Buffalo

Passed Out – The Aforementioned and How It Pertains to Absolutely Nothing…

December 8, 2017

The Aforementioned and How It Pertains to Absolutely Nothing…, the new 18-minute album from Buffalo indie punk quintet Passed Out, is a no-holds-barred effort laced with fast-paced rhythms and clever turns of phrase. The opener, “Bukowski and Brautigan” is a single minute in length, but it should manage to touch any listener lyrically or at least make them jitter around the room. It’s carried into the next tune, a more subdued track, by way of feedback. This one, entitled “…and in Doing So” is a clever song speaking of a relationship under the guise of an endless, extremely cold winter. “Aimless Endeavor” is another less turbulent song, save for a brief guitar solo and the last 30 seconds, which consists of heavy blows of instruments and vocals. “Summer Thing” shows traces of both The Cure and The Clash in its tough exterior but vulnerable core, as thinly veiled jabs are[...]

The Eaves Drop First Single and Video

November 28, 2017

Sixties Future was a band much beloved here at the buffaBLOG from that Herd Fest show at the Mohawk when the melted the faces off a few staff writers, myself included. Chris Couche’s Matt Berninger meets Bruce Springsteen vocals and mythic frontman stage presence, coupled with the band’s retro edged hard driving Americana rock made believers of us, and from that point forward their every song or show received passionate attention. After a few years growing in strength in the rock revivalist corner of the local scene, when word went out that the band was calling it quits there was definitely some sadness. Everything just felt right about Sixties Future, but maybe it wasn’t to be. But earlier this summer there was word on the street that the band was resurfacing  under the moniker The Eaves, but nothing materialized until last week when they released “Feel Better,” their debut single and a music video[...]

Nylon Otters Reveals New Singles

November 21, 2017

The Nylon Otters emulate a bit of Nevermind-era Nirvana on their debut studio single, “Pollenblonde,” a bouncing and rhythmic track comprised of fuzzy guitars, monotone vocals and repeating avant-garde lyrics (“It feels great, Pollenblonde / ‘Aint it a strange thing we’re on? / It’s just fake, all in all / But it’s okay really, I don’t mind / I’m not mad,” Logan Ross sings during the chorus) set atop a bed of raw production, which suits this track perfectly. The band amps things up a bit on b-side “Loose Ends,” a rollicking tune that introduces a bit of driving Americana into the mix. All in all, “Pollenblonde” and “Loose Ends” do not ever comprise a total of five minutes, so there’s not really much excuse for you to not at check them out. Pollenblonde by Nylon OttersWritten by Brian Campbell

Hundred Plus Club Drop Music Video for “Cooler”

November 21, 2017

Buffalo indie rock act Hundred Plus Club have dropped a new visual for “Cooler,” the latest single off their upcoming EP Everybody’s Friend, a video that manages to capture the band’s true lo-fi essence. Nestled between a giant projection screen and projector, the band churns out their latest indie rock entry as a myriad of hazy colors, including plenty of blues and reds, and shapes dance across their faces. Angular guitars and cymbal crashes swell and build to a satisfying crescendo as the video fades out with the band’s name and song title flashed across the screen in a familial 80’s graphic font. The new clip was shot by James Carriero, directed by drummer Burak Spoth and co-directed by singer Zain Shirazi. Everybody’s Friend, Hundred Plus Club’s sophomore EP and first since 2016’s For You, will be released November 24 via Admirable Traits Records. In honor of the album’s release,[...]

Rust Belt Brigade Release Spin on “Low Bridge (Erie Canal)”

November 16, 2017

Buffalo’s own Rust Belt Brigade have released a new single from their forthcoming release Rhythm & Roll. This track is their take on the classic regional folk tune “Low Bridge (Erie Canal),” a song familiar to many of those who’ve attended grade school in western New York. Originally a folk-punk duo, Rust Belt Brigade is shifting its sound slightly, blending in new influences from the world of bluegrass roots. The band now includes a bassist and a banjo player, while this song features local violinist Sally Schaefer. The music is as rustic and lilting as you’d expect from a classic folk group, while still maintaining the group punk side. Lead singer Victor Castillo’s raspy, half-shout voice gives this centuries old dirge a new anthemic edginess. Rhythm & Roll is set for release on December 16th, with a release show happening on December 2nd at Nietzsche’s. In the meantime, check out Rust Belt Brigade’s[...]

