Latest Posts

The Tins Premiere New Video for “Love On Strike”

April 5, 2016

The Tins have been quite a force in Buffalo music for several years now, culminating in the release of the fantastic Love on Strike last November. Recently, the trio released a video for the title-track, featuring lots and lots of donut play. This one goes out to all the Paula’s Donuts addicts out there – consider this your trigger warning. “Love on Strike” follows the Tins format of sunny, quasi-psychedelic indie rock. The song is chock full of great harmonies, squiggly synth, and razor sharp hooks. The video was produced by Drew Luster and Mike Muntner of the NYC Comedy Team Garbage Farts. You can check out some of their other work at Garbagefarts.com. We hear they both like donuts quite a lot. Please enjoy the smooth sounds of The Tins below. RIYL Tame Impala, MGMT, or Ducktails.

The Slums Release New Single, “Gospel Pt. II”

March 31, 2016

For such a loud band, the Slums have been uncharacteristically quiet for quite some time (except for maybe that extremely raucous show with fellow noisemakers, PUP). The silence has come to an abrupt end – The Slums have just dropped their first single from their new album, SORRY, entitled “Gospel, Part II” via soundcloud. The song is brash and beautiful, melding singer Steven Floyd’s unmistakable voice with just-barely-discordant guitar work. RIYL The Blood Brothers or Pile with the earnest songwriting of Lemuria. The Slums CD release show for SORRY will be held on April 29th. Pay attention to their social media for more juicy details very soon. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256396787″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: SLUGS

March 23, 2016

LA rockers SLUGS make a triumphant return to WNY tonight as they swing through Mohawk Place tonight. Buffalo and Rochester natives might recognize Marissa and James Longstreet, formerly of High Drags fame. With roots in both Rochester and LA, the band specializes in slacker rock vibes a la Exile In Guyville-era Liz Phair, Courtney Barnett, or Colleen Green. Joining SLUGS tonight are the Buffalo punx in Basement Rat, the surf-punks in Slow Cooker, and Rochester indie pop royalty Pleistocene. Doors are at 8pm. Bring $5.

ROMP – Departure From Venus

March 14, 2016

When two individuals meet via Tinder, one would be safe to assume that there is a certain “connection” waiting to be made. That swipe to the right might result in a new partner if you catch my drift. In our age of digital love, what does a Tinder swipe really mean? In the case of Madison Klarer and Lucas Dalakian, Tinder was the vehicle that helped them create a completely professional musical relationship, aptly-named ROMP. Stranger things have happened, right? Either way, ROMP specializes in fun, synth-laden pop rock that’s riding the third-wave of nerd-chic acts a la Front Bottoms and Modern Baseball with a female-fronted touch (think Field Mouse or Tancred). In yet another stellar “aptly-named” decision, ROMP decided to name their first LP Departure From Venus. Themes of alienation, confusion, and twenty-something woes permeate the nine-songs on DFV. Opening track “Backfire” is an archetypal example of ROMP’s specialties – bouncy pop-punk about the awkwardness[...]

Genesee Live Premieres Latest Session feat. Pleistocene

March 3, 2016

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve posted about our buddies over at Genesee Live. The live session series is one of our favorites in the WNY area, specializing in acts from the Rochester-area. For their 31st installment, they’ve  teamed up with everyone’s favorite epoch, Pleistocene. A few years ago we saw front-woman Katie Preston rip a stripped-down solo set for the folks at Genesee Live. This time around the entire quartet is present and their quirky indie rock is operating at maximum jangle. A particular highlight is session opener “Joni,” which boasts a creative song structure, tight transitions, and unique surf-inspired riffs. We’ve posted the entire clip below for your enjoyment, but be sure to scroll through Genesee’s impressive back catalog of sessions here.

Hundred Plus Club Releases Debut EP

February 23, 2016

Local garage rockers Hundred Plus Club have just released their debut three-song EP, full of frantic, dance rock. This fresh-faced act recently recorded with Nick Borgosz at World of Noise Studios (Bryan Johnson & Family, M.A.G.S.). We recommend these guys if you would be interested in hearing what Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club) would sound like as front man of The Rapture or Interpol. You can check out our personal favorite track from Three Songs, “Reversed,” below.

Garrett Klahn (ex-Texas Is The Reason) Releases Debut Single

February 19, 2016

For anyone familiar with earnest, 90s indie rock, you may recognize Garrett Klahn from seminal emo band Texas is the Reason. Fun fact: Klahn is originally from Buffalo and still has strong ties to the Queen City. Recently, Klahn holed up in a Main St. studio with a bunch of veteran Buffalo musicians to cut a new album. The result is a 10-song, self-titled effort that will be released via Rise Records. Klahn is currently streaming his debut single, “Are We Alright?.” Klahn’s brand of simmering indie rock is atypical from Rise’s heavier reputation, emphasizing his smooth baritone drawl over chill, synth-textured indie rock. Klahn is slated to return to Buffalo to play a few solo shows soon – until then, you can preorder the album via iTunes or MerchNow. Have yourself a listen to “Are We Alright?” by clicking below.

Muler – Unlikely Soldiers

February 8, 2016

If there’s one thing I have learned thus far in life, it’s that there is no substitute for experience. In terms of being a musician, there’s a certain type of maturity that comes with two and a half decades of playing music together. It’s an unbreakable but tumultuous bond that controls the subtle nuances that take a band from being good to being nuanced. Rochester’s Muler has been a band since 1992 – that’s a lot of life experience. Unlikely Soldiers is Muler’s triumphant second full length since reforming five years ago. The songs are tightly wound, catchy, and earnest, comparable to The Get Up Kids in their Guilt Show-era. In fact, the vibes while listening to Unlikely Soldiers are enough to bring me back about 15 years in time. This is welcome nostalgia; a listen through Unlikely Soldiers feels like 2002 surging through my ears. This batch of 10 songs would sit nicely upon a shelf next[...]

