The brewery has The Crazy Fools scheduled to play this Saranac Thursday. The Crazy Fools are are a really cool band that plays a wide variety of music. Being named after the song "Crazy Fools" written by Sublime front man Bradly Nowell, its obvious that one of the major influences came from the band Sublime out of Southern California. I have also seen this winner of the 2003 Utica, NY - WOUR Battle of the Bands winner play lots of other music. I have heard them play excellent reproductions of songs from bands such as Ween, Phish, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, The Foo Fighters, and many more.

This is a popular band in the Utica area, I can't count how many stickers I have seen on cars in local traffic, and the countless times I have seen them rock out at The Electric Company. The Crazy Fools have a solid fan base and should bring some great energy to the Saranac Breweries stage.

But, sorry Utica, but I won't make it to Saranac Thursday tonight, and I will not be attending next weeks Saranac Thursday on June 26, 2008. I took a little vacation, I am most likely on a beach in Cape Cod drinking Utica Club that I brought with me from good ole Utica, NY. In some ways I actually miss the fact that I'm missing these 2 Saranac Thursdays. Things are just starting to get fired up at the Saranac Brewery. I will be back in town for the Saranac Thursday on July 3. See you there!

This past weekend was one for the history books! When home grown band moe. came back to Utica to blow the minds off of thousands during a two night concert series. I was a lucky one who attended both nights and I got to hear a lot of good music. Check out my moe. Saranac Brewery pictures.

Here are the set lists for both nights. Please be cool cause this is as best as I can remember.

6/13/2008 Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY

Set 1: She Sends Me> Captain America> Seat of My Pants, Deep This Time, Bring It Back Home> Wicked Awesome

Set 2: The Road> Kyle's Song, Lazarus> George> Bullet

6/14/08 Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY

Set 1: Dr. Graffenberg (NH), Akimbo, Down Boy, So Long > Not Coming Down (NH), Wormwood > 32 Things

Set 2: Where Does the Time Go? (NH), Cathedral (NH), Waiting for the Punchline, Kids

I do remember that the "Lazarus" set on the first night was sick, they kept jamming out and then bring it back to "Lazarus". I also remeber the band teasing a lot of songs on friday and then playing then on Saturday like "32 Things". I was dancing during a jam and said wait its gonna be "32 Things" I was convinced, but it was just a tease and I was thrilled to hear them play "Wicked Awesome". It wasn't till 24 hours later on Saturday when they actually played "32 Things".

I was a little hurt they didn't play "Happy Hour Hero" because it makes references to Saranac Beer. But i have heard it a tone of ties before and I caught a rumor that they had plans to play it the following Monday in NYC.

I love moe. and hope the brewery here in Utica will continue to bring them here. Their music has made a difference in my life and with so many other things that can influence us. It's nice to be influenced by music that has a positive vibe like the music of moe.

Utica New York, I know you're glad summer is here. Its the third official Saranac Thursday, second if you don't count the canceled/fire Thursday we had on the 29th of may. It was a good turn out for the brewery. It wasn't as packed as the last one, but it was chuck full of people.

The beer was flowing, and I watched the crowds hanging out in the courtyard and the front part of the event talking and having fun. I even tried to stay out there to look for a friend who said they were on the way. After a bit I didn't want to wait any longer so I went on in. What a mistake. Dont get me wrong... the beer was good, I love the brewery, but they picked a band that made the brewery unenjoyable. Gridley Paige. Now this is a cover band, They are not a good cover band either, I'm sure upon creation of the band they had talent but now they carry a bad tune in my mind. They cover typical pop songs and don't appeal to me. I truly am sorry if you're a fan but I like to say that I have good taste in music. Gridley Paige leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I mentioned this fact about the suckiness of this band to my friends at the brewery and they say "we can't seem to get rid of them, they have been here since the first Saranac Thursday and they're sort of grandfathered in." So I guess they the band and the brewery think that this band is owed a spot. But in my mind this band is only owed a wake-up call, a thank you and a goodbye. We do NOT need a crappy cover band. Especially one who is to loud and who's lead singer gets off stage and runs through the crowd all sweaty trying to get you involved with the bands crappy medleys that go from Rush to Allanis Morsette. I never want to see a dude singing a horrible chick song. If you are a band, please remember that. I wanted to leave right when I got in there. I remember at one time the singer said that some chicks were showing thier titts down front. What BS! No chicks would show thier titts to that band.

Enough about that... The band sucked but the event was a success all my friends claimed to have a good time, and so did I. I just hope the Saranac Band Picking Committee at the brewery reconsiders having entertainment that makes it impossible to hear the people next you and basically causes people to have a crappy time.

I don't know if I will be at the next Saranac Thursday because I'm going on Vacation, But I'm guessing it will rock and be the highlight of the week for the attendees.

Pictures from Saranac Thursday - June 5th 2008

Here is a slide show of some fun pictures from last weeks Saranac Thursday.

Hey, you did it. You have made it through another long cold winter in Central New York. It was tough, we didn't get enough snow to make all of you snowmobile riders thrilled to live here, and we most likely had just enough to piss off all of you who hate shoveling your snow. Either way today, when the rain didn't come like they predicted and Saranac Thursday finally set off the summer you were happy, as I was. It was one hell of a showing, tons of people came, I estimate around 4,500 Saranac Thursday party goers showed up to the courtyard and listened to Under the Gun under the sun.

Boy was the beer flowing, everyone came out to support the brewery, i saw people i haven't seen in about 11 or 12 years and even my mom was there. That's right pretty much everyone and their mother showed up to kick off the summer. Well My mom was there because were getting close to my birthday and her and my father know how much I love the event.

After the the brewery pushed everyone to the Varick Street bars, We all found out that the support for the brewery went beyond the gates at the brewery courtyard. All the bars on Varick Street were only selling Brewery Products, Saranac Beers and Utica Club. That my friend showed the heart of our city and the love we have for the FX Matt Brewery.

The Electric Company was Packed! Everyone made it in just before the rain started, and then they stayed to watch Dead Rose rock out!

I went home soon after, to get some rest and prepare for the Fridays day of work, but, man! What a way to start Saranac Thursday, What a way to start the summer.

I'm sure the whole Utica, NY area is excited about todays Saranac Thursday. I think there will be more people wanting to attend with the disaster at last weeks Saranac Thursday. The only thing that might keep people away is poor weather. As of right now, it looks pretty good, and I hope the thunder storms they are predicting hold off until at least 8pm. That way we can get out under the sun, and experience the entertainment of Under the Gun, down a couple frosty brews, and spend time with friends.

Even if we catch a little rain I know there will some that still come out in rain gear and umbrellas. Some times when it rains Saranac Thursday is even better, warm weather wet cloths and drunk people make a nice summer parfait.

Rain or shine I will be there to report on the band the attendees and any other happenings at todays Saranac Brewery festival.

After last weeks Thursday night event was canceled due to the fire. People are anxious to get out. I'm sure you are to. Last week was sad, and upset thousands of party goers. Now that the smoke blew over and the damage has been done. The word is out! The Brewery will be open for business this Thursday. I predict that while we are still in the aftermath of the fire, and the weather holds out, there will be a record breaking turn out for this weeks Saranac Thursday.

I think with a band like Under The Gun playing that there will be a few extra folks coming in from Syracuse, NY. I haven't seen This band in a few years but from what I remember they rock and have a pretty big following in Syracuse. I actually think the last place I saw them was either the Electric Co. Or a friends wedding, either way it's sort of a blur.

I hope even more people might come out this week for Saranac Thursday to show support for the brewery and let them know they are a staple in the City of Utica and how much we love having them here brewing their bubbly best.