parrish Gabriel (bass) in the Fall of 2019, the band has been on a journey of self discovery within the genre while challenging themselves to make it their own.
Whether it was skateboarding or chasing jam bands, singer/guitar-player Alex King always had a fierce desire to succeed on his own terms. He spent years as an artist without an art-form, searching for a home by pouring every bit of his sweat and heart into anything he was doing. “It took years for me to land on music,” King says, referencing “This I Know” from the album, “but when I found that fire inside my heart, I found my home.”
It just so happened that finding that home coincided with the shutdown of live music due to the pandemic that canceled the entire release tour supporting their debut studio record, ‘Secret of the Breeze.’ During that time, the band turned inward to reflect on their identity and how they could add their generation’s voice to a timeless genre of music. The result,
with the help of producer John Mailander (Billy Strings, Bruce Hornsby) and Recording/mixing engineer Dan Davis (Billy Strings, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley), was a combination of pop-punk melodies, psychedelic instrumental breaks, and existential song-writing all packaged as a bluegrass quartet dressed in tattoos and tie-dyes.
Tracks like Herrin’s “Escape the Unknown,” wrestle with staying true to yourself in a world seemingly fueled by mob-mentality. This positive skepticism toward the main-stream permeates the entire record. Songs like “Forecast of Life” and “Where I’m At” impress a new-American-Zen that dances through the chaos with a smile on your face. If unapologetically being yourself is the key to finding the “Brightest of Days” ahead, then you’ll hear it here first from Sicard Hollow.
Joe Samba with Dale and the ZDubs
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
February 21, 2025
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Joe Samba
Guitar slung low, microphone turned up, and emotion overflowing, Joe Samba taps into rock ‘n’ roll spirit and reggae soul all at once. The Massachusetts-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist sonically teeters on an axis of island-inflected grooves and gritty guitar-craft balanced by his dynamic vocals. He finds the sweet spot between smoked-out Caribbean bliss and sweat-soaked punkified energy. It’s why he’s quietly emerged as a phenomenon, toppling charts at #1 and performing alongside everyone from The Dirty Heads to Pepper.
However, he’s primed to unite not only genres, but people as well through a series of 2023 releases and much more to come.
“No matter what walk of life you’re from, I’d love for you to hear the conviction in my music,” he notes. “I hope you think, ‘This dude meant it’. Maybe you relate to what I’m singing about or just cut loose for a little bit. I just write songs and try to connect with people.”
He recognized music’s inherent power to connect as a kid. Dad played bass in a local favorite funk band, while his two older brothers followed suit by picking up the same instrument. At barely seven-years-old, pops pulled Joe up on stage and he busted out a wild rendition of “I Feel Good” by James Brown, leaving the crowd speechless and, unassumingly, deciding his fate. As a teen, he even played at the Boston date of the Warped Tour in his metal band. Post-high school, he cut his teeth by performing in countless bars and watering holes solo. 2019 saw him make a major splash with The Wrong Impression. It bowed at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart and clocked over 2 million streams.
At the onset of the Pandemic, he fell in love with Key West and relocated, gigging in bars around Duval Street and writing as much as possible.
“I moved because it’s absolutely beautiful,” he grins. “It felt like the end of the world, but I was in this amazing town. I found comfort in knowing if everything blew up in my face, I could drink a Corona in the Keys and keep jamming.”
On the other side of the Pandemic, he returned to New Hampshire with his fiancé and newborn son in tow, settling near his family once again. Signing to LAW Records, he continued to evolve with 2022’s Far From Forever highlighted by fan favorites such as “Create Something,” “Beef,” and “Got it All.” At the same time, he coped with depression, infusing darker experiences into his music in an effort to confront them.
“Before I was engaged and my son was born, I went through a really depressing path of life,” he admits. “If you have a past trauma you can’t get over, it will hold you back. However, I want to let people know everyone feels shitty from time to time. So much reggae is happy all the time, but I wanted to get into another vibe.”
That’s precisely what he does on the 2022 single “Boomer Economy.” On the track, a thrash-y guitar riff crashes right into a laidback reggae break as he alternates between galloping rapid delivery and a magnetic chantable chorus, attempting to bridge the generational gap.
“My dad is a boomer, and we butt heads sometimes,” he explains. “I love him to death. It’s scary how alike we are, but he’s from a different time. I was living at home in my twenties, and he was on me about getting out of there. I was feeling rebellious like, ‘Why do we need to argue about this bullshit when we’re trying to preach the same message?’ It doesn’t say, ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’. It’s about trying to find healthy common ground, but still having a ‘fuck you’ attitude,” he grins.
By building musical common ground on a foundation of honest emotion, Joe has the power to speak to any generation with more music on the horizon.
