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Today: Death Cab for Cutie

June 16, 2019

Music is art, and it’ll be on full display tonight at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The beloved Death Cab for Cutie is venturing out from the Pacific Northwest to grace the Elmwood Avenue gallery’s grounds in this year’s installment of the long-running Rockin’ at the Knox, which will also feature Tank and the Bangas and Phosphorescent. Considered one of the definitive indie acts of the aughts, Death Cab has gained and maintains a massive following over the 22 years since it started in Bellingham, Washington as frontman Ben Gibbard’s solo project in 1997. The group is well known for its sincere, often melancholy songwriting and catchy melodies, as displayed on the critically acclaimed Transatlanticism (2003) and We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes (2000). They’re currently on tour to support their latest album, Thank You for Today, which was released in August 2018. The show is happening rain or[...]

Tonight: White Reaper

June 16, 2019

Tonight, the Louisville garage-rock wonders White Reaper make their way down to Chip Strip at the Rec Room. This marks their first visit back to The Queen City since 2017, so make sure you see them this time around, because it might be a while before they decide to grace us with their presence again. Sharing the stage with them are Boston-based ethereal rockers, Twen, as well as Buffalo degenerate punkers, SMUG. Doors are at 7pm, tickets are $12. Written by Mike Rakiecki

Ian McCuen – Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. II

June 10, 2019

Beware the quiet man. When others speak, he watches. When others act, he plans. When others rest, he strikes. Ian McCuen is our modern day quiet man. He began his journey almost a decade ago when he entered an intense six year period of self-reflection and discovery. The light at the end of that tunnel turned out to be an epic three volume set of indie-folk music entitled Songs of Fleeting Permanence. He recently released Vol. II. Volume II’s lead off track, “Drowning,” sets the emotionally heavy tone that serves as the release’s foundation. A vocal melody, reminiscent of a church choir in terms of depth and haunting feel, bolsters the melancholy lyrics. In a near-whisper, McCuen sings, “Keep your head up/treading water/keep your head up/just stay afloat.” “Facade,” the second track, gives the listener reason as to why one may find themselves struggling to not go under. In a[...]

Tonight: Sleep

June 6, 2019

For those who believed they would never live long enough to see a band carry on where Black Sabbath left off, fear not. We have Sleep. Emerging from the stoner rock capitol of the world, southern California, Sleep started in the early nineties with their meld of stoner rock and heavy metal. Bass player Al Cisneros tuned down to create hypnotic drone rhythms while guitarist Matt Pike layered in stoner-rock riffs and created Doom-Metal. The band found critical success that lead to battles with record labels who ultimately forced them to lay down their instruments. Again, fear not, for Sleep has woken up. They released their first full length album in almost twenty years in 2018 thanks to Jack White’s record label Third Man Records, and the result most definitely warrants the wait. The Sciences brings Doom Metal back to the forefront of rock ‘n roll, and combined with their[...]

Tonight: Ugly Sun

June 6, 2019

Summer is almost here in Buffalo and that means it’s time to crank out the tasty jams. In order to get a head-start on those summer vibes, we suggest going down to Mohawk Place on this evening as Ugly Sun will celebrate the release of their self-titled album. In the previous weeks, the boys released two absolute bangers in “Little Fire” and “Bury My Soul in The Garden,” both of which are included on the album. If you haven’t already, you need to listen to these tracks and get ready to sing them back. Joining Ugly Sun for their release is Johnny and The Man Kids, who have recently released an album of their own in You Made Me Hurt, as well as Cheap Peach. 

Advanced tickets are available for $10. Doors are at 7pm. See you there. 
In the meantime, listen to Ugly Sun below. Little Fire by Ugly[...]

