Preview

Tonight: Super American

December 28, 2018

Genre-defying (but poppy af) duo Super American are wrapping up 2018 with a great show at a great venue. Their latest album Tequila Sunrise is a fun amalgamation of pop, indie, emo, and the 1990s, finding catharsis through the songwriting lens of giants like Third Eye Blind, Oasis, and Blink 182. Joining them tonight are the fellow pop punk/emo greats in Post Prom and West Ferry. Tonight’s show is at Lockhouse Distillery & Bar, in Buffalo’s beautiful cobblestone district. Doors are at 8:30 with a $10 cover. A friendly reminder that Lockhouse Distillery & Bar is a 21+ venue. Tequila Sunrise by Super American

Tonight: M.A.G.S.

December 22, 2018

Nietzsche’s is where it’s at tonight when it hosts an exceptional lineup featuring a home for the holidays performance from former Buffalo  but now Los Angeles based guitar hero and  blog favorite M.A.G.S., aka Elliott Douglas. Always hard to pin down when he was kicking around the city, M.A.G.S. hit listeners with surf punk, soul, and emo rock all, frequently at the same time, with a crack band including Deadwolf’s Tyler Mendola on drums backing up his soaring musical ambitions that’s also reconvening for the evening. Opening the show will be the wonderful fellas of Feverbox also home for the holiday weekend and fresh off the release of their righteous Political Theater EP, the always excellent power pop of The Demos, in town from Rochester with tunes from their fine If You Only Knew EP, and high flying local punks SMUG. Doors are at 9pm and tickets are $10.

Tonight: Boy Jr.

December 16, 2018

Rochester originated indie artist Boy Jr. celebrates a new single release this weekend tonight at Milkie’s! in 2015 Erica Allen-Lubman equipped with musical talent, a computer, and a dream, combined the three to release an expressive EP titled No Hard Feelings with the help of Delaney Hafener and Chris Ozone.Since then, Allen-Lubman under the name Boy Jr. has released Some Tunes, Some More Tunes, and “It’s Enough,” each a new development on the artist’s sound, as well as a deeper look into her mind. By far “It’s Enough” is my favorite Boy Jr. release so far. It’s a hard-hitting track that showcases the culmination of three years’ worth of tweaking and development by Boy Jr., proving that she can rock as hard as the full-set bands that perform. Watching a promo video posted to the Boy Jr. Facebook page is reminiscent of watching a young Amy Winehouse perform in the[...]

Tonight: The Eaves LP Release

December 15, 2018

Up from the ashes of the past, hard charging Buffalo roots rockers The Eaves have a proper long play album coming out by the name of Learning To Live In The Dark, and their having a party at The Leopard Lounge to celebrate it’s release with Roger Bryan & The Orphans, Brent Martone, and possibly you. The fellows of The Eaves have been hard at work under the cover of mystery and darkness, recording their debut on the sly at Robbie Takac’s GCR Audio recording studio on the fringes of Allentown so they could spring the fruits of their labors on an unsuspecting world, and tonight’s the night for the band and their fans. Also back in action after a bit of an absence from the scene, long time blog favorites Roger Bryan & The Orphans will be cranking their own sweet yet potent brand of rusted out American garage rock after a solo set[...]

Tonight: Stay Gold 2018

December 14, 2018

This year’s edition of the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s Stay Gold Community Art Party is tonight and they’ve outdone themselves with the music lined up for their annual shindig, now heading into it’s third year. Coinciding with M&T’s free admission Second Friday at the Burchfield, Stay Gold features site specific installations by a dozen Western New York artists and music performances from a thoughtfully diverse and eclectic selection of local acts very much worthy of attention, covering a wide range of genres for your art party pleasure and giving party goers a snapshot of the area’s art and music scenes right now. Stay Gold 2018 will be featuring the funky and soulful jazz of The Frontstreet Men Organ Trio; radiant soul singer Curtis Lovell, who wowed the audience at Sugar City’s 10th Anniversary Party; the bluegrass Americana of The Brothers Blue; Kokoneetz, aka Andrew Kothen of dreambeaches and The Shallows; the lyrical and technical[...]

