Preview

Tonight: Druse

Sugar City is being savagely taken over by Rochester tonight, featuring a double-whammy headliner via post-hardcore act DRUSE and mathy-emo kingpins Taking Meds. They will be joined by the equally excellent California Cousins and the swimmy, shoegaze-tinged Carpool; both bands have been making waves lately in the emo scene (see our album of the week nods here and here). Tonight’s show is at Sugar City – get there by 7pm to catch all of the bands. We couldn’t find a price, but we’ve provided a link to the Facebook event here. A friendly reminder that Sugar City is an all-ages, drug and alcohol free space. My Moon is Always Full Promo by Taking Meds

Tonight: Well Worn Boot

Cosmic forces beyond our limited human capacity for understanding are aligning tonight in Allentown when beloved but currently defunct hillbilly psycho cowpunk outfit Well Worn Boot reunite for one night only at Nietzsche’s with an absolutely stacked all star bill. Prepare your mind and body for a potentially Jodorowskyesque (or is it Schlesingeresque?) journey that will test everything you have as you venture up the unholy mountain, urged upward by Fredtown steam folk punk foursome Mr. Boneless, also reuniting for the evening; Rochester freakazoids Harmonica Lewinski and experimental acoustic duo Green Schwinn before the deranged masked men of Well Worn Boot unleash god knows what upon those in attendance and doing whatever they’re going to do to us to break on through to their own twisted version of enlightenment. Will it be legal? Maybe. Will it be preposterous, twisted, and not soon to be forgotten? Without question. Doors are at 8pm and cost of[...]

Tonight: Cougar Sweat

Nietzsche’s is hosting a rock show featuring Cougar Sweat tonight! Originating in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016, Cougar Sweat prides itself on being an energetic, joy-embracing group. With Caleb Chauncey on guitar and vocals and Nate Cook on drums, the band released a self-titled EP in February 2017 and a single called “Peace” this past May. The tracks deliver a full sound despite having only two members, calling references to modern influences like Royal Blood, Dead Sara and Ok Go. Cougar Sweat indeed lives up to the “people-to-people style, stuffing a venue with solid sounds and brotherly love” description on the group’s Facebook page. Tonight’s lineup includes fellow Georgia rock band McLeod, as well as Buffalo natives Velvet Bethany and Venus Vacation. The show begins at 10 pm with a $5 cover charge. Age restrictions are 21+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Written by Samantha Schweitzer

Tonight: The Joy Formidable

Tonight The Joy Formidable takes the stage at Buffalo’s Rec Room to rock your faces clean off as they wrap up their North American tour. This North Wales trio means business with their wonderfully deafening and melodic indie rock records. Badass lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan leads the charge with beautiful, ethereal vocals and emotionally charged and dictated riffs. Supporting Bryan and adding their own textures to the captivating soundscape are buzzing bassist Rhydian Dafydd and calamitous drummer Justin Stahley. Expect a live wire set that includes tracks off their latest album AAARTH. Opening the night are special guests and hometown rock ‘n’ rollers, The Eaves. This is one of the very last shows to see The Joy Formidable in the US so see them while you can. Doors at 7pm. Tickets are $30; get them here. 16+ with an ID, under 16 with an adult.

Tonight: Ty Segall

Tonight prolific singer-songwriter-guitar wizard, Ty Segall, unplugs for a special set as part of his solo acoustic tour at Buffalo Iron Works. Get up close and personal with a man who needs no introduction. Since debuting as a solo act on the Orange County scene back in 2008, the one-man garage psych rock band has released an overwhelming and kaleidoscopic catalog of solo albums, EPs and side projects. This year alone he’s gifted us with three albums including the cover album Fudge Sandwich, collaboration with White Fence, Joy and perfectly realized double album, Freedom’s Goblin. But tonight Segall trades in his mind-bendingly lo-fi, raw and reverberating renditions for a sound more intimate and emotional. With a set list that promises favorites along with rarely performed records, don’t pass up this opportunity for a personal and unique show that’s a must-see for any music fan. Joining Segall is special guest and[...]

