On a previous episode of K-Chuck Radio, someone commented on whether I was a fan of radio station WOUR – because I went to school at Hamilton College in the mid-1980’s and that I referenced two artists that got tons of play on WOUR. Actually, I treated WOUR and WRCK (Rock 107) with equal amounts of disdain, since they were locked into an Album-Oriented Rock format that was 20 miles away from the alternative music we played on WHCL.
That being said…
There were some enjoyable Central New York artists and bands, and some of them actually performed on campus – I still recall Alecstar rocking the house at Chi Psi, and Roger Wilco & the Radio Waves playing to an ultra-packed Alpha Delta Phi frat.
So just for the heck of it – and since I’m the program director of this little blog spot, let’s take a trip to Central New York and enjoy some 1980’s rock and roll that was either populated by local bands, or were hits in the area.
NEW YORK FLYERS
Crack the Whip
All I remember about the New York Flyers is that any time they played somewhere in Central New York – most often at the lakefront in Sylvan Beach – there would be a few moments of “Crack the Whip” as part of their radio commercial promoting their show. Oh, and did you know they opened for Black Sabbath at the Palace Theater in Albany in 1975?
805
STAND IN LINE
Not sure if these guys were art rock the way that Kansas was art rock, or if they were progressive rock the way that Rush was progressive rock. I’m not sure if they knew, either.
805
YOUNG BOYS
805’s “other” hit, this one actually got onto the Billboard charts and received some light spins on MTV.
TODD HOBIN BAND
Angel
I figured I’d add a couple of Todd Hobin Band songs. Todd Hobin was essentially the Bob Seger / John Mellencamp of Central New York, capable of playing rock songs and country songs at the same time…
TODD HOBIN BAND
New York Country Song
And somehow, he actually found a way to combine the two. Are you listening, Keith Urban? No? Well start listening already!
ROGER WILCO AND THE RADIO WAVES
Dancing With A Girl
I guess this was Central New York’s edition of new wave music. These guys played Hamilton College a few times, and “Dancing With A Girl” actually got some radio play on WHCL.
ALECSTAR
Too Late to Cry
Ah, Alecstar. And somewhere on the TU blogisphere, there’s at least one blogger that’s very very happy that I found this video clip. Apparently these guys also received some Capital District radio love, their songs did get played on PYX 106 from time to time.
BENNY MARDONES
Into The Night
Just like Bob Seger hearts Detroit, Benny Mardones hearts Syracuse, and Syracuse hearts him right back.
HONEYMOON SUITE
New Girl Now
Okay, these guys were from Niagara Falls, but they did play in Central New York a few times, and there were two dueling versions of “New Girl Now” on the radio stations in our area – we had the original demo from an Attic Records compilation (song began “cold winter nights…”) while WRCK Rock 107 played the Warner Bros. major label version (song began “hot summer nights…”).
DUKE JUPITER
Little Lady
Yes, this was the OTHER white rock band signed to Motown Records that wasn’t named Rare Earth. Still beloved in Rochester.
Yep, it’s the rock bands of Central New York. Right here on your favorite radio-blog station, K-Chuck Radio!
Chuck The Writer 
I knew without even reading this post that the hideous Todd Hobin Band would be mentioned. I hope your “alternative” station wasn’t actually playing that stuff.
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Actually, we played more of Roger Wilco and the Radio Waves than anything else. I think we had Todd Hobin’s records in the station, but I doubt if they ever left their jackets.
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He’s more southern tier than central NY, but are you familiar with the ultra bizarre Gary Wilson from Endicott NY? he was somewhat famous (enough to get a writeup in Trouser Press)in the early 80s.
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Thanks for the memories, Chuck! BTW…”Into the Night” is one of my favorite guilty pleasure songs. Shoot…did I just admit that publicly too!?
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P.S. I lived in Utica for 5 years in the early ’80s. Please don’t tell anyone 😉
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No love for the undefeated kings of Central New York rock, Elf! I know – before our time, and musically wouldn’t have been our cuppa, but if I had to think long and hard on New York State bands outside of the New York Metro / Hudson Valley that made it, only a few come to mind, and Elf is one. If they should be known for nothing else, they brought to light the peerless and widely imitated voice of Cortland native Ronnie James Dio.
I’d be curious if anyone has memories of seeing them locally, i.e., what venue, were they the headliners or who they opened for.
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Tim..this might interest you and a lot of others. Only live Elf video I know of..really bad recording but 1 of a kind
Better recording but no live action
Elf..the only real great band ever from this area IMHO
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