I recently got to chat with Vegas Nacy of Faded Line about his time in the 518 scene. We talk about Faded Line’s new single “Bury the Hatchet” (Check this song out) and their new EP coming out, a couple stories of the days of the past, and what the Albany music scene has in store next. Faded Line is nominated for "Best Hardcore Band" 2026 Extreme Music Awards and will perform at the pre-party. January 16 & 17 at Empire Live in Albany New York.
I’ve been going to shows in Albany for 27 years now. There are certain things in life that are known values, this rings true for concerts in the 518.
-No matter the time of year, the ceiling at Northern Lights would sweat on you
- When you left Saratoga Winners and blew your nose, it would leave a black soot (if
your nose wasn’t broken or bleeding)
- If you were at a show you were going to interact with Vegas Nacy one way or another.
A fixture at the door, behind the bar or on stage with a plethora of bands through the
years.
Who is the best band or artist you have seen live?
This is a two-parter:
1. The first act I ever saw live as a kid was Johnny Cash - and he was pure fire!
2. The band I’ve seen many many times, as well as opened for, is Deftones
You have been around the scene for so long – from bouncing at Northern Lights and Saratoga Winners, to singing in bands across the Capital District. Can you give a brief synopsis of your roles over the years?
I will break this down as simple as possible because there is a lot!
Saratoga Winners ‘92-’02 - Bartender, Security. My bands Bone Box and Bruise Bros.
did many shows there.
QE2 ‘94 - Recent - Bartender, Security. My bands Bone Box, Bruise Bros, Embrace the
Curse, Faded Line did many shows here.
Northern Lights - ‘02-’20 - Bartender, Security. My bands Bruise Bros, Selfish Needy
Creatures, Embrace the Curse did many shows here.
Hudson Duster - ‘04-’06 - Bartender, Security. My band Bruise Bros
Empire - Current – Security. My band Faded Line doing great shows!
Plus, many other bars and pubs!
I got to hear the new Faded Line song ‘Bury the Hatchet’ right before it was aired on Capital Underground - and it is BAD ASS. What lies ahead as we turn the calendar forward into 2026?
Thank you SO much! I truly feel blessed every time We get positive feedback!
Our new EP release “The Only Way Out Is Through” will be released early 2026. We will
be aiming to do some traveling with this release, AND we have already begun writing
new songs - so we are amped up!
You grew up in the days of Saratoga Winners, Bogies, QE II and Valentines. How does today’s music scene compare to what it was back then?
In all honesty, back then it was just a beautiful mix of chaos, support, edginess and passion. You literally could be so creative and honest with whatever moved you.
As a lyricist, I find it very frustrating these days, because you have to make sure not to offend someone or else you get blacklisted or kicked off tours if someone doesn’t like what you are writing about, and half the time it is misconstrued anyways!
I, however do not fear nor write around others opinions. My advice to the younger bands is the same - write what moves YOU, not what you think others want to hear.
(Separate question) What kind of wild stories - without opening up any new
charges - do you have from your days at Winners?
I have actually started writing a book (hopefully I finish it before I croak), titled “Scars to Prove it” and a lot of stories in there, but a few that pop into my head:
Urinal broke with someone's head in men’s bathroom
Pro-Pain show: Winter, end of the night a band member took a bouncer’s car that was warming up and was doing donuts in the parking lot etc. The bouncer wasn’t familiar with the band members, and yanked him out of the car
and started manhandling him. The band member went onto the bus and retrieved a gun. It was just the owners, staff and band, and it was quite a standoff that
ended without anyone getting shot!
A guy on PCP beat up a blind guy (yes a blind guy) at a Type O Negative show. We (Security), dragged him outside and because he was on this drug he just kept getting up and coming at everyone, even punching police when they showed up! Well, this guy went to jail and to the hospital and I can only imagine
what he felt like for weeks after this!
What does your crystal ball say about the future of music in the Capital District,
and where we’re headed from here?
I think the 518 is getting the acknowledgement that we were getting in the 90’s! We have incredibly talented bands that are starting to get regional and national attention. We have killer venues like Empire Live and Empire Underground, promoters like Valente and upstate Black N’ Blue, radio stations like WABY with DJ’s like Ralph Renna and Chris Lynch, and interviewers such as yourself.
We have incredible podcast greats like Fuzz and That Fuzzing Rock Show, great magazines like Xperience monthly with Art Fredette and Rob Smittix etc., so it really has that OG vibe that we had for a long time in the Capital District!
Facebook - Faded Line / IG - @Fadedlinekills - Soundcloud, apple music, spotify - new music coming soon!
Catch Faded Line opening up for the Extreme Music Awards pre-party on January 16 th
at Empire Underground and listen to Capital Underground on WABY Sundays at 6pm to hear “Bury the Hatchet”
