Latest Posts

Harmonica Lewinski – “Rat Race”

Grab your boogie board and catch a psych-rock wave with Harmonica Lewinski’s beachin’ new single, “Rat Race.” If your new year’s resolution is to listen to more groovy music, this is the perfect place to start as these veteran Rochester scenesters and buffaBLOG mainstays kick off 2025 with a helluva luau. This instrumental track is a punchbowl of surfy guitar riffs and jungle drumbeats spiked with the band’s signature weirdness. Drink it in below and let this fun-loving five-piece bewitch you with the sounds of a party on the wrong side of the beach; the side where you might find skeletons clinking piña coladas or Uncle Fester sunbathing.   Harmonica Lewinski’s “Rat Race” is streaming now on Bandcamp, Apple Music and Spotify.   Rat Race by Harmonica Lewinski

Ashford – Pictures of Places I’ve Been

Buffalo pop punk/emo rockers, Ashford, close out the year on a high note with their dynamo debut LP, Pictures of Places I’ve Been.   The record is a nine-track patchwork of new material and singles released earlier this year including the tracks “Temperance,” “Gorilla Glue” and “The Painter & the Patient.” Expect a variety of clean yet rough-around-the-edges vocals; powerful, overdrive guitars; and hefty, punctuative drums for a listen that will make your hair stand up.   Variety is what Ashford does best on this album. Like a pop punk buffet, the band cooks up a deeply satisfying mix of tones, textures and tempos that keeps Pictures of Places I’ve Been fresh and engaging. You’ve got your choice of softer, more poignant songs like “Bliss,” or heavier, crunchier songs like “Crown.” No two songs sound the same with each having their own distinct flavors to chew on for hours.  [...]

Gatto Black – (Not) Ready to Die

The cat’s out of the bag with (Not) Ready to Die, the bombastic new sophomore EP from feline-friendly Buffalo post-hardcore project, Gatto Black.   Featuring singer-songwriter, Sal Mastrocola (EXNATIONS, No Net), this 7-song collection is a powder keg of emotions triggered by screamo vocals, chaotic drum beats, and third-rail riffs that will shock your system.   “But the thing about cats… they’re never afraid of their shadows,” and neither is Mastrocola, as he wails introspectively on the opening track, “Bitch I’m a Cat.” The singer-songwriter wears his heart on his sleeve and spills his guts via snotty emo-punk vocals that shake with anger and sadness. Each song is impressively unique, robust and layered, and runs a gamut of feelings that wallow in angst and insecurities.   You can feel these difficult, dizzying emotions on tracks like “No One Can Ruin Me.” This absolute tornado of a tune lashes out with[...]

JEWELTONE – Visions of Heaven

Buffalo hardcore trio, JEWELTONE, bring the pain with their new EP, Visions of Heaven. Following up their demo release last year, this bruising EP features four new tracks of stripped-down, no-frills hardcore punk that will have you two-stepping and stagediving.   With an endearing band statement of unity and inclusivity, JEWELTONE have spent the last year building a name for themselves in the city’s hardcore scene. At their shows you’ll find a melting pot of all ages and backgrounds pinballing off heavy riffs, punishing drums, and howling vocals.   Consisting of Christian Adams on bass/guitar, Jordan Walker on drums and Neftali on vocals, each member brings their own unique perspective and influences to the project. These influences, acting as their north star, are wide-ranging and far-reaching, especially Nef’s whose roots are firmly planted in Buffalo’s hip-hop community.   Their spotlighted single “IDFWY,” puts all these influences in a blender for[...]

Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake – S/T

Throw on a leather jacket and mirror shades and let Buffalo deathrockers Black & White Cat / Black & White Cake be the soundtrack for your cemetery dance party with their debut self-titled album.   Inspired by the 1977 horror flick, The Sentinel, and formed six years ago by vocalist Dan Oh and guitarist John Toohill, this gothic five-piece delivers lo-fi melodic post-punk that’s cloaked in darkness and apathy. Rounding out the group and helping to bring their sound back from the dead are guitarist Dave Ward, bassist Paul Morin and synthesist Kelly Morduant.   Opening up this brooding collection of songs is the track “Useless” that encapsulates B&W Cat / B&W Cake’s macabre spirit. Oh’s cold, near-death vocals play perfectly against Toohill and Ward’s warm-blooded guitars; perfectly reflecting of the duality of life and death. It’s a great and catchy introduction to the band and their brand of punchy[...]

The Manx – “Weird Girl Stuff”

Get weird with LA-based art punks, The Manx, as they debut the visuals for their spastic new single, “Weird Girl Stuff.” Off their latest LP, Malibu Slime, this unique quintet shows off their sweet side with a romping beat that twists, turns and shivers with electro blasts and jolly vocals. Taking it to another level are director, Jennifer Ruiz, and animator, Amy Q. Huang, who punctuate the track with vibrant visuals and awesome animations that will charm your socks clean off. Do yourself a favor and give this wonderfully oddball video a watch below. For more of The Manx, check out their Spotify here and Facebook here.

Tonight: Darryl Rahn

Utica-bred, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Dylan Rahn will be returning to Buffalo this evening, performing at Nietzsche’s for the very first time. We’ve been on the Rahn train for close to two years, after discovering his heartfelt song “Still in Luv.” In his 2017 single, Rahn sings about his struggles after an encounter with a new flame who has yet to let go of their old flame. Since then we have written about two more of his singles, and Rahn continues to deliver heartfelt emotional lyrics which will be sure to be conveyed in the intimate front room setting. In addition, promising singer/songwriter Michael Heubusch will be joining him, as well as Head North front man Brent Martone. Doors are 8:30pm with a $5 cover

Tonight: koko.neetz

Allen Street is hosting an intimate night of up-and-coming Buffalo-based singer/songwriters in the front room tonight. Sharing the floor will be koko.neetz, Andrew Kothen of dreambeaches’ intricate solo works. This will be a preview of koko.neetz’ upcoming album release, due out next month. Also on the bill will be soulful acoustic act Yali, the brainchild of Humble Braggers guitarist, Bryan Zellz. Rounding out the lineup is Derick Evans, a fresh face to the local alt-Americana/indie scene. Doors are at 8:30pm and there is a $5 cover. Stay long enough to wish Kothen a happy birthday. Written by Matt Burgerhoff

Tonight: Red Devil Ryders

Get your thrills tonight on Main Street in Buffalo as the Hostel hosts an awesome lineup. Taking the stage and on the lam are Cleveland’s outlaw lo-fi power pop act, Red Devil Ryders. This trio will charm you with a catchy Southern throwback sound that will make you feel like an easy rider cruising into the sunset. Expect a stellar set filled with tangy BBQ riffs, piston-firing drums and free bird vocals. Check them out and get your engine revved. Sharing the bill and fresh off their latest tour are hometown punk rockers, Alpha Hoppers. Chaos will surely reign when these four hit the stage. Expect boisterous, experimental punk beats and in-your-face, wild-woman vocals that amount to some of the most righteous jams on the scene today. Show up and give them a warm welcome home. Rounding out the night is the Buffalo emo post-punk four-piece, Speed Dial. Doors at[...]

Tonight: Leggy

Get your kicks tonight at the 9th Ward in Buffalo who host buzzworthy Cincinnati garage rockers, Leggy. If you’re not in the know, Leggy released their new album, Let Me Know Your Moon, which features fantastically ragtag, punk-flavored garage rock. Dual vocalists, Veronique Allaer and Kirsten Bladh, who also double-up on guitar and bass, sing their hearts out over relationship woes while weaving no-nonsense riffs that will give you an adrenaline rush. Tying everything together with calamitous drumbeats is Chris Campbell behind the kit. With a song for every flavor of punk, don’t miss this irresistible trio who are sure to put on a great performance. Sharing the stage are hometown favorites, Velvet Bethany. A band that needs no introduction, this four-piece is still riding high off their latest album, Rock & Roll Vacation!, which saw them put out their best material to date. Prepare for an electrifying performance filled with[...]