STCLVR – “Gutterlungs”

June 4, 2019

Jamestown, NY’s STCLVR is back with a throbbing new post-industrial single, “Gutterlungs.” Seemingly taken from a DJ set performed by Lucifer Himself, the track combines Hacienda-ready drums and synths harkening New Order and Happy Mondays and pairs them with Helvete-approved guttural screams soaked in fuzz and reverb. George Moore, the mastermind behind STCLVR, laments achingly over its concise three and a half minutes, dragging listeners further down the void with each bone-breaking drum loop and every lung-tearing scream, all melding together in a twisted maelstrom of gut-crushing pulses and thuds: “In a sweat-soaked bed, so old and dead, gutter habitat, expressionless stare.” Like sitting cross-legged without affect staring blankly down the middle of a crowded, sleazy nightclub dance floor in the strangest part of town, the completely polar dichotomy between the track’s danceable backbeat and the hopeless, nihilistic dread within Moore’s wails proves to be the song’s biggest strong suit.[...]

No Glitter – The Old City

June 3, 2019

Rochester based outfit No Glitter released their album The Old City this past February. No Glitter is the solo project of drummer Billy Martin, best known for his work with The Ginger Faye Bakers and Vacation Daze. In 2018, Martin entered the studio after a visit to his hometown of Syracuse, NY. Aside from several guitar solos, Martin recorded all the music on the album. The result is a riff heavy 90s influenced alt-rock sound that deserves to be played loud. Throughout the record, Martin maintains a high energy and demonstrates his ability to write compelling hooks and anthemic choruses. A perfect example of this would be “Window Seat,” which builds a call and response structure throughout the verse and explodes into the chorus. There’s also a fair amount of brooding as well, such as “Ladybug | Little Squid” which drips with stoner metal sludge. A true standout is “Cherry[...]

Tonight: Space Cubs

June 1, 2019

Indietronica multimedia ensemble Space Cubs will be releasing their hotly anticipated LP The 4th Age, with a show tonight at Mohawk Place. Originally born in 2011 as a venture of songwriter/producer Suzanne Bonifacio, the group grew with the addition of multimedia whiz Shawn Lewis (Lesionread), and guitarist and visual artist Adam Pressley (Frenchpressley). It’s been fascinating to see how the band has progressed, growing their sound with each release anchored consistently by Bonifacio’s powerful, otherworldly vocals. Most recently, the band released three singles leading up to their new album; “Shelves” in November 2018, “Sideways” and “Circular” which were both released a few weeks ago. If the singles are any gauge, this new album is going to be special. With the ability to channel early period Eno ambient, as well as the jagged, angular art-rock of Radiohead, Space Cubs have consistently proven themselves to be one of the most interesting bands[...]

Ugly Sun Drops Single “Little Fire”

May 29, 2019

What the world needs now more than ever is an injection of feel good party music, and Buffalo’s own Ugly Sun has the prescription. The band, consisting of brothers John and Harrison Crook, is a duo hellbent on delivering catchy 70’s era rock riffs and infectious vocal melodies. Case in point, their new single ‘Little Fire’. The song starts with an airy guitar melody that steadily builds until it combusts into a full on arena rock guitar lick reminiscent of Nazareth’s ‘Hair of the Dog’. John Crook, bass and lead vocalist, delivers a flawless howl recounting possibly the steamiest of romantic encounters, as the proof is put on display front and center, ‘I’m hangin’ by a thread when you lick it up’. After a short and sweetly stripped down bridge the song’s chorus roars to life with rock ‘n roll tricks that always deliver; crashing cymbals, steady tambourine, and layered[...]

The Tins Drop Latest Single “City Lies II”

May 28, 2019

Buffalo indie darlings The Tins have returned with another new single, “City Lies II.” A follow-up to “City Lies” off the eponymous 2017 EP, the track is an excellent example of the Tins’ knack for mastering different sounds. “City Lies II” begins with a bare-bones guitar riff, begging the listener to wonder what could be around the corner. Soon enough, a drum beat and cymbal crash interrupt this wonderment as we enter the mind of lead singer Mike Santillo. Santillo’s vocals are exceedingly haunting in this particular track, mingling with developing guitar, ghostly harmonies, and sparkling synth to express the thoughts of disillusionment, stagnation, and mental entanglement that come with extended city life – not unlike the themes explored on previous singles from The Tins. What’s perhaps most compelling about this single is something the group gets right over and over again: the artful combination of energy and heart. You won’t[...]

