LIVE: The Erotics/Dmitry Wild/Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band @ Putnam Place, 05/21/2022

It was a hot Saturday night in Saratoga Springs for a few reasons. Number one, Mother Nature decided she would set the temperature to near hell, and Putnam Place was on fire with the lineup they put together for the evening. Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band, Dmitry Wild and the Spells, and The Erotics. Those in attendance were in for a great night of music. 

The night kicked off with Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band. They set the tone for the evening. They are a high-energy band from start to finish. They kicked off the set with Live for Thrills, followed by Wild Woman, and their standout song, Renegade Love. The boys belted out other favorites like Lips on Fire, Cocaine, Take it Easy, and hammered home why they are a kick-ass rock and roll outfit, with a crushing cover of Born to be Wild. Mike Trash of The Erotics joined them on that little ditty. Solid set by the Midnight Revival Band. as they rarely if ever disappoint. 

Next up were Dmitry Wild and the Spells. I had never heard them before last night, but with Rob Paley on the bass, and Tommy Fucking Love on the drums… I needed to check them out. From beginning to end of their set, I felt like I was in a Tarantino movie. I was not expecting what they offered up last night (I mean that totally in a good way). It was a mix of post-punk, Nick Cave, The Doors, Modern English, The Cure, and a bit of surf rock vibe. It was SO different… but it worked. Dimitri has a great stage presence, Rob Paley is solid holding it down, and let’s be honest… not only is he a good drummer, but He’s also Tommy Fucking LOVE!!! They started us off with No Matter, Don’t Need Anybody, and others like Say Wow, Castle Walls, and Son of a Gun. Look forward to seeing more from these guys. 

To end the evening, were local legends The Erotics. Whether it’s 4 pm, 2 am, or 9:17 am on a Sunday when everyone else is in church, The Erotics comes with a powerhouse set, with energy that will wake even the weariest of rockers. They opened with Nothing to Sing About, followed immediately by their big one, Scream Like A Demon. With other Erotic faves like Head of the Low Class, Only When I Bleed, and Lie My Way Into Hell, this kicks your ass from start to finish set was capped off by Last of the Rock and Roll Motherfuckers! I cannot forget to throw in my personal highlight of The Erotics set, when Joe Mansman returned the favor (as I told you earlier, Trash sang on Born to be Wild), by joining the boys on their killer tune Blood of the Wasted! I’ve seen The Erotics on several occasions over the years, and every show I see reminds me why Trash and the boys have been a staple in the 518 music scene for so many years. Cheers fellas. 

To sum it up, it was a great night of music. The crowd could have been bigger, but those there were treated to an amazing night of our area’s talented rockers putting on a killer show. Special thanks to our very own Mayor of Nippertown, Jim Gilbert, for photographing the evening’s events (and for the ice cream cone. Shout out to Ben and Jerry’s). Putnam Place is a great venue to see live shows so make sure you show Sly and the family Putnam some love. (yes my weak attempt at humor.) Make sure you’re supporting local music. I’ll catch you at the next one!

Photo Gallery by Jim Gilbert