Sirsy at the Bitter End

Sirsy started as a rock quartet in 2000 in Albany, New York. In short time, Sirsy's ranks whittled to the duo of vocalist/drummer Melanie Krahmer and guitarist Rich Libutti, who would eventually marry. The name Sirsy came from a childhood nickname of Krahmer, whose younger sister had difficulty pronouncing "sister." Sirsy has never had a major recording contract, yet the band records and tours relentlessly, in 2017 performing 218 times in 38 states and covering more than 62,000 miles. In April 2018, however, Krahmer was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine MRI— she was first diagnosed in 2010 — and had a bilateral mastectomy in June. She defeated cancer a second time and is back on the road.

Doctor's orders demanded Sirsy stop touring for the first time in years, but the duo was back in full form at the Bitter End tonight as the little band with the big sound.  Krahmer stood center stage behind her drum kit, pounding the rhythms as she belted blues-inspired, groove-oriented modern rock songs. On her left, Libutti played cutting guitar licks through a pedal board loaded with vintage effects. The songs needed a thick bottom, so on some songs Krahmer played bass lines by hitting a drum stick on a keyboard mounted on her drums. On other songs, Libutti played bass pedals with his feet. On the surface, the songs were anthemic pop tunes, but underneath was a pair of imaginative and very talented musicians who accomplished far more than bands with many more feet, hands and fingers.

Visit Sirsy at www.sirsy.com.