Tonight: Justin Roeland & the Nightswimmers

December 8, 2018

Buffalo’s newest and coolest venue, Duende at Silo City, sets the mood tonight with a evening of chilled out, ambient tunes. Taking the proverbial stage are Justin Roeland and the Nightswimmers. Roeland (The Fling) is an Ithaca-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who leads this band of indie folk rockers with lethargic, ethereal vocals and catchy, atmospheric melodies. Expect tracks from their latest album, Doomed to Bloom, as well as oldies. Be sure to gather ’round like a campfire under a starry night for what will be an outstandingly scenic set. Performing and flying solo is Emily Finlan, singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Buffalo bedroom folk quartet, heave. Finlan slowly weaves and anchors beautiful and delicate lullabies with a velvety voice so touching it will bring a tear to your eye. Rounding out the night is the debut of Buffalo folk ensemble The Shallows (members of Oats Holy Roller, Dreambeaches,[...]

Tonight: Rubblebucket

December 5, 2018

Make sure your Fitbit is charged up and your footwear rated for dancing tonight when Brooklyn art funk duo Rubblebucket bring their thoughtful, intense, and very groove heavy show to Babeville’s Asbury Hall with And The Kids.  The longtime indie darlings will be turning it up with jams off their luminescent fourth album, Sun Machine, which feels really like the juiciest nuggets of the Tom Tom Club oeuvre but with even more feels, so you can definitely expect some fun and maybe some sweet emotional release by the time Annakalmia and Alex are done with us, in one of the city’s most sacred venues (and hub of artistic endeavor). Getting everything going will be Northampton, MA indie pop quartet And The Kids, who also qualify as “luminescent” but I already used that once today. But seriously, don’t be one of those wankers who stroll in fashionably late in time for the headliner, try to get to Babeville early for And The[...]

Tonight: Ava Luna

December 5, 2018

Soulfully innovative indie group Ava Luna performs tonight at Mohawk Place! Since 2007, Ava Luna has been garnering attention for its creative blending of genres, ranging from soul and R&B to reggae and psychedelic with heavy synths. However, Ava Luna’s recent release, Moon 2, has amassed recognition for being vastly different from its earlier works; most attribute this change to Carlos Hernandez stepping back from his leadership role, allowing his bandmates to contribute more creatively during the recording process. The result: an extraordinary album of stellar extraterrestrial sounds. Ava Luna creates its own world through which it easily maneuvers listeners in this album. Maggie Lange of Pitchfork puts it perfectly, stating in her review, “It’s an electro-funk that plays on a gravity plane where everything is a different weight, sounds melt more deeply and float off more easily.” Listening to Moon 2 is like being projected back in time, yet[...]

Tonight: Bayside

November 29, 2018

Legendary punk act Bayside is making a special acoustic appearance tonight at The Tralf. After the success of their first acoustic EP (released over 10 years ago now!), Bayside has returned with a fresh new batch of acoustic takes on both fan-favorite songs and a few deep cuts. Rather than a simple acoustic take, fans should expect a complete re-imagining of these songs. Joining them tonight are special guests, GOLDS. Tonight’s show is $25 at the door. Doors open at 8pm, music starts at 9pm. This particular show is 21+, but 16+ can get in with a parent.

Tonight: Death From Above

November 25, 2018

103.3 the Edge proudly presents Death From Above tonight at The Rapids Theatre! The duo from Toronto, Canada has had a tumultuous past, yet has overcome difficulties and differences to continue creating some pretty banging music. While no one knows for sure how Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler met (they perpetuate various tales from gay bars to pirate ships), Death From Above has been jamming since 2001. Within a short 17 years, the band has changed their name twice, overcame a five-year hiatus following creative differences, and released three full-length albums. Most recently, their album Outrage! Is Now dropped in September last year, featuring the single “Freeze Me.” In fact, “Freeze Me” has popped up on my Spotify playlist a number of times these recent months; their sound closely relates to Muse and Royal Blood combined, creating a hard-hitting powerhouse backed by strengthening, yet subtle, synths. I remember listening[...]

