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Tonight: Band of Horses

July 22, 2014

“I’m coming up only to hold you under And coming up only to show you’re wrong And to know you is hard; we wonder… To know you all wrong; we warn. Really too late to call, So we wait for morning To wake you is all we got To know me as hardly golden Is to know me all wrong, they warn. At every occasion I’ll be ready for the funeral At every occasion, once more, it’s called the funeral At every occasion, oh, I’m ready for the funeral At every occasion, oh, one billion day funeral” These iconic lyrics from Band of Horses track “The Funeral” are some of the most recognizable and cherished words ever sung in indie rock, and for good reason. They come from a place we have all, at one time in our lives, visited; a dark, inward vestige, the hole that we had to[...]

Tonight: Queens of the Stone Age w/Brody Dalle

July 18, 2014

It’s safe to say that 2013 was THE year for Queens of the Stone Age. Not only was their …Like Clockwork album wildly received by fans, it was their most critically acclaimed album to date; a perfect blend of sleaze, longing, grit and desperation. All the puzzle pieces fit on this one, and many fans of the band count it among their best. Since that time Queens have been touring in support of Clockwork, continuing to build their rep as one of rock’n’roll’s premier live acts. Tonight, along with QOTSA, is Brody Dalle, Australian singer-songwriter, formerly of the Distillers and Spinnerette. Dalle has been at this game a number of years first as the snarly punk rocker vocalist in popular Hell-Cat band the Distillers, then incorporating indie sounds into her repertoire to develop a fuller, more unique sound, first with Spinnerette and now on her first solo release; 2014’s Diploid Love.[...]

Tonight: DIIV

July 15, 2014

In this day and age, terms like “shoegaze,” “dream rock,” and “indie pop” get thrown around fairly often. It makes sense in our brains to categorize music as we try to explain it to someone who’s never heard it before. Rarely do these catch-alls catch all however. They may touch on distinct sonic qualities, or maybe even a vibe, but they hardly capture the soul of the music which it intends to prescribe. Sonically, DIIV could probably be described as any of the above. What separates them from the pack is the same thing that separated Nirvana from the rest of their grunge brethren, or Bob Dylan from the endless stream of folk artists, pre or post the man himself. Great music exists in intangible places. It is familiar, yet fresh; It captures some parts of our heads and hearts. DIIV exists in this current. DIIV’s songs are uniquely compelling;[...]

Tonight: A Celebration of Pete Perrone

June 28, 2014

For the Buffalo music scene he was a key player; a fatherly figure who helped support a generation of bands simply by opening his doors and giving us weirdos an opportunity to be weird. In doing so he transformed an aging, somewhat dilapitated building into a musical mecca. Who would have thought that an aging Italian opening a small bar on the outskirts of downtown would play such a huge role in all of our lives? But that’s who Pete Perrone was, and for those who remember him those memories are only of the fond variety. I could launch into a huge diatribe about how Pete affected me personally and musically, but I’ll save that for another time (perhaps tonight?). In celebration of the man we all came to love, Town Ballroom will be hosting a remembrance tonight ($5 advance, 7pm) with music, words, and images. Many of the local[...]

Essex St. Pub

June 9, 2014

Jukebox Heroes is a new feature, highlighting the best Jukeboxes Western New York has to offer. The focus here is pre-digital, pre-touch screen. In other words, jukeboxes that play vinyl or compact discs. It is the 21st century. The world, as we know it, is changing. Culture is progressing. People are  branching out. Music is evolving. We can choose to embrace this change, or fight it. One truth remains evident regardless. It will change, whether we like it or not. (Cue lyrics to “Fly like an Eagle”… Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future.) I have always been an advocate for change. I think it’s healthy and it’s how we advance as people; physically, spiritually and emotionally. Unfortunately, we sometimes discard our past as we grow and adapt. And that’s a shame because it’s our past that makes us who we are. We learn from the past. Our identity[...]

Tonight: Slapshot

June 7, 2014

I think it’s fair to say that Slapshot is one of the most famous hardcore bands to ever come from Boston, Massachusetts. They’re certainly the most notorious, with a penchant for out of control shows and borderline militant straightedge dogma (at least in the early days, I don’t think they’re straight now…correct me if I’m wrong). Back on the Map, Step on It, and Sudden Death Overtime are hardcore classics and you’d be hard pressed to find anybody in hardcore who doesn’t have an opinion on this band. Love them or hate them, they are omnipresent, seemingly always there, and, along with Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, and Bad Brains, represent some of the finest in 80’s hardcore. Tonight the Slapshot boys are playing with a who’s who of hardcore; the crushingly heavy Born Low, Tony Erba’s new band Fuck you Pay Me, GhostxShip, On the Ropes, and Buffalo’s own Longest War,[...]

Tonight: Brain Tumors

May 21, 2014

There are very few things in life more unpleasant than a brain tumor. Hell, just the thought of a tumor hanging out on a big ol’ brain is creepy. If I’m going to avoid anything in life, I hope it’s brain tumors. But there’s this band from Minneapolis called Brain Tumors, and they’re actually pretty cool. Perhaps they have brain tumors and that’s whats responsible for their general punkness?….or not. They’re pretty hardcore either way and that’s what tonights show is all about. Hardcore. Along with general weirdness from Big Suze, some Philly punks in Bad Energy, Queen City Lotto product Scajaquada Creeps, and No Prevail we have a pretty rad show, brought to us by the fine folks at Shaken Stylus. Hoyt House (6 bucks, 7pm). You know where it is, so go.

