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Tonight: Best Coast

August 7, 2016

In 2009, Bethany Cosentino burst onto the indie rock scene as one-half of Best Coast, a hauntingly romantic homage to all things heartbreak, weed and cats. Irony-free, Bethany’s heart-on-her-sleeve lyrics, coupled with the amazing instrumentation of Bobb Bruno, her partner in crime, led to one of 2010’s most unlikely success stories; the Crazy For You album, a record that seemed to excite just about everyone. Equal parts fun-in-the-sun and reverb-drenched Beach Boys melancholia, this was an album the underground and mainstream could both agree on and wrap their heads around. The songwriting was just that strong. Since that time, Best Coast has released two more albums, reputation firmly intact. Tonight, along with Sunflower Bean, an utterly fantastic psych-pop band with influences ranging from the Smiths to more recent (and fellow Brooklyn based) Diiv, Best Coast will be hitting up the Tralf (7pm, $24) for a night of sheer audio bliss.[...]

Tonight: Black Lips

July 16, 2016

Good Bad, Not Evil. It’s the title of one of the Black Lips most popular albums and a pretty good descriptor of the band as a whole. Crass, juvenile, mischievous; they’re the kids in high school that failed every class, weren’t allowed to attend prom, spent the majority of the year planning a senior prank, then got kicked out of school for smoking cigs in the girls bathroom. And along the way decided to become one of the coolest and most interesting bands in rock’n’roll. Their sound; an amalgamation of 60’s garage, punk, classic rock’n’roll and psych-voodoo, has always lent heavily on the retro-vibe, while somehow remaining extremely fresh and current. They are known just as much for their whacked out videos, their blistering live sets and their willingness to play anywhere at anytime (sometimes resulting in 5-7 shows a day, as was the case at SXSW a few years[...]

Tonight: Jeff the Brotherhood

May 7, 2016

Tonight, one of indie rock’s most celebrated “it” bands will be gracing the stage at the Waiting Room (Studio). Jeff the Brotherhood has been a consistent highlight of the scene for the past few years. Their assorted mix of sounds, ranging from punk to garage rock to psychedelic heavy-fuzz crunch, has made them a constant talked about band, especially since they’ve split releases with other great bands such as Best Coast and Ty Segall. The duo will be sharing the stage tonight with another celebrated “live act” (one of many bloggers favorites for best live shows), Diarrhea Planet. Don’t let the name dissuade you. Diarrhea Planet write some of the catchiest songs in the pop/punk/garage realm and kill audiences consistently with their all-out assault. Openers tonight include Buffalo’s own MAGS and Deadwolf. Get there at 7 to check out all the bands ($17).

Tonight: Reverend Horton Heat

April 29, 2016

In the year 2016, no band quite embodies the spirits of the ’50’s like Reverend Horton Heat.  With an obsession for Buddy Holly meets Chuck Berry style rock’n’roll, stand up bass slides, flame colored everything, and rollicking rockabilly licks the Rev have steadily built up a loyal fanbase, as crazy about hot rods, bikes and those “good ol'” years, as you’re gonna find. Tonight, along with Nashville Pussy, another  hard-edged, slighty more worshipping of AC/DC hard rock band, Unknown Hinson and Lucky Tubb the band will play the Tralf, in what has seemingly become a tradition.  There are still tickets left at $28 but get there early (7pm). Chances are this one’ll sell out.

Tonight: Kurt Vile

March 31, 2016

Much could be said about Kurt Vile; He is seen at once as indie’s Dylan, a lone troubadour with a unique voice; he co-founded indie darlings, The War on Drugs, he has released some of the most iconic, unclassifiable albums in recent years. I prefer to think of him as an “artist”, in the truest sense of the word. He is a purveyor of truth in a sea of passer-bys. I remember when I first heard Kurt. Smoke Ring for My Halo had just come out and I was recommended the album by my sister. Released as a companion piece, the So Outta Reach EP was, in effect, disc two, and one particular track endeared me to Kurt right from the go. “Life’s a Beach” came as a storm at a time when I was trying to figure out where I was going in life, and, as if in an “a-ha”[...]

