Last week I joined the crowd celebrating the launch of The Bench’s new album, “Wet Dream” at a fabulous concert in Reading 3, in Tel Aviv. The atmosphere was electric and the band were euphoric.
The Bench (Lior Itzhaki – Drums, Matan Shatit – Lead Guitar, Guy Strier – Rhythm Guitar, Or Ben Itzhak – Bass and Raziel Mantzur – Vocals) was smoking hot. Their songwriting is phenomenal and their musicianship up there with the best. Their playing was so tight that you couldn’t separate them with a crowbar.
Maktazith (Guitar – Hadar “GAGI” Levi, Bass – Danny Shnaiderman and Drums – Dor Kelman) opened the evening with their unique blend of punk, rock and talk box. The trio’s mastery of their instruments was as sharp as their boot toe-caps.
Setlist
Mess
Spiders
Haze
Elvis Medley (with Ninmrod Shemesh and Sharon Sexton from Blues and Booze)
Mosquito
Hi Girl
Not a Morning Person
Tell Me (with Hadar Levi Gagi and Yali Sharon from Dazy’s Fasulia)
G-Spot — נקודת הג׳י (with Hadar Levi Gagi and Yali Sharon from Dazy’s Fasulia)
On October 22nd, 2024, Chol Hamoed Sukkot, six of Israel’s top cover bands will perform in a mammoth six-hour concert in Tel Aviv’s Ganei Yehoshua. In addition to the main stage, there will also be a second stage with Indie bands — so far Stellar Lane and Gali Givon are the only ones who have been announced.
Gates open at 4:00pn. Times and bands for the main stage:
5:00pm The Sultans Live (Dire Straits)
6:00 pm Ummagumma (Pink Floyd)
7:00pm Whiplash (Metallica)
8:00pm OasisIsrael (Oasis)
9:00pm Nirvana Experience (Nirvana)
10:00pm Guns n’ Moses (Guns n’ Roses)
I heard The Sultans Live last year at a similar event. They are excellent. I can’t vouch personally for the others, but based on these YouTube clips, it promises to be a spectacular event.
Don’t forget to use the “I’m With The Band” discount code kindly provided by Stellar Lane: 276310
Last week I went to hear Tel Aviv band Stellar Lane perform in Blaze Bar in Jerusalem. It is a unique venue and an amazing band.
Stellar Lane is a five-piece alternative rock band comprised of: Brothers Yonatan Vogelsang and Udi Vogelsang (vocals/acoustic guitar and vocals/keyboards respecively), Dotan Kalmar (electric guitar) David Sarussi (drums) and Adam Younger (bass).
The Vogelsang brothers harmonize together fantastically, the musicianship of the quintet is brilliant, and they put on a great show. Their original songs are excellent, and their cover versions are unique. I have been listening to them on Spotify almost non-stop for the past few days.
Stellar Lane, an alternative-rock band rooted in a thriving musical community, was co-founded by siblings Jonathan and Udi Vogelsang, both immersed in a diverse musical background. Shaped by the Grunge scene in Seattle during their formative years, Stellar Lane effortlessly blends nostalgic nineties tones with the contemporary vibes of today’s indie and alternative rock.
The Vogelsang brothers’ dual-vocal delivery is a standout feature, infusing their performances with an energetic and diverse dimension that captivates audiences. After the release of their EP “Follow Your Mind” in 2014, the band embarked on an extensive tour across North America and Europe, gaining recognition at notable festivals like Canadian Music Week and Deichbrand Festival.
I videoed one song from the gig, their cover of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”:
The sound mix at Blaze, and the quality on my camera were not great, so also check out their live stream from a year ago.
If you didn’t catch them in Jerusalem, you can see them live at
Third Ear (Tel Aviv) on October 18, for free.
Hall of Fame Fest (Tel Aviv) on October 22, Tickets available here – use code 276310 (click on “I’m with the band) for a discount
Rocktopia Festival (RIshon Lezion) on November 21.
This site focuses mainly on overseas bands performing in Israel, but I recently discovered an Israeli band, The Bench, which sounds as good or better than many international bands.
The Bench are celebrating the release of their latest album, “Wet Dream” with a concert on Tuesday, October 1st, at Reading 3, in Tel Aviv. Tickets are available from Eventbuzz — only NIS 90 (or go with your partner and get two tickets for NIS 160).
I don’t know much about the band, except that I’ve been listening to their music on Spotify and YouTube non-stop for many hours.
According to what they wrote on BandCamp, The Bench was formed in 2011 by two 16 year-old kids: Or Ben Izhak (Bass), and Raziel Mantzur (Lead Vocals). They started playing music on a bench at their neighborhood.
