Hailing from the frozen bit of hell that is Syracuse, New York, the boys of Candid spew a buzzing brand of rock that is equal parts youthful spark and upstate bitterness.
In its seven years, Candid has developed an intensely loyal following that thrives on long nights and a strong sense of community. Since getting together in late 1998, vocalist Corey Paige, guitarist JP Midgley, bassist Mike Spadaro and drummer Sean Benz have left a trail of awards and converts wherever they have gone. The band has played the northeast extensively and appeared with numerous national and overseas acts, including Fountains of Wayne, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Andrew W.K. and Strangefolk. Honors Candid has received include Syracuse Area Music awards in 2002 for Best Rock Vocalist and Best Rock Band/Recording (Crooked Things), 2004 for Best Rock Recording (A Comforting Thought), and first place finishes in nearly every competition they have entered.
Candid recently released their fifth independent effort, "Misinterpreter."
I found it amazing to read some of the real fans writing in about the start up days and share in their memories. Back when you even had some female help on the violin for your dave covers playing at Heritage Park or backup vocals for the song More, remembering songs like Glass Eye that only made it to cassette, i still call it styleens, having so much fun while you were performing that you'd take breaks for lightsaber fights, it's been more than eleven years folks since liverpalooza while you were all seniors. I've moved all around the country too so I congratulate you Corey on taking what must be a great job. I'll get through by thinking of how huge an event it would be when you get to have reunion shows! Thanks for some great music, great shows, and great memories.
First and foremost I want to thank you guys for putting some amazing music into the world. I never saw a bad show and your CDs helped keep my sanity on my many long trips back and forth from VA to NY. (Even though I probably looked insane belting out the lyrics like a madwoman)
Secondly I want to say best of luck to all of you!
Lastly I am curious about merchandise. I had a black hoodie with the four of you on it for like four years and a few months back I got wasted and it's been missing ever since. Any chance you guys still selling merchandise? Let me know because I feel naked without that hoodie!
this is from my friend...in a group email that we've been sending. I thought it was too funny not to share.
im still in shock.
COOOORRRRRRRREEEEYYYYYY corey come back to me! come back! my soul is an empty shell of what it once was. and now, theres naught to do but mourn the loss of my love. perhaps i shall write a haiku. though im not sure how to do that. a poem will do.
Oh, oh Woe. Infinite sorrow. I shall never again hear the sweet strum of your guitaro. Dearest Corey, love of my life. How I stalked you and stared Whilst you cut through my heart like a knife Not once did you give me but a beer And now the time has come that I have feared For now, all is lost, as you are gone. And no longer will I hear your sweet sweet song. Manhattan's will never be the same, my heart in shambles at the sound of your name. I suppose there is no one but me to blame... But oh, oh Corey... I love you so. And I am so completely destroyed that you had to go.
Thank you for a wonderful show Friday night at Mac’s. And thank you thank you for playing Next Year; I was hoping you would! I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts and memories (like everyone else who will miss you!). I’ve been listening to your music and coming to shows for 8 years now, back when you were Candid Daydream, when you only had one album out, and when Armory High was Stylene’s. So some of my favorite Candid memories:
- New Year’s Eve show 2000 (I think) when you opened with Iceberg and accompanying pyrotechnics. That has to be my favorite New Year thus far.
- When you played Nicotine for one of the first times and described it as a song about sex. Not love, just sex.
- JP’s ‘fro and coveralls era
- And I’m convinced that on one occasion, during Our Joint, there was a goofy martial arts-ish dance routine. But I could be lying.
- All the songs you’ve covered by other artists – always good picks
Thanks for eight years of fun times and great music!
I would like to thank you for years of phenomenol music. Thank goodness for cds, I bought two sets, just to be safe. Once again, thankyou for doing what you do. Motivate people through music!
