Latest Posts

Scope & Figure Debut “Entropy Knows Best” Video

July 2, 2014

In late June, Rochester-based quartet, Scope  & Figure, released their debut video “Entropy Knows Best.” The video follows lead singer/guitarist, Thomas Varner, having an “oh shit!” moment, running down streets people in Rochester probably know, then arriving late to gig to an empty Bug Jar with only sketchy looking dude in a Carmen Sandiego jacket on. Based on some of my weekday ventures to the Bug Jar, this isn’t that far fetched. The band’s sound is definitely robust, sounding like a jazzy Okkervil River/Beirut hybrid. With plans for a late summer tour, keep Scope & Figure on your radar because they have plans to stop in town.

Just Announced: Kishi Bashi

June 30, 2014

This morning, buzz band bookers ESI Events announced an additional act to their already packed indie summer lineup. On Sunday, August 24, the Tralf will play host to anti-pop, orchestral mastermind, Kishi Bashi. Reigning as one of NPR’s golden children, Kishi Bashi’s performance at the Tralf will be one of the numerous “gotta be there” summer shows wedging into your already packed calendar. Tickets are available via TicketMaster for $14 advanced or if you find yourself walking around Main Street, pop into the Tralf’s ticket office.

Pony Hand Releases Debut Album

June 26, 2014

Raucous Rochester-based three-piece Pony Hand has been on radar for a bit since we’ve been spotting them on showcases with 585 located bands we are into for the greater part of a year. We finally associated a sound with a name last week with the trio’s debut self-titled release. The band’s sound is both psychedelic and garagey, sort of like if the Donnas shot dice in the alley and were produced by Jack White or if Karen O. had creative freedom on a Death From Above 1979 collaboration.  With plans for a physical tape release via Dadstache Records, you can grab a tape deck before the price is massively inflated due to the influx of bands releasing tapes/increasing demand, or stream on bandcamp. Check it out below.

buffaBLOG

June 19, 2014

I’m not sure if you have gotten the message yet, but there is something called Herd Fest going on and buffaBLOG is dabbling in it. This Saturday, the blog. along with many other progressive members of the music community. will combine forces to deliver a festival that has people traveling both far and wide (I have a friend coming from NYC to see it). The goal is to show the community at large that Buffalo’s music scene is thriving even if it is not reflective upon the numerous closed venues in the past couple of years. Our party is Saturday night at Duke’s as usual and here is what we have in store. First on the lineup is Brimstone Blondes, channeling its retro-sound ranging from semi-obnoxious B-52s to ultra-hip-dipping Talking Heads. In numerous personal conversations I’ve had, I’ve always dubbed frontman, Matthew Danger Lippman as one of Buffalo’s secret treasures,[...]

The Modern Electric – “All We Have Is Now”

June 12, 2014

Cleveland natives, The Modern Electric, took over our office speakers this morning with their driving single “All We Have Is Now.” Part manlier Keane, part vaudeville Jens Lekman, and a pinch of Spoon, the band’s sound is both whimsical and exuberant, channeling classic rock legends like Jeff Lynne of ELO. The Modern Electric will be making a stop in Rochester next Thursday (6/19) at Sticky Lips as part of their national tour. This post is geared to our Rochester readers and Buffalo readers that like driving 80 miles to see bands. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/69973526″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Yesterday vs. Tomorrow Releases “Mark Rothko” Single

June 3, 2014

Yesterday vs. Tomorrow peaked our interest since we caught a glimpse of their discography via an early leak for this year’s Infringement lineup (which by the way, is set to blow the previous years out of the water). The duo’s single, “Mark Rothko,” is a soaring mix between whiney Taking Back Sunday and melodic Muse anthem rock. Currently in the studio working on their upcoming double album titled Aurora Borealis, Yesterday vs. Tomorrow will be keeping busy this summer with a string of June gigs.  Check out the building single “Mark Rothko” below.

Tonight: Steak & Cake Records Presents Parlor Trix #1

June 1, 2014

Local DIY label, Steak & Cake Records, is set to present an evening showcase featuring some of Buffalo’s very best up-and-coming talents in the comfort of the CEO’s living room (410 Potomoc). If the lineup correlates with the order given on the event page, first up is Joey Mason, an East Aurora raised one-man band who teeter between Phoenix influenced psych-pop with a healthy dose of Strokes vibes mixed throughout. Next is Sonny Baker, a musician that by now needs no introduction or writeup because he is mentioned here weekly via one of his many projects (solo, A Hotel Nourishing, Wooden Waves, Lazlo Holyfeld, Alex Berkley and the Atlanta Falcons). Just expect that he will be playing guitar and singing tonight. Third on the lineup is mumble core savant, Damian Weber. Fresh off the heel’s of March’s incredible You Don’t Need It (recorded with Steak & Cake), Weber will be[...]