Today, The Bench consists of 4 members with the addition of Or, Raziel, Lior Izhaki (Drums), and Matan Shatit (Lead Guitar).
The Bench members get their kicks out of rock’n’roll, Motown and groove.
Check out this concert from two years ago at Barby.
And check out The Bench’s new album, “Wet Dream” on YouTube or Spotify.
Michale Graves, the enigmatic figure who stepped into the spotlight as the lead singer of the legendary punk rock band The Misfits is coming to Israel. He will play the Gagarin Club in Tel Aviv on July 16, 2024.
Michale posted on X (Twitter) that, “The night will celebrate the music and legacy of The Misfits from all eras featuring a blistering set of over 20 songs spanning the decades.”
MICHALE GRAVES TO PLAY IN TEL AVIV Michale Graves will visit and play for the very first time at the Gagarin Club Tel Aviv, Israel on July 16th 2024 . The night will celebrate the music and legacy of The Misfits from all eras featuring a blistering set of over 20 songs spanning… pic.twitter.com/5LlQ9PQOpa
Graves replaced the iconic Glenn Danzig, as vocalists for the Misfits, and carried the torch of their distinctive sound and helped usher in a new era for the influential horror-punk outfit.
Born in 1972, Michale Graves (born Michael Emanuel) first gained recognition as the frontman of the Misfits from 1995 to 2000. During this period, he lent his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence to the band, breathing new life into their iconic catalog of songs while also contributing to the creation of several acclaimed albums, including “American Psycho” and “Famous Monsters.”
Graves’ tenure with the Misfits was marked by a fiendish flair and a penchant for the macabre, a hallmark of the band’s signature style. His vocal style perfectly captured the band’s dark and sinister aesthetic, elevating the Misfits’ already legendary status within the punk rock scene.
Musically, Graves’ contributions to the Misfits’ sound showcased a blend of classic punk rock energy with a touch of horror-inspired melodicism. His powerful vocals and the band’s driving, distortion-heavy instrumentation created a sonic experience that was both visceral and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the band’s lyrical themes of horror, the occult, and social outcasts.
During his time with the Misfits, Graves also collaborated with other notable musicians, contributing to projects outside of the band and further expanding his creative footprint. His versatility and willingness to explore new musical avenues have earned him a respected place among the pantheon of punk rock icons.
Since his departure from the Misfits in 2000, Graves has continued to captivate audiences with his solo work and various other musical endeavors. His solo albums, such as “Web of Dharma” and “Wanderer,” showcase a more introspective and eclectic side of his artistry, delving into themes of personal growth and spiritual exploration.
In the years since, Graves has remained a vital figure in the punk rock and alternative music scenes, inspiring a new generation of musicians with his unapologetic and fiercely independent approach to his craft. As the Misfits’ post-Danzig era, his legacy as a crucial contributor to the band’s enduring legacy is cemented, solidifying his place as a true icon of the genre.
Tickets cost ₪179.00 and are available from Raven Music
The Spirit has the honor of being the first international band to confirm an Israel concert since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. The German four-piece death metal band confirmed on their Facebook page that they will perform in the Gagarin Club on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Yishai Sweartz of Raven Metal and Gal Gur-Ariehave worked miracles to bring an international metal concert to Israel, despite the emotional, physical and financial risks involved.
The Spirit formed in 2015 in Saarbrücken, Germany. They released their debut album “Sounds From the Vortex” on their own label Eternal Echoes. Word quickly spread of their chilling blend of black and death metal influences, drawing rave reviews from underground metal publications. Their haunting songs and live performances soon caught the attention of Nuclear Blast Records. Their 2020 album “Cosmic Terror” was well received but their touring plans were cut short by the COVID pandemic after only one month of shows. They were eager to get back on the road and conquer the world with their music.
Their third album “Of Clarity And Galactic Structures” pushed their progressive influences further. Lead singer and songwriter M.T. was more confident exploring these elements after challenging himself creatively. He took influence from classic progressive rock bands and discovered new artists in the genre through the pandemic. The band enjoyed experimenting with these progressive textures but ensured the songs still flowed well.
The band is currently working on their fourth album.
Israel is currently at war. There are very few flights into and out of Israel. Large gatherings are restricted in certain areas. As far as I know, there are no international (or even local) bands performing in Israel at the moment.
Some bands are accused of plagiarism. Änglagård is a band that will never be accused of stealing someone else’s tune. Sure, there was a Genesis tape playing as we walked in, and audience members sported a range of prog rock t-shirts, from Jethro Tull to King Crimson, but the complex, instrumental songs performed by this Swedish five-piece are like nothing else.
