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Tonight: PUP

The Studio at the Waiting Room is about to have one of the most insane live shows of 2016 in early February.  Since the release of their self-titled debut in 2014,  the band has played both headlining and supporting sets in Buffalo multiple times.  Even at their first show, I was surprised by the amount of audience participation. By the end of the set the lead singer of PUP even crowd surfing while covering “Sabatoge” by the Beastie Boys. Last December,  PUP played a set in their hometown of Toronto that I will never forget. It was easily one of my favorite sets I saw ANY band play that year.  The energy that this band is able to play within the crowd they play for is unlike anything I’ve seen. I’m crossing my fingers that tonight will be no different. Kicking the night off will be local indie tinged post hardcore[...]

Shows We Shot in January

While buffaBLOG was on break the past month, blog photographer Brendan O’Connor was out there doing what he does best: taking pictures of bands. While he didn’t have a chance to shoot any major national touring acts, he took the time to photograph some local Buffalo acts, and went out on a little weekend tour with local post- rock outfit Tomoreaux. On tour, he caught some incredible acts such as Albany’s existential goth poppers Slowshine,  Rochester lo-fi duo Buffalo Sex Change, and the stellar up-and-coming pop punk young guns Prince Daddy and the Hyena. In addition, Brendan made a couple trips out to Fredonia where he also had the chance to shoot buffaBLOG favorites, M.A.G.S. and Sixties Future, as well as Fredonia psych-rockers Mooses. To kick the post off, though, we’ll start off with one of Yace Booking’s best events to date, which served as Tomoreaux’s album release party, featuring Cooler, Passed Out, and Brimstone Blondes.  You can click HERE for a[...]

Every Time I Die at Town Ballroom (12/20/15)

Well, it’s another Every Time I Die Christmas show in the books.  At this point, you should probably know of ETID, being one of the bigger exports out of Buffalo music in a while. The band’s heavy, pummeling sound never disappoints to create an absolutely raucous crowd, and this show was no exception.  While I was a little bummed out by how much flat out fighting I saw going on in the pit, the band absolutely played to their fullest, serving as a reminder that they will always be Buffalonians at heart. Check out some shots of Revealer, Harms Way, Stick to Your Guns, and Every Time I Die below, and click here for a full gallery of shots from the night. Revealer Harms Way Stick to Your Guns Every Time I Die

Darwin Deez at the Studio at Waiting Room (12/11/15)

Fresh off their new release Double Down, NYC pop artist Darwin Deez rolled through Buffalo on his latest tour through the US. With a set consisting of both new and old material, Darwin Deez managed to keep the crowd dancing throughout their whole set. Check out some pictures from their set below, and click here for a full gallery. Darwin Deez

Pentimento at Town Ballroom (12/11/15)

To celebrate the release of their new LP, I, No Longer, Pentimento played their first set at Town Ballroom, opening for the Arkells. The band performed the new record in full to a huge, sold out crowd, proving that it would most definitely not be the last time they would play on that stage. Check out some pictures from the show below, and click here for a full gallery. Pentimento 

Sleater-Kinney at Asbury Hall (12/10/15)

If anyone tries telling you that Sleater-Kinney wasn’t one of the best reunions of 2015, they are wrong. The front runner riot grrrl trio had been on hiatus since 2006 after the release of The Woods in 2005 after deciding to peruse other projects. To almost everyone’s surprise, the band swung through Buffalo last Thursday on the tail end on their reunion tour backing their new record No Cities to Love. My anticipation for the show peaked when it was announced that up and coming indie act Waxahatchee would be opening the show, and they kicked the night off with a passionate, emotional set. When Sleater-Kinney took the stage, though, it was something special. I was amazed at how tight they sounded live. It seemed as if the band had not skipped a beat, ripping through their new tracks, as well as playing perfect renditions of their old hits and deep cuts (check out the set list under the photos). This will no doubt go down[...]

Tonight: Darwin Deez

During their Buffalo debut at Soundlab a few years back, NYC indie pop outfit Darwin Deez must have taken a liking to Buffalo.  The band will once again return to the Waiting Room tonight, this time upstairs, in support of their newest release, Double Down.  Released this September on Lucky Stars records, Darwin and crew continue with their trend of technical yet incredibly fun sounding tunes, and will no doubt inspire the crowd to slip on their dancing shoes over the course of the night.  This band is nothing but fun live, even utilizing full ban choreographed dance moves as interludes into tracks.  On tour with Darwin Deez  is Charlie Bliss, and locals Our Modern Moloch are also on the bill. Doors and show both begin at 6:30pm, so get there on time.  For only 14 bucks at the door, you can’t go wrong. Also, check out free Live Band Karaoke[...]

