Buffalo

The Hamiltones Release New Surf-Punk Concept LP, ‘Dracula Invitational, 1791’

March 14, 2021

The Hamiltones have been kicking around Buffalo for years now, crafting epic, spindly surf-punk that brings to mind The Ventures, The Cramps and Dick Dale. They’re also fiercely individualistic – this time around, they’ve crafted an utterly unique batch of songs, 14 to be exact, self-described as “the score of the most ridiculous, b-movie Dracula film no one has ever seen (and may not even really exist).” Welcome to Dracula Invitational, 1791, a next-level concept album that tells the story about how the Hamiltones were invited to be the house band at the most infamous Dracula party in the world. The whole plot is spelled out in a wax-sealed letter that’s included with every record. The Hamiltones went all out for this, including a huge centerfold illustration depicting the Dracula party drawn by Buffalo-based illustrator Mickey Harmon. Songs like “No, Let’s Eat the Musicians” (which is accompanied by a music video[...]

Wild Once Release New Music Video for “Alone by Choice”

February 23, 2021

Buffalo indie/emo mainstays Wild Once are back (or still here, rather) with a brand new music video for “Alone by Choice” – the video showcases the band’s members in various states of relative solitude before bringing back them together to play in the same room once more. In an impressively choreographed shot, singer Tom Mayer plays his guitar in a kayak… Hopefully it didn’t fall overboard. This video feels especially poignant after the socially distant hell that most of us have been living through this past year. For that matter, Wild Once’s unique brand of ambient punk-meets-indie-meets-americana energy is the perfect accompaniment. Wild Once recorded “Alone by Choice” with Jay Zubricky at GCR studios this past August 2020. If you like what you see/hear, it can be found on We Did it Anyway, out now on Bandcamp and Spotify

Tines – “Thin Blue Line / Rock and Roll Witness Protection Program”

February 17, 2021

Over the course of rock n roll’s sordid history different styles of songwriting have emerged and worked their ways to the forefront. On one end of the spectrum, bands such as Black Sabbath, The Who, and Rush, have woven together fictional stories and flawless music to create grand, theatrical performances. All the way on the other end of songwriting and storytelling resides punk rock. Its DIY ethics are breathed into every aspect of creating, performing, and way of life. Lyrics from punk bands are personal. The songs are shorter and hit harder than those of the rock n roll grandfathers. Different, yes. Worse or better, that is irrelevant. Piercing the belief that a band must chose one style or the other is Buffalo’s very own rock n roll soldiers, Tines. Members of Tines have lived in the trenches of rock n roll since the nineties, fronting various projects, running a[...]

Humble Braggers Release New Music Video for “Better”

January 5, 2021

Buffalo synthpop heroes Humble Braggers are back with a new music video for their reimagined jam, “Better.” The video finds the HB boys getting raucous in a backyard beer pong session, complete with NFL-quality can punting (Go Bills!), table flipping, and plenty of quasi-drunken bliss. Juxtaposed against the band’s tomfoolery is front man Tom Burtless, smoothly mouthing the lyrics and dressed to the nines in an expertly-decorated room. It’s a good look for the Buffalo mainstays, who continue to pump out mature and polished music (and evidently having a great time doing so). Like all of Humble Braggers’ work, “Better” is another absolute earworm, full of tasty synths, soaked in reverb, and tinged with just-enough vintage 1980s flavor. Check it out below – If you prefer to listen elsewhere, you can find all of the links here.

Buffalo Duo Amateur Hockey Club Releases New EP & Single

December 4, 2020

Here’s a dope one from Buffalo’s own Amateur Hockey Club. The Buffalo-based duo reside in an emo-indie aether, as evidenced by their latest offering, “Mad Max Mathews Makes Machines Musical.” Bringing to mind bands like Transit, Charmer, or Dryjacket, “Mad Max” finds the duo exploring the realities of post-grad ennui and twenty-something angst with lyrical sincerity, meandering guitar and bass riffs, and a bedroom-pop-esque mix. This one really lets loose around the two-minute-mark, where the guys step on the distortion pedals and go out swinging with an anthemic sing-along section. Amateur Hockey Club just released a brand new EP called Figure Myself Out, upon which “Mad Max” resides. Check out the whole EP on Spotify here.

