Latest Posts

Passed Out Share New Single Off Forthcoming EP

August 2, 2016

Passed Out is the aggressive hat that lead singer Andy Pothier wears when penning frustrated call-out anthems. The Buffalo-based songwriter has been an integral part of the area’s growing scene, regularly playing the circuit with his folk-y introspective solo jams as a singer/songwriter, as well as the percussionist for swamp buskers, Pine Fever and psych-rock act Deadwolf. Late last week, Passed Out dropped their new single “Winnipeg” off of their forthcoming EP, Infinite Regression. Immediately, “Winnipeg’s” intro is reminiscent of The Anniversary’s “Till We Earned a Holiday.” The track is all about a $20 hockey bet backed by an aggressive Japandroids-esque hyper abrasive backing. Fans of Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos will enjoy the vocal style and arrangement on this one. The band describe themselves as “very sad, then happy, then very sad again” and they definitely follow that formula with “Winnipeg.” Keep Passed Out on your radar for their release show on Thursday, August 18th[...]

Alpha Hopper Teases Tracks from Last Chance Power Drive

July 26, 2016

It’s impossible to put Alpha Hopper in a box, and their song “Western Walk” off their upcoming album Last Chance Power Drive is no exception. It starts off sounding like a straightforward post-punk song, in the vein of your favorite band on a Killed by Death or Bloodstains Across compilation. The one you always put on mix tapes and hope your friends ask you “Who is that band and where did you find them?” That all changes when the second guitar comes in. That’s when you get a taste of their psych-rock influence which fuses with their punk sound and builds up to the end and leaves you wanting more. Which is why this song, at nine seconds short of two minutes, is the perfect length. It gives you a good taste, but when it’s over you just want to hear what’s next. Luckily we don’t have to wait much[...]

Public Enemy at Canalside (6/23/16)

July 12, 2016

It has been said that in this materialistic, over commercialized and warring world that we live in, that the music offered to the masses is dull, corporate and without voice or purpose. The cult of celebrity is upon us and it ceases to be about what we say & how we say it.  More often than not we are concerned with how we look and how others perceive us. We are measured by how many Twitter followers we have and by the amount of photographs we post on Instagram. Words are still powerful weapons but only when delivered by the right voice, speaking with utmost clarity & conviction. Since their formation over 30 years ago, the message from Public Enemy has been both loud & clear –  one love, nonviolence and brotherhood. These words were laid down unflinchingly Thursday night at Canalside in Buffalo as people of all colors came[...]

Charles Bradley @ Canalside (6/9/16)

June 28, 2016

The 2016 Canalside season kicked off in extraordinary style on Thursday, June 9th. One of the more interesting shows at the venue over the past couple years went down as Charles Bradley & the Extraordinaires provided a soulful experience for the enthusiastic crowd. Bradley’s set started with a sharply dressed backing band laying down a midtempo soul-funk foundation while the frontman was introduced by the bandleader and sashayed on stage. The set was littered with autobiographical tales hitting on heavy subjects: the songs played on Thursday hit on heartache, social injustice, and his lengthy, humanizing struggle to make for himself the blessed life he now leads. Bradley knows how to work an audience into a frenzy using all of the natural tools at his disposal: his serpentine arms and legs, his always-in-motion ass, and, oh yeah, a voice that could stop a bulldozer in its tracks. Let’s hope this is[...]

Tonight: Secret Pizza

June 9, 2016

If the big crowds at Canalside ain’t your thing, or if you just want to keep the fun going well into the night, then head on down to Mohawk Place later on as Rochester’s Secret Pizza heads west to headline a stacked indie rock bill. The fuzzy four-piece, fresh off the heels of releasing its debut record Nothing Needs to Happen (one of our most recent Albums of the Week) via Dadstache Records, is on night two of its 10-day tour of the Northeast to support the album. Nothing Needs to Happen has a bit of everything: post rock, grunge, shoegaze, plus the joined forces of co-singers Phil Shaw and Gina Caliolo carrying the booming songs through heavy riffs, sneaky melodies, and plenty of distortion. The full album can and should be listened to here prior to tonight’s set. It’s pretty great. Band buddies Del Paxton will be supporting Secret Pizza, along with a[...]

The Soft Love EP Release Show at Mr. Goodbar (6/4/16)

June 7, 2016

This was the first Buffalo local show I’ve attended in quite some time considering I’ve been on the road so much. I’m glad I went to this because I’m truly stoked in the direction the music scene is heading in right now. I felt like I was in Brooklyn. Check out the photos below to see what I mean. Deadwolf The Naturalists The Soft Love Post and Photos by Andy DeLuca / @shmandeluca

Disturbed at Rapids Theater (4/5/16)

April 13, 2016

Chicago-based heavy metal band Disturbed performed at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls last Tuesday night in support of their sixth album, Immortalized(the band’s 5th consecutive chart topping album).  An energetic, powerful and hits filled performance provided the fans with exactly what they have been waiting for during the band’s self-imposed four year hiatus. Performing a mixture of songs from their new album littered with hits from yesteryear and a few covers thrown in, Disturbed were triumphant in their return to WNY. Rapids Theatre was the perfect intimate setting for their latest cover of Simon & Garfunkles “Sound of Silence” and the venue was literally shaking as the band ended the night with “Down with Sickness.” Non Point Disturbed Setlist: Ten Thousand Fists The Game The Vengeful One Prayer Land of Confusion A Welcome Burden Stupify Darkness The Sound of Silence Inside the Fire Stricken The Light Closer / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For /[...]