Tonight: VR Sunset

May 24, 2019

Local synth-pop group VR Sunset will be headlining a stacked local bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. VR Sunset is the brainchild of Reggie Clark, known for his past contributions  with Lesionread and Planet Three. In January they released their debut album Artifact which drips with new-wave psychedelia. Standout tracks include “Tame The Beast,” “Clear Views,” and “Tidal Wave.” With plenty of fuzz and de-tuned synths it’s surely a must listen for fans of Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips, and Neon Indian. Also on the bill tonight are alt-rockers Nylon Otters, indie stalwarts Hundred Plus Club, shoegaze outfit Chevron Bloom, and bummer punks Talking In My Sleep. With such a diverse lineup, there’s surely something for everyone. $7, Doors at 9pm. Artifact by VR Sunset Photo by Zach Anderson Written by John Smigielski

Tonight: North by North

May 20, 2019

The unicorn of rock ‘n roll bands happens to be the two piece line-up. Stripped down, this combo of guitar and drums delivers more punch than a full piece orchestra.Take for example, The Flat Duo Jets influencing the White Stripes who gave credence to the Black Keys. Following suit, from the city of Chicago, I’d like to introduce to you North by North. Self described crunch rockers playing sweaty fever dream rock ‘n roll, North by North use their experience of over 650 shows to their advantage. They unleash boogie-woogie grooves from drummer Kendra Blank and psych-surf riffs from guitarist Nate Girard to create a rich and colorful atmosphere that reminds one of The Stooges mixed with Sonic Youth. They will be in town tonight in support of their latest album Last Days of Magic. Also on deck tonight are garage act The Gennies, buzzing newcomers Halo Nellie, and raw rock act[...]

Tonight: Passion Pit

May 20, 2019

Cambridge-based indietronica band Passion Pit makes their return to the area tonight with a show at the Rapids Theatre. Frontman Michael Angelakos, who spent his formative years in Buffalo, will be bringing the tenth anniversary tour of their major label debut Manners, a glistening, danceable record that is filled to the brim with hooks. However beneath the gloss, Angelakos is able to write very openly and honestly about his struggles with his mental health. Far from being gratuitous, these songs highlight Passion Pit’s ability to write compelling pop music that is still anchored by these honest emotional conversations. With standout tunes such as “Sleepyhead,” and “Little Secrets” highlighting Angelakos’ falsetto coupled with catchy danceable synths, this concert is definitely a must see. Tickets are $37.50 GA Standing and $119 VIP. Doors at 7pm, music at 8pm. Written by John Smigielski

Tonight: Basement

May 16, 2019

Tonight, England’s Basement invades Buffalo’s own Rec Room on Chippewa for potentially one of the best rock shows you’ll see all year. The group has done a good job of keeping us patiently waiting for another show since their visit to see us last spring at Mohawk Place. Since then, they’ve released Beside Myself in October of 2018, which is full of ear catching hits including “Be Here Now.” Joining them for the evening are Philadelphia rockers Nothing, as well as L.A. alternative/grunge revivalists; Teenage Wrist, who have just released the enticing 3-song EP entitled Counting Flies. Doors at 7pm with a $20 advanced ticket. Beside Myself by BasementWritten by Mike Rakiecki

Tonight: The Sea The Sea

May 14, 2019

The Sea The Sea come to the 9th Ward tonight in support of their latest album From the Light. Expect the group to bring along with them their folk harmonies that rival The Fleet Foxes. Mira Costa, keyboard, guitar, vocal, and percussion, approached Chuck E. Costa after a talent competition, and the two used their mutual love of gospel and Sunday Service to craft indie-folk-pop. Currently playing with a drummer and an additional vocalist/, The Sea The Sea have carved out their definitive folk sound with extraordinary pop hooks and should brighten up your rather cloudy Tuesday/May. The Sea The Sea are accompanied by Koko.Neetz (Andrew Kothen). Doors are at 7pm with a $12 door. Written by Kevin Prentice