They say that every great journey starts with a single step. For most of us this journey started with a catchy tune about a man stuck on an island, his bamboo pole, and some blue mango's. It been a 10 year 5 CD Journey that ended with one amazing show. We've all been to Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Philly, Baltimore, and all over Syracuse. We saw the end of Bridge Steet Music Hall, Bleachers, and Club Tundra. We've rocked inner harbor, partied all night at after the ball parties, and we all got mega drunk on Monday nights. I really don't have words to express how much your music, and more importantly you guys yourselves have effected so many people. It was not more evident then it was as I attempted to make my way to the stage last night, only to find there was no room. In time we will all find a way to fill the void now that there is no way to fill that once a month Candid fix. Corey, JP, Sean, and Mike. Thank you so much for many great nights, in many great venues, in many great cities. If there is one thing I learned from all of it. Its that crooked things is all we'll ever be....
the farewell show at Mac's last night was everything it should've been. Thanks for an incredible run and I can't wait to see what comes from you guys next!
There really are no words... So I'll just sum it up... Thank You for the past 10 years. Your music has meant more to people, and myself, than I think anyone will ever know. You're who I turned to when I was happy, sad, frustrated and I will continue to do that and share your music with anyone I meet because Every Bright Thing Begins... but this can never end. Thanks again, and good luck with wherever life takes you all. <3 Jen
Don't know what's going on, but I wish I could be there for the last show! We came to see you guys perform many times at Milestone's when I went to Brockport, and we'll always be huge fams! There in spirit!
Heres to hoping you guys figure out a way to continue collaborating with each other... Your writing is leaps and bounds ahead of the pack.. seriously BRILLIANT, and unique. Thank god for the internet, use it, and continue sharing with us ... not ready to let you guys go!!
guess i picked the right time to move out west. Monday at Manhattans was my favorite night in the Cuse, and now this!!! Thanks for all the great shows. We all look forward to the reunion someday. Good luck guys!
Best of luck tonight men. You all know I wish I could be there. My Candid fan spirit will be there, and the memories aren't ever going to dissapear. Thanks for the amazing, and truly moving times. You guys kick ass. Upward and onward, and best of luck in all that you do!
After Friday night, somebody else is going to be the best original band in Syracuse. But this Friday, the best original band is still going to be Candid!!!
Well guys, I must say it is hard to believe that after over two years of my coming out to see you, tonight is the last ROC show... Eric said it best when I told him the news this morning: "I feel like I just got dumped. I want to listen to their songs so badly right now but it's like when you torture youself by looking at all those old pictures after a relationship comes to an end."
Thank you guys for making the music and giving the performances that have been like a love affair to many of us.
I'll see you tonight with as many people I can get to come out. Gonna do my best to make your last show at HiFi as memorable for you all as it will be for us fans.
ironic that you have 666 friends when you peace to dallas? proof that the devil made you do it and nothing good comes from texas. they kill presidents.
Wow, I never imagined I'd see this day...I always thought that by now you'd be selling out Giants Stadium! A sad day for us fans indeed, but you gotta do what's best for each of you. Congrats Corey on finally getting that job...all those late nights in college you kept me up working on those projects because you waited until the last minute have finally paid off!! Haha, jk...but seriously good luck to all of you, I know we'll be hearing more great music from you guys in one way or another. You guys always have been and always will be my boys, I just wish I wasn't living out of the state these past 4 years so I could have caught more shows. But, I have faith that I'll be able to see another one sometime in the future. Heads up on those blue mangos...
I just wanted to say thanks for so many amazing nights! You guys have come along way and it says alot of your guys friendships that you have been around for ten years. I am truly thankful for being there from the very begining. I can still remember that first day in benz's apartment when cory came over and said he wrote an original song. I remember the look on everyones faces and the pure excitement we all felt. You guys are my boys and i enjoyed every moment listening to you guys and even secertly enjoyed caring your equipment. Cory good luck with everything and you deserve it. PS if you guys want to start another band i am getting pretty good at guitar hero and rock band!
Stupid Navy screwed us of coming to the last show, but we're working on being home (the 'Cuse of course) for the 14th. We're definitely in that weekend, it's just getting away from the military early enough to make the show on Friday!!! Keep up the good stuff guys!
Last time I went to Philly Bar when I ordered a pitcher of bud light the bartender was going to give it to me for free assuming I was with the band. Apparently you guys drink a lot of bud light. For fear of bad karma I told the truth. Keep drinking the good stuff!