Guest Picks: Lesionread

December 28, 2015

For our Best of 2015 coverage, we once again decided to reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them. For the latest installment in the guest series, pop artist Shawn Lewis, aka Lesionread, submitted his year end list. Earlier this year, the musician released Lesionread’s Greatest Hits Vol 1, a career spanning collection which includes remixes from Ay Fast, Jon Bap, Charles Bordeaux, and more. You can stream/download the album here. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December. ​The year is now over, and so much has happened. Lesionread went on our first full USA 2-month-long tour (see #LESIONREAD_USA2015 for all instatweet videos and phone documentation before I gave up trying to capture all the fun) Listen to Me by Lesionread Anklepants brought his dick nose[...]

The Arkells @ Town Ballroom (12/11/15)

December 23, 2015

It was nothing but love on Friday, December 11th, between the crowd at Town Ballroom and musical act The Arkells. High-energy would be an understatement to describe the emotions of the band and audience. Hailing from Hamilton, ON., the Arkells started the show with “Cynical Bastards” from their latest album, High Noon, setting the tone for the concert. They did not disappoint with a variety of hits from their current album and past albums Michigan Left and Jackson Square. It seems Buffalo has fallen in love with these Canadian boys, but the feelings are mutual. Lead singer Max Kerman says they wanted to return to Buffalo before the year was over with mentions of returning to Canalside in 2016. Kerman gets sentimental talking to the crowd about Buffalo, the Town Ballroom and the people involved behind the scenes at the famous spot. “Music brought us together and it’s been love ever since,”[...]

Staff Picks

December 22, 2015

To cap off our Best of 2015 coverage, we asked a handful of our staff writers to submit their favorite albums and songs of the year. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December Cliff Parks Favorite Album Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear I don’t want to go with this album, it was my Album of the Year So Far earlier this summer and I loved the latest from Tame Impala, CHVRCHES, and Neon Indian, but with America currently cracking up, Father John Misty’s sophomore album is album of 2015 now more than ever. Between the ascent of candidate Trump and our nation’s mounting multiple existential crises, Josh Tilman’s ode to love, manhood, and getting hitched to that special someone so you can ride out the American apocalypse together seems right on time, all the time lately. It[...]

Guest Picks: Brandon Schlia

December 18, 2015

For our Best of 2015 coverage, we once again decided to reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them. For the latest installment in the guest series, Brandon Schlia, founder of local DIY label Steak and Cake Records, submitted his year end list. Earlier this month, S&C released its forth and final Christmas Meltdown compilation. Featuring holiday covers by Welks Mice, Beekeeper, RED HEAT, and more, the EP can be downloaded here. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December. Thank you buffaBLOG for having me back for a third installment. Best Songs Homeshake – “Heat”* Don’t waste your time listening to this on laptop speakers. This is a headphone record. Peter Sagar shakes off the DeMarco skeletons and ends up sounding like a fever dream. And don’t forget about 2014’s[...]

Guest Picks: Rise Collaborative

December 17, 2015

For our Best of 2015 coverage, we once again decided to reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them. For the latest installment in the guest series, Drew Brown and Kevin Heffernan of Rise Collaborative submitted their year end lists. Rise supports local businesses, artists, non profits, and advocacy groups. As a culmination of their shop local series this season, they’re throwing their first of many “Storefront Sessions” this Friday from 6pm-9pm at Renew Bath and Body on Elmwood. Free cocktails, food, and old school hip hop as well as all the gifts you need to finish off your shopping list. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December. Drew Brown No matter the monumental or tiny shifts in my world – and 2015 was full[...]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: 10-1

December 17, 2015

It’s that time of year again, where we re-think and dissect every local song that we’ve come across organically or via submission. This is our fourth year counting down our top songs and this year, like every other year, has been difficult to whittle down. Like we always remind people, this list is subjective and not the end-all be all. Earlier this week we posted our five close calls and our first half of the top 20.  I am sure there are amazing local songs that aren’t on our radar, but from what we have heard, we as a group have determined below are the blog’s favorite songs of 2015. 10. Tiny Rhymes – “Arrows” Tiny Rhymes‘ ”Arrows” is an incredibly cherishable tune. It approaches the listener with a coy but welcoming softness, making it feel like a delicate gem that only you are privy to. Atop prime musicianship, singer Sharon Mok’s[...]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: 20-11

December 15, 2015

It’s that time of year again, where we re-think and dissect every local song that we’ve come across organically or via submission. This is our fourth year counting down our top songs and this year, like every other year, has been difficult to whittle down. Like we always remind people, this list is subjective and not the end-all be all. I am sure there are amazing local songs that aren’t on our radar,  but from what we have heard, we as a group have determined blog’s favorite songs of 2015. Yesterday we posted our five songs that ALMOST made the cut.  Here is the top half of our annual top 20 countdown, 20-11. 20. Lesionread – “Addicted” Lesionread (Shawn Lewis) has had a big year. Between the release of the experimental artist’s excellent Greatest Hits! Volume 1, touring it across the country, and slew of local shows (one of which opening for[...]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: 5 Close Calls

December 14, 2015

It’s that time of year again, where we re-think and dissect every local song that we’ve come across organically or via submission. This is our fourth year counting down our top songs and this year, like every other year, has been difficult to whittle down. Like we always remind people, this list is subjective and not the end-all be all. I am sure there are amazing local songs that aren’t on our radar, but from what we have heard, we as a group have determined as the blog are our favorite songs of 2015. Here are five great songs ALMOST made our top 20. The Slums – “Plain Pine Box”  The Slums always deliver the perfect thrash song but “Plain Pine Box” might be the most perfect yet. “You can call me first and final nail in a plain pine box, I said I’d keep you separate but I guess[...]