Nothing Casual – Blank Slate EP

November 2, 2017

Funktastic guitar licks and striking solos quarterback “Breakdown,” the opening salvo of Nothing Casual’s Blank Slate, the band’s first release since rebranding themselves (they were formerly known as White Shade). Thankfully for Nothing Casual, the guitar work helps mask the rather off-putting vocals of Matt Sacha, whose unique delivery sounds just out of place here. Blank Slate manages to recover rather quickly from its auspicious start on the following “394,” as Sacha’s mellow tones gel perfectly with the track’s indie pop sensibilities. Zach Moore’s howling guitars again work to pace “394,” as the band’s penchant for lush melody gets put on display. The closing “What a Shame” follows suit, with Sacha’s sleepy aesthetic perfectly complimenting Moore’s wailing riffs. The guitar-driven bridge during the song’s latter stages is a highlight. The EP is raw and messy at times, but Nothing Casual do a yeoman’s job in clicking at the right times[...]

Johnny & the Man Kids Release Single “I’m Just a Man”

October 31, 2017

Within the first 40 seconds of “I’m Just a Man” by Buffalo natives Johnny & the Man Kids, a grouping of instruments coalesce one by one—rollicking drums, chiming guitar, a buoyant bassline, a keyboard replicating a theremin, and intervening vocal calls of “1, 2, 3, 4.” Lead singer John Marciniak lyrically pleads with a love interest, tossing his pride to the curb while insisting on living each day to the fullest. The lines “now I / know that I’ll find / some peace of mind / knowing you’re fine” meet a thunderous instrumental barrage before falling back to that initial guitar line and, fittingly enough, a call to “slow down.” “I’m Just a Man” then reintroduces the remaining instruments only to wipe them all away again with exception of an ascending bassline and ethereal sound effects. After another build-up, the words enter, flipping the message to “don’t slow down” instead.[...]

Passion in Constellation Returns with New Single

October 24, 2017

Buffalo-based producer Passion in Constellation has returned, joining forces with singer Star Cvlt to release the new single “A Little More About You.” The track is a sparkly affair filled with flashy keystrokes and surges of synth, all laid underneath Star Cvlt’s (aka Amanda Terragnoli) breathy vocals. “A Little More About You” succeeds in building to the crescendo, which crashes like a tidal wave once the beat drops. Anticipation swells as tempos slow, though it’s only a matter of time before the waves start to crest once again. As a matter of fact, this all happens within the first minute of the track, but that’s just a taste of what’s to come over the course of the next few minutes. “Light up these skies / So at night / I can keep you / Light up this tomb / I’ll be the moon / To reflect you,’ she sings during[...]

heave – S/T

October 6, 2017

Buffalo musician Emily Finlan has released her first EP via bandcamp. Recording under the name heave, the self-titled EP is a quick three-song debut. Here, she acts as lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, with accompaniment from Jake Galenski on drums, slide guitar and organ. Having been recorded in an attic, the EP has deep DIY indie vibes, which lends itself to the laid back nature of these tunes. The smooth reverberant tone of the electric guitar provides a gliding effect that coasts throughout the not quite 8 minute release. The lightest organ and second guitar flourishes ebb and flow at just the right moments to bring each track to life. For being only three songs long, there is quite a bit of range here. Opening track, “beveled,” has a loose jazz groove to it, with a slide guitar refrain that teases a lazy beach afternoon. The second track, “cape squad,”[...]