Sons of Luther Explore “Isolationism”

November 2, 2020

Batavia post grunge disciples Sons of Luther are back with a lacerating slice of political protest rock right in time for Election Day called “Isolationism” and it takes no prisoners. Recorded in secret at a post industrial location under the strictest safety procedures in October, “Isolationism” finds Sons mastermind Wren Werner pondering America’s fraught political climate amidst a global pandemic fragmenting our society and minds susceptible to conspiracy theories and fringe thinking… and laying down some serious riffs to back it up. The very 80’s, analog VHS video clip for “Isolationism” directed by Adam Burnett is psychedelic and also right on schedule because our linear conception of time itself has been rendered meaningless by Quarantine 2020-2021. What’s not meaningless is Werner’s commendable pledge to donate any Sons of Luther revenue generated during our annus horribilis of 2020 to the NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) Save Our Stages, and the Equal[...]

Quinton Brock is Taking All of Us “To The Moon”

October 19, 2020

Quinton Brock’s latest single “To The Moon” is everything you need right now in the year of our lord 2020, and it’s video directed by Shauna Presto is pure gold and the future Leftists dream of. The ever elusive Brock has previously offered us glimpses into his progressive and soulful vision hip-hop, but here it’s sunny and frankly gorgeous surf punk rock that’s rousingly,  joyfully alive thanks to his satisfyingly earnest melodies, some killer riffs and shredding from Griff Smith and Peter Enriquez, and some fat and swinging rhythm from bassist Don Hanson and drummer Gengis Don. The video from buffaBLOG alum Shauna Presto is pure summer, and a heavenly expression of freedom, love, and community, and everybody needs to get with it as soon as possible. Thanks.

14 trapdoors Shares “Love” Music Video

September 2, 2020

Offbeat hip-hop trio 14 trapdoors has shared music video for the new single “Love,” the third single from the group’s forthcoming new album Eileen. The laid-back track is complimented by heady visuals via Mi6fit and includes guest verses from DNTWATCHTV and Medusa. Comprised of local MCs Short Moscato, Bendyface and Wza, the threesome is set to drop the record on September 11th. The 10-track release features guest appearances from Bille Esco, Benny the Butcher, Che Noir and more heavy hitters from Buffalo’s hip-hop community. Check out the clip below.

Elemantra Drops Live Sessions EP

September 1, 2020

Local indie rockers Elemantra are back with their first collection of new tunes in two years with G Camp Live Sessions. Recorded and filmed last fall while camping Seneca Allegheny Territory, the 3-track EP finds the Salamanca foursome continuing to mine the early emo / post-rock / shoegaze  hybrid sound that has made them a favorite of this blog.  The group’s range – from delicate melodies to crescendoing riffs – should appeal to fans of Hum and Sunny Day Real Estate. All of the songs are accompanied by a live, river-backed clip, a nice reminder that the best season in WNY is right around the corner. The audio files can all be found on the band’s Spotify. In the mean time, watch the video for “Sun Hugs” below. G Camp Live Sessions by elemantra

Velvet Bethany Shares New Video for “She’s So Mean”

August 28, 2020

Local garage punk quartet Velvet Bethany is busy prepping for the unveiling of its latest album Abuse Paradigm. While no release date has been given, the record’s first single “She’s So Mean” dropped earlier this month and has already been given the music video treatment. The clip for the peppy surf rockin’ tune finds front person Alison Mitchell performing the song on one of Buffalo’s beautiful beaches. The video’s lo-fi quality reminds me of an old family outing to Crystal Beach my dad captured on VHS. Anyway, the track, recorded at Lockport’s Watchmen Studios, is currently available for purchase via Bandcamp while the full length should assumingly surface sometime this fall/winter. Watch the video for “She’s So Mean” below.

