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Tonight: Bryan Johnson & Family

January 2, 2015

The folks over at Admirable Traits have put together a juicy bill for the first weekend of 2015, a line-up stacked with local greats to take place at Mr. Goodbar at 10pm. If you’re like me, come January 2nd, a serious break from the holidaze is needed. That’s exactly where Bryan Johnson & Family comes in. Armed to the teeth with energetic surf-pop songs, these kings-of-all-things-fun will clean your holiday slate and teleport your tired soul into that sweet, sweet summer breeze. I can almost smell the toxic waters of Lake Erie already. Also on tonight’s bill you’ll find the electro-pop stylings of ambient rockers Humble Braggers and the delicious raw-retro sounds of Rochester post-punk duo Buffalo Sex Change. First Friday of 2015 + Mr. Goodbar’s tantalizingly extensive beer selection + just a buck-a-band cover? Don’t be a fool.

Tonight: Brimstone Blondes w/ The Demos

December 22, 2014

Are you sick of shopping malls yet?  I’ll bet you’re not sick of  abandoned Asian food markets and rock and roll! And if you’re saying to yourself “But I am sick of rock and roll…,” then why are you even reading this? I digress. Brimstone Blondes will be kicking off their “Red White & Blonde” Christmas tour tonight with a Chanukah bonanza at Ocean Garden Oriental Foods (1233 Niagara St.). If you didn’t catch them at their release party at Iron Works a few months back, now is your chance to catch their signature blend of charismatic post-punk for yourself. If you did make the release party, you probably know enough not to miss out. You know what they say: go Blonde or go home! (They don’t actually say that.) Two other bands share the bill with The Blondes tonight– Rochester’s power pop pros The Demos will be bringing it along with[...]

The Slums

December 16, 2014

In the spirit of keeping things fresh, this year’s holiday party will play host to a band formed just this year. Though not a baby band by any stretch of the definition, Buffalo post-punk revivalists The Slums have only been around a few months, already having generated some noteworthy buzz around our fair city. The band’s four members are no strangers to the local music scene either, having come from a variety of different musical backgrounds including the likes of The Malones, Scales,  A Boy and His Machine, and Strangers. The amalgamation makes for a pretty satisfying blend of both hook and grit–a Thermals-esque urgency meets a hardcore fierceness that, at times, conjures influence from fellow Buffalo boys Every Time I Die. Rock. And. Roll. The Slums’ well-rounded three track EP (recorded by Paul Besch of Quiet Country Audio) is available for free download on their bandcamp page; check it[...]

Tonight: Centro-matic

December 14, 2014

After 17 impressive years of relentless touring and songwriting, alt-country kings, Centro-matic, will be bringing their craft to Buffalo for the last time tonight as part of their 2014 Farewell Tour. “This time feels as good a note as ever to go out on and I feel safe in saying that Mark, Matt, Scott, and I would like for this tour and for these shows to be a celebration of our work and time together,” notes singer/songwriter Will Johnson on Centro-matic’s website. This particular gathering of friends (as the prolific Johnson suggests the shows on this tour should be) will take place at the Sportsmen’s Tavern (326 Amherst St.) with local support provided by long-time Buffalo favorites Roger Bryan and the Orphans. As aforementioned, this is last call for Centro-matic, I repeat: last call. Don’t miss out on this. Show starts at 7pm, tickets are $15 at the door, 21+.

Lesionread Drops New Tracks

December 8, 2014

Earlier this week, local experi-tronic (experimental electronic, duh) artist Lesionread dropped two fresh tracks on his Soundcloud page. The first, a Jon Bap remix of “Neutron Bomb” (appropriately re-titled “Nutron Bomb”), switches it up with a bumbling bass line and Bap’s signature whammed-out jangle guitar chords before slamming into fuzz city during the latter half. This is the first of two Bap remixes that will appear on Lesionread’s upcoming remix tape, slated for a February release. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/179736448″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] The second track, “Addicted…,” is packing strings, featuring samples of Joe Isom ripping it up on cello. The track’s danceable house(ish) beat and distant synth sounds remind me of something off the soundtrack for Bomberman Hero on N64 (anyone?), and when paired with the cello samples, makes for a flavorful groove. “If I hate it, then why do I keep doing it?” asks Lewis paradoxically, before answering his[...]

