Be Here Now: Patti Rothberg @ Albany Tulip Festival, 5/7/11

You ought to get to know Patti Rothberg.

Patti and her NYC-based band Wet Paint are headlining the Amphitheater Stage at Albany’s annual Tulip Festival on Saturday afternoon. You probably missed her last local show at Lansingburg’s Bad-Ass Burrito – a last minute re-booking to make up for an ill-fated Judge’s Inn gig.

Rothberg sold a half million copies worldwide of her major label debut “Between the 1 and 9.” The success of that album had Patti touring non-stop in the very late ’90s, throughout the US supporting the Wallflowers, Chris Isaak, Midnight Oil and Garbage, before heading over to Europe supporting the Black Crowes. Patti and her band performed on “Late Night with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” as well as “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

With Patti tirelessly promoting the record on the road, the single “Inside” shot up to #25 on the Billboard chart in America. And in Europe, her single “Treat Me Like Dirt” went all the way to #1. Her cover of “Kung Fu Fighting” was featured in the 1997 film “Beverly Hills Ninja,” and Patti’s song “Forgive Me” was featured in the 1998 film “The Misadventures of Margaret.” 

Like many artist that survived the collapse of the music industry, Patti continued to record and release independent albums “Candelabra Cadabra” (Cropduster) and “Double Standards” (Megaforce) throughout the ’00s.

Patti and her trio Wet Paint are currently touring in support of her latest release, “Overnight Sensation,” which finds her reunited with “Between the 1 and 9” producer Dave Greenberg, and the results recapture that magic.

She draws inspiration from the Cycle Sluts from Hell, influences from Bowie and comparisons to Dylan filtered through an ’80s sensibility. The woman can certainly sing and write, but you may not be prepared for her head-cutting, face-melting guitar playing. Fellows, check you six string ego at the door…

Story by Matt Mac Haffie

Patti Rothberg and Wet Paint crank it up at the 63rd annual Albany Tulip Festival at 4:45pm on Saturday. They will be performing at the Amphitheater Stage at the Lakehouse in Albany’s Washington Park. Admission is, of course, free. Go here for a complete schedule of Tulip Festival performances throughout the days on Saturday and Sunday.