Tonight: Killswitch Engage

May 18, 2014

After years of touring and a steady stream of innovative and punishing releases, Killswitch Engage has finally found their way into the mainstream. Perhaps the most popular “metalcore” band of our time, Killswitch’s combination of soaring melodies and crushing breakdowns, coupled with the return of original singer, Jesse Leach, has proven itself to be a successful formula, credibility still intact no less. A KE show is high-energy; windmill kicks, pit bashing, and fist-pumping chants galore. I’d suggest checking them out tonight at Town Ballroom (7pm, $28) to see what I mean. It’s hard not to get charged during their sets. Opening are Battlecross and Nothing More.

Tonight: Mastodon

May 12, 2014

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and we were talking about what makes a metal band great. In this day and age, metal bands are a dime a dozen, and with so many heavy bands out there, it’s sometimes difficult for the uninitiated to discern the trash from the true. True fans of the genre ( like my friend, who’s absolutely obsessed) seem to have an innate understanding and opinion of what makes a band great, good, or simply average, so I was curious to pick his brain a little bit and see what we could come up with. Here’s the gist of our convo. The band should be overwhelmingly fast (DRI), or overwhelmingly slow (Crowbar), overwhelmingly crushing (Behemoth), absurdly technical (Unearth), or just flat out produce memorable riffage (Pantera). Points for creativeness (Spiral Architect) and the ability to integrate other musical genres[...]

Tonight: Floor

May 8, 2014

To the heavy-initiated Floor need no introduction. They are a legendary metal band incorporating stoner elements with traditional doom and sludge. To their fans, they are much, MUCH more. Floor have always been trendsetters, among the first to incorporate slowed tempos with churning groove, and always stood apart from the rest of their bearded brethren. Their magnetic releases could only be topped by their live shows, a caucophony of blistering sound and visceral pummel. They’re the band that the newbies would be forced to hear about, as us old-timers not-so-subtlely bragged about “being there” in the 90’s. Fortunately for those newbies Floor is back, after a bit of a layoff, and have been laying crowds to waste in recent times. I had the chance to see them at Soundlab a few years back and loud isn’t strong enough of a word. Earplugs are advised. Tonight, we hail all things Floor[...]

Just Announced: Man or Astro-Man?

April 29, 2014

In 2010, the original lineup of sci-fi, surf legends, Man or Astro-Man?, reunited for a series of shows, which ultimately led to last year’s fantastic release, their first in 12 years, Defcon 5..4..3..2..1. Since that time MoAM? has been on a tear, exciting crowds with their energetic (and often unhinged) live performances. Think B-movies, antennas, aliens, costumes, and space, all through a package of pure camp. The best surf rock has to offer. Thanks to the good people at ESI, we’ll have a chance to witness this truly spectacular happening as MoAM? docks their spaceship at the Tralf September 9th($15), along with Vancouver’s The Pack AD. Fun is really the only appropriate adjective here so prepare yourself for the preposterous. And feel free to wear a costume. It’s just as much fun being part of the experience as it is witnessing it.

Tonight: Culture Clash Soundsystem

April 26, 2014

Reggae and Soul lovers of Buffalo unite! Another installment of the ever-popular Culture Clash Soundsystem DJ night takes place tonight at Blue Monk. All vinyl, all night with DJ’s Ruben and Universal behind the tables. If you’ve been to these events before, you know what to expect; All the classics played alongside your favorite b-side treasures and rarities, from crooning Temptations-sway to the upbeat (and very danceable) “Pressure Drop” of Toots & the Maytals. Something for everyone. Needle drops at 10pm so get there early, have a fine craft beer, and enjoy the night.

Tonight: Master

April 20, 2014

One of the most underrated bands to come out of the early death metal scene, Master was instrumental in bringing the classic death sound to the forefront of metal culture. The group found some success in the late 80’s and early nineties, releasing excellent albums like its self-titled release (the early version) and Collection of Souls, signing to Nuclear Blast and  building a reputation as one of the fiercest bands in the scene.  To this day, Paul Speckmann’s vocals represent a great stride in death metal as they are both crushingly brutal yet intelligible at the same time. Despite some breakups (and subsequent reformations) and waning popularity in the late nineties, the band appears indestructible and  have been gaining quite a bit of momentum as of late. In the last few years, Master has released some excellent albums including the oft-thrashy The New Elite and The Human Machine. The Forvm in Amherst has become quite the haven for metal lately,[...]

Tonight: Soul Patch/Spooky Business 90’s Birthday Bash

April 19, 2014

Soul patches are gross. Unlike the moustache, which looks great on the right guy (I’m looking at you Tom Selleck), or the ever-popular beard, these scrag-strips have no redeeming value. They are simply filthy tufts of hair that pool up under the lower lip and make whoevers wearing them look like an asshole. Soul patches no bueno. Now if we’re talking about Buffalo band, Soul Patch, well then, that’s a whole different story. The 90’s loving local cover band, featuring Keith and Steve from ETID, have become quite a hot entity in our little town, perhaps because they embody the spirit of the 90’s more than your traditional 90’s cover band. In addition to excellent renditions of “Breed” and “Say it Ain’t So” you have your choice cuts of memorable b-sides and hit songs that you used to love and sing in the shower but have forgotten about almost completely.[...]

Tonight: The Hold Steady

April 8, 2014

One time I heard the Hold Steady described as “Bar Rock for literates,” and to this day, I think that’s the best description I’ve heard of them. Thoughtful lyrics spoken story-like to the tune of hard-driving indie music with classic rock leanings. I suppose that’s an oversimplification, but it’s apt. If you have never heard the Hold Steady, I suggest you check out any of their first four albums (although, in truth, I like Heaven is Whenever just as much as those other releases). The music pulsates and the lyrics have a certain kind of weight that songwriters often strive for, but fail to capture. Perhaps that’s what’s made them so popular over the years. Despite the departure of original member and musical genius Franz Nicolay, the band’s popularity has continued to grow in recent years and the Hold Steady now find themselves on the road supporting their recently released,[...]