“It doesn’t matter who you are I hope you feel what I’m saying,” he leaves off. “Right now, I have everything I need. The universe dumped it all into my lap: ‘Here’s the family, here’s the career, here’s the team, and here’s the vision’. I’m just jumping on the train like, ‘Let’s do it’.”
Dale and the ZDubs
From prison to pandemic, Dale and the ZDubs aka “Snail and the Zebras” are back in full force. Inspired by Dale’s 2017 to 2020 incarceration for a non-violent drug crime, DZD’s most recent full length, “Off The Rip,” dropped in mid 2023. Blending groovy reggae influences with a hard hitting rock style, DZD is here to tell raw, ridiculous, and vulnerable stories while thrilling audiences across the country. As Snail describes the genre-bending quartet, “We are storytellers. And when we tell these stories, there are no click tracks, no vocal processing, and no backing tracks. WE PLAY LIVE!”
After the 3 year hiatus, DZD went to work putting instrumentation and melody behind the lyrics Dale wrote on the inside. Dale also hit up some old friends to be part of the comeback. The result is the current stream of dope-ass singles including “This Time” feat. The Elovaters, “Pathological” feat. Bumpin Uglies, and of course, “Her Melody” feat. HIRIE. In addition, ska-punk-fan-favorite, “Neighbors,” featuring BALLYHOO! was also finally released on the new 12-song LP, “Off The Rip.”
In early 2024 a seismic lineup shift occurred. A new DZD formed, combining some of the original cast of the ZDubs with some new and prolific musicians. Among those players is Tyler “T. Nasty” Vickery (bass and vocals), formerly of Sun-Dried Vibes, and Nekoro “Neko” Williams (bass and vocals), formerly of People’s Blues of Richmond. These two additions, along with OG DZD member and Berklee grad, Pat “Sheen” Shine on lead guitar, have invigorated DZD’s classic sound with renewed energy and spirit. The lineup: a “Snail,” a “Sheen,” a “T. Nasty”, and a “Neko” has manifested a “sauce” (as Mellodose says) on top of the live show that may possibly be too spicy for some.
DZD’s obsession with performing live keeps the wheels on the tour van turning continuously across the country. DZD has recently shared the stage with the likes of Sublime with Rome, Passafire, Andy Frasco, Bumpin Uglies, Little Stranger, Kash’d Out, Long Beach Dub Allstars, and Artikal Sound System. High-energy live shows feature multi-part vocal harmonies, along with thick guitar driven melodies. Sometimes Snail and the Zebras get a little fucken crazy on stage too.
Bay Faction
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
February 23, 2025
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Bay Fraction
Born out of an online message board, Bay Faction emerged in the Boston DIY scene in 2015 with the debut of their self-titled record. It was the first release on Counter Intuitive Records with the band’s album pressed on highly coveted vinyl. Following its release, Bay Faction spent 2 years rigorously touring nationwide, developing a cult-like following. After graduation, the band relocated to New York, and camped out in a suburban New Jersey basement to write and record their sophomore record Florida Guilt. The record marked a departure from their earlier style, trading in a conventional rock setup for sampled drums, synths, and vocal processing, embodying the ethos they had long sought to define. Highsnobiety named Bay Faction as “your favorite band you haven’t heard of yet” and nationwide touring ensued to promote their album. On the heels of the pandemic, Bay Faction bid farewell with the release of Swan Dive, their final song before entering hiatus. Now, in 2024, the band relaunched with a sold out tour and release of new singles Drive Home, Eye Sore, and Sunshine, from their highly anticipated forthcoming EP.
Yacht Lobsters
Space Ballroom • 95 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
March 7, 2025
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Yacht Lobsters
Steely Dead
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
March 21, 2025
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Steely Dead
Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Denver, Colorado, Steely Dead is a national touring band that has satisfied the curiosity of music lovers with their unique blend of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan. Comprised of four exceptionally talented musicians – Dave Abear on guitar, Matt Abear on bass, Chris Sheldon on drums, and Dylan Teifer on keys – Steely Dead has gained a dedicated following with their electrifying performances and soulful interpretations of classic tunes.
Steely Dead’s repertoire is a carefully crafted fusion of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan songs, between the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan, cross-pollinated with the Grateful Dead’s free-flowing, melodic improvisation and masterful song segues. Steely Dead merges these major concepts together infusing the influence into each band, all the while creating an original jam element with the song segues. Steely Dead’s performances are a musical journey that takes audiences on a nostalgic trip through the golden era of rock and roll.
As a national touring band, Steely Dead has built a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates their shows and follows them from city to city. Their performances are not just concerts, but communal gatherings where fans come together to celebrate the music they love, dance, and create lasting memories.