La Fiesta Lafayette Releases New EP

February 2, 2016

Mysterious lo-fi act La Fiesta Lafayette has just released a new three-song EP. Recorded on the cheap in in a run-down apartment with a gas leak, LFL has made efficient use of the surprisingly ideal bathroom acoustics. Capoed guitars and smooth mandolin tones lay the groundwork for LFL’s snarky, but fitting vocal delivery. What results is an impassioned acoustic effort in the same vein as Fevers and Mirrors-era Bright Eyes or Balance Problems. Check out “OpheliaOphelia” below.  

Tomoreaux Release Single from Forthcoming Debut Album

December 21, 2015

Local atmospheric nature rockers Tomoreaux have just released”In Plain Air,” the first single from the trio’s forthcoming debut record At Peace, Overlook. The new track channels the best of Sigur Ros and Local Natives, slowly building presence around a wispy, chiming guitar motif. The song’s apex finds the band experimenting with spacey chants and whispered falsetto, reminiscent of subtle Animal Collective vibes. You can catch Tomoreaux at their CD release next year (on 1/8/16 that is). Show details can be found HERE; while you browse show details, please enjoy the sounds of Tomoreaux below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/238030956″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Anthony Del Plato Releases Two New Singles

December 16, 2015

Our Batavian buddy Anthony Del Plato surprised us with a new two-song, EP last week, which he has affectionately self-titled. The first track, “Call and Answer,” is a wonderful addition to Del Plato’s canon. The song pairs autumn imagery with winter laments and is bolstered by spiraling guitars and Del Plato’s signature layered harmonies. “Numbers” is an ethereal take on a previously released song, reminiscent of Del Plato’s recent foray into electronica with new project, Tape Drive. As if that weren’t enough, Del Plato is on a roll having recently reunited with his Strings & Chords collaborator Bradley Kujawski for a one-off song under the moniker Junction Hill. Their new song, “Suburban Lawn Envy Blues,” is an upbeat number, despite the rainy weather being sung about. The grass is always greener, right guys?

Tonight: All Them Witches

December 10, 2015

Psychedelic rockers All Them Witches are passing through Buffalo today. The Nashville quartet are quickly becoming front-runners in the underground heavy rock scene, seeing as how they masterfully blend blues, sludge, and stoner rock into long, droning songs. RIYL The Black Angels, Kyuss, or Pink Floyd. Support tonight comes from New Madrid and Rochester stoner rock group (and perfect fit for this particular bill), King Buffalo. Tickets are $12, doors are at 7:00pm, and music starts at 8:15. Clarification: you should not confuse All Them Witches with Buffalo-based mathy duo All of Them Witches, although that would have made for a pretty awesome lineup.

Prince Daddy & The Hyena – Adult Summers

December 1, 2015

Prince Daddy & The Hyena has me baffled. They’ve just put out something truly unique, an almost unclassifiable sounding new EP called Adult Summers. My attempt at classification: take equal parts Andrew W.K. and The Hotelier, and toss in a dash of The Locust. One of their songs even sounds like Atom and his Package. Either way, their music is fast, loud, and weird… In a good way. A very good way. Amidst the aggression, there’s a cavalcade (yes, a cavalcade) of really impressive and beautiful guitar work, not to mention the myriad of other creative noises peppered into the mix. At any rate, Prince Daddy & co. are pushing the limits of whatever genre they’re defying. In order to truly describe this band, you’ll probably just need to use the word “party.” If it’s not apparent by their irreverent approach to musicianship, Prince Daddy & the Hyena are a release from Broken World[...]

Tonight: Knuckle Puck

November 19, 2015

Get ready to pogo and mosh and potentially even feel a little sad tonight! If you like pop punk, the Waiting Room is the place to be tonight. The premiere, pizza-guzzling pop punkers in Knuckle Puck are headed to Buffalo tonight, along with a strong bill of supporters. Fellow bands include the fellow pop-punkers in Seaway, the omnipresent Sorority Noise, and Buffalo’s very own Head North. Doors are at 6pm tonight and tickets are $16. Russ would be proud, fellas (other Mighty Ducks references are encouraged).

Bethlehem Steel – Docking

November 9, 2015

This isn’t the first time we’re writing about Bethlehem Steel (BS), so by now, Becca Ryskalczyk’s move to Brooklyn has been well-publicized. We like to take care of our own, even when they move out of town after all. In case you’re unfamiliar, Becca was Buffalo-born and educated at SUNY Fredonia. You may have caught her several years ago on a solo trek across the US with fellow Buffalonians A Hotel Nourishing. Either way, we consider Becca an honorable Buffalonian, even as she’s busy making waves in the Brooklyn independent scene. Docking is the new EP (out via Brooklyn’s Miscreant Records) from this talented three-piece. Though they’ve always had a knack for fuzzy indie-pop (see “Guts” from their last EP, Grow Up), BS has really stepped up their fuzz game on Docking. Opening track “One Giant Fuck Machine” is a poppy, apt introduction to this EP, showcasing the groups’ loosely-wound, borderline lo-fi tunes. Most notable is Becca’s[...]