Buffalo

Bryan Dubay – “Call Your Mother”

March 31, 2025

Man of many talents/genres Bryan Dubay is back with another song – this one called “Call Your Mother.” Not known to pigeonhole himself into one genre, Bryan’s latest is folk-forward, showcasing sighing steel guitars and acoustic strumming as the buttresses for his pleasant vocal timbre. His influences, think Elliott Smith and Fleet Foxes, come together perfectly here, melding the former’s intimate singer/songwriter presence with the modern-day folksy sensibilities of the latter. “Call Your Mother” is more for an evening spent fireside (since we’re all still freezing up here in Buffalo) rather than a dive bar barnburner, so brew yourself a nice cup of cocoa, bundle up, and enjoy Dubay’s latest this evening.   “Call Your Mother” is available now via your preferred streaming service.  

Torture Agenda – Another Fine Day

March 24, 2025

Irreverent Buffalo grindcore favorites, Torture Agenda, have unleashed their bruising debut full-length, Another Fine Day. For the uninitiated, band members Bryan, Adria and V tangle sludge, grind, and hardcore influences together into a blood knot of raw, sonic physicality. Their brutal sound, dubbed “Rust Belt Wrath,” is confrontational and chaotic and not for the weak of heart nor hearing. Listen for Bryan’s overdrive guitar riffs quaking under Adria’s frenzied blast beats while V screams socio-conscious verses with the intensity of a rabid pitbull.   Standing at 13-tracks, 38-minutes, Another Fine Day includes abrasive new material as well as fresh recordings of oldies such as “Occupational Hazard” and “Skull Magnet.” The record opens with “Ravenous,” a foreboding ambient noise track from featured Arizona artist ScreamingLake that sets an ominous tone before kicking into high gear with the raging “Marlboro Man Smokes Turkish Royals.”   Throughout the album, Torture Agenda skillfully balances[...]

Silver Proof – Polarity / Sixth Sense

March 14, 2025

Newly-minted trio Silver Proof released a split single today – Polarity / Sixth Sense encapsulates the group’s penchant for big sugary melodies and emo-punk energies. Guitarist/singer Bryan Williams; bassist Evan Tol; and frequent buffaBLOG protagonist, drummer Rafi Bloomberg specialize in honest and heartfelt songwriting, sure to catch the ears of fans of The Story So Far, Teenage Wrist, or Knuckle Puck.   “Polarity” takes aim at the inevitability of chronic illness. The band’s frustration is evident – pairing thick and angry guitar layers with Williams’ throat-shredding screams and rock-solid root notes from Tol. “Sixth Sense” is more of an introspective jam, highlighting Bloomberg’s nimble drumming with an impeccable snare roll-heavy beat. The chorus on “Sixth Sense” is one of the best moments on this split EP – bringing to mind Boxcar Racer-era Tom Delonge (but maybe if Mark Hoppus was still involved)… The band still finds a way to explode with energy[...]

Overgrowth – Rat Shovel

March 10, 2025

Buffalo metal punks, Overgrowth, drop the sledgehammer with their pulverizing debut EP, Rat Shovel.   Comprised of vocalist Anthony Muroff, guitarists Timothy Domes and Paul Mietlicki, bassist Jake Whitefield and drummer Roy Draves, this quintet makes a great first impression with this suffocatingly-heavy five-track tour de force.   Overgrowth fuses hardcore, sludge metal, and grindcore for a punishing listen that showcases lightning-fast tempos devolving into brooding, slow-motion breakdowns. Both Domes and Mietlicki lay down cinderblock riffs over Draves riotous drums and Whitehead’s thunderous basslines. Gluing these nefarious elements together is Muroff’s commanding and impressive mixture of guttural bellows and high-pitched shrieks.   Lighting the EP’s fuse with a burst of mayhem is the opening track, “End of Time.” The song is a great scene-setter and fully encapsulates Overgrowth’s sound as it slams between grindcore noise and melodic hardcore punk before culminating in a heavy breakdown that oozes out of your[...]