The show was an act of love and devotion by Shachar Tal, who crowdfunded the entire concert through an organisation he named Highly Unprofessional Productions, and Kumeran Sahar, who led the production team. The event felt less like a rock concert and more like a bunch of friends getting together to celebrate amazing music. Although it had a very intimate feel, the venue was completely sold out with over 300 people coming to listen to the music of Änglagård.
If you are not familiar with Änglagård, they play unplayable songs with even more unpronounceable titles. The band began in 1991, broke up in 1994, reformed in 2002, broke up again in 2003 and then reformed again from 2011-2012, again from 2014-2017 and reformed most recently in 2022. Three of the current members have been in the band since the beginning (or near enough) — bassist Johan Brand, guitarist Jonas Engdegård and drummer/percussionist Mattias Olsson. They were joined on this tour by Staffan Lindroth on keyboards and Oskar Forsberg playing flute, saxophone, megaphone and shaker.
Tal came on stage to welcome everyone who contributed to bringing the band to Israel and he introduced the band.
Änglagård came on to the small, intimate stage as the tape played Prolog. Then they launched into Gånglåt från Knapptibble. Brand explained that this song was originally recorded for an English prog rock magazine as a floppy record. According to him, those floppy singles are very rare today.
If you are not familiar with Änglagård’s music, they weave patterns of sound with syncopated, odd time signatures. I suppose the best description I can give is organised chaos. If you imagine the more tame, sanitised prog rock bands of the past few decades, Änglagård is nothing like that. They are daring and breathtaking and constantly pushing the limits of what is possible to play and to hear.
Brand played his bass as a lead instrument, often venturing up to the dangerous part of the Rickenbacker neck. He alternated between using a pick and fingers on his Rotosound 606s.
Engdegård switched frequently between electric and acoustic guitar, though he also pulled out a classical at one point. His leather trousers contrasted sharply with Forsberg’s blazer and shorts.
Forsberg’s vibrato-drenched flute sparkled like a diamond, while his saxophone augmented the heavy, bassy keyboards. And he even pulled out a megaphone for “Kung Bore.” Lindroth stayed out of the spotlight, but his keyboards held the entire ensemble together.
Olsson was like a magician, pulling one trick after another out from his drum kit. He played drums, chimes, a gong and a host of other percussion instruments. He even switched to guitar at one point. His rhythms took the band out into the deep, dangerous waters of anarchy, yet remained the bedrock of their sound.
The audience was an interesting mix. There were plenty of middle aged men and women along with a contingent of head banging teenagers in the corner of the stage.
Änglagård in Tel Aviv, September 11, 2023. (David SedleyÄnglagård in Tel Aviv, September 11, 2023. (David Sedley
To highlight how personal this concert was, the band came out to chat with the fans (and sell some merch) during the break (yes, they had an intermission). There were a lot of hardcore fans lining up for photos with the guys.
Davidavi (Vidi) Dolev, vocalist for the opening band Subterranean Masquerade joined Änglagård for the vocals on “Kung Bore.”
Olsson summed up the love in the room when he spoke of the songs and the audience as being old friends and becoming new friends. He quoted the Beatles, saying, “We’d like to take you home with us, we’d like to take you home.”
The concert ended with a haunting theme played in flute.
Subterranean Masquerade
Subterranean Masquerade in Tel Aviv, September 11, 2023. (David Sedley
I’ve seen the opening band, Subterranean Masquerade once before, when they opened for Sons of Apollo. I was very impressed with them then, and they were even better this time (with a slightly different lineup).
Vocalist Dolev looked like an extra from Fiddler on the Roof and spoke of how he was recently weaned off sleeping pills. He has an amazing vocal range, switching from a baritone to growls and then to a high falsetto.
The band’s analogue keyboard textures transported us back to the early 1970s. The pounding toms ensured it was rocking while the duelling guitars interwove lines in a blend of middle eastern and Celtic lines.
Subterranean Masquerade in Tel Aviv, September 11, 2023. (David Sedley
At times, the band were jumping like hasidim at a mitzvah tantz, while at other times they were thrashing and bashing.
The band, comprised of Dolev on vocals, Tomer Pink, Omer Fishbein and Or Shalev on guitar, Shai Yallin on keyboards, Golan Farhi on bass and Jonathan Amar on drums, are one of Israel’s best. Check them out.
Änglagård Setlist
Höstsejd Ur vilande Jordrök Vandringar i vilsenhet Ifrån klarhet till klarhet Kung Bore Encore: Sista Somrar
The Venue Grey. Ibn Gabirol 30. On floor minus one of a shopping mall with a parking lot conveniently located downstairs. Seated venue with capacity for just over 300 people. There is food and drink available. Tables for four. Best to come with a few mates if you feel uncomfortable on my own.