Big Day In at the Haunt (12/05/15)

What more is there to say about Big Day In? Year after year, the one day festival hosted at the Haunt in Ithaca never disappoints with outrageous lineups , but I really think that this one takes the cake.  Due to a scheduling constraint I was only able to catch the latter end of the festival, the last six or so bands, and I’m really bummed, as I have heard nothing but good things about all bands featured on this year’s bill.  The festival not only featured some incredible local acts, but boasted some insane touring bands as well.  Check out some photos from the last five bands of the night below, and click here for a full gallery of photos from those bands. Guerilla Toss Downtown Boys Brightside Foxing The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die    

Modern Baseball at the Opera House (12/03/15)

Well, I learned three things at this show. One, that Jeff Rosenstock needs to be elected president. I’m not really sure why, but he does. Second, that there is nothing like the absolute MADNESS of a sold out PUP hometown show, and third being that stage diving is a dangerous game. Almost right from the get go with Tiny Moving Parts, the crowd was in a frenzy, passionately singing along to the band’s deeply personal, hard hitting lyrics.  Jeff Rosenstock then took the stage and initiated a total party, screaming at the top of his lungs, and even with being the one band on this tour that COULD be considered the odd one out, seemingly had won the entire crowd over by the end of his set,following a great cover of “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Then, things got real insane real quick.  It’s almost hard to explain how the home town[...]

Tonight: And The Kids

The 9th Ward at Babeville will be hosting yet another under the radar show, this time featuring Western Mass’ And the Kids and Upstate New York’s PWR BTTM. And The Kids released a new record this year, titled Turn to Each Other, and with grand instrumentals and unique vocals, the group has created something insanely catchy and special. PWR BTTM is a whole other game, though. The garage punk / indie duo weaves their queer identifying problems and issues into their music, creating not only something that is unlike I have ever heard before lyrically, but something that is just straight up FUN. Every video I’ve seen of this band live seems like an absolute party. Doors open for the show tonight at 7pm, with music starting at 8pm.  The show is sure to end on the earlier side, as there are no locals on the bill.  Tickets are available at[...]

Sleepy Hahas at Dreamland (11/21/15)

Local art space, Dreamland, was host to a great bill of a mix of electro, psych, and post-rock this past Saturday night. Sleepy Hahas headlined the bill, while Moody Cosmos, Tomoreaux, and Space Cubs provided support. Check out some of the shots from the show bellow, and click here for a full gallery. Tomoreaux Space Cubs Sleepy Hahas

Sixties Future EP Release Party at Nietzsche’s (11/20/15)

Those in attendance on Friday night’s show at Nietzsche’s were treated to what I am probably going to have to call my favorite locals only show of the year. Cooler kicked the night off right, and with only a few shows under their belt, they played an incredible set, sounding like they’ve been at it for years. Rochester natives Skirts then took the stage for a rare Buffalo show and got the crowd’s feet moving, followed by a great set by Buffalo psych freakers Aircraft, hot off a new EP released on Admirable Traits Records. Sixties Future reminded the Buffalo audience that they mean business, ripping through tracks off of their new EP, also out on Admirable Traits. Check out some shots from the show below, and click here for a full gallery. Cooler  Skirts Aircraft Sixties Future

Tonight: November Reign

With an evening full of shows, Mohawk Place is definitely a spot to include in your Saturday night itinerary. Starting at 9pm, local DJs Ryan McMullen (JOHNS, Alpha Hopper) and Patrick Simons will be spinning a large variety of tunes into the night, with hardcore heavy sets that will include punk, post-punk, thrash, garage, psych, and everything in between. Not to mention, its all on vinyl. Doors open at 8pm, with tunes at 9pm.  With a cover of only $2, how could you go wrong?

Tonigh: IJI

Seattle, Washington act pop IJI will be talking the stage at Sugar City this evening.  IJI, the project of songwriter Zach Burba, boasts some incredible fun, dance heavy, groovy pop songs that will no doubt inspire the audience to put on their dancing shoes. Locals on the bill include Peter Kirsch, who features a unique lo fi slacker throwback similar to the first Mac Demarco record, as well as Welks Mice. The vibraphone duo boasts an incredibly unique sound that is easier seen than described. Doors open for the show at Sugar City tonight at 7pm.  For only $5, there’s no reason not to go check out some fun music. Who doesn’t want a little fun to close out their dreary Monday?

Screaming Females at Mohawk Place (11/03/15)

Another night, another insane show at the Mohawk Place, and this one literally people hanging off of the ceiling (see below). Buffalo’s Hot Tip started the night off, showcasing their straight up spooky style of punk. Potty Mouth soon followed, treating the crowd to an awesome set of their pop inspired punk jams. And it came as no surprise that Screaming Females’ style melodic punk had the crowd in an absolute frenzy by the end of their set. Check out some shots from the night below, and a full gallery of the night’s photos, click here. Potty Mouth Screaming Females