Dumb 100 – All of the Money (Just Like You) / Patience

March 3, 2025

Do we ever stop covering Jacob Smolinski’s musical endeavors (see here, here, and even here)?! The answer is no, because he’s back with another adventure, this time with collaborator Alex Behrens (who we’ve ALSO covered – here), for a project they have dubbed Dumb 100. This two-song mini EP is stuffed with intriguing sounds, beautiful harmonies, and impressive production work, rooted down by a jangly guitar-based backbone.   “All of the Money (Just Like You)” is a stunning intro – a waltz that mashes squiggly synths into electric and acoustic guitar work. Despite the song’s genuine beauty, Behrens and Smolinski don’t shy away from unique sounds – the hum of electric guitar feedback peeks through during the slow acoustic-guitar bridge, while borderline-discordant plunks of guitars smash through the mix like a gigantic 8-bit, bitcrushed bell. Puffs of electronic drums power the acoustic jangle of follow-up song, “Patience,” a song that[...]

gas station. – “More, or Less”

February 24, 2025

In a triumphant few weeks for Triple Hammer Records, gas station. is the latest of their crew to drop a new song. “More, or Less” isn’t quite the pop punk banger you might be expecting if you’re familiar with their canon – instead, the scrappy three piece put down the electric instruments (and their drums, for that matter) in exchange for a tender, acoustic offering. Heavy lyrics about falling down with a fork in your mouth and penning your will at 29 are powerful and are performed with a fittingly somber emotion, set off by the lone acoustic guitar accompaniment plucking its cyclical patterns. The band explains “More, or Less” simply:   “A song about age, meaning, and what have you.”   You can find “More, or Less” on bandcamp (below), or on Spotify or Apple Music. Also, keep up with all of gas station.’s goings-on with this helpful little[...]

Razorface – Razorface

February 17, 2025

There’s a new face in the Buffalo hardcore punk scene and it’s one only a mother could love. Meet Razorface, an enigmatic six-piece who have unleashed an unrelenting audio assault with their debut self-titled LP.   Born out of the demented psyche of Lucas Kaleta (K-Hole, Muddle, Lowest Form), Razorface has been stalking stages and terrorizing venues for the better part of a year with their killer brand of in-your-face, take-no-prisoners punk.   The band captures their special kind of mayhem on this ferocious eight-track rush that will make your head bang and your ears bleed. With help from Biff of Pallet Town who recorded, mixed and mastered the project, each crusty and spastic song feels like an all-out brawl. An example of the band’s sonic physicality is the single, “Self-Inflicted.” The song puts its boot firmly on your neck with wild outbursts of frenzied riffs and trashy drums that[...]

Sleep Debt Ceiling – “Misery is My Calling Card”

February 14, 2025

Buffalo’s emotionally-witty act Sleep Debt Ceiling has returned with their latest single “Misery is My Calling Card.” Similar to the angsty punk sound of SDC’s Demo EP, this track tunes into the raw emotions that come with self-sabotaging. In contrast to their previous release, “Misery is My Calling Card” features fuller production that provides a more studio-quality feel. The new dynamics increase anticipation for the April release of their second EP, Dead Air Trap.   Project head James Stephenson shines a spotlight on the deep-cutting lyrics while staying true to the genre with guttural vocals. This stunning combination is comparable to the works of iconic folk punk artists like The Mountain Goats and AJJ. Following the pattern of SDC’s sarcastic banter, this track deals with anxiety-induced overthinking that ultimately leads to avoiding humanity.   “I don’t deserve your kindness Secretly I hope That you will never realize I am a misanthrope[...]

Velvet Bethany – “Forbidden Fruit”

February 10, 2025

Buffalo-based punk project Velvet Bethany is back with a new music video for their single, “Forbidden Fruit.” Velvet Bethany is the band moniker for singer/songwriter Allison Mitchell, who has been on the scene for close to a decade, playing many  noteworthy indie bills and underground gigs throughout their tenure. The current line-up includes Romcom Victims members Kam Plotner and Nate Miller, who are both featured in the video.   “Forbidden Fruit” begins with a semi-monotonous conversation about different types of fruits then spins into an 8-bit intro where the track finally launches into the punk-y body of the single. The driving sound of “Forbidden Fruit” is coupled with playful vocals, reminiscent of surf-y Le Tigre with a B-52’s staccato delivery. Lyrics-wise, the song is about being excited about a new love, being head-over-heels in the honeymoon stage of a relationship/situationship.   The video was edited and directed by Jacob Smolinksi[...]

Jacob King – Drink From a Fox’s Head

January 31, 2025

Buffalo-based music scene staple Jacob King released two singles under his solo name earlier this month and it’s full to the brim with freak-folk psych-pop elements. Jacob King may be a familiar face/name, as he’s been gaining much buzz with his project T.T.T.T., as well as numerous stints in different bands throughout the local scene (most recently with Hal & Pals and Cramps tribute act, Side Stitches). The new batch of singles highlights King’s dexterity as a musician and ability to chameleon his style.   The first song, “Drink From A Fox’s Head,”  has a sun-soaked start that leans heavily into the more psych-y elements of the release, showcasing a bit of a Blind Melon tinge with some Burger Records parallels. Let’s hope the lyrics are a metaphor, as the chorus has King wailing “I drink my tea from a Fox’s head…” That’s just gross if it’s true and it’s[...]