Tonight: First Ward EP Release

November 24, 2018

Tonight’s a big night for local melodic rock act First Ward – Zak Ward & co. are releasing a brand new EP with a great lineup at a unique venue. For tonight’s celebration, they’ll be bringing Syracuse indie/soul act The Black River into to town. They’ve also invited buffaBLOG mainstay Sonny Baker to perform, who will be opening the show with a rare solo acoustic set. Tonight’s show is $10 at Imagine Event Center on Military Road in Buffalo. Door opens at 7pm, music starts at 8pm Speck of Dust by First Ward

Tonight: Night Slaves LP Release Party

November 23, 2018

Recover from Thanksgiving and all of your family by indulging the darkness within tonight at the Mohawk when Night Slaves celebrate the release of their new full length with help frm SKIN SHIT and uncertain. Musical polymath David Kane and Nick Cave channeling vocalist John Toohill are back with some gorgeously dark post industrial pop music on their sophomore LP Night Slaves III, and the duo will be performing it in it’s entirety with a full band featuring friends from around the local scene. Opening the show will be some new noise from SKIN SHIT, aka Nola Ranallo of CAGES and Mark Kedzierski of GOD OF CAPS, and the otherworldly ritual ambient of uncertain. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $10. Night Slaves III by Night Slaves

Tonight: Forager

November 17, 2018

Surf’s up at Milkie’s tonight with featured band Forager! Described as a “surfgaze” group, Forager originated in 2016 Cleveland, Ohio with mainstays Raye Hart, James Thain, and Justin Bellino. The group has gained notoriety among college radios and indie bloggers following their first EP release this past February. Deadbeat Suite is a classic vivacious “feel-good” album with one catchy track after another. The driving hooks and bouncing rhythms instills the urge to get up and dance like Uma Thurman and John Travolta in cult classic “Pulp Fiction.” The major tones throughout the album bring a sense of serenity and blissfulness. There’s nostalgia for a time and music genre that seems to have fallen by the wayside over a number of decades. It’s time for a revival with bands like Forager. Tonight’s lineup includes local rock groups Nylon Otters and Halo Nellie. Doors open at 8pm with a $5 cover charge.[...]

Tonight: Mac Sabbath

November 16, 2018

There is no better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of Birmingham UK rock/metal gods Black Sabbath than with tonight’s Mac Sabbath show at the Tralf. Equal parts skull crushing Sabbath tribute band and trenchant parody of fast food and consumer culture, Mac Sabbath kicks a profound amount of ass channeling the ur metal majesty of Ozzie, Tommy, Bill and Geezer while hilariously sending up modern life and shamelessly beloved pop culture iconography with a properly Sabbathesque live show that is all satisfyingly sweet sensory overload. And for a band that hails from Los Angeles California (pronounced “Californ-ay-yeh”), Ronald Osbourne really has a tremendous midlands accent. Doors are at 7pm, mayhem begins at 8pm, and tickets are $22.

Tonight: SMUG Release Party

November 16, 2018

There’s a punk rock party tonight at Nietzsche’s in Buffalo as local favorites, SMUG, celebrate the release of their hotly anticipated debut album, Gorgeous. Formed in 2017, SMUG is a trio that’s been heating up the scene all year with addictively apathetic and high voltage punk tracks. Their combination of snobby vocals, kinetic riffs and hopscotch drumbeats is backed up with an infectious “fuck you” attitude that’s earned the trio a reputation as Buffalo’s baddest influences. Things are going to get rowdy so grab a beer, or two, with the cool kids and celebrate what’s sure to be an awesome record and even better performance. Showing their support are hometown pop punkers Kill the Clock. Featuring fast and emotionally fragile songs with catchy, scream-a-long choruses, this frenetic four-piece will get Nietzsche’s moving and your blood pumping. Rounding out this killer bill are Buffalo emo rockers, Cooler, and Rochester rockabilly duo,[...]