Tonight: Honey COMA

Honey COMA is hosting an evening of what promises to be very emotional music tonight. The trio specializes in dark, brooding indie rock with painfully introspective lyrics – case in point, debut EP 7 Songs. Joining them tonight are alt-punk, queer-core trio Tina Panic Noise and a performance from San Antōn (aka Tony Flaminio of Lemuria, Failures’ Union, and Mallwalkers fame). Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place – doors are at 8pm. Bring $5. 7 Songs by honey COMA

Tonight: They Might Be Giants

World-touring veteran alt-rockers, They Might Be Giants, take the stage at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom tonight in support of their new album, I Like Fun. Perhaps best known for their defiant theme song for the TV show, Malcom in the Middle, TMBG was formed by childhood friends John Flansburgh and John Linnell back in 1982. With a DIY attitude and tireless work ethic, the duo released their official debut, Flood, in 1990 and grew into cult sensations thanks to catchy melodies and idiosyncratic lyrics. Over the years, TMBG’s sound and direction constantly evolved over an endless catalog of releases, including hit songs “Birdhouse in your Soul” and the incomparable cover of “Istanbul.” I Like Fun is the decorated musicians’ 20th studio album and features the single, “I Left My Body.” This show is one of epic proportions so don’t miss your chance to experience one of the hardest working and diverse[...]

Tonight: Ian Sweet

Tonight Los Angeles by way of Boston indie rockers Ian Sweet rolls through the Mohawk with fellow Angeleno art rock quartet Young Jesus, and recently reconstituted local duo and blog favorites Ugly Sun. Ian Sweet, aka Jilian Medford, is touring in support of her freshly released sophomore effort Crush Crusher, a powerful, fiercely emotional, and deeply rewarding DIY one woman band effort that alternately shimmers with beautiful restraint and shreds with glorious intent. Meanwhile, hyper literary yet primal post-punk riff rockers Young Jesus, noted for their improvisational live explorations, also just released some fresh new music of their own, the daring and searching The Whole Thing Is Just There. Then there’s skull crushing garage rockers Ugly Sun, still keeping things properly and properly unsavory but now as a duo, also have some new songs they want to play for you, so be sure to get there early. Doors are at 7pm[...]

Tonight: Peel Dream Magazine

Rising indie rock act Peel Dream Magazine is performing tonight at Mohawk Place! Releasing their debut album Modern Meta Physic in early October, Peel Dream Magazine has caught the ears of a wide audience.Joe Stevens, who formed the band, takes inspiration from bands like The Velvet Underground and The Beatles, relaying his own perception of their sounds. While not much seems to be written about the band, what is published are the things I wish I could write about a band. There is so much adoration in these authors’ words for Peel Dream Magazine and the music they produce. Regarded as “a record of slowly unfurling charms”on For the Rabbits, Modern Meta Physic brilliantly showcases the band’s take on a 90’s interpretations of the psychedelic sounds of the 60’s. Tonight’s opener is Buffalo’s own heave. Having released a new demo titled “Andy” at the beginning of October, the show at[...]

Tonight: The Ataris

Whether it’s the earnest emo-punk of “In This Diary” or the monumental hit cover of “Boys of Summer,” So Long Astoria was truly one of the most influential albums of 2003. The Ataris have made their way to Buffalo today to relive the early aughts in celebration of the 15th anniversary of their landmark album. Tonight’s show is $20. Doors open at 6pm at Mohawk Place – bring your ID or no entry. A friendly reminder that this is an 18+ show.

