First off, I like it when the name fits the band.

Mike Brindisi & the New York Rock.

Sounds like front man Mike leads an outfit that plays some homegrown rock ‘n’ roll.

That’s the way it rolls out of the Ithaca-based band’s new five-song collection, “Taste.” That title, too, fits the bill. The rock is tasty. It fits my taste. You listen to the first song, “Me Against Me,” and you want to dig into the rest of the menu.

Brindisi’s vocals and rhythm guitar work leads the sweet sound that’s built by John O’Leary on keyboard, Greg Evans on drums, Mike Caporizzo on lead guitar and Darrell Harrington on bass.

(Syracuse music lovers should remember Evans as the cool customer who made a national name for himself while playing the skins at Liverpool High School and then fostering his talent and education at the Manhattan School of Music.)

Brindisi’s steady voice leads the way, whether revving up with a slight country bend on “The Highway Song” or slowing down for the emotional closer, “Show You.”

A good showing, indeed, a happy present that landed in my mailbox courtesy of Brindisi.

Theater Mack throws one last show for the season

Longtime friend Ron Thompson sent over word that his series, Final Friday, concludes its first season at Theater Mack in Auburn with a double bill on May 31. The Happy Hour scene in the refurbished 100-or-so seater starts at 6 p.m.

Headlining will be another Ithaca-based band, Bert Scholl and Friends, ready to lay down a stew of Americana, roots, honky-tonk and bluegrass. REP Studios in Ithaca is sending an engineer to record the live show for future release.

Syracuse gypsy swing fans will know the opener: Great guitarist Mark Hoffmann will front Swing This! in great acoustic swing style.

The cover charge is $5.

Let’s remember Styleen’s Rhythm Palace

One behind-the-scenes elements of markbialczak.com is a bell that rings out when people arrive at the blog through a search engine. Or maybe it’s a whistle. In any case, the dashboard feature even reports the terms typed in by the information hunter.

This week I spotted: Styleen’s Rhythm Palace.

Oh, yes, when writing about the Syracuse Area Music Awards in March, I mentioned the former Armory Square club owned and operated by the sibling team of Michael and Eileen “Styleen” Heagerty.

This is the time of year, though, to really remember the joint fondly.

When the weather warmed, they’d open a sliding wall to allow the outdoor courtyard in the middle of the old warehouse district a pretty great view and always excellent hearing access to the stage.

Music lovers would stretch from the bar inside into the court for a big, happy listening party for Little Georgie and the Shufflin’ Hungarians and a great array of blues bands, rock bands, new bands, old bands. Sometimes a national band in town for the New York State Blues Fest or another special event would take the stage. But much of the time it featured Syracuse bands. Original bands. Our bands.

Oh, those were the days.