Rust Belt Brigade Preps Upcoming Album, Shares New Single

August 27, 2020

Buffalo roots unit Rust Belt Brigade has announced the release of its forthcoming new record Howdy Hallelujah, Here’s The Thing, set to drop on September 18th. The album’s first single “Roll Call” plays heavily into the band’s bluegrass roots, once again employing local violinist Sally Schaefer to add some old timey sheen to the tune. As always, the group’s raspy vocals and foot stomping melodies highlight its rustic punk charm. Recorded at Mammoth Studios, the album finds the busking foursome embracing a more electric sound versus its normal live band studio work. Speaking of foursome, the makeup of RBB will soon change as founding member and vocalist Victor Castillo relocates the project out west to pursue future music opportunities in Colorado. In the mean time, the single is currently streaming on Bandcamp while all proceeds from track sales will be donated to Black Love Resist in the Rust. Listen to[...]

Medusa Releases Menacing New Single, “Woof”

July 28, 2020

Here’s another darktronica banger from prolific Buffalo-based producer Medusa. “Woof” is a grungy, genre-bending slog that beautifully aligns with their m.o.: [Medusa has] pledged their life to composing anthems of the scorned. Like the infamous gorgon, Medusa is all about avenging wrongs and turning you to stone – but, like, in a fun way. It’s revenge pop. “Woof” absolutely feels like a revenge jam – especially the recurring refrain of “I’m that b*tch.” Noisy, angry, and menacing, this one is sure to pump some adrenaline into your veins. Check it out below and be sure to add it to your Spotify if you dig it. WOOF by MEDUSA

way2wavybaby & chango4 Break on Thru to Planet 9

July 20, 2020

Right in time for the most catawampus Fourth of July in American history probably since the original and our ongoing Coronavirus summer, Buffalo’s hip hop scene delivered not one but two vital albums for our long, hot summer, Westside Gunn’s latest, which we’ll leave to Pitchfork now that the Grizelda crew has gone supernova; and Planet 9, a  gloriously shiny and irresistible collaboration featuring emcees way2wavybaby and Chango4 that’s chilled out yet laser sharp, and a very encouraging glimpse of the future. If it feels like the ground is moving beneath  our feet that’s because it is, and way2wavybaby and Chango4 are part of this seismic shift. You love to see it: artists explicitly breaking down the exclusionary and oppressive limitations of old paradigms to get and be free, and the aspirational, DGAF lyrics and hypnotic grooves of Planet 9 feels like a welcome manifestation of this phenomena. Gen Z emcees like way2wavybaby and[...]

Savannah King – “Sweetest Dream”

June 9, 2020

Alt-folk artist Savannah King recently released a new three-song EP, featuring lead single “Sweetest Dream.” On “Dream,” King’s lilting vocals sit atop a tune that feels alt country, indie folk, and adult contemporary all at once. At just over five minutes, this one feels like a nostalgic journey, almost like the song’s subject matter, inspired by a brief stay in the scenic Utah desert. There are hints of sadness and hope in this one, best experienced for yourself. Check it out below. Savannah’s latest release, Moab, is available now via Bandcamp and Spotify. Moab by Savannah King

Humble Braggers Break Out With New Single “Locked Inside”

March 11, 2020

Buffalo synth pop quartet Humble Braggers have dropped a very tight new single “Locked Inside” that’s exactly what you need inside and out after an exceptionally sunless winter. Humble Braggers don’t play around on this single, with every element on song from the achingly vulnerable tenor and evocative lyrics of frontman and creative guru Tom Burtless,  a crystal clean guitar solo also from Burtless, “Locked Inside” breaks free to achieve proper lift off thanks to it’s genuine and meaningful empathy, it’s M83 worthy synth lines reaching for outer space, and some club friendly change ups and 80’s drum vibes encouraging you to get free. Check it out below and let some sunshine in. Locked Inside by Humble Braggers