Tonight: Alpha Hopper

Stage dive into a mid-week treat tonight at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place for a killer punk rock show. Headlining are the noisy punk rockers, Alpha Hopper. This hometown four-piece will inject their experimental, power chord-heavy sound straight into your brain and leave you bouncing off the walls and the people around you. Their riffs are catchy and crunchy and their vocals are abrasive and female, it’s the perfect recipe for a good time. Expect old frenetic favorites and new sublime stuff off their recently released album, Aloha Hopper. Also performing is the Washington, DC rock and roll hardcore adrenaline rush, CDR (Crude Death Rate). If you’re having a bad week and hate your job, this set will be the perfect release to kick you over the hump. Fresh off their explosive new EP, Kill Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow, CDR pumps out pissed off hardcore that’s sure to get[...]

Tonight: Candy Ambulance

Must-see Troy, NY grunge rockers, Candy Ambulance, make their much-anticipated return to Buffalo tonight for a party hosted by Milkie’s on Elmwood. Candy Ambulance has a well-earned reputation for putting on a killer set you don’t want to miss. This badass and charismatic tripod, composed of singer and guitarist Caitlin Barker, bassist Jesse Bolduc, and drummer Jon Cantiello, is fueled by pure passion and alcohol. Barker lets her booze-soaked vocals stumble everywhere from a soft sincerity to a snotty snarl. Laid underneath are live-wire riffs and catchy drumbeats layered by Bolduc and Cantiello that will get your BAC pumping. Catch them while you can for a blackout good time. Also taking the stage is local raw indiemo act, Passed Out. Sing and dance your feelings out to their irresistible records filled with life and heartache. Perfect for the recently dumped; Passed Out are sure to put on an awesome set[...]

14 Trapdoors Comes Through with New Single “Ghosts”

Buffalo’s own 14 Trapdoors comes through with their hyped-up new hip-hop single, “Ghosts.” This three-headed crew is comprised of emcees, Bendyface, WZA and Short Moscato, who skate on a banging squeegee trap beat like big baller figure skaters. If the production doesn’t catch your ear, their slick and dizzying flows and raps will. Bump this fresh listen below and keep your eyes on 14 Trapdoors via their SoundCloud here.

Tonight: Heart Bones

The 9th Ward at Babeville in Buffalo hosts a special mid-week treat tonight with the eccentric indie-pop duo, Heart Bones, taking the stage. After meeting on tour in recent years, fearless singer-songwriters, Sean Tillman (aka Har Mar Superstar) and Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit), joined forces to compose irresistible love songs with a dangerous edge. This modern-day Sonny & Cher share a love for the theatrics that shines through in their performances as they sing their hearts out over colorfully catchy beats sweetened with moody synth melodies. Bring a pillow because you’re going to fall hard for these two tonight. Doors at 7pm, music at 8pm. Tickets are $15; get them here.

Tonight: Crimps

Buffalo’s Mohawk Place is going to rock your socks off tonight with the help of local and out-of-state punk rockers. Headlining are the Salem, Mass synth-punkers, Crimps. This four-piece, who kicked off 2019 with the release of a split with Automatic Shoes, specialize in catchy, no-nonsense punk beats sugarcoated with bright-eyed, bushy-tailed synths. Take that and mix in some lo-fi, sing-a-long harmonies and you’ll be crowd surfing and stage diving in no time. Don’t miss this welcomed breath of fresh air tear it up while you can. Opening tonight are new punks on the block, Piss Phantom. There’s something special, but certainly not pretty, about this Buffalo band and their down-and-dirty, DIY sound that will take you by storm. Expect to hear ear-bleeding material off their just-released EP, Piss Takes Two, that’s a one-two knockout punch of raw guitar riffs and stark-raving-mad vocals. Check them out and tinnitus be damned.[...]