Tonight: Mohawk Halloween

Under tonight’s creepy full moon, Buffalo’s Mohawk Place transforms into a rockin’ haunted house party as they host their annual and ghoulishly fun Halloween bash featuring local favorites and former local favorites. This stacked line-up has something for every ghost and ghoul. If you like to shake your bones to freaky electronica that’s been experimented on more than Frankenstein’s Monster, show up for the buzzworthy Space Cubs, immersive Bottler and hair-raising Lesionread. However, for those who prefer something they could run from a knife-wielding lunatic to, sink your fangs into the awesomely deranged psych-rock of Bold Folly. Also performing are Iron Fist, eulogizing undead 70’s rock stars, Hawkwind, and Episodic Memory (formerly Kristachuwan), the solo project of audio/visual artist and Space Cub tourmate, Chris Svoboda. For those who dare to enter, be forewarned, there will be a costume contest and more surprise tricks and treats to be revealed. Show at[...]

Tonight: The Strokes vs Interpol Featuring Different Strokes vs Outerpol

What an amazing and miraculous time to be a music fan in Buffalo, NY! Not only is there a Strokes tribute band operating in the area featuring some of Buffalo’s best musicians in the form of Different Strokes, but now there’s a tribute band for their erstwhile “rivals” Interpol… featuring more of the city’s best going by the name of Outerpol, and both are colliding tonight to do metaphorical battle at the Mohawk as part of their run up to Halloween. Fans of early aughts NYC indie rock have to get downtown to catch the Different Strokes crew (Tom “Humble Braggers” Burtless, John “Girl Jeans” Grace, Ryan “The Slums” Schilia, Griff “Feverbox” Smith, Ben “King of the Goths” Parsons) represent for the Converse and denim jacket crowd while Outerpol, featuring Cooler’s Nick Sessanna as well as Hundred Plus Club’s Zain Shirazi, Burak Spoth and Josh Gidwitz. DJ Tight Mike Moretti[...]

Tonight: Avi Buffalo

Indie musician Avi Buffalo is performing tonight at Mohawk Place! Having beginnings as a  solo project by frontman Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg, Avi Buffalo at its core is still Zahner-Isenberg. However, the project evolves into a full-fledged band for live performances and some studio recordings. Avi Buffalo has released a self-titled album, and At Best Cuckold through Sub Pop Records. Both LPs were dutifully worked over, progressing with each year that passed to complete them. At Best Cuckold has proven to be a great development of the band’s sound and genre, leaving audiences waiting to see what the next album brings. Joining tonight’s lineup are Highland Park duo Haunted Summer, and Buffalo’s very own Stress Dolls, and Parade Chic. Mohawk Place opens its doors at 7pm. Tickets are available for $10. Written by Samantha Schweitzer

Tonight: The Leones

Get in the haunting holiday spirit with The Leones as they host their second annual Halloween show tonight at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place. The Leones are a phantasmic piano-dream-rock act from Western, NY. Their spooky sound is the perfect score for a lonely midnight stroll down a foggy, shadowy road. Justin Bachulak’s ominous vocals and chilling keys are punctuated like a knife through a shower curtain by Dustin Lau’s ethereal guitar chords. These two will give you the willies and leave you looking over your shoulder on your way home tonight. Expect an eerie performance including ghastly new material. Hometown synth-pop four-piece, Humble Braggers, will also be stalking the stage. Reanimated by the release of their thrilling new EP, Cycle, Humble Braggers conjure spine-tingling dance tracks that could raise the dead. You might want to stretch beforehand because their exhilarating synths, punchy percussions and dazzling vocals will possess you to bust[...]

Tonight: Handsome Jack Album Release Party

Tonight is a shockingly busy night for Buffalo music fans, with shows going off all over downtown, and Buffalo Iron Works has a killer show lined up with soulful Lockport rock revivalists Handsome Jack celebrating the release of their third album Everything’s Gonna Be Alright at Buffalo Iron Works with heavy duty psych rockers Deadwolf and garage rock outfit Johnny Nobody. If you know anybody who says “rock is dead” you can tell them to get out of the house more and  send them down to the Cobblestone District to hear up to the minute new tunes from Handsome Jack, and possibly catch a taste of the new stuff on the horizon from the ever ambitious Deadwolf, who’ve been hard at work on a follow up to Heavy Heart. It’s all going down tonight, and doors are at 8pm and cover is $12.