Tonight: Mitski

December 3, 2014

Hump day is upon us. And if you’re sitting at home thinking to yourself “I wish my hump day wasn’t such a drag…”, then read on, my friend. Brooklyn-based indie songstress Mitski will be performing at Northrup House tonight in support of her marvelous new record bury me at make out creek. There is a pleasing duality to the new record, sometimes folk-tinged and smooth like an early Jenny Lewis, other times angular and challenging like some of St. Vincent’s newer material. Mitski’s songs are equal parts beautiful, wounded, and weird, but her lyrical prowess is what drives it all home. bury me at make out creek is a buzz machine, so this may be one of the last opportunities to watch her play in such an intimate setting. Also on the bill for tonight: Portland’s psych-folker Johanna Warren, blog favorite Alex Berkley, Cobalt Blue, and Lawyer Sam. There is a $5[...]

Mountains and Valleys – Mountains and Valleys

November 17, 2014

This week’s AOTW feature comes at us all the way from Syracuse. We here at buffaBLOG are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore such compelling music from artists in WNY’s surrounding areas, and thusly, are expanding our reach. This week, neo-folk troubadour Merritt Harris and his collaborative project, Mountains and Valleys, has caught our ear, and for good reason. The indie-folk collective has just pulled the sheet off of their self-titled debut—a beautiful and cohesive collection of songs unmistakably suitable for those with curious, introspective souls. Also notable is the fact that the record is a full twelve tracks in length and each track holds up strong. In today’s digital age of online-only 3 – 6 track EPs, splits, and singles, it’s refreshing to see a full twelver every now and again, and the amount of work that went into this one is palpable—to say the least. Mountains and Valleys’ sound[...]

Tonight: Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band

November 12, 2014

If you’re looking for a solid mid-weeknight blast of brilliant psychedelic rock, you’re definitely reading the right preview. Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band will be bringing their eclectic and sonically diverse set of classic rock-tinged psychedelia to Mohawk Place tonight in support of their recently-released debut studio effort, Intensity Ghost. Their compositions draw comparisons to some pretty iconic artists including the likes of Television and the Grateful Dead. Experimental guitar duo The Actors, comprising of Nick Gordon and Eric Kendall, will be opening the show. The pair was last seen at Buffalo Iron Works during the Tins EP release show for Young Blame, and is a beyond worthy act to open the show up. Music kicks off tonight at 8pm. Cover is $6.

Crying

November 10, 2014

What do you get when you mix a Gameboy, three musicians with a penchant for writing endearing indie music, and a heaping pile of dream-worthy nostalgia? This is not a rhetorical question. You get Crying. The indie-electronic outfit out of Harrison, NY is raising eyebrows and drawing attention for their wildly unique blend of chiptune indie rock, and their fans are riding high on anticipation of their next release, Get Olde Second Wind, due out on Run for Cover records November 18th. buffaBLOG caught up with guitarist and Gameboy wizard Ryan Galloway before the band embarks on a full-US tour supporting Modern Baseball, set to hit Buffalo this Wednesday at the Waiting Room. buffaBLOG: Level 99 Modern Baseball tour approaches! How do you prepare? Ryan Galloway: We haven’t practiced as a band since some time before the last tour. We still need to put tires on our car. bB: What are[...]

101010 – We Are The Movie

November 3, 2014

Another month, another farewell album. Listening to an album known to be a band’s last is always a bittersweet experience, and 101010’s We Are The Movie was no different for me. The Buffalo band, having formed in 2012 from the ashes of Americana act Vox Humana, are no longer playing together, but, as a final gesture of good faith, decided to digitally release their swan song album for the fans of their decidedly post-rock loudness. Each of the respective members will be focusing on different projects beyond 101010’s dissolution; keep your ears to the ground. Though the curtain has called for 101010, We Are The Movie satisfies, and should not go unrecognized. Enter our Album of the Week. We Are The Movie explores the various intricacies of post-rock and shoegaze, landing somewhere between the cosmic thickness of 90’s band Hum and the hard-hitting fervor of Chevelle. But the album doesn’t[...]

Tonight: Applennium, Strange Acres, Lazlo Hollyfeld

November 1, 2014

On what appears to be another one of the best local bills of the nearing winter season, three revered Buffalo acts will be taking over Mohawk Place this Saturday night. The all-too-elusive Applennium will be bringing their affecting, dreamy blend of indie folk to the stage, joined by symphonic mood-rockers Strange Acres and the cerebral instrumentals of Lazlo Hollyfeld. Each of these three talented Buffalo acts really pulls out all the stops to ensure that their live shows are not easily forgettable, so if you’re not in a candy coma from last night’s shenanigans, you better make sure you’re at Mohawk Place tonight. Yes, it might snow—but this is Buffalo. Don’t be a wuss. The ‘hawk will open its doors tonight at 8pm for this all-ages event, and admission through those doors will cost you five bucks—probably the best five bucks you’ll spend all weekend. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/67736557″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″[...]

Diarrhea Planet

October 23, 2014

Diarrhea Planet is the best rock band out of Nashville right now. And I realize ‘rock’ is a relative term, but you would be hard-pressed to find another band out there currently that embodies the spirit of rock and roll more than Diarrhea Planet does. Their shredtastic blend of torrential punk rock packs some serious heat, and the band’s four guitarists, bassist, and drummer are slinging it across the Northeast as you read this intro. Diarrhea Planet makes their stop in Buffalo on October 27th at the recently reopened Mohawk Place. buffaBLOG had some words with guitarist Evan Bird before their arrival in the Nickel City, highlighting their current tour, Nashville’s music scene, and, uh.. Keegan Hestdalen. Enjoy. buffaBLOG: How is your tour going? Evan Bird: This tour has been going really well! It’s nice to be back on the road in the northeast and even nicer to be back[...]

Stepfriends Releases New Album, All We’ve Got

October 22, 2014

The dudes (and dudettes) in Buffalo emo-pop collab-group Stepfriends have just digitally released their debut full-length album All We’ve Got. The eleven-track record, mostly recorded at The Square Studio in Syracuse, gives emo a little soul–think a jazzier Into It. Over It. with a dash of Circa Survive. Vocalist Johnny Lucas has a smooth and solid range, and his clear, handsome tenor takes the forefront in many of the songs. The tracks are expertly arranged; some of my favorite points on the record are the atmospheric bridges and breakdowns that give All We’ve Got it’s unique sound. Check out the angular riffs and crisp drumwork on track “Renovation” below, and go visit the band’s Bandcamp page for digital downloads and vinyl preorders.

Know Your Opener: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

October 19, 2014

It’s not every day that us Buffalonians are privileged to see musical acts from other continents, but if you’re planning on hitting up the White Fence show tonight at the Tralf, you would be so lucky. Opening for the psychedelic singer-songwriter is a grand seven-piece from Melbourne, Australia—meet King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The band’s sound is, for a lack of better word, tremendous, walking heavy-footed on the border of neo-psychedelia and garage rock. Not only do King Gizzard’s songs easily draw comparisons to 1960’s psychedelic bands such as The Yardbirds and The Beatles, but do so without beating the genre like a dead horse. The songs are fresh, fuzzy, lush, and fun, all the while maintaining that 60’s vibe that gives King Gizzard their flavor. A lot of their songs have an unbridled energy to them (think The Hives), and if their live show is anything like the[...]

Tonight: Roger Bryan & the Orphans

October 18, 2014

The weekend has landed. That means, if you haven’t already, finding something to do that will wipe clean your pent up nine-to-five weekday stress. Well, if you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place. Tonight, the second-floor stage of Elmwood watering hole Mr. Goodbar will host a variety of talent to satisfy your Saturday. Tonight’s bill includes local alt-country heroes Roger Bryan & the Orphans, the Niagara Falls natives in No Wounded Soldiers (think Arctic Monkeys meets Generationals), and the rhythmic explorations of experimental electronic artist Ay Fast, otherwise known as Adrian Bertalone. Pop-punkers The Revenge Therapists will be opening the show and kicking things off. If you caught RB&tO’s set at Harvest Sum’s showcase at Herdfest earlier this year, then you know their live set is not one to miss. Their organized blend of alt-country and rootsy college rock permeates down to the core for a feel-good sound[...]