Mark the Aquarius – “SEV ONE SIX”

January 28, 2025

Buffalo’s very own Mark the Aquarius is back on the scene with “SEV ONE SIX” – a timely anthemic single for the city as we rebound from a particularly disappointing end of season. Filled with swagger, Mark’s venomously delivers himself and the city as the “Us” in an “Us Against the World” conflict. His intense wordplay is the strength of the track, dropping fervent city, wrestling, and Sway references in the same breath. “SEV ONE SIX” features bombastic production – giant MOP-style horns and swirling strings, matching and elevating the intensity. The “SEV ONE SIX” music video features vintage Buffalo scenes intermixed with Mark’s local performances – check it out for a nice nostalgic experience. Listen to more from Mark the Aquarius on Spotify and check out him and more up and coming artists on our Underground Hip Hop Playlist. 

Autoignition – “Plummet / Picking Daisies”

January 27, 2025

Buffalo based pop-punk quartet Autoignition just released “Plummet / Picking Daisies,” a two-track ripper that’s already found its way into our regular rotation. With anthemic choruses and their heart on their sleeve, these songs hit like a freight train. “Plummet” sees the band come out swinging, with blistering drums setting the stage. The earnest vocals have a sense of pleading, underscored with a slow-moving guitar countermelody. The energy captured on this track is very raw, that is undoubtedly reflective in band’s live performance.   “Picking Daisies” opens with a little more space, but no less energy. With a hooky guitar line, and driving drums, the track churns under the vocals. With echoes of early Blink-182, this is the perfect foil to ‘Plummet.”  High-impact release from a band that is getting a lot of well-deserved buzz. All in all, these tracks are a snippet into the project’s promising future in the[...]

Ian McCuen- As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls

January 24, 2025

Buffalo singer-songwriter Ian McCuen combines bedroom folk with jazzy synth pop in their latest album, As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls. Highlighting their personal struggle with understanding the socio-political state of the world, each of the 22 tracks speaks to a different emotion. From capitalistic nature to grief and search for individuality, this record has something for everyone.   Track one, “The Overture,” sets the overall tone with a haunting instrumental. It is unsettling and anxiety-inducing in a way that horror films have perfected and wonderfully portrays the turmoil expressed in later tracks. In addition to “The Overture,” nine other tracks act as ‘tone-shifters.’’ These instrumentals divide the album based on feeling and topic – going from unsettling depth (see “Indoctrinated, Propagandized”) to contemplative closure (see “Outerlude” and “Encore”) – with a unique utilization of piano, acoustics, Omnichord, and many others.   The first lyrics are seen in[...]

Romcom Victims – Rainy Days

December 27, 2024

Buffalo’s resident jangly powerpop group Romcom Victims have released their sophomore EP Rainy Days – a buzzy, four-song ripper that has found itself on a shortlist of the best Buffalo releases of the year.   The EP opens with “Absent Minded,” which sets a fun, surfy pace right out of the gate. Anchored by floating guitar lines over a tight rhythm section, the vocals instantly command your attention with their light and airy delivery. Dipping in and out of the spaces present in the reverbed-soaked textures, “Absent Minded” is an immediate earworm. The second track “Street Rat” is a churning offering, led by earnest vocals recalling a hypocritical scumbag, or more appropriately, a rat.   The EP is anchored by the title track “Rainy Days.” A definite EP standout, “Days” is a bouncy two-stepper that alternates through slower orchestrated parts with blasts of shuffling drumbeats and an impossibly nimble bass[...]

Makeout Tactics – Skunk House

December 23, 2024

Buffalo indie-pop outfit Makeout Tactics has released their first EP, Skunk House. Waxing philosophical, we are presented with a slice of life view of a group of friends in their 20s. Seemingly mundane, these stories and experiences are elevated through their eyes, creating a compelling story that captures our attention.   The EP opens with “311,” laced with a heartfelt urgency that draws you right in. Anchored by the haunting vocals of Akasya Croiser, lyrics float ethereally over the jangly and enveloping guitar lines. The banality of placing a 311 call becomes a plea; a call to action. Second is the driving “Laundromat Thief” which opens with guitars that could play against a gunslinger showdown in a Western. We are then presented with a scenario in which someone has stolen our narrator’s underwear (amongst other things). “Laundromat Thief” is a driving track that underpins our narrator’s struggles. While the drums[...]