Reggae legend to also perform in Megiddo on August 15; Ravid Plotnik and Ehud Banai’s Kav Achorei (Back Line)
Reggae legend Burning Spear, who will play a concert in Tel Aviv on August 14th, has now added a Megiddo show to his Israel tour.
He will perform at outdoor concert in the Isaac Ochberg Park in Megiddo. Two well-known Israeli artists will support him — Ravid Plotnik and Ehud Banai with his new band, Kav Achorei (Back Line).
As I wrote previously, 78-year-old Burning Spear only returned to touring last year, after a 20 year hiatus. Born Winston Rodney, Burning Spear is considered one of the founders of roots reggae. He began recording music in 1969 and gained initial fame in the 1970s with albums like “Marcus Garvey,” “Man in the Hills,” and “Social Living.” His deep, commanding voice combined with politically and socially conscious lyrics made him a reggae icon and favorite of Bob Marley.
Ravid Plotnik is a rap and hip-hop artist. He has been performing since the age of 15, when he founded the band Produx. Since then, he has recorded and released seven albums. His most recent record is Toch Kedei Tenua (While Moving), released on Nana Disk in 2021.
Ravid Plotkin: Golem
Kav Achorei is a new project of Ehud Banai. He is one of the Banai brothers, famous in Israel for their music.
Ehud Banai formed his first band in 1982. Since then he has recorded and performed on over a dozen albums. He describes Kav Achorei (Back Line) as “folk, punk-acoustic and dub.”
Isaac Ochberg Park is named for the South Africa businessman, philanthropist, saviour of Jewish children and Zionist visionary.
All Trails describes Ochberg Memorial Lookout as:
Ochberg Memorial Lookout is an impressive and special memorial site, located in Ramot Menashe between Ein Hashofet and Ramat Hashofet. At the site is a scenic lookout spot offering views of a large area in Ramot Menashe and Kibbutz Dalia.
It is named for Isaac Ochberg who was born in Uman in 1878 and died at the age of 59 in Cape Town, South Africa. Yitzhak visited Israel in 1926 and was a delegate to the 1929 Zionist Congress in Zurich, bequeathing a quarter of a million pounds to the JNF in his will which was a huge sum in those days. With his money, the lands of the nearby kibbutzim Dalia and Gilad (1945) were purchased.
One of reggae’s founders, 78-year old to play Tel Aviv for first time in 30 years
Burning Spear is returning to perform in Israel for the first time in 30 years. The 78-year-old reggae and dub artist from Jamaica only returned to touring last year, after a 20 year hiatus. He will perform in the Barby Club in Tel Aviv on August 14, 2023.
Burning Spear, born Winston Rodney, is considered one of the founders of roots reggae. He began recording music in 1969 and gained initial fame in the 1970s with albums like “Marcus Garvey,” “Man in the Hills,” and “Social Living.” His deep, commanding voice combined with politically and socially conscious lyrics made him a reggae icon and favorite of Bob Marley. Burning Spear addressed themes of African heritage, militant black pride, and Rastafarian religious beliefs in his music. Hits like “Marcus Garvey” and “Slavery Days” captured the hearts of reggae fans and helped spread Burning Spear’s message.
In the 1980s and beyond, Burning Spear continued recording and touring regularly, releasing over 40 studio and live albums to date. His musical style has evolved over time to incorporate elements of dub, rocksteady, and dancehall but with Burning Spear’s signature socially conscious lyrics and rich rhythms. His commitment to speaking truth to power through music has remained constant.
Burning Spear is considered something of a godfather of reggae music, and his influence can be heard in younger artists who cite him as an inspiration. His seminal early albums and classics like “Marcus Garvey” have attained near religious status among reggae and dub fans. Burning Spear’s important legacy helped spur the global rise of reggae music.
Burning Spear adopted his stage name after a dream he had of Marcus Garvey (a Jamaican political figure) handing him a burning spear.
His 1974 album “Marcus Garvey” is considered one of the greatest reggae albums of all time. Artists like Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, and Damian Marley have cited Burning Spear as an influence and have collaborated with him on tracks.
Burning Spear has been honored with many reggae music awards over the years including several Grammy nominations, Jamaica’s Order of Distinction, and the UNESCO Music Prize.
The Barby Club is one of Israel’s top venues for international and local performers. It is located on 52 Derech Kibbutz Galuyot, in Tel Aviv. It is mostly standing room, though there is a small elevated area with seating.
It is very near the football stadium, so on days with big matches parking can be difficult.