Wild Things Return with “Don’t Wanna Feel It”

September 28, 2017

“I’m always on the fence about love / How am I supposed to get some / When I’m always close to my heart / Tell me something I wanna know / Don’t make me give you my all / I’ll fuck it up just show,” Wild Things’ vocalist Ben Cain sings at the outset of new single “Don’t Wanna Feel It,” overtop a driving bass beat, though the best of the track is still to come. It doesn’t take too long for the song’s massive hook to take over, leaving the listener awash in dance floor-ready synths, squeaky clean guitar tones, soaring vocals and plenty of ‘nah nah, nah nah’ call-and-response bliss. “It’s getting harder and harder to fight the fear and the desire,” Cain waxes later on, before the song’s big hook takes hold once again. “Don’t Wanna Feel It” is a fun-as-hell pop banger, but rest assured, once[...]

dreambeaches Drop New Single “Trademark,” Ready New EP

September 27, 2017

Buffalo baroque surf rockers dreambeaches are getting ready to drop their newest EP in a few weeks and they’re getting us ready for it too with a hot lead single, “Trademark.”  A gorgeous riot of chiming guitars, a propulsive beat, irresistible hooks, and sunny harmonies that soothe the soul, it’s an excellent teaser for Disappearing Act due October 13th from Admirable Traits Records and the show they’ll be putting on at Milkie’s for their album release shindig that night.  In the meantime, enjoy “Trademark” below.

SMUG Drop New Video “Swearing At You”

September 26, 2017

At the Flaming Lips with Mac DeMarco show the other night I was talking with a respectable citizen and elected union official who lamented to me that he’d read something on the Internet about how today’s youth don’t engage in the coming of age shenanigans previous generations did. Sneaking beers, getting into low level trouble and other forms of teen rebellion has apparently gone out of style and been replaced by other pursuits… but it still happens, and it should be celebrated, like it is in the new clip and single from SMUG. The former Naturalists are up to no good, and “Swearing At You,” directed and edited by fellow buffaBLOG writer Shauna Kyle and Del Paxton’s Greg McClure,  is fun in all caps, and a reminder that some of the youth, including the kids at the Lips show, are all right.

The Slums – Bloodsucker

September 15, 2017

The Slums describe their band as ‘loud rock ‘n’ roll’ and their music as ‘loud songs,’ a pair of phrases that perfectly describe their latest EP, Bloodsucker. In fact, they’re pretty much the hallmarks of the record. Bloodsucker explodes like a house of fire on the opening title track; a barrage of powerful swagger, cacophonous screams and jarring cymbal crashes.. However, the Slums quickly pump the brakes on the subsequent “Black Dress,” proving they aren’t mere pomp and circumstance by tempering the pace with angular riffs and soaring hooks. This goes until the final 40 seconds or so, when the band brings the noise back to your speakers once the track devolves into a sea of discordant shrieks, wailing guitars and loud percussion. The closing “Eight Months” represents the best of Bloodsucker’s trio of tunes, effectively combining the bands ability to craft stirring melodies and still crank everything to 11[...]

Dean Chatham Drops Video for “Blueberries”

August 29, 2017

Buffalo rapper Dean Chatham has been on the grind for a while now, having released five projects throughout his career and taking part of the hip-hop collective Black Sol, Chatham seems as though he knows what he’s doing. With his newest released EP titled, Red vs. Blue, Chatham recently released a charming music video for the single off of the EP, “Blueberries.” Directed and edited by James Werick, it has a DIY element to it, yet it’s kept professional with clever editing skills like certain shots coinciding with different lyrics that give it a humorous and light feel. Showing shots of his family, friends, and footage of his shows, the video for “Blueberries” gives a genuine view of the rapper by capturing him in a candid and relatable light. “Blueberries” also gives an authentic view of Buffalo and how Buffalo welcomes anyone with open arms. At one point, Chatham sings with[...]

Pop Punkers Kill The Clock Release New Music Video

August 7, 2017

Buffalonian pop-punk act Kill The Clock are on fire right now. The quartet is buzzing, having just played a massive gig with alt-rock mainstays Theory of a Deadman at Canalside. With what seems like perfect timing, the group has just released a music video for their new jam “Ode to Cheating Death.” Fans of Knuckle Puck, New Found Glory, or Four Year Strong will definitely dig this one. Click play below and prep yourself for blistering punk riffs, major chord progressions, and urgent vibes. Do KTC a solid and head over to their Bandcamp page. There, you can pick up their latest EP, Southgate, for a very reasonable “pay what you want” rate.