Tonight: Mac Sabbath

March 27, 2016

The concept of people dressed as McDonalds fast food characters playing Black Sabbath songs, whilst condemning the wrongs of the fast food industry, shouldn’t work. It’s so over the top; so patently ridiculous, that if I was to tell you there was such a group, you would probably say the juggalo’s are running out of ideas. But for some strange reason Mac Sabbath not only works it’s caught on like wild fire. The purveyors of “drive thru metal” have certainly found a niche in the world of “let’s party while we take a satirical approach to metal music and parody some pretty bad-ass songs”. A Mac Sabbath show is like a true nightmare wrapped in a day dream; equal parts Manson as it is Andrew WK, and this clash of ideas, makes it work. The Tralf hosts our viral heroes (Mac rose to power through their impact on metal media[...]

Tonight: Unearth

March 18, 2016

In the metalcore sphere, bands are a dime a dozen. One here, one there; most of whom are indecipherable from one another. Formula;  intro, fast part, chorus, fast part, scream, breakdown to fade. Unearth, pioneers of the movement and stylistic shred wizards are the exception to that rule. Since their inception in the late 90’s they have continually upped the game with a series of transcendent hardcore-influenced metal albums, equal parts mosh and melody. Nobody can rip a lead quite like Buz, or Ken for that matter. And nobody wails quite like Trevor. Ear shredding vocals, thunderous breakdowns and traces of tasty Pantera-like groove, make Unearth one of the most dynamic and interesting bands in the genre today. Still riding high off of their excellent 2014 release, Watchers of Rule, Unearth will be calling Montage Music Hall in Rochester home, if just for the night (doors at 7:30, $20). Also[...]

Tonight: Carcass

March 7, 2016

Carcass is a name that bears a lot of weight in the metal community. One of the pioneers of technical melodic death metal and grind, the band hit their stride most infamously with their seminal album, Heartwork; a daring display of brutality and harmonized chaos. After breaking up in the mid-90’s the band reformed roughly ten years later, and have since released Surgical Steel, a worthy album to add to their worshipped catalog. Tonight see’s Carcass on a rare Buffalo visit as they visit the Waiting Room, along with highly touted locals Gas Chamber and Rochester’s Blurring. This is one of those rare “I can’t believe they’re here,” show-of-the-year candidates. Certainly one of the most talked about metal shows in recent years. My advice: Get there early; tickets could sell out, and you don’t want to hear your friends talk about what a memorable time you missed out on either.

Tonight: Snapcase 25th Anniversary Show

February 26, 2016

Buffalo has a long, rich history of solid hardcore bands from Zero Tolerance, Slugfest and Envy to Every Time I Die, and Buried Alive. There’s countless more I could name, but it would be a lesson in futility. There must be something in the water here. One of the best of these best has been around for 25 years and have released so many legendary albums, it would be pointless to try and pick out the high marks. Snapcase are, in many ways, Buffalo’s pride and joy. Throughout their history they’ve set the benchmark for great songs…. style for days. In the last few years they’ve been largely inactive, playing sporadic reunion shows, but the kids still get excited whenever they hear Snapcase will be lacing up again. Tonight the band celebrate their 25th anniversary at Town Ballroom ($28) with Grade (late 90’s fellow Victory alum and pretty f’n excellent[...]

Tonight: Judge

February 18, 2016

Several names pop up when you hear the term “straight edge” and have been involved in the hardcore scene for some years. The go-to’s are, of course, Minor Threat, who infamously coined the term, as well as Earth Crisis, the band that popularized the movement in the mid-90’s. Both excellent bands, synonymous with the label and the lifestyle it brings. There are of course many, many others though, few of which hold as heavy of a rep as Judge. In the late eighties, Judge represented a militant version of the movement. For the NYC hardcore band, featuring members of the famed Youth of Today, straight-edge was all encompassing. No compromise, no exceptions. This garnered the band many fans…and just as many critics. When the group called it a day in ’91, their reputation was sound. They were heavy (often bordering on metal, but not quite) and they didn’t fuck around.[...]