Steely Dead’s performances are a testament to the power of live music, bringing people together and creating an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the last note fades.
Steely Dead is not just a band; it’s a musical experience that captures the hearts and souls of music lovers everywhere
Kool Keith & MC Homeless
Space Ballroom • 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden, CT 06514
April 5, 2025
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Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton (born October 7, 1963), better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, known for his surreal, abstract, and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is generally considered to be one of hip-hop’s most eccentric and unusual personalities.
Kool Keith was a cofounding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, whose debut Critical Beatdown was released in 1988. After two more albums with the group, Funk Your Head Up and The Four Horsemen, Kool Keith released his critically acclaimed solo debut album, Dr. Octagonecologyst, under the name Dr. Octagon in 1996. He subsequently released a series of further independently released hip hop albums, including Sex Style, First Come, First Served (as Dr. Dooom), and most recently Keith
After releasing only one album on a major label, Black Elvis/Lost in Space, Kool Keith subsequently returned to independently releasing music, producing further efforts as a solo artist and in collaboration with groups such as Analog Brothers, Masters of Illusion, Thee Undatakerz and Project Polaroid. Kool Keith has also made guest appearances in collaboration with Peeping Tom and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He was also featured on the short track DDT on Jurassic 5’s album Power in Numbers. The Prodigy’s hit “Smack My Bitch Up” was based on a sample of Kool Keith’s voice saying “Change my pitch up. Smack my bitch up” on Give The Drummer Some by Ultramagnetic MCs.
In 2018, Keith collaborated once again with Dan the Automator and DJ Qbert for another Dr. Octagon album. Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation was released on streaming services on April 6, 2018, with the physical release scheduled for Record Store Day, April 21, 2018. The Record Store Day release includes both vinyl and CD copies. Using his Deltron persona, Del the Funky Homosapien guests on “3030 Meets the Doc, Pt. 1”. NPR offered a first look at the album on March 29, 2018. Kool Keith appears on “Western” by the bluegrass-rap group Gangstagrass, performing as himself. Throughout five years, Thornton released Controller of Trap, Keith, Computer Technology, Saks 5th Ave, Space Goretex (with Thetan), Keith’s Salon, Subatomic (with Del the Funky Homosapien), Serpent (with Real Bad Man), and Black Elvis 2.
MC Homeless
MC Homeless is a rapper and punk artist who has been releasing independent music, touring the US and the world for the last two decades. Homeless grew up attending punk and hardcore shows in Youngstown, Ohio. After listening to rap all his childhood, he decided to pick up the microphone in 11th grade. Homeless would hone his skills at Kent State University, sharing the stage with acts such as The Coup, MC Chris, Ceschi Ramos, Astronautalis, and many more. The handmade Pink Unicorns EP was released around this time which earned him a review in Cleveland Scene magazine.
Homeless toured across the Midwest and Northeast, eventually linking up with DIY Bandits who would release his first full length album Trapped Under An Ohio Sky. DIY Bandits previously only released folk punk such as Johnny Hobo aka Pat The Bunny and Ghost Mice but Trapped was a sleeper hit for Homeless and ended up getting a rave review in Alternative Press magazine. This led to relentless touring and a split 12 inch with Indonesia’s Homicide. All while also fronting a hardcore band and working in the film world. His documentary “Destroy Cleveland” about the Cleveland hardcore scene received global acclaim with features in The Guardian, Vice, and Noisy when originally released in 2015.
After many tours of America, Europe, and beyond, Homeless disappeared from hip hop for six years. He suddenly reemerged in 2017 and released Sex & Death on Fake Four Inc which is also home to Ceschi, Moodie Black, Sadistik, among others. His sound had matured and changed from a more traditional underground hip hop style into a dark industrial hip hop sound. Homeless is now working on multiple projects which combine his love for industrial, hip hop, and punk rock.
Homeless has had releases on standout independent labels such as Fake Four Inc., Milled Pavement, worked and toured with artists from Project Blowed, Geto Boys, and is known for combining the intensity of punk rock and underground hip hop into something unique. Homeless has been collaborating with Kool Keith since 2019 and was national opener with DJ HALO for the Black Elvis National tour Fall 2023.
Don’t miss
Two Humans ‘Institute of Living’ 10-Year Anniversary w/ The Most – December 20
Many Eyes w/ Bone Church – December 21
Spring Heeled Jack’s Holiday Romp & Stomp w/ Mephiskapheles, The Kilograms, 9th Wave – December 27
Hot To Go: The Chappell Roan Party – December 28
American Elm Performs “Resounder”: A Live Song Cycle w/ Still Rivers – January 4
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