Tijuana Panthers – “Cherry Street”

May 27, 2014

SoCal garage punk trio, Tijuana Panthers, have made quite the name for themselves since their 2010 inception by routinely delivering high-energy performances ranging from sold-out concert halls to drop ceiling basements shows. Their latest single, “Cherry Street,” off of the upcoming June release Wayne Interest (Innovative Leisure), is a testament to the band’s staying power, both as a group and in your ears. “Cherry Street,” sounds like a mix between melody friendly Thee Oh See’s with early Drums riffs. The video is even more grabbing, highlighting a homicide detective’s appetite for blood and donuts at some vague time period in the 1980s. Check it out below.

Tonight: SMART HOUSE and Mooses

May 22, 2014

We usually don’t cover events at the Forvm (4224 Maple Rd), as the venue is inconveniently located if you are in the heart of Buffalo and the booking is usually wash/rinse/repeat, but this evening’s showcase is fairly noteworthy. Tonight the Forvm will host two bands we have been hyping, Mooses and SMART HOUSE. Mooses, if you haven’t been paying attention to our content for the past month, are a buzzing  psychrock band with a knack for ooo’s and aaah’s. Also on the bill is SMART HOUSE, an electro-pop band fronted by Alek Ogadzhanov (also of Brat’ya).  You may be familiar with SMART HOUSE based on the band’s landing of the song “Car Ride” on the blog’s top 20 countdown of Buffalo-based jams for 2013. Cover is a beyond reasonable $10 and doors are at 6pm, so I hope you brought a change of clothes in your car.

PASTEL GHOST – “Skeleton”

May 20, 2014

This morning, we received an e-mail from Oakland-based dream-wave artist, PASTEL GHOST. The fourth song off of the band’s Shadows EP, “Skeleton,” is enchanting, sucking the listener into a shoe-gaze trance backed by “dreamtrap” instrumentations. If you want to start making your cool summer playlist, this should be the first song on it.

midnight Releases Sensual Single “Adonis”

May 13, 2014

Buffalo-bred, Rochester-raised electro R&B artist, midnight, released his first song in more than a year today, titled “Adonis.” The single is a sip of sorts to midnight’s upcoming reservoir, with collaborations this summer set with buffaBLOG favorites JOYWAVE and Crookers. With comparisons to Maxwell, The Weekend, and How to Dress Well, midnight’s raspy soulful vocals backed by My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy-era Kanye productions create both an ethereal and seductive climate. Listen to “Adonis” below.

Jeremy Jermaine Jerome Releases Video for “coexist”

May 12, 2014

It’s been a while since we last heard from Jeremy Jermaine Jerome, a Carolina-raised, Buffalo-rooted abstract emcee (mostly because he has sworn off any-and-all social media). So with this, we were delighted to receive an e-mail from him this morning  which included a link to his latest music video, “coexist.” The video, much like others in JJJ’s repertoire, is an avant-garde piece layered with Jerome’s hushed staccato rapping . In “coexist,” Jerome proves once again his divergent performance art and poems are something to be noticed. This may be a little editorializing, and whatever this is a blog, but JJJ makes the best music videos in Buffalo. Every one is different and it is obvious that the rapper thoroughly thinks through his projects’ locations, props, and scenarios.  Other acts should take notice because we’re becoming a little waned from these repetitive narratives. coexist from ROY Productions on Vimeo.

Elton John and System of a Down – “Crocodile Chop”

May 2, 2014

This week, much like every other week in the 21st century, genius hit the internet with Neil Cicierega’s mismatched mashup titled “Crocodile Chop.” The reworked single is a blend of Elton John’s campy “Crocodile Rock” with System of a Down’s cringey “Chop Suey.” The video, for those of you who didn’t go to high school, consists of leadman Serj Tankian acting zaney  while sharing the stage with edgiest man/guitarist in 2002 Daron Malakian along with a backing by ultra-piano pop Elton Jon ivories. This has been stuck in my head for close to 24 hours so be careful with this one.

Bad Cello – “Cover Your Smiling”

May 1, 2014

What has been up with Utica lately? With impressive acts hailing from the region like Comfy  and Twin Speak, we’re beginning to think there is something unique in the Mohawk River. This week, we stumbled on an equally impressive act from the 315 under the moniker Bad Cello.  The project featuring Zeno Pitarelli and pals recently released the teaser for the grandiose sadcore single titled “Cover Your Smiling.” Set to be the starter single for an EP this summer via Miscreant Records, the song phases in and out of earnest vocals deserving of sympathetic back rubs and 90’s slack rock. Check out the  “Cover Your Smiling” below.

Del Paxton Announces Signing to Secret Audio Club

April 24, 2014

This week, Del Paxton, one of our favorite neighborhood indiemo revival acts, made public its signing with Rochester-based label, Secret Audio Club. The label is set to release one of Buffalo’s strongest albums of 2013, Del Paxton’s Worst. Summer. Ever., on vinyl this May. Secret Audio Club is a project run by Kyle Chapman, one of the minds behind 2013’s scene must-have, Wax Packs, which featured a series of limited edition 7″ from Such Gold, Banquets, and Podacter. Pre-orders for Worst. Summer. Ever. can be found here for $13. Well I guess they’re just burning a hole in your pocket. Photo Credit – CG Photography