Tonight: Every Time I Die’s 11th Annual Xmas Show

December 20, 2015

2015 was something of a banner year for Every Time I Die, Buffalo’s favorite sons. In addition to the usual, relentless pace of touring, and international travels (this band really, REALLY loves being on the road), band members found time to expand on their personal interests. Keith wrote a novel and released an EP with his synthwave side project, Tape, Andy dedicated himself to the pumpatorium and positioned the strategic rise of Pythons, Daniel Davison joined the band as the new drummer and Jordan continued to expand on the JBWW brand. Despite all of the new ventures, it always, seemingly, comes back to tradition. And nothing say’s tradition like an Every Time I Die, Christmas party. Now in its 11th year, ETID’s Christmas bashes have become legendary for their chaos, and fun surprises. Whether at Mohawk Place, Waiting Room, Town Ballroom or elsewhere, it’s guaranteed to be a great time,[...]

Tonight: H20

November 15, 2015

H20 has got that P.M.A. The legendary NYC hardcore punk band, known for their high energy anthems, pile-on singalongs, and absolutely bananas live shows, have been kicking around for over 20 years, spreading the gospel of “positive mental attitude” wherever they go. Led by outspoken vocalist Toby Morse, it’s no wonder H20 are celebrated in the scene. They’re a true hardcore band in every sense of the word, fueled by strong messages and strong songwriting. That they connect with kids and adults alike is a testament to their fortitude and belief in the power of hardcore music. Tonight, along with Angel Dust, featuring Justice of Trapped Under Ice fame, H20 will be playing at the Studio in the upstairs of Waiting Room (6:30pm, $17). Also on the bill is Give and Buffalo’s own, the Barksdales, who recently released the excellent In Our Hands EP (check it out on bandcamp or[...]

Tonight: Jonny Two Bags

November 8, 2015

On a rainy Tuesday night I’m talking music with Jonny Two Bags, guitarist for the legendary punk band Social Distortion. He is about to embark on tour in support of his debut album, Salvation Town. Jonny speaks humbly about the recording process, discussing the uncertainty of recording as a solo artist. “I wasn’t even sure what it meant to take my songs, and for the first time in my life, record them myself without the input or compromise that comes from working with other people, or in a band” he tells me. I pick up something in his voice as we speak. It’s the sound of confidence that wasn’t always there. Jonny’s journey to become a solo artist wasn’t easy. Whether it was not being able to find the right players or getting the traction to make it happen, self-doubt played a part in the background. As Jonny tells it, part[...]

Tonight: Unearth

October 18, 2015

I’m going out on a limb and putting my metal credibility on the line here with this next statement. Unearth is the single greatest metalcore band that has ever existed. Follow me on this one. Devastating breakdowns. Check. Dual guitar attacks that will haunt your thoughts for days. Check. Blistering leads. Oh yea, they’re there. Pantera-Groove. Yup, those too. Metal tunes that STAND OUT that you actually REMEMBER. Well, yea. That perfect mix of hardcore attitude and raw thrash metal breakneck speed. You get the point. Now, some may hesitate to call Unearth “metalcore” and while that label seems to not be so popular these days, I think that’s a perfect summation of what Unearth does. These guys came from the hardcore scene, but loved metal when that was not so cool. They essentially forged a new sound and style in the late 90’s and did so whilst sounding fresh and[...]

The Ongoing Concept and ’68

October 1, 2015

Tonight, Norma Jean are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the group’s landmark album O’God the Aftermath at the California Brew House in Rochester (402 W. Ridge Rd). To say the album was pivotal in the metalcore landscape would be an understatement. Norma Jean were some of the innovators in a field wrought with imitators, and their impact is felt all over today’s modern metal scene. I’d rather talk about two brilliant and vastly under appreciated bands that will be opening the show, though: The Ongoing Concept and ’68. Former Chariot and Norma Jean frontman, Josh Scogin, has teamed up with Michael McClellan to present a beautifully disjointed rock-hardcore hybrid in ’68. Picture pure-gravel vocals over discordant, violent riffage, and sinewy guitar lines. This here is music that is loose, blue-sy, soulful, and ferocious, all at once. ’68 display a kind of raw aggression that is missing from heavier music these days. And[...]