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Cooler at Mohawk Place (1/12/18)

Despite the frigid winter storm raging outside that evening, Mohawk Place was absolutely brimming with excitement for Cooler’s EP Release Show on January 12th. Playing to a hometown crowd of their friends, family, and peers, Cooler opened their set with stripped-down renditions of fan favorites, before premiering new material from their latest Admirable Traits release, Buried EP, the band’s first as a trio. By dialing down the “phantom phuzz” that characterized their earlier music, Cooler emphasized the heartfelt songwriting, cathartic hooks, and taut musicianship that forms the essential core of their sound, played onstage with raging intensity and emotional conviction. The band were supported that evening by Honey COMA’s spartan confessionals, Post Prom’s disaffected anthems, and Into the Wake’s volcanic nightmares. Honey COMA Post Prom Into the Wake Cooler

M.A.G.S. & The Slums at Mohawk Place (9/8/17)

Two of Buffalo’s biggest local bands—righteous indie-punks M.A.G.S. and hardcore heavyweights The Slums—celebrated the release of their new, highly-anticipated albums with a stunning double release show at Mohawk Place on September 8th. MAGS’ self-titled debut for Admirable Traits Records showcases Elliott Douglas’ knack for razor-sharp riffs and hooks that deliver like a knockout punch. Likewise, The Slums’ latest EP, Bloodsucker, refines their signature amalgam of knotty math-rock riffs, driving rhythms, and Steven Floyd’s caustic howl. Having rigorously road-tested their new material for months, M.A.G.S. and The Slums blew the roof off Mohawk Place with unrivaled abandon. Joining them that evening were local synth-pop heroes (and M.A.G.S.’ labelmates) Humble Braggers, and the Albany-based “dreamo” quartet Jouska, making their return to Buffalo since their Dreamland show this past February. Humble Braggers Jouska The Slums M.A.G.S.

Converge at Waiting Room (7/31/17)

Massachusetts metalcore titans Converge brought their musical devastation to Waiting Room on July 31st, marking an end to their five-year absence from Western New York. Like a unstoppable force of nature wreaking havoc in its path, time and advancing age have not dulled the intensity and complexity of Converge’s highly-experimental hardcore. From Kurt Ballou’s adroit riffage to Nate Newton and Ben Koller’s impenetrable rhythms, and frontman Jacob Bannon’s inhuman shrieks, Converge’s music remains a hallmark of extreme sounds and extreme emotions. Joining the band that evening were Belgian post-metal band Amenra, whose monolithic maelstrom conjured visions of violence and darkness. Amenra Converge

Made Violent at Studio at Waiting Room (5/5/17)

Buffalo’s own rock ‘n’ roll rebels Made Violent played a blistering hometown show at the Studio at Waiting Room on May 5th, whipping the crowd into a fierce frenzy. With a seven-inch single soon to be released and a new album fully recorded, Made Violent are making moves, expanding their international reach to an even wider audience hungry for pure, uncut rock. Joining the fray that evening were Rustbelt roots-rockers Sixties Future, preparing a full length of their own, and indie punks Ugly Sun, who recently finished an EP. Check out the photos below! Sixties Future Ugly Sun Made Violent

Screaming Females at Mohawk Place (4/30/17)

Screaming Females returned to Buffalo after a lengthy absence to play a packed house at Mohawk Place on Sunday, April 30th, in support of their latest album, 2015’s Rose Mountain. The New Brunswick, New Jersey trio played an eardrum-obliterating set of serrated rock defined by its sheer intensity and lockstep precision. Marissa Paternoster’s full-throated voice and blaring guitar found the perfect foil in Michael Abate and Jarrett Dougherty’s robust rhythmic thunder. Opening that night were Buffalo’s own funk-punk freaks, Mallwalkers, whose horn-driven, new wave madness (literally) turned up the heat. Mallwalkers Screaming Females

Japanese Breakfast at Mohawk Place (4/23/17)

Japanese Breakfast’s dreamy indie-pop was met with rapturous acclaim at Mohawk Place on Sunday, April 23rd, at the band’s first live appearance in Buffalo. Equal parts shimmering and sinister, Michelle Zauner’s emotive songs express both harrowing loss and radiant joy over a bed of gossamer guitars and transcendent pop hooks. Supporting Japanese Breakfast that night was Rebecca Ryskalczyk, a singer-songwriter specializing in spartan guitar confessionals, and local act The Leones, a ghostly psych-rock quartet with a penchant for darkness. Check out the photos below. The Leones Rebecca Ryskalczyk Japanese Breakfast  

Acid Dad at Studio at Waiting Room (4/2/17)

On April 2nd, New York City’s Acid Dad brought the seductive swagger of their gritty garage rock sound to the Studio at Waiting Room for a night of debauchery. Along for the ride were Brooklyn’s Honduras, who kept the spirit of ’77 alive with their unbridled take on downtown punk, earning their stripes from rock ’n’ roll’s true believers. Representing Buffalo’s local scene that evening,  Deadwolf’s psychedelic stomp and Ugly Sun’s bare-knuckle riffs set the stage for the main event. Check out the photos below. Deadwolf Ugly Sun Honduras Acid Dad