Blogs

Our latest blog posts

Local band Big Empty organize benefit for homeless veterans by Ralph Renna

93.9 WABY Raven Events will be at Septembers Too Tavern in Albany on Saturday June 14 to help out Albany Housing Coalition. You can start helping by buying a ticket from Patrick Follett. Local bands unite for our veterans with live performances by Big Empty, The Grandstand Jockeys, The Devil You Know, On The Edge, Psycho Mutton Chops. We caught up with Patrick Follett of Big Empty and organizer of the event.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Confessions of a RabidGrnDayGrl: My Teenage Descent Into Punk Rock, Red Flags, and AOL Screen Names By: Christine Collins

Confessions of a RabidGrnDayGrl: My Teenage Descent Into Punk Rock, Red Flags, and AOL Screen Names By: Christine Collins www.whoischristineanyway.com

Posted by Christine Collins at Monday, April 28, 2025
REVIEW: Ginger Geezus live at Rustic Barn Pub Troy 4/25/25 by Richard Hoffay

"Ginger Geezus consists of Alex Riddell on drums, Austin Nicholsen on bass, James Juron on guitar, and Matt “Matty D” Desrochers on vocals. They kicked off at 8pm with a cover of Hendrix’s “Stone Free” and it really set the tone. This band is an absolute wall of sound. The covers they play hit harder than the original compositions and their originals rock even harder. As they pushed through their blistering first set, I also took note and had to admire the presentation as well. These guys looked the part, they looked like rockers, and had the chops to back it up".

Posted by Richard Hoffay at Sunday, April 27, 2025
Dustin Rose of Assault on The Living throws 5 heavy hitters your way.

The death metal scene in Upstate New York went from small to huge rather quickly in the 90s and 2000s. Local promoters and bands were booking a ton of sick shows that featured hardcore, death metal and punk bands. A major contributor to the Death metal community and most brutally known for his demonic vocals in the band Assault On The Living Blazing their own trail and influencing tons of new bands from the 518 over the past 25 years. WABY asked Dustin Rose what are his top 5 heavy hitters?

Posted by Ralph Renna at Saturday, April 26, 2025
Girth Control saved my life by Ralph Renna

In 2012 I was at a point in my life where I stopped listening to hardcore and punk music. I dove into a world of 1970's music like Leon Russell, Cactus, and other obscure sucking in the 70's type jams. This was my rock bottom. What I really needed was someone, something to give me hope. A few years later, I discovered Girth Control. Big, beefy and real punk with attitude, bad jokes, ska influenced satire and energetic live shows. The members of Girth control have asked to keep their identities a secret for this interview. This band may have started as a joke, but for me Girth Control saved my life.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Friday, April 25, 2025
The Music That Changed My Life by Vegas Nacy

Posted by Vegas Nacy at Friday, April 25, 2025
Reflecting on the past "Ritual de lo Habitual" by Penny Piper

Posted by Penny Piper at Friday, April 25, 2025
REVIEW: Buckethead at Empire Live April 23 by Joey Boots

Our listeners love 90s and 2000s rock so much they send reviews and WABY posts them. REVIEW: Buckethead at Empire Live April 23 by Joey Boots

Posted by Joey Boots at Thursday, April 24, 2025
What gives Fuzz a buzz?

From the desk of THAT FUZZING ROCK SHOW! As I sit and ponder this question "What are the albums that changed your life", I thought it would be a lot harder than it actually was. To come up with only 5 albums for this list, with ALL the music that has come from the industry in my 5+ decades of life, it kind of just came to me. So let's delve into my list and let me know what you think. Just keep in mind, this isnt in a top 5 order, for those critics out there.

Posted by Fuzz Kebabjian at Thursday, April 24, 2025
Albums That Changed My Life by Benjamin Kerner

Albums That Changed My Life by Benjamin Kerner, Vocalist of The Phoenix And The Raven

Posted by Benjamin Kerner at Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Ginger Geezus Saves by Ralph Renna

The recipe of rock consists of four simple ingredients, guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Serve it up hot and sticky and everyone will break bread with you. Ginger Geezus preserve and embrace the spirit of Rock and the roll. Pedal to the metal 100 miles an hour and playing live, winning over crowds immediately. The Freight Train demo was released, the gigs got bigger and everyone was praising Geezus. Performances at Powers Park in Troy Last Summer, followed up by The Glove Theatre in Gloversville and The Cohoes Music Hall. Ginger Geezus also picked up a Listen Up Award and were featured live on WMHT TV. We have a good feeling they will be rocking a river or arena near you real soon. WABY was invited to band practice as the band was getting ready for their show at Rustic Barn Pub in Troy This Friday April 25.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Capital Underground with Mike Valente, guitarist of Brick By Brick

New York hardcore hitmen Brick By Brick are tackling their third decade in the worldwide metal scene. Friday April 25, a new ep titled "Collapse on Upstate Records to be released. Plus a hometown show on Saturday April 26 at Empire Live In Albany NY. Loaded with a massive amount of local metal contenders and regional innovators opening show. We spoke with Mike Valente, founding member of Brick By Brick to fill us in.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Albums That Changed My Life by Len Tollerton

Posted by Len Tollerton at Monday, April 21, 2025
WABY REVIEW: Wild Adriatic Roars Back with Electrifying Album Release Party at Putnam Place by Penny Piper

WABY REVIEW : Wild Adriatic 4/18/25 Putnam Place by Penny Piper Wild Adriatic made a powerful return to their hometown stage on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs to celebrate the release of their long-awaited self-titled album—their first full-length record since 2017’s Feel. Fans packed the venue wall to wall, eager to be part of this milestone moment for the beloved rock band.

Posted by Penny Piper at Monday, April 21, 2025
Soundtracks for the Rebellion: How 90s & 2000s Alt-Rock Scored My Life By: Christine Collins

“Soundtracks for the Rebellion: How 90s & 2000s Alt-Rock Scored My Life” By: Christine Collins, Host of Who is Christine Anyway? Podcast, Marketing, Branding & PR Strategist

Posted by Christine Collins at Saturday, April 19, 2025
90’s Albums that Changed My Life By Richard Hoffay

When it comes to passion and variety our listeners scream it. 93.9 WABY FM has recruited a few gifted music lovers, who have offered a taste of their experiences. Our Listeners write for WABY, because they are loyal to the radio station! Richard Hoffay, a Local Musician "Jeff Hill Gang" has joined the team with the 90's albums that changed his life.

Posted by Richard Hoffay at Saturday, April 19, 2025
Mike The Enforcer Metallica Top 5

Every weeknight, on 93.9 WABY FM Monday through Friday 7PM to Midnight it’s The Bastard Nation hosted by Mike the Enforcer. Mike features a block of Metallica songs every night and to get you ready for the show in Syracuse, here is Mike’s top 5 Metallica songs.

Posted by Staff at Friday, April 18, 2025
The Dionysus Effect live at the Hangar May 2

We tend to forget the amazing music that was generated in the 90's and 2000's. But then one day we hear a current band that takes us back to that time. Like the first time you discovered grunge. The explosion of bands like Mother Love Bone, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden or Gruntruck. Meanwhile on the other side of the musical spectrum is an industrial angst driven monster of a scene growing. Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Sisters Of Mercy, and even Brooklyn's hardcore- goth rockers Type-O Negative. In the underground was alternative music, Indie, metal and punk brewing worldwide. The Dionysus Effect do not sound like one particular band, they are reminiscent of a generation. See them live Friday May 2 .This free show at Hangar On The Hudson in Troy will also Feature Joe Mansman & The Midnight Revival Band, and The Hard Luck Souls. Christoph Paul of The Dionysus Effect took some tell us about the band.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Friday, April 18, 2025
The Hard Luck Souls at the Hangar on The Hudson May 2

The Hard Luck Souls are an original blues-influenced hard rock band from the Capital District of NY. Big riffs, thunderous drums and bass with melodies to keep the heads banging, the mind cleansed. The Hard Luck Souls will bring a tornado of sound to the Capital Underground stage at The Hangar On The Hudson In Troy on May 2. It's a Free show at 6pm with Joe Mansman &The Midnight revival Band and The Dionysus Effect. We caught up with founding member and vocalist Chris Itani to fill us in.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Midnight Revival Band bring rock to Troy May 2

True rock-n-roll still has a place in the year 2025. At the same time new bands rely on electronic, autotuned bullshit to polish their sound. Joe Mansman & The Midnight Revival Band have dedicated the better half of the past decade to putting their soul into creating true rock music. The Glens Falls Based band has graced stages all over this United States touring with the likes of Texas Hippie Coalition and more. At times sharing the stage with 80's metal Icons like Dokken or with 2000s act Hinder. While in the studio recording and every gig, giving blood , sweat and a work hard, die young attitude no one can keep up with. Joe Mansman & The Midnight Revival Band will headline a free show at the Hangar On The Hudson in Troy on Friday May 2. The Dionysus Effect and The Hard Luck Souls will open the show at 7:00PM.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Wild Adriatic "A New Beginning"

I personally have been on a few musical trips with the band Wild Adriatic. By using the word trip, I mean a spiritual and euphoric experience, both sonically and emotionally. I was convinced a long time ago that this band was destined for greatness. Their success driven by a family oriented -hard work ethic, Wild Adriatic return with a new self-titled record and a show to celebrate. Friday, April 18 at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs with friends Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band opening the show. WABY had a chance to catch up with Dustin DeLuke (keys) of the band Wild Adriatic

Posted by Ralph Renna at Sunday, April 13, 2025
Paleface Swiss Review Empire Live Albany, NY (03.26.25)

Hell hath no fury like metal fans at a deathcore metal show and the Paleface Swiss Cursed Tour was no exception. Despite it being a Wednesday, fans had Albany New York Empire Live packed in for what was easily a sold out show. Not seen in the Capital region since 2023, the brutal deathcore band was back for their second time, bringing with them equallybrutal bands, Nasty and Stick To Your Guns.

Posted by Hilary Crannage at Thursday, April 3, 2025
HIGH VOLTAGE METAL 3/26/25

High Voltage Metal every Sunday night 9 PM to 11 PM hosted by Chris Lynch on 939 WABY FM andAlbany, New York and 93.7 WVLZ FM in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can stream online at www.939waby.com or www.937wvlz.com or download the app for both for the best experience. Contact chrislynch@loumedia.com

Posted by Chris Lynch at Sunday, March 16, 2025
Nile & Six Feet Under Review 1/19/25 Empire Live

Heavy snow and slick roads were in the forecast on a brisk January evening in Albany, New York. Despite less than ideal conditions, metalheads young and old braved the weather to rock out with metal legends Nile and Six Feet Under on their Revenge of the Underworlds tour. Joining these metal heavy hitters were Psycroptic and Embryonic Autopsy, who started off the night at Empire Live.

Posted by Hilary Crannage-Gallina at Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Zakk Sabbath review by Hilary Crannage

The gods of metal blessed Albany with a visit from guitar legend Zakk Wilde. Extending the holiday season for many, Wylde visited with his Black Sabbath tribute band, Zakk Sabbath, to the NY capital with 2 days left until the New Year. With him came Iron Maiden tribute band The Iron Maidens and Led Zepplin tribute band (find a better word) Zoso for a night celebrating the OGs of rock and metal.

Posted by Ralph Renna at Thursday, January 2, 2025
Third Eye Blind review 7/16/24 Saratoga Springs

Not even a tornado watch could keep long lines of 90s kids from forming outside of The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to bear witness to Third Eye Blind’s Summer Gods tour with Yellowcard and ARIZONA. 7/16/24

Posted by Hilary Crannage-Gallina at Thursday, July 18, 2024
Capital Underground Scene Report

Posted by Ralph Renna at Friday, May 31, 2024
Rocking The Empire

Posted by Alisha